After months of working to rebuild relationships and community trust, the town of Garland is looking to change the narrative. At Monday night’s board meeting, town leaders reflected on what they described as a new era of cooperation, positivity, and forward momentum.
Mayor Austin Brown, who has served during a time of both challenges and renewal, said recent months have shown a marked difference in tone and direction.
“For the past few meetings, it’s been nothing but positive,” Brown said. “It doesn’t even seem as contentious as things have been in the past. When we stay in the newspaper for negativity and on social media, it does nothing but put a black cloud over Garland. It’s time to move forward.”
Brown credited community participation and new opportunities for helping shift the town’s morale, pointing to the success of the recent town festival and ongoing growth around the local Dollar General as signs of progress.
“We’ve got to leave the riff behind us,” Brown said. “I’m praying that we can do that, and that the people who are elected this fall are here for the right reasons. It’s not just about holding a seat; it’s about carrying this vision forward. Garland’s on the uphill side, and I’m tickled to death to see that.”
Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Smith Jr. echoed the mayor’s optimism, noting that the board has made significant strides toward stability and community engagement.
“Yes, we’ve had some good meetings lately,” Smith said. “We’ve got good things going on right now, and we’ve got to grab that momentum and keep it going. We’ve been stagnant long enough, and as you can see, we had a good crowd tonight. Everybody was positive, everybody liked what they saw.”
Smith highlighted the success of last weekend’s festival, calling it a turning point for public perception.
“The amount of positive feedback we’ve gotten has been tremendous,” he said. “I cannot count the number of people who came up to me, proud of the way this town is functioning right now.”
He also emphasized the importance of building relationships beyond Garland’s borders, referencing recent countywide economic development discussions.
“We’ve got to get more involved with the county and the state,” Smith said. “We’ve got to get involved with the heavy hitters and make things work for us. There’s real potential for growth here, and we’ve got to position ourselves to take advantage of it.”
Commissioner Jo Strickland, who is not seeking reelection due to moving out of town, said she remains hopeful for Garland’s future despite her upcoming departure.
“Just because I’m moving out of the area doesn’t mean I don’t care,” Strickland said. “I still want to see Garland succeed. I’ve been trying for years, and I think I see a change coming. I hope it continues.”
With municipal elections approaching, all three leaders expressed faith that voters will continue to support the town’s recent progress.
“I hope the next year will be prosperous for us,” Brown said. “Garland’s best days can still be ahead.”