🦇 Creeping it Real

👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, October 8, 2026 and this is the 92nd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

First and foremost, thank you to all of you who reached out via email, text, social media, dropping food off to my front door, sending letters…

Mrs. Weekly and I are so grateful.

I feel a little bit weird about sharing her breast cancer journey. It’s even awkward sometimes to accept some of what has been shared and offered our way. I really didn’t expect anything and just wanted to bring awareness. Maybe there was a small, selfish part of me that was hoping to send a little attention her way to make her smile.

And, for both reasons, I’m glad I did because the awareness is super important, and the outpouring of support from “strangers” (not really strangers, we’re family at this point, right?!) has absolutely boosted her morale. My plan worked :)

Sorry to get all sentimental. Mrs. Weekly is my best friend and I just want to say thank you. For giving me a few minutes of your time and reading these emails every week. For the kind words you share with me. For the kind words you share with her. I’m just overwhelmed with gratefulness right now.

Alright, shake it off. We have work to do. Let’s get back into it!

Two things I want to share up-front. One, having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card! And Wake County libraries are creeping it real this October.

From frighteningly fun to eerily educational, free programs and events for all ages are brewing throughout the month of October. From Haunted Carolina: The Spookiest Places in North Carolina to Alien Abductions and A Search of Big Foot - there are all kinds of fun, free things to do ahead of Halloween at our county libraries.

See a full list here.

Second thing to mention:

I like libraries. But if I’m creeping it real with you, I like trees and wildlife more.

This is a longer rant. I might catch some heat. But I am going to be the voice for the trees and the wildlife that dont have one.

This past weekend a resident posted about trees in one of the Apex Facebook groups. It has more than 240 comments. Mayor Pro Tem Terry Mahaffey replied at least a dozen times.

He sits on the committee that reviews development and the board that advises on the environment, and he ran, twice, on trees.

When he talks about this subject, people listen.

Here is some of what he said:

• "Apex has the strongest tree protections in the state."

• "Apex requires 35% of most single family and 30% of townhome communities to be tree protection zones. Holly Springs is 20%."

• "There literally is a law that says that" (that the Town can't require trees to be saved).

• "We are operating in a legal framework not of our making."

• "We require various mitigations… including a large cash donation to Trees for the Triangle."

• "Growth has slowed dramatically, down around 66% from the peak."

Not one of those came with a source.

No ordinance section. No statute. No Town document.

Just some charts he made, numbers he claimed, and words he typed. Those aren’t sources.

I spent the weekend looking for the actual sources of his claims. Here's what I found.

"Strongest tree protection in the state." Think about that one. That’s a BOLD claim. With ZERO source. But I’ll give you a source. And here’s what it’ll say: Apex has no tree protection ordinance. None. Apex’s resource conservation set-aside can be met with a stormwater pond, a lawn and the landscaping strips a different rule already requires. Apex does not require a developer to save a single tree. It just so happens that trees are usually in the buffer so Terry calls that Tree Protection. It’s not. Holly Springs, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham require that their set-asides contain trees. Apex's does not say the word. Here’s a source.

"35 percent." He often follows up his “best protection” claim with a 35% rule. The ordinance says 10, 20 or 30, depending on where the land is. The only way to reach 35 is for a developer to take a five-point surcharge for mass grading the site. Here’s a source (same as the one above)

"Holly Springs is 20%." That’s the words he typed. The UDO doesn’t say that though. Holly Springs generally requires 30 percent. The 20 is a second rule inside it: 20 to 25 percent of the site must be preserved trees. Apex has no second rule and doesn’t require tree preservation. Here’s a source.

"There literally is a law." There is: G.S. 160D-921. It protects timber harvests on farmland. The next paragraph says, in so many words, that it does not limit a town's power to regulate development, to use zoning, or to act under a local act of the legislature. Basically the source says the opposite of the words Terry typed without a source.

"Not of our making." He claims the Town’s hands are tied on some of the resource protections. No source, though. Here’s the thing. On July 12, 2000, the General Assembly passed a law titled "An act authorizing… the Town of Apex… to adopt ordinances regulating removal, replacement, and preservation of trees." Apex has never used it. In 2001, Cary, Garner and Morrisville went back for more authority. Apex didn't ask. Here’s a source.

"We require… a cash donation." There is no such requirement in the ordinance. One developer offered one, on one rezoning. And yes, sometimes Apex lets developers claim an Affordable Housing credit and then pay off the town to not actually build any affordable housing but that’s not a requirement nor is that a good thing. Here’s a source (same as the one above)

"Growth is Down 66%." If you look at sources - Apex’s population dashboard, COs issued by the Town, the FY27 budget docs… no source supports the words Terry typed. The Town's September development report, published yesterday, even says growth has been "consistent… stabilizing between 4% and 5%." Terry says growth is down 66%. The Town’s data says last year added 4,005 residents, the most since 2020. Here’s a source.

I'll publish the full record next week, every claim next to the document, with links.

Today I'm asking for something simpler.

When he posts a number, ask him where it came from.

Go back to this post over the weekend, previous posts, and watch for future posts. When he makes a claim, just ask him for the source.

Not his chart that he made and put his tree logo on. Not his summary or blog post. 

Ask for the legitimate source. The document, the ordinance section, the state law, the Town report. Anything that isn’t something he made.

That’s a fair ask.

It’s scary when the Town Council member with the most influence, who made a logo with a tree, who ran his campaigns on trees, who sits on committees that impact trees, who votes on projects that cut down trees, and who is majorly funded by a pro-development PAC sits here and posts unverifiable statements that tell the story of Apex having strong tree protection but provides absolutely no evidence.

I asked him for his source.

He did not respond.

The wildlife who cannot speak for themselves need your help.

You don't have to argue. You don't have to be rude. You don't have to know the answer. You don’t have to be democrat. You don’t have to be republican. You don’t have to be anything.

You just have to choose trees, wildlife and truth over super wealthy politicians who own at least 4 homes (that I know of), work with developer PACs and have ambitious political aspirations that go well beyond the best interest of Apex.

Just ask him for a source, and do not accept images and charts that he made. Ask for links. He’s been using AI a ton lately to generate content. Demand the source.

Our trees are a yes-or-no vote away, every other week, and the person explaining the rules to you should be able to show his work.

Ask him to.

Thank you 🌳 

Miscellaneous Info:

🚎 GoApex Rider Survey
Are you a rider on the GoApex Route 1 bus? The Town of Apex Planning staff wants to learn more about your rider experience. GoApex Route 1 Survey

🖥️ MyServices Launching Soon
This is the new portal for the submission of all Town of Apex development related permits and applications. The new system provides one portal for new development applications and permit submissions. It also transitions most TOA development related forms from paper to electronic. It goes live November 2.

💰️ FY28 Budget Priorities Survey
If you want to share your thoughts and priorities for the FY28 budget, you can take this budget priorities survey, speak at the pre-budget public hearing on January 13, 2027 or email [email protected].

🗳️ Early Voting
The John M Brown Community Center will serve as an early voting site for the upcoming election. Early voting runs October 15 - 31. Election day is November 3. More details here.

🍿 PJs and Popcorn Night
Come dressed in your festive pajamas for a fun-filled evening of pjs, popcorn and a family-friendly movie at the Senior Center on October 25. 24 spots remain as of this morning.

🐕️ Pit Bull Appreciation
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and Pit Bull Appreciation Month. Wake County Animal Center is offering reduced adoption fees throughout October. Adult dogs can be adopted for just $25. Adoption Gallery

🌐 Virtual Learning Denied
The NC Charter Schools Review Board approved a 900-student K-8 charter school in Harnett County, but voted 6-1 against the Virtual Active Learning Academy of North Carolina, a proposed statewide online school to be based in Apex.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, October 9

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
7am - 12pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W 

🥃 Fall Play: “Drinking Habits”
7:30pm | The Halle

🎤 Live Music: Flamenco and Covers with Eduardo Duo
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, October 10

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W 

🛍️ Apex Underground Market
11am - 3pm | Sweetwater Town Center

🏞️ Kids in Nature Day
1pm - 4pm | Lake Benson Park

🎤 Live Music: Kat Taylor Music
6:30pm - 9pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🥃 Fall Play: “Drinking Habits”
7:30pm | The Halle

Monday, October 12

Indigenous People’s Day Ceremony
6pm - 7:30pm | Apex Nature Park

Local Business Updates

Grain & Berry Opens Friday
The superfoods cafe will be opening in Beaver Creek on Saturday at 9am (2017 Creekside Landing Drive). From energizing açaí bowls and smoothies to wholesome wraps, salads, and juices - Grain & Berry uses real ingredients and makes everything fresh to order.

We actually ate at the Holly Springs one last week and 🔥 🔥 

Go check them out this weekend! They are giving away free bowls to the first 100 guests! Follow them on Instagram here. Or, follow them on Facebook here.

Civic News:

🗺️ Planning Board Meeting
This Monday, these items will be in front of the Planning Board: Rezoning #26CZ01 Jessie PUD Amendment seeking to rezone 64 acres to PUD-CZ; Rezoning #26CZ08 seeking to rezone 9 acres to RR-CZ and Rezoning #26CZ10 seeking to rezone 23 acres to SD-CZ in Veridea. Planning Board will then make a recommendation and all three will likely go to Council on the Oct 27 meeting.

🏛️ Town Council Meeting
The full agenda is not out yet, but based on legal notices, Council will be voting to amend the UDO to give themselves complete power in assigning board members. And Rezoning Case #25CZ24, North Salem Street Mixed-Use PUD, will be seeking to rezone 32 acres for increased high-density residential space.

📸 Flock Update
At the Public Safety Committee meeting last week, a recommendation regarding Flock was deferred until December. More to come.

⏳ I Have More to Say, but…
In December, the Town Clerk’s Office gave a presentation to Council where they explained their current record request process.

Note that their current process shows records being provided in 10 business days.

They explained that the volume of requests were increasing and were seeking funding for a new records fulfillment software.

They received the funding and the contract with JustFOIA went into affect July 1, 2026.

So with the funding in place and the new software in place, tell me why the Town of Apex continues to stonewall my requests:

Here’s what those requests are:

Row 2
We’ve heard all about the complaints the Town received from residents about Miss Annie providing overflow school parking. Has anyone ever seen them? I’ve asked for them but in 34 business days they haven’t been produced.

Row 3
On August 20, 2026, Council Member Terry Mahaffey published an account of the Town’s enforcement action at 8008 Humie Olive Road, stating, despite being “not involved at all” that it was based on “documentation provided to me by staff.” I requested that documentation. 33 business days and nothing produced.

Row 4
Any meeting minutes, motions, votes, etc. related to decisions on enforcement at Miss Annie’s. 33 business days and nothing produced.

Row 5
Any contracts, invoices, payments, etc. to outside council related to the lawsuit against Miss Annie. 32 business days and nothing produced.

Row 6
Council Member Mahaffey has stated that the Town studied alternative options to help with school overflow parking (for the school that they allowed to be built with less parking spaces than required, by the way) so I’ve asked for those alleged studies. 32 business days and nothing produced.

Row 7
To move forward with legal enforcement against Miss Annie, multiple departments had to communicate. Did they know that the statute of limitations had already expired? Did they know that she’s grandfathered in due to the nonconformities listed in the UDO? I asked for that communication and nothing has been produced in 32 business days.

Row 8
Simple request for the AFHS site plan. 28 days and nothing produced.

Row 9
Black & Veatch International Company is consulting with the Town of Apex on the UDO amendments related to data centers. Black & Veatch owns a data center company. A company that builds data centers is consulting with TOA on rules for data centers. I asked for invoices, progress reports, deliverables, reports, etc. related to this engagement. 19 days. Nothing.

Row 10
A more detailed request for specific payments made to Black & Veatch. 19 days. Nothing.

Row 11
The Police Chief and Director of IT exchanged emails about a potential hack into Apex’s flock cameras. The Director of IT admitted in the email exchange that they had not fully investigated but did prepare a Flock Safety ALPR Camera Briefing for the Town Manager back in February. They sent me a - heavily redacted - version of that report. You can see it here.

They referenced NCGS 132-1.7(a)(4) and NCGS 132-1.7(b) as the statutory reason for redacting most of that report.

Here is what NCGS 132-1.7(a)(4) says: “Public records, as defined in G.S. 132-1, shall not include sensitive public security information, which means any of the following: Specific security information or detailed plans, patterns, or practices to prevent or respond to criminal, gang, or organized illegal activity.”

And here is what NCGS 132-1.7(b) says: “Public records as defined in G.S. 132-1 do not include plans to prevent or respond to terrorist activity, to the extent such records set forth vulnerability and risk assessments, potential targets, specific tactics, or specific security or emergency procedures, the disclosure of which would jeopardize the safety of governmental personnel or the general public or the security of any governmental facility, building, structure, or information storage system.”

Row 12
North Carolina law (GS 160A-87) requires all members of governing boards of cities to receive a minimum of two clock hours of ethics education within 12 months after initial election and again within 12 months after each subsequent election or appointment to office. The same section makes the Town Clerk keep "a record verifying receipt of the ethics education by each member of the governing board." I’ve asked to see those records.

On Sunday, I sent an email to the Town Clerk’s office and to the Town Manager asking for the status of each and an estimated date of production. No response.

Just wanted to let you all know that I’m still grinding. There’s more to all of these stories. When the Town of Apex completes their legal requirement to fulfill these requests, I will share.

And if they dont provide an update by Friday, as I explained to them, I will be filing a lawsuit against the Town of Apex and then you can ask them why your taxpayer money is being spent to try to withhold public records.

Upcoming Meetings:

Thursday, October 8
Town Council Strategic Planning
12pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Monday, October 12
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, October 13
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

October 16
Fall Harvest Night | The Depot Parking Lot

October 16
Drive-in Movie at The Park (Hocus Pocus) | Pleasant Park

October 17
Arbor Day Celebration | Pleasant Park

October 17
Shred Day | Public Works Dept

October 17
Community Conversation on Suicide Prevention | Senior Center

October 21
Apex Sands United Against Hate | Apex Nature Park

October 22
Explore S’Mores | Apex Nature Park
(rescheduled from September 24)

October 23 - 31
Scarecrow Row | Apex Community Park

October 23
Apex Community Dance | The Halle

October 24
Goblin’s Groove Family Dance | The Halle

October 24
PokéFest | Apex Senior Center

October 29
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | Senior Center

October 30
Witches Night Out | Downtown Apex

In Case You Missed it:

🍂 New Yard Waste Schedule
Beginning October 19, Apex will transition to a biweekly yard waste collection for all residents. Residents will now be placed into two collection zones: Zone A and Zone B. Each is collected every other week. In regular season you get an assigned day; during peak leaf season you get an assigned week and pickup can land any day in it. A pos

🏫 Chat with Wake County Schools Superintendent
On October 29, the Town of Apex is hosting an evening with Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor to discuss updates on the district's priorities, including student achievement & wellness, school safety, and more - followed by Q&A.

📐 Triangle Parade of Homes
This is North Carolina's largest free, self-guided open house event showcasing newly constructed homes, innovative floor plans, and the latest design and technology trends across the Raleigh-Durham region. Dates are October 3-4, 9-11 and 16-18. There are 11 homes in Apex featured in the tour.

🍂 Biweekly Yard Waste Schedule
Beginning October 19, Apex will transition to a biweekly yard waste collection for all residents. Zone A’s biweekly collection starts the week of October 19. Zone B’s biweekly collection starts the Week of October 26.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

And, as always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

See you next Thursday... 😘