Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board’s Oct. Meeting to Address Vacant School Buildings, Camper Use

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, October 1, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Ronald Cava, First Baptist Church.

Agenda items include:

Appointments –

a. Brian Short, Emergency Operations Director – CAD System Overview

b. Jonathan Jones, USDA Letter of Conditions – Water Project

Water District Board –

a. Monthly Operations Report

Committee Reports and Recommendations –

a. Properties Committee

– Vacant School Buildings Reuse Planning

– Jail Intercom/Video/Door Lock Control System Modernization

b. Planning/Environmental Committee

– Recreational Vehicle/Camper Use Regulations

County Attorney’s Report –

a. REO Properties – Bid Acceptance Resolutions

– H.G. Taylor Land

– Parcel 0325 02002

County Manager’s Report –

a. Mobile CAD Hardware Installation

b. Resolution – NC Rural Ready Sites Grant

c. Capital Project Ordinance – Economic Development Land

d. Selection of Engineering Firm – Economic Development Land

County Attorney’s Report –

a. REO Property – Bid Acceptance Resolution

– H.G. Taylor Land – Parcel 0325 02002

– Elm Street Lot – Parcel 0087 03011

Consent Agenda Items –

a. Budget Amendments and Transfers

b. Tax Refunds and Releases

c. Ambulance Charge-Offs

d. Monthly Reports

e. Minutes

Miscellaneous – 

a. Appointments

The agenda for the October meeting may be viewed in its entirety on the Vance County website.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners Release Agenda for Oct. 1 Meeting

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, October 1, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

  1. Minutes
  2. Contingency Summary
  3. Granville County Conservation Easement for Smith Creek

Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition of Service – Yvonne A. McQuaig

5. Recognition of Service – Julie Anne Brockman

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Grant Matters

7. ROAP Transportation Funding

Purchasing

8. Inspections Vehicle

9. Consider approving the Construction Manager at Risk GMP for the Law Enforcement/Detention Center & Animal Shelter            Project

Appointments

10. Granville County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority

County Manager’s Report

11. Consider adoption of the Resolution Providing Final Approval of Terms and Documents for 2018 County Installment                     Financing

12. Guardian ad Litem Furniture Request

County Attorney’s Report

13. Granville Central High School Lease Modification

Presentations by County Board Members

14. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

15. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

16. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – Attorney-Client Matter

City of Oxford Commissioners to Hold Agenda Meeting Oct. 1

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold an agenda meeting on Monday, October 1, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Among the agenda items:

  • Gift certificate drawings for the 2018 Yard of the Month
  • Set the agenda for the Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Regular Session

The Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall for their regular October meeting.

News 09/28/18

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Vance County Logo

County Manager McMillen Says Vance is Full of ‘Positive Momentum’

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the positive growth in various areas of county government.

“Vance County’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” McMillen said. McMillen, who has worked for Vance County for 10 years and served as county manager for two, credits the approximately 350 “amazing employees” for their hard work in making a better life for all residents.

Part of that improvement in quality involves the removal of 35-40 abandoned structures from Henderson and Vance County in the past two years. Working with the City of Henderson, the County has eliminated these potentially dangerous and unsightly structures and has cleaned up at least twice that amount of properties that are now available for purchase.

McMillen estimates that there are currently 50 available properties for sale in the county and 160 in the city-limit. County surplus properties, along with photos and aerial views, may be viewed by visiting the County’s website at www.vancecounty.org and clicking on the “Surplus Properties” tab.

The County is also improving the quality of life for its citizens, according to McMillen, by bringing more jobs to the area. “Our major focus is jobs. Not only bringing jobs to Henderson and Vance County but preparing for future job opportunities as well.”

New businesses such as Mako Medical Laboratories are bringing in higher-paying jobs and opportunities. “Mako has been a great partner with us and with the community. I’m happy to report that they are six months ahead of schedule in that they have created 80 jobs of the 153 they committed to creating,” McMillen said.

The retail industry is also beginning an upward swing in the area. “We are seeing a lot of positive momentum on the retail front with businesses such as Planet Fitness and Aldi. We are starting to see Henderson and Vance County as a good market from the retail standpoint,” said McMillen.

When asked what contributed to the change in momentum, McMillen explained, “You start bringing in businesses and that starts the trend. Small pieces start coming together and the market starts improving.”

Another area currently undergoing growth and expansion is the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. In fact, McMillen said the County would be closing on the purchase of 85 acres of land for park expansion on Thursday afternoon.

With the help of a $2.5 million grant from the NC State Department of Commerce, the County will be able to develop the land to include a road, water, sewer and utilities. Construction is expected to begin late spring of 2019.

“What some folks don’t know about the park is that there are about nine or so businesses there and all have expanded in the last two or three years,” said McMillen. “This has created a situation where there is a need for more land.”

Another way Vance County is looking towards the future includes the Henderson-Vance Economic Development’s new marketing and branding campaign aimed at attracting more people to the area. McMillen expects the department’s new logo and redesigned website to be unveiled within the next 30 days.

Vance County is also currently working with Franklin and Granville counties on receiving proposals to improve broadband access, especially to those residents on the very outskirts of the county lines.

In discussing improvements, McMillen also mentioned the addition of 81 miles of water line in Vance County, a part of the water project completed in 2014. “We are looking forward to the next phase of the project with construction starting later this year on Rock Mill Road, NC-39 S. and Foster Road, a six-mile project.”

The County is also in the middle of a consolidation project with the Kittrell Water Association. “We are looking forward to that [consolidation] having a positive impact on our systems and being able to better serve citizens in the Kittrell area,” said McMillen.

Finally, McMillen believes progress is being made due to the spirit of the local people. “I love the people of Vance County. You build relationships with people in a small town and have close access to the things you need. There is a will of the County and of the folks to do better, and that is what is most important.”

Maria Parham Franklin to Hold Open House on Wed., Oct 3

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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare hospital, will celebrate the upcoming grand opening of Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg. The community is invited to join the Maria Parham leadership team on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house from 3:30 – 7 p.m.

Located at 100 Hospital Drive in Louisburg, Maria Parham Franklin will celebrate the grand opening of the emergency room and geriatric behavioral health unit.

For more information, please visit www.mariaparhamfranklin.com

 

Townsville Lions Club to Host ‘All You Can Eat’ Pancake Supper

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-Information courtesy Ralph Hutchens, Townsville Lions Club

The Townsville Lions Club will host an “All You Can Eat” Pancake Supper on Friday, October 19, 2018, from 6 – 8 p.m.
at Tabernacle Methodist Church in Townsville, NC.

Plates are $7 per person.

MPH to Offer Free Breast Exams in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health’s Facebook page 

To celebrate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FREE clinical breast exams will be offered at Maria Parham Health on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 5 until 7 p.m.

Join Maria Parham for:
Free clinical breast exams
Breast cancer resources
Follow up resources if needed
Prevention education
Wellness information
Refreshments
Giveaways
Door prizes

For more information call (252) 436-1605.

Children to Benefit From New Technology at Granville Public Library System

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Young library patrons will soon be able to access the latest in technology with the ‘Playaway Launchpad,’ a secure, durable and easy-to-use learning tablet created especially for children.

The ‘Playaway’ is a brand of portable media players designed by Findaway World, LLC and is the only tablet of its kind intended for library circulation. Each device includes high-quality, ad-free learning applications grouped by age, grade level, subject area and theme. Tablets are interactive and are fun to explore, with subjects ranging from math and science to language learning and critical thinking. Themed learning packs include princesses, animals, transportation, dinosaurs, space and more, with each pack preloaded to hold at least 10 apps for hours of educational play.

“The ‘Playaway Launchpad’ is a big hit with other libraries,” Granville County’s Interim Library Director Will Robinson explained. “What we are working towards is digital literacy, starting at a young age. This tablet should be very popular with our Granville County kids and families.”

Each tablet has been built to last, with tough plastic cases and an easy-to-grip rubber bumper. Content has also been designed to last for three to five years, without a constant need for updating, so that the devices can be circulated for a longer period of time. While the “Playaway checkout policy” is still being developed, Robinson says, each family who checks out a tablet will be able to keep it for one week before its expected return date, with one renewal allowed per family – due to the limited number of devices initially available.

Robinson further explains that families will appreciate the continuous play feature the tablet offers. The battery lasts for 4.5 hours and is easily recharged through a wall charger or USB cord. It can even be charged in the car, adding more educational play time during long drives and family vacations.  Children using the tablet can also continue their learning fun while the device is charging.

“We are continuing to advance our technology,” Robinson noted. “We’re not just for books and magazines anymore. We know that children who use the library will grow into adults who use the library. That’s what we want to see.”

The Pew Center for Internet and American Life has done extensive research into how libraries are evolving, and how communities perceive libraries in the modern world.

“As more people pick up e-books instead of their ‘paper and glue’ predecessors, libraries are expanding to include digital literacy as well,” said Lee Rainie, executive director of the Pew Center for Internet and American Life. “It’s not just the well-off or tech-savvy that can tap into these pathways of knowledge. What people celebrate about libraries is that they are resources everyone gets access to.”

For more information about the ‘Playaway Launchpad’ and how to reserve one for your family, as well as other products, programs and services offered by the Granville County Public Library System, contact your local library in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall or Berea, or visit www.granville.lib.nc.us.

Volunteers Needed for Rescheduled ‘Alive After Five’ Event

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— courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The “Alive After Five” event originally scheduled for September 13, 2018, with the “Jim Quick and Coastline” band and postponed due to weather, has been RE-SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018, IN DOWNTOWN OXFORD.

Volunteers are needed for this event!

Please contact the Granville County Chamber at (919) 693-6125 or (919) 528-4994 or wanda@granville-chamber.com or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com if you would like to volunteer.