Military History Show Coming To Local Airport Oct. 29

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The 7th annual Military History Show will take place Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Henderson-Oxford Airport in Oxford.

The free event is open to the public and will be held 10a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with a display of military equipment, uniforms and other historical articles. Participants can bid on items during a Silent Auction and Total Flight Solutions will be on hand for helicopter rides.

All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Affairs Committee of Granville County.

Contact Harry Coombs to secure a vendor space, make a donation or to become a sponsor. At 919.691.7697 or Harry4th@centurylink.net.

The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., Oxford, NC 27565

LFNC Fellow Begins 1-Year Fellowship With Granville County

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As one of 23 host sites across the state, Granville County has its first participant in a leadership program that is part of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government.

The program, Lead for North Carolina (LFNC), places recent college graduates in a one-year fellowship in various municipal and county governments. Keegan Rapp, a graduate of Queens University in Charlotte, began his fellowship in August.

The Belmont, NC native said he is excited to be in Granville County.
“I became a Fellow to learn more about how local government assists people in North Carolina,” Rapp said. “I will work to boost the capacity of Granville County while elevating the county and learning its story.”

LFNC serves as a bridge between North Carolina communities and smart, passionate and committed young leaders. With the launch of its fourth cohort this year, the program has placed 74 fellows in positions with municipal governments, county governments and regional councils across the state. By recruiting, training and placing these fellows, LFNC seeks to strengthen public institutions, support local communities as it cultivates a new generation of public service leaders.

“We are excited to host Keegan Rapp as our Lead for NC Fellow,” said Assistant County Manager Korena Weichel. “Keegan will assist and learn from all county departments during his time with us. Granville County government is committed to cultivating the next generation of local government leaders as prioritized by our board of commissioners in the 2021-2025 strategic plan. Hosting a Lead for NC Fellow is a great way to gain valuable assistance for county management while also providing Keegan with an in-depth training ground to begin his  public service career.”

Of the 23 fellowship placements, 10 Fellows will serve in municipalities, eight in  county offices, and six in regional councils of government. In total, fellows’ assignments will cover thirty-seven individual North Carolina counties. Fellows will work in areas including budgeting, management, opioid response, planning, housing and economic development.

Lead for North Carolina is made possible through funding from an array of partners, including the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, AmeriCorps, The Anonymous Trust, Golden LEAF Foundation, The Jessie Ball duPont  Fund, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, State Farm, Wells Fargo and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Lead for North Carolina is joined by the following founding partners: the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina City/County Management Association and Lead for America.

Granville School Board Set To Meet Monday, Sept. 19

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The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Mary Potter Center of Education

Public comments for the meeting can be made in person at the board meeting, or in writing by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y37evl6z

Comments should be submitted between 12 noon and 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting, according to a press statement from Dr. Stan Winborne, GCPS associate superintendent and public information officer. Board members will receive copies of comments; a maximum of 30 minutes in total will be allotted for public comment during the meeting.

Although seating is limited, anyone without access to WiFi may use internet services at the Richard Thornton Library, 210 Main St., Oxford, NC 27565 or the South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Join live at https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

 

Families Living Violence Free

Quarter Auction Oct. 7 To Benefit Families Living Violence Free

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Join the fun to raise money for a good cause at the Quarter Auction to benefit Families Living Violence Free on Friday, Oct. 7. The event will be held at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

FVLF Executive Director Peggy Roark said a $20 ticket includes dinner and a bidding paddle. Bring an appetite, lots of enthusiasm and a few rolls of quarters! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 6:15 and the auction kicks off at 7 p.m. Bring some extra cash to purchase items from your favorite participating vendors.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the auction is just one way to support agencies like FLVF as its staff provides services to those in the community who have experienced trauma in the form of domestic violence or sexual assault.

The Barn at Vino is located at 3200 Bliss Trail in Stem.

Phone 919.693.3579 to purchase tickets.

High School Students Can Apply For Youth Leadership Council Through Sept. 30

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-information from Granville County Cooperative Extension

The Granville County Youth Leadership Council (GCYLC) is accepting applications through Sept. 30 to join the council. Any student in grades 9-11 who is interested in honing leadership skills and learning how to make a difference in their community is encouraged to submit an application, according to Charissa Puryear, Granville Unit Director at the N.C. Cooperative Extension office.

The GCYLC is being formed as a partnership between the Granville County Board of Commissioners and N.C. Cooperative Extension. The council will offer 20-25 youth from diverse backgrounds across the county a chance to participate in a leadership development program while serving as ambassadors and youth voices to the county commissioners and other local boards. The council is being created to elevate youth voices and contribute to community development, programming and vision while providing youth a unique opportunity to be drivers of their own ideas from conceptualization to implementation and reflection, Puryear noted in a press statement.

Members will also be encouraged to represent GCYLC at board meetings, conferences, and special events.

Students interested in applying should be enrolled in high school, live in Granville County, and be available for meetings at least one time per month. Community, youth and faith-based organizations and educators are encouraged to nominate youth. If interested in applying, visit www.granvilleylc.weebly.com or contact Charissa Puryear at cmpuryea@ncsu.edu or 919.603.1350.

NCDOT

NC DOT Survey Open For Public To Comment On 10-Year Improvement Plan

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The N.C. Department of Transportation has a survey available to gather public feedback on its draft of the 10-Year State Transportation Improvement Program. The STIP identifies the construction funding and schedule for transportation projects over a 10-year period. The survey window opened Sept. 1 and surveys can be completed and submitted through Oct. 28.

There are several ways to submit comments:

  • Take an online survey on NCDOT’s public engagement website by Oct. 28 at https://metroquestsurvey.com/ew73x
  • Submit comments online, by phone or mail using the contact information associated with each county (view here)
  • Attend a drop-in meeting Oct. 10-14 at the NCDOT Division 5 office, 2612 N. Duke St., Durham, NC 27704

Once the public comment period ends, NCDOT will review and address comments. This will help in the next round of project prioritization for the 2024-2033 STIP. We will also share feedback with the Board of Transportation. The board is expected to approve the Final 2024-2033 STIP in summer 2023. 

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate. Anyone requiring special services can contact Simone Robinson at strobinson1@ncdot.gov or 919.707.6085 so that arrangements can be made.

Persons who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request by calling 1.800.481.6494.

 Las personas que no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación llamando al 1.800.481.6494. 

Masonic Home for Children

Visit Sept. 15 Open House At MHCO To Learn More About Community Support Center

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Plans are underway to create a community support center on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford to offer resources, training and other services to families in the community.

Through a partnership with the Granville County United Way, FGV Smart Start, Granville Education Foundation and Baptist Children’s Home the Masonic Home for Children invites interested community agencies  to an open house on Thursday, Sept. 15. Drop by between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about how to identify and address family needs, provide services, network and make referrals for services on behalf of families in need.

Some of the proposed services include:

  • Parenting Education
  • Nutrition Classes
  • Family Counseling
  • Foster Care Training
  • Adolescent Group Counseling
  • Financial Management Education
  • Recreation
  • Networking to a variety of services

Visitors can come to the Parham Cottage at the children’s home, whose main campus is located at 600 College St., Oxford.

NC State Board of Elections

Officials Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots To Signal Countdown To Nov. 8 Election

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-information courtesy of N.C. State Board of Elections

Beginning today, North Carolina’s county boards of elections wile begin mailing absentee ballot to voters who request them for the 2022 general election, signaling the start of voting midterm elections.

Election Day is 61 days away – November 8.

Contests in this election include a U.S. Senate seat, all 14 U.S. House seats, two seats on the N.C. Supreme Court, four seats on the NC Court of Appeals, all 170 seats in the N.C. General Assembly and numerous judicial and local seats across the state.

As of Thursday, Sept. 8, more than 53,000 N.C. voters already have requested an absentee ballot for the general election. The state currently has more than 7.35 million registered voters.

County Boards of Elections are busy registering new voters, preparing ballots, testing voting equipment, hiring and training poll workers and preparing early voting sites and Election Day precincts, among other responsibilities, according to a press statement from the executive director of the State Board of Elections Karen Brinson Bell.

“We encourage all eligible North Carolinians to register to vote and to make a plan now about when and where they will cast their ballot in 2022,” Bell said in a press statement issued Thursday. “Your state and county elections officials are here to provide accurate information to help you safely and securely exercise your right to vote. We will make sure your vote counts.”

Sample ballots are available through the State Board’s Voter Search tool. Voters should locate their voter record and scroll down to the “Your Sample Ballot” section. (Note: Sample ballots are posted by county as soon as they are available.)

 

How to Request a Ballot

In North Carolina, all registered voters may request an absentee-by-mail ballot. Voters may do so:

  1. Online at the C. Absentee Ballot Portal.On the portal, select “Option 1 — Request an Absentee Ballot.”
  2. On paper using the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF)or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF).

Voters requesting a ballot must provide their date of birth and one of the following to verify their identity:

  • North Carolina driver’s license number or NCDMV-issued identification card number; or
  • Last four digits of Social Security number.

The request form must be signed by either the voter or the voter’s near relative, legal guardian or person assisting the voter due to a disability. A typed signature is not allowed.

The paper absentee ballot request form can be mailed or returned in person to your county board of elections. Your county board of elections must receive the completed and signed absentee request form by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 1.

For more information, see Vote By Mail and Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail.

Also starting Friday, the absentee ballot portal will open for military and overseas voters, as well as visually impaired voters, to receive and return their absentee ballot through the online service.

Click  North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal for more information and Military and Overseas Voting to learn more about this process.

Absentee voting is safe and secure. For more information on the security of absentee voting, see Statement About Absentee Ballot Security in North Carolina.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines: 2022 General Election

  • Tuesday, September 13: State Board meets to adopt early voting sites and schedules for more than a dozen counties that have not confirmed those schedules yet. Details: State Board Meeting: September 13, 2022 | NCSBE
  • Friday, October 14: Regular voter registration deadline for voters who want to vote on Election Day. Details: How to Register.
  • Thursday, October 20: One-stop, in-person early voting begins. Eligible individuals may register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county. For early voting sites and schedules, see One-Stop Early Voting Site Search.
  • Tuesday, November 1: Absentee ballot request deadline. The State Board encourages voters to request their absentee ballot as early as possible to ensure enough time to complete and return the ballot.
  • Saturday, November 5: In-person early voting and registration ends at 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 8: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters should go to their designated Election Day polling place. Find your polling place through the Voter Search Absentee ballots received after 5 p.m. November 8 must be postmarked by Election Day and received by mail by 5 p.m. Monday, November 14. Ballots withouta postmark must be received by Nov. 8.
  • Friday, Nov. 18: County canvass day; results are certified at the county level.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29: State canvass day; final results are certified statewide.

Granville Announces Drew Cummings As New County Manager

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-information courtesy of Granville Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Board of Commissioners has selected Drew Cummings as the new county manager. Cummings has been an assistant county manager and chief of staff in Durham County for 14 years. He will begin his new job on Oct. 17.

“I am so excited to come to Granville County and look forward to working with the commissioners, staff, and the community to continue building on the strong groundwork that has already been laid,” Cummings said.

Cummings is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. He and his wife, Amy, have three school-aged children and in his spare time Cummings enjoys exercise, woodwork, and singing in his church choir.

“The Granville County Board of Commissioners is unanimous in its selection of Drew Cummings,” said Tony Cozart, board chair. “His educational level and extensive experience make Mr. Cummings the desired candidate to serve as our next county manager.”

Before his time in Durham County, Cummings, worked in other areas of municipal government and was a middle school teacher for seven years before entering work in local government, according to a press statement from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood..

While in Durham County, Cummings focused on a wide range of issues including economic development, education, transportation, affordable housing, and homelessness. He has been a member of the International City-County Management Association (ICMA) as well as the North Carolina City and County Managers Association since 2004.

Cummings achieved his ICMA Credentialed Manager status in 2021 and is also a 2015 graduate of the UNC School of Government’s Public Executive Leadership Academy. He is a graduate of Harvard University, holding a BA in Government and received his Master’s in Public Policy from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy.

Cummings comes to us with outstanding references, is very well trained in county administration, and has shown throughout his career that he is a person who has committed himself to getting results. His longevity with Durham County shows that he is willing to ingrain himself in a community and weather a few storms while moving towards a long-range vision of success. As a longtime Durham resident, Mr. Cummings is already familiar with this region and knows the needs and opportunities for success that we have in Granville,” Cozart said.

“I look forward to getting to know the community and staff much better in the coming months as we re-commit ourselves to the goals of responsive, innovative, efficient government and seek to seize the positive out of all the change we have seen over the past few years. It is a true honor.”

David Richardson, Granville School Board Chair, Dies

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David Richardson, chairman of the Granville County Board of Education, died Tuesday evening. Friends, church colleagues and education supporters across the county reflected Wednesday on Richardson’s life and legacy in the community.

Granville County Public Schools Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne said district officials received word of Richardson’s death, but he had no further information about funeral service arrangements.

Richardson was pastor at Peace’s Chapel Baptist Church, located in the Fairport community. He also served on the advisory committee for the Granville Crime Stoppers, and President Frank Sossamon said he had known Richardson through that organization, as well as through their shared work in the ministry.

“It was a shock to all of us,” Sossamon said, of learning of Richardson’s death.

“He was a caring man…He deeply cared for people,” he said, adding that he wanted to do something that would positively affect his community. He was recently re-elected to the District 7 seat on the Granville County school board. “He wanted what was best for the county,” Sossamon continued.

A post by Board President Dr. Linda Frederickson on the Granville Education Foundation social media page said, “David was a champion for Granville County Schools and so supportive of GEF. He had a kind and giving heart and truly wanted to do what was best for Granville County Schools.”