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TownTalk: Why Vance County Gets Zero from State Budget

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It’s sort of like a high school student who didn’t follow the directions to complete an assignment – that’s the way one caller likened the situation that Vance County finds itself in with regard to earmark projects in the new state budget.

Vance County is one of three counties among the state’s 100 counties that received no money for special projects. On Monday’s Town Talk, John C. Rose heard from several callers who offered their perspective on the issue.

“If you took our list of needs in Vance County and compared it to any one of the other 97 other counties that received money from this appropriations bill, you would see that our list of needs grows a lot longer than most,” one caller said.

“My family stopped buying the city water over two years ago – ever since we started having issues at the treatment center. We pay our water bill every month, of course. But we don’t drink it and we don’t cook with it. In essence, this household pays for water twice.

“I can’t think of a bigger failure on the political front in my lifetime,” he continued. “I probably won’t see a failure this big anymore.”

“We missed our opportunity – big time.”

Other callers offered similar sentiments and said more than state politics, local officials should be held more accountable.

“I think that it had nothing to do with politics,” another caller stated. “There are people that are supposed to keep up with all that stuff,” she said. “Grants and all the things that come to Vance County (have) to be applied for…that was a big, big oversight on Vance County personnel. “They don’t just give (money) to people who act like they don’t want it,” she added.

“I put all the blame on Vance County,” she said.

One caller said everyone in Vance County should be upset about not getting our share of money in the state budget. “We need the money – it is just crazy that we’re not getting this money.”

 

 

Slicing The Budget Pie And The Budget Process

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Despite efforts by local government leaders, Vance County and Henderson were on the short end of the stick when it comes to the recently passed $52 billion state budget. Rep. Terry Garrison said he has some ideas about why it happened that Vance County didn’t receive any funding for earmark projects.

He said in a phone interview earlier today (Friday) with John C. Rose that it all boils down to politics.

“There is absolutely no question about it,” he said. “(Politics) accounts for why we didn’t get any of the earmarked money.”

It’s common for local leaders to discuss funding projects with their representatives in Raleigh informally before the formal request for funding is made, Garrison said.

There was a formal request for funding help with the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, but Garrison said it was made in August, after the April 30 request period had ended.

But Garrison also said he, along with State Sen. Mike Woodard (District 22) tried to get some money for the project, “but it didn’t happen. If the politics had been different, I feel like it would have been included.”

Garrison and Woodard are Democrats; House Speaker Tim Moore, who met with the Vance County and Henderson contingent, is a Republican.

Politics aside, Garrison did have some encouraging words for future funding for the regional water system.

“There are some funds that have been earmarked for water and sewer. I don’t think the door is completely closed…to get some funding assistance.”

Garrison said the request process works like this: he submits a formal funding request to the House Democratic caucus, which in turn presents it to the budget committee for inclusion in the budget.

Garrison did vote to approve the budget, which was long overdue. “There were a lot of things in the budget that were good for North Carolina and good for Vance County,” he said, mentioning salary increases and bonuses for teachers, rural broadband support and funding for community colleges.

“On that basis, I supported it – the good outweighed the negative.”

Unfortunately, the negative included no earmarked projects for Vance County or Henderson.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon offered his understanding about special projects. “For all intents and purposes (they) are earmarks for politicians that are loyal to the prevailing party.” Right now, the prevailing party in the legislature is the Republican party.

“We made a case to our state representatives and it was not well received by the leadership in the N.C. General Assembly.  We will continue to make requests and apply for funds at the agency level to hopefully assist with many of the projects here in Henderson that need additional funding,” Blackmon said.

The regional water system did get a boost of $3.5 million, Blackmon said, thanks to Congressmen G.K. Butterfield and David Price. However, the federal government is operating on a continuing resolution because it has yet to pass a budget.

“Most of the projects appear to be in Republican districts and/or districts where Democrats voted for the Republican budget passed by the NC General Assembly,” Blackmon said of the state-funded projects awarded to 97 of 100 counties.

“It does seem to come down to politics,” Blackmon said.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Garrison concurred.

Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: A Proper Foundation

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

 

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TownTalk: Vance Gets $0 From NC Budget

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The recently passed state budget was more than two years in the making. There seems to be something for everyone. Almost everyone, that is. Vance County is among only three counties in the state that received no funding.

Nothing.

The big question is: Why?

Finding that answer may not be so simple. But one thing seems clear: Vance County did not receive any funding for projects earmarked for counties from the $3.1 billion appropriations bill that Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law last month.

Currituck and Chatham counties are the other two counties that didn’t receive funding, according to a recent analysis of the budget by the News & Observer.

Granville County got more than $45 million – the bulk of which is slated for South Granville Water and Sewer Authority in southern Granville County. Warren County got $300,000 and Franklin got a total of $1.8 million for three projects.

There are 628 pages that comprise the Senate Bill 105, which outlines details of the budget. And nothing in those 628 pages is earmarked for Vance County. According to the budget bill, Vance-Granville Community College was  awarded more than $7.3 million, so perhaps some of that money will find its way to Vance County.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington told John C. Rose in an email today (Thursday) that he was among a contingent of city and county officials that paid a visit to House Speaker Tim Moore. Ellington said he, along with City Manager Terrell Blackmon and county commissioners Tommy Hester and Archie Taylor went to Raleigh and were told that “no money was requested from our representatives in the House or the Senate.”

Terry Garrison represents Vance County in the state legislature, as does Sen. Ernestine Bazemore. Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen suggested that Garrison or Bazemore may have more information about what McMillen called “political maneuvering” in Raleigh.

“Sadly it comes down to the ugly side of politics,” Ellington said in an email Thursday to WIZS News. Ellington said the group asked Moore to “overlook that and make an exception for us, being that we were sitting in his office and had made the special trip.”

According to Ellington, Moore said he would look at the request again but that the budget had already been determined.

“Upon returning to Henderson, I spoke with Rep. Terry Garrison and he said he had been trying but being from the opposite party it came with strings attached and he couldn’t answer the quid pro quo. Our state Senator Ernestine Bazemore has been very sick and has basically not able to participate at all. This went on for another month before the 2021 budget was actually signed so something could have been done,” Ellington continued.  Despite a couple of visits by Sen. Phil Berger to the Henderson/Vance County area, “it wasn’t enough to help us.”

He said the overdue budget, the ongoing power struggle between the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro tem and the governor have put Henderson in a “tough spot.”

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Getting the Most Out of Your Health Insurance — End of Year Care

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— Submitted by Dr. Ronald Stahl, Chief Medical Officer, Maria Parham Health

Have you been putting off your annual doctor’s visit? Or perhaps even a needed screening or procedure? If you’ve been putting off care – whether it’s a recommended surgery, screening or simply your annual check-up – now’s the time to do it. Your health means everything. Taking care of it now is a great opportunity to really get the most out of your health insurance. If you’ve already met your deductible for 2021, your out-of-pocket expenses for care could be minimal – or even zero. Even more importantly, giving your health the attention it needs is also a great way to ensure you’re doing all you can to get and stay well – a priority that is more important than ever.

Annual check-ups and recommended health screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies give you and your provider the opportunity to catch any health issues before they become serious and help you stay on top of things like recommended immunizations. And staying on track with any procedures your provider recommends – whether it’s a hip or knee replacement, a hernia repair, wound care or a foot/ankle surgery – can help get you get back to fully enjoying the things you love and aid in avoiding any issues or complications that can arise from delaying care.

Don’t make your health wait. Take care of it now. Many health insurance plans make annual check-ups and age-specific preventive screenings available at little or no cost to you, and out-of-pocket expenses for procedures like the ones mentioned above could be minimal or nothing if you’ve already met your health insurance deductible for the year.

If your safety is a concern, please know that, at Maria Parham Health, your health means everything to us, too. We’re committed to creating a safe place for you to receive care. From enhanced cleaning to required masking in our facilities and more – we’re working hard to create a
place where you choose to come for healthcare.

Call 800.424.DOCS to make an appointment and take care of your health now.

(MPH is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)

NC Forest Service

Burn Ban Still In Effect For Vance, Granville And 31 Other Counties

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The burn ban issued last month remains in effect for Granville and Vance counties, although more than two-thirds of the state saw the ban lifted Wednesday. That means all burn permits previously issued have been cancelled for the time being, and other types of fires – including campfires and leaf burning – are not permitted. Vance/Granville Ranger Rob Montague reminds all area residents that 67 counties have been removed from the list in light of recent rainfall, but weather conditions in Granville and Vance remain such that the ban is still in effect, Montague said.

For more information, contact Ranger Rob Montague at rob.montague@ncagr.gov or 919.693.3154 or view the original press release at  https://www.ncforestservice.gov/news_pubs/newsdesk_2021.htm#11292021.

 

The Local Skinny! Granville Holiday Events In Full Swing This Weekend

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If you can’t find something to do this weekend in Granville County, you’re not looking very hard. Holiday activities are cranking up this evening with Jingle & Mingle in downtown Oxford.

More than a dozen retailers, merchants and restaurants are keeping their doors open tonight to give shoppers and diners an opportunity to make purchases or just relax over dinner, according to Angela Allen, Granville tourism director.

She told WIZS News Wednesday that some retailers that normally close by 5 p.m. will remain open until 7 tonight to take part in the event. Allen said some small businesses had to get make adjustments during the pandemic to stay afloat, and Jingle & Mingle is just one result – “helping some of these small businesses is important – every little bit helps,” Allen said.

Visit the following merchants during tonight’s event:

  • Oxford ACE Hardware
  • Daniel’s Flea Market
  • Sheffine’s
  • C Squared
  • Huntsboro Hemp Company
  • The Hub on Main NC
  • Nan’s
  • The Painted Ox
  • Home Decorator Shoppe
  • Main Street Fitness
  • The Orpheum at Oxford
  • Strong Arm Baking Company
  • Small Town Toys and Games
  • This ‘n That
  • Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.
  • 9 Forward

Carlee Farms, an event venue near Stem, is hosting a holiday marketplace on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be set up in the open-air facility to make Christmas shopping enjoyable and safe. Bring your cameras because Santa and his elves will be on hand to pose for photos. Also bring a toy to donate to charity for the Carlee Farms toy drive.

Then, it’s time to put on your fancy duds to attend the gala at the Orpheum in downtown Oxford Saturday evening. This black-tie event is for those 21 years and older and tickets are $75, two for $150. Proceeds benefit the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and craft cocktails created by one of the state’s top mixologists. A silent auction will be set up with some great items to bid on.

Bring the whole family up to the northern end of Granville County on Sunday afternoon for the Grassy Creek Christmas Parade. It begins at 2 p.m. but get there early because the roadside gets crowded. The parade starts on Charlie Winston Road, and it’s a first-come, first-served parade line up. The best parking is at Grassy Creek Baptist Church, but the best viewing is right along the shoulder of the road, between the church and Charlie Winston Road along Grassy Creek-Virgilina Road.

“It’s definitely one of our most unique parades,” Allen said. “It’s not one of those traditional parades – there’s a little bit of everything in that parade.” There’s no downtown parade route because, well, there is no downtown in Grassy Creek. This parade is one you need to experience for yourself.

And speaking of experiences, Back to Bethlehem, the live nativity at Delrayno Baptist Church in Oxford, offers participants a glimpse at what that first Christmas may have looked like. The drive-through event begins at 6 p.m. and runs through 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings Dec. 11-13.

People come from all around to participate, and Allen said it’s very realistic – it’s like you are driving through Bethlehem,” she said. A team of folks painstakingly map out that whole parking lot and re-create Bethlehem, complete with camels and other livestock of the day.

Check out details for these and other events at https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening.

Country Christmas This Sunday at SHPHC with Jimmy and The Sound Barriers

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While George Jones’ 1954 red Chevy truck has literally NOTHING to do with Sunday’s event in Henderson, NC, you can’t deny the image of the truck at the George Jones Entertainment Complex in Nashville, TN immediately conjures up in one’s mind the thought of a country Christmas!  The George Jones Entertainment Complex is located at 128 2nd Ave N. in Nashville, TN.  If ever in the area, you must stop in and be sure to eat.  There are two restaurants.  Excellent food!

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The sound of a country Christmas comes to South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church on Sunday, Dec. 12th at 6pm as Jimmy and the Sound Barriers will perform live from the church sanctuary. Emcees will be Wilson Sawyer and Jimmy Barrier. The program is sponsored by the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church Men’s Ministry. Admission is free and open to the public. The church is located at 905 Americal Road in Henderson.

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TownTalk: Garrison And Sossamon To Make Bid For NC House 32 Seat

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This post has been updated after originally posted to reflect the latest information.

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