VGCC registers 350 potential lifesavers

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A recent Vance-Granville Community College service project added some 350 people to the registry of potential bone marrow donors. In partnership with the Project Life Movement and the “Save the Fox” campaign, the college held events on each of its four campuses during the week of Oct. 26-29.

Students, faculty, staff and community members signed up and swabbed their cheeks to provide DNA samples at these events. The painless registration process took only a few minutes, but could save a life if a participant turns out to be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Such treatments are the only hope for many people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other blood cancers and diseases. Around 60 percent of those in need of a donation currently cannot find a donor match, according to Project Life, a national movement that started with students at Davidson College and has spread to more than 25 other schools and has registered more than 13,000 donors.

The “Save the Fox” campaign is named after North Carolina Superior Court Judge Carl Fox of Orange County. Judge Fox was diagnosed with blood cancer in April and has searched for a suitable bone marrow donor.

At a kickoff event on Oct. 26 at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college president, welcomed participants and commended the students, faculty and staff who contributed their time and energy to the project. “I love it when we take these opportunities to integrate service with learning and to give back to the community,” Dr. Williams said. “Like the students at Davidson College who started Project Life, our students are leaders of the future and can make a difference.” She particularly thanked the students in VGCC Health Sciences programs who took the lead in the registration drive. The very first student to register as a potential donor was Kala Williams of Henderson, a Pharmacy Technology major.

Also speaking at the kickoff was Project Life executive director David Lindsay, who received a successful bone marrow donation and helped found the organization with his fellow students at Davidson College. He thanked all of the participants in the VGCC registration drive. “This will create more chances that a patient like Judge Fox or a patient like me 25 years ago will have a second chance at a miracle,” Lindsay said. “That’s what the drive is all about: creating the possibility for miracles. Potentially everyone in this room is a match for someone you don’t even know.”

He noted that the decision to register as a potential donor, particularly for a young person, would have an impact for years to come. “Students who are 20 will be on the registry for 40 years,” Lindsay said. “Think about what it would feel like to get a call, find out you’re a match, and save someone’s life. I’m glad that Vance-Granville is now part of the Project Life movement, and I hope it becomes an annual event because the potential is immense.”

Attendees then heard remarks from VGCC Financial Aid Assistant Glynnis Wilson, who actually saved a life as a bone marrow donor. She was on the registry for more than eight years until 2006 when the National Marrow Donor Program called, informing her that she was a match. “People ask me if it hurt when I donated bone marrow,” Wilson said. “I always say that whatever I felt was nothing compared to what my recipient had endured. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

VGCC Radiography student and Save the Fox student leader Nick Kemp of Franklinton thanked all of the volunteers who made the drive a success. “What we are really working for is the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, hopefully multiple people’s lives,” Kemp said. “Everyone who registers is a potential lifesaver, maybe not for Judge Fox but perhaps for one of the hundreds of thousands of other people who are looking for a match.” He said that those who registered could look forward to a day “when your phone rings and you get the opportunity to help a fellow human being in need. I don’t know about any of you, but I hope my phone rings sooner rather than later.”

VGCC academic and career coach Seletha Pherribo, who helped spearhead the project, said that Save the Fox had helped unite the college and the community. After the first day at Main Campus, events were held at the Franklin County Campus on Oct. 27, the South Campus in Granville County on Oct. 28 and the Warren County Campus on Oct. 29. Pherribo thanked Project Life for its support. Project Life works with the Delete Blood Cancer organization to process the new potential donors. For more information on becoming a donor, visit www.projectlifemovement.org or www.deletebloodcancer.org.

Granville Chamber Breakfast

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving Breakfast is being held Wednesday, November 25, at 7:30 am in the Family Life Center of Oxford Baptist Church, Main Street, Oxford.

District 2 House of Representatives member Larry Yarborough will be the guest speaker for the event.  Representative Yarborough represents Person and Granville Counties.  He is a native of Mississippi and has lived in Roxboro for 20+ years.  From 2004 to 2008, he served as a Person County Commissioner.  Yarborough labels himself as “a common sense person that looks at issues by applying common sense.”

Bridgestone’s continued sponsorship of this annual event spans 25+ years.  The November Thanksgiving breakfast began as an industry-sponsored breakfast, and Bridgestone has graciously remained the event supporter for all these years.

Attendees may expect the usual Southern buffet breakfast, prepared by volunteer men at Oxford Baptist.  No one will leave hungry as we depart to begin the Thanksgiving holiday celebration!

Although there is no charge to attend the breakfast, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations (canned food) for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).

The School of Graphic Arts/Masonic Home for Children is continuing its tradition of providing attendees with desk calendars for the new year.  Also, the Chamber will be officially kicking off its promotion for the National  SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – SHOP LOCAL  by providing attendees with Shop Small tote bags filled with inserts – – “goodies”, gift certificates, etc.  from Granville County Small Businesses.

Reservations are REQUIRED with one of the Chamber’s offices by November 20th to Wanda, 919-693-6125 or Toni Anne, 919-528-4994; wanda@granville-chamber.com, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Dr. Mills VGCC Scholarship

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Maria Parham Guild Gift Gallery endows VGCC scholarship in memory of local doctor

Volunteers from the Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Medical Center recently presented a gift of $25,000 to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund that will create a new scholarship in memory of a Henderson physician, Dr. J. Franklin Mills, who passed away unexpectedly in July at the age of 61.

That brings the total to nine such scholarships created by the Guild Gift Gallery since 2008. The volunteer-operated Guild Gift Gallery offers convenience items and gifts as a service to both patients and hospital visitors. Profits from sales at the gift shop are used to provide scholarships to people entering the health care professions.

The new VGCC scholarship will be named the “J. Franklin Mills, MD / Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Presidential Scholar Award,” and will assist deserving students in programs such as Nursing, Radiography, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.Mills Guild VGCC

A Vance County native, Dr. Mills graduated from Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine before moving back to Henderson in 1985. “When he was training, there was no question where he would practice medicine,” his wife, Janet T. Mills, recalled. “He loved being here as a doctor in his hometown. He thought of his patients and his staff, including his nurses, as his extended family.”

Dr. Mills served for 30 years a family practitioner at Henderson Family Medicine, later called Duke Primary Care of Henderson. To two of the Guild Gift Gallery volunteers who gathered to celebrate the creation of the new scholarship, Gean Bobbitt and Sylvia Edwards, he was their doctor. To another, Lou Reavis, he was her Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Henderson.

“We are honored and humbled to receive this new endowment from the Guild, which continues its generous support for education by honoring the memory of an outstanding member of the community,” said VGCC Endowment director Eddie Ferguson. “Dr. Mills’s example of compassion, service and excellence in the health care field will inspire students for years to come. This scholarship will support our wonderful Health Sciences students, many of whom will stay right here to serve patients in our region.”

Dr. Mills had a specific connection to VGCC through his niece, Carrie, who graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing program and received endowed scholarships from the college. Today, she works as a nurse at WakeMed. Mills enjoyed talking to Carrie about her studies, according to his sister (her mother), Jane Mills Hicks.

“Dr. Franklin Mills was beloved by his patients, who appreciated not only his medical knowledge but also his caring and his dedication to them,” Henderson resident and Guild president Anne Bunch said. “He was carrying on the tradition of service in the community from his father, who was also a doctor. Now, we will try to continue that legacy through a scholarship in his name that will serve as a lasting tribute.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,000 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

For more information, contact: Andrew Beal, PIO

Telephone: 252-738-3322

E-mail: beala@vgcc.edu

New VGCC Job Driven Initiative staff connect area residents with training

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Two professional staff members are now in place at Vance-Granville Community College to help area residents obtain education and training through a special grant.

The college, in partnership with the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board, received a $147,000 “NCWorks Job Driven Initiative” (JDI) grant in 2014, made possible by federal funds awarded to the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions. VGCC currently ranks second out of 12 North Carolina community colleges in the number of students who have been approved for grant funding.

Rosemarie Baker is the new JDI Grant Program Marketer and Connie Ragland is the Grant Coach, both working in the VGCC Continuing Education division. Baker’s role is to educate the community about the program and recruit potential students, after which Ragland helps to see if they qualify for the program. For those who do, Ragland tracks their progress and helps guide them to success.

Baker, a resident of Clarksville, Va., spent more than 15 years teaching business and marketing classes, most of which were in the Vance County Schools system. She graduated from Longwood College (now Longwood University) in Virginia, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with concentrations in Management and Marketing Management. Baker said that although she is new to her position, she knows the college well. “I actually began my college experience as a freshman at VGCC, I have taught classes for VGCC, and now, I’m recruiting students to take advantage of this great training under the JDI grant,” she said. Baker noted that if students meet the requirements as determined by NCWorks, the grant funding will pay for their tuition, books, certain supplies and certification testing fees.

A Henderson resident, Ragland has held various positions at area organizations including Kittrell Job Corps Center, FGV Partnership for Children, Granville County Schools and, most recently, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. She earned a degree in Business Administration at North Carolina A&T State University. Over the course of her career, Ragland has enjoyed working in many capacities that allowed her to help people of all ages, from young children to adults. Her proudest accomplishments, she said, have come from the benefits of operating two non-profits with her husband, R.O.Y. and New Horizons Training Group. “As the NCWorks JDI Grant Coach, I hope that this opportunity to serve will help someone be able to continue their educational pursuits because of the tuition assistance that it can provide,” Ragland said. “I’m excited to be a part of the Vance-Granville family.”

VGCC’s programs as part of the JDI are all designed to lead to industry-recognized or state-regulated credentials, and to prepare students for various entry-level jobs that address the needs of local employers. These programs include BioWork Process Technician, Certified Logistics Technician, Certified Production Technician (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council), Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL–B), Health Unit Coordinator, Health Unit Secretary, Nurse Aide,  Home Health Care Aide, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Guest Service Gold, Hospitality (START), and Heavy Equipment Operator.

Students must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in the grant program. For more information, contact VGCC at raglandc@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3452.

H-V Chamber Membership Drive Update

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The Ambassador team secured eight businesses and the Board team secured two businesses.  Looks like the Board team is going to be wearing the aprons!

The following new businesses joined the team since we put the membership drive into action during the end of October.

Hoyle’s Tire and Axle on Highway 39 in Henderson.  They sell new and remanufactured mobile home and utility axles and tires.  They also sell parts to repair and mount axles to all types of trailers.  They are open from 7AM til 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.  For more information, please call them at 252-438-2818

Shelia’s Accufile and Business Services at 418 S Garnett Street in Henderson.  She offers bookkeeping, personal and business tax and payroll services.  Shelia is an IRS authorized Efile provider and offers affordable pricing.  Please 252-430-0226 call for more information.

Owners Lisa and Bennie Blackwell have opened Middleburg Steak and Seafood House at 7139 Broad Street in Middleburg.  They offer a wide variety of great food choices on their menu each day of the week along with a hot buffet on Sundays for those looking for a great meal on Sundays after Church.  For more information please contact them at 919-971-9963.

NC Coyotes is a professional ABA basketball team showcasing the best talents from the Triangle, Oxford, Warren, Franklin, Granville and Vance Counties.  The North Carolina Coyotes dream began when Founder Reynaldo Espinosa wanted to have an effective gateway for the men in the community to restore their skill-sets and showcase their talents. Through his organization, the Second Chance Basketball Foundation, the Coyotes were born. Restoring hope for a small community, the Coyotes finished out their 2014-2015 season as DIVISIONAL RUNNER UPS in just their second year out of 82 teams across the country.

Scottish Inns located at 1759 N Garnett Street in Henderson.  Contact information is 252-438-6172

Quality Inn located at 197 Parham Road in Henderson joined the Chamber under new management.  Contact number is 252-4320-6501.

Econo Lodge located at 112 Parham Road in Henderson.  They are open 24 hours/seven days a week.  For more information or to book a reservation contact Chris or Ashok Patel at 252-438-8511.

Access Counseling Services at 314 S Garnett Street in Henderson.  Owner Nekisha Williams offers outpatient therapy services for children and adolescents ages 5 to 21.  Others services are parent coaching, clinical assessments, academic testing and substance abuse assessments.  For more information, please call 252-915-8966.

The Board team secured LIMBionics.  They are in Durham and will be locating an office here in Henderson at 851 S. Beckford Drive.  Brittany Stresing, president of the company is in the process of getting the office setup for business.  She can be contacted at 919-908-8975 until the office is ready for clients.  Brittany Stresing, has earned the highest accolade in Prosthetics and Orthotics! She is officially one of the few Fellows of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists which is an accolade few achieve in their career. This title goes to those who prove dedication to the profession in academics, professionalism, and improving the profession and patient care. Brittany is one of less than 8 Fellows in the state and she is the only female!

They also secured Watkins Insurance Agency at 133 N Mecklenburg Ave. in South Hill, Va.  They can be contacted at 434-447-3544.

Many thanks to all that took part in making our membership drive a success.  The volunteer support we receive from our Board members and Chamber ambassadors is truly inspiring and shows me the passion and measure of commitment that they have for our Chamber.  Thank you; we could not do what we do throughout the year without you!

A tremendous thanks goes out to all of our new and renewing members for helping us make this a great event. Your support means so much to us.

The Membership Drive may be over, but its still not too late to join more than 300 plus business members.  Contact Annette Roberson at 252-438-8414 and become a member today!

Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Recognizes Granville County, NC Small Businesses by Celebrating Small Business Saturday®

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Today the Granville County Chamber of Commerce announced its participation in the sixth annual Small Business Saturday on November 28th to support independent businesses in Granville County, NC.  Founded by in American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support your neighborhood and is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Now in its sixth year, Small Business Saturday has been embraced as part of the holiday shopping tradition as each year shoppers, businesses and public officials come together to Shop Small® and show their neighborhood pride.

Understanding the important contributions small businesses make to their communities, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our participation in Small Business Saturday and the Neighborhood Champion program.  On Saturday, November 28th the greater Granville County area is encouraged to take part in our Small Business Saturday Shop Granville First event across the county.  The event will feature special offers by local businesses and giveaways to consumers. The event will begin at both Chamber Office locations, where Shop Small® shopping bags and Passports, along with coupons, a list of participating businesses, and other materials will be provided to consumers.

How the Passport Promotion Works:

Consumers may pick up a Passport at either Chamber Office OR at a participating business on or before Saturday, November 28th.

Patrons of small businesses in Granville County may participate for one of the Grand Prizes by bringing their Passport to participating small businesses on November 28th, shopping and getting their passport stamped.

Passports may be turned into either Chamber Office by Friday December 4th. Grand Prize winners will be determined by the amount of different business stamps on a passport. Winners will be announced on Tuesday December 8th.

American Express created the Neighborhood Champions program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. Participating organizations include the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the International Downtown Association, the Latino Coalition, the National Main Street Center, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit the site to find small merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday.

About Small Business Saturday

November 28th marks the sixth annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more customers.

CONTACT:

Ginnie Currin, 919.693.6125

US Public Health Service to present program at Granville Chamber’s Sunrise Forum

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Sunrise Forum will be held Friday, November 13th at Butner Town Hall, Central Avenue in Butner.  The Town of Butner will be hosting the meeting and providing a light breakfast upon arrival.  The program should begin around 8 am, or shortly thereafter.

Kenny Atkinson, Complex Warden for the Federal Correctional Center in Butner, has made arrangements for a group of the members of the US Public Health Service who traveled to West Africa about a year ago to speak to the group.  Their presentation is entitled, “Experience Traveling to Africa to Treat and Train for the Ebola Outbreak.”

The leadership for the group notes that “the key to controlling the Ebola epidemic was to focus on stopping it at its source in West Africa.  That included providing support and care for those courageous healthcare workers and responders who were on the front lines combating this disease.”

Their presentation on November 13th will cover information about their team, training, focus, medical care, etc.

The Town of Butner is welcoming attendees by providing a light breakfast and a time of visiting prior to the presentation.  The Chamber offices would appreciate knowing of intentions to attend – 919.528.4994/Toni Anne Wheeler, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or 919.693.6125/Wanda Garrett, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

VGCC opens Spring Registration, offers Orientation Sessions online and in-person

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Registration for classes and orientation sessions for new students have begun for the Spring 2016 semester at Vance-Granville Community College, which starts Monday, Jan. 11, 2016.

Attending an orientation session is required for all new students who wish to enroll in any of the college’s curriculum programs, and for students who are returning to VGCC after being away for three or more years. Students must also meet with an advisor or academic/career coach before registering for classes.

To attend an orientation session, a student must sign up in advance by visiting orientation.vgcc.edu.

VGCC now offers orientation in both an online and a traditional face-to-face format. In either format, orientation sessions help students learn where to find resources on campus or online, including how to register for classes through WebAdvisor. Many face-to-face orientation sessions still have slots available, and additional dates may be scheduled.

Orientation sessions scheduled for VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County include: Thursday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m.

The Franklin County Campus near Louisburg has orientation sessions scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m.

Orientation sessions are scheduled at VGCC’s South Campus (between Creedmoor and Butner) on

Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. 10, at 9 a.m.

Students who want to attend a face-to-face orientation session at the Warren County Campus in Warrenton should call (252) 257-1900 for more information.

Registration for fall classes opened Nov. 2 and closes on Dec. 16. College officials advise students to apply for admission and financial aid, attend orientation/advising, and register for classes as early as possible. The upcoming semester’s course schedule is now available online at schedules.vgcc.edu.

The tuition payment deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 16, by 5 p.m., if paying in person, or by Thursday, Dec. 31, by midnight, if paying online through WebAdvisor.

For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

Prospective students interested in seeking financial assistance are encouraged to immediately complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov and to visit the VGCC Financial Aid Office.

Eligible students may receive Pell Grants ranging from $626 to $5,775. Students may also qualify for other college or state funds. The Financial Aid Office recommends completing the FAFSA and all financial aid documents by Dec. 11, 2015. In order for a student to charge tuition, fees, and books to financial aid awards, the application must be processed entirely prior to the tuition payment deadline of Dec. 31, 2015. Students with preschool-age children may receive financial assistance to help pay for child care, and applications for this help are also available at the Financial Aid Office.

Information about other resources is available online at financialaid.vgcc.edu.

For more details regarding financial assistance, visit the Financial Aid Office in Room 8215 on Main Campus or call (252) 738-3280.

HELP FOR VETERANS

Military veterans who wish to use their Veterans’ Education benefits may contact the Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3224. Veterans should check with Financial Aid to see if the programs in which they are interested are covered.

Tourism in Vance

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October 16, 17 and 18, The Vance County Department of Tourism hosted the 14th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine and The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion.  Tourism Director Nancy Wilson said the economic impact here was between $2.5 to $3.0 million.  That figure represents the amount of spending done while the show was here.

As tourism in Henderson and Vance County continues to develop, citizens here are not only left with positive things to do, but the tourism dollars left behind by our guests.  The hotel/motel taxes and retail sales taxes are huge to our County.  Also, tourism can spawn economic development and accelerate revitalization efforts in historic downtown areas.

Wilson said, “Everything went fine.  For the entire weekend, I think our numbers were pretty much the same as they have been.  I would say around 30,000.”  In terms of comparing that to shows in other towns the size of Henderson, Wilson said, “I don’t think there’s anyone who can compare.  We’re not a festival.  That’s not what we do.  It’s an event, a production.  The State Fair is about as close as I can get to the number of people at one location at one time.”

In speaking about the car owners and especially about the Hall of Fame Inductees, Wilson said, “These guys have got so much background in engineering, and they’re master mechanics.  They’ve worked with and in some of the top companies in the country, and they’re innovators.  They make an effort to travel here every year, and they love it.  They have so much to share.

“The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame and Reunion event held at Vance Granville Community College on Sunday has been growing every year.”  Inducted for 2015 were: Sherwood Allen, Robert Bullard – posthumously, Ron Colson, Don Grotheer, Roy Hagadorn, Hasley Hood, Jr., Woodroe Josey, Jim Kerr, Jimmy King, Mike Kosky, Ed Kowalski, Frank LeSueur – posthumously, Larry Lombardo and Della Woods.

A lot of new money is spent in our area because of tourism and the marketing efforts outside this area and marketing in places known to draw visitors.  Anyone staying here spending money, it boosts the local economy.  In the summer, Vance County experiences a retail sales tax boost, and that Wilson said “has to come from our lake business because the City and County are not growing, so I don’t know how you could justify it any other way.”

In 2014, Vance County experienced a 2.97 percent growth in monies generated from tourism totaling $44.10 million.  This information according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  $5.84 million was the amount of payroll or money paid in Vance County because of tourism jobs.  The 2014 tax savings per resident in Vance County because of tourism was figured to be about $85.35.  Tax receipts were $1.28 million.

Wilson said, “Of course, every dollar we generate through tourism is a tax savings to our tax payers.”

The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame is still in the works.  Land is owned.  Funds for the building are needed, and Wilson and the building committee are working on that right now.  That would be open year round and would be another point of interest for tourists coming to our area.

Wright’s Commission Seat To Be Filled

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The 60-day deadline to fill Eddie L. Wright’s District 5 Vance County Commission Seat is November 9.  Archie B. Taylor, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, sent a request to the chairman of the local Democratic party asking for the names of individuals good for the position who fulfill the requirements.  Betty Boyd, who is the Third Vice Chair and in charge of publicity, told WIZS News, “We met last Thursday night (Oct 15) at Perry Library.  Four candidates made a three minute speech.  Leo Kelly received the nomination to serve the unexpired term of the late Eddie Wright.”

Vance County Clerk to the Board Kelly Grissom said, “It will go to the board on November 2.  If they decide to appoint him, it would be done during that meeting.  Then, he would be sworn in during the board’s December 7 meeting.”

The board is not bound by state statute to appoint Kelly, but all indications to date seem to suggest the Vance County Board of Commissioners will accept the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Commissioner Tommy Hester, who is Republican, said, “My personal opinion is, yes, I do expect that, but I’m only one vote.  And my vote is to go along with that because that’s up to the Democrats.  If that’s the recommendation, I’m going to vote for it.  I can only talk for myself.  If (Mr. Kelly) is who the Democratic party is recommending, that’s the normal procedure, and that would be who I think we should go with.”

Hester spoke of knowing Kelly for a longtime, his respect for Kelly and that Kelly “is an excellent person.”

Kelly was a longtime Dean at Vance Granville Community College.  A news article published by the college in 2009 quotes VGCC’s president at the time, Randy Parker, as saying, “Leo Kelly is the longest-serving full-time employee in the history of our college, and his dedicated leadership has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many people in our communities.”

Eddie L. WrightWhoever is appointed will fill the seat for approximately one year because the district 5 seat was already due for election in 2016 anyway.  At that point, if the appointee chooses to run for the seat, he or she will either be elected or defeated by a challenger.

Wright was first elected in 2000.  He served on the Granville-Vance Public Health District Board and was a minister of a local church.

Soon after Wright’s death, the news was not as much about this process or who the appointee would be, but rather more about Wright himself.  At that time, Taylor said Wright’s death had come as a shock to him as it had to many others.  While Wright had suffered from joint ailments for years, no one in the public seemed to expect his death.

Taylor said, “The county is going to feel his abscence.  He was a man of great faith and spiritual beliefs, an elder of the church, a pastor and preacher, and he was a champion of the little man.  He was definately wanting of a better quality of life for everyone in this county.  He was a great advocate for those who didn’t have a voice.  He is going to be missed.

“His voice of reason and compassion will be missed.  He showed his faith by his work.  (Wright) had a very supportive family during this illness.  They have been extremely supportive of him and that speaks highly of them and their spiritual values.”

As for the laws governing the appointment to Wright’s seat, Vance County Attorney Jonathan Care provided WIZS News with the North Carolina General Statute.  N.C. G. S. 153a-27 essentially means the newly appointed board member must be of the same political party, a resident of the same district, that the board shall consult the county executive committee of, in this case, the Democratic Party and, if an appointment is not made within 60 days, then the appointment is to be made by the Clerk of Court.  Neither the board nor the clerk is bound by the Democratic Executive Committee’s recommendation.