Coach Doug Merrill of Ohio was honored by the Council for his efforts to raise awareness of teenage suicide prevention. Merrill began the “Run to the Keys” project Oct. 6 at home plate in Boston’s Fenway Park and has run a half marathon everyday since then, making his way down the East Coast towards Key West.
Nearly 900 miles later, Merrill made his way from Raleigh to Johnston County Dec. 20. He ran along Old Garner Road and Hwy 50 with Town Manager Hardin Watkins and Public Information Officer for the Police Department Srgt. Chris Clayton.
“It was an adventure,” Merrill said of his journey.
Merrill’s run is in support of the Power-Up Foundation. He said it is his goal to show teens there is nothing worth committing suicide.
“When life throws you adversity, you have to find a way to persevere,” he said.
Captains Jesse and Laura Dodson were recognized for their efforts in Iraq. Jesse recently returned from his second tour of duty and his wife returned from her first tour. Both are in the U.S. Army.
Jesse said while he and his wife appreciated the recognition, they felt their family deserved it more.
“Remember those people we leave behind do go through a lot,” Jesse said.
The Council also recognized Tucker Dupree for his achievements in the IPC Short Course World Championship earlier this month where he won a gold medal, two silver medals and two bronze medals.
Trojan Club Representative Phillip Ayscue said it was announced at a basketball game that Tucker took the gold in the 100-meter Butterfly on his first day of the meet. Even though the Trojans basketball team was losing, the crowd erupted with cheers for the world athlete.
“I think I probably shed a couple tears that night too,” Ayscue said.
Less than two weeks before his retirement, the Town Council honored Buster Stancil for his nearly 38 years of service to Garner’s Public Works.
The moment was bitter sweet for Stancil.
“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “I’m not ready to retire, but I’ve got to.”
Public Works Director Paul Cox said he was sorry to see Stancil go.
“We’ve come a long way and thank goodness we had people like Buster to get us where we are today,” Cox said.
The Council continued the recognitions with the request for donations to the David M. Lawrence Distinguished Professorship at UNC Chapel Hill.
The Council voted 4-1 to pledge $1,500 to the professorship over the next three years. Councilman Gra Singleton held the descenting vote, saying the Council previously decided not to bring unnecessary new expenditures into the budget.
“I would see this as an exception to the policy,” Mayor Protem Kathy Behringer said.
She said the School of Government doesn’t exist in many places and it has been an asset to the Town Council members.
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