Garrison Says He’ll ‘Continue Seeking Relocation of DHHS’ to Granville County

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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.

Vance County, NC

Kittrell Community Watch to Hear From Animal Control at Aug. Meeting

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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.

News 08/08/19

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VGCC Inaugurates Seventh President

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College formally welcomed its new leader on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, with an inauguration ceremony for Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, the college’s seventh president, in the Civic Center on the Main Campus in Vance County. The historic occasion was also part of a series of events held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the community college, which was established in 1969 as Vance County Technical Institute.

Vance-Granville Community College formally welcomed its new leader on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, with an inauguration ceremony for Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, the college’s seventh president, in the Civic Center on the Main Campus in Vance County. (VGCC photo)

Danny Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, performed the ceremonial investiture of the president, who has been on the job since earlier this year. In his remarks, Wright said, “We take this opportunity to look back on the rich tradition we have of providing education and training to our community. At the same time, we mark the start of a new era, and consider all the possibilities of the future.”

He then presented Desmarais with a medallion, featuring the college’s seal, to represent the authority of the president’s position.

Making her inaugural address, Desmarais remarked, “Vance-Granville Community College has been shining the light of education and opportunity in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties for 50 years. I am proud of this legacy of learning and service. Indeed, I am honored to have been called to this college — to serve these communities. My life’s goal is to ‘make a difference’ in whatever I do. Likewise, I believe this institution has made a difference and will continue to make a difference in people’s lives. As we embark upon the next 50 years of learning and service, we have an opportunity to renew our commitment to being a community educator, convener, and partner.”

Several dignitaries brought greetings on behalf of the state and the four counties served by the college: Peter Hans, the president of the N.C. Community College System; Archie B. Taylor, Jr., chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Alisa McLean, superintendent of Granville County Schools; Angela L. Harris, Franklin County Manager; and Vincent Jones, Warren County Manager.

VGCC students also played key roles in the event. Tyshii Scarborough, president of the VGCC Student Government Association, gave welcoming remarks, and two recent alumnae of the college, Angelica Bridges and Evan O’Geary, presented musical selections.

Special guests included not only local community leaders but also presidents of several community colleges from across the state.

Open Broadband

Open Broadband, LLC Will Expand into Vance; Waitlist Signups Now Accepted

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-Press Release, Open Broadband, LLC

Open Broadband, LLC (www.openbb.net) is pleased to announce our upcoming expansion of fixed-wireless broadband internet service into Vance County, NC. The deployment plan will address areas within the county which lack sufficient broadband service to meet the needs of government, residences and commercial businesses.

In August 2018, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (Kerr-Tar COG) led a joint broadband enhancement Request for Proposal (RFP) for Vance, Granville and Vance Counties. North Carolina based Open Broadband, LLC was selected and has entered a seven-year contract with Vance County to provide internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to unserved areas.

In addition to the Vance County contract, Open Broadband was also awarded a North Carolina GREAT grant to provide broadband to unserved areas of Vance County. The GREAT grant funds will go toward specific underserved areas in the Northwest and Southwest corners of Vance County, while the county’s funds will pay for the remaining areas.

“This is a big deal for the county,” said Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen. “The FCC defines broadband as a minimum 25 Mbps speed. However, many of our citizens are limited to DSL, which is not a ‘true’ high-speed service. Our primary goal is to serve the unserved and the underserved areas of the county, but once you have fixed-wireless broadband, many more residents can be served. At a starting price of $39.99/month the service is affordable for most residents.”

Open Broadband provides hybrid fiber and fixed-wireless internet service, up to gigabit speed, to many communities across North Carolina. Service is provided to residents, small and medium-sized businesses, technology incubators, universities, and government locations including police, fire, town hall, and airport facilities.

Open Broadband also provides free public Wi-Fi zones in downtown areas, parks, and campuses.

Network deployment in Vance County will take place in phases over the next four years. The first customer service activation is planned for the end of 2019.

“We are excited to bring our fixed-wireless broadband service into Vance County,” said Open Broadband CEO Alan Fitzpatrick. “The need for higher internet speeds is universal as the internet has become a core component of our daily lives. Applying for jobs, access to medical records, access to student coursework, and online banking all require good internet infrastructure. Affordable internet options also help address the Digital Divide. We believe everyone should have access to home broadband internet service and are pleased to be awarded the contract with Vance County to bring service to those in need.”

Open Broadband is now accepting waitlist signups on the Vance County tab of the website: https://openbb.net/vanceco/ Those on the waitlist will receive regular updates on the progress of the network build and will be contacted once service is made available in their area.

Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners Discuss Fire Trucks, Possible Board of Elections Move

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners held a regularly-scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, August 5, 2019. Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS a briefing on items discussed:

Fire Trucks

The Board is considering the donation of two fire trucks to fire departments in need – a 1994 model and a 1984 model that will be available if the Hicksboro Fire Department accepts the available 1994 truck.

“Regarding the fire trucks, we must provide notice and create the necessary donation documents, so the Board did not take action on formally donating either [of the vehicles]. They did declare the 1994 County truck as surplus with the intention of donating it to the Hicksboro Fire Department at the next meeting,” McMillen explained.

“The old Kerr Lake station truck is the 1984 model which Hicksboro will be giving back to the County once they take on the 1994 model. Watkins Volunteer Fire Department has now declined interest in the 1984 model, so that will still be on hand if another department needed it.”

Vance County Board of Elections

The Vance County Board of Elections has requested a move to the former Eaton Johnson Middle School building, 500 N. Beckford Drive, Henderson. According to McMillen, the Vance County Properties Committee will meet to discuss this further and “may have a larger discussion on the Henry A. Dennis Building in the future.”

“Once the Department of Social Services moves to the Eaton Johnson building, we will have some spaces come available which will afford us the opportunity to make some departmental moves should the Board decide to do so.”

Kids’ Summer Camp Teaches Construction, Life Skills

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

Twenty-four second through sixth graders participated in Rebuilding Hope’s Kids’ Construction Camp August 5 – 7, 2019.

Campers rotated through six stations: Hammer & Nails, Masonry, Electrical & Plumbing, Roofing & Shingles, Bible Study and Take-Home Project.

“So many people in our communities have construction skills, and they’re generous with their time and help with the camp,” says RHI coordinator Randolph Wilson.

“While campers rotate through areas of construction, we want them to be aware of how they are building their lives.”

This year’s project was building a wooden tray and we were in collaborating with picplumbing.com to help us with teaching the kids various tips and tricks. Each camper also took home a tool apron, goggles, a tape measure and carpenter’s pencil.

At the end of camp, participants received certificates of completion.

Rebuilding Hope volunteers Jerry Ayscue (right) and Richard Roberts teach youth nail gun safety at the ministry’s annual Kids’ Construction Camp. (RHI photo)

 

Town Talk 08/07/19: Artist Spotlight Rewind With Wes Collins

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News 08/07/19

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Terry Garrison

Governor Roy Cooper Shows Support for NC House Rep. Terry Garrison

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On Sunday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper visited Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson and was officially welcomed by Mayor Eddie Ellington. Cooper was in town to support NC House 32 Representative Terry Garrison.

Ellington thanked Cooper for being a “friend” to the local area and praised Garrison’s support of the community. “Rep. Terry Garrison and I as well as the City Council, city manager and staff have always worked well alongside one another, when he was our county commissioner and now as our State House Representative,” said Ellington. “He has championed legislation that improves the lives of our citizens.”

Garrison, a local Democrat who represents areas in Vance, Granville and Warren County, has stood firm with the Democratic governor in not voting with Republicans to override the governor’s veto of the state budget.

Numerous carrots have been dangled in front of Garrison as incentives, including the much-ballyhooed Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) move.

In reference to recent discussions on possible jobs created by the potential DHHS move from Raleigh to Granville County, Ellington clarified, “People need to understand and get the facts. These ‘1800-2000′ jobs already exist. This is not for new jobs or positions. It’s basically moving the building. Of course, I realize some may not want to drive and may quit. But most are not, given these are state jobs with good benefits and it’s probably an easier drive to Creedmoor than downtown Raleigh.”

In recent interviews with Garrison on WIZS’ TownTalk, he said there was more at stake than just the DHHS. In fact, Medicaid expansion, which could affect approximately 19,000 people in Vance County alone, is at stake as a part of the state budget, as is additional money for education and teacher compensation.

“Representative Garrison and I have had long talks in regards to the need for Medicaid expansion and the effects that it would and can have on our community partners, Maria Parham Health and the jobs of the ones that continue to invest and work there, but also the needs and lives of our residents,” Ellington said.

“The studies have been done and accepting federal funds for Medicaid expansion would generate close to 175 jobs in Vance County, $79 million in Vance County business activity and $591 thousand in new Vance County revenue. Keep in mind these numbers are for Vance County and Henderson. Imagine what can be done for the entire state. Talk about an economic boost along with providing healthcare to those who so desperately need it.”

The reception was a timely and strong showing for Garrison. He has been under tremendous pressure, even to the point of health concerns, since this all began to unfold more than a month ago.

In the intense political arena of late, Henderson and Vance County have gotten a lot of attention, and while there has been disagreement from some locally as to Garrison not, in effect, voting against the governor, what has been firm is Garrison’s stance to continue to negotiate.

If there is any room in the final sentence or two of a news story, which has otherwise been fact, it’s this: Garrison, so far, has not been for sale. His bargaining appears to have been open and honest, and it’s very possible, despite the fact that Garrison could himself at some point benefit too, that his negotiations have already produced more tangible results than a boat full of political promises from elsewhere. Time will tell…