Terry Garrison

TownTalk: Black Leadership Caucus Endorses Candidates For Oct. 10 Municipal Election

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The following is part of continuing coverage on the upcoming Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in the City of Henderson:

 

The Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus held a candidate forum recently and has announced their endorsements for the upcoming municipal elections, now just a couple of weeks away.

Terry Garrison is president of the caucus and he spoke with WIZS News about the Sept. 7 candidates’ forum; his interview was aired on Thursday’s Towntalk.

The caucus voted to endorse the following candidates:

  • Mayor: Melissa Elliott
  • Ward 1: Geraldine Champion
  • Ward 2: Janice Ward
  • Ward 3 at-large: Michael Venable
  • Ward 4 at-large Tami Walker

 

“We certainly are appreciative to each one of the candidates,” Garrison said, “and their willingness to serve.”

The endorsement process was not easy, he said. “The forum, without a doubt, was a big part of that process, but also the members’ familiarity with candidates was also a factor.”

Ultimately, Garrison said it came down to which candidate the caucus members felt best represented their interests and the interests of the city of Henderson.

“Race…was not a driving force with endorsements made by the caucus,” he said; rather, “the way the candidates responded…they were the kind of responses they wanted to hear,” Garrison noted.

“All of the candidates gave a good response, and it was not an easy decision (or) an easy choice,” he said.

According to Garrison, more than 90 percent of the candidates that the caucus has endorsed in past elections have won their contests – at least in Vance County. They may not have won the overall state or national election, but they’ve carried Vance County.

“But we have also endorsed candidates who have lost – it’s not a slam dunk,” he said.

He encouraged all the candidate to continue to “campaign hard and the best candidate will win.”

He also encouraged everyone to come to the polls and cast their ballots.

“If people don’t vote, they don’t have a voice,” he said, “because they didn’t participate in the process.”

Garrison said he is optimistic that whoever gets elected will have the best interests of the community at heart. “I have hope for America and this state,” he said. “Despite our differences, we share one thing in common – we are all human beings. Underneath the skin, the blood is the same.”

 

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VCS Gets Visit – And School Supplies – From Dept. Of Administration Secretary Cashwell

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Information from VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin

Vance County Schools welcomed N.C. Department of Administration Secretary Pamela Cashwell Wednesday, who paid a visit to the school district and brought with her some useful supplies for students.

Cashwell and a team traveling with her were on a special mission as part of the Governor’s School Supply Drive, according to a statement from Aarika Sandlin, VCS chief officer of Communication & Innovative Support.
There were books, backpacks and more in the boxes of supplies that were delivered, all of which can be used to have an immediate impact on the learning experiences of VCS students, Sandlin stated.

During her visit, Cashwell toured the Administrative Services Center and spoke with VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett and other staff members.

The group visited Carver Elementary, and Principal Regina Miles and Student Ambassadors offered a warm welcome, even rolling out a real red carpet in honor of the visit.

Cashwell made the most of her visit by stepping into classrooms and engaging with students and educators.

“Vance County Schools extends its utmost gratitude to Secretary Pamela Cashwell and the N.C. Department of Administration for their visit, unwavering support, and dedication to the future of our students.,” Sandlin stated. “Together, we continue to have a positive and lasting impact on the educational journey of our community’s children. “

For more information about Vance County Schools, visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/

Grace Ministries Begins New Program For Those In Recovery

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Grace Ministries of Henderson is starting a program to help individuals with addiction issues on the road to recovery.

A New Beginning is part of Grace Ministries’ addiction awareness kickoff event, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 215 Crozier St., according to information from Paul Faucette.

There will be free food, as well as music and plenty of drug education resources available.

The program is designed to help those in addiction, as well as friends and families of individuals battling addiction.

Donations are being accepted to help fund the new community ministry.

Contact Faucette at 252.425.8579 to learn more.

 

TownTalk: Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, Oct. 3

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Local law enforcement officials are hoping to see a big turnout at the upcoming Night Out Against Crime, and they join event organizers who have planned a bevy of activities and fun for the whole family.

Come on down to Breckenridge Street on Tuesday, Oct. 3 between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to take part in this annual event. Planning committee Lora Durham said law enforcement agencies from the city and the county will be on hand to help provide a positive interaction with the residents they serve. Durham, along with Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame and Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, were guests on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment to spread the word about next week’s event.

“This is nothing but a positive thing,” said Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. The event is designed to heighten awareness and have the community come together to learn more about how to make their neighborhoods safer.

Brame said he and Barrow enjoy a positive working partnership, and he wants citizens of the city and county to work in partnership, too.

Barrow said the Breckenridge Street location, just a few steps from his own office at the police department,  is a perfect fit to host the event.

“That one section has turned out to be one of our best locations to have events for the City of Henderson,” Barrow said. “It’s easy to cordon off and have any event we want. National Night Out is one of those events.”

Things kick off with remarks from Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, local law enforcement leaders and others. Henderson and Vance County have participated in the National Night Out event since the mid-1990’s.

“The community does care about crime,” Durham said. “We want to prevent it as much as we can…This is a good, safe event where people can bring their children,” she said, adding that it also is an opportunity for people to learn more about keeping themselves and their neighborhoods safe.

“It’s gonna be a fun night,” Durham said, adding that children and grownups alike will have a “fantastic time.”

The Clearview Church Praise Team will offer a musical selection during the opening ceremony, and then later a DJ will play music as participants enjoy free food – hotdogs, chips and drinks while they last – and Kona Ice – the truck will be on hand providing free ice cones for the first 200 people.

City and county agencies will be on hand to provide information about the services they provide, including animal services, fire and rescue personnel, and other community agencies such as Crime Stoppers, Vance County Schools, Vance-Granville Community College.

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Upcoming Events At Perry Memorial Library

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By all accounts, October is going to be busy at Perry Memorial Library. Youth Services Director Melody Peters has outlined several programs designed for tweens and teens that could “spark” an interest – pun intended.

Peters said a dozen young people are already registered for the Tuesday, Oct. 10 Electricity program. The hour-long program begins at 4 p.m., she said, and participants will get to learn about how electricity works from a Vance-Granville Community College instructor.

It’ll be a fun time, but it also can be a way for young people to learn about careers, she said.

“Now kids see a real connection,” she said, between education and future job opportunities in the electrical field.

There’s no charge for the event, but contact Peters if you haven’t already registered at mpeters@perrylibrary.org.

The following week’s Survival Skills program will introduce youngsters to the world of crochet. Yep, crochet. They have all the materials and plenty of space, so just show up if you want to learn how to magically pull yarn with a crochet hook to create handcrafted items.

The annual Fall Festival will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“Last year was such a great time – we had a great turnout,” Peters said. “We’re excited to do it again.”

Children can come in Halloween costumes if they’d like and can enjoy playing traditional carnival games and craft activities.

For a complete listing of all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library, visit

https://www.perrylibrary.org/

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Granville County Veterans’ Affairs Committee Sponsors Resource Fair Oct. 7

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There will be a veterans’ health and resource fair on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the National Guard Armory in Butner.

The event is free and open to the public, organizers state, and will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Butner Armory is located at 105 Central Ave.

Veterans should bring their military ID such as DD214, NGB form 22 or VA ID card.

Veteran service officers will be on hand to assist with accessing VA benefits, eligibility and other services, including retirement, housing and employment.

There will be giveaways, including hygiene items and door prizes.

The event is sponsored by the Granville County Veterans’ Affairs Committee and has received support from a variety of local businesses.

Call Anne Williams at 919.892.5471 or Lyn Breisacher at 919.339.8352.

VGCC Logo

VGCC “Empower Her” Event Saturday, Oct. 7 In Main Campus Courtyard

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Information courtesy of Courtney Cissel, VGCC Public Information Officer

Vance-Granville Community College Foundation is hosting an event titled “Empower Her,” and invites the community to come out to the Main Campus Courtyard on Saturday, Oct. 7 to learn what it’s all about.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a variety of information from local community partners, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

In addition to free activities for children, food and giveaways, participants can learn about financial counseling and career advice, as well as meal planning on a dime, makeup tips and more. The Dress for Success Mobile Boutique also will be present.

In addition to providing scholarships to deserving students, the VGCC Foundation supports a broad range of special projects involving education, training and economic development in our community. Tax-deductible donations to VGCCF have often been used to honor a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information about Empower Her or the VGCC Foundation, contact 252.738.3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu.

Register For Warren Pasture Walk Oct. 5 In Norlina

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Warren County Cooperative Extension is hosting a Pasture Field Evening next month to help property owners with a variety of issues that pertain to pasture management.

The event is scheduled to be held at Paschall Farms in Norlina on Thursday, Oct. 5 beginning at 6 p.m.

Among the topics to be addressed include pasture management, weed identification and types of temporary fencing for various species of animals.

Register at Eventbrite here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pasture-field-evening-tickets-699680191287