This story is a classic example of why and how government grows and grows and grows. In Cary, town officials acknowledge that its 10-year-old Economic Development Commission wastes its members time. The Cary News reports that Mayor Harold Weinbrecht wanted to shut down the advisory group of business leaders but town staff convinced him not to.

So what is the plan for the town and the group? Try to find something for the members to do. I agree there is value — lots of it — in getting advice and counsel from the business community. The way to go about this, however, is to adopt the route taken by the super-efficient and profitable Southwest Airlines. I’ve been told that when Southwest has a problem to be solved or an issue to be addressed, it forms a temporary committee to get the job done and then disbands the group rather than trying to find something else for it to do, as Cary is doing.

Despite this scenario, the town continues to appoint members to the group.

The commission’s future may be unclear but the town has filled its vacancies for the upcoming year. Four new members will join the board this fall. EDC chair Nellie Shipley was expected to present the commission’s annual report to the Cary Town Council. “We think there’s value in having an EDC. There’s extraordinary talent there,” Robinson said. “I’m optimistic that we can make it work.”