County Manager, Administrative Staff Occupy Newly Renovated Office Space

/by

Granville County residents who have business to conduct at the county administrative office, take note: several components of county government are now located at 104 Belle Street in Oxford, just a short distance from the previous spot on Williamsboro Street.

The recently completed move means a little more elbow room for the office of the county manager, assistant county manager, as well as human resources and a couple of others who work in county government, said Lynn Allred, public information officer/grants coordinator. Allred’s office also is located in the new space.

A small conference room is set up for individual commissioners to hold meetings and conduct business, Allred said. In addition, there are a couple of larger conference rooms designed to accommodate groups. The building originally was the Carolina Power & Light Co. office, Allred said, and more recently had been home to an insurance agency.

“The mission of Granville County is to provide its residents with an array of services to enhance their quality of life through a responsive, effective and efficient local government, County Manager Mike Felts said in a press release announcing the move.

104 Belle Street; Oxford, NC

It’s part of a continuing effort to better utilize available space and to plan for future expansions, Allred noted. A 2010 space needs study made recommendations that have resulted in relocating several county entities to new or existing facilities.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension office moved in 2017 to its location on the campus of the Tobacco Research Station and the board of elections moved to space previous occupied by the extension service on Wall Street in Oxford. A new animal shelter and law enforcement center in 2020 is another example of how the county is addressing the needs for efficient use of space.

Felts stated that there are several options for what will occupy their former office space on Williamsboro Street. “Once final decisions are made, we will begin taking steps to transition other county services into the available space,” he added.

Mailing address remains the same for the county manager/administration staff and human resources: P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565. Phone numbers and email addresses are unchanged as well.

The finance and tax administration offices remain in operation at 141 Williamsboro Street.

To learn more, call 919.693.5240.

GVPH Director Harrison President-Elect Of National Health Officials Group

/by

Granville-Vance Public Health director Lisa Harrison is the new president-elect of the National Association of City and County Health Officials.

Harrison served in 2020-21 as vice-president of the group, and officially began her term as president-elect on July 1, 2021. She will serve as president in 2022-2023. The NACCHO 360 annual conference was held virtually June 29-July 1.

“I had the great privilege to offer remarks as the incoming president for the National Association of County and City Health Officials,” Harrison told WIZS News Thursday. She said she addressed the conference attendees on its last day, following discussion of a multitude of important topics by a “national audience of public health practitioners, researchers, elected officials, and people as passionate about community service as we are here at GVPH.”

“There are so many things for public health to be proud of, and relentless about, in the time that feels like a brief pause between vaccination efforts and continued social justice work,” Harrison said.

She joined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to facilitate a panel discussion during the conference that featured health directors, academic leaders and CDC representatives to address health disparities and structural racism. “She (Walensky) did a marvelous job thanking the public health workforce for their long-standing dedication and knowledge,” Harrison noted.

“The work ahead is as big and as hard as the pandemic response – the work ahead is about continuing to build community and reduce structural barriers to access to health and wellness in all forms. I believe strongly in our work together and am delighted to be having these conversations on a national stage to connect what is working and more quickly be able to address what is not,” Harrison said.

Harrison joined GVPH in 2012 and has worked in public health for more than 24 years. She was director of the Office of Healthy Carolinians and health education at the N.C. Division of Public Health; she was the 2015 president of the N.C. Public Health Association, among other leadership roles in the field.

“The public health infrastructure is clearly in need of some updates and I’m thrilled to be co-chairing a N.C. Institute of Medicine Task Force here in North Carolina that begins later this month to help guide the thinking and the focused needs about how to wisely build the infrastructure of the 21st century public health approach,” Harrison explained. “We know there are other viruses that will emerge over time, and we will be ready to find them quickly, stop them in their tracks, and educate the public quickly about the steps they can take to stay healthy and keep our communities healthy and strong,” she said.

Her activities and accomplishments in the field of public health make her a perfect match for the leadership role Harrison has as president-elect and, next year, president, to further the association’s mission – to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.

Based in Washington, D.C, NACCHO is the only organization dedicated to serving every local health department in the nation, according to information published on its webpage. It serves 3,000 local health departments and is the leader in providing cutting-edge, skill-building, professional resources and programs, seeking health equity, and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.

New Hiking Trail Opens In Stem, Thanks To Volunteers and Tar River Land Conservancy

/by

Southern Granville County has 1.5 more miles of hiking trails to explore, thanks to the Tar River Land Conservancy.

The Roberts Chapel Conservation Area opened recently, the result of lots of work by volunteers who constructed it over the past 18 months, according to press information from TRLC director Derek Halberg.

Halberg said 109 individuals spent 1,100 hours building trails, installing fences, constructing footbridges and removing trash at the site, located at 792 Roberts Chapel Road in Stem.

Stem Mayor Casey Dover expressed appreciation for the collaboration with TRLC to open the trail in the community. “We look forward to working together on more trail projects in southern Granville County,” Dover said.

Hikers may use the new trail year-round during daylight hours. “The trail winds through scenic woods and across several several streams,” Halberg said.

There are message boards with rules, maps and trail guides at the trailhead parking area, he said.

TRLC acquired the property in 2019 to limit residential growth around Camp Butner and to protect streams that flow into Lake Holt and Falls Lake, nearby reservoirs that supply drinking water to Granville and Wake counties.

The land purchase and subsequent improvements to create the hiking trail was made possible by financial contributions and support of numerous partners, including the National Guard Bureau, NC National Guard, NC Department of Justice, Granville County Commissioners, the towns of Butner and Stem, the cities of Creedmoor and Raleigh and Universal Leaf North America, U.S., Inc.

Granville Commission Chair Sue Hinman said “we are thrilled to have the Roberts Chapel Conservation Area open and look forward to the citizens of Granville County and surrounding areas utilizing this wonderful trail.”

Lindsay Efird, a manager at Universal Leaf, said the partnership with TRLC makes a positive impact in areas where the company’s employees live and provides “a public place where individuals can go to see conservation work first-hand. Over the last year we have all witnessed the importance of spending time with friends and family and what better way to do that than to spend time together outdoors,” Efird said.

Butner Mayor Terry Turner said TRLC led the way to open the Roberts Chapel trail to the public. “This trail will be another great place for the citizens of Butner to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.”

TRLC is a nationally accredited land trust that preserves natural resources across eight counties in North Carolina, including Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Person, Edgecombe, Halifax and Nash. Since 2000, TRLC has protected 22,307 acres of land and 189 miles of streams.

To learn more, visit www.tarriver.org.

Oxford’s Elmwood Cemetery To Have Bi-Annual Cleanup In August

/by

The City of Oxford is giving Elmwood Cemetery its bi-annual cleaning beginning the week of Aug. 2. Individuals with family members or loved ones buried in the cemetery should take time before the cleanup begins to remove mementos and other items that have been placed on the graves, according to information issued by the city’s executive office.

Items that will be moved include:

  • Dead, or dying, flowers, shrubs or trees
  • Any items not permanently affixed to a headstone
  • Bushes or shrubs that obstruct the view of the headstone or footstone
  • Toys, glass jars, cans or other trinkets
  • Any object that could become a projective if struck by a mower or is deemed a safety hazard to others

For more information, contact the public works department at 919.603.1511.

 

Granville Schools Announce More Leadership Changes As Streamlining, Consolidation Efforts Continue

/by

The Granville County Board of Education approved more leadership changes at a called meeting on Tuesday, June 29, further consolidating programs and services at the district level as it continues to focus on efficiency and making best use of resources.

The board also announced that Kevin Ferrell will be the new principal at South Granville High School. Ferrell began his education career at the Creedmoor school in 1994 as a social studies teacher. He returns to the district after serving nine years as an assistant principal in Wake County.

Two assistant principals also were named at the meeting. Shana Harris will serve at Butner-Stem Elementary and Sophelia McMannen will be at SGHS, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent for the district and public information officer.

In addition to these school-based changes, the board also approved staffing changes to the district’s leadership structure. “The changes made represent significant reduction in staff and reassignment of duties which will increase efficiencies, reduce costs and better strategically position the district for the future,” Winborne stated.

The board approved the changes, which includes elimination of one assistant superintendent position, as well as reducing from 16 to 12 director-level positions, all based at the district offices. The curriculum & instructions and student services departments underwent a restructure as part of the process and additional district-based positions were shifted to school-based positions, Winborne stated. The district will use grant funding to pay for school-based positions, he added.

The following changes in personnel and roles were approved:

  • Lauren Curtis – Senior Director of Student Services (Central Services)
  • Anikko Gorham – Senior Director of Exceptional Children’s Program (Central Services)
  • Shelby Hunt – Grants Manager and Special Projects Manager (Central Services)
  • Michele Robinson – Northern Regional Lead (based at CG Credle ES)
  • Tonya Thomas – Southern Regional Lead (based at SGHS)
  • Pauletta Thompson – Senior Director of Federal Programs and Strategic innovation (Central Services)
  • Felisha Whitaker – Director of Elementary Education (Central Services)
  • Angie Salisbury – Director of Career and Technical Education and Secondary Education

In the press release, Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean stated, “Just as our board is taking on the difficult task of school reorganization, so too must we streamline staffing in our central services.  These changes will also eliminate our reliance on state and local dollars. We must capture efficiencies and reduce staffing while maintaining quality support and excellent services for our students and staff.”

NC State Board of Elections

New Members Appointed to County Boards of Elections

/by

More election news as The State Board of Elections on Tuesday appointed four members to all 100 county boards of elections.  As the press release on the matter said, this is “the latest class of elections officials working to administer and safeguard elections.”

Executive Director of the State Board, Karen Brinson Bell, said in the release, “We are happy to welcome new members to North Carolina’s elections team.  Together, we will continue to ensure that our elections are accessible, safe, and secure, and that every eligible vote counts.”

State chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties recommended three registered voters in each county, and the State Board appointed two of the three for each party.

Republicans Catherine Clodfelter and Susan Floyd were appointed for Vance County as were Democrats James Baines and Lee Faulkner.

The Republican column in Granville County shows Kay Wiggins and Donna Parham appointed along with Sharyn Alvarez and Elizabeth Torres-Evans appointed in the Democrat column.

For Warren County, Republicans Betty Mazor and Dominic Taranto plus Democrats James Roberts and Henry Durham were appointed.

Franklin County appointees included Republicans Harry Barrick and Angela Pearce and Democrats Mary Gill and Barry Gupton.

The appointments are contingent on the nominee having a proper application and agreeing not to engage in prohibited political speech while on the board.

State statute requires that every two years the State Board must appoint four members, two from each leading party to the county boards with the Governor appointing  the fifth member.

These new appointed nominees have terms that expire in July of 2023.

NC Governor Logo

State Evictions Moratorium Ends July 1

/by

– press release courtesy of Gov. Roy Cooper –

Republican Council of State Members Revoke State Evictions Protections Effective July 1
Majority of Council of State Decline to Concur with Extension of State Evictions Order; CDC Evictions Moratorium and HOPE Program Rental Assistance Remain in Place

The state evictions moratorium will end July 1 after Republican members of the Council of State rejected a one-month extension, which would have aligned with the national CDC evictions moratorium through July 31.

“It’s disappointing to see Council of State Members revoke eviction protections for people still struggling to stay in their homes,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Many North Carolinians still need help and we will work to make sure landlords abide by the CDC evictions moratorium and that tenants can access rent and utility assistance from counties and the state HOPE program.”

Under the Emergency Management Act, the Governor has requested the concurrence of the Council of State for each extension of the eviction moratorium. On Monday, the Governor requested that the Council of State approve extending the moratorium through July, in line with the CDC evictions moratorium. The extension would have also given tenants notice that the moratorium would be lifted at the end of July.

A majority of Council of State members rejected this extension, with their votes falling along party lines. Attorney General Josh Stein, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and State Auditor Beth Wood supported an extension. Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt opposed extending the moratorium.

The CDC evictions moratorium went into effect on September 4, 2020 protecting certain residents, based on income, from being evicted for an inability to pay rent. The CDC indicated that the current 30-day extension is intended to be the final extension of the order. In order to qualify for protection, tenants must attest to meeting the CDC Order’s income and eligibility requirements.

The state evictions order aligned with the CDC Order and implemented important notice requirements for landlords before they could initiate a residential evictions action. The state order required that landlords provide their tenants with a copy of the declaration form they are required to fill out to receive protections under the CDC Order. Without this requirement, many North Carolinians may be unaware of the protections available to them under the federal evictions moratorium and evicted unnecessarily.

The state executive order also specified procedures that must take place once a tenant has provided a landlord with a signed declaration attesting that the tenant qualifies for protection and protected tenants who had been awarded state rental assistance from eviction while payment on awards was processed.

Last fall, Governor Cooper created the HOPE Program using federal funds to provide rent and utility assistance to people struggling during the pandemic providing $132 million in assistance to landlords and utilities on behalf of more than 37,000 tenants.

The HOPE Program opened a new eligibility period this spring and is currently accepting applicants. Several counties are also delivering Emergency Rental Assistance through local programs, and their information may be found at the HOPE website. The state evictions moratorium had protected HOPE awardees from eviction. The Council of State decision means that people awarded HOPE funds may be at risk of eviction until checks are processed, an average currently of about 14 days. As of June 28, the HOPE Program had awarded $66 million to 19,000 households since May 17.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR RENTERS

Some North Carolina renters retain protection against evictions based upon the CDC moratorium. Renters who:

  • Received a federal stimulus check in 2020 or 2021, or
  • Were not required to report income to the IRS in 2020, or
  • Earn less than $99,000 ($198,000 filing jointly) per year, and
  • Cannot make rent payments due to lost income,

may provide a signed declaration to their landlord that protects them from eviction while the federal moratorium remains in effect. The declaration form may be found here.

Renters with questions may get help from an expert by contacting (800) 569-4287 or going online to get contact information for a North Carolina HUD-approved housing counselor, here.

Complete details about the HOPE Program or a local Emergency Rental Assistance program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits and an online application, are available at www.hope.nc.gov. Applicants who cannot access the website may also call (888) 9ASK-HOPE or (888) 927-5467.

Applicants who wish to apply for free legal help may call Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262 or apply online here.

NC Forest Service

Forest Service Annual Tree Seedling Sale Begins July 1

/by

Beginning Thursday, July 1, the N.C. Forest Service will take orders for tree seedlings as part of its annual sale. The nursery and tree improvement program produces millions of quality native and genetically improved seedlings for nearly 50 tree species and understory plants, according to a press release.

“Trees and forests are an important part of addressing water quality, carbon sequestration and climate resiliency concerns,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. The nursery and tree improvement program ensures that landowners and other public and private entities have access to native trees and understory plants. “I would encourage anyone interested to buy their seedlings, early,” Troxler said.

Hardwood and conifer seedlings are sold in lots as small as 10 to larger lots of 100, but the nursery also will process larger orders in the hundreds or even thousands.

Genetically improved species of loblolly, long-leaf, short-leaf and white pines are available and new additions include Nordmann and Trojan firs, Canaan fir, Colorado blue spruce and red spruce.

The seedlings will be available for distribution beginning in December and continuing through mid-April.

Visit www.ncforestservice.org to find a link to the catalog; phone 1.888.NCTREES or visit www.buynctrees.com to place an order. Printed catalogs are available at all local forest services offices.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk: Duke athletics has a long and distinguished history

/by

Granville County author and historian Lewis Bowling knows a thing or two about Duke University’s rich athletic history. Not only has he been a fan of the Blue Devils all of his life, he has also written two books, Wallace Wade: Championship Years at Alabama and Duke in 2012 and Duke Basketball: A Pictorial History in 2014. Bowling has also taught sports history and is a staff writer for Go Duke The Magazine. 

He remembers being able to walk up to the box office at Cameron Indoor Stadium 15 minutes before tip off and to purchase a ticket, something you could not do today. Bowling says, “I like to remind people that Duke basketball has a rich history before Coach K.” He cited contributions from many earlier Duke basketball coaches for establishing that history beginning with Wilbur “Cap” Card who was the first coach in 1905 when Duke was still known as Trinity College. That first team also featured Thad Stem Sr., father of the well known author Thad Stem Jr., as the team’s very first captain. Stem Sr. would go on to become a prominent lawyer and mayor of Oxford.

In the 1920’s Eddie Cameron took over the Blue Devils, and he coached until the 1940’s. Cameron Indoor Stadium is named for Cameron, who also coached football at the school in the early to mid 40’s. “He didn’t get the recognition he deserved,” Bowling says. This is in spite of the fact his name is on Duke’s basketball arena. “Cameron isn’t remembered for the various contributions over the years,” Bowling continued.

Bowling credits Bill Foster for bringing Duke basketball back to prominence in the late 1970’s and feels the team will be in good hands when Mike Krzyzewski steps down after the upcoming season. Assistant coach Jon Shyer will take over, and Bowling says he will add to the Duke basketball tradition.

Bowling says Duke football is equally deep in tradition. Wallace Wade had won three national championships at Alabama when he was offered the job at Duke for the 1931 season. “He shocked the nation by taking the job,” Bowling said. Duke was not known as a football school at the time. Wade led the team to two Rose Bowls. The first, in 1939, saw a Duke team that had not been scored on the entire year and was undefeated lose to Southern California 7 – 3. Duke would return to the Rose Bowl in 1942 and would also come up short as the undefeated Blue Devils lost 20 -16 to Oregon State. The game was moved to Durham that year due to World War II.  Wade would join the military in 1942 and turn the program over to Eddie Cameron who coached the team until Wade returned from military duty in 1945. Wade would remain until 1950. Duke’s football stadium is named for Wade.

Wade’s successor was Bill Murray, who was hand picked by Wade. Murray led the team to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1961 and would coach the team through the 1965 season. Bowling said that between 1931 and 1965 Duke’s won-lost record was as good as any team in the country.

Bowling said the Duke football program began to slip after 1965 and would struggle for over 20 years to return to prominence. In 1987 Steve Spurrier took over as head coach and turned the program around. Bowling says the football program is currently in great hands with David Cutcliffe and despite only winning three games last year should be a much stronger team this year. Bowling says Cutcliffe keeps a bust of Wallace Wade in his office and late at night Cutcliffe can almost hear Wade talking to him.

Bowling’s two books on the history of Duke athletics can be purchased at Amazon.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Ramp Construction Projects Give Residents ‘Bridge’ To, From Home

/by

Granville County Senior Services is working with a group of volunteers to build ramps for residents who are in need of an alternative to stairs to safely get in and out of their home.

Garman Troup, a retired contractor, has been instrumental in this effort for the past few months, according to a statement from Granville County public information officer Lynn Allred. Troup and a diverse team of volunteers construct the ramps for Granville residents’ homes.

Granville County Senior Services Director Kathy May said when her agency receives a referral for a ramp, Troup goes to the home to measure and then calls upon his team of volunteers.

“Everyone needs to have easy access in and out of their home for reasons of safety and quality of life,” May said. “When someone finds himself in a wheelchair or having to use a walker, steps become a dangerous barrier. That’s why the work of these volunteers is so important and is so greatly appreciated.”

Troup is the former housing and home improvement director of Resources for Seniors in Wake County. He and his wife, Teresa, recently moved to Oxford. During his 35-year career in Wake County, he constructed more than 2,500 ramps and now shares his experience through his volunteer work with Granville County Senior Services.

So far, volunteers have included health workers, family members, local church members, clients’ neighbors and others interested in being part of a great experience to benefit members of our community.

Granville County residents benefitting from donated ramps over the past three months include a widow returning home from double knee replacement surgery; an amputee returning home after rehabilitation; a stroke survivor who needed a safe way for her children to transport her to and from her home; a man with a degenerative illness who suffers from repeated falls; among others.

Troup said no experience is necessary to be a ramp construction volunteer; on-the-job training is provided. Current volunteers range in age from 18 to 80, and are from Granville as well as nearby counties.

Requests for ramps can be made to the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford, 107 Lanier Street. A needs assessment will be made following the request.

“Each time a ramp is built, someone is ‘set free,’” Troup said.

For more information or to volunteer to help or donate materials for the ramp project, please contact May by phone at 919-693-1930 or through email at kathy.may@granvillecounty.org.