Richard Barta, of Core Properties, asked the Council Sept. 8 to formally rescind its decision to loan $144,000 for the NC DOT to pave access ways off the Timber Drive extension.

Barta said he has heard about controversy surrounding the loan and hoped Garner could now focus on other projects.

The Council approved the 10-year loan 5-0 during the Aug. 18 meeting.

Town Council candidate Arnie Osborne emailed supporters Sept. 9, taking credit for forcing the issue into the spotlight and thanking readers for responding.

“If I hadn't been at the meeting...who would have been looking out for the town's people of Garner?” Osborne wrote. “Mayor Ronnie Williams would have...but he doesn't have a vote. I will continue my ‘watchdog fight’ until I have a seat at the table and a vote on the Council...and then nothing will be done in secret anymore.”

Fire and Rescue get green light for Station 4

The Town Council approved the Garner Fire and EMS to build Station 4 in the White Oak Business District.

“Everybody’s going to benefit from this package,” Fire Chief Phil Mitchell said.

He said currently, a portion of Garner close to the Johnston County line needs to be better covered by fire and rescue. The Garner Fire and Rescue have not met response time goals for those persons living in the “no man’s land.”

The new station would be adjacent to family residences in the Camelot subdivision to the north and east. However, the northeast property line would have a 65-foot buffer of evergreen shrubs.

According to Town Manager Hardin Watkins, Garner is only responsible for paying for 15 percent of the fire portion of the building. While EMS will also be housed there, the County has taken on responsibility for the expenditure.

Watkins said the County has been great to work with, already agreeing to let Garner pay back its portion of the bill over a span of several years.

In addition, the Council voted to redefine how funding is given to the Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue Inc.

Currently, Garner allocates $0.055 per $100 in property taxes to fire and rescue. This wouldn’t change; however, it would be given up front with a list of anticipated expenses for Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue Inc.

This would override the FY 09-10 budget policy where the Town approves expenditures as they occur. Essentially, Assistant Town Manager Rodney Dickerson said, this would do away with an extra step in the process.

Town cuts longevity program for future employees

The Town Council unanimously voted to amend personnel rules and regulations to stop the longevity award program for future employees of Garner.

“It’s a valuable benefit, but it’s costly,” said Human Resources Director for Town of Garner Sheila Cain.

Current full-time employees not yet eligible for the program will still be able to collect on the longevity award each year with a cap of $2,500 for employees working 20 or more years for the Town. Those persons currently receiving funds from the program will continue to receive them.

Town Council member Ken Marshburn said this would create significant savings for Garner.

Cain said staff researched longevity programs in other towns and found that Garner’s offered employees the most generous award. She did not see a pattern among towns of ceasing the program for future employees.

Memorial project on course for Veterans’ Day dedication

President of Garner Veterans’ Memorial Committee Harold Annis said the group has received 23 entries from across North Carolina for the design of the memorial at Lake Benson Park.

The committee will meet in October to judge the entries.

“I just wanted to bring you up to date and we’re right where we wanted to be,” Annis told the Council Tuesday.

There will be dedication of the memorial on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. The winning design entry will be revealed at that time.