Garner Resident Input Need: Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Project Feasibility Study Phase II Survey

Comment period is open from January 5th - February 19th, 2023.

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Commuter Rail Feasibility Report Now Available

The proposed Greater Triangle Commuter Rail would offer a congestion-free transportation alternative for the region that is slated to grow by more than a million people and a corresponding 1 million cars in the next 30 years. GoTriangle would like your opinion on the phases studied in the report.

Options and Costs

The results of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail feasibility study provide options for implementation of regional passenger rail service. Due to the high cost and technical challenges associated with delivering the full project at once, the study considered phases for staged implementation in the eastern, central, and western portions of the corridor. With costs varying for each, the three portions include:

• Eastern portion Implementing service from the Auburn Station in Garner to Raleigh Union Station.

• Central portion Implementing service from Raleigh Union Station to the Ellis Road Station.

• Western portion Implementing service from the RTP Station to the West Durham Station.

Out of the three phases, the western phase has considerable challenges associated with construction including higher cost and a longer implementation time frame. Due to the challenges associated the western phase is being considered for a later stage of implementation.

The next step is for leaders to decide what portion should be built first.

Spirit League Comes to Garner

Spirit League is an adaptive basketball program that allows participants with special needs to play a team sport in a positive, self-esteem building environment.

Athletes will have the opportunity to learn new skills and the fundamentals of basketball through drills and fun adaptive games.

Please wear gym clothes, athletic shoes and bring a water bottle.

Personal Assistants are welcome. Team shirts will be provided.

Scan this QR Code for more information

Volunteers Needed

Thanks for considering volunteering with the Garner Spirit League this season! We ask that volunteers commit to attending at least 4 of the 7 sessions to provide continuity for the participants and the  opportunity to build relationships.  All volunteers will be need to pass a background screening before being allowed to interact with participants.  Once you have signed up to volunteer, be on the look out for communication from Sara Shaw, Recreation Program Supervisor, for more information on completing the background check.  If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Sara at scshaw@garnernc.gov. 

House Passes More Than $26 Million for Wake County Projects Secured by Congresswoman Ross

Headed to Biden’s desk, funding will bolster health care, affordable housing, public safety, and more across Wake County

December 23, 2022 Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the omnibus funding package for Fiscal Year 2023, which includes $26,890,641 in funding for 15 community projects across Wake County secured by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). This critical funding will invest in accessible health care, affordable housing, public safety projects, quality education, and more. Passed by both chambers of Congress, this legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“I fought for funding for these essential projects because I know they will make a positive difference in our community,” said Congresswoman Ross. “This week, we put politics aside to invest in the American people. From Raleigh to Wendell, these projects address critical needs in Wake County and represent transformational investments in families, students, seniors, and more. I look forward to President Biden signing this package into law and seeing how these projects will create tangible progress in Wake County.”

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Ross secured $10.7 million in funding for Wake County community projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding package. The 15 projects and funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 package are listed below.

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Project Name: Wake County Public Health Center
Amount Secured: $2,000,000
Description: Wake County will use this funding to construct a new Public Health Center. The new 151,000 square foot building will house a variety of health clinics, along with pharmacy and lab facilities, as well as ancillary and complimentary social services programs. Wake County Public Health is the safety net clinical provider for uninsured residents. The County’s 11 clinics served approximately 26,000 residents in 2021. Its pharmacy provides approximately 60,000 prescriptions each year, many of which people could not obtain without Wake County Public Health services.

Project Name: Maynard Road Multifamily Housing in Cary
Amount Secured: $1,000,000
Description: The Maynard Road Multifamily Housing is a planned 127-unit housing development that will provide quality, affordable, mixed-income rental units at below-market rents in a prime area of Cary, North Carolina. The development is needed to help address rising housing costs, especially for low-income individuals and families, because of booming population growth, employment opportunities, and economic development in Cary over the last 20 years. The funding will be used to construct a street to the development. A well-designed and integrated street network is the backbone for a viable, complete neighborhood.

Project Name: Wake Tech Electric Vehicle Training
Amount Secured: $939,041
Description: Wake Technical Community College will use this funding for Grid to Plug to Wheels: Technician Training for Safe and Efficient Electric Vehicle Power Utilization and Maintenance. This job training program will prepare a next generation workforce of 2-year technicians to build and maintain power supply infrastructure and service electric vehicles. The growing demand for skilled labor in this sector will lead to good careers, greenhouse gas reductions, and consumer savings at the pump.

Project Name: Saint Augustine’s University Tuttle Public Health Center
Amount Secured: $490,000
Description: St. Augustine's University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), will use this funding to open its Tuttle Public Health Center (TPHC), which will support health and wellness education, student research regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19, and related programs that will benefit St. Augustine’s students and the surrounding community. Funding will be used to support faculty, establish smart classrooms for students, and purchase research and lab equipment.

Project Name: GoTriangle Wake County Transit Access and Safety Improvements
Amount Secured: $900,000
Description: This project will address critical transit access and operation safety concerns at GoTriangle bus stops across Wake County. The project will make improvements at several locations where the design speed, traffic volumes, constrained right-of-way, and number of transit passengers require safety and ADA accessibility improvements. These improvements include bus bays, sidewalk connections, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. Proposed locations are distributed throughout the county, benefiting customers on several regional GoTriangle routes.

Project Name: Raleigh-Durham International Airport North Cargo Taxilane Reconstruction
Amount Secured: $5,000,000
Description: This project will reconstruct the Taxilane that provides access to the North Cargo aircraft parking apron at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This Taxilane access is critical to the operation of both FedEx and UPS, which provide freight and logistics services to central North Carolina. 

Project Name: Town of Holly Springs Water Reclamation
Amount Secured: $3,000,000
Description:  The Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility is nearing capacity due to population and economic growth. This project will employ innovative and sustainable techniques to increase capacity and divert treated wastewater for other reuses in the community.

Project Name: Triangle Regional Water Partnership

Amount Secured: $3,326,400
Description:  This project will help address the inadequate water supply intended to serve the recently announced VinFast manufacturing facility, the largest economic development project in North Carolina to date, and to provide a safe water supply for the Town of Pittsboro. The funding will be used to construct one of two horizontal directional drills under the Cape Fear River from the City of Sanford’s Water Treatment Plant, which will provide a safe and resilient source of potable water for local government partners that include Chatham County, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina. Congresswoman Ross secured this funding with Congressman David Price (NC-04).

Project Name: Garner Senior Center Facility Improvements
Amount Secured: $505,200
Description: The project will enhance safety, increase accessibility, and improve functionality of the Garner Senior Center (GSC), which hosts over 42,000 annual visits by Garner-area seniors. The facility also houses Wake County’s largest congregate Meals on Wheels site serving 1,700 monthly meals on-site and is a distribution site for 1,100 monthly delivered meals. Improvements to the facility include replacement of aging HVAC systems to improve air handling, renovations to restrooms to improve safety and accessibility, the addition of an accessible route to outdoor programing areas of the facility, installation of technology to ensure safe user access, enhancements to the kitchen and dining facility to improve food distribution, and other general facility upgrades.

Project Name: Pleasant Grove Community Center in Wendell
Amount Secured: $2,000,000
Description:  The Pleasant Grove Community Center Project is a collaborative partnership with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Town of Wendell, and Wake County to reimagine a future use of the historic African American Carver School. This site is located within a low-income area near a public housing development and will serve as a focal point of inclusion and opportunity. The community center rehabilitation will provide a space to offer families afterschool, track out, and summer camp programs; job development services; and a business incubator to host the entrepreneurial program, LaunchWENDELL. This funding will be used for community engagement, project design, construction documents, and the rehabilitation of the old Carver Elementary School.

Project Name: Tingen Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Design in Apex
Amount Secured: $550,000
Description: This funding will be used for the study and design of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the railroad crossing of Tingen Road in Apex, North Carolina. This railroad crossing is expected to close in 2025. Construction of the bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide a route for the community to safely cross the railroad tracks on Tingen Road.

Project Name: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Education Center at Prairie Ridge
Amount Secured: $750,000
Description: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will use this funding to construct an Education Center at Prairie Ridge, which will expand services to significantly increase the number of visitors the facility can accommodate. Designed for easy accessibility, including for those with limited pedestrian mobility, families with young children, and school groups, the building will feature three new assets: an indoor classroom, furnished with scientific instruments and teaching tools; universally accessible restroom facilities; and a nature porch. This funding will contribute to economic development by creating an important public amenity along the Blue Ridge Corridor, turning an existing community resource into a year-round ecotourism destination, and fostering the creation of new jobs.

Project Name: Town of Morrisville Solar Panel Installations on Town Facilities
Amount Secured: $250,000
Description: The Town of Morrisville wants to lead community adoption of sustainable practices and technology. The Town will use $250,000 in funding to purchase and install solar arrays on three of the Town’s largest energy consuming facilities to reduce its carbon footprint. The facilities include the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, Public Safety and Municipal Services Building, and Harris Mill Road Fire Station.

Project Name: Town of Fuquay-Varina Continuous Operation Body Camera System
Amount Secured: $180,000
Description:  The Town of Fuquay-Varina will use this funding to supply police officers with continuous operation body camera systems. This funding will enable Fuquay-Varina to purchase improved body-worn camera equipment for Police Officers to enhance safety, transparency, and community trust. Body cameras enhance community safety and trust and are essential for 21st century policing.

The Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding package also includes:

• A $21 billion increase for veterans’ health care to help with implementation of the PACT Act

• Reform of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power

• Robust funding to provide security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy

• Emergency disaster assistance to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout the country

• $72 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help address the affordable housing crisis, a $6 billion increase above last year’s levels

The package also includes Congresswoman Ross’ legislation, the Unleashing American Innovators Act, critical legislation that will address disparities in the U.S. patent system and expand access to patents for underrepresented communities. The bill will also establish a U.S. Patent Office in the Southeast.

Leah Harrison Named Garner Town Engineer

Leah Harrison has been named the Town of Garner’s new town engineer effective Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Harrison, who has over 10 years of professional civil engineering experience, joined the Town as assistant town engineer in 2019 and has served as the interim town engineer since October.

Her experience also includes service with the City of Fayetteville and the Bureau of Reclamation, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Harrison has managed municipal and federal capital projects, administered floodplain and stormwater programs, and facilitated regulatory compliance and construction inspection functions.

She has been instrumental in the implementation of several new initiatives in the Town’s Engineering Department, including development of an Engineering Design Manual and implementation of new processes for capital project management and public right-of-way encroachments.

"As interim town engineer and during all of her tenure here, Ms. Harrison has done exceptionally well representing the Town both internally and externally," Town Manager Rodney Dickerson said. "That performance, combined with her professional training and previous experience, makes her a great choice to join our senior leadership team."

Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University-Fullerton and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico.

She is also a registered professional engineer in the state of North Carolina and a certified floodplain manager.

“I am tremendously thankful and excited for the opportunity to lead the Engineering team for the Town of Garner,” Harrison said. “My passion for this town and its people, my work and my team drives me to do my very best every day. I am honored to continue my work with the Town of Garner and look forward to building a legacy here.”

Outside of her professional work, Harrison volunteers for several community organizations, including the Future City Competition and the Parent Teacher Association.

She serves on the Wake County Water Partnership board and is an active participant in the American Public Works Association.

For more information about the Town’s Engineering Department, please visit garnernc.gov/departments/engineering.

Community Meetings Scheduled for Potential Merger Between Town and Garner Fire-Rescue

The Town of Garner and Garner Fire-Rescue will hold two community meetings to hear resident input about the potential merger between the two agencies. These two sessions will be held: 

• Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. at Garner Town Hall, Second Floor Training Room, 900 7th Ave. 

• Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. at Panther Branch Community Center, 10900 Ten Ten Road 

The meetings are open to the public and will be facilitated by an independent, third-party group, NC Fire Chief Consulting, which works together with counties and municipalities across North Carolina on similar initiatives.  

During each meeting session, there will be a brief informational component, followed by the consultants asking for public feedback from those in attendance. Summaries of the input received during these two sessions will be provided to Town elected officials and Garner Fire-Rescue Board of Director members.  

In addition, there will be a public survey distributed throughout the community following the two public meeting sessions.   

The Town of Garner and Garner Fire-Rescue have been discussing the possibility of consolidating operations for approximately the past five years. Garner Fire-Rescue currently operates as a private, non-profit corporation fire department that contracts with the Town of Garner and Wake County.  

The Town of Garner now provides approximately 56.5 percent of the fire department’s overall funding for providing fire and rescue services within the Town. Wake County provides approximately 43.5 percent of the department’s funding for providing services in roughly 60 square miles of unincorporated area around the Town of Garner.   

Garner Fire-Rescue is one of only 10 fire departments in North Carolina that is both nationally accredited and holds an insurance Class 1 rating. The rigorous accreditation process ensures residents that they are consistently receiving the level of service that they are paying for, and that the fire department meets all essential core competencies. The insurance (or ISO) rating directly reduces insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses. Class 1 is the highest rating earned in the United States.   

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Any person wishing to comment in writing, prior to the public meetings, may do so by forwarding comments to the Town of Garner communications team at 900 7th Ave., Garner, NC 27529, or by emailing them to garnerpio@garnernc.gov.  

The Town of Garner strives to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to access its programs, services and activities. If you will require assistance to participate in either one of these sessions, we request that you contact the Town of Garner communications team at least five business days before the event.  

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FAQs about a possible merger.

How do we provide fire and rescue service now and how is it funded?

Fire and rescue service is provided by Garner Fire-Rescue Inc. The independent agency has contracts with the Town of Garner as well as Wake County to provide each jurisdiction emergency services within the Town limits and unincorporated area in Wake County. The agency was formed as a non-profit organization in 1952 and still operates in that capacity today.

What is a merger?

A merger happens when two or more organizations agree to go forward with a shared vision to create a single new organization rather than remain separately managed and operated. In some cases, there is a recognition that it is in the best interests of all parties to come together in a new, more effective and efficient version of the existing organizations.

Why consider a merger now?

The Town of Garner contracted with North Carolina Fire Chief Consulting (www.ncfirechief.com) in January 2021 to facilitate a process of review and determine the feasibility of creating a shared vision for the future for fire and rescue services in Garner and the unincorporated area in Wake County. The Town Council and Garner Fire-Rescue Board agreed to engage in a process that assisted both entities in planning and preparing for fire and rescue services as the Town and surrounding area continues to grow and develop.

How would a merger affect service?

Service delivery to the residents whom the Garner Fire-Rescue currently serve should not be affected. Daily operational responses should remain seamless through a merger.

What is the timeframe for completing a merger?

It would take approximately 12 months from when the final agreements and implementation strategy are approved.

Would this affect the Town’s current cost share with Wake County?

A merger should have no impact on the cost share agreement nor the methodology for determining the cost share with Wake County.

Garner Christmas Parade Returns for 2022, Town Block Party and Tree Lighting Will Bookend

The Town will hold its second annual Holiday Block Party from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Garner Recreation Center (215 W. Main St.).

This will be followed by a citizen-organized Christmas Parade on Main Street then the Town's annual tree lighting next to the Recreation Center.

Block Party

This free family-friendly event will feature Holiday kids’ crafts, food trucks, games, music, and more. The Garner Express, a 24-person train ride, will take you on a trip around the outdoor walking trail, and when Santa Claus joins the party be ready for those family pictures! Stick around for the parade and tree lighting to follow!

For more information visit: https://www.garnernc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources/events/holiday-block-party

Garner Christmas Parade

The Garner Christmas Parade will follow the Holiday Block Party starting at approximately 4:30 pm.

It will travel down Main Street from New Rand Road to Highway 50/Benson Road.

For more information on the parade please visit: garnerchristmasparade.com

Tree Lighting

The Tree Lighting will follow the immediately after the conclusion of the parade (approximately 6:00-6:30pm). Please join us for a performance from South Garner High School's Titan Harmony Choir and help Santa gather holiday spirit to light up the tree.

Neuse River Big Band Holiday Concert at GPAC. Dec 10th 3pm and 7:30pm Shows

Witness the talents of 20 volunteer musicians in The Neuse River Big Band. These NC Triangle area artists will have your toes tapping during an unforgettable trip down memory lane along with some of your favorite holiday tunes. Inspired by the Big Band era, they perform timeless favorites from artists such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and more.

IMPORTANT EVENT NOTES

• Seating for this performance is general admission.

• A zip-code radius limit of 250 miles is in place for online sales to all of our shows. If you live further than 250 miles, please contact our box office at 919-661-4602 to purchase tickets.

• The use of face masks is optional for all patrons and staff, regardless of vaccination status.

• The health and safety of our patrons, performers and staff is our top priority. Should any of our health and safety guidelines change prior to a show, ticket holders will be notified as soon as possible.

• Wheelchair and handicapped accessible seating is available. Please call 919-661-4602 if you need further assistance or complete the online request below.

• Cash only concessions will be available.

Garner Performing Arts Center

December 10, 2022

3:00 PM
Doors Open: 2:30 PM

December 10, 2022

7:30 PM

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

Garner and Wake County, Hold Groundbreaking for Caddy Road Public Safety Station

Wake County and the Town of Garner on Nov. 29 held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Caddy Road Public Safety Station planned for a fast-growing part of Garner (the U.S. 401-Ten Ten area).

The 16,000-square-foot station is a partnership between Wake County and the Town. It will primarily house Garner Fire-Rescue and Wake County EMS but will also offer touch-down space for the Garner Police Department.

The facility will include four full-apparatus bays, company day rooms, offices, a conference room, an exercise space, a kitchen and dining areas.

The building should be completed by winter 2023-24. The project was made possible in part by $6.5 million in Public Safety and Services Facilities bonds approved by Garner voters in November 2021.

Special Fall Unprepared Yard Waste Cleanup Starts Oct. 31

South Garner High School Band and Chorus Raising Funds to Travel and Compete in Tennessee

The South Garner HS Band & Chorus programs are participating in the INSTARAISE donation fundraiser. They need your help to off-set the costs of travel buses for a group trip to Gatlinburg, TN. With your support these students will be able to perform some amazing music and showcase South Garner HS ! To ensure they reach their goal, please also SHARE this link, TEXT this link and EMAIL this link to everyone you know ! Thank you so much for your continued support !

Garner History Museum Hosts Community of Hope Summer Campers and Adds New Native American Exhibit

Museum Hosts Community of Hope Summer Campers, Leaders

Over 60 student campers and leaders from Garner’s Community of Hope summer camp program visited the Garner History Museum at the Depot on August 3. The students had a great day in Downtown Garner! They learned about fire safety and careers in fire and rescue at Garner’s Fire Station One, toured the Museum to learn about Garner’s history, and visited the new Garner Recreational Center, all within a few blocks of each other off Main Street.

Thanks to the volunteers who helped with this tour. We are excited to offer more such tours for student groups in the Garner area. Please contact us if you want to schedule a date for a group tour.

Native American Exhibit Added to Museum

We have recently added an exhibit on the Native American /American Indian historic presence in the G arner Area. In speaking with several lifelong residents of the area, we discovered that there was evidence of a number of Native American people in the greater Garner area for many years before European settlers came to the area.

These folks reported tilling up many arrowheads and other artifacts on their family farms throughout the area, indicating a significant presence of Native American residents in and around Garner.

Members of the Museum Committee visited the NC Museum of History to view their Native American exhibit; we met with both the State Archaeologist and the Director of Indian Affairs for the State of NC to gain their wisdom and advice on presenting the exhibit. Our hope is to obtain more artifacts and expand the exhibit relating to Indian culture in our area. If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, there are some extraordinary items to view relating to North Carolina Indian culture.

Courtesy Garner Area Historical Society

Town Seeks Input on Garner Recreation Center Master Plan Update

The Town of Garner is updating its master plan for Garner Recreation Center (215 W. Main St.) to capture the public's current usage and thoughtfully plan for the future.

The initial plan was adopted in January 2014 with a primary focus on indoor features. Now that the facility has been open for a year, a review and update of the master plan will help guide future improvements to the 6.19-acre site. The public is encouraged to attend a drop-in (or open-house-style) meeting on one of the following dates to provide feedback about desired amenities for the future:

• Friday, Sept. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Garner Recreation Center

• Monday, Oct. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Garner Recreation Center

This planning process will enable the Town to meet eligibility requirements for a grant opportunity (the Accessibility for Parks Grant, administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation/N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund). If funded, the grant would support a future playground on the site.

New Beginnings for GARNER GROWS at Thompson Road Park

Courtesy Garner Grows

By Sarah West

Garner Grows Community Garden has some very exciting news to share! We are overjoyed to announce that we have partnered with the Town of Garner and have relocated to Thompson Road Park located at 550 Thompson Rd, Garner, NC 27529. You will be able to find us on the back portion of the park behind the field.

First and foremost, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. We absolutely could not have done this without you! Thank you for signing our petitions, attending town council meetings, coming to our plant sales and volunteering in the garden. Thank you for believing in our mission to foster community engagement through gardening while we work to make the future a greener (and more nourishing) place to be!

View fullsize

Now the fun and the hard work begins. In the coming weeks and months we will need all hands on deck as we get the new site ready. We have a lot to do before we can even begin  planting. We will need help laying mulch, building beds, compost bins and planting a landscape buffer.

Be on the lookout for upcoming volunteer days! You can sign up on our website to get updates about volunteer days, plant sales, and special events.

We are so excited to share this space with each and every one of you! As you can see from the landscape design (see image below), we have a bunch of exciting things planned. At the new location we will have hugelkultur beds, traditional row gardens and raised beds for annual and perennial veggies. 

In addition, we will have an herb garden, a cut flower garden, a perennial border, berry patches and a large orchard area.  We will also have bee hives, a mushroom cultivation area, a seed and propagation station as well as a place for mulch storage and compost bins.  A central gathering area for teaching and socializing will complete the picture.  

To those unfamiliar with the way Garner Grows operates, we share in the work and the harvest, meaning that all the planting and maintenance of garden plots, the overall garden infrastructure, and any miscellaneous tasks are shared.

And when we harvest everyone who helps out gets to take something delicious home! Every member is a valuable resource, and we work to delegate a variety of tasks so that members of all ages, level of physical ability, and gardening skill can pitch in.

Please consider joining or renewing your Garner Grows membership because we would love to see you in the garden! 

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Mission Statement

Garner Grows Community Garden is a collective in the greater Raleigh, NC area that aims to provide access to land, education, and resources to grow food in an environmentally sustainable manner. Our mission is to make fresh produce and horticultural education accessible to residents of the Triangle area (Wake, Durham, and Orange County). Our motto, “Share the work, share the harvest” emphasizes our focus on collaboration and community spirit.

August 21st at the Garner Performing Arts Center: Premiere of "Home, with Honor" (a documentary)

We hope you can join us on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at Garner Performing Arts Center for the premiere of "Home, with Honor." It's a 25-minute documentary film about the impact of the visit of The Wall That Heals on the Garner community.

The film features the more than 250 Vietnam veterans who participated in The Walk to the Wall, the U.S. Marine 2D Aircraft Wing Band, the 82nd Airborne Division All-America chorus, Vietnam chaplain Dr. James Johnson, U.S. Marine Col. Lee Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm and Broadway star Craig Schulman.

Organizers plan to have gifts for attending Vietnam veterans

WakeMed Announces Plans to Build Hospital in Garner

WakeMed on Aug. 15 filed a certificate of need with the state to build a 45-bed acute care hospital with 24 emergency department bays in Garner.

The 170,000-square-foot hospital, if approved, would be located on 27 acres around White Oak Road and Timber Drive East. Groundbreaking would be in fall 2024 with completion in fiscal year 2027. [See fact sheet on Garner hospital plans.]

WakeMed has three healthplexes—one in Garner on U.S. 70, one in Brier Creek and one in Apex—that all include full-service emergency departments (EDs). The Garner Healthplex ED is responsible for 44 percent of the overall healthplex ED patient volume.

Pending state approval, the Garner Healthplex ED, which currently has 12 beds, would move to the new hospital and would have 24 beds.

The current Garner Healthplex would convert to a medical park, which would include medical practices and ambulatory services such as imaging and lab.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 970-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 10,300 employees, 1,000 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 700 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kathy Behringer and Jerry Jones Named Stevens Award Recipients

Town Council Member Kathy Behringer and local businessman Jerry Jones have been named co-recipients of the 2022 James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award—our community’s most prestigious recognition for public service rendered over an extended period of time.

Kathy Behringer

“Kathy Behringer is smart, sincere and hardworking. She knows the community because she has raised a wonderful family here and has been devoted to community life and the people of Garner for more than 25 years,” said former Garner Mayor Sam Bridges (as quoted in the nomination letter for Ms. Behringer).

A Garner resident for nearly three decades, Ms. Behringer is now serving her fifth term as a Town Council member. She has focused on community growth and development and on beautification efforts around Garner, especially around some of the town’s main gateways.

Ms. Behringer has held a special place in her heart for the revitalization of historic Downtown Garner and was named a North Carolina Main Street Champion in 2011 by the N.C. Department of Commerce. She currently serves on the Downtown Garner Association, which helps to lead development of historic Downtown Garner as a vibrant business, entertainment and cultural center through public-private partnerships.

During her tenure on the Council, Ms. Behringer also has been a strong advocate for improving parks and recreation opportunities, and she has advocated in particular for the Garner Senior Center.

Ms. Behringer has been passionate about ending domestic violence and has worked to ensure the Town as well as community groups regularly support InterAct of Wake County.

In addition, Ms. Behringer currently serves as The Garner Woman’s Club president and sits on the Board of Directors for the YMCA. She is active in her Community Watch program and is a member of the Garner Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Behringer has previously served as the past president of the Friends of Historic Garner and as a board member for Passage Home, a non-profit organization that works to break the cycle of poverty for individuals and families in Wake County by helping them to achieve housing and income security.

Ms. Behringer has been an independent business owner for 41 years. She is married to Jeff Behringer, also an independent business owner in Garner. Together they have six children and eight grandchildren.

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones has served the Garner community for almost 50 years.

“Jerry’s family has deep roots in Garner, and he has never forgotten what Garner has done for him and his family,” the nomination letter for Mr. Jones states. “As Jerry’s business and community leadership approaches fifty years, he is still the positive teammate that everyone wants as a friend, neighbor and business confidant.”

Mr. Jones is a Gamer native and joined his father’s insurance business, Jones Insurance Agency, in 1974, soon after graduating from college. He married Brenda Stone, and they established themselves as respected and admired pillars of the Gamer community.

Soon after graduating from college, Mr. Jones joined the Garner Volunteer Fire Department as a volunteer and served in the department for seven years.

He succeeded his father, Purvis, at the helm of Jones Insurance. After serving on the Garner Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Mr. Jones was elected board chair by his peers for 1980-81. He continued to serve in leadership roles with the Chamber for a number of years.

Mr. Jones is a charter member of the morning Garner Rotary Club (chartered in 1978). He served as president of the club and later served as district treasurer. He earned the Mid-Day Rotary Club’s Ethics Award for his personal and professional character and demeanor.

For his support of Rotary, Mr. Jones has been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also is a member of the Paul Harris Society and has been a generous supporter of local, district and Rotary International projects ranging from annual scholarships for Garner high school seniors to Rotary International’s goal of eradicating polio.

Mr. Jones has also been passionate about education. He served with the Communities in Schools program for seven years as a tutor and mentor, then seven years with the Schools and Communities Organized to Read (SCOR) program for seven years as a reading mentor with second-graders at Timber Drive Elementary.

The Joneses have continued to support local civic, business and service groups and initiatives, including the following:

1. Little League team sponsorships

2. Community of Hope Ministries

3. Garner Senior Center capital campaign

4. Garner Veterans Memorial capital campaign

5. Poole Family YMCA capital campaign

In addition, Mr. Jones has been a Business Advisory Board member of Wake Services and Advisory Board member at North State Bank.

Mr. Jones and Ms. Behringer will be recognized at the Aug. 16 Town Council meeting, held at 7 p.m. in the Ronnie S. Williams Council Chambers in Garner Town Hall, located at 900 7th Ave.

ABOUT THE JAMES R. STEVENS SERVICE TO GARNER AWARD  

The James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award is intended to recognize people who have made substantial, outstanding contributions to Garner over a long period of time. Emphasis is on service rendered over an extended period of time with preference given to nominees with 20-plus years of service. This is in keeping with James R. Stevens’ tradition of service spanning decades. Non-residents of Garner are eligible if the award committee deems that they meet the criteria necessary to receive the honor. The award also can be bestowed posthumously.

The award program is administered by the Town of Garner, with a selection committee made up of the mayor, a representative of the Stevens family and other community members.

Garner's Station #25 - Towne Players Youth Theater Camp

Communications Manager Rick Mercier is joined by cast members Alena Lewis and Ethan Underhill of the Towne Players of Garner's production of "Moana Jr." Also joining is Towne Players' alumnus Gabe Yarborough.

They discuss the what interested them in performing arts, preparing for their roles, and growing up with music and theatre. Get your tickets for "Moana Jr." Aug. 11-13 by visiting GarnerPerformingArtsCenter.com.

Garner Chamber Connect Conference September 8, 2022

This Economic Development Conference presented by the Garner Chamber of Commerce with the Town of Garner, highlights important business -related topics. Join local and regional business leaders, Chamber members , elected officials & economic development professionals for announcements and expert insights on the future of Garner.

Date and Time

Thursday Sep 8, 2022
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM EDT

Thursday, September 8, 2022
10 am - 3:00 pm

Location

Garner Performing Arts Center
742 W. Garner Rd.
Garner, NC  27529
 

Fees/Admission

Tickets 

Members $99                                    Non-Members $149
Members w/Bus Tour $129               Non-Members w/Bus Tour $199

Rep. Ross, Town Officials Announce $1 Million to Support Downtown Project

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross—joined by Mayor Ken Marshburn, Council Members Demian Dellinger, Kathy Behringer and Elmo Vance, and Aristotle Spirits owner Jake Howland—on July 22 announced $1,030,405 in funding for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Main Street-Rand Mill Road intersection as well as the creation of 59 new paved parking spots in Downtown Garner. Rep. Ross secured funding for the project earlier this year.

The federal funds will be used to develop a pedestrian plaza and sidewalk and improve stormwater drainage to prevent flooding. The new parking lot will transform an underutilized property into a productive asset, increasing accessibility and capacity for residents and visitors to enjoy restaurants, shops and more.

Between fiscal years 2009 and 2021 (the most recent available data), there was $23.1 million in public investment and $11.5 million in private investment in Downtown Garner.

Eggs Up Grill to Open this Fall in Garner

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, will open a new restaurant in Garner in early fall, located at 2686 Timber Drive in Garner Town Square. The restaurant will be the third for franchise partners and brothers Scott and Rob Johnson, who own locations in Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs.

With indoor seating for 96, plus an outdoor patio, the 3,000 square-foot restaurant is designed to make guests feel at home in a light, bright and cheery atmosphere. The Garner restaurant will serve guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available.

"We partnered more than five years ago to bring Eggs Up Grill to Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs - and now Garner where we both live,” said Scott Johnson. “We’re proud supporters of this community—go Trojans! We are both very excited to bring great food, superior service, and the concept of neighbors serving neighbors, always with a smile, to our hometown.”

Eggs Up Grill will also cater events big or small, with a menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy, and muffins. Salads and sandwiches are available for catered lunch.

The Garner Eggs Up Grill will hire 30 employees. Those interested can apply at eggsupgrill.com. For more information, follow @eugsgarner on Instagram and Facebook.

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® two years in a row, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 57 locations with plans underway to reach the 100-restaurant mark by the end of 2023. For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Courtesy Eggs Up Grill