While incumbent Kathy Behringer believes the Town Council is currently faced with a challenge to provide Garner residents with acceptable service at an acceptable price, she also looks forward to the economy’s turnaround so Garner can move forward.

“We are still in tough economic times, but we should never settle for ‘good enough,’” she said. “There are ways to prepare and be ready to move forward when the eventual recovery is a reality.”

Behringer said Garner has several capital improvements in the planning stages currently that will be ready to move on when the economy turns around, like the Timber Drive extension.

She also said she wants to support the older neighborhoods in Garner when the Town’s Neighborhood Services Manager begins to implement his new program.

“Our older neighborhoods do not need to be forgotten,” she said.

Another of Behringer’s hopes for the Council is to create a better working relationship with the Board of Education. This will open communication between the Town and the Board to best serve the students and their families in Garner.

Behringer said she would like to keep Garner’s small town feel as well as remaining a viable component of the Triangle.

“A small town like Garner can get lost on the back door of a big town like Raleigh,” she said.

Campaign promises

Behringer hasn’t been out much campaigning for her reelection yet, but her values are the same now as when she ran for Town Council four years ago.

“When I ran for the Council four years ago, I did not promise to perform miracles,” Behringer said. “I promised to work hard and I have delivered on that promise.

“Once again, I am not promising miracles, but I am promising hard work and a determination to see Garner move forward – not to stand still,” she said. “I’m not focused on being in the limelight; I am focused on making Garner the best place to live and work.”

All of the hard work cannot be one person’s efforts, though. Behringer said the number of accomplishments the Council has achieved, like the installation of sidewalks throughout the community and phase 1 construction of White Deer Park, have all been group efforts.

“I don’t believe I have accomplished anything alone while I have been on the Council,” she said. “I believe the best governing decisions are made when a variety of viewpoints are brought to the table and discussed and worked through.”

Likewise, none of the hard decisions are made alone, Behringer said. In a recent vote on whether to keep a four-way stop on Old Scarborough Lane, the information from the Town’s engineer pointed to taking down the sign. However, the Council chose to keep the sign up out of common sense and understanding what the sign meant for many families in the Heather Woods neighborhood.

A strong foothold in the community

Behringer has been an active member in Garner for many years. She is a former member of the Citizen’s Advisory Council for Southeast Raleigh and past president for the Friends of Historic Garner. She was a past director for women’s activities at New Life Church in Garner and part of the Garner Planning Commission for six years. Behringer is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the Garner YMCA.

Now, Behringer is president of the Garner Women’s Club, a member of Garner’s community watch program, a part of the steering committees for Garner’s YMCA, the North Garner plan and the Town-wide comprehensive update plan. She is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

As a member of the Town Council since 2005, Behringer has been a liaison to the Garner Educational Foundation, liaison to the Economic Development Committee, a past liaison to the Planning Commission, a member of Wake County Task Force for Growth Management. Behringer has also been an alternate for Mayor Williams to Triangle J Council of Government.

Behringer also has owned her own business for 28 years.

Family matters

Behringer has lived within the Garner limits for 16 years, but has been in the service area for 32 years. Her husband of more than 35 years, Jeff, owns Behringer Stone Company.

The couple has six children: Jake, 34, Zack, 32, Sam, 30, Luke, 28, Chad, 25, and Laura, 17. Behringer is also a proud grandmother of Zack’s eight-month-old daughter.