Cary's Town Manager, Sean Stegall, has been under scrutiny for his spending habits, particularly his decision to send town officials to courses at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Vanderbilt, and the University of Virginia. The total expenditure for these educational programs amounts to at least $84,909.90. This has raised questions about the appropriateness of using town funds for such purposes, especially given the potential for personal gain or influence.
Stegall's affinity for Harvard is particularly notable. After completing a Harvard certificate program in 2008, he reportedly "saw the light" and became the manager he was hired to be. This led to other officials, including Interim Town Manager Russ Overton, Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar, and Chief Human Resources Officer Renee Poole, also enrolling in similar Harvard courses. The tuition for these courses alone cost $51,700, and additional expenses for travel, lodging, and meals brought the total to over $19,000 for Poole.
The town's code allows for reimbursement of tuition and other fees, but it also stipulates that "satisfactory completion of the course will be required for reimbursement." This raises questions about whether the town was paying for courses before they were completed, which could be seen as a misuse of funds.
Stegall's spending habits have also extended beyond Harvard. He and Widmar registered for courses at Vanderbilt University, with expenses totaling over $10,000, including tuition, travel, and lodging. Additionally, Stegall claims to hold a leadership coaching certificate from American University, although the town spent over $10,000 on his behalf for courses and events there.
The town's Chief Strategy Officer, Susan Moran, defended Stegall's actions, stating that "the manager makes the rules" and has the authority to direct expenditures. However, this defense has been met with skepticism, especially given the potential for personal gain and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
The case of Cary's town officials highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in public spending. It also underscores the need for clear guidelines and oversight to ensure that taxpayer money is used appropriately and for the intended purposes.
