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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC
The Henderson City Council will hold their regular meeting on Monday, August 12, 2019, beginning at 6 p.m. in the R.G. (Chick) Young, Jr. Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson, NC.
Agenda items include:
Public Hearing – Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 19-21, amending Zoning Ordinance Article 300B: District Regulations, Section 301B.4 Retail Business (B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3 and B-4).
Public comment period on agenda items.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-30, authorizing the award of a contract to Management Solutions for emergency services in the amount of $11,100 for a Fire Department Station and Staffing Study.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-31, declaring City Council’s intent to close Chestnut Alley and calling for a Public Hearing on the question.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-33, accepting a property donation located at 701 Southerland Street, identified as Parcel No. 0091 06021 of the Vance County Registry.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-34, approving the submittal of a grant application to the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement Program.
Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 19-31, FY 20 BA #3, establishing a budget for the Dabney Drive Water Main Replacement.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-35, authorizing an application for US Department of Justice’s 2019 BJA Justice Assistance Grant.
Consideration of Approval of Resolution 19-32, authorizing a FY 19-20 five-year loan financing with Benchmark Community Bank (BCC) approved in the FY 19-20 budget.
Consideration of Approval of Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the month of June 2019.
Public comment period on non-agenda items.
Monthly reports.
Click here to view previous and current Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0067_hendersonlogo.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-12 09:38:052019-08-12 09:54:54Henderson City Council to Consider Downtown Business Curfew – Aug. 12
Almost half a century after he enrolled at the school that is now Vance-Granville Community College, Steve McRavin is giving back by establishing a pair of scholarships for today’s students.
Along with his wife, Patti, McRavin recently created annual scholarships through the VGCC Endowment Fund in memory of several of his family members.
Steve McRavin graduated VGCC with his vocational diploma in Automotive Mechanics on August 22, 1971 – the college’s first graduating class for curriculum programs. (Photo courtesy VGCC)
The Allen and Margaret Jones/Lucy Jones Allen Scholarship in Nursing is named for his grandparents and his eldest aunt, Lucy, who was a nurse. In awarding this scholarship, preference will be given to second-year Associate Degree Nursing students and students who are single parents.
Meanwhile, the Howard and Thelma “Kitty” McRavin Memorial Scholarship in Automotive honors the memory of his parents. VGCC will prioritize students in the Automotive Systems Technology, the current name for the program from which McRavin graduated, for this scholarship. In both cases, other eligibility requirements will apply.
Steve McRavin grew up on a small farm in Williamsboro, and took automotive classes at Vance County High School. Upon graduating from high school in 1970, young Steve wanted to continue learning and was excited to learn that the new Vance County Technical Institute would soon start offering automotive mechanics as one of its very first curriculum programs.
That summer, McRavin worked for a local construction company. “By coincidence, one of the jobs I worked on was helping to build the automotive and welding shop at Vance County Technical Institute,” he said. “I knew then for certain that the automotive program was going to be a reality! I got to meet Dr. Greene [the school’s first chief academic officer] when he would come out and look at the progress on the buildings, and I told him I would be enrolling that fall.”
Taking classes on that original campus – the former Maria Parham Hospital building – McRavin studied under the head of the new automotive program, the late Thomas Welch, whom he describes as “a great man.”
McRavin graduated with his vocational diploma in Automotive Mechanics on August 22, 1971, in the school’s first graduating class for curriculum programs. He then worked at the local Firestone until he was drafted in 1972 into the United States Army. He served in military intelligence for the next two decades, much of that time stationed in West Germany.
McRavin continued his education while in the service, obtaining an associate’s degree in automotive technology and a bachelor’s degree in workforce education/development because he knew he wanted to work in education in some way after his military career ended.
He retired at the rank of First Sergeant in 1992 and started working at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington.
Steve McCravin (right) and Patti McCravin (center) receive the President’s Lifetime Circle recognition as part of the South Pudget Sound Foundation. (Photo courtesy VGCC)
Even after all those years, McRavin credited the inspiration for his new career to Mr. Welch. Starting as a lab technician for the SPSCC automotive department, McRavin served in a variety of roles: teaching automotive classes, advising students, and overseeing recruiting. He retired from the college as a full-time administrator but continues to teach there part-time.
McRavin said the new VGCC scholarships are his way of giving back to a school and a community that had helped him. The local community still includes a number of his relatives, and he has returned to visit from time to time. Describing himself as a “country boy from Vance County,” McRavin also wants to inspire today’s youth to take advantage of educational opportunities, as he did. “It’s not where you start – it’s where you end up,” he said. “You never know where you’re going to go.”
He is also not the only member of his family to benefit from the college. “One of my daughters, Gillian McRavin Johnson, graduated in 1991 from the VGCC Associate Degree Nursing program,” McRavin said. “She raves about the program at Vance-Granville to this day.” Currently a registered nurse in the state of Washington, Johnson is working on becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
McRavin’s wife, Patti, has also worked in higher education and non-profit community groups during her career.
Currently residing in Spanaway, Washington, the McRavins said that they both have a passion for higher education, because education changed the course of their lives. They have also established scholarships at South Puget Sound Community College.
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vance-Granville Community College, it is extremely gratifying that one of our first alumni, and someone who literally helped build the foundation of our institution, has reached out from across the country to pay forward what he received,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “We appreciate Steve and Patti’s service to education and their generous support of our students.”
Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.
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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will host the 21st Annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament presented by BB&T on Thursday, October 3, 2019, at Kerr Lake Country Club. BB&T has been the presenting Double Eagle sponsor for this event since its inception in 1999.
Eagle sponsors are Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health. Birdie sponsors are 3HC, MARS Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091.
This Captain’s Choice (Superball) tournament will begin at 12 p.m. with lunch. Following lunch, the event will kick-off with a shotgun start.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams, with other prizes being awarded for the longest drive, hole-in-one, and closest to the pin. Hole-in-one sponsor is Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson.
Lunch and an awards ceremony will take place immediately following the tournament.
Sponsoring teams and individual registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and all Chamber members are invited to attend. A limited number of sponsorships are available for the event and for individual holes. Prize donations are also being accepted.
Chamber members who have golf-related or similar promotional items that they would like to include in “Golfer Goody Bags” that will be handed out to players and volunteers at the event should contact the Chamber to register those items. The rate for a four-person team is $440, which includes cart and greens fees, Mulligan three-pack, goody bag, lunch, complimentary beverages, snacks on the course and awards ceremony.
To register or to express interest in sponsorships, contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414.
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-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch
West End Community Watch will meet on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of West End Baptist Church in Henderson.
The speaker will be Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. Police will be present to provide a report about recent police activity.
All are invited. Please plan to attend!
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/West-End-Baptist-Church.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-09 16:54:152019-08-09 16:54:15West End Community Watch to Hear From Sheriff Brame, Law Enforcement
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Sharon Owens, candidate for the position of Henderson Mayor, was the guest of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
A resident of Montgomery Street in Henderson, Owens is running against incumbent Eddie Ellington in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.
Noting that her decision to run for mayor has been a topic of much self-reflection over the past year, Owens, a budget analyst with Durham Public Schools and an evangelist with Greater Refuge Church Henderson, said it was both prayer and her concern for the City of Henderson that led her to file.
Sharon Owens, candidate for the position of Henderson Mayor, is running against incumbent Eddie Ellington in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election. (Photo courtesy Sharon Owens)
“I have a deep concern for the City of Henderson,” Owens said. “When I look at the area now and compare it with other cities of the same size, or even compare it to our past, I am concerned.”
Owens, who has lived in Henderson all of her life minus a year she spent in Richmond, VA, said she is saddened by what issues such as crime, drugs, gangs and lack of viable job opportunities have done to the area she calls home.
“It breaks my heart when I look at how the downtown buildings have gone down, the stores have moved; nothing is like it used to be,” lamented Owens. “I can’t help but wonder what is the mindset of the City Council for downtown development and the city as a whole.”
Citing economic development as one of Henderson’s major issues, Owens said she would like to focus on bringing more jobs to the area by offering companies additional incentives. “We need to give some kind of incentive for jobs to come to the City of Henderson. When people have income and good housing, it makes them feel good about themselves and makes them want to do better.”
Acknowledging that the mayor works very closely with the city manager, Owens said she’d like to see those two positions take a more grassroots approach to affecting change in the community.
“I think that relationship should be such that we could go out into neighborhoods and talk to people at their level about [issues such as] drugs, gangs and murder, talk to people who it directly affects,” said Owens. “If we are being honest, it does not affect everyone.”
After stating the entire City of Henderson should be treated as a whole, Owens conceded, “Some areas of the city require a little more attention than others, especially the areas of high poverty.”
Owens said that she feels progress is being made in addressing issues that often accompany areas of high poverty but believes more can be done. She also believes that she is just the person to do it.
“I’m not saying that the Mayor and City Council aren’t doing a great job; they are doing a magnificent job,” Owens said.”I just believe that I can take it a little bit further.”
For more information on Owens’ campaign, visit her website by clicking here.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent Eddie Ellington to participate in a similar interview.)
To hear Owens’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
Fourteen participants have successfully completed the 2019 Leadership Vance program. Leadership Vance is a Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce program designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.
The program is organized into twelve sessions which began February 5 with an orientation breakfast at Perry Library in the Farm Bureau Room and concluded on July 9 with a graduation ceremony and dinner at Hillside Farms in Henderson.
Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history, media, criminal justice and law.
The Leadership Vance Graduates for 2019 include (left front): Lemondre’ Watson, Sharita Jones, Jason Varner, McKinley Perkinson, Evelyn Harris, Fantasia Johnson. (Left back): Brian Williams, Lee Andrew Faines, Jr., Elgin Lane, Pam Hester, Norman Dickerson, Jr., Sandra Wilkerson, Chamber Events Director and Andrew (Joel) Beckham. Not pictured: Cathy Renn and Ray Gronberg. (H-V Chamber photo)
Supervisors and guests were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.
Jason Varner and Pastor Joel Beckham shared reflections regarding the program on behalf of the class. Varner said, “Henderson and Vance County is a great place to live.” He challenged his classmates to use their leadership experience to make Henderson and Vance County an even better place.
Joel Beckham stated, “I have been inspired.” Beckham encouraged the group to take what they have experienced and make a difference in the community.
McKinley Perkinson shared the class project which was a battery collection for smoke detectors to assist the Fire Department in their Smoke Detector initiative.
Chief Steve Cordell and Captain Lee Edmonds of the Henderson Fire Department were present to receive the donations and shared their gratitude to the group for taking on the initiative. The group collected over 350 9 volt batteries to support the battery replacement program for smoke detectors.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Leadership-Vance-Graduation-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-08 17:00:342019-08-08 17:00:34Leadership Vance Graduates 14 Community Participants
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As stated by NC House District 32 Representative Terry Garrison in his recent newsletter message:
Passing a biennium budget during a long session and odd year of the North Carolina General Assembly is the most important work that this legislative body will do while in session. During this 2019-2020 session of the General Assembly, both chambers of the NC House and NC Senate passed its version of a biennium budget in June.
The two budget versions had differences which then required them to be referred to a Conference Committee to develop a consensus budget. A consensus budget was completed and approved largely along political party lines. As Republicans hold majority memberships in both the House and Senate, they also largely comprised the Consensus Committee. As a result, the Consensus Bill, HB 966, 2019 Appropriations Act was also approved along political party lines, on June 27, 2019.
HB 966 (Appropriations Act) did not include Medicaid Expansion which was the number one budget priority for Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and the Democratic Party. Additionally, the conference budget did not allow citizens a choice on deciding whether to invest in a bond for much-needed school construction as desired by the Governor.
Further, the conference budget provides an average of 3.8% teacher pay increase as opposed to 9.1% sought by the Governor; gives all state employees a $1,000 raise as opposed to 2% or $800 raise, whichever is greater; and provides a 1% cost of living increase for state retirees as opposed to a 2% cost of living increase sought by the Governor.
A few differences between the conference committee and the Governor’s budget are shared here, but there a number of other differences between the two budgets which were objected to by Democrats in both the House and Senate as well as the Governor.
The Republicans included a number of perks within the conference bill which mainly benefited their constituents.
The relocation of the headquarters of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to Granville County was included in the conference budget by the Senate without any special conditions. However, the House changed the relocation to the Triangle North Granville Business and Industrial site in Oxford on condition of my commitment to override the Governor’s veto of the budget. While I fully support the relocation of DHHS to Granville County, and particularly to the Triangle North Granville site, I cannot in good conscience vote to override the Governor’s veto.
Governor Cooper vetoed HB 966 as expected. The state is currently operating under a continuing budget resolution, or more specifically, operating under the 2018 budget until a new biennium budget is passed. A vote on the override of the Governor’s veto is pending and has not occurred as of this time. If an override of the Governor’s veto of budget does not occur, then the budget will have to be renegotiated until a consensus budget can be achieved.
It is my plan to continue seeking relocation of DHHS to Granville County, and particularly to the Triangle North site. While the Governor is leaning toward a study bill for the relocation of DHHS, I am optimistic that Granville County will remain the target site for consideration of such project relocation.
Further, it is my goal to advocate for more jobs and related initiatives promoted by the state within Granville, Vance and Warren Counties within this upcoming biennium.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0092_nc-seal.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-08 16:59:502019-08-08 16:59:50Garrison Says He’ll ‘Continue Seeking Relocation of DHHS’ to Granville County
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-Information courtesy Edward Woodlief, Kittrell Community Watch
The Kittrell Community Watch will meet Thursday, August 15, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 6535 Raleigh Road, Kittrell, NC.
Guest speaker will be Frankie Nobles, Chief Animal Control Officer for Vance County.
Light Refreshments will be served.
All are welcome, even if you reside outside the Kittrell area.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0129_vance-county-nc.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-08 16:59:042019-08-08 16:59:04Kittrell Community Watch to Hear From Animal Control at Aug. Meeting
