TOWN OF GARLAND
POST OFFICE BOX 207
910-529-4141
GARLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
FAX: 910-529-1393
Mayor
Winifred Murphy
Commissioners
Haywood Johnson
Matthew Register
Ralph Smith
Denise Toler
Michael Toler
January 24, 2013
Dear Citizens of Garland!
Happy New Year to ALL! I thank each of you for your support of the town of Garland during the 2012
year! Together, we weathered many challenges. Together, we had many successes!
Our most significant accomplishment was receiving the North Carolina Small Town Economic
Prosperity (STEP) Grant! The August 11, 2012 “KICK OFF” Celebration brought thousands into our
town to help us rejoice!
At this time, town leaders and citizens are in the planning stage of
establishing a vision and priority needs for the town. Your input and participation are very much
needed. YOU have the opportunity to make sure that your VOICE is heard as we all work together to
make Garland a better place to live NOW and for generations to come. The NC STEP meetings are
always the 3rd Monday night of each month at 6:00 pm. Many activities are being planned to create
wholesome family activities. Again, your input and participation in planning these activities are
needed.
Last year we saw our beloved “The Corner Store” close. But, when one door closes, another one
opens. We are so blessed, now, to have the Handee Hugo/Subway on our corner! Aren’t we all so
proud? The Christmas Tree Lighting and the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations were two
additional highlights that brought many people together in fellowship, love, and celebration! We plan
more of these activities to further unite us and make Garland a wonderful place to live and visit.
During 2012, we also saw our elected officials change. I appreciate your vote of confidence when you
elected me to office as commissioner in 2011. I also appreciate the opportunity to have served as your
Mayor for the past 11 months. It is always my desire to serve the citizens of this wonderful town
equally and with a high level of professionalism. Like you, I love our town and we must ALL work
together to make our town one in which we love to live, in which others want to visit, and in which
businesses want to locate.
In the November 2013 election, you will once again have an opportunity to vote for the people who
will provide leadership and help to make decisions to move Garland forward during the next four
years. The mayor’s seat and three (3) commissioner’s seats will be vacant. Please get involved now
by making sure you are registered to vote, by attending our regular board meetings (2nd Tuesday, 6:30
pm), and deciding perhaps if you are a committed leader who has something to offer. Whether as an
elected official or an engaged citizen – your voice and mine should be heard!
This is OUR town! As elected officials we are charged with making decisions (popular or unpopular)
based on many factors, based on the needs of our citizens, on research, on financial documentation,
and based on local, state and federal laws. Probably the most heart-wrenching decision that this
board had to make was the increase in utility rates. And yet, we had no choice and must share this
increase together. Please believe that this board is being fiscally responsible. We are decreasing
any unnecessary expenditure while trying to ensure that we have enough operational funds to
maintain the high cost of street maintenance, water/sewer operations, town utilities, services, and
personnel. Based on our financial audit report, our financial status has improved; however, compared
to other towns our size, we are still struggling financially. Thus, our need to collect 100% tax revenue,
to generate increased revenue from sources other than increasing rates for citizens, and our pledge
to decrease expenditures when possible.
If we can work together to increase jobs, housing, services for the young and the older – then we
should be able to increase our population, increase our sales tax revenue, and have more people and
revenue to share in our operational cost! We must also continue to support ALL of our
existing businesses by shopping locally!
SHOP GARLAND!
Let us learn from the past, reflect on the past – but dream and envision for the future! Let’s work
together to move forward in a positive way, together! Reflecting from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr:
“If we can’t fly, then let us run,
If we can’t run, then let’s walk,
If we can’t walk, let’s crawl,
But whatever we do –
Let’s keep moving forward, and let us do it
hand in hand, step by step,
TOGETHER!
My fellow citizens -- looking forward to working with you as your Mayor during the 2013 YEAR!
Mayor Winifred Hill Murphy
For Your Information
New Office Hours - Town Hall
Opens: Monday – Friday
9 AM
Closes: Mon, Tues, Thursday, Friday 5 PM
Closes: Wednesday
1 PM
Coming SOON!
Garland Community Center
175 S. Church Avenue
Garland Town Hall Annex & Visitors Center
Ingold Avenue
(Old Southern Bank Building)
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Garland Trivia!
1. Who was the first Mayor of Garland?_______________________________
2. When was Garland incorporated?__________________________________
3. Who is the Mayor Pro-Tem for the Town of Garland?____________________
4. When did Mayor Murphy take the oath of office as Mayor?________________
5. Who is the Finance Officer for the Town of Garland?_____________________
6. Who received an Honorary Physician Assistant’s Degree?_________________
7. When is the regular board meeting for the Town? (date/time)______________
8. What is the address for the town of Garland’s website?___________________
9. What is the name of the local afterschool program in Garland?_____________
10. What commissioners are assigned to the Street Committee?
___________________________________________________________
11. Who is president of The Garden Club?_______________________________
12. What famous resident founded The Care Project?_______________________
Name___________________________________ Phone Number_________________________
Please return the completed trivia questions to the Town of Garland Trivia Box. Your entry will be pulled out on
February 11, 2012. All answers must be completed accurately to win the Trivia Prize!