Willie Bradley Graces The Garner Performing Arts Center April 29th

Bold, edgy, yet simultaneously charming and beautiful, well-describe the music of artist/trumpeter Willie Bradley.

Considered a go-to musician for many of soul music greats, his music has made the Smooth Jazz Billboard Charts and has been added to Smooth Jazz Radio Stations like Pandora, Spotify and iHeart Radio.

Willie has performed at numerous high profile shows around the country including multiple jazz festivals and has played in the brass section with RJ & The Original James Brown Band touring abroad in France, Osaka and Tokyo.

His newest CD project “Going With The Flow”, brings together award winning producer Preston Glass and a cast of stellar musicians with varied styles. His musical talents are guaranteed to be savored by all.

Jihan Hodges Recognized as Main Street Champion

Thirty-three North Carolina Main Street Champions were recognized for their commitment to downtown revitalization and strong communities in 2021 during the recent NC Main Street Conference. Including this year’s group of honorees, 837 Main Street Champions have been recognized by the N.C. Department of Commerce since 2000.

The Downtown Garner Association was honored to nominate past DGA Chair and Board Member Jihan Hodges as Garner’s 2021 Main Street Champion. Downtown Development Manager Mari Howe shared the following in her nomination of Jihan Hodges:

Since joining the Downtown Garner Association in 2017, Jihan Hodges has been an amazing asset to Garner’s Main Street program. Bringing her energy and passion to the table, she plays a big part in making Downtown Garner’s signature events successful. Jihan puts in long hours, acting as volunteer coordinator, and looking for opportunities, big and small, to make downtown events better every year. Often the first to arrive and last to leave, Jihan’s commitment is unparalleled, and her assistance is invaluable to the downtown manager. During her four years on the downtown board, Jihan served as vice chair and chair, leading the organization as an advocate for a catalytic public-private development project on Main Street and guiding annual planning efforts to build on downtown’s strategic assets.

The 2021 NC Main Street Champions were honored in a virtual recognition ceremony on March 10. Representatives from the NC Department of Commerce attended to congratulate the new Champoions. “There are three common elements that are found in successful communities. These elements are asset based economic development strategies, public and private partnerships, and local champions,” said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce.

“Main Street Champions are the key to success in downtown revitalization. They possess courage to move downtown forward; they fight for positive change and do that with creativity and innovation; and they actively get things done, while staying focused on the downtown’s economic development strategies,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center at Commerce.

The Downtown Garner Association would like to thank Jihan Hodges for her dedicated service and enthusiastic contributions to Garner’s Main Street program.

Nana's Lil Sweets Bakery to Open in Downtown Garner

Downtown Garner just got a little sweeter. Nana’s Lil Sweets, a new bakery concept, is slated to open their doors on Main Street some time in May. An official opening date has yet to be released.

Nana’s Lil Sweets owner, Barbara Jemison has spent years in the baking and culinary world. Her love for baking is only equaled by her love of her family. As it states on her website, “Nana's Lil Sweets was born to provide a creative outlet for me, but also to share the love and fun with baking with my grandbabies…” From cakes to cookies and everything in between, Nana’s Lil Sweets will help folks enjoy the sweet life.

More information will be coming out once an opening date has been finalized. For now, you can visit Nana’s Lil Sweets online at Nana's Lil Sweets (nanaslilsweets.com) or on facebook Nana's Lil Sweets - Home | Facebook.

Downtown & North Garner Community Update Meeting April 28 at 6pm

Wondering what’s been happening behind the scenes here in Downtown Garner? Join us on April 28th at 6pm to learn more about everything that’s been brewing during the last year and find out what’s coming soon to Downtown and North Garner!

The Downtown Garner Association will host an in-person community gathering in the Multipurpose Room of the Garner Recreation Center to share our upcoming Calendar of Events and to talk about recent business developments and exciting new additions to our historic downtown district and North Garner. DGA board members will lead a walking tour of the Main Street business district, ending at Aristotle Spirits for Q&A and drinks.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about DGA’s role in downtown revitalization – especially if you’re interested in getting involved! The DGA Board of Directors is looking for volunteers who want to help with public art, downtown events, marketing, and fundraising. If that’s you, we encourage you to attend and bring your questions about how you can get involved.

To register to attend, click the link below.

Garner's Aristotle Spirits Brings Home The Gold

We took home two GOLD’s at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for BOTH of the Philosopher Gins. Our New American and Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin look good in GOLD.

About Aristotle Spirits

At Aristotle Spirits, we create a drinking experience founded in precision and classical distilling processes. You deserve a craft beverage made with the highest quality North Carolina ingredients and the closest attention to detail. Whether you stick to whiskey or enjoy experimenting with mixers and seasonal infusions, every Aristotle recipe pushes the boundaries of distilling quality and creativity. We invite you to tour our facility, chat with our staff and enjoy unique cocktails with your friends.

Located in Garner, North Carolina, our spirits are distilled on-site with the finest, locally-sourced ingredients. After spending years as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, Jake decided to step away from the corporate environment and open his own distillery to craft the spirits he enjoys. This turned into the realization of a dream to create a culture that focuses on the process and unique character of the spirits.

As far back as the fourth century B.C., the great philosopher Aristotle suggested the possibility of spirit distillation. It is an age-old operation that today combines complex mental calculations and formulas with new technologies. Using several principles of natural science and chemistry, Jake produces a portfolio of spirits, second to none, that are made the right way every time.

Join us at Aristotle Spirits and experience Excellence Crafted. Excellence Served.

105 RAND MILL ROAD
GARNER, NC
27529

Public Hearing April 19th: Town-wide rezoning related to the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 7:00 p.m.

Hearing will be held at the Ronnie S. Williams Council Chambers

Garner Town Hall, 900 Seventh Ave, Garner, NC 27529

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The UDO Re-Write project involves the creation of new zoning districts and corresponding changes to existing zoning designations across Garner.

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You may have received the following Rezoning Notice in the mail.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is a UDO, and what does a re-write project entail? Answer.

• Where can I find information & materials for the project? The Steering Committee page.

• What does this mean for homeowners? See our Homeowner Handout

• Where can I find 160D materials? Answer: Scroll below or visit the subpage

• Where can I find the proposed zoning map changes? Answer: Scroll below or visit the website

• Where can I find the UDO questionnaire? Answer: visit the website

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Final Draft Articles - UDO Re-Write

• Article 1: Establishment and Administration

• Article 2: Nonconformities

• Article 3: Review Bodies

• Article 4: Review Procedures

• Article 5: Zoning Districts

• Article 6: Use Regulations

• Article 7: Enforcement

• Article 8: Subdivision - Streets, Open Space and Utilities

• Article 9: Design and Parking

• Article 10: Lighting and Landscaping

• Article 11: Environmental and Floodplain

• Article 12: Signage

• Article 13: Definitions

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You may still have questions regarding this matter. You are welcome to call the town at 919-773-4449, and a planning staff member will be happy to assist you.

Please be patient if the line is busy and try again after a few minutes. Staff will also be available at the customer service desk in the main lobby of Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.).

Extended Town Hall customer service desk assistance will also be available April 11 through April 14 and April 18 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will also be broadcast live that evening on Facebook and YouTube at https://www.facebook.com/TownofGarner/ and https://www.youtube.com/user/TownofGarner respectively. Handicapped persons needing assistance or aids should contact the Clerk’s office prior to the meeting at 919-772-4688.

2022 Primaries. Voting, Early Voting, and Election Day Information.

2022 Elections

Early Voting: April 28th to May 14th

Primary Election + Town of Cary Municipal Election

There is no Early Voting site in Garner but you can vote at any early voting location.

See specific locations and times below.

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Election Day: Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Primary Election + Town of Cary Municipal Election

Vote at your election day polling place.

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2022 Primary Election Information

• Candidate List

• See if I am registered to vote

• Find MY polling place

• Verify MY address

• View MY voting jurisdictions

• View MY sample ballot

• Understanding 2022 Primary Through Maps

• Understanding 2022 Primary Short Video

• Wake County Maps Page

• Sample Ballot Precinct Key (large file)

• View rules for candidate and campaign sign placement (NCSBOE Memo)

• Cellphone, Video, Photography, Texting Laws

• Making Your Vote Count in Wake County (video)

• 10 Facts About Election Security in North Carolina

• Register to vote/update YOUR registration (DMV Portal)

Behind the Badge - Garner Police Chief Lorie Smith

A docu-series spotlighting the women and men of the Garner Police Department, as they share their journey into law enforcement, allowing us to see the person behind the badge.

Chief Smith joined the Police Department in 1997 as a member of the Patrol Division and was promoted to sergeant in 2004. She became the first sworn female member of the Police Department’s command staff when she was promoted to lieutenant in 2015.

As lieutenant, Smith commanded the Criminal Investigations Division until her promotion to captain. She led the Administration Bureau through 2020, serving as the department’s backup public information officer (PIO), primary internal affairs investigator.

During her career with the Police Department, Smith has been a field training officer, general instructor, Crisis Intervention Team officer, negotiator, team leader and team commander for the department’s Crisis Negotiations Team and now serves as Garner's Chief of Police.

via Town of Garner

Wigeon Capital Brings Additional Industrial Space in Garner

If you have tried to buy a home lately you know that the real estate market is extremely competitive.  The industrial real estate market is no exception.

Wigeon Capital is seeking to help alleviate the crunch for industrial space with the construction of their new project, Greenfield 27.

Greenfield 27 is located in the Greenfield South business park.  This new project will consist of three buildings and encompass a little over 27 acres.  Buildings will be 160,380, 57,800, and 44,800 square feet.  This variety of building sizes gives potential clients the opportunity to choose which space best fits their needs.

Over the past few years, Wigeon Capital has made signifcant investments in Garner.  To-date, the company has already constructed nearly 200,000 square feet of space.  The Greenfield 27 project will only add to the companies invest in Garner.

"We are fortunate to have developers like Wigeon in our community," said Joe Stallings Garner Economic Development Director.  "These types of investments are critical to the community's ability to attract new jobs to our area.

Choose Garner

Garner's Station Podcast Episode 19: Importance of Early Childhood Education in Economic Development

GARNER, NC –In this episode, we talk with Cassandra Brooks, owner of Little Believers Academy and Nikki Leonard, Department Head of Education at Wake Tech, about the important role that early childhood education plays in economic development.

Choose Garner

The Wall That Heals: Welcome Home Celebration, April 2nd 2pm, Lake Benson Park

Our Vietnam veterans will be celebrated with Welcome Home—A Walk To The Wall and Concert on Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

Dozens of Vietnam veterans will follow the U.S. Marine 2D Aircraft Wing band to The Wall That Heals at Lake Benson Park. The band will go into formation and perform a concert in front of The Wall.

U.S. Marine Col. Samuel Lee Meyer, a Garner Senior High graduate, will be the keynote speaker and U.S. Army Col. (retired) Joe Marm, a Medal of Honor recipient, is the grand marshal.

(Vietnam veterans and a guest can park at Lake Benson Park and be transported to the starting point of the celebration. The Vietnam veterans and their guest will have reserved seating, but others are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.)

The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town

Come Join Garner and our Spring Eggstravaganza!

Saturday, April 9th 2022

Lake Benson Park
10 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

The Easter Bunny is coming to Garner!

We have two exciting opportunities scheduled for you to meet the Easter Bunny. Join us at the Bunny Hop on April 8 from 6-7pm at the Garner Recreation Center for dinner, crafts, photos and an egg hunt. Pre-registration is required at https://garner.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail....

You can also catch the bunny on April 9 at the Spring Eggstravaganza event at Lake Benson Park from 10am-12:30pm. This is a free community wide event that will include, games, egg hunts, crafts, music, food trucks and more!

For more information about these and other events and programs, visit GarnerNC.gov/parks

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Congresswoman Ross Secures $1 million in Federal Funding for Downtown Garner Improvements

House passes bipartisan legislation to fund the federal government; bill includes Violence Against Women Act reauthorization and measures to support Ukraine, invest in education and job training, and lower costs for the middle class

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Project Sponsor: Town of Garner
Address: 900 Seventh Avenue, Garner, NC 27529
Amount Funded: $1,030,405
Project Description and Explanation: The project is a comprehensive rehabilitation of the intersection of Main Street and Rand Mill Rd. in Downtown Garner, North Carolina.

At the intersection and along Main Street, streetscape improvements include: a pedestrian plaza and sidewalk amenities to create a sense of place; grade separation between sidewalk and street at the intersection; pedestrian safety bump-outs to increase visibility at crosswalks; stamped colored asphalt at the intersection and crosswalk to serve as traffic calming; stormwater drainage improvements to prevent flooding; and a 2-story mural of important cultural figures from Garner’s history.

South of the intersection, the town will construct a new public parking lot, including 59 new paved parking spots and a communal trash solution for the downtown business owners. The parking lot will transform an underutilized central lot into a productive downtown asset and public investment in this project will catalyze private development in downtown Garner. This project will increase accessibility and capacity for residents and visitors to enjoy the entire downtown.

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Washington, D.C.— Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan government funding bill, H.R. 2471, which will support our allies abroad and make a positive difference in the lives of North Carolina families and workers. This omnibus package provides funding to create jobs in our state, invest in innovation and medical research in the Triangle, and lower the high cost of childcare, college tuition, and housing. The legislation also allocates security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.

This spending bill contains many provisions spearheaded by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), including more than $10 million in funding for community projects in Wake County. These projects designate federal investments in local universities, affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, and more.

“I’m incredibly proud to vote for these historic investments in North Carolina as well as additional support for the people of Ukraine in their courageous struggle for freedom,” said Congresswoman Ross. “I fought hard to secure more than $10 million in funding for community projects that will support underserved areas, foster economic development, and make a real difference in the lives of the people of Wake County. This legislation is a testament to the work we can accomplish when we set our partisan differences aside and put the interests of the American people first. From finally reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and strengthening Pell Grants, to funding security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, this legislation tackles the most pressing challenges our nation is facing. I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly pass the bill and send it to President Biden’s desk.”

Within the legislation, Congresswoman Ross secured funding for 10 Wake County community projects. These include:

• $500,000 for Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification DNA Testing Equipment

• $300,000 for Morrisville Small Business Development Program

• $3,000,000 for South Raleigh Heritage Walk

• $1,000,000 for Cary Regional Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility

• $1,030,405 for Town of Garner Streetscape and Parking Improvements on Rand Mill Road

• $2,000,000 for King's Ridge permanent, supportive housing

• $1,000,000 for Wake County Emergency Operations Center

• $900,000 for Town of Cary for Swift Creek Stormwater Management and Modeling Program

• $350,000 for North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC for computer science education

• $600,000 for Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC for college preparation and success initiative

For more information on each of these projects, click here.

The bill also reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has been one of Congresswoman Ross’ top priorities since taking office. VAWA makes vital improvements to programs and laws to combat gender-based violence based on extensive consultations with victim service providers, law enforcement, and other experts. This reauthorization includes a Ross-led bill, the Supporting Access to Nurse Exams Act, which addresses the national shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), who are instrumental in providing medical care to survivors of sexual assault. VAWA also includes a Ross amendment that will fund the creation of databases detailing where these nurses are located, a pressing issue in North Carolina.

The government funding legislation also includes significant investments to: 

• Support the Ukrainian people as they continue to be attacked by Russia. The bill includes $13.6 billion in emergency funding for humanitarian, military, and economy support, as well as measures to help the millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the country.

• Reduce costs for working families in America by expanding child care and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America’s K-12 public schools, and making college more affordable. The bill increases the maximum for Pell Grants to $6,895, the largest expansion in more than a decade. It also includes $363 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

• Establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.

• Create good-paying American jobs, putting North Carolinians to work rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training. The bill designates $235 million for Registered Apprenticeships and $50 million to continue and expand Strengthening Community College Training Grants. It also includes $8.84 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support cutting-edge research in the Triangle and beyond.

• Support the vulnerable by meeting Americans basic needs, by strengthening nutrition assistance, and funding more affordable housing. The legislation includes $11 billion for new affordable housing, critical health, safety, and maintenance improvements to ensure the safety and quality of public and low-income housing and community development activities.

The Wall That Heals Schedule of Events

The Wall That Heals Schedule of Events

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter-size reproduction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will be at Lake Benson Park (921 Buffaloe Road) March 31-April 3. There is a full slate of events happening in conjunction with The Wall's temporary installation at the park. You can learn more and get the latest updates about The Wall at garnerwall.com.

The Escort

The Wall That Heals will be escorted by dozens of motorcycles to Lake Benson Park on National Vietnam Veteran Day, March 29. The processional will begin in Clayton at noon and after riding through downtown Clayton will travel U.S. 70 toward Garner. The processional is expected to pass the Greenfield Business Park overpass around 12:25 p.m. and turn onto Timber Drive around 12:35. The truck will turn onto Aversboro Road, a large crowd is expected at the Poole YMCA around 12:40 p.m. as the wall nears the park and arrives at Lake Benson Park around 12:45 p.m.

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The Candlelight Welcome Home Ceremony

A Candlelight Ceremony will be held at The Wall on Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. Our community will honor all the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who perished in Vietnam.

Nine wreaths, one each for the eight community men killed in Vietnam and another for survivors who have died since the war, will be placed at The Wall by Gold Star families and a military escort.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience The Wall by candlelight.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. (retired) Dr. James Johnson, a Vietnam War chaplain, will be the principal speaker. Area Boys Scouts will assist in the lighting and there will be special music.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets because seating is limited. The ceremony will last about 40 minutes.

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Welcome Home Celebration

Our Vietnam veterans will be celebrated with Welcome Home—A Walk To The Wall and Concert on Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

Dozens of Vietnam veterans will follow the U.S. Marine 2D Aircraft Wing band to The Wall That Heals at Lake Benson Park. The band will go into formation and perform a concert in front of The Wall.

U.S. Marine Col. Samuel Lee Meyer, a Garner Senior High graduate, will be the keynote speaker and U.S. Army Col. (retired) Joe Marm, a Medal of Honor recipient, is the grand marshal.

(Vietnam veterans and a guest can park at Lake Benson Park and be transported to the starting point of the celebration. The Vietnam veterans and their guest will have reserved seating, but others are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.)

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The Wall That Heals Documentary

Show N Tell Ministries and CrazyDuck Productions has produced a documentary about The Wall That Heals.

The 30-minute program tells the stories of six North Carolina service members who perished in Vietnam, including Garner’s W. Harold Till, Jr.; examines the lingering effects of the war on our service members; and features music by the U.S. Marine 2D Aircraft Wing band.

The documentary will be screened at the N.C. Museum of History (Saturday, March 12, 2 p.m.); Aversboro Road Baptist Church (Sunday, March 20, 3 p.m.); and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville (Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m.).

The 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus will be special guests for the presentation at Aversboro Road Baptist Church on March 20.

The documentary will be broadcast for Fox 50 (Saturday, March 26, 1 p.m.), by WRAL-TV (Sunday, March 27, 12:30 p.m.) and by PBS-North Carolina (Memorial Day).

Garner Public Hearing March 22, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE 

The Town of Garner Town Council will hold one public hearing to review the conditional rezoning on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 pm.  All public hearings are held in the Council Chambers of the Garner Town Hall located at 900 Seventh Avenue, Garner, NC 27529. 

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Conditional Zoning Request - #CZ-22-03 Timber Drive  

Raleigh North Development is requesting conditional rezoning for 18.45 +/- acres from Residential 20 (R-20) to Office and Institutional Conditional District (O&I C256) with townhome development proposed. The site is located on Timber Drive and can be further identified as Wake County PINs: 1710546449 and 1710641582.  (MAP HERE)

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Interested parties are invited to appear before the Town Council and comment during this public hearing.  It is also possible that substantial changes to the proposed request may be made following said hearing and prior to Town Council action at a subsequent meeting.  Upon closing of the public hearing, this request is automatically referred to the Town of Garner Planning Commission and placed on their next available agenda for review and recommendation. 

The rezoning request is on file in the Planning Department at Garner Town Hall.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact David Bamford, AICP; Assistant Planning Director at 919-773-4443 or dbamford@garnernc.gov. 

Handicapped persons needing assistance or aids should contact the Clerk’s office prior to the meeting at 919-772-4688.

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New Life Science Space Coming to Garner

GARNER, NC – Mainstreet Capital Partners and a fund managed by DRA Advisors today announced a joint venture to redevelop INQ 4300, a 180,017-square-foot building in Garner, North Carolina. Formerly a big-box retail store, the property will be repositioned to attract the region’s rapidly growing life science users. JLL’s John MacDonell and Taylor McCuiston will handle leasing on behalf of the owners.

Mainstreet Capital Partners and a fund managed by DRA Advisors announce joint venture to redevelop INQ 4300

JLL selected to lease the 180,000-square-foot building, which is being overhauled for life science space

“We are excited to launch redevelopment efforts for INQ 4300 so it can provide unmatched opportunities for life science users in the market,” said Peter Tonon, Partner at Mainstreet Capital Partners. “Similar to INQ 1101 in Morrisville, INQ 4300 will answer the demand for strategic and innovative lab space in Raleigh and we look forward to bringing our vision to life.” 

Located at 4300 Fayetteville Road, INQ 4300 will undergo significant interior and exterior renovations beginning in Q1 2022 with plans to deliver late summer 2022. Redevelopment plans are focused on creating a modern, highly amenitized laboratory and production environment for life science users. Once complete, INQ 4300 will feature new landscaping and hardscaping, glass openings, a new building facade, roof and outdoor amenity areas. INQ 4300 is the second property that Mainstreet Capital Partners and DRA Advisors have partnered together to reposition. Earlier this year, Mainstreet Capital Partners and DRA Advisors completed an overhaul of INQ 1101, a former big-box store in Morrisville, North Carolina. INQ 1101 is now fully leased to Schneider Electric and Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand. 

“As Raleigh’s life science community continues to thrive and demand for state-of-the-art lab and production space experiences unprecedented growth, INQ 4300 will be a highly sought-after addition to the market,” said JLL’s MacDonell. “We’re confident this property will generate interest from companies looking to grow or establish a Raleigh footprint, and our team is beyond excited to once again partner with Mainstreet Capital Partners and DRA Advisors.”

Located less than five miles from downtown Raleigh, INQ 4300 will provide future users with unparalleled accessibility to Raleigh’s life sciences community. The property is surrounded by numerous shopping and dining options and offers immediate connectivity to I-40 and the I-540 extension, which is currently under construction.

"We're excited about the innovative repurposing of this building and the potential impact it can have as the Town continues to aggressively pursue recruiting companies in the life science, advancing the manufacturing and technology sectors,” said Garner Mayor Ken Mashburn. “It is another significant step in the diversification of Garner's local economy. We welcome DRA Advisors and Mainstreet Capital Partners to our community and look forward to forging a strong partnership with them."

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Garner Showcase of Talent, February 26th

Garner proves once again that “we’ve got talent.” Come see your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors take the stage as Garner residents sing, dance and perform a FREE show!

The Garner Showcase of Talent is where Scotty McCreery, Arlie Honeycutt and many other performers honed their skills before moving on to bigger stages. Make sure you’re in the audience for this Garner tradition. You just might see the stars of tomorrow before they make it big!

Free Admission

Garner Performing Arts Center
742 W. Garner Road Garner, North Carolina 27529

3pm and 7pm

Hal Stewart Selected for NC High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame

Former Garner football coach Hal Stewart said he was glad that he was sitting down when he learned that he had been selected to enter the N.C. High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame.

“If I had been standing, I would have fallen out on the floor,” said Stewart, who built one of the state’s most dominating programs at Garner Senior High in the 1980s and ‘90s. The Trojans were the undefeated state 4-A champions in 1987 and reached the finals in ’99.

The Trojans’ Class of 1990 did not lose a regular-season game during their three-year varsity careers.

“After I got over the shock of the call, the most dominate feeling with humility,” Stewart said. “It hit me very strongly that Hal Stewart has been a very lucky and very blessed man.

“There is no successful coach that has not been surrounded by exceptional players, coaches, and administrators. I have been supported by great people, including my wife Linda and my daughter Lauren, and my mother and father, and my brothers, Eddie and Jimmy, and my uncle Dave. If you surround yourself with great people, great things can happen.”

Consistent Success

Stewart had a 159-47-1 record in 17 seasons at Garner and his teams won at least 10 games 12 times. The Trojans won 11 conference titles, posted a 15-0 state championship season in 1987 and returned to the state finals in 1998.

“Talk about surrounding yourself with great people, I got to coach Anthony Barbour (the star of the 1987 team,)” Stewart said. “He was the greatest high school running back that I ever saw and he was a better person than he was football player.”

Stewart said one of his biggest thrills was seeing Barbour at N.C. State and ’90 Garner graduate John Leach of Wake Forest lead the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing in back-to-back seasons.

Leach was among the many athletes that Stewart persuaded to play football.

“The thing about Hal is that he could go into the poorest kid’s house and be perfectly at home or go to a reception with the Governor and be comfortable. He can relate to anyone,” said former Garner athletics director Brinkley Wagstaff. “He has a knack for developing relationships.”

Eddie Gray, a long-time assistant football coach and the former Trojans’ basketball coach,  said Stewart had an unusual way of game planning.

“I think it goes back to his basketball background,” Gray said. “Hal always looked for match ups. He would move players around to try to create a matchup that we could exploit. Not many football coaches would do that.

“And he really knew how to push the motivational buttons. Plus, he always kept it fun. Players knew he cared more about them as people than he did as players.”

Where It Began

Stewart began his head coaching career at Durham High in 1975 (12-9 in two years) before leaving to return to Richmond County, where he had been an assistant football and baseball coach for three years before going to Durham.

He posted a 20-6 record in two seasons with the Raiders, including a 12-2 state championship run in 1978. Perry Williams, a future 12-year player with the NFL’s New York Giants was the star of that team, which rallied from a 1-2 start.

He resigned following the title season and sold cars for a year before becoming the head coach at St. Pauls High in 1980. His three clubs were 9-2, 8-3 and 5-5 and were led by Lee Vernon McNeill, a future Olympic sprinter who died last year from Covid complications.

Garner had interviewed Stewart in 1980 and Principal Shirley Paige called him in 1983 when Garner’s head coaching job opened again. He took the job, and a dynasty was planted.

He left Garner to become the head coach at Erwin Triton, fulfilling a wish made by his father Harold. Alton Stewart, Harold Stewart’s father, was from Coats, which is close to Triton. Alton Stewart received the first civilian pilot’s license in North Carolina and died in a plane crash on Dec. 25, 1929. Hal’s father, then a boy, was taken off the doomed flight right before takeoff.

“My father had ties to Harnett County, and he always wanted me to go back and coach there,” Stewart said. “That’s why I went. My father asked me to do it and I did.”

He coached at Triton three years and had 6-4, 5-5, and 7-4 records.

He remained a driver’s education teacher in the county, but his coaching career was over.

“It was time,” he said. “I had loved sports for a long time and still do, but it was time to stop playing and coaching.”

The Journey From Player to Coach

Stewart played football, basketball, and baseball at Goldsboro High School. He played in the first game played at Durham County Stadium, scoring the first touchdown in the park after catching a pass from long-time friend Dave Odom, eventually the head basketball coach at Wake Forest University. Goldsboro finished 1-8-1 that year, beating Garner for its only win. His senior year Goldsboro was 0-10.

Stewart almost didn’t become a coach. He was offered a baseball scholarship to East Carolina after graduating from Goldsboro High but signed with Portsmouth (Va.) Frederick College where he could play basketball and baseball.

He stole some empty soft drink bottles and sold them his junior year, netting $5.29. He and a friend bought six hot dogs for a quarter each and got tickets to a basketball game. He was suspended from school.

He was at home in Goldsboro and working for his father in a metal fabricating facility when he decided to join the Air Force. As planes from Seymour Johnson Air Force base flew overhead, he decided he was signing up on Monday.

But that Saturday he agreed to ride to Edwards Military Institute in Salemburg, N.C . with a friend. An Edwards coach recognized him and offered him a spot on the basketball team. He played one semester and returned to the Portsmouth school.

“People ask me why I believe in second chances,” Stewart said.   “That’s why. I made a stupid mistake. I stole those bottles. That’s the truth. It was a stupid thing to do, but I did it. But somebody gave me a second chance.”

He made his coaching debut helping Odom and legendary baseball coach George Whitfield with the Goldsboro American Legion baseball team in 1963 and ’64 while still in college.

“The thing with Hal is that he loves the kids,” Whitfield said. “Kids will do a lot for you if they know that you really care.”

He got a $500 supplement to coach football, basketball, and basketball at Goldsboro’s Greenwood Junior High after graduating from college. He left to go to Jacksonville High and assisted Coach George Thompson for two years before being reunited with Whitfield at Hamlet.

He was hired as the head of the Industrial Cooperative Program at the school but moved to special education after two days when another teacher resigned. Eventually, he received certification in special ed.

“It was just one of those things,” he said. “I love working in special ed. I think it was a factor in the success we had in football. It helped me relate to all of the players better.”

He took a head basketball coaching job in Havelock but left to join Whitfield and head football coach Ron Kroll at the newly opened Richmond County High as an assistant. Three years later, Odom called and asked Stewart to replace him as head football coach.

“When I look back on it, I see all of these people playing huge roles in my life,” he said. “You just have to believe that God had a plan that I knew nothing about.”

Stewart was in the inaugural class of the Garner Magnet High School Hall of Fame.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association banquet will be held on Aug 20, 2022, at the Embassy Suites in Cary. Ticket information will be available in March for the festivities.

Volunteers Needed for The Wall That Heals Garner Display

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to assist the thousands of people who are expected to experience The Wall That Heals when it visits Garner’s Lake Benson Park on March 31 through April 3. Recent visits by The Wall in Wake Forest and Tarboro had crowds of more than 20,000.

The Wall will be open 24 hours per day. There is no admission charge.

The biggest opportunity to serve is by volunteering to be an ambassador. Ambassadors are trained during a one-hour session on Wednesday, March 30 at 6 p.m.   

The session includes information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., The Wall That Heals, the Mobile Education Center that travels with The Wall, and instructions on how to find a particular name on The Wall. Ambassadors will be given tools to assist guests.

Volunteers can sign up for two or three-hour shifts, or multiple shifts, at the garnerwall.com website under the volunteer section.

The Wall That Heals is 376 feet long and 7.5 feet tall at its highest point. Its panels have been engraved with the names of the more than 58,000 United States service members who perished in the war.

The Wall That Heals travels with a Mobile Education Center that provides information about the war, the Memorial and items that have been left at The Wall.

Jodi Miller to Join Garner Leadership Team as Assistant Town Manager

Jodi M. Miller will be joining the Town of Garner in early February as an assistant town manager, filling an important senior leadership role with the Town.

Miller has served as deputy/general manager for Durham County since 2016. Her areas of responsibility include emergency services (Fire Marshal, Emergency Management and EMS) and emergency communications (in partnership with the City of Durham), as well as Durham County’s Youth Home and Criminal Justice Resource Center. She also serves as liaison to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham Detention Center, Durham County Courts and the N.C. Forest Service, a division with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Garner Town Manager Rodney Dickerson will make a final decision about Miller’s exact areas of responsibility for the Town in the next couple of weeks. John Hodges also serves in the role of assistant town manager for Garner.

Dickerson said that Miller's talents and broad range of experience will make her a valuable addition to the Town's municipal leadership team.

“Jodi Miller is an analytical thinker and problem solver who has a passion for local government,” Dickerson said. “She has an impressive background in a number of areas that will allow us to draw on her insights as Garner positions itself for continued growth.”

As a deputy/general manager with Durham County, Miller has helped lead implementation of a major organizational transformation that emphasizes a strategic governance approach using metrics and data as the principal drivers for decision-making. In addition, she has played a key leadership role in updating Durham County’s strategic plan and capital improvement plan.

Before joining Durham County, Miller served a deputy city manager for the City of Williamsburg, Va., for 16 years.

Over the course of her career, Miller has gained extensive local government experience in the areas of executive leadership, strategic planning, performance management, budget preparation and management, capital project development and management, economic and community development, emergency services, communications, human resources, civic engagement and innovation.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the talented and dedicated Garner team and feel fortunate to be given the opportunity,” Miller said. “Garner’s future is bright, and I look forward to using my skills and experience to help the Town achieve its strategic goals and objectives.”

Miller sits on numerous professional and community boards including the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Credentialing Advisory Board and the Museum of Life & Science Board of Directors. She has previously served on the North Carolina City and County Management Association Executive Committee and on the national League of Women in Government board.

Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in public administration from Tech’s Center for Public Administration and Policy. She is an ICMA credentialed manager, as well as a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute and the University of North Carolina’s Public Executive Leadership Academy.

“Jodi is self-driven but also excels in a team atmosphere,” Dickerson said. “I look forward to her bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience to this important role in the Town of Garner Manager’s Office.”

To learn more about the Town of Garner, please visit GarnerNC.gov.

Courtesy Town of Garner