In 2009, the Garner Town Council determined the need for a Public Information Officer to assist with the communication efforts of the Town, and to work towards building and maintaining a system of providing accurate, consistent, and timely information sharing with the public. The Public Information Officer is responsible for managing the overall communications program for the Town of Garner’s government offices, both internally for employees and externally for the citizens of the community.
The PIO is responsible for the release of public information to ensure that town residents are well-informed of the services, news, events, accomplishments and initiatives of the Town of Garner.
Information is made available through various communication resources, including press releases, the Town’s web site, the Town of Garner Citizen Newsletter, Garner’s Government Access Channel 11 (WTOG) and through Town publications. Many new communication resources are currently being developed that will offer even more opportunities for Garner citizens to receive information in a way that best suits their needs.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Public Information Officer, Michelle F. Howell, at (919) 773-4418 or email
mhowell@garnernc.gov.
Communication Resources:
Town of Garner Citizen Newsletter: The Town of Garner distributes a monthly electronic Citizen Newsletter to residents who sign up online, or to those residents who call the Public Information Office to request a printed copy. The newsletter contains the latest Town news and information about upcoming events and programs in the community. The newsletter is distributed the first of each month to all Citizen Newsletter subscribers. A copy of the Citizen’s Newsletter is also provided on the Town of Garner web site in Adobe .pdf format, along with previous versions.
*Please click here to sign up to receive the Town of Garner Citizen Newsletter
(WTOG) Garner’s Government Access Channel 11 (Time Warner Cable): In 2009, the Town of Garner began broadcasting program and event information, along with community news, videos, and public service announcements on Time Warner Cable Channel 11. This programming is also available on AT&T’s U-verse Channel 99, as well.
Nonprofit organizations may submit event or community information to play on Channel 11 to Barbara Fisher at
bfisher@garnernc.gov or by faxing information to 919-662-8874. All announcements will run for 4 weeks or until the event date. Information is limited to 10 lines or less, and please include your contact information when making a request.
The Town of Garner broadcast taped programming on Channel 11 twenty-four hours a day, seven day a week. At times, the Channel may switch to programming from Raleigh’s Television Network (RTN) if programs are deemed to be of interest to Town of Garner residents. This programming includes Wake County Commissioner Meetings, Wake County School Board Meetings, and other educational and informational programs.
Press Releases:
Town of Garner press releases are distributed to various media outlets in the local area, Wake County, and throughout the State of North Carolina. Press Releases are also available on the Town’s web site or by contacting the Public Information Officer.
Publications:
Town brochures and publications are available at Garner Town Hall and at all Town facilities. Information is also available through direct mail. Please contact the Public Information Officer for mailing request, or if you need assistance with any information that you have been unable to locate.
Town of Garner Web Site:
The Town of Garner web site was redesigned in 2009, to provide easier access and search capabilities for information contained within the site. Every effort is made to keep information accurate and current by each Town department, the Information Technology Department, and the Public Information Officer. Adobe Acrobat Reader is used for accessing many of the documents that you will find on this web site. This free and user-friendly program allows documents to open easily without the many problems that are sometimes found with different software versions or problems with HTML documents. This free program can be easily downloaded from Adobe’s website at
http://get.adobe.com/reader/.