Warren Co. Memorial Library

Warren Library Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 11 – Let “The Adventure” Begin!

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Information courtesy of Warren County Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk Monique Howard

Participants of all ages are invited to Warren County Memorial Library for this year’s Summer Reading Program – “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Starting with the opening of registration at 10 a.m. on June 11 and ending with the finale and prize drawing on July 31 at 12 noon, “Adventure Begins at Your Library” will feature myriad programs, activities and fun for the whole family.

As the school year draws to a close, library staff wants to make sure all Warren County students keep reading to avoid the summer slump.

But who says that a reading event can’t be exciting?

In addition to the literacy-building essentials, participants will also get to experience live animals, music, performances, competitive events, crafts, movies, board games, video games and more. All programs are free and open to the public.

“Our goal for this year was to have inclusive and enriching events that people of all ages – from 1 to 100 – can enjoy,” said Library Director Tanika Alston.

Warren County Schools will provide lunch to all school-aged children at the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 2 p.m.  The Summer Meal Program will run from June 11 until July 30, taking a break during the week of July 4.

“We would like to encourage all of Warren County to discover the adventure that awaits them at our library,” said Summer Reading Coordinator Ky’el Owens.

The fun kicks off at 10 a.m. on June 11 when community organizations will be at the library to share information and materials until 2 p.m.. Library staff will host “All Day Fun and Games” that will include a variety of activities – everything from board games  and air hockey – until 4:30 p.m.

Registration begins on June 11, but continues throughout the summer. Everyone who signs up is automatically entered to win Summer Reading prizes. The prize drawing will be held during the Finale event at noon on July 31.

 

 

 

Henderson Rec Players Mark 52nd Year

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The 2024 season of Henderson Rec Players is all set, providing a variety of performances that spans pop culture and American classics sure to please all audiences.

First up as part of the 52nd year of HRP is The SpongeBob Musical, directed by Mark Hopper. Those underwater citizens of Bikini Bottom, featuring that iconic Big Yellow Sponge, must come together to save their world. The show features original music by greats Steven Tyler, John Legend, David Bowie and Cyndi Lauper, among others.

There will be five performances over two weekends July 12-14 and July 20-21.

The second production is the culmination of the Children’s theater Camp, which will be held July 22-Aug. 4. Rising 3rd – 11th graders are invited to participate in the camp to create Alice In Wonderland JR. This production is a fast-paced take on the Lewis Carroll classic. You’ll recognize Alice, the White Rabbit, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and more live on stage. Jo Ellen Nowell directs this show.

There will be three performances during Aug. 2-4.

The season finale brings Arthur Miller’s The Crucible to the stage for four performances Aug. 22-25. The playwright wrote the script in 1953 as a response to the wave of McCarthyism sweeping across the country. The story takes place during the time of the Salem With Trials in 1692 and 1693. Dustin Britt is the director of this production.

Tickets for each show are available at the McGregor Hall box office Monday-Friday 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. or you can register and pay online at www.mcgregorhall.org/hrppatrons. Call the box office at 252.598.0662.

There also are opportunities to be a patron of the Henderson Rec Players:

  • Cherubs – $125 – 1 ticket for each of the three shows
  • Angels – $250 – 2 3-show tickets
  • Archangels – $350 – 4 3-show tickets
  • Seraphim $550 – 6 3-show tickets
  • Saints – $750+ – 8+ 3-show tickets

Purchase of patron tickets ensures preferential seating for each show. Make checks payable to:

McGregor Hall PAC. Patrons payments should be received no later than July 1 for patrons’ names to be included in the play programs.

Granville County Public Schools

2 J.F. Webb Seniors Awarded More Than $2 Million In Scholarships

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Information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin

Two J.F. Webb High School seniors have been recognized for each receiving scholarships totaling more than $1 million.

Kailie Galdamez, headed off to UNC-Chapel Hill, was awarded 13 scholarships. Fellow senior Bryson Gresham, headed to East Carolina University Honors College, received 21 scholarships.

Galdamez and Gresham join classmates for graduation on Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m.

GCPS graduation ceremonies for the class of 2024 will be livestreamed. Visit https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/ and click on the graduation link.

The students expressed their gratitude and acknowledged the support they received during their time at J.F. Webb. “Having counselors to help me through my new experience of college applications was really helpful,” Galdamez said. Gresham stated, “I am grateful for all my administration and teachers who helped me along my journey at J.F. Webb.”

Galdamez received the following scholarships: Wingate Merit Scholarship, FBCA Impact Scholarship, UNC Chapel Hill Merit Award, UNC-Chapel Hill Carolina Covenant, Meredith Merit Scholarship, Hofstra Presidential Scholarship, Appalachian State Merit Scholarship, UNC Pembroke Merit Awards, Johnson & Wales Presidential Scholarship, Johnson & Wales Merit Scholarship, Hollins University Presidential Scholarship, High Point University Merit Scholarship and the J.F. Webb Alumni Scholarship.

Gresham received the following scholarships: Lenoir-Rhyne University Promise Scholarship, Barton College Trustee Scholarship, Wingate University Presidential, Campbell University Scott Ellis Scholarship, Campbell University Housing Award, Western Carolina Merit, Belmont Abbey Trustees Merit Scholarship, Catawba College Presidential Scholarship, Queens University of Charlotte Presidential, High Point University Presidential Fellowship, High Point University Centennial Award, High Point Merit Award, East Carolina Honors College Merit Scholarship, East Carolina Mathematics Scholarship, Furman University Bell Tower Scholarship, Appalachian State Excellence Scholarship, Sewanee Ecee Quam Bonum Award, Wofford College Merit Scholarship, UNC Wilmington Merit Scholarship, John Little Memorial Scholarship and the J.F. Webb Alumni Scholarship.

 

Warren Commissioners Schedule Public Hearing On Proposed Occupancy Tax For Short-Term Rentals

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The Warren County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at their Monday, June 3, 2024 regular meeting at 6 p.m. to hear public comment about the proposed occupancy tax for short-term rental accommodations in Warren County.

A local occupancy tax applies to the same transactions that are subject to state sales taxes on accommodations mandated by general statutes.

Occupancy taxes on short-term rentals are not levied against the property/business owner; they are levied on the occupant/renter. However, facilitators, rental agents, and business owners engaged in short-term rental accommodations are required to charge the occupancy taxes to the occupant and to remit that revenue to the local government.

In 2023, the General Assembly granted Warren County the authority to levy an occupancy tax up to 5 percent. The approval for the occupancy tax can be found in N.C.S.L. 2023-144, Senate Bill 154, Part 13.

A short-term rental accommodation subject to a local occupancy tax is anything supplied to one person for less than 90 days. Short-term accommodations include hotel and motel rooms, residences, cottages, or a similar lodging facility, as well as any type of structure that is rented for temporary residential use such as houseboats, tents, yurts and train cabooses. Parking spots for recreational vehicles, campsites, and boat slips would not be subject to local occupancy taxes. Occupancy taxes do not apply to enrollment in school, camp or hospital programs.

Occupancy taxes apply to the cost of the accommodation rental, as well as to other mandatory charges of the rental, such as early or late departure fees, cleaning fees, pet fees, etc. (all mandatory charges that are directly related to the use and occupancy of a rental accommodation).

The three parties held liable for collecting occupancy taxes from tenants and for remitting the taxes locally are: retailers (ex: hotel operators, bed and breakfast operators), facilitators (ex: Airbnb, Vrbo), and rental agents (brokers and other persons engaged in property management).

The penalties for delinquent occupancy taxes are the same as the penalties for delinquent sales taxes. Counties are allowed to enforce collection remedies with the exception of placing liens on properties and governments cannot foreclose on properties that do not property remit their occupancy tax collections. Occupancy taxes are not subject to successor liability (they do not go with the property when it is sold).

For more information, visit www.warrencountync.com or email Charla Duncan, Director of Warren County Community and Economic Development, at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

Closer Look At Newly Released Fire Study

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Now that the county’s fire study has been conducted and recommendations received, the big question is: What’s next?

Members of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission got the report, which was conducted by AP Triton, a company that the Vance County Board of Commissioners selected last summer year to do the study amid questions around how the county’s fire services should be structured.

On Thursday afternoon, AP Triton’s Frank Blackley was on hand to offer an overview of the study and the findings and recommendations it contains. A discussion of the full report is on the agenda for Monday’s regular monthly meeting of the board of commissioners.

The study includes 19 recommendations, the first two being keeping the current Vance County Fire Department as it is and having a separate position for county fire marshal.

The study involved getting lots of information from each of the volunteer fire departments as well as making site visits to each location.

In an overview of stations, Blackley’s presentation to the joint committee included bullet points about conditions at the county’s fire stations.  They are noted below:

  • The Kittrell station is inadequate and does not meet the requirements of a modern fire station.
  • Bearpond, Drewry and Epsom have ample space and room to expand if needed.
  • Cokesbury and Wakins are adequate, but do not have room for expansion.
  • Hicksboro’s main station is in fair condition but modified to include one bedroom. The second station only houses a fire truck and has no sleeping rooms.
  • Townsville is adequate, but minimal room to expand.
  • Vance County Rescue Squad’s facility is insufficient and no dedicated (space) for training or meeting and limited space for growth.
  • VCFD main station is shared with EMS. Office space is inadequate for both agencies. The station lacks sufficient space for training and meetings.
  • The Kerr Lake station is in good condition.

The study looked at equipment, including trucks and other apparatus vehicles used by firefighters. Most of the trucks are in fair or good condition, the report states, but most of the tenders/tankers are older models. Maintenance costs make older equipment more expensive to operate, but, Blackley said, the cost of new trucks – and their lengthy delivery times – is prohibitive for many departments.

Blackley’s overview included 6 key findings, which are below:

  • Service demand is heavier around Henderson down into Bearpond. Converting VCFD to volunteer would reduce service in the area with the highest demand.
  • The Communication Center does not apply NFPA recommendations for call handling and dispatching.
  • VCFD has slow reaction times when responding to an accident.
  • There is not an adopted county-wide incident management system.
  • The departments do not have consistent protocols and SOGs (standard operating guidelines)
  • There has been no formal voluntary adoption of NFPA standards

The study also noted a need for the county to develop a formal, written countywide incident management system to create consistency among departments. And Blackley noted a need for adopting National Fire Protection Association standards and to have consistent protocols and standard operating guidelines in place across departments.

The study included a pathway to implement the recommendations, starting with the creation of a Fire and Rescue Services Working Group to develop and prioritize goals.

Blackley said the findings of the fire study can help county leaders address challenges to provide fire coverage to a growing county population, “how to determine what those resources are going to look like and plan for the future.”

At some point , he said, there will be an increase in population because of growth spreading out from the Triangle area.

He also said that the current fire tax rate will not keep up with inflation, noting that without an increase in the fire tax, the fund would be in the red by 2029. The current fire tax rate is 8.9 cents per $100 valuation, and the proposed fire tax rate in the 2024-25 budget is 5.9 cents per $100.

The complete report can be found on the county’s website, www.vancecounty.org.

AP Triton Presents Fire Study To Fire Commission, Public Safety Committee

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Members of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission received a fire study report completed by AP Triton, which included 19 recommendations for the county’s fire service.

The first recommendation was keeping the current Vance County Fire Department as it is. The report stated that VCFD “is essential to a continued level of service between Bearpond and Henderson and is a vital backup to all departments serving Vance County.”

Other recommendations include having a separate position of fire marshal and possibly merging or increase collaboration between VCFD and the county rescue squad.

The complete report can be found on the county’s website, www.vancecounty.org.

Frank Blackley with AP Triton presented highlights of the 145-page report during the joint meeting of the two committees Thursday afternoon.

Blackley said the findings of the fire study can help county leaders address challenges to provide fire coverage to a growing county population, “how to determine what those resources are going to look like and plan for the future.”

At some point , he said, there will be an increase in population because of growth spreading out from the Triangle area.

He also said that the current fire tax rate will not keep up with inflation, noting that without an increase in the fire tax, the fund would be in the red by 2029. The current fire tax rate is 8.9 cents per $100 valuation, and the proposed fire tax rate in the 2024-25 budget is 5.9 cents per $100.

The study involved getting lots of information from each of the volunteer fire departments as well as making site visits to each location.

The study also noted a need for the county to develop a formal, written countywide incident management system to create consistency among departments. And Blackley noted a need for adopting National Fire Protection Association standards and to have consistent protocols and standard operating guidelines in place across departments.

The study included a pathway to implement the recommendations, starting with the creation of a Fire and Rescue Services Working Group to develop and prioritize goals.

A few representatives from the two committees questioned some of the data points in the study, and Blackley said there were several sources that provided the information, from the individual fire departments to 911 and CAD data to the U.S. Census.

County Manager C. Renee Perry asked Blackley whether correcting those inaccuracies would change the recommendations contained in the study and he said “no, probably not.”

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, who also chairs the Public Safety Committee, said a number of the recpomendations come down to money. “It’s a budget consideration – we don’t have an endless budget…a lot of these things would be real nice,” he added.

“We’ve made great strides since 2006, when another fire study was done. He said many of the recommendations and findings contained in this most recent fire study are issues that were being dealt with already.

 

 

TownTalk: Hawkins Named Vice Dean of UNC School of Social Work

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Robert Hawkins graduated high school in 1981 and he’s pretty much stayed in the field of academia since he left Henderson to attend Appalachian State University as a new undergraduate.

His experiences growing up in Vance County, along with his extensive research in the field of social work and especially the effects of living in poverty, have served Dr. Robert Hawkins throughout his career.

Hawkins will become vice dean of the UNC-CH School of Social Work on July 1 and he was a guest on Thursday’s TownTalk to discuss his new role, his research and growing up in the area.

Although his primary role will be administrator – think of it like being a chief operating officer – in dealing with day-to-day activities, he said he’ll use his research into how people deal with poverty, the effect of poverty on individuals and on society, to inform how he functions as an administrator.

“Poverty is so much more than whether or not you have money,” Hawkins explained. He also wants to learn about people’s lived experiences in poverty and the processes that people go through that allow them to survive in poverty.

“My research is central to what I believe social work research should look like,” he said. “We look to move people to a better place” where they can thrive and rise beyond their current situation.

Hawkins said he would definitely use his own life experiences, as well as his experience as a researcher to help drive his decisions and the initiatives he wants to be involved in.

While the School of Social Work doesn’t make policy, it can be a resource to help policymakers in the legislature. The decisions that are made will be the result of a team effort, he said, adding that he views his role as a service position – a support position – rather than a position of power.

“My job will be to make sure the School of Social Work is doing the best it can and being the best it can be,” Hawkins said. “I will be making decisions with a lot of other people.”

Having faculty members with strong policy backgrounds can help evaluate existing policies and those that are being created, not to influence policy-making but help people understand which policies may be most effective and why.

He was attracted to the newly created vice dean position by the spirit of community and the chance to collaborate in making decisions within the realm of social work – and the impacts that can be felt within the state and maybe across the nation.

The idea of being able to “implement a vision that you’ve created together” is most appealing, he added.

The UNC School of Social Work is ranked fourth in the country, on the campus of one of the foremost public universities in the nation. “Who wouldn’t want to be there?” he said.

The idea of social justice is something that trained social workers have done for decades, Hawkins said. “When we talk about social justice, we’re talking about how people equitably exist in society. It’s the shared human worth of all people – it’s not controversial, or at least it shouldn’t be.”

Talking about social justice is just one of the things that Hawkins said he enjoys about his work. “Social work has given me opportunities that I could have never imagined,” he said. A true social worker is a researcher, someone who can resolve conflict, engage in mediation and who can understand everyday human behavior.”

He said he thinks about this a lot and one area he keeps circling back to is education. He remembers one high school English teacher who really helped him and believed in him and his potential. “That person guided me in the right direction,” he said.

Then, teachers were not so over-stretched, he said, and they could pay closer attention to students’ needs, especially their educational needs.

“Do teachers today have the time to pay that kind of attention to their students? I’m sure many do, but it’s something that we should be encouraging and helping teachers accomplish. We’re not seeing that out in the world right now.”

With family still living in Henderson, Hawkins finds himself in Henderson fairly often. He loves to stop in at his favorite barbecue restaurant (he didn’t identify it, but did reveal that he grew up just a ways from Skipper’s Forsyth’s).

He recalled his childhood, growing up in a house near Satterwhite Point without running water and working in tobacco fields.

In 1980, he said the family was able to move from that house to a mobile home. “This was a big deal,” he said. That move marked a significant economic change for his family. “For me, it wasn’t a step down – it was a step up.”

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Calculating Your Property Tax Bill

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Whether you reach for a sharpened No. 2 pencil and a piece of paper or choose to tap numbers into your phone’s calculator, it’s time to do a little math to at least have an idea of what your tax bill may look like.

Although neither the city nor the county has adopted the new budgets, the recommended budgets have been received. The City Council got a 158-page budget document earlier this month and the Vance County Board of Commissioners got a 138-page budget document on Monday, May 28.

Now comes the time when each body of elected officials has budget work sessions and holds public hearings to hear citizens’ comments about the budget particulars; budgets must be approved before July 1.

The city’s budget includes a property tax rate of 55 cents per $100 valuation; the county’s budget includes a property tax rate of 61.3 cents per $100 valuation.

As both the city council and county commissioners review the budget, it’s possible that some changes will be made before the final budget is adopted.

However, if you’re itching to see what your tax bill could be, you can play around with the current tax rates that are contained in the proposed budgets.

Now here’s where some basic math comes in to play. Consider this scenario:

Let’s say your property is valued at $100,000.

  • If your property is in the county, you will need to use the 61.3 cents per $100 valuation PLUS the fire tax rate, which is 5.9 cents per $100 valuation to get a total of 67.2 cents per $100.
  • If your property is located within the city of Henderson, guess what – you will add the city’s rate of 55 cents per $100 PLUS the county’s rate of 61.3 cents for a total of 1.163 per $100.

But there’s one more important step: You must divide your property value ($100,000 in this example) by 100 because the tax rate is per $100.

$100,000 divided by 100 = $1,000

Using this scenario, county residents would multiply $1,000 by .672 to get $672; city residents would multiply $1,000 by 1.163 to get $1,163.

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