News 10/09/19
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Mayor Ellington Re-elected; Spriggs Unseats Daye on Council
Incumbent Mayor Eddie Ellington won re-election in Tuesday’s non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election. He earned 652 total votes to 568 votes from challenger Sharon Owens.
Just 12.60% of voters turned out.
Jason Spriggs defeated incumbent George Daye for City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 4th Ward by a final, unofficial count of 637 to 509.
Ellington told WIZS News that he plans to continue to work on the positive growth he’s seen in Henderson over the last 12 to 18 months and indicated the biggest thing now for the City is to find the next City Manager, of which the manager is the one who deals with the day-to-day running of the City. Ellington said he wanted to work towards positive growth for all of the City and its citizens.
Of the four larger precincts in Henderson, Owens carried the north, south and east, while Ellington won re-election behind a large margin of victory in west Henderson.
Owens thanked her supporters, said it would not be the last she was heard from, and said she would have more time for civics in Henderson just as soon as she retired. She spoke of getting more involved and holding those in office more accountable.
Spriggs spoke to WIZS News and talked about seeing positive economic growth in additional areas in the City, whereas a lot of growth has already occurred along Dabney Drive and to the west. He spoke in an excited and enthusiastic voice and expressed appreciation toward George Daye, who has worked with Spriggs in the past and encouraged him about running for the City Council.
Daye could not be reached for comment on election night but previously said on WIZS “TownTalk” that he hoped Spriggs would win to see some younger blood on the council.
Hometown Debate Series to Tackle Delivery of Medical Services – Oct. 17
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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The NC Institute of Political Leadership and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce present the 2019 Hometown Debate Series: A Conversation on the Delivery of Medical Services.
The event is free to the public and will be held at the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus in Henderson on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The discussion begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
State Representatives Donna McDowell White and Maryann Black will speak at the occasion, along with Gregory Griggs, with the NC Academy of Family Physicians and Jordan Roberts, with the John Locke Foundation.
The debate is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Humana, IIANC: Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, NC Rural Center and the NCAHU: North Carolina Associate of Health Underwriters.
Town Talk 10/08/19: Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Reports 1,300+ Domestic Calls
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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk will feature local organizations that deal with various aspects of this prevalent type of abuse each Tuesday in October.
Debbie Scott, Gang Resource Specialist and Domestic Violence Investigator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, was on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to discuss her role as a “supporter and advocate for those who are afraid.”
According to Emergency 911 reports, 1,304 domestic calls were reported throughout the City of Henderson and County of Vance between October 1, 2018, and October 1, 2019. Of these calls, 445 were assaults involving the victim being struck by the attacker’s body or a weapon; 84 were sexual assaults.
Scott said that once she receives a report of a domestic call, she follows up with a phone call to the victim and explains their options and available resources.
“I advise them if they should seek further assistance, make recommendations and share with them community resources,” said Scott. “I also explain their right to file a Domestic Violence Protection Order, otherwise known as a 50B, and sometimes serve as their support in court.”
Scott stated that protection orders can be taken out at the Vance County Clerk of Court Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and at the Magistrate Office after hours. The Vance County Courthouse is located at 156 Church St. in downtown Henderson.
Though Scott said many victims do not leave their partners after a domestic violence incident, she always suggests that they have a safety plan in the event that they do decide to remove themselves and their children from the abusive situation.
“I tell them to have some money set aside, at least a few dollars, talk to a family member or friend about staying with them for a few days, makes copies or take photos of important documents, keep a cell phone and don’t hesitate to call 911 or the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.”
When asked why victims do not leave abusive partners, Scott responded, “They’ll say they don’t have a job, they can’t support themselves or their kids, they worry about what will happen after they leave, they say they love them or think they will change; there are a variety of reasons.”
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, resources and assistance for domestic violence victims are available at the Vance County Department of Social Services, located at 350 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, or by calling the main office line at (252) 492-5001.
Infinite Possibilities, a non-profit domestic violence organization, is also available by calling (252) 431-1926 or the 24-hour local crisis line at (252) 425-2492. A National Hotline is also available by calling 1-800-799-7233.
Vance County ‘State of Our Schools’ Address to Highlight Successes
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-Press Release, Vance County Schools
The Vance County State of Our Schools will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2019. The first event will take place at Henderson Country Club by invitation, designed for elected officials and business partners.
The evening event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Vance County Middle School and is open to everyone in our community.
The State of Our Schools is an opportunity for stakeholders in our community to hear directly from Dr. Jackson regarding the successes and accomplishments within our district.
Additionally, the Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman, Dorothy Gooche, Vance County Principal of the Year, Rey Horner and the Vance County Teacher of the Year, Mary Landis, will be speaking briefly.
There will also be a performance by the Vance County High School chorus at the mid-day State of the Schools address.
This event will provide information about how Vance County Schools continues to make progress, achieve growth and make a difference in the lives of our students, community and beyond. Our schools are linking learning to life and when those connections and relationships are made, success becomes apparent in our students, schools and community.
Henderson City Council to Hold Special Called Meeting on Manager’s Position
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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC
Mayor Eddie Ellington has requested a special called meeting of the Henderson City Council on Monday, October 14, 2019, from 3 – 5 p.m. or shortly thereafter in council chambers.
The purpose of the meeting is to hold a closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318-11(a)(6) regarding a personnel matter pertaining to the city manager position.
The regularly scheduled Henderson City Council meeting set for October 14, 2019, at 6 p.m will still be held and the public is welcome.
‘Scam Jam’ to Help Elders Avoid Falling Victim to Fraud
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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
On Thursday, October 10, 2019, the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging along with the Vance County Senior Center has scheduled a SCAM JAM to help educate seniors on how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.
The Vance County SCAM JAM is a free educational and entertaining forum where seniors will learn to avoid today’s scams and frauds – from identity theft to telemarketing, Medicare fraud and even Grandparent Scams.
Seminar registration will begin at 1 p.m., and the event will start at 1:30 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Vance County Senior Center, 126 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC.
The SCAM JAM is designed to empower citizens to protect themselves and their families. Scheduled speakers include representatives of the Senior Medicare Patrol from the NC Department of Insurance, NC Department Secretary of State, Better Business Bureau as well as the local law enforcement and bankers.
The Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging leads and is involved in the efforts that provide for the development and enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community-based systems of services, opportunities, and protections for older adults which assist them in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
The agency serves Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren County.
For more information about the Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging, please call 252-436-2040.
Tuesday is Election Day for City of Henderson
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A reminder that Tuesday, October 8, 2019, is the official voting day for the City of Henderson’s municipal, non-partisan election. Early voting and submission of absentee ballots ended last week.
With only two contested positions on the ballot, voters will choose between George Daye (incumbent) and Jason A. Spriggs for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, and Eddie Ellington (incumbent) and Sharon Owens for Henderson Mayor.
Candidates on the ballot include:
Office Position: Mayor – City of Henderson
Name: Edward (Eddie) Harry Ellington
Residential Address: 2223 N Woodland Road Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 430-4018
Date of Filing: 07/05/2019
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Office Position: Mayor – City of Henderson
Name: Sharon Kay Owens
Residential Address: 815 E Montgomery Street Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 820-0574
Date of Filing: 07/18/2019
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Office Position: Alderman 1st Ward – City of Henderson
Name: Marion Brodie Williams
Residential Address: 338 Hamilton Street Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 767-3977
Date of Filing: 07/05/2019
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Office Position: Alderman 2nd Ward – City of Henderson
Name: David Michael (Mike) Rainey
Residential Address: 2747 Fairway Drive Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 492-6787
Date of Filing: 07/16/2019
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Office Position: Alderman At-Large 3rd Ward – City of Henderson
Name: Melissa Elliott
Residential Address: 115 Westlake Drive Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 438-7004
Date of Filing: 07/22/2019
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Office Position: Alderman At-Large 4th Ward – City of Henderson
Name: George McArthur Daye
Residential Address: 919 N Pinkston Street Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (252) 432-6659
Date of Filing: 07/19/2019
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Office Position: Alderman At-Large 4th Ward – City of Henderson
Name: Jason Albert Spriggs
Residential Address: 222 Turner Avenue Henderson, NC 27536
Mailing Address: Same as residential address
Telephone Number: (919) 514-5136
Date of Filing: 07/05/2019
Downtown Henderson Trick-or-Treating Set for Oct. 31
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-Information courtesy Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission
The Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission will sponsor trick-or-treating in downtown Henderson on Thursday, October 31, 2019, from 4:30 until 6 p.m.
This event is for children ages 1-12.
Garnett Street will be closed to traffic from West Young Street (just prior to the Fire Station) to Spring Street near NAPA Auto Parts and Sams Furniture during scheduled trick-or-treating hours.
Participating businesses will display signs in their windows.
Henderson Men’s Shelter Prepares to Kick Off 2019-2020 Season
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-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 6 p.m. volunteers and staff of the Henderson Men’s Shelter will gather in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church for a brief review and a service of prayer to kick off the 2019-2020 shelter season.
The shelter serves homeless men in the basement of the church from November – March and will officially open for the season on Friday, November 1.
Shelter Cleanup Day
A group will work in the shelter on Tuesday, October 15 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Work involves dusting, sweeping, mopping, folding, stacking, washing and organizing.
Please call Jane at (252) 432-9494 or email cpofhope@gmail.com if you would like to help.
Staff
Changes have been made to the staffing schedule for the new season.
Darryl Jones will be the manager on duty every weeknight during the welcome shift. A volunteer is still needed to work with him to assist with check-in and interact with the men.
Josh Stokes will be the weekend welcome shift supervisor (5 – 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.) A volunteer is still needed to work with him on Saturday and Sunday.
Some regular staff (mostly volunteer) will have primary responsibility for the overnight shift, but volunteers are still needed so that there are always two supervisors on duty.
Shifts Needed
Meals are needed every night of the week, but several groups have already signed up – some claiming several evenings for each of the five months.
Welcome Shift (5 – 10 p.m.) – Mostly need Sunday through Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Most Thursdays and Fridays are already covered.
Overnight Shift – (9 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.) Mostly need Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays are mostly covered.
Funding
Per the shelter, “although we try to be extremely frugal, we have ongoing monthly costs for utilities and repairs at Hope House, supplies, insurance, etc. We are still considering a more permanent location for the shelter, but we can’t move forward without significant cash donations. We would also like to be able to pay a few more of the overnight staff.
The Hope House roof will be repaired in January and we have some of the funds needed for that but still need to find more. Huge thanks to Certainteed Roofing for providing the shingles and to Lowes Home Improvement for providing building materials at a significant discount!”
Donations
All contributions are tax deductible.
Checks may be sent to:
Community Partners of Hope, Inc, P.O. Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536
Supplies Needed
Disposable razors
Tall kitchen trash bags (13-gallon size)
Laundry detergent
Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
Instant Grits
Crackers and nabs
Cup of Noodles (with cup)
Instant Hot Cocoa
New clothing in plastic wrappers only. (Please take used clothing to a thrift store)
Men’s undergarments (all sizes)
Men’s waterproof gloves
Men’s sweatshirts (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
Men’s thermal sets (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
White tube socks
Not Needed:
Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, instant oatmeal, deodorant, dress socks and coffee mugs.
NOTE: Please do not drop off donations at the shelter unless you have made arrangements to do so as space is limited and many items are stored offsite.
If you have donations of used blankets, coats, clothing, etc, please take them to the Community Workforce Solutions Thrift Store located at 602 S Garnett Street in Henderson.
To Volunteer:
Contact Jane King, volunteer coordinator, at 252-432-9494.