News 07/26/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
At a special called meeting of the Henderson City Council Thursday afternoon, a human resources consultant with the NC League of Municipalities (NCLM), Hartwell Wright, appeared before the board to discuss the process of replacing retiring Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier.
Wright, who is a resident of Vance County and was a City of Henderson employee some 15 years ago before going to the NCLM, indicated that three things were needed to get the process started: an administrator, a group of people who would be conducting the search and if the search would be performed confidentially.
The board indicated, and confirmed to WIZS News after the meeting was complete, that Frazier will administer the process from a logistical point of view, that the entire board would work together as a unified body to conduct the search, rather than having a committee or consultant do it, and that the search would be performed confidentially. In other words, applicant names will be held in strict confidence.
What will not be confidential is updates to the public. Wright urged that local media be kept up to date so citizens would be kept up to date on where the City was in the process and so forth.
Wright said the word professional over and over, and the board members, mayor and city attorney very much agreed that the highest of professional standards would be used to complete the process. Councilman William Burnette said, “We were elected to find the best.”
Wright told the board that this decision is as “important a decision as you will do.” He said, “Your manager is your ambassador, your ambassador to your citizens.”
The next step is to build a profile, and it was suggested that each council person write down four things he or she was looking for in a manager. Then, the board can agree on the most important.
The entire process is expected to take no less than six months, which is within the timetable that Frazier has already expressed, as he has essentially indicated he would stay on into 2020 until a new manager was hired.
Wright urged the council to “use the profile as a measuring stick, and you’ll be closer together” as a group leading up to the decision.
From the sound of it, all applicants can expect a professional process, fair practices and a council that will be administering the process as a well-informed and unified body.
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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
All students who attend Vance County Middle School, AdVance Academy, STEM Early High School and all Vance County elementary schools except E.M. Rollins will begin school on Monday, August 26, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019. Information on times will be made available as soon as possible.
E.M. Rollins Elementary School will begin school on Monday, August 5, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, from 2 until 7 p.m.
Vance County Early College and Vance County High School will begin school on Monday, August 5, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, from 1 until 7 p.m.
All parents and students are invited to attend open house events.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Jackie Ayscue, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church
A community clothing and backpack giveaway will be held Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Family Life Center at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church.
Clothing, coats, backpack and school supplies will be given away.
New Sandy Creek Baptist is located at 1699 Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson, NC.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department presents “Pop Up Parks.” These parks will be held at Lincoln Heights, Cedar Hurst and Henderson Heights Apartments.
Times & Locations:
Lincoln Heights Apartments – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 30, August 6, 13 and 20.
Cedar Hurst Apartments – Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m on July 31, August 7, 14 and 21.
Henderson Heights Apartments – Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 26, August 2, 9, 16 and 23.
For more information, please contact Gregory Kelly at (252) 431-6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Jason A. Spriggs, candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
A resident of Turner Avenue near downtown Henderson, Spriggs is running against incumbent George Daye in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.
Spriggs, who said previous discussions with Daye led to his interest in Henderson’s political scene, expressed his surprise that Daye filed for reelection.
“George Daye filed on the very last day,” Spriggs said. “We didn’t expect it. From every City leader and County leader that I spoke with, he was not expected to do so. This is kind of where we’re at; this is politics, so we continue our campaign.”
Filing for the October 8 election began Friday, July 5 at 12 p.m. and ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. Offices that will be on the ballot include Mayor, 1st and 2nd Ward seats and 3rd and 4th Ward At-Large seats.
With no one filing for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat by the July 19 deadline, the State Board of Elections approved an extension that began Monday, July 22 and ends Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12 p.m.
Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Spriggs, who has called NC home for 20+ years now, said he is familiar with the rural way of life and understands the importance of local connections and personal relationships.
“In a small town, if they don’t know you – and I mean have eaten with you or have attended church services with you – you’re going to have some issues with not only getting known but also getting the support.”
Not being as well known around town is one reason Spriggs said his 2015 campaign for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat was, ultimately, unsuccessful.
Spriggs said he and his family’s establishment in the community has grown in the past four years and believes his ideas, coupled with suggested solutions, make him the right person for the job.
“The things that are going on in Henderson are not things that city leaders can take lightly,” said Spriggs. “A lot of youth are dying, residents are struggling to keep water and lights on and residents are struggling with addiction. No matter who I talk to, the first thing they say is ‘if they would just pick up this trash.’ The conversation then proceeds to crime and drugs. Those are the top three things.”
Conscious of budget constraints, Spriggs suggested using existing City resources and personnel to provide street litter cleanup on a weekly or biweekly basis.
He also referred listeners to his website at www.jason4henderson.com for more information on his campaign and a more extensive list of his ideas for improving Henderson.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent George Daye to participate in a similar interview.)
To hear Spriggs’ 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.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Vance County Animal Services
Vance County Animal Services responded to a call on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, of a possibly rabid raccoon in the 1800 block of Bearpond Road.
The raccoon was sent off for testing and has tested positive for rabies.
As this time, Animal Services is asking the public to please make sure all cats and dogs are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Even if the pet is up-to-date, a booster vaccine is recommended if you live in the area.
Vance County Animal Shelter offers the rabies vaccine for $5.
The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson and is open Mondays from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health
The Maria Parham Health Relay for Life team will hold a Trout Dinner fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, August 12, 2109, from 4 until 7 p.m.
The $7 dinner plate includes trout, French fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies. Drinks included with dine-in only.
Take out plates available and additional tickets may be purchased at the door.
Proceeds to benefit Relay for Life of Vance County.