Thomas “Tom” C. Church Named 2018 Citizen of the Year
Tom C. Church, dedicated supporter of local education, founder of the Henderson Community Foundation and local businessman, was named Citizen of the Year at the 81st annual Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Banquet held in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College on January 31.
Tommy Hester, the 2017 Citizen of the Year recipient, presented the prestigious award, which honors an individual who has made a positive impact for the betterment of the community through personal involvement and contribution of volunteer time and efforts.
“The Citizen of the Year Award is very special. The honor is earned by an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County,” said Hester.
Left to right: John Barnes, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, 2018 Citizen of the Year recipient Tom C. Church and wife Gillie Church.
Each year, an anonymous committee selects the honored citizen, with the name of the recipient being a closely guarded secret until announced at the annual chamber banquet.
Prior to announcing the name of the 2018 recipient, Hester gave a brief background of Church’s life and service to his community. “Portrayed as a guiding light to what community service is all about, our 2018 Citizen of the Year is constantly involved in promoting Henderson and Vance County. Graciously and humbly committed to Vance County with a passion for volunteerism and charitable giving, our recipient avoids attention and shuns the glare of publicity, which led one admirer to describe our Citizen of the Year as an unsung and unpretentious star of Vance County.”
Hester continued by listing several of Church’s numerous community achievements including:
- Treasurer and original board member of Henderson Collegiate Charter School
- Lifetime trustee of the Kerr-Vance Academy Board
- Board of Trustee member for Maria Parham Health
- 2018 Chairman of the Maria Parham Health Joint Venture Board
- Board of Trustee member for Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America
- Personal contributor to McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center
- Past chairman of the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission
- Member of the charter team that conceived and built the Henderson Family YMCA
- Previous Senior Warden of Henderson’s Holy Innocents Episcopal Church
- Member and past president of the Henderson Rotary Club
Born and raised in Gastonia, NC, Church is a graduate of Ashley High School and North Carolina State University where he received his degree in Civil Engineering.
Hester said that upon graduating from NCSU, Church was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, serving for six years as a fighter pilot and logging over 400 combat hours during the Vietnam War.
In addition to being a two-time recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross during his time in the military, Church also received the Bronze Star and nine Air Medals for valiant service.
Upon leaving active duty Tom and his family settled in Henderson where he co-founded Ashland Construction Company, a multi-state commercial construction company, and co-founded Plantation Realty Company, a commercial real estate firm.
Church is married to Virgilia (Gillie) Leggett Church and they have a daughter, Gillie Nichols, of Manteo, NC, a son, John, of Raleigh, NC and two granddaughters, Lucy and Anna.
Hester concluded his speech by simply stating, “Tom Church, our 2018 Citizen of the Year, what an asset for Vance County.”
Church then took the stage with his family and said he was at a loss for words. “What do I say? I’m humbled, honored and shocked; you caught me off-guard.”
Thanking his wife, family and business partner for their encouragement and support, Church told the crowd that he and his family deeply love their community. “Henderson has been good to me and my family. We love Henderson and it has loved us.”
Proving his humble nature that was alluded to several times in Hester’s speech, Church concluded by saying, “If I’ve been able to do anything to give back to this community for what it has given me, I am very honored and proud.”
First United Methodist Church Receives Shining Moment in Education Award
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools has named First United Methodist Church of Henderson as its most outstanding business partner for the 2018-2019 school year and the recipient of the school system’s Shining Moment in Education Award.
This is the 17th year the school system has presented the award.
Additional nominees this year for the award were Clearview Baptist Church, I Believe God Outreach Church, Henderson Toyota and South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The church received the award based on its multi-faceted partnership with Pinkston Street Elementary School and Dabney Elementary School.
Jack Richardson, a leader of the church and valuable school volunteer, accepted the award during the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on January 31, in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College. Presenting the crystal award on behalf of the school system were Dorothy Gooche, chairwoman of the Vance County Board of Education, Principal Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson of Pinkston Street Elementary School, and Principal Michael Putney of Dabney Elementary School.
Shown, from left, following the Shining Moment in Education Award presentation are Dorothy Gooche, chairwoman of the Vance County Board of Education; Principal Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson of Pinkston Street Elementary School; Jack Richardson of First United Methodist Church; and Principal Michael Putney of Dabney Elementary School. (Photo Credit: Vance County Schools)
First United Methodist Church has continued an amazing partnership each school year with Pinkston Street and Dabney elementary schools for more than 10 years.
Each year, church members volunteer in the two schools as mentors and tutors for students, Lunch Buddies, classroom helpers and Prayer Partners for staff members. The church also supplies on a weekly basis nonperishable food items for the Backpack Buddies program so that students can take the food items home over weekends and holiday breaks to have something to eat while they are away from school.
Church members do even more by adopting families at Christmas who otherwise would go without gifts and needed food. The church supports families in the schools who may need warm clothing during the cold weather months with new pairs of shoes or new student uniforms.
The congregation’s support meets a wide range of needs including providing appreciation meals for staff members at Dabney and Pinkston Street during the year. Their efforts truly make the school’s staff members feel supported and appreciated!
First United Methodist Church is the first repeat winner of this prestigious award. The church first won the Shining Moment award as the school system’s top business partner for the 2008-2009 school year.
Info Leads To Traffic Stop, Search Warrant, and Arrests
Press Release from the Office of Sheriff Curtis Brame
ON JANUARY 30, 2019 MEMBERS OF THE VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT A BREAK-IN ON BEGONIA LANE THE DAY BEFORE. BASED ON THAT INFORMATION, DETECTIVES STOPPED THE SUSPECT VEHICLE ON NORTH GARNETT STREET AND RECOVERED A STOLEN PISTOL FROM THE CAR. FOLLOWING THE TRAFFIC STOP, DETECTIVES EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT 522 HILLIARD STREET, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE VANCE COUNTY SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TEAM, VANCE COUNTY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATORS, AND HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATORS.
STOLEN PROPERTY FROM THE BREAK-IN WAS RECOVERED, ALONG WITH A FIREARM, MARIJUANA, AND COCAINE.
TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AS A RESULT OF THE TRAFFIC STOP AND THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AS A RESULT OF THE SEARCH WARRANT:
ROY THOMAS EDWARDS – Passenger
AGE 38
506 E ANDREWS AVENUE
CHARGE:
POSSESSION OF A STOLEN FIREARM
BOND: $5,000
DONYELL DESHAUN WILLIAMS – Driver
AGE 48
574 ROWLAND STREET
CHARGES:
FELONY BREAKING AND ENTERING
FELONY LARCENY
BOND: $125,000
RODRIEKGUS TERELLE JOHNSON
AGE 32
632 EAST AVENUE
CHARGES:
FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
BOND: $15,000
SAMUEL RUDOLPH HAYES
AGE 58
522 HILLIARD STREET
CHARGE:
MAINTAINING A DWELLING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
BOND: $20,000
DESTAN KEON MCLEAN
AGE 27
522 SOUTHERLAND STREET
CHARGE:
FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE
BOND: $5,000
THE VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIZENS WHO PROVIDED VALUABLE INFORMATION THAT LED TO THESE APPREHENSIONS. WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE VANCE COUNTY A SAFER PLACE.
Vance County Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Feb. 4
-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance
- The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 4, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Rev. Julia Alliger, Cokesbury United Methodist Church.
Agenda items:
Public Hearings
– FY 2019-2020 Budget
– Building Reuse Grant, Southeastern Speciality Vehicles
Appointments
– Stuart Hill, Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. – FY 2017-2018 Audit Report
– Lisa Harrison, Public Health Director and Bailey Alston, Five County Coalition – Jail Diversion/Peer Bridging Program
– Amanda Welsh and Brian Boyd – Henderson Oxford Airport Activities Update
Water District Board
-Monthly Operations Report
Committee Reports and Recommendations
– Technology Committee – Broadband
Finance Director’s Report
– Resolution to donate property
County Attorney’s Report
REO Properties
– Lots 270, 271, 272 Eastside Drive; Parcel 0077 03003
– Lot 6 Roberts Avenue; Parcel 0452 03024
– Lot 133 West Hills Drive; Parcel 0411A03003
– 175 Freedom Lane; Parcel 0541D01033 – New Offer
County Manager’s Report
– Resolution – Black History Month
– Agricultural Land Lease Agreement (Grissom)
– Resolution – Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Allocation Expansion
– Resolution Opposing Addition of Vance County to Tar Pamlico Stormwater Requirements
– Goals for FY 2019-20
– Fire Reorganization
Consent Agenda Items
– Budget Amendments and Transfers
– Tax Refunds and Releases
– Ambulance Charge-Offs
– Monthly Reports
– Minutes
Miscellaneous
– Appointments
– March Meeting Date
Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.
Rehab Work Coming for Bridge and Roadway in Granville County
-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation
Thanks to two N.C. Department of Transportation contracts, a short bridge located just south of Creedmoor will be getting some much-needed repairs and nearly 36 miles of Granville County roads will be resurfaced.
As early as February 25, contractors from National Bridge Builders will be able to start repairing the Northside Road bridge extending over Ledge Creek. Built in 1956, the bridge is due for upgrades, as its average daily use is expected to increase by nearly 100 percent by 2039.
The contract was awarded for just over $1 million and crews will have until September 15 to complete work and reopen the bridge for traffic.
The posted off-site detour will utilize Cash Road, South Durham Avenue, West Hillsboro Street and South Elm Street.
In a separate project, several roads in the county will see surface improvements. They include portions of N.C. 50 and N.C. 56, as well as Rock Springs Church Road between Bruce Garner Road and the Wake County line.
This $4.4 million contract was awarded to Carolina Sunrock of Raleigh. The contractor can begin the roadway resurfacing as early as June 1 and must be finished by June 30, 2020.
These projects are two of 14 highway and bridge projects recently awarded by the Department. As required by state law, the contracts went to the lowest qualified bidder. They are worth $144.4 million.
Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Names Cuthriell February’s Volunteer of the Month
-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
“There are a lot of broken lives all around us,” says Bryan Cuthriell. “And if I could do or say anything that might help or at least be a source of encouragement, then that’s what I want to do.”
Bryan has followed up on that mission for the last 10 years as a volunteer at Rebuilding Hope.
At a Brotherhood meeting in 2009 at Central Baptist Church, Bryan and brother-in-law Cliff McClanahan, also an RHI volunteer, heard a presentation by Randolph Wilson, the RHI coordinator.
“I was greatly impressed with the mission of RHI, and I committed to being a part of these services in any way I was able to contribute,” he recalls.
Bryan Cuthriell named Rebuilding Hope’s February 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
After an accident in 2001, Bryan says he’s been unable to do heavy construction work and focuses on encouraging those who do the heavy work.
“For the most part, I have manned the phones and served as a greeter to individuals who call or visit RHI,” says Bryan, who has also assisted with fundraisers and other events and cleaned and sorted supplies coming into the warehouse.
“I find particular satisfaction in being able to witness and share Jesus with everyone who comes into contact with me at the desk,” he says.
Among his volunteer experiences, Bryan recalls one that stands out:
“We had a preacher in the area come in looking for a project. Going over the worksheet we found a woman who needed work done on her front porch.”
“Seeing the address, the preacher realized that she lived across the street from his church, but he had never noticed the porch or visited the people who lived there. He took on the project, and it’s my understanding she is now attending that preacher’s church.”
Would he encourage others to volunteer at RHI?
“Absolutely, yes,” Bryan, a native of Chesapeake, Va., says. “The fellowship with other Christians is phenomenal alone. There is a lot of fun and laughter and sharing, and the food is good, too. I think any volunteer will tell you that you get far more back than you will ever be able to put in.”
Bryan says he enjoys visiting with family and “telling the same old stories over and over, boring my wife and family to death, listening to good music and church fellowship, particularly when we sing the old hymns of the faith. I love that.”
A member and deacon at Central Baptist Church, he is retired from the Naval Base Norfolk Fire Department where he served for 30 years.
Bryan and Joan will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in May. They have two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Animal Control to Present at February’s Granville Co. Board Meeting
-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 4, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.
Agenda items include:
Consent Agenda
1. Contingency Summary
2. Budget Amendment #5
3. Resolution to Approve School Bus Lease-Purchase Agreement for Granville County Public Schools
Recognitions and Presentations
4. Recognition – Volunteer Service Awards
Oaths of Office
5. Reappointment of Tax Administrator and Oath of Office
Public Comments
6. Public Comments
Animal Management Matters
7. Free Rabies Vaccines
8. Updated Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for Granville County Citizens
9. Animal Control F250 Truck and Chassis Mounted Kennel
10. Animal Control Staff Development Day
Appointments
11. Senior Services Advisory Committee
12. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees
13. Animal Control Advisory Committee
14. Granville County Human Relations Commission
15. Oxford Zoning Board of Adjustment
16. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee
17. Agricultural Advisory Board
County Manager’s Report
18. Consent to Assignment of Contract
County Attorney’s Report
19. County Attorney’s Report
Presentations by County Board Members
20. Presentations by County Board Members
Any Other Matters
21. Any Other Matters
Closed Session
22. Closed Session – Property Acquisition