The Local Skinny! Frank Sossamon Speaks At Local GOP Rally

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Frank Sossamon is no stranger to public speaking, having spent his career as a pastor. And during remarks at a recent Vance County GOP rally, Candidate Sossamon encouraged fellow Republicans to get out and vote in the November general election.

Sossamon, a political newcomer, is running for N.C. House District 32 on the Republican ticket.

He spoke to the partisan crowd of about 300 for about five minutes and said he has been traveling throughout the district, which includes Vance and much of Granville County.

“Overall, the reception has been extremely good,” Sossamon said.

A candidates’ forum will be held Thursday, June 30 at Sadie’s Coffee Corner in Henderson from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Sossamon will be there, as well as Republican candidate for Vance Sheriff Patrick Bailey and others. Local GOP Chairman Jimmy Barrier will be the moderator and the rising crime rate is set to be the topic.

“We want to receive information and give information about crime,”Sossamon said. Other forums are being planned at locations across the county, he added.

And there’s a fundraiser for Sossamon planned for Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the Henderson Country Club.

Sossamon spoke for about five minutes and, among other things, called the May primary turnout in Vance County “dismal.” He reminded those in attendance about talk of a “Red Wave” in November, referring to the election of Republican candidates in races up and down the ballot.

“It won’t be a Red Wave unless you jump in the water,” he said.

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5 Granville Students Participating In Summer Leadership Program

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Five local high school students are participating in Granville County’s Summer Civic Leadership Program.

The students, all rising seniors, began the program on June 16, according to a statement from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The program continues through July and the students will be present at the Aug. 8 meeting of the Granville Board of Commissioners to talk about their experience and share the results of a group project.

The summer program began 22 years ago and is designed to allow high school students to gain exposure and on-the-job-experience in all aspects of county government operations.

The following students are participating in the program:

  • Kristopher Arias – Granville Early College
  • Jayla Gregory – Granville Early College
  • MacKayla McBride – Granville Early College
  • Kenyan Smith – J.F. Webb High School
  • Courtney Williams – Granville Early College

Retired EMS Director Doug Logan Named Interim Granville Manager

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The Granville County board of commissioners have appointed Doug Logan as interim county manager to take the reins until a new manager can be hired.

Logan is a Granville County native and retired in 2020 from his role as the county’s emergency services director and fire marshal. He will take over from Michael Felts, who leaves at the end of July to take a job with the N.C. Association of County Commissioners Risk Management Pools.

According to a press statement from Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood, Logan will begin work on July 11 to begin the transition process. He will remain in the manager position until a permanent manager is appointed by the board.

“I’m honored that the board of commissioners placed their trust in me to serve as interim county manager,” Logan said in a prepared statement. “This is my home, and I spent the entirety of my professional life serving the citizens of this county. I can’t wait to get started and help ensure that our residents continue to enjoy the quality of service they have come to expect across all county departments.”

Board Chair Tony Cozart said Logan’s appointment will allow the county time to complete the search process for the next manager. “Doug has proven throughout his career that he is a steady and accomplished leader. We are confident that he is the right person to guide our staff in the coming months,” Cozart said. “We are thrilled that Doug was willing to accept this challenge and we know that he is prepared to step up and continue to serve his fellow Granville County citizens.”

Logan retired in January 2020 after a distinguished career in public service. He began his career with the county with the public school system and then went on to be an emergency medical technician (EMT) with Granville EMS and a firefighter with Granville Rural Fire Department. In July 1994, he became emergency services director and remained there until his retirement.

Following news in May that Felts was leaving, the commissioners engaged the services of Developmental Associates, Inc. to lead the recruitment process for the next county manager. “Recognizing that it would not be possible for this process to conclude before Felts’ last day of employment, the board identified Doug Logan as someone who could shepherd Granville County through this transition,” the statement read.

Since his retirement, Logan has served as an emergency management planner with On Target Preparedness, LLC.

Leadership Granville Deadline Is July 1

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The deadline to register for the upcoming Leadership Granville program is July 1.

Leadership Granville is a program that offers residents of Granville County the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and develop leadership potential. It’s a great way for those new to the community to become personally and professionally acquainted with county structure and life, which can benefit present and future leadership. Participants visit local businesses and industry and spend time learning about the county’s history, agriculture and government. The program kicks off in September and concludes with graduation in April.

The application, with program details about schedules and meeting times, can be found on the Chamber of Commerce website:

https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/leadership-granville/

There are sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and other agencies to highlight products and services.

The Silver Sponsor is filled, but the Presenting Sponsor level is available for $2,000, one Gold Sponsor ($1,000) is available, and there are unlimited spaces for Bronze Sponsors ($500) and Lunch Sponsors ($300).

Sponsorships at the presenting, gold and silver levels include registration fee for one participant and various types of recognition at Leadership Granville events and promotional advertising.

Contact Roberson at lauren@granville-chamber.com to learn more.

Completed applications can be emailed to Roberson or sent to the Chamber office, P.O. Box 820, Oxford, NC 27565.

Butner Inmate Sentenced After Assaulting, Injuring Officer

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  • Information courtesy of the U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of North Carolina

An inmate at FMC Butner was sentenced to 114 months in prison for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer at the Federal Medical Center in Butner. The inmate had pled guilty to the charge earlier this year.

According to court documents, Michael Anthony Mata, 47, an inmate at FMC Butner at the time of the offense, struck the law enforcement officer in the face after the officer told him he was in an unauthorized area and asked him to return to his assigned housing unit.  As a result of the contact, the officer suffered a severe fracture to his left orbital wall that required surgical repair.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said, “The brave men and women who put themselves on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe, have the well-deserved support of our Office. We will vigorously prosecute anyone who assaults a correctional officer, or any other law enforcement personnel, and seek a firm punishment to deter others who may be inclined to do the same.”

Citing Mata’s extensive criminal history and the severity of the assault, U.S. Federal District Court Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Mata to 114 months in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Brooks Storus prosecuted the case.

 

The Local Skinny! Bee Jubilee Coming To Granville Expo Center

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The Granville County Expo and Convention Center will be abuzz with activity Saturday as the local beekeepers group hosts the 6th annual Bee Jubilee.

Christi Henthorn, president of the Granville County Beekeepers said upwards of 80 vendors will be set up inside and outside for the event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.

“It’s growing fast and it’s awesome,” Henthorn said in describing the daylong event. The popular “Year of Honey” raffle will be held on Saturday; tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. The lucky winner will get eight bottles of local honey and four additional “products of the hive,” she said.

The Bee Jubilee is a great way to promote homegrown, handmade items created by area artisans, Henthorn said on Monday’s The Local Skinny! Of course, there will be local honey for sale, but there also will be a variety of home baked goods, jams and jellies available for purchase.

The Oxford Farmer’s Market is relocating for the day to the Expo Center as well.

“It’s a family-friendly event,” Henthorn said, with inflatables and face-painting for the kids, and a half dozen or so food trucks bringing everything from barbecue and burgers to mini-donuts and Italian ices.

The Lord Granville Historical Society is scheduled to create their yummy churned ice cream – always a treat.

Henthorn said folks are welcome to bring their canine family members to walk among the vendors outside.

A live auction will begin at 12 noon in the air-conditioned environs of the auditorium, and Henthorn said there is a variety of top-notch items that will be up for bid, including nukes and bee supplies, a NASCAR-themed package and custom artwork depicting a variety of pollinators.

Find the Granville County Beekeepers on Facebook for details of the day’s schedule or visit https://granvillecountybeekeepers.org/

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July 1 Deadline To File For Granville Soil & Water Conservation District Seats

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The filing period for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor began on Monday, June 13 at 12 noon and will end at 12 noon on Friday, July 1. The Granville County Board of Elections office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note that the Board of Elections office has moved to 208 Wall St., Oxford, NC.

There are two Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor seats up for reelection, according to Elections Board Director Tonya Burnette. The filing fee is $5 and must be paid with a personal check, campaign check or money order. Business or corporate checks cannot be accepted.

Candidates can file their notarized notice of candidacy and filing fee in person at the Board of Elections office or the documents may be mailed in. For more information or to ask a question, contact the Granville County Board of Elections office at 919.693.2515.

 

 

 

Project Pizza – Granville County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing Mon, Jun 20

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The Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday.  The location will be the Granville County Expo Convention Center at 4185 Highway 15, Oxford.

The notice of public hearing sent to local media states the purpose is to hear public comments about industrial expansion, matching grants and incentives.

The notice states, “…specifically as follows: the relocation and expansion of a manufacturing company in Granville County. Project Pizza will invest approximately $2.7 million and employ potentially 23 new employees. The maximum cost of the County-funded improvements will be up to $50,000 in accordance with the County funding policy to include a 50% match of $25,000 towards the One NC Grant, a 5% match of a potential Building Reuse Grant provided by The North Carolina Department of Commerce and a cash incentive.”

The notice continues, “This project will be funded with general County operating funds. The cost to the County of the County-funded capital improvements will be offset by new tax revenues generated by the company’s capital investment in the project over a period not to exceed five years.

“The public benefits to be derived from the making of these improvements include the development of industrial properties, which will increase the County’s tax base to better provide for County services, and to increase employment opportunities within the County.”

The County invites interested individuals and encourages attendance.

Oxford Designated As Affiliate Main Street America Program

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-information courtesy of the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission have been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Affiliate programs to recognize their commitment to creating meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

The City of Oxford and DOEDC’s performance is annually evaluated by North Carolina Main Street which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that are committed to comprehensive, place-based revitalization efforts and achieving meaningful community outcomes.

We are thrilled to acknowledge this year’s 383 Affiliate Main Street America programs and their commitment to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” Main Street America President and CEO Patrice Frey. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities, driving essential local recovery efforts, supporting small businesses, and nurturing vibrant neighborhoods.”

In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support its operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $95.33 billion in new public and private investment

generating 161,036 net new businesses and 717,723 net new jobs and rehabilitated more than 314,431 buildings. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.

Granville Shares Totals From Spring Clean-up Event At Expo Center

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-information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

On Saturday, May 14, the Granville County Convention and Expo Center was the site of another successful recycling and hazardous waste disposal event. By the end of the day, over 30,000 pounds of materials had been collected for recycling and safe disposal by vendors. Participants also stepped up by donating pet food and supplies to the Granville Humane Society.

Teresa Baker, recycling and sustainability coordinator for Granville County and Granville County Public Schools, reported the following totals from the spring clean-out event:

  • Veolia Environmental Services – 4,540 pounds of paint and 10,630 pounds of hazardous household waste.
  • Department of Agriculture Pesticides Division – 170 pounds of pesticides.
  • Shred Ace – 8,300 pounds of shredded paper, which will save 70 trees.
  • Granville County Sheriff’s Office – 125 pounds of medications and medical waste.
  • METech Recycling – 3,721 pounds of electronics.
  • Interstate Batteries – 686 pounds of various batteries.
  • Scrap Metal – 2,400 pounds.
  • RMR Book Recycling – 400 pounds.
  • Dart Containers (Polystyrene) – 300 pieces.
  • Granville Humane Society – towels, sheets, 2 dog beds, 3 dog crates, cat food, dog food, cat litter and cash donations.

Residents who participate in Granville County’s bi-annual clean out events leave knowing that these waste materials will either be recycled or properly disposed of instead of harming the local environment.

Granville County Environmental Services would like to thank all vendors, staff, volunteers, and participants who helped make the event a success. The next clean-out will take place on November 19, 2022. Details will be announced closer to the event date.

For more information about environmental services, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/solidwaste/.