TownTalk: William Purvis, Board Of Education Candidate

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William Earl Purvis said he is promoting a “vision for transformation” in his bid for a seat on the Vance County Board of Education. Purvis faces incumbent and fellow Democrat Linda Cobb for the District 5 seat.

Henderson voters may remember his name from his unsuccessful bid for City Council in 2022; Purvis said his experience as an educator in a neighboring county, his background as a pastor and his training as a licensed clinician all serve to make him the right person for the job.

“I’ve talked to many parents, students and teachers,” he told WIZS News on a segment of TownTalk that aired Wednesday. “They want a voice,” and he said he would work to collaborate with the community to shape the board’s decisions.

Purvis said he’d like to have quarterly “town hall type” meetings to share with the community what’s going on in the school system.

The school system does a good job collaborating with the community now, he said. “It’s my job (to) take that even further and enhance it with all our students.”

He said his work as a clinician, pastor and educator all serve to make him an advocate for children and for school system employees.

“We’re all in this together to build a successful school system,” he said, adding that he would work to improve low-performing schools and would support all staff – teachers, administrators, custodians – to effect change.

He said he would work to promote school safety, mental health services, programs for parents and appropriate and fair building codes if he’s elected to the school board.

He’d also like to find ways to recognize students for successes that aren’t limited to academics or athletics.

“We need to recognize our kids with disabilities,” he said. “I have a spirit to advocate for the children.”

His platform is not focused on one district; rather, he is interested in what’s going on in all schools.

“I plan to lift up the school system,” he said. “If I’m elected, you will not be disappointed.”

 

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TownTalk: County Shell Building Deal Falls Through

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An optimistic person may look at the completed – and unoccupied – shell building at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park and say “if you build it, they will come.”

The pessimist may say “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Well, the shell building was built and a buyer in hand, until the 11th hour when the deal fell through.

That’s when Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Inc. President Dan Brummitt summed up the process like a realist: “That’s real estate.”

Brummitt told WIZS News Tuesday that the deal that had seemed sewn up had, in fact, died.

The unnamed buyer had requested a 7-day extension right before the deal was to close, and then another 30-day extension after that. On the last day of the last extension, and right before the due diligence period was set to expire, the buyer backed out.

County Attorney Jonathan Care told WIZS News in an email that both sides had been in negotiations during the extension periods, but “the buyer’s agent told us in the final hour of the last day of the extension period for due diligence that the buyer would not be
proceeding forward, and (is) terminating the contract.”

The building is owned by the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Inc. – not by the city or the county, Care said.

“This is what we did not want to happen, as the building has been off the market now for several months, interest has continued to accrue on the construction loan, and the Industrial Park is back at square one with getting the building sold.”

Brummitt said that interest in the building is good and so it’s on to the next purchaser.

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TownTalk: City Council Addresses Trash Issue; New Fire Truck

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The Henderson City Council gave the green light Monday to fire department officials to apply for a $2.5 million FEMA grant to purchase a new ladder truck.

The department’s ladder truck has been out of commission since April 2023 and isn’t expected to come back into service for several more months.

The Council voted unanimously to provide the 5 percent match – roughly $119,000 – required by FEMA grant.

The fire department’s ISO rating could be in jeopardy if there’s no ladder truck available to answer calls or provide mutual aid when needed.

Direct quote from agenda:

“This grant will enable the fire department to purfhase a new aerial apparatus to provide adequate fire protection coverage for areas within the municipality and mutual aid districts when necessary.

Council members also voted to amend the Sanitation Ordinance in an effort to cut down on excess garbage and litter.

Customers are supposed to put all their refuse inside the rolling container provided through GFL – they’re not supposed to pile up extra bags beside the container for pickup.

Following Monday’s action, customers will be warned when they are out of compliance. After the third warning, the city will “provide” them with a second container – at the resident’s expense, which they’ll see in their monthly bill.

This had been discussed at the November 2023 Public Works Committee meeting, and it was brought back to Council Monday for review.

Listen back to Tuesday’s TownTalk to learn about other topics of discussion at the Feb. 12 City Council meeting.

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Awards

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For the fourth year in a row, Vance County Schools has been recognized by a statewide organization for excellence in communications. The district took four Blue Ribbon awards at a recent ceremony of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association, according to information from VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin.

Of the 344 awards given out during the ceremony, Vance County received two Gold level awards, one Silver and one Bronze level award.

The BlueRibbon Awards are the highest honor presented by t6he NCSPRA to school districts. The awards are given for outstanding communication in eight categories: marketing, digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, publications, image/graphic design, photography and special events/programs.

“This recognition is an honor for our entire district, as well as a testament to the hard work of our team,” Sandlin said in the press statement. “We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration between the Communications department and the Center For Innovation staff as we work together to provide opportunities and experience for our students and showcase our district’s story.”

Here’s a breakdown of the award-winning programs and projects:

VCS earned Gold level recognition in the Special Events and Programs category for its Engage, Inspire, Empower conference, held in April 2023 for young women in grades 7-12 and in the Digital Media Engagement category for its Alumni Roll Call 2023 social media campaign.

The district took Silver and Bronze in the category of Image/Graphic Design for its use of AI technology that turned each principal into a superhero during Principal Appreciation Month.

The Bronze award was given for a billboard campaign called Sharing Our Story at New Heights. The billboard is on Norlina Road across from the Food Lion Shopping Center.

The NCSPRA identified a “Best of the Best” for each category, and VCS was honored in the Special Events/Programs category.

Other school district winners were:

  • Digital Media Engagement: Guilford County Schools
  • Electronic Media: Guilford County Schools
  • Excellence in Writing: New Hanover County Schools
  • Image/Graphic Design: Chatham County Schools
  • Marketing: Rutherford County Schools
  • Photography: Durham Public Schools
  • Publications (Electronic & Print): Durham Public Schools

Visit www.ncspra.org to learn more about the organization.

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TownTalk: Estate Sale To Benefit American Cancer Society

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Frances Garrett is putting on an estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Make plans to come out to shop beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Garrett is a cancer survivor and she and her loyal volunteers have all the items priced and ready for sale, according to Aaron Ramsey, one of the volunteers that makes up Garrett’s team she calls “Frances and Friends.”

There are numerous household items that are just waiting for a new home – from lamps and all sorts of glassware to figurines and other collectibles.

“She works day and night,” Ramsey said on Monday’s TownTalk. “She’s one of the highest volume fundraisers throughout the state – they give her an award every year.”

For Garrett, it’s a labor of love – to show support for fellow cancer survivors while raising money to contribute to the cause.

And, Ramsey said, all proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Cash or checks will be accepted.

“Come on out and take a look,” Ramsey said.

The sale is located in the shopping plaza on Raleigh Road, between Dollar Tree and the Salvation Army Family store, across from M.R. Williams.

 

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The Local Skinny! RAM Clinic In Henderson This Weekend

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Organizers and participants of this weekend’s Duke RAM pop-up clinic in Henderson are planning to provide medical wellness checkups, as well as dental and vision services – all free of charge.

Duke University senior Saajan Patel has invested a good chunk of his time over the past three years to get the Remote Area Medical clinic up and running. This is the third year that the clinic has been held at Vance Charter School, and Patel said he’s excited for what the weekend holds.

Patients can begin lining up as early as midnight on Friday, Feb. 16 in advance of the clinic’s opening at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. Dentists, optometrists, doctors, nurses and other health professionals are volunteering their services during the two-day clinic. Patients need only show up and get in line for care; no proof of insurance or ID is required, Patel said.

In rural North Carolina, where access to services may be limited for residents, Patel said. “Getting into the health care atmophere is so cumbersome…hopefully RAM makes it easier for patients to connect” patients with services.

Patel said through his participation with RAM, he’s been able to see firsthand the health disparities that exist in areas like Henderson and Vance County. He hopes to be able to continue to serve rural North Carolina in some capacity “and make a difference” after he graduates in May with a degree in biology and minors in global health and chemistry.

The clinic hours are Saturday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18 from 6 a.m. to about 12 noon or 1 p.m. Vance Charter School is located at 2922 Ross Mill Rd.

Other community partners will be on hand to provide information, from how to enroll in Medicaid or Medicare to demonstrations on how to properly use Narcan in case of drug overdose.

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Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15 For March 5 Primary

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Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15 for the upcoming March primary elections, and there are two contested local races on the ballot for Vance County voters to consider, according to information from Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin.

There are a total of four seats on the board of commissioners, as well as three seats on the board of education; District 2 Commissioner Archie Taylor faces challenger from fellow Democrat Valencia Perry to determine who will be on the November 5 ballot.

In the District 5 School Board race, Democratic incumbent Linda Cobb faces Democratic challenger William Earl Purvis in the primary election.

The other seats on the ballot include Districts 1, 5 and 6 for the board of commissioners and seats for Districts 3 and 4.

Each candidate is running unopposed in the primary election; however, there are two candidates – one Republican and one Democrat – in the race for the District 1 seat on the board of commissioners.

The incumbent, Democrat Carolyn Faines, faces opposition from Republican challenger William Heitman.