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Where Amaka
Stands on the Issues
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Economic Development
Making Garner a Great Place to Live and
Work
In order to economically develop Garner, we must
strategically market and promote Garner. Garner is
conveniently located 10 minutes from Raleigh, 45 minutes from
Durham, and close proximity to the Research Triangle Park.
Garner has easy access to interstate 40 and US 70. Garner
residents are able to maintain a small town atmosphere, while
having access to the amenities in Raleigh and Durham.
Strategically marketing Garner will assure that we retain our
current businesses, attract new businesses, middle class families,
which will build our tax base. We can market Garner by
inviting the business community and area real estate agents to
community fairs and provide tours where participants are able to
talk with local Garner Citizens.
Revitalizing and modernizing downtown and older
neighbors is essential to building Garner’s economy. The Town
is moving in the right direction by hiring a Neighbor Improvement
Manager and Economic Development Manager, however, we need to be
result oriented. We need to preserve downtown historic
districts and assure that downtown is accessible by incorporating
sidewalks, sitting areas, and road connections. Downtown Garner has
the capacity to become a central meeting place for the community,
which will attract businesses. We need to research
other communities to determine lessons learned and best
practices.
Improving Garner Schools is a must.
Our economic development success is tied to the quality of our
schools. We need to continue to advocate for our schools and assure
that our children are able to compete globally. Quality education
in Garner will attract families, businesses, and guarantee social
stability.
Education in Garner = Economic Development and Social
Stability.
Environmental Issues
The Solid Waste contract is one of Garner’s
largest service contracts. This service is utilized
most frequently by our residents. I will encourage price
efficiency at the best quality and the monitoring of this contract
and others.
Our water consumption is becoming more of an
issue. This was especially true during the 2007-2008
droughts. We need to move from a consumption based society to
conservation based society because it impacts our water and sewer
allocation and the number of businesses and residences that move
into Garner. I will encourage the exploration of water
conservation options.
The Garner Park and Recreation Master Plan
identified walking as the most favorable exercise for
residence. I will encourage the preservation of open space
and the creation of greenways. An aquatic center and
community center also ranked high in the Park and Recreation Master
Plan. I will promote Garner partnering and collaborating with
other municipalities, for profit and non-profit business, and
explore state, federal, and foundation grants to move Garner closer
to realizing an aquatic and community center.
Quality and affordable park and recreation
programs are essential to increasing the quality of life for Garner
residence. I will support innovative, creative, and cultural
programs through parks and recreation and assure that these
programs are offered at diverse times.
Public Safety
Garner currently maintains a low crime
rate. I will work to assure that the crime rate remains low
in Garner by supporting the increase of police officers as our
population grows. As the town goes through the
process of hiring a new police chief, the community has an
opportunity to be engaged and provide feedback on the critical
skills required by the new police chief. We need to be
proactive in addressing gang and illegal activities. A
connection exists between public safety, park and recreation, and
school performance. Park and recreation programs can be used
to create tutoring and mentoring programs for children. This
assures a safety net for our children and increases school
performance.
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