Bond led Cary in its evolution from being a bedroom-community of nearbyRaleigh to being one of the state's dynamic small cities. When he joinedthe council in 1965, the town's population was 7,000; when he stepped downas mayor in 1983, it was almost 26,000. Today, Cary has 70,000 residents.
Bond was particularly interested in wanting Cary to grow but tomaintain its small-town image as well. He liked to refer to it as the"village atmosphere."
Present Mayor Koka Booth was quoted inThe News & Observeras saying, "Whatever Cary was and whatever Cary will be was because ofFred Bond's leadership."
During his tenure, Cary changed its election process to a popularlyelected (rather than appointed) mayor and to district and at-largecandidates; built a new town hall; built a new library; created anappearance commission and a downtown improvement program; and organizedvarious programs into town government departments.
Bond was also the retired general manager and secretary-treasurer ofthe Flue-Cured Tobacco Stabilization Corp. That body administers thefederal price support program by buying tobacco with borrowed federalfunds, storing it until it can be sold during a more favorable market andthen the loans are repaid.
Bond's standing with that organization was such that when a nationalsteering committee of people prominent in tobacco and agriculture set agoal of $500,000 for a scholarship program in his name, it actually raised$600,000.
In 1981, the city's park on High House Road was named in his honor.
Survivors include his wife, two daughters and two sons, and fourgrandchildren.
Funeral services are pending at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home inCary.
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