Vickie Miller, director of Learning and Development for the N.C. League of Municipalities, and Mayor Buddy Gupton hold a resolution pledging to practice and promote civility. The Council adopted the resolution at its Oct. 22 meeting, making Garner the state's first Civil Community under the NCLM's Commit to Civility Program.

The Town of Garner has been certified as the state's first Civil Community under the N.C. League of Municipalities' Commit to Civility Program. All of Garner's current elected officials participated in the NCLM's Commit to Civility Program by attending training and by signing the Commit Civility Pledge. They then followed up by adopting a resolution pledging to practice and promote civility in Garner.

The Commit to Civility Program's objectives are the following:

• encourage and challenge municipal officials to embrace civility principles;
• equip municipal leaders with the information and skills needed to maintain composure through emotionally charged situations with a respectful and solutions-oriented approach;
• emphasize healthy communication and tools that facilitate and maintain mutual respect among municipal leaders, staff and constituents.

The following is the resolution the Council adopted at its Oct. 22 meeting:

RESOLUTION NO. (2024) 2612

RESOLUTION PLEDGING TO PRACTICE AND PROMOTE CIVILITY IN THE TOWN OF GARNER

WHEREAS, the Town Council of Garner, the governing body of the Town of Garner, North Carolina, recognizes that robust debate and the right to self-expression, as protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, are fundamental rights and essential components of democratic self-governance; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council further recognizes that the public exchange of diverse ideas and viewpoints is necessary to the health of the community and the quality of governance in the Town of Garner; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Town Council, as elected representatives of the community and stewards of the public trust, recognize their special role in modeling open, free and vigorous debate while maintaining the highest standards of civility, honesty and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, Council meetings are open to the public and thus how Town officials execute their legal duties is on public display; and

WHEREAS, civility by Town officials in the execution of their legislative duties and responsibilities fosters respect, kindness and thoughtfulness between Town officials, avoiding personal ill will which results in actions being directed to issues made in the best interests of residents; and

WHEREAS, civility between Town officials presents an opportunity to set a positive example of conduct and promotes thoughtful debate and discussion of legislative issues, resulting in better public policy and a more informed electorate while also encouraging civil behavior between residents; and

WHEREAS, civility between Town officials is possible if each member of the elected body remembers that they represent not only themselves, but all constituents of the Town; and

WHEREAS, in order to publicly declare its commitment to civil discourse and to express its concern for the common good and well-being of all of its residents, the Town Council has determined to adopt this resolution; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and all Council members have completed the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Commit to Civility program requirements and commit to uphold the nine pillars.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Garner, North Carolina, as follows:

1. The Town Council for the Town of Garner pledges to practice and promote civility within the governing body.
2. The elected officials of the Town of Garner enact this civility pledge to build a stronger and more prosperous community by advocating for civil engagement, respecting others and their viewpoints, and finding solutions for the betterment of the Town of Garner.
3. This pledge strives to ensure that all communication be open, honest, and transparent as this is vital for cultivating trust and relationships.
4. This pledge strives to show courtesy by treating all colleagues, staff and members of the public in a professional and respectful manner whether in-person, online or in written communication, especially when we disagree.
5. This pledge strives to ensure mutual respect to achieve municipal goals, recognizing that patience, tolerance and civility are imperative to success and demonstrates the Town Council’s commitment to respect different opinions, by inviting and considering different perspectives, allowing space for ideas to be expressed, debated, opposed, and clarified in a constructive manner.
6. The Mayor and each member of Town Council asserts the following:

Our opinions and views make us each uniquely different. In understanding this, promoting civility by actively listening, being respectful of others, and acknowledging that we are all striving to support and improve our community even if that consists of different ideas for achieving that objective. Our collective efforts in ensuring civility will lead to a better North Carolina.

Adopted this 22^nd day of October 2024.

Buddy Gupton, Mayor