NBC17: WakeMed Garner shooting: Officer killed, suspect charged after hospital ER gunfire, officials say

By: Starletta Watson, Rodney Overton, Haylee Kennedy, Mary SmithPosted: Nov 8, 2025 / 09:48 AM ESTUpdated: Nov 9, 2025 / 08:02 AM EST

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A Wake County hospital police officer killed Saturday morning in Garner was a “hero” who likely prevented other deaths during a struggle with a gunman who shot the officer and was later charged with his murder, according to Garner Police and WakeMed officials.

According to law enforcement officials, the shooting occurred around 9 a.m. Saturday at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex on U.S. 70.

A statement from WakeMed said that Officer Roger Smith, 59, of Knightdale, died from his gunshot injuries at WakeMed Raleigh on New Bern Avenue. Authorities said a struggle broke out just before Smith was shot in the emergency department lobby.

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‘Shock’ and ‘sadness’ from friends

Steven Moore was a childhood friend of Roger Smith, the two graduating together from Garner Senior High School. The school is now known as Garner Magnet High School.

“It’s just been the whole gamut of shock and disbelief, sadness. Just to think something like that happened in our backyard. You just never think about it,” Moore said.

Friends and support organizations said they were heartbroken over the loss.

“It was just a gut punch, like it always is. You always hope and pray that the officer who is injured in the line of duty is going to pull through, and unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen,” said Lindsay LiCausi, founder of Back the Blue NC.

CBS 17 is working to learn what led up to the struggle between Smith and Martin, while Back the Blue, a non-profit dedicated to helping law enforcement families, is gathering support for Smith’s family.

The group has created a GoFundMe to assist Smith’s family.

“I found out that he was taking care of his elderly mother, and so now my concern is who is going to take care of her and who is going to help step up and support his family now that he is gone,” LiCausi said.

Moore described Smith as the perfect example of what a law enforcement officer should be.

“To me, when I knew him was the epitome of law enforcement. He was compassionate, caring; he wasn’t out here to make a name for himself. He just wanted to do a job and keep the community safe,” Moore said.

Garner Police Statement: Suspect Charged in Death of WakeMed Campus Police Officer

The Garner Police Department has charged an individual in connection with the shooting death of WakeMed Campus Police Officer Roger Smith, which occurred on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex located off U.S. Highway 70.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., officers with the Garner Police Department responded to a report of a shooting inside the emergency department lobby. Upon arrival, officers found Officer Smith, 59, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by medical staff and first responders, Officer Smith succumbed to his injuries.

Following an extensive investigation and consulting with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, the suspect, Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, NC, has been charged with murder in connection with Officer Smith’s death.

Medical personnel at the scene described Officer Smith as a hero whose actions likely prevented further loss of life. His courage and selfless service exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement.

“This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence,” said Garner Police Chief Adams. “Officer Smith dedicated his career to protecting others, and even in his final moments, he put the safety of others before his own. Our condolences go out to the Smith family, the WakeMed Campus Police Department, and the entire WakeMed staff. The Garner community mourns alongside you today.”

Garner Police detectives continue to work closely with the WakeMed Campus Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office to ensure a thorough review of all evidence in this case.

Additional information will be released as the investigation allows.

As Affordability Impacts Garner, Town Mobilizes to Help Partners Address Food Insecurity

The Town's food drive continues through Nov. 26. We plan to make additional deliveries of donated items to other Garner food pantries, including Community of Hope Ministries ,over the next three weeks.

The six dropoff sites (also listed on the flyer) are Town Hall, the Garner Fire Rescue Administration Building, the Garner NC Police Department, Garner Recreation Center, Garner Senior Center and the Public Works complex. Please look for the green recycle bins and food drive signs at each location.

The Town is collecting nonperishable items such as canned fruits and vegetables, beans, cereal, tuna, pasta, rice, peanut butter and more.

Please check the flyer for a full list of desired items.

Governor Josh Stein, Garner, and Wake County Community Come Together for WakeMed Whole Health Campus Ground Breaking

Town of Garner officials joined WakeMed, along with state and national leaders, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new WakeMed Mental Health and Well-Being Hospital, a key part of the future WakeMed Whole Health Campus in Garner. The project marks a major milestone in expanding access to comprehensive medical and mental health care for the community.

The campus will be located on approximately 56 acres at the intersection of White Oak Road and Timber Drive East in Garner. It will be part of a larger 226-acre mixed-use community made up of residences and businesses with a healthy living focus, being developed by Wycliff Development.

Once complete, the campus will include a 150-bed mental health hospital and a 45-bed acute care hospital, made possible through collaboration among WakeMed, the Town of Garner, Wake County, the state of North Carolina and community partners.

Alongside $6 million in federal funding, $6 million from Wake County and an additional $6 million from the state of North Carolina, nearly $35 million in community support has been raised to date through the Courage to Confront Crisis Campaign, which has a $50 million goal.

We are proud to see this investment in health and well-being take root right here in Garner, strengthening our community and the region for years to come.

via Town of Garner

Garner Wins Statewide Award for Public Art

Garner Wins Statewide Award for Public Art

Garner’s growing efforts to brighten public spaces with art have earned some well-deserved statewide recognition.

The Town recently received the 2025 North Carolina Great Places for Public Art Award from the American Planning Association-North Carolina Chapter during the organization's annual conference in Charlotte on Oct. 15. 

The award, according to the APA-NC Chapter, “values a community's creative side.” To showcase Garner’s new burst of creativity, Planning Department staff submitted an award package titled Downtown Garner Public Art Initiatives that featured public artworks in the Main Street and Garner Road area.

The award submission highlighted these examples:

• the Wings of Hope sculpture unveiled earlier this year at the corner of Garner Road and Avery Street;

• the In Full Bloom mural on the Full Bloom Coffee building at Main and Purvis Streets;

• the Hidden Figures mural honoring some of Garner’s most venerated Black residents on the Locs, Naturals and More Salon and Academy building at Rand Mill and Main Streets;

• a new sculpture at the corner of East Garner and Auburn-Knightdale Roads commemorating the Auburn community’s railroad heritage;

• newly painted crosswalk art in Downtown in the area around the Garner Recreation Center;

• the Art Around Town initiative featuring 23 works installed in public locations in 2021;

• and the 2018 Pop-Up Art project, which featured fence posts painted by a cross-section of local residents.

“The Town of Garner’s Historic Downtown stands out as a truly exceptional location for public art due to its vibrant visual expression, deep cultural significance and strong community collaboration,” Planning staff said in the award submission. “What distinguishes this area is the intentional and ongoing partnership between the Town, local artists and the community to cultivate a thriving public art scene. Rather than taking a passive approach, the Town of Garner is proactively supporting and expanding public art initiatives as a key element of Garner’s identity and future growth.”

The award submission cites the “collaborative efforts between Town leadership, the Planning Department, the Public Art Advisory Board and the Downtown Garner Association.”

“From large-scale murals that celebrate the town’s cultural and historical roots to interactive projects like painted crosswalks and community art installations, Garner has prioritized accessibility, inclusivity and creativity in the public realm,” the award submission says.

The Town has ramped up its support for public art considerably in the past year. Most notably, in April the Town and Garner’s Public Arts Advisory Board unveiled the Wings of Hope sculpture by local artist Jeff Hurr. Located at the corner of Garner Road and Avery Street near the Garner Performing Arts Center, this sculpture—the first one ever to be funded by the Town—features bold, upward-reaching branches that are grounded in the natural world but reach up toward the heavens. Wings of Hope is the first piece in a planned future sculpture park on the property at Garner Road and Avery Street.

Over on Main Street, two large-scale murals painted in the past six years have become prominent visual landmarks Downtown. The Hidden Figures mural presents a colorful portrait of a young Black woman surrounded by four smaller portraits honoring influential Black residents throughout Garner’s history. The work blends imagery of local Black churches and references Henry Fort’s historic cabinet shop, the first known business to be established in Garner.

Just down the street is the Life in Bloom mural, which showcases North Carolina’s native birds and wildflowers, layered with motifs from Garner’s railroad heritage. The mural quickly became an iconic visual that has appeared in countless social media posts since its completion in 2019.

The Garner Forward Comprehensive Plan promotes an emphasis on the public realm, and Planning staff routinely suggest public art elements in their reviews. One of the recent fruits of these efforts is the abstract metal sculpture at the corner of Auburn-Knightdale Road and East Garner Road that honors the railroad heritage of the historic Auburn community.

The Town Council celebrated receiving the Great Places for Public Art Award at its Nov. 3 meeting. Council Member Kathy Behringer, who heads the Town’s Public Art Advisory Board and has long championed the cause of public art in Garner, said at the meeting, “Public art is a good thing to have. It makes your town look attractive, but it also makes people smile—and that’s what you want.”

via Town of Garner

Singleton and Stallings Run Away with 2025 Garner Town Council Election

Kelvin Stallings and Gra Singleton react to early voting results in the 2025 council race.

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Garner Voters reject negative campaigning and embrace its past and its future with election of Singleton and Stallings.

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In what was slated to be tight race of candidates with a mix of experience, tenure, and qualifications, turned into an end-to-end rout by incumbent Gra Singleton and first-time Garner candidate Kelvin Stallings on election night.

Unofficial results from the NC Board of Election.

Singleton and Stalling each beat every other candidate in every precinct in Garner. This after, as the results revealed, they had dominated early voting.

Endorsements and outside money seemed to play a rare and sometimes unwelcome role in this year’s election.

Singleton and Stallings both were endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party, while McIver and Uzzell had been endorsed by the Wake County Republican Party.

The Mayor’s endorsement of new-comer McIver and incumbent Behringer seemed to have little impact on the outcome of the race, however, negative mailers targeting Gra Singleton from an outside group, seemed to have have the opposite intended effect on Singleton’s campaign efforts.

Stallings’ early campaigning, social media, and efforts on the ground in the community seemed to bear fruit as early voting and elected day unfolded.

Rex Whaley (unaffiliated), who had put up strong numbers in his 2023 campaign, couldn’t seem to get good footing on what had become a high turnout and more endorsement impacted race.

Garner Election 2025

Election Day is
Tuesday November 4th

Learn more about the candidates, their positions,

and voting information at

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Known Endorsements

Municipal elections are non-partisan, however, candidates are free to seek endorsements and organizations are free to endorse candidates. 

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Wake County Democratic Party Endorsements

Gra Singleton

Kelvin Stallings

Learn more about the candidates, their positions, and voting information at

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Wake County Republican Party Endorsements

Mike McIver

Patricia Uzzell

Learn more about the candidates, their positions, and voting information at

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Garner Citizens for Responsible Growth is a community of our communities, organizing to be heard by the Town of Garner.

Garner Citizens is NON-PARTISAN and NOT AGAINST GROWTH but collectively have serious concerns about HOW Garner is growing and the planning and decision-making being done by the Town.

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Poll Philosophy

Those participating in the poll were allowed to select as many candidates as they wanted to (even though only 2 seats are up this election cycle). This was done to let respondents endorse any and all candidates they thought would advance responsible growth practices and policies and give a voice to every respondent.

Percentages are the percentage of respondents that selected that candidate (or option).
 

Top Issues Cited by Respondents

• Responsible Growth and Affordable Housing

• Smart Development and Quality Growth

• Decreasing Taxes and Managing the Town’s Budget and Fiscal Responsibility/Transparency

• Infrastructure Improvements and Preserving the Natural Beauty of Garner

• Stopping the The Park/Village at Garner Station

• Local vs National Nonsense

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Learn more about the candidates, their positions,

and voting information at

Jack Baldwin Honored for Career and Legacy in Garner Athletics

Image Courtesy Town of Garner

At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, the Town celebrated Jack Baldwin, the much-admired recreation program manager for athletics with Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. Mr. Baldwin will be retiring from the Town at the end of the month after 28 years of service.

He joined the PRCR team in 1997, and throughout his tenure, he was actively engaged in developing athletic programs for both youth and adults, as well as summer camps and pre-school programs.

Jack Baldwin helped create countless happy memories for program participants and their loved ones over his many years of dedicated service. In front of a full council chamber, the Town Council saluted Jack and wished him the best, noting that he has definitely left behind a lasting legacy in Garner.

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Town of Garner Receives National Recognition for Police Recruitment Video

The Town of Garner is proud to announce that it has won an Award of Excellence from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA).

The national recognition—third place in the Town's population grouping—is for a promotional recruitment video directed, filmed and edited by Communications Media Coordinator Kyle Kettler in collaboration with Garner Police Sgt. Joseph Gomes. The award was presented recently at the Savvy Awards during 3CMA's annual conference.

The video highlights the work-life balance that the Police Department offers, appeals to diverse applicants and showcases community-policing efforts. It provides “evergreen” content that can be used at career fairs, school presentations and on social media to present the Police Department in an exciting and appealing light.

Produced over the course of four months, the video incorporated new footage from events, officer trainings, ridealongs and scenes from officers' home-life activities. The narration was recorded from officers featured in the video with additional voiceover narration by then Chief Lorie Smith.

"This award is very well-deserved recognition. Kyle produces so much great work in collaboration with all of the departments in our organization. He is a master storyteller," Communications Director Rick Mercier said.

The Savvy Awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing and resident-government relationships. The Savvies salute skilled and effective city, county, agency or district professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations in communications and marketing.

3CMA accommodates local government organizations of all sizes and budget classes by judging entries in several different population groups. Over 1,100 entries in 37 categories were received for the most recent awards competition. The list of all award winners is available online at 3cma.org.

via Town of Garner

Interview and Opinion: ‘We have to work at avoiding paralyzing despair’/“Debemos esforzarnos por evitar la desesperación paralizante”

UNC-Chapel Hill Law Professor Deborah Weissman on navigating today’s immigration legal landscape

via AlianzaNC

About AlianzaNC: Alianza NC is a student-led bilingual newspaper serving as a source for news, analysis, art, and expertise for North Carolina’s migrant Latiné community and its allies. Alianza NC highlights the policies affecting undocumented members of the local Latiné community and offers information and resources pertaining to their rights.

Alianza NC es un periódico bilingüe dirigido por estudiantes que sirve como fuente de noticias, análisis, arte y pericia para la comunidad latina migrante de Carolina del Norte y sus aliados. Alianza NC destaca las políticas que afectan a los miembros indocumentados de la comunidad latina local y ofrece información y recursos relacionados con sus derechos.

The Garner News Minicast

The Garner News Minicast is an audio summary of the interivew’s contents.

Micaela: Thank you so much for being here. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in immigration law?

Deborah: I was a partner in a small civil rights firm in Syracuse, New York for a number of years and we did mostly civil rights, a lot of prisoners’ rights, discrimination cases, police brutality. No immigration cases at all. Syracuse is kind of land-locked, and we didn’t see any people asking for immigration representation at all at that point. But then–and this was in the 80’s–there was a massive exodus of Haitians to the United States because of the political and economic conditions. They were detained at the Krome detention center in Miami, which was really notable for horrendous conditions. And then the government identified people who either had classic asylum cases, meaning  no one could write them off as just “economic refugees,” or were trying to organize in Krome. And they took them and they transferred them from a climate that they were used to (Miami), to what we called the Olympic Prison in upstate New York, near Lake Placid, where the weather in the winter is freezing. That’s where the 1980 Winter Olympics were held and, in fact, the dorm for the athletes was turned into a prison. Well, there are few or no Haitian Creole-speaking people in the Lake Placid area, and it’s a very inhospitable facility for anybody because it is so cold. The people who were trying to represent them in Miami couldn't locate anybody to help them, but they knew of our firm because we were a civil rights firm. So they said, “You have got to help them with asylum claims.”

I knew nothing about asylum law, but these people who were experts trained me on the spot. I got the best training you could imagine because they were great advocates and knew I didn’t know asylum law then. And so that’s how I started to do that work. So, I would do asylum cases  that were mostly political in nature. I represented somebody who had been working with the Black Consciousness movement in South Africa and he had actually been banned and wasn’t allowed to be on the streets with more than one other person. He fled and wound his way to Syracuse. But I guess my deeper connection to immigration law began when it became apparent to people how immigration law was being used as a tool to harm women in particular. Many women were fleeing their home countries because they could get no protection from domestic violence entries, and as a historical matter,immigration law isn’t well structured to assist women. For example, in asylum matters persecution based on gender is not a a statutory category. At the same time, advocates were working to call attention to how the structure of immigration law affects women who are fleeing some sort of violence. That really got me involved in immigration law. I should say almost all of my immigration work has been in the realm of what we call humanitarian immigration. I don’t do immigration in defense. For the most part, it’s all been humanitarian, asylum, what we call violence against women remedies, U Visa remedies. That’s probably more than you need to know, but that’s how I got involved in immigration law.

Micaela: That is so admirable. I would never be able to learn any law that fast.

Deborah: It was nerve-wracking, but I had great support.

Micaela: So, there are a lot of immigration groups offering information on how to engage ICE. Is there anything you think is specific in North Carolina that our readers should know about?

Deborah: That is a great question and there is a lot to say about it. There are a lot of groups really trying their best to educate communities and families about their rights. I think that we could point to a couple of different groups. Siembra NC and the North Carolina Justice Center have done a really good job. But, what I think your readers should know is that even though in the last three decades immigration rates have really increased in the state and the state has had one of the fastest growing immigration populations, we are still considered to be a relatively new immigration destination in contrast to what we might call traditional gateways like Florida, like California. North Carolina has less developed, coethnic, institutional, organizational networks that can support immigrants. And then there are some other unfortunate things to say about the state, which is that there is an anti-immigrant sentiment that prevails and one of the ways we saw it, beginning in 2006, is that North Carolina law enforcement agencies voluntarily embarked on immigration enforcement responsibilities through a program that’s called 287G–that’s where the federal government allows the state to enter into an agreement with it to enforce immigration laws because otherwise immigration is a federal matter. So, North Carolina jumped on it. For a while, we had the greatest number of 287G programs even though it’s a program that really allows discriminatory racial profiling. In fact, the Department of Justice sued one of the first North Carolina 287G counties for civil rights of Latinos.

You can just see some other acts that have been troubling that are anti-immigrant. The North Carolina legislature approved state funds to the North Carolina Sheriff's Association’s illegal immigration project. North Carolina was the first state to volunteer to pilot something called “secured communities" before it was mandated nationally. You know, we stood out as one of the states that tried to intervene in a federal lawsuit to challenge President Obama’s federal action to expand the DACA program. You can see that we have a culture that disadvantages immigrants. You know a lot of people will describe a culture that is changing, certainly in certain cities and towns in the state, but we function through what we call long-term person relationships tied to place. I’ve heard judges say, “I knew your Daddy,” and if you are a newcomer you are not going to have those connections. There has been mistrust and resentment, especially toward Spanish speakers. North Carolina has plenty of communities that have welcomed immigrants, but, again, we refuse to issue drivers licenses to unauthorized immigrants while other states have. We were the last state to issue licenses to people  who have DACA status. We passed the statute that prevented all levels of government officials from accepting consular matricula cards [an official identification card issued by governments to their citizens living abroad]. So, I guess the answer to your question is, yes, there are a lot of groups that are trying their very best. They are under-resourced. And, North Carolina has a culture that has yet to sufficiently change to welcome and accept our immigrant neighbors.

Micaela: I totally agree with you on that. So the rules and laws around immigration seem to be changing very fast. What’s the best way to keep up with all these changes so people can stay informed and know their rights?

Deborah: That’s a really hard question. It’s hard. For a while, I tried to track every immigration development and it’s exhausting if it is not your full-time job, and that’s not my full time job. But, I do think the community groups are doing a good job with sharing about ‘Knowing Your Rights.’ I really appreciate the Justice Center because they send out explainers on issues like what’s happening with benefits, social services, who is eligible and who isn’t. So, I think that’s the best way. There are also litigation trackers, so if someone wanted to do a deep dive and find out what all the lawsuits are about and what their status is, you could go to a group called Just Security and they have a litigation tracker. It’s a lot to get through, but if someone wanted to, that’s one way.

Micaela: As you know, U.S. citizens have also been detained in ICE sweeps. What should U.S. citizens know about their rights if this happens to them?

Deborah: Well, you know there are cards that have been distributed to citizens to Know Your Rights. People will say to stay calm and don’t run because that will get you into some other kind of ridiculous charge that’s not properly authorized, but you never know. Everybody has a right to remain silent. Stay silent. If you are a U.S. citizen, clearly state that, “I’m a U.S. citizen,” and explain that ICE doesn’t have jurisdiction over you. Hopefully you have proof of citizenship. A drivers license isn’t that, and it is really demoralizing to tell people, “Have a copy of a passport on you.” That’s really sort of a demeaning thing that people shouldn’t have to do, but it is a thing you could do. You do not have to consent to a search. Say, “I do not consent to a search.” You should not sign anything. And the advice that is frequently given is to ask, “Am I free to go?” and if the answer is “Yes,” then you walk away. If you can record the transaction or have someone excel to do it, that’s a good idea. If for some reason the agent did not believe that you are a citizen and you are detained, you have the right to a lawyer. Notify a family member about your detention and also try to keep records of what’s happening because you may be able to file a complaint or a lawsuit and get compensation for the wrongful arrest and detention. Of course, don’t lie, don’t provide false documents. There is no need for a U.S. citizen to do that. And, it’s good to memorize some phone numbers in case you lose access to your phone. It’s crazy that we have to think about that, but we do.

Micaela: Like you said, it’s very dehumanizing that we have to prove ourselves as citizens. It’s very sad. In Vasquez v. Noem, the Supreme Court said race, language, and other factors can be used to make immigration enforcement stops. Can you explain what this ruling means?

Deborah: In May of this year, the Trump administration just said, ‘We are going to deport so many people in one day.’ [The administration] set a quota of how many people are to be arrested in an effort to carry out a mass deportation, and what we saw were these immigration raids in Southern California, in particular. The way they took place was pretty horrific: Unmarked cars, ICE agents wear masks, they don’t identify themselves. It feels like a kidnapping, like some kind of violent snatching, often even without warrants. A couple of lawsuits were filed and the people who filed them were individuals who were stopped or arrested that belong to a couple of different organizations. And so a  federal district court and federal court of appeals said that these actions were illegal and they amounted to illegal racial profiling because the suspicion, the "reasonable suspicion” that ICE was using was: apparent race or ethnicity; speaking English with an accent or speaking Spanish; being in a certain place where they decided undocumented people might be like a bus stop or a car wash; or the type of work somebody did.

So, there was an injunction issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Trump administration asked for a stay of that restraining order. The Supreme Court actually granted the stay, which was really, really shocking. The decision is not so much a final decision, and the case is still pending. It was Justice Kavanaugh, I believe, who said that we could use the presence of large foreign national populations in metropolitan areas, we could think about—when I say, ‘we,’ I mean ICE—the types of jobs that are currently held by immigrants. So, again, a lot of essentializing, a lot of stereotyping: daylabor, landscaping; people who are speaking a foreign language; people who are not speaking English without an accent. The order regulated when stops would occur, but it never addressed what kind of force could be used. So, that’s where we’re at right now. It's sort of terrifying because it sounds like ICE and Customs Border Control agencies have carte blanche to just stop anyone that they think might be here illegally, even if the central reason was their race or ethnicity. So, you know, people are really scared, not just in LA. But a lot of law we understood to be in place as precedent has gone to the wayside, and the case at some point is going to go back to the Supreme Court, after it goes back down to the Court of Appeals, but who knows what will happen?

Micaela: Like you said, a lot of people are scared right now. A lot of people are losing hope. How are you finding a way to cope and have hope for the future right now?

Deborah: You know, it’s a struggle. There is a wonderful abolitionist who lives in New York, her name is Mariame Kaba, and she has this statement and she says, “Hope is a discipline.” It makes me think that we have to work at avoiding paralyzing despair. When I think about the immigration lawsuits that have been filed, I have hope. I think this is a time to appreciate civil rights and immigrant rights attorneys. The minute Trump issued his executive order on birthright citizenship, there was a lawsuit filed. These are people working day and night. You know, we do hear about the worst cases that go up to the Supreme Court, but there are a lot of cases that don’t go any further than the Court of Appeals and have been good for fair-minded citizens and people. Like birthright citizenship, [Trump] hasn’t been able to proceed on that. I like to read the declarations by civil rights leaders, organizers, and attorneys. I think an organization in California said, “the administration is going to fail in its war on immigrants.” and I thought, Okay, you are smart, I am going to go with that. The way organizations are not backing down. There is the National Day Labor organization and they are defending people on every corner, every place where people look for work. That is where I get hope. I get hope because people are continuing to stand up and fight back and there are a good number of victories. It’s our job to hold onto that and think about what we can do–mutual aid, lawsuits, organizing.

Micaela: Thank you so much for doing this interview. You definitely had some very insightful thoughts and I found it very interesting.  Clearly you know your stuff!

via AlianzaNC

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Micaela: Muchas gracias por estar aquí. ¿Podrías contarnos un poco sobre su carrera y cómo se interesó en el derecho migratorio?

Deborah: Fui socio de un pequeño bufete de derechos civiles en Syracuse, Nueva York, durante varios años. Nos ocupábamos principalmente de derechos civiles, muchos derechos de los presos, casos de discriminación, y brutalidad policial. Ningún caso de inmigración. Syracuse no tiene salida al mar, y en ese momento no vimos a nadie que solicitara representación legal en materia de inmigración. Pero entonces, y esto fue en los años 80, hubo un éxodo masivo de haitianos a Estados Unidos debido a las condiciones políticas y económicas. En lugar de permitirles buscar asesoramiento en Florida, donde acabaron todos, los internaron en un centro de detención llamado Chrome en Miami, conocido por sus condiciones terribles. Luego identificaron a personas que tenían casos de asilo clásicos, es decir, nadie podía considerarlos simplemente refugiados económicos, o que intentaban organizarse en Chrome. Los recogieron y los trasladaron del ambiente a que estaban acostumbrados en (Miami), a lo que llamamos la Prisión Olímpica en el norte del estado de Nueva York, en Lake Placid, donde hace un frío glacial. Allí se celebraron los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno y, de hecho, el dormitorio de los atletas se convirtió en una prisión. Bueno, no hay personas que hablen criollo haitiano en Lake Placid, y es un centro muy inhospitalario debido al frío. Quienes intentaban representarlos en Miami no pudieron encontrar a nadie que los ayudara, pero conocían nuestro bufete porque éramos un bufete de derechos civiles. Así que dijeron: “Tienen que ayudarlos con sus solicitudes de asilo”.

No sabía nada sobre la ley de asilo, pero estas personas expertas me capacitaron en el acto. Recibí la mejor capacitación que puedas imaginar porque estaban agradecidos y sabían que yo no conocía la ley de asilo en ese entonces. Y así fue como comencé a hacer ese trabajo. Atendía casos de asilo, principalmente de naturaleza política. Representé a alguien que había estado trabajando con el movimiento de Conciencia Negra en Sudáfrica y, de hecho, había sido expulsado y no se le permitía estar en las calles con más de una persona. Huyó y se dirigió a Syracuse. Pero supongo que mi conexión más profunda con la ley de inmigración comenzó cuando se hizo evidente para la gente cómo la ley de inmigración se estaba utilizando como una herramienta para perjudicar especialmente a las mujeres. Las mujeres huían porque no podían obtener protección de la ley doméstica violencia en sus países de origen, y la ley de inmigración no es adecuada para ayudar a las mujeres. Según el estatuto, el género no es una categoría, pero se prestó mucha atención a cómo la estructura de la ley de inmigración afecta a las mujeres que huyen de algún tipo de violencia. Eso realmente me impulsó a involucrarme en el derecho migratorio. Debo decir que casi todo mi trabajo en inmigración se ha centrado en lo que llamamos inmigración humanitaria. No me dedico a la inmigración en defensa. En general, todo ha sido humanitario, asilo, lo que llamamos remedios para la violencia contra las mujeres, remedios para la visa U. Probablemente eso sea más de lo que necesita saber, pero así fue como me involucré en el derecho migratorio.

Micaela: Eso es admirable. Nunca podría aprender ninguna ley tan rápido.

Deborah: Fue nerviosismo, pero tuve un gran apoyo.

Micaela: Hay muchos grupos de inmigración que ofrecen información sobre cómo contactar con ICE. ¿Hay algo específico en Carolina del Norte que nuestros lectores deberían saber?

Deborah: Esa es una excelente pregunta y hay mucho que decir al respecto. Hay muchos grupos que se esfuerzan al máximo para educar a las comunidades y familias sobre sus derechos. Creo que podríamos mencionar un par de grupos diferentes. Siembra NC, y el Centro de Justicia de Carolina del Norte han hecho un excelente trabajo. Pero lo que creo que sus lectores deberían saber es que, si bien en las últimas tres décadas las tasas de inmigración han aumentado considerablemente en el estado y este ha tenido una de las poblaciones inmigrantes de más rápido crecimiento, todavía se nos considera un destino de inmigración relativamente nuevo, en contraste con lo que podríamos llamar puertas de entrada tradicionales como Florida y California. Carolina del Norte tiene redes institucionales y organizativas menos desarrolladas, coétnicas, que pueden apoyar a los inmigrantes. Se pueden ver otras leyes preocupantes y antiinmigrantes. La legislatura de Carolina del Norte aprobó fondos estatales para el proyecto de inmigración ilegal de la Asociación de Alguaciles de Carolina del Norte. Carolina del Norte fue el primer estado en ofrecerse como voluntario para implementar un programa piloto llamado "comunidades seguras" antes de que se implementara a nivel nacional. Nos destacamos como uno de los estados que intentó intervenir en una demanda federal para impugnar la medida federal del presidente Obama de expandir el programa DACA. 

Se puede ver que tenemos una cultura que perjudica a los inmigrantes. Mucha gente describe una cultura que está cambiando, sobre todo en ciertas ciudades y pueblos del estado, pero funcionamos mediante lo que llamamos relaciones personales a largo plazo, ligadas al lugar. He escuchado a jueces decir: "Conocí a tu papá", y si eres recién llegado, no vas a tener esos vínculos. Ha habido desconfianza y resentimiento, especialmente hacia los hispanohablantes. Carolina del Norte tiene muchas comunidades que han acogido a inmigrantes, pero, insisto, nos negamos a emitir licencias de conducir a inmigrantes no autorizados, mientras que otros estados sí lo hacen. Fuimos el último estado en emitir licencias a personas con estatus DACA. Aprobamos la ley que impedía a todos los niveles de funcionarios gubernamentales aceptar matrículas consulares [una tarjeta de identificación oficial emitida por los gobiernos a sus ciudadanos que viven en el extranjero]. Así que, supongo que la respuesta a tu pregunta es sí, hay muchos grupos que están haciendo todo lo posible. No cuentan con suficientes recursos. Y Carolina del Norte tiene una cultura que aún no ha cambiado lo suficiente como para acoger y aceptar a nuestros vecinos inmigrantes.

Micaela: Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con usted. Las normas y leyes de inmigración parecen estar cambiando muy rápido. ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de mantenerse al día con todos estos cambios para que la gente pueda mantenerse informada y conocer sus derechos?

Deborah: Esa es una pregunta muy difícil. Es difícil. Durante un tiempo, intenté seguir de cerca cada desarrollo migratorio, y es agotador si no es tu trabajo de tiempo completo, y ese no es mi trabajo de tiempo completo. Pero creo que los grupos comunitarios están haciendo un buen trabajo compartiendo información sobre "Conoce tus Derechos". Aprecio mucho el Centro de Justicia porque envía explicaciones sobre temas como qué está pasando con las prestaciones, los servicios sociales, quién es elegible y quién no. Así que creo que es la mejor manera. También hay rastreadores de litigios, así que si alguien quiere investigar a fondo y averiguar de qué se tratan todas las demandas y cuál es su estado, puede acudir a un grupo llamado Just Security, que tiene un rastreador de litigios. Es mucho que analizar, pero si alguien lo desea, esa es una forma de hacerlo.

Micaela: Como ya sabe usted, ciudadanos estadounidenses también han sido detenidos en redadas del ICE. ¿Qué deben saber los ciudadanos estadounidenses sobre sus derechos si esto les sucede?

Deborah: Bueno, ya sabes que se han distribuido tarjetas a los ciudadanos para que conozcan sus derechos. La gente te dirá que mantengas la calma y no corras porque eso te llevará a algún otro tipo de cargo ridículo sin la debida autorización, pero nunca se sabe. Todos tienen derecho a guardar silencio. Guarda silencio. Si eres ciudadano estadounidense, declara claramente: "Soy ciudadano estadounidense" y explica que ICE no tiene jurisdicción sobre ti. Ojalá tengas prueba de ciudadanía. Una licencia de conducir no es eso, y es realmente desmoralizante decirle a la gente: "Lleva una copia de tu pasaporte". Eso es algo realmente degradante que la gente no debería tener que hacer, pero es algo que puedes hacer. No tienes que consentir un registro. Di: "No doy mi consentimiento para un registro". No deberías firmar nada. El consejo que se suele dar es preguntar: "¿Puedo irme?". Si la respuesta es "Sí", entonces te marchas. Si puedes registrar la transacción o contratar a alguien que tenga un programa Excel para que lo haga, es una buena idea. Si por alguna razón el agente no creyó que eres ciudadano y te detienen, tienes derecho a un abogado. Notifica a un familiar sobre tu detención y también intenta llevar un registro de lo que sucede, ya que podrías presentar una queja o una demanda y obtener una compensación por el arresto y la detención injustos. Por supuesto, no mientes ni proporciones documentos falsos. No es necesario que un ciudadano estadounidense haga eso. Y es bueno memorizar algunos números de teléfono en caso de que pierdas el acceso a tu teléfono. Es una locura que tengamos que pensar en eso, pero lo hacemos.

Micaela: Como dijo usted, es muy deshumanizante que tengamos que demostrar nuestra valía como ciudadanos. Es muy triste. En el caso Vásquez contra Noem, la Corte Suprema dictaminó que la raza, el idioma, y otros factores pueden utilizarse para detener a personas en casos de inmigración. ¿Podría explicar qué significa este fallo?

Deborah: En mayo de este año, la administración Trump simplemente dijo: "Vamos a deportar a muchísima gente en un solo día". [La administración] estableció una cuota de arrestos para llevar a cabo una deportación masiva, y lo que vimos fueron estas redadas de inmigración en el sur de California, en particular. La forma en que se llevaron a cabo fue bastante aterradora: autos sin identificación, agentes de ICE con máscaras, sin identificarse. Parecía un secuestro, una especie de robo violento, a menudo incluso sin órdenes judiciales. Se presentaron un par de demandas, y quienes las presentaron fueron personas detenidas o arrestadas, pertenecientes a un par de organizaciones diferentes. Entonces, una corte  federal de distrito y una corte federal de apelaciones dictaminaron que estas acciones eran ilegales y equivalían a un perfil racial ilegal porque la sospecha, la "sospecha razonable" que ICE estaba utilizando era: raza o etnia aparente; hablar inglés con acento o hablar español; estar en un lugar determinado donde, según ellos, podría haber personas indocumentadas, como una parada de autobús o un lavadero de autos; o el tipo de trabajo que alguien hizo.

Entonces, la Corte de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito emitió una orden judicial y la administración Trump solicitó la suspensión de esa orden de restricción. La Corte Suprema concedió la suspensión, lo cual fue realmente impactante. La decisión no es tanto una decisión, sino lo que uno de los jueces escribió. No se explicaron realmente, pero los jueces pueden, no obstante, escribir algo que respalde el resultado de la votación. Fue Justicia [Brett] Kavanaugh, creo, quien dijo que podríamos aprovechar la presencia de grandes poblaciones de extranjeros en las áreas metropolitanas; podríamos pensar—cuando digo "nosotros", me refiero al ICE—en los tipos de trabajos que actualmente realizan los inmigrantes. Así que, de nuevo, mucha esencialización, muchos estereotipos: jornaleros, paisajistas; personas que hablan un idioma extranjero; personas que no hablan inglés sin acento. La orden regulaba cuándo se realizarían las detenciones, pero nunca abordó el tipo de fuerza que se podía usar. Así que, en esa situación, estamos ahora mismo. Es un poco aterrador porque parece que las agencias de ICE y Control de Aduanas y Fronteras tienen carta blanca para detener a cualquiera que sospechen que podría estar aquí ilegalmente, incluso si el motivo principal es su raza o etnia. Así que, como saben, la gente está muy asustada, no solo en Los Ángeles. Pero muchas leyes que entendíamos que eran precedentes se han quedado en el olvido, y el caso en algún momento volverá a la Corte Suprema, después a la Corte de Apelaciones, pero ¿quién sabe qué pasará?

Micaela: Como dijo usted, mucha gente tiene miedo ahora mismo. Mucha gente está perdiendo la esperanza. ¿Cómo está encontrando la manera de afrontar la situación y tener esperanza en el futuro ahora mismo?

Deborah: Sabes, es una lucha. Hay una maravillosa abolicionista que vive en Nueva York, se llama Mariame Kaba, y dice: "La esperanza es una disciplina". Me hace pensar que debemos esforzarnos por evitar la desesperación paralizante. Cuando pienso en las demandas de inmigración que se han presentado, tengo esperanza. Creo que este es el momento de valorar a los abogados de derechos civiles y de derechos de los inmigrantes. En cuanto Trump emitió su orden ejecutiva sobre la ciudadanía por nacimiento, se presentó una demanda. Son personas que trabajan día y noche. Sabes, oímos hablar de los peores casos que llegan a la Corte Suprema, pero hay muchos casos que no pasan de la Corte de Apelaciones y que han sido beneficiosos para ciudadanos y personas justas. Al igual que la ciudadanía por nacimiento, [Trump] no ha podido avanzar en ese aspecto. Me gusta leer las declaraciones de líderes, organizadores, y abogados de derechos civiles. Creo que una organización en California dijo: "El gobierno va a fracasar en su guerra contra los inmigrantes". Y pensé: "Bueno, eres inteligente, voy a seguir con eso". La forma en que las organizaciones no se están rindiendo. Está la Organización Nacional de Jornaleros, que defiende a la gente en cada esquina, en cada lugar donde la gente busca trabajo. Ahí es donde me da esperanza. Me da esperanza porque la gente sigue alzándose y luchando, y hay muchas victorias. Es nuestro trabajo aferrarnos a eso y pensar en qué podemos hacer: ayuda mutua, demandas, organización.

Micaela: Muchas gracias por esta entrevista. Tuvo ideas muy profundas y me pareció muy interesante. ¡Se nota que sabe de lo que habla!

via AlianzaNC

Gregory Poole Equipment Co. and Town of Garner Announce Bold Plans for New Headquarters Campus

via Town of Garner

Gregory Poole Equipment Co. and the Town of Garner are excited to announce the planned relocation of Gregory Poole headquarters from 4807 Beryl Road in Raleigh to 0 Waterfield Drive in Garner. The relocation will result in the building of a new state-of-the-art headquarters campus that is projected to bring $347 million in new investment and hundreds of jobs to Garner over the next five years while meeting increased customer demand.   

This transformative investment and partnership with the Town of Garner comes as Gregory Poole Equipment Co., the Caterpillar dealer for eastern North Carolina, approaches its 75th year in business. As a fundamental pillar behind the rapid growth of the region, the company supports contractors, land developers, hospitals and local governments. The construction of a new headquarters is a bold step that signals the company’s trust in the region’s continued trajectory of becoming a major hub of innovation and development.  

“This project represents a major investment in our people, our customers and our communities,” said Senior Vice President Greg Poole IV. “Our goal is simple: to create a customer experience that’s second to none. This new headquarters gives us the space, tools and vision to deliver on that promise every single day.” 

Built for Future Growth 

Construction is expected to begin within the next 24 months, with a phased relocation to take place over five-plus years. The new master campus will: 

• Serve as a hub for delivering world-class customer experience, with a focus on faster response and expanded service capacity. 

• Feature modern, innovative facilities designed to enhance employee collaboration and training. 

• Create efficiencies for employees and customers by consolidating fragmented operations.  

• Provide room for future expansion, ensuring Gregory Poole can meet customer demand for decades. 

Why Garner? 

The decision to relocate followed a three-year site search across Raleigh, Garner, Clayton and Wendell. Garner stood out as the best fit due to its strategic location, access to workforce talent, pro-business climate and strong growth trajectory.  

In February of 2025, Gregory Poole Equipment Co. purchased a 130-acre property on South Greenfield Parkway in Garner.  

“We are grateful to the Town of Garner for their support throughout this process,” said Poole. “Their leadership and vision made it clear that Garner is the right place for our future headquarters, and we look forward to growing together in the years ahead.” 

“We are excited to welcome Gregory Poole to our community,” Mayor Buddy Gupton said. “This project aligns perfectly with our strategic objectives for economic development, emphasizing job creation and new investment. Gregory Poole’s selection of Garner illustrates once again that we are a community of choice for business opportunities.” 

A Legacy of Service 

Gregory Poole has a strong history in North Carolina and the state’s capital city. It originally opened its doors in 1951 at 3623 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh before moving to its current headquarters at 4807 Beryl Road. The need for a new headquarters is also spurred by its own growth, employing over 1,500 associates across 27 locations with diverse business lines including construction equipment, electric power, marine power, lift systems and governmental and defense solutions. 

Gregory Poole Equipment has made a name for itself for its dedication to customer service and employee relations, supporting some of the state’s largest development projects and boasting an average employee tenure of over eight years, more than double the national average of 3.9 years. 

About Gregory Poole Equipment Company (GPEC) 

Founded in 1951, Gregory Poole Equipment Company is a third-generation, family-owned business located in the heart of the Triangle. It is the Cat construction equipment dealer for eastern North Carolina, and the Hyster and Yale dealer across parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The company’s network of locations provides access to new and used equipment, rentals, parts and service for a variety of industries. Its values of Commitment, Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence and Safety have guided it for nearly three-quarters of a century. For more information, visit www.GregoryPoole.com. 

Article updated on Oct. 17 to include estimated total amount of investment.

Garner Fireman’s Day 2025

Garner’s Annual Fireman’s Festival this year will be Saturday, October 4th from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm.

The event will be held at the corner of Benson Road & Main Street. Come help us celebrate this time-honored tradition and enjoy home cooked BBQ, desserts, and other great foods, along with over 50 vendors. Make sure to bring the kids for games, live fire demonstrations and fire safety programs. The trucks will also be on display all day.

The Annual parade route begins at 2PM starting at Benson & Garner Road headed east, right on New Rand Road, then west on Main Street; ending on St. Mary's Street. Live entertainment by local music acts will begin at 3:30 pm and will continue until 6:00 pm. Please visit GarnerFire.com for more information, including where you can park.

Joseph Sample

Joe Sample

November 7, 1942 — September 15, 2025

Joseph T. Sample, longtime resident of Garner, NC, went home to be with the Lord on September 15, 2025, with his last moments spent peacefully in the arms and comfort of his loving wife.

Though Joe was a West Lafayette, Indiana, native and Purdue University graduate, he lived many lives. From his humble farming roots, to spending a few years in Wyoming as a cowboy, to finding his forever home in Garner, where he was later recognized for his outstanding contributions to the town in August 2024 when he received the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award.

Joe Sample was a long-time journalist and kept the residents of Garner up to date on local government affairs and other matters of public interest with his weekly paper, the Garner News. He was a dedicated public servant, holding office as a Town Alderman and later serving on the Garner Fire-Rescue Board of Directors up until his passing. He served as the department's last Board President and was instrumental in merging the department into the town government. During Mr. Sample's 17-year tenure on the board, the Garner Fire-Rescue was internationally accredited, as well as receiving a National Insurance Services Office rating of 1 (ISO-1), one of less than 20 out of 1200 such ratings in North Carolina.

While his accomplishments were great, more importantly, Joe found joy in the little things in life. Happiness to him was waking up early every morning to eat breakfast with friends, being his own boss-and everyone else's boss, eating fruit (he loved fruit), traveling to the beach, feeding the backyard deer and other wild animals, sending silly texts to family and friends, riding his John Deere tractors, watching the news, and most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by and missed dearly by his best friend and wife of 35 years, Angela Sample, and her two daughters, Shawna (Scott) Carroll and Kelli Harnish. Joe and Angela (lovingly referred to as Papaw & Gigi) shared 5 grandchildren together- Sara, Rebecca, Logan (Melissa), Brooklyn, and Braxton, as well as 4 great-grandchildren- Ryan Jo (named after Joe), Aspen, Amari, and one he won't have the chance to meet.

Joe Sample was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn W. Sample and Mary Catherine Sample, as well as his brother James A. Sample. He is survived by two sisters, Louise Hass and Elizabeth (Steve) Yegerlehner, as well as three nephews, one niece, and five great-nieces and nephews.

His visitation was held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Bryan Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Rd, Garner, NC 27529

His funeral service was held Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at Aversboro Baptist Church, 1600 Aversboro Rd, Garner, NC 27529. The burial will follow the service at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603

Contributions can be made in Joe Sample's name to: Garner Fire Fighters Association, P.O. 441 Garner, NC 27529

A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home - Garner.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Sample, please visit our flower store.

Town of Garner Names Chris Adams as Next Chief of Police

A 26-year veteran of the Garner Police Department and U.S. Marine Corps veteran has been named the department’s next chief of police. 

Chris Adams, who has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Lorie Smith in late April, will be sworn in as chief later this month.  

He has served as deputy chief in the Police Department since July 2024 and previously served in various other leadership roles for the department including support services captain, patrol lieutenant and several sergeant positions. 

“Chief Adams has the skills, experience and passion to effectively lead the Garner Police Department,” Town Manager Jodi Miller said. “He cares about the staff and the Garner community as demonstrated in his 26 years of service. He is committed to leading the department with a focus on data driven decision-making, officer well-being and strong communication. I look forward to working with Chief Adams as he leads the Police Department.” 

The Town partnered with POLIHIRE, an executive leadership recruitment firm, to conduct a nationwide search for Garner’s next police chief. A total of 66 resumes were received, and 12 candidates were shortlisted. 

Chief Adams, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in criminal justice: public administration from Liberty University, emerged as the top candidate after an exhaustive and thorough process. 

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me in my role as interim chief, as well as during the chief selection process,” Chief Adams said. “Ms. Miller, the Town Council, Town staff, Police Department staff, community members, and my family and friends have all played a significant role in my decision to accept the chief of police position, and they will all be integral to our success in making the Garner Police Department one of the best in the country. I am excited to officially get started as the police chief in this wonderful community.” 

Chief Adams points to his family and his service in the U.S. Marine Corps as the main influences that steered him toward a career in law enforcement. His service as a Marine taught values such as honor, courage and commitment, he said, and to be “always faithful” (Semper Fidelis) to a higher cause.  

Chief Adams said he wants the CALEA-accredited Police Department to continue to seek new levels of excellence while demanding accountability “across the board.” 

“My vision is that the Garner Police Department will be the best agency of its size in the country and that Garner will be the safest municipality of its size,” he said. “There is no reason we cannot accomplish those goals. We have excellent officers and professional staff, and we get outstanding support from Town Council, Town management and the community we serve.”  

He said the department will “master our profession through advanced training and education, data driven decision-making as well as formal and informal mentoring processes.” 

Recruitment and retention will be a top priority too, he said, adding that the department will seek to provide the appropriate resources and technology needed for success.  

"We will also focus on the holistic health of our staff,” Chief Adams said. “That starts with ensuring our employees are mentally and physically healthy and that they have everything they need to be safe and resilient in a profession that can be extremely taxing.” 

Chief Adams also intends to focus on excellence in communication and engagement—both internally and externally—and he wants to increase civic engagement opportunities by involving residents, business leaders and other stakeholders in problem solving.  

“We are but a part of the public safety solution,” he emphasized. “It takes everyone to truly make Garner a safe and thriving community.” 

For more information about the Garner Police Department, please visit GarnerPD.org. 

Via Town of Garner

ONE Wake Receives $15,000 Mission Proceeds Grant from Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

Community organizing collective awarded funding to advance race reconciliation training and collaborative ministry initiatives

WAKE COUNTY, NC – September 9, 2025 – ONE Wake (Organized Neighbors for Empowerment in Wake County), a non-partisan, multi-ethnic community organizing collective, has been awarded a $15,000 Mission Proceeds Grant Phase II from the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. The grant will support ONE Wake's race reconciliation training initiatives to strengthen the organization's capacity for authentic multi-ethnic community organizing and collaborative ministry work.

The Mission Proceeds Grant represents funding from the $8.8 million proceeds of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina's sale of its former Diocesan House. Phase II of the program targets explicitly collaborative projects and partnerships that advance the diocese's mission strategy priorities. ONE Wake will use the grant funding to provide race reconciliation training that builds the foundation necessary for effective cross-racial organizing and systemic change work.

"This grant recognition validates the power of collaborative organizing and interfaith partnership," said Stephon Whitley, ONE Wake Lead Organizer. "By investing in race reconciliation training, we're building the foundation necessary for authentic multi-ethnic organizing that can address systemic inequities affecting all our communities. This training is essential for the deep relationship-building work that makes lasting change possible."

ONE Wake, founded in 2020, is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the nation's largest and oldest network of local faith and community-based organizations. The collective brings together 38 founding member organizations, including six Episcopal churches: Saint Ambrose (Raleigh), Church of the Good Shepherd (Raleigh), St. John's (Wake Forest), St. Mark's (Raleigh), St. Paul's (Cary), and Trinity (Fuquay-Varina), alongside numerous other congregations, associations, and nonprofits.

ONE Wake focuses on developing community members' skills to identify common problems, create workable solutions, and implement systemic changes that achieve the common good. The race reconciliation training will strengthen ONE Wake's ability to build authentic relationships across racial and ethnic lines, essential for effective multi-ethnic community organizing that can address root causes of inequality. Current organizing initiatives include building affordable homeownership at scale across Wake County and addressing food insecurity that affects millions of children annually.

"What we can do is band with other churches, nonprofits, people of goodwill, and work with government and corporations to create a system in which no one goes hungry," explained The Rev. Jemonde Taylor, rector at Saint Ambrose and a founding member of ONE Wake, illustrating the organization's approach to systemic solutions that require authentic cross-racial collaboration.

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, noted in the grant announcement that the Diocesan Council is "deeply encouraged by the faithful and creative ways you are living out the Gospel through this ministry" and believes the work "reflects the spirit of resurrection, reconciliation, and renewal that these Mission Proceeds were intended to support." The Diocese has prioritized racial justice as part of its mission strategy, with Bishop Rodman stating that the funding aims to "make a right beginning as we address and continue to reckon with our racial history."

The Diocese's decision to prioritize collaborative partnerships in Phase II funding aligns perfectly with ONE Wake's community organizing model and commitment to racial justice. The grant selection process evaluated applications based on the strength of partnership and collaboration, clarity and viability of budget, and potential community impact. The funding for race reconciliation training directly supports the diocese's ongoing journey toward "Becoming Beloved Community." It addresses the critical need for racial healing and justice work in effective community organizing.

About ONE Wake ONE Wake (Organized Neighbors for Empowerment) is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-issue community organizing collective affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation. Founded in 2020, ONE Wake brings together congregations, associations, and nonprofits across Wake County to identify shared challenges and work collectively toward systemic solutions that serve the common good. The organization emphasizes building authentic relationships across racial and ethnic lines as the foundation for effective community organizing. For more information, visit www.onewake.org.

About the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, founded in 1817, encompasses central North Carolina and serves approximately 48,000 communicants through 109 parishes. The diocese is known for its extensive grants program, distributing over $1.2 million annually to support mission and ministry work throughout the region. The diocese has prioritized racial reconciliation and justice as key components of its mission strategy and journey toward "Becoming Beloved Community."

Garner Town Council CLASY Candidate’s Forum Shows Love for Garner but Some Distinct Differences on History, Growth, and the Future

The candidates – Kathy Behringer, Mike McIver, Gra Singleton, Kelvin Stallings, Rex Whaley, and – addressed critical issues facing Garner, including growth, infrastructure, affordable housing, supporting small businesses, and the downtown area, as well as the town's recent rebrand at the Choose Local and Small Y’all (CLASY) candidate’s forum on September 6th at the Garner Civitan Club.

A sixth candidate, Patricia Uzzell, did not participate.

Topics covered included

• The Town’s recent logo and motto rebranding

• Garner Growth

• Affordable Housing

• Infrastructure

• Supporting Small Businesses

• Downtown Garner

Overall Tone and Candidate Platforms

All candidates expressed a deep love for Garner and a commitment to its future. A recurring theme was the balance between preserving Garner's "small town charm" and managing its rapid growth. Each candidate highlighted specific areas of focus:

• Gra Singleton (Incumbent): Emphasizes responsible and thoughtful growth, fiscal oversight, affordable housing, and transportation improvements (sidewalks, bus service). He prides himself on being prepared and responsive to citizens, making sure his vote reflects their wishes. "My goal is to ensure that Garner remains a community where you want to live, work, and raise a family."

• Kelvin Stallings: Focuses on an "AAA approach" – Accessibility, Accountability, and Affordability. His background as an organizer informs his desire to improve citizens' quality of life with every decision. "I want to make sure that government is making sure we're improving the quality of life of our citizens with every decision that we make."

• Kathy Behringer (Incumbent): Driven by a desire to make her community a better place, emphasizing reasonable balanced growth, respectful interactions with developers ("Developers are not our enemies. They're our business partners.

• Rex Whaley: Highlights 40 years of public service experience, particularly in financial management, auditing, and budgeting. His focus is on financial oversight, public safety, and ensuring residential development adds value, not just population, with a strong emphasis on commercial development. "I want to focus on residential development adds value to the town, not just population."

• Mike McIver: A lifelong Garner resident and retired Deputy Chief of Police, his platform includes smart growth, limiting tax increases, supporting public safety, and maintaining Garner's quality and charm. "I'm looking at… smart growth, limiting tax increases moving forward… ensuring our public safety is supported… and finally making sure that maintains the quality and charm that we all know Garner is."

Town Rebrand and Logo Change

The Town Council recently voted 3 to 2 to support the Town Manager’s recommendation and roll out of the new town logo and motto. Incumbents Singleton and Behringer split their votes, with Behringer ‘for’ and Singleton ‘against’.

General Sentiment

Mixed, with strong opinions on both sides regarding the chosen logo and process.

Concerns & Criticisms

• Cost: Rex Whaley and Gra Singleton felt the $65,000 cost was excessive and could have been better spent, particularly on small businesses. Whaley noted a lower bid of $25,000 was bypassed.

• Community Involvement: Rex Whaley suggested involving high school students in the design process.

• Design Choice: Gra Singleton strongly criticized the new logo's "heavy industrial G," stating it "don't match" the town's strategic plan for "small town charm" and "hometown feel." He also expressed personal attachment to the "blue and gold" colors, which he said have historical significance, particularly related to the town's segregated past. "Refreshing it and just totally discarding it is stupid in my opinion."

• Lack of Transparency: Singleton also mentioned reading the contract multiple times, suggesting a concern about the process not aligning with the stated goal of "refreshing" the brand.

Support & Acceptance

• Trust in Leadership: Kathy Behringer expressed willingness to "trust her [the Town Manager's] leadership here and support the decision that she's made," acknowledging the Town Manager's decades of experience.

• Periodic Necessity: Mike McIver agreed that every organization needs to "do a rebrand or a refresh from time to time" to stay current.

• Dual Support: While acknowledging his "blue and gold" loyalty (as a Garner High School graduate), McIver also stated, "I also support our town staff with what they're trying to do."

The Town of Garner’s old logo.

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Garner's Growth 

Reasons for Growth (Consensus)

• Proximity to Raleigh/RTP: Many are moving for job opportunities in the Triangle area. "Garner is literally 10 minutes, 5 to 10 minutes outside of Raleigh." (Stallings)

• Availability of Land: Compared to more developed areas like Holly Springs and Morrisville, Garner (and southern/eastern Wake County) still has land for development. "The reason we're growing here now is because they run out of land in Holly Springs and in Morrisville." (Singleton)

• Quality of Life/Reputation: Garner is seen as a desirable place to live, work, and play, with a strong community feel. "Garner is a great place to live, to work, and to play. And and our reputation is out there. People want to come here." (McIver)

• Amenities & Location: Access to downtown Raleigh's cultural resources, 2 hours from the beach, 3 hours from the mountains, and seasonal changes were all cited as attractions.
  

Balancing Growth with Small-Town Feel

• Candidates agreed on the need for "smart" or "responsible" growth.

• Rex Whaley emphasized making it clear to developers "how we want the residential areas that they're building, what we expect from them," focusing on development that "adds value to Barner. Don't just bring us people and throw up some houses and stack them on top of one another."

• Mike McIver suggested fostering "welcome neighborhoods" and leveraging Garner's "world-class parks" to maintain community connections. He also stressed balancing residential and commercial growth for a stable tax base.

• Kathy Behringer acknowledged Garner is a different town than 50 years ago (45,000 people vs. 5,000), suggesting a focus on being a "welcoming community" with a "hometown feel" rather than strictly "small town."

• Gra Singleton highlighted existing amenities like the July 3rd celebration, GPAC programs, and efforts on Main Street as ways to maintain a sense of community, noting that the "core" of Garner's togetherness (e.g., fighting library closure, "red route" opposition) is still present.

• Kelvin Stallings advocated for "community informed" decisions, proposing "neighborhood walk teams" to engage citizens directly about their desires for their communities.

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Infrastructure

 Key Challenges:

• Significant Costs: The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is approximately $89 million, but several large projects (e.g., new Public Works facility estimated at $35-40 million, stormwater pipe replacement) will double that.

• Aging Infrastructure: Existing infrastructure, like the Public Works facility (opened 1980s) and stormwater pipes, is in need of replacement and repair, costing "millions and millions of dollars." (Singleton)

• Funding: Tax increases and bonds are politically difficult. "Last fall Cary had two bond referenda not pass and Wendell also had a long referendum to fail." (Singleton)

Proposed Solutions:

• Purposeful Planning: Candidates stressed the need for clear, long-term plans rather than reactive measures. "We would have to have a plan. We would have to work with [developers]... and make it clear to them what our goals are that they need to be in tandem." (Behringer)

• Financial Foresight: Rex Whaley emphasized strengthening debt capacity and prioritizing resources based on future needs (e.g., fire stations). He also highlighted the importance of commercial development to contribute more to the tax base, as residential development "not paying for itself."

• Innovative Approaches: Kelvin Stallings suggested "innovative approaches" to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth, possibly including "a tax increase up front to be able to provide what we need for the citizens."

• Fiscal Responsibility: Mike McIver advocated for being "fiscally conservative and responsible," planning for "rainy days," and having a "bank account set up" to avoid burdening taxpayers when infrastructure breaks.

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Affordable Housing

Key Challenges

• National Crisis: All candidates recognized affordable housing as a complex, nationwide issue, not unique to Garner.

• Impact on Public Servants: Kelvin Stallings raised a significant concern: a recent report indicated that firefighters, police officers, and many nurses cannot afford housing in Garner, deeming it a "public safety issue" if those who serve the town cannot live there.

• Supply and Demand: Rapid job growth brings people, but housing supply cannot keep up, driving up prices. "Because the housing can't keep up with the people moving here, supply and demand squeeze for the housing drives the price." (Singleton)

• Community Understanding: Rex Whaley emphasized the need for better community outreach and education, noting that 25% of Garner households make less than $50,000, and the average household income ($77,000) is among the lowest in the county.
  
  

Approaches & Definitions

• Task Force Recommendations: The town is continuing to work with the Affordable Housing Task Force and Central Pines study recommendations (Behringer).

• Varied Types: Kelvin Stallings highlighted various forms: townhomes, apartment complexes, "naturally occurring affordable housing" (older homes whose owners have downsized), and housing for public servants.

• Targeted Benefits: Rex Whaley questioned the effectiveness of some current initiatives, citing the Tryon Station project, and stressed that efforts should primarily "benefit Garner residents," including "firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical professionals."

• Not a Crime Issue: Gra Singleton pushed back on the idea that affordable housing automatically creates problems or strains emergency services, citing existing Habitat for Humanity projects.

• No Single Answer: Candidates agreed there isn't one simple solution, requiring a multi-faceted approach involving the community and partners.

Impact on Taxes, Transit, and Education

• Taxes: The impact on tax rates depends on various factors of the development (affordable, workforce, or upper-end).

• Public Transit: An increase in all housing, not just affordable, will increase the need for public transit. Candidates support expanding bus routes and accessibility (e.g., to the new VA clinic).

• First Responders: Any housing increase will strain emergency services. Mike McIver noted that police officer ratios are typically 2.2 per thousand residents, and high-density vertical development might require fewer officers per area than sprawling developments. Rex Whaley pointed out that Garner's emergency room already sees 40,000 visits/year, 65% from Garner residents, indicating existing strain regardless of affordable housing.

• Crime: Kelvin Stallings cited studies showing that "when people are housed and taken care of, crime and all the other social determinants of health actually increase and crime and things like that go down."

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Supporting Small Businesses

Current Perceptions & Needs

• Self-Reliance: Kathy Behringer, a small business owner herself, noted that she and her husband "never looked to the town to provide help for us."

• Lease Costs: Gra Singleton identified rising lease costs (driven by increasing property values from high-dollar development) as a major threat, citing numerous restaurant and brewery closures in Raleigh and statewide.

• Permitting Process: Mike McIver reported that new business owners find the permitting process "challenging" and would like it streamlined with a "one-stop shop" approach.

Proposed Town Support

• Direct Engagement: Rex Whaley suggested the town meet with small businesses to ask "what can we do to help your specific business," particularly regarding regulations, permitting, zoning, and infrastructure (e.g., turn lanes). He also proposed reserving space for small businesses in new developments.

• Town Business Contact & Website: Rex Whaley recommended a dedicated business contact and a small business section on the town website, similar to other Wake County towns, to provide information and maps for residents and visitors.

• Promotion & Recognition: Kelvin Stallings actively uses social media to promote local businesses and suggested the town council and staff do the same, perhaps with a "highlight campaign." Gra Singleton recalled a past practice of the mayor recognizing long-standing local businesses at town hall meetings as a simple yet effective form of recognition.

• Downtown Investment: Continuing to invest in the downtown area and recruit local businesses there was seen as crucial for the town's charm. (McIver)

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Downtown Garner

Current State & Challenges

• Growing Vibrancy: Candidates acknowledged progress, citing murals, coffee shops, the Recreation Center, and downtown concerts as positive developments.

• Lack of Initial Planning: Kathy Behringer noted that Garner was "not ever planned" around a downtown, instead settling around the railroad, which has put it "a little bit behind the curve."

• Investor Confidence: The proposed Metro 201 project (a food hall and residential units) has been delayed due to economic signals affecting investor confidence. "You got to have investors investors have to feel confident in what plant what project they're investing in so you can't fault them because of some of the economic signals out there." (Singleton)

• Balancing History & Development: The presence of the "dirt baseball fields" as part of Garner's small-town charm presents a tough question against potential high-value residential development. (Singleton)
  
  

Vision & Strategies

• Promotion: Rex Whaley suggested promoting downtown more actively through the town website, local news stations, and even travel shows to attract both internal and external visitors.

• Community & Business Input: Kelvin Stallings emphasized involving citizens and businesses in conversations about what they want to see in downtown.

• Catalytic Projects: Mike McIver believes getting the Metro 201 project "off the ground" is key to "catapult further expansion of downtown."

• Preserving History: Gra Singleton highlighted the role of the Historical Society and the museum in preserving downtown's history and value.

• Public Art: Kathy Behringer spoke passionately about the growing public art committee, noting that "Art makes people happy," and encouraged residents to visit downtown to see the art and offer suggestions.
  

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Closing Remarks

All candidates urged citizens to vote in the upcoming election, emphasizing the significant impact of local elections on daily life. They encouraged voters to research platforms, attend meetings, and engage with candidates. Kelvin Stallings invited voters to visit his website, kelvinstallins.com. Gra Singleton closed with a touching endorsement from his daughter, highlighting his passion and long-standing commitment to Garner.

Garner Car Finds Internet Fame on 5000 Mile Cross-Country Journey by Donut Media

Epic new video just dropped on Donut with our pal Justin Freeman. I've been waiting for this ever since I heard about it. This is the first episode of Justin's cross country off-road trip in his '96 Subaru SVX, which until recently was sitting in a Garner backyard. (Source: TriagleRAD).

TriangleRAD is the premier club for owners & fans of the rad automobiles of the '80s & '90s, centered in Eastern & Central North Carolina. Find them on Facebook.

Images via http://www.donut.media/

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The popular YouTube channel Donut recently undertook an ambitious project: preparing a 1996 Subaru SVX for a grueling 5,000-mile cross-country journey, a significant portion of which would be off-road.

The car, which had been left to the elements in a field for years, required a complete overhaul to get it trail-ready.

A major part of the SVX's transformation involved custom fabrication to enhance its durability. The team enlisted a professional fabricator to design and build a custom roof rack, tire carrier, snorkel, and robust front and rear bumpers [02:12].

To protect the car's vulnerable underbelly from rocks and other trail hazards, they utilized advanced 3D scanning technology to create bespoke skid plates [03:26]. These additions were crucial for ensuring the car could withstand the rigors of off-road driving and protect its vital components.

Beyond the structural enhancements, the team made key performance and aesthetic upgrades. They fitted the car with Handcook Dino Pro AT2 Extreme tires, known for their off-road capabilities, while keeping the original OEM wheels to maintain a classic, retro look [05:09].

Under the hood, they performed a significant amount of work on the transmission, replacing the flywheel and clutch to handle the increased demands of off-roading [24:20]. These modifications were essential for the car's functionality and to ensure it could handle the long journey ahead.

Suspension was another critical area of focus. After some initial setbacks, they successfully installed new Field Suspension coilovers, specifically designed for rally and long-travel driving [29:21].

This upgrade was vital for improving the vehicle's handling and comfort over rough terrain. In addition to these major overhauls, the Donut crew also performed routine, but essential, maintenance tasks. They installed a new radiator to prevent overheating and replaced the brakes to ensure the car's stopping power was reliable throughout the long trip [10:42].

Despite facing a few challenges along the way, the team has successfully completed the project, getting the Subaru SVX ready for its demanding cross-country adventure.

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Car lovers in Garner host their own Cars and Coffee every 3rd Sunday in Downtown Garner.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Judy Bass Selected as Recipient of 2025 James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award

A longtime Garner resident with over 30 years of service to the community has been named the 2025 recipient of the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award.

Judy Bass was recognized for her tireless work preserving Garner’s history, honoring the area’s veterans and creating meaningful and engaging civic spaces.

“Judy Bass has made a lasting and multifaceted impact on the Garner community through decades of volunteer service—most notably, through her leadership in historic preservation by way of the Garner History Museum at the Depot, and her central role in the creation of the Garner Veterans Memorial,” the award nomination said.

“It is a great honor to receive the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award,” Ms. Bass said. “I never imagined that my name would be in the same group as some Garner legends and some of my heroes and friends. An award such as this can be attributed to friends and others who provided support and inspiration along the journey.”

Ms. Bass, who retired as Garner’s town clerk in 2015 after 18 years of stellar, mostly behind-the-scenes service with the Town, is well known in the community for the countless volunteer hours she has devoted toward making two transformational projects a reality.

Garner Veterans Memorial

“Her most visible and lasting contribution is her leadership on the Garner Veterans Memorial project,” the nomination submission said. “Beginning in 2006, Judy served on the steering committee that oversaw every stage of the memorial—from early vision to community fundraising, design and dedication.”

Ms. Bass played a role in helping to raise over $500,000 for the project, working with a brick sale campaign that continues today as part of the Walkway of Honor.

She also helped organize the dedication ceremony for the memorial in May 2013. The event brought together over 1,000 attendees, military flyovers, elected officials and families of veterans. The memorial, and the citizen-driven initiative to get it funded and built, would be a key success story that helped Garner earn All-America City recognition the month after the dedication.

Today, the memorial—with its numerous engraved panels that honor the fallen and offer historical background on America's armed conflicts—is the backdrop for the Garner Memorial Day observance and plays a significant role in the community's Veterans Day and Independence Day events as well.

The memorial, which also features red-clay earthcasts by world-renowned artist Thomas Sayre, has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects-North Carolina and is listed by veterans organizations as a model of respectful civic remembrance.

“Judy’s work to bring the Veterans Memorial to life has ensured that Garner’s heroes are remembered with the dignity they deserve—not just now but for generations,” the award nomination said.

Garner Area Historical Society

Ms. Bass also has been a longtime leader in the Garner Area Historical Society, having served as president and continuing as a board member of the non-profit.

Under her guidance, the organization was able to transform the historic train depot in Downtown Garner into the Garner History Museum. The depot building had been located on Garner Road and was in poor condition. It was moved to a location at the corner of Pearl and Main streets, underwent extensive renovations and opened in November 2021 as the new focal point of the community's history.

After the museum opened, Ms. Bass oversaw the collection and curation of photos, documents and artifacts "that connect generations of Garner residents to the town’s rich past," the award nomination said.

Ms. Bass is currently leading the campaign to restore the interior of the historic railroad caboose next to the museum. Contributions to that restoration effort can be made by visiting garner-area-historical-society.org.

Just recently, Ms. Bass was named to the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission, where she will bring a Garner perspective to a body that promotes the preservation of important aspects of local culture, history and architecture.

Ms. Bass' decades of volunteer service to Garner also has included work outside of honoring veterans and preserving our town's history. Through the years, she has been involved in causes such as the Caroline Ball Family Foundation and the Community of Hope Ministries' Garner of Hope.

“Judy’s accomplishments—the founding of the Garner History Museum, the effort to restore the historic Caboose and the creation of the Garner Veterans Memorial—are not simply projects. They are legacies," the award nomination said. "Each represents years of persistence, leadership and coordination, carried out with care and vision. These landmarks serve as daily reminders of Garner’s past and values, and they foster a sense of place and pride for residents and visitors alike."

The award nomination added: “The spirit of this award lies in honoring those whose service is foundational—who help shape the identity of Garner through sustained contributions that stand the test of time. Judy Bass is that kind of person. Her fingerprints are on some of the most cherished and enduring parts of Garner’s civic landscape. She has helped define what Garner values, remembers and celebrates. For all these reasons, Judy Bass represents the very heart of what the James R. Stevens Award was created to recognize.”

About the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award

The James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award was established by the Stevens family to recognize individuals who have made substantial, outstanding contributions to the Town of Garner over a period of many years. Preference is given to nominees with 20 or more years of service. Non-residents of Garner are eligible recipients if the award committee determines that they meet the criteria necessary to receive the honor. Individuals also can be recognized posthumously.

Via Town of Garner

Small Garner Business? Sign Up Now for the 2026 Launch Garner Class

What You’ll Gain:

• A 10-week business training course (Thursdays Jan. 8-March 19, 2026)

• Personalized mentoring and expert guidance

• Access to peer and community networking

• Support identifying funding opportunities

Who Should Apply:

• Individuals who currently own or plan to start a business in Garner

• Entrepreneurs offering a product or service that generates profit

• Committed individuals ready to develop a business plan and attend all sessions

• Those eager to connect with mentors and grow alongside fellow business owners

Garner Town Council Passes $87.3 Million Operations Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

The Garner Town Council at its June 17 meeting approved by a 3-2 vote an $87.3 million operations budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which begins July 1.  

The budget, which holds the municipal property tax rate at the current 52 cents per $100 valuation, is a $9.9 million increase over this year’s amended budget.  

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Two main Council priorities are at the center of the approved budget: the Garner Fire-Rescue consolidation with the Town on July 1 of this year and the opening of the new Yeargan Park in the fall of 2026.  

The budget funds nine new positions to support the Garner Fire-Rescue consolidation and 12 new positions for operations at Yeargan Park, which will open with four athletic fields, an inclusive playground, a shelter with restrooms and covered seating, and Garner Road frontage improvements with a 10-foot-wide multi-use path. 

“I am pleased that the FY26 budget invests in Garner’s vibrant future, focusing on community quality of life as well as overall safety and well-being,” Town Manager Jodi Miller said. “We are also thrilled to welcome the Garner Fire-Rescue Department on July 1.” 

The budget includes funding for the Police Department to support staffing, vehicles and equipment needs. The funding may be used to hire additional positions based on the priorities set by the incoming police chief.  

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Street resurfacing funding will increase by $544,000 next fiscal year, and there will be a new annual allocation of $200,000 for traffic-calming measures to improve road conditions and enhance neighborhood safety as Garner grows.  

The budget also supports the priorities of residents, as gleaned from Garner’s participation in the 2024 National Community Survey. 

In response to concerns about housing, $100,000 was set aside in the budget for housing preservation services funding to help residents remain in their homes, to maintain Garner’s older housing stock and to preserve affordable housing options in the town.  

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To meet residents’ demand for more recreational opportunities and special events, the Parks, and Recreation & Cultural Resources Department received funding to expand its programs and services, including the introduction of new volleyball and basketball opportunities, additional performances for special events and the addition of specialized programs tailored to support individuals with special needs or disabilities.  

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources also received funding for two new full-time positions to support its program enhancements. 

Four other full-time positions are funded in the approved budget as well: 

• Inspections will receive two positions to meet the rapidly increasing service demands related to Garner’s fast growth.

• Two positions have been funded for general government support and innovation.  

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The Council also approved by a 3-2 vote a capital projects budget for fiscal year 2025-26 totaling $4,987,752. The largest appropriation in that budget is $2.2 million for vehicle and equipment replacement. Nearly a million dollars is set aside for the Penny for Parks program, which enables maintenance and upgrades of existing Town parks and recreational facilities. 

Recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that Garner is the 10th fastest-growing municipality in the country. Despite the rapid change, the Town continues to follow sound fiscal policies and practices that have resulted in maintaining stellar credit ratings of AAA by Standard & Poor’s and Aa1by Moody’s Investors Services. 

For more information on the Town budget, please visit the FY26 Budget Portal webpage. 

via Town of Garner