CTC Retreat

Since WRAL has picked up on the story regarding Cary Town Council's retreat to Wilmington, a number of people have expressed their dissatisfaction over how the town's tax money is being spent, and how inaccessible these sessions are to the general public. Fortunately, Cary real estate developers should have no problem getting there and mingling with our representatives, so at least they won't be alone.

Still, I think with a little planning, this session could prove quite productive in generating the kind of thoughtfulness we need from our town council. The key is to strucuture this retreat in a way which lets them experience the same kinds of issues Cary citizens face, and for the council to use the benefits of this newfound experience to provide citizen-focused leadership when they return. Here are my suggestions on getting the most out of this retreat:

1. To heck with meeting downstairs from the hotel rooms. Have the CTC stay in a hotel well-outside of Wilmington and schedule their meetings downtown beginning 8:30am. CTC members generally don't get to experience rush hour traffic, so give them a chance to spend 30 or 40 minutes enjoying the company of courteous fellow commuters.
2. After the first session, redistrict the meetings to a different downtown building, which is even further away from their hotel. This would better balance Wilmington's economic benefits and political / apolitical demographics. Explain to them that this is for the betterment of all.
3. As the CTC prepares to break for the day, inform them that based on budgetary restrictions, they are going to have to work Mandatory Day Round schedules, and that they will have to work through the night in yet a different building. This is an excellent cost-saving measure, and studies have shown that their efficiency will actually increase. Other CTC's have tried MDR at their retreats and found it didn't work, but I'm sure ours will be different. They can enjoy having breaks at 2am, 6am, noon and 7pm. I'm sure there are all kinds of enrichment activities available at those times.
   
4. When dinner is served, reduce the culinary offerings to chips & dip and maybe a few pork rinds -- but place a beautiful ice sculpture in the middle of the table. Artwork is important, and should precede the basic necessities.
5. When CTC members check out of their hotel, include a hefty 'water/sewer usage' fee on their bills, since somebody's got to pay for all the infrastructure to support hosting retreats like this.

Upon their return to Cary, let the CTC members come back to neighborhoods they no longer recognize. Put up some quick modular 'high-density' condominums or office buildings next to their houses, add a drug store on the corner, and leave them wondering what happened to the charming place they were used to.