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Agenda: Granville Co. Board of Commissioners Meeting – Mon., April 15

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, April 15, 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. NC Education Lottery Fund Request

3. Minutes

Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition – Governor’s Volunteer Service Award – Tally Ho First Baptist Church

5. Update on the Granville County Museum and Historical Society Request

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Recreation Matters

7. Inclusive Play Equipment: Instruments for the GAP Sound Garden

Solid Waste Matters

8. Solid Waste Ordinance Revision(s)

9. Solid Waste Collections and Convenience Site Management RFPs

Appointments

10. South Granville Memorial Gardens Board of Trustees

11. Granville Greenways Advisory Council

County Manager’s Report

12. Request to Submit a Text Amendment to the Planning Board

13. Acceptance of 12 Acre Transfer from the State

County Attorney’s Report

14. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

15. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

16. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

17. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – Attorney-Client Matter

For current and previous Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here. 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold Financial Work Session

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a Financial Work Session on Monday, April 15, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive a financial presentation and financial updates from staff on School System finances.

The next regular scheduled Board meeting is set for Monday, May 6, 2019, at 6 p.m.

Granville County Library System

North Carolina Room Preserves Historical Flavor of ‘Old Granville County’

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In honor of April 7-13 as National Library Week, Mark Pace, North Carolina Room Specialist at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, was the featured guest on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

A part of the Granville County Library System since the early 1960s, the North Carolina Room’s primary mission is to preserve and maintain materials for historical and genealogical research in the present-day county of Granville and adjacent counties.

“We are a regional history center. Granville County formed in 1746 and is a ‘mother’ county. Warren, Vance, Franklin, parts of Orange and Person and present Granville were all once part of the original Granville County,” Pace explained. “We seek to preserve the materials that are relative to the cultural and historical flavor of old Granville County.”

According to Pace, genealogical records ranging in date from 1746 to present day include wills, deeds, marriage records, court records and cemetery records.

Such information can be found on the approximately 600 microfilm reels of newspapers, dozens of large size genealogy charts and 175 scrapbooks – some dating to the late 1800’s – that are a part of the Room’s collection.

“I always tell people that when you start researching your genealogy, you’re going to find something that you don’t like. On the other hand, you find out things about your ancestors that make you proud,” said Pace.

In addition to microfilm and charts, the 900-square-foot room inside the Thornton Library is also home to an extensive photography collection, personal papers and 4,500 books and volumes specific to local history.

“We have received some good collections recently, specifically a photography collection of 4,500 images given by the family of J.B. Clay, a local photographer in Oxford from the mid- 1950s to the mid-1990s. This new donation serves as the largest known photo collection relative to Granville County to date,” Pace said.

Donated materials from the public, including family bibles, photos and letters, are essential to the mission of the North Carolina Room, according to Pace.

“We rely heavily on what people donate to us or bring and let us copy. You can’t go out and buy these types of things. The public is always encouraged to bring by any items of local historical significance for us to copy and keep a record of, no matter how obscure those items may seem.”

Although its primary function is genealogical, Pace said the North Carolina Room meets patron needs for inquiries into historical environmental site surveys, high school reunions, local government requests, church histories and more.

While the majority of visitors are Granville County residents, Pace reported that up to 40% live outside of the area, including residents of other states and countries. “In just this year alone, we’ve had visitors from 35 different states and from far away as Great Britain and Jamaica.”

Pace, a Henderson native and college history major, said his passion for historical events and documents began with the Henderson High School fire of 1968.

“I was eight-years-old and my father taught school there. I remember it vividly. He got home late that night and I begged him to take me back to the school to let me see it. The next day, I saved the newspaper articles about the fire. After that, I would save other newspaper articles of historical events. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, there was a lot going on.”

In his Town Talk interview, Pace relayed many interesting historical facts about both Granville and present-day Vance County, including what he considers Granville’s most significant contribution to the world marketplace – flue-cured tobacco.

“The land in the southern part of Granville County was so good for growing flue-cured tobacco that a group came from Australia in the 1890s and loaded up dirt from Granville County and had it shipped back to Australia to see if they could grow it there. Of course, it didn’t work,” laughed Pace.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Pace in its entirety, including more interesting historical facts on Granville and Vance County, please click here.

The North Carolina Room is located inside the Richard H. Thornton Library at 210 Main St. in Oxford. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day).

CropCheck Program Now Available to Farmers of Cotton, Corn & Soybeans

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

This year, farmers can add CropCheck, a pilot program offered by Field Watch, that allows growers to map small grain/commodity crops by herbicide-resident traits. Crops include cotton, corn and soybeans.

It’s been three years since the online mapping programs Driftwatch and BeeCheck were launched in North Carolina. Since then, it has become a valuable online tool for beekeepers, specialty crop growers and pesticide applicators. All registries are free and easy to navigate.

“This program is about increasing communication and awareness between beekeepers, growers and pesticide applicators,” said Pat Jones, deputy director of pesticides programs. “Since April of 2016, North Carolina growers have mapped more than 10,000 acres of specialty crops. We hope to see the same enthusiasm and support from our small grain/commodity crop growers.”

CropCheck allows the farming community to be aware of specific herbicide-resistant traits of crops in neighboring fields and then adjust their spray program to minimize the effect of herbicide drift to these important small grain crops. Labels of the new herbicide products containing dicamba require growers to monitor nearby susceptible crops through a state-sponsored program like CropCheck.

Growers, beekeepers and pesticide users can access CropCheck, DriftWatch and BeeCheck at www.ncagr.gov/pollinators. The website offers detailed instructions on how to sign up and use the mapping tools.

Producers of high-value specialty crops, such as tomatoes, tobacco, fruit trees, grapes and vegetables, can map their sites and provide contact information about their operation on DriftWatch. Using BeeCheck, beekeepers map their hives online using pins and half-acre circles and can choose which details of hive information are displayed on the map.

Driftwatch is also North Carolina’s Sensitive Crop Registry, which is required by product label to be checked before making an application of the new dicamba products, such as Engenia, Extendimax, and Fexipan.

FieldWatch Inc. is a nonprofit company created to develop and expand the operation of the DriftWatch Specialty Crop Site and BeeCheck Apiary registries. To date, 21 states and a Canadian province use the program. CropCheck is currently offered in three states, including North Carolina, for the 2019 growing season.

This program was purchased with a grant from the N.C. Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund. It is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to protect and increase valuable pollinators in the state.

Granville Co Sheriff

Granville County Sheriff’s Office Announces Teen Law Academy

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins, Jr., in partnership with Granville County Public Schools, the U.S. Army National Guard and the Boy Scouts of America, announces the formation of the 2019 Teen Law Academy for high school students ages 15 to 20 years of age.

This free training program is geared toward those interested in a career in law enforcement, the criminal justice system, the U.S. Military or public service. Participants will engage in classroom and hands-on law enforcement activities that expose them to the rigors and demands facing today’s law enforcement officers.

Held at Granville Central High School, the Teen Law Academy is scheduled for June 16 through June 21, where those enrolled will stay on-site for the duration of the training. Certified law enforcement instructors, judges, attorneys, members of the U.S. Army National Guard and other highly-qualified career professionals will provide valuable training which will include firearms and shooting skills, crime scene investigation, K9 drug detection, high-risk felony traffic stops, physical fitness, and other topics.

Training will also include information about the roles of SWAT and special response teams, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the criminal court system, and use of the U.S. Military Apache Helicopter.

The week-long training program will end with a public graduation ceremony, where scholarships will be awarded to three participants.

Applications are being accepted until May 1 and are available through the student’s school resource officer (SRO) or school counselor. Those interested may also apply through the Granville County Public Schools’ website at www.gcs.k12.nc.us. Since space is limited, it is advised that applications be submitted early.

“We are very excited about the 2019 Teen Law Academy,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you think you have what it takes to meet the challenge of this intense, physically demanding training, we invite you to apply.”

For more information, contact Deputy Randy Christensen at 919-690-0360 (randy.christensen@granvillecounty.org) or  C. Currin at 919-691-9161 (currinc@gcs.k12.nc.us).

YMCA to Sponsor ‘Girls on the Run’ 5K in Downtown Oxford

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The Henderson Family YMCA is sponsoring a “Girls on the Run Northern NC” Spring 5K on Saturday, May 4, 2019, in downtown Oxford. Activities will begin at 9 a.m.

Open registration is available now through May 3; race day registration will also be available on May 4.

Registration is $15 for children and $25 for adults. Be one of the first 100 to register to receive a 5K t-shirt.

Volunteers are also needed!

For more information, contact Becca Stanley, Girls on the Run Council Director, at (252) 438-2144 or email beccas@henfamymca.org.

Science in the Summer

Seats Still Available for Granville Libraries’ ‘GSK Science in the Summer’

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-Press Release, Granville County Government  

The Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford and the South Branch Library in Creedmoor will host GlaxoSmithKline’s “Science in the Summer,” a fun and free North Carolina education initiative that helps children “grow into science.”

Through classes held at public libraries and in community-based centers all over North Carolina, “Science in the Summer” is designed to get kids excited about studying science with hands-on experience. The theme for the 2019 program is “The Science of Me” as students explore human biology through activities and experiments.

During these educational sessions, students will learn that the human body is a complex system that is constantly working to complete tasks such as breathing, running and even picking up a pencil.

“Without our body working in harmony, we would not be able to function,” the registration flyer reads. “From the building blocks of life to organ systems, students will develop a deeper understanding of the human body.”

(Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

At both local library branches, Level One (second and third graders) is scheduled for July 22 through July 26 from 9 a.m. until noon; Level Two (grades 4 and 5) will be held July 22 through July 26 from 1 until 4 p.m.; and Level Three (for students in grades 6 through 8) will be held July 29 through July 31 from 9 a.m. until noon. A total of twenty elementary students and 24 middle school students will be accepted for each session.

A few slots are still available. Registration continues online at www.scienceinthesummer.com and will be open until all seats are filled.

Parents are advised that a waiver – which will be sent separately – must be completed within 72 hours of the registration process for enrollment to be complete.

The Richard H. Thornton Library and the South Branch Library are two of four branches of the Granville County Library System. The Thornton branch is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and the South Branch is located at 1550 S. Campus Drive in Creedmoor.

The “GSK Science in the Summer” program is being held in partnership with Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and will be taught by certified instructors. Email scienceinthesummer@unc.edu for more information about this program or call 919-843-9379.

Granville Tourism to Host Vendor Show/Limo-Style ‘Brides on Wheels” Tour

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

 Brides planning a 2019-2020 wedding in Granville County will be taking a scenic tour on the “Bridal Bus” to learn more about wedding locations and resources available to help plan the “perfect” event.

The day includes a stop at four local wedding/reception venues, as well as early access to a Vendor Show at the Clarion Inn and Suites on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, event planners, disc jockeys, rental companies, etc. will be set up to welcome the new brides – and members of the public – to display a variety of wedding service options. The Vendor Show will be open from noon until 4 p.m., with tickets now available to attend.

Photo courtesy Granville Co. Government

The “Brides on Wheels” (BOW) limo-style bus will depart from the Clarion at 1 p.m. for scheduled stops at the four locations, where prospective brides will find options and ideas to plan their event. Participants who registered for this tour will make stops according to the following schedule:

1:20 p.m.: Tour of Cedar Grove Acres in Creedmoor;

2:30 p.m.: Tour of Vino Oasi in Stem;

3:50 p.m.: Tour of Carlee Farms in Oxford;

5:05 p.m.: Tour of Thorndale Oaks in Oxford.

While the Brides on Wheels tour bus makes its way through Granville County, the vendor show will continue until 4 p.m., with the bus scheduled to arrive back at the Clarion Inn in Oxford by 6:15 p.m.

“From rustic to elegant and from indoor to outdoor, brides are sure to find something that fits their perfect event,” said Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen. “This is an opportunity to showcase all the wonderful things we have right here in our county for brides or anyone else who wants to put together a special event.”

Created as a way to promote Granville County, Allen says that the bridal tour and vendor show will boost the local economy, as well as promote local vendors and make both residents and non-residents aware of what the county has to offer. The vendor show was added this year to provide information about other local resources that are available when planning a wedding or other special events.

This is the second year that the “Brides on Wheels” tour has been presented. Last year’s tour attracted eight brides, one groom and their family members.

“We had a diverse group of brides last year,” Allen said, “some from the local area, some from Raleigh and some from the Greensboro/High Point area.”

This year’s tour has grown to a larger number of participants who will see first-hand what Granville County has to offer. Each bride will receive a free “goodie bag” filled with products, certificates and coupons for helping plan their special event.

Tickets for the vendor show are available through Eventbrite at https://granvillebows19.eventbrite.com/.

For more information about the tour or the vendor show, visit https://www.visitgranvillenc.com or contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Vance-Granville Selected as Inaugural Host of Teaching Seminars

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College announced today that it has been selected to host an inaugural credit-bearing regional seminar that supports faculty use of evidence-based teaching practices. This seminar, which will take place on Friday, November 15, 2019, is part of a major collaboration between the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to advance faculty and student success through quality instruction at community and technical colleges nationwide.

Vance-Granville is one of 10 colleges selected by NISOD and ACUE to host an inaugural seminar as part of this national initiative, following a competitive application and interview process. Faculty from Vance-Granville Community College and other institutions in the region will be invited to refine their instructional skills by engaging in two learning modules on core teaching competencies and implementing these strategies in their classes.

“Teaching and learning are at the heart of what we do every day. Our faculty are passionate about helping students succeed in the classroom. The credit-bearing seminar on active learning speaks volumes about how the college’s faculty and faculty in the region demonstrates the college’s commitment to excellence in teaching and student success,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs.

The members of the Faculty Planning Team noted that “As community college faculty, we are always interested in relevant professional development that provides opportunities to design, implement, and reflect on new instructional strategies for our courses and that enables us to provide positive learning experiences for our students. We strive to improve student learning outcomes, increase program completion rates, and encourage more students to pursue higher education and careers of their choice. Learning how to incorporate active learning strategies in our classroom will be a valuable tool to help achieve these goals.”

“We were impressed by the selected institutions’ commitment to teaching excellence and faculty professional development,” said Dr. Edward Leach, NISOD’s executive director. “The seminars will equip faculty from the host institutions, as well as their colleagues from neighboring colleges, with strategies proven to make a positive difference in student learning.”

Seminar participants will learn about and implement teaching practices aligned to ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework—a statement of the core instructional competencies every college educator should possess—which was independently validated and is endorsed by the American Council on Education. Faculty who satisfy the seminar requirements, which include implementing at least two evidence-based teaching practices and writing reflections about their experience, will earn credit toward a Certificate in Effective College Instruction, a highly sought-after credential co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education.

“We’re excited to offer these high-quality learning events, in collaboration with NISOD, that provide faculty with a glimpse into ACUE’s learning design and competencies from our comprehensive, 25-module courses,” Dr. Penny MacCormack, ACUE’s chief academic officer, said. “New and experienced instructors will have the opportunity to learn with and from one another as they prepare to implement evidence-based teaching strategies in their classes, keeping with our mission to impact student success through exemplary instruction.”

The following colleges have been selected to host inaugural credit-bearing regional seminars:

  • City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington (IL)
  • City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X (IL)
  • Hudson County Community College (NJ)
  • Lenoir Community College (NC)
  • Miami Dade College (FL)
  • Montgomery College (MD)
  • Prince George’s Community College (MD)
  • Vance-Granville Community College (NC)
  • Wake Technical Community College (NC)
  • Wayne County Community College District (MI)

Seminar dates will be announced in the coming weeks. All faculty are invited to register at www.nisod.org/scheduled-workshops.

NC Dept of Agriculture

N.C. Forest Service Urges Safety During Spring Wildfire Season

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The N.C. Forest Service is urging North Carolina residents to think safety and exercise extra caution when burning materials during the spring fire season. The spring fire season typically runs from March through May and is historically the time when wildfires are most likely to occur.

“The leading cause of wildfires is careless debris burning. Protect our natural resources by acting safely,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Don’t burn on dry, windy days; maintain a careful watch over your debris fire; and make sure it is fully extinguished.”

Troxler also warned against using drones over wildfires, an emerging concern across the country. In 2018, there were 26 drone incursions into air space over wildfires across the nation.

When unauthorized aircraft, such as drones, fly into the same airspace as helicopters and airplanes even at low altitudes, the air operations must be stopped due to safety concerns. This means no water drops to slow the spread of a fire and no eyes in the sky to help direct firefighters on the ground, Troxler said.

The N.C. Forest Service encourages anyone considering debris burning to contact his or her local county forest ranger. The forest ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize safety to people, property and the forest. For people who choose to burn debris, the N.C. Forest Service urges them to adhere to the following tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any N.C. Forest Service office, a county-approved burning permit agent, or online at https://ncforestservice.gov.
  • Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.
  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris such as leaves and grass may be more valuable if composted.
  • Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made materials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.
  • Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.
  • If you must burn, be prepared. Use a shovel or hoe to clear a perimeter down to mineral soil of at least 10-feet, preferably more, around the area around where you plan to burn.
  • Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a water hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. Remember, debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in the state.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. When soaked; stir the coals and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agriculture residue and forestland litter: In addition to the rules above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

Studies have shown that taking these and other measures can greatly reduce wildfires and the loss of property associated with them. For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, go to https://ncforestservice.gov, click on “fire” and follow the links.