Downtown Food Truck Vote Has Folks Talking
At Monday night’s meeting, with a vote of 5-3, the Henderson City Council nixed a proposal to allow food trucks to operate in a designated area of downtown Henderson.
Gavin Jackson, owner of Gavin’s Grub Hub, proposed parking and serving food from his food truck in the City-owned parking lot at the corner of Garnett and Orange streets, next to Gupton’s Sporting Goods.
Jackson’s food truck has been a regular at various events in the community as well as a fan-favorite at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Jackson is also the former chef at the Henderson Country Club.
City Council members George Daye, Melissa Elliott and Mike Rainey represent the three votes in favor of allowing the food truck to operate downtown.
In a phone interview with WIZS, Rainey said, “You see these trucks in all other big cities. It’s a thing. It’s just a way of getting people downtown for one thing. It gives [people] another outlet to find their lunch or whatever the case may be, and it keeps them downtown. People who work downtown have a [place] to go eat; they can go anywhere they want to, but this gives them another avenue for lunch. It’s just another business trying to establish itself in the City of Henderson.”
Henderson City Council member Sara Coffey, who voted against the food truck proposal, told WIZS News by Facebook message for publication, “We were not given the complete information about the trucks. The restaurants that would be affected were not given a chance to voice their opinions. They were not given complete facts either. To me when someone comes in and buys a business and puts down roots to serve our public such as [Uncle] Lews and [Next Door] Bistro have done, I think it’s only fair they share their opinion. They are employers, taxpayers, water users, pay electric bills and have waitresses that depend on tips to feed their families. Even though I’m not against food trucks, I do believe restaurants should weigh in on their placement. I don’t want any business harmed that has invested in our city by a mobile unit that is here today, gone tomorrow without having input.”
In an article titled “While the iron is hot” written for The Daily Dispatch and republished in part, with permission, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan expressed his frustration with the Council’s decision:
I know all of the council members who voted “no” did so out of what they consider to be the best interest of the city they also love, but I can’t help but wonder what makes them say no to anyone who wants to open a legal business on Garnett Street.
It ain’t exactly an easy sell, folks. And businesses are moving out faster than they are moving in. Southside Office Supply left last month. Gupton’s Gun Shop is closing next month after 60 years. And another upcoming big departure is so fresh a wound that I can’t even make it public yet.
Opposing votes voiced opinions that it might hurt the other restaurants.
Rainey, longtime owner of City Tire, made a point that all the new, used tire places popping up aren’t exactly great for his business, but we can’t stop them from opening because of it.
I have been meeting with Henderson’s merchants, studying successfully revitalized downtowns and listening to advise for almost 12 months, now, and one thing is clear: While we are saying no and closing stores, neighboring towns are saying yes and reaping the revenue as a result.
This past weekend, I hosted Leon Steele, Kinston’s Downtown Development director, for a lunch on Kerr Lake and a tour of our downtown. In his town, with similar demographics to ours, he has full city and county support, revenues from a Municipal Service District tax and historic tax credit renovation projects peppering his Main Street program. In total, a $400,000 annual budget for Kinston’s downtown efforts compared to Henderson’s $52,000. I wanted to know his secret.
He credits a codes department and planners willing to find a way to make things work as the key to their success, as well as the city’s willingness to embrace change. “It takes leaders who think the downtown is important enough to start saying yes to things,” Steele said.
I think we have those leaders at the city level, we just need to work on being more aware of the speed of our process so as not to lose good leads when we get them.
Meanwhile, Jackson can park his truck in downtown Oxford or downtown Warrenton within the week.
“I can’t wait around for months for them to decide whether or not to let me run my business and pay my taxes,” Jackson said when I told him about Monday’s council decision. “It shouldn’t be this hard to get started.”
I would like to thank Mayor Ellington and the city staff for pushing the “food truck ordinance” forward very efficiently. I expect that it will make it through committee and back before the council in coming months and will most likely pass the next time. I just hope we still have a prospect on deck when it does.
Elaborating on his opinion, Jackson stated in a Facebook message to WIZS, “We pay for all kinds of permits, inspections, county and city inspections, registration on the vehicle and mobile kitchen, environmental health permit; we buy fuel and propane from local businesses, which is my source of power. We do pay property taxes on the truck and mobile kitchen and the property taxes on our home because this business allows us to live here. We plan to employ [other] people and is it not important to employ me? My family? We all work at this business.”
In a recent poll on WIZS Radio’s Facebook page, 98 percent of 358 participants voted in support of food trucks in downtown Henderson.
Please visit WIZS’ Facebook page [click here] to express your opinion on the food truck topic. You can leave your comments on the posting for this article or from yesterday’s thread. We would love to hear from those both for and against food trucks in downtown – especially from downtown restaurant owners.
The Monday, July 16 edition of Town Talk will also feature more discussion on the food truck debate. Feel free to call in at (252) 492-5594 to share your opinion.
Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water Authority Honored by the State
-Press Release, NC Environmental Quality
The N.C. Division of Water Resources has honored 69 water treatment plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards.
The division’s Public Water Supply section has awarded the facilities the prestigious N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award, which is part of a state effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities.
In 2017, the state recognized four facilities with the “Gold Star” honor, which is an award for systems that have received the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award for 10 consecutive years. They are Newton, Lincolnton, Marion and Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water Authority.
Awards are given each year to water systems that demonstrate outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by individual particles that can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Microbes are microscopic particles that occur naturally but can include harmful bacteria and viruses.
While all drinking water systems must meet strict state and federal drinking water standards, these systems met performance goals that are significantly more stringent. During 2017, more than 3.8 million North Carolina residents were served by these award-winning plants.
The award winners for 2017 are Andrews, Appalachian State University, Boone, Broad River Water Authority, Brunswick County, Burlington – Ed Thomas, Burnsville, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority – Wilmington-Sweeney, Cary, Charlotte Water – Franklin, Charlotte Water – Lee S. Duke, Charlotte Water – Vest, Cherryville, Concord – Coddle Creek, Concord – Hillgrove, Dallas, Davidson – Gregg W. Stabler, Eden – Robert A. Harris, Elkin, Fayetteville PWC – Hoffer, Forest City, Franklin, Greenville Utilities Commission – Charles Horne, Hamlet, Harnett County, Hendersonville, Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water Authority, Hickory, Hillsborough, Johnston County – East, Johnston County – West, Kannapolis, King, Lenoir, Lincoln County, Lincolnton, Madison, Maggie Valley Sanitary District, Marion, Mayodan, Montgomery County, Mooresville – Plant 2, Morganton – Catawba, Mount Airy – F.G. Doggett, Mount Airy – S. L. Spencer, Mount Holly, Newton, Norwood, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority – John F. Kime, Pilot Mountain, Pittsboro, Raleigh – D.E. Benton, Raleigh – E.M. Johnson, Robbinsville – Rock Creek, Sandford, Smithfield, Southern Pines, Tarboro, Thomasville, Tuckaseigee, Valdese, Waynesville – Allens Creek, Weaverville – Ivy River, Western Carolina University, Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem – P.W. Swann, Winston-Salem – R.A. Thomas, Winston-Salem – R.W. Neilson.
For more information, contact N.C. Drinking Water Protection Program Coordinator Rebecca Sadosky at Rebecca.Sadosky@ncdenr.gov or 919-707-9096.
Henderson-Vance Chamber Thanks Leadership-Vance Hosts
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s annual Leadership-Vance program has recently been completed for this year. Sandra C. Wilkerson, director of administration and events for the Chamber, thanks the 2018 Leadership-Vance hosts in the letter below:
Dear Leadership-Vance Hosts,
As Leadership-Vance 2018 comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to you and your staff for hosting the group at your business. Your warm welcome and presentation was very enlightening and was a great learning experience for the entire group. Without you, this program would not happen.
As you are aware, the Leadership-Vance program is a proven, structured program, designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in our community. The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community provides participants with the historical background and skills necessary for volunteer civic and community positions. It also benefits participants in their business and career goals.
I would like to encourage you and/or your staff to apply for our upcoming 2019 class. Information will go out at the end of this year.
Again, thank you for being a part of this program.
Sincerely,
Sandra C. Wilkerson
Director of Administration and Events
Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
414 S. Garnett Street P.O.Box 1302 · Henderson, NC 27536 Phone: 252-438-8414 • Fax: 252-492-8989 • www.hendersonvance.org
Henderson Lions Club to Meet Thurs., July 26
-Information courtesy Randy Oxendine, President, Henderson Lions Club
The Henderson Lions Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at the Henderson Country Club, 300 Country Club Dr., Henderson. Speaker and fellow Lion Mikey Chavis will discuss his trip to Camp Dogwood.
To learn more or join the Lions and be part of an active community service organization, contact any Lions Club member or President Randy Oxendine or (252) 438-8034.
Henderson Fire Department Wrapping Up Annual Smoke Detector Campaign
Captain Lee Edmonds was the guest of honor on WIZS’ Tuesday edition of Town Talk to discuss the Henderson Fire Department’s annual smoke detector and battery inspection program.
Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, Edmonds said the door-to-door home inspection program is “a good opportunity to check houses and check smoke detectors to make sure everything is working properly.”
The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City of Henderson residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them,” said Edmonds.
Edmonds estimated that the department has visited approximately seventy-five percent of homes in Henderson and hopes to wrap up the 2018 campaign by September. “Every year we visit approximately 6,000 homes and are allowed into approximately 1,500.”
Two fire trucks consisting of a team of 8-10 fire department personnel go door-to-door every Friday in an effort to reach as many homes as possible. “If you see our fire truck on your street or nearby on a Friday, chances are we’re just inspecting and installing smoke detectors,” Edmonds said.
Last year, fire department personnel were able to replace 97 smoke detectors and 119 batteries. This year, Edmonds reported 127 smoke detectors have already been replaced during the campaign.
“We aren’t able to get into all of the homes we visit because either people aren’t home or they say they regularly check their batteries and smoke detectors,” said Edmonds. “If they aren’t home, we leave a note on their door asking them to call us so we can come back out.”
Knowing that residents are often at work during the weekday, Edmonds said the fire department will come back after 5 p.m., on weekends or “whatever is best for the homeowner.”
In addition to being free of charge to homeowners, the smoke detectors and batteries are often free of charge to the fire department as well. According to Edmonds, many of the items have been donated over the years from various organizations, although 2018 has proven to be a challenge. “This year has been a bit of a tough year for donations. We had to spend some of our department funds on smoke detectors.”
Another challenge this year is the sky-rocketing number of fire-related deaths in North Carolina. Edmonds reported that 2018 has already been the deadliest year in recently recorded history. “In 2017, there were 79 fire-related deaths total in NC,” said Edmonds. “There have already been 94 fire-related deaths so far in 2018.”
Fire-related deaths are often attributed to a family’s unawareness of danger due to non-functioning or non-existent smoke detectors.
“Most deaths are the result of not having a working smoke detector in the home to alert the homeowner to a fire,” said Edmonds. “Many fires, especially in Henderson, are cooking-related – someone starts to cook something and then walks into another room and gets distracted or falls asleep.”
With the number of fire-related deaths climbing and the number of smoke detectors that either need new batteries or complete replacement, the Henderson Fire Department urges residents to check their detectors regularly and to allow fire department personnel inside their home during the annual door-to-door campaign.
With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for an inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.
NCGA Passes Six Constitutional Amendments for Midterm Election Ballot
-Information courtesy the June 2018 newsletter of Rep. Terry E. Garrison (Dem)
The 2018 session of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) convened on May 16 and adjourned on June 29, 2018. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on November 27, 2018.
The NCGA passed the following six Constitutional Amendments, which will now be placed on the ballot for the upcoming midterm elections on November 6, 2018:
Strengthen Victim’s Rights
SB 551 amends the NC Constitution and expands the rights of crime victims to guarantee that victims receive the right to be treated with dignity and respect; reasonable, accurate, and timely notice; be present at any proceeding; be reasonably heard at certain proceedings; to receive restitution in a timely manner; to receive information upon request; to reasonably confer with the prosecutor.
SB 551 also directs the General Assembly to create a procedure for a victim to assert the rights provided.
This was the only amendment not vetoed by the Governor.
Bipartisan Ethics & Elections Enforcement
HB 913 amends the NC Constitution to remove the Governor’s authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and gives powers to Legislators to control those appointments. This bill also determines how those appointments are to be made: Four from the House with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders and; four from the Senate with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders.
Judicial District Changes
SB 814 amends the NC Constitution to change how judicial vacancies will be filled. Currently, when a judge leaves office before their term has ended, the Governor appoints a replacement to serve until the voters can fill the seat in the next election. This has been the law for decades through Democratic and Republican Governors.
The bill forms a Merit Commission to rate interested judicial candidates as “qualified” or “not qualified.” The Merit Commission then submits the list of candidates with the label of qualified or not qualified to the General Assembly. The General Assembly considers all candidates and narrows its selection to two persons. The two named persons are then sent to the Governor. If the Governor fails to make an appointment within 10 days after being presented with the candidates, the General Assembly shall elect in a joint session, an appointee to fill the vacancy.
Require Photo ID to Vote
HB 1092 amends the North Carolina Constitution to require every voter to show a photo ID. The details are left to legislators to figure out later.
This law may create hardships for North Carolina citizens who do not have such an ID. They are typically among our youngest, oldest, and poorest citizens. Further, the Voter ID requirement is likely to produce lower voter turnout.
North Carolina’s elections are already fair. There is no evidence of substantial voter ID fraud to justify the need for voter photo ID.
Income Tax Cap
SB 75 amends the North Carolina constitution to cap the tax rate on income for individuals and corporations. SB 75 would raise the previously proposed cap from 5.5 % to 7%. Currently, the constitutional cap is 10% for individuals and corporations.
The change will make it very difficult to pay for schools, healthcare, and other public services. The income tax is the biggest source of revenue for the state budget.
The bill will limit budget flexibility to pay for needed public services. It may also threaten our AAA bond rating. The AAA bond rating is important because it allows the state to borrow money at lower interest rates.
Protect Right to Hunt and Fish
SB 677 amends the NC constitution to merely reinforce a right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife. It will be submitted to the voters of the State at the mid-term election to be held on November 6, 2018.
Please note that a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot for the November 6, 2018, mid-term election will not become law unless approved by the voters.
VGCC Hosting Biotechnology Open House At Franklin Campus
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Area residents interested in the field of Biotechnology are invited to Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin Campus for an Open House on Monday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The event is open to new applicants to the program as well as current students of VGCC. Stewart Lyon, program head for the Bioprocess Technology curriculum program, will discuss the options for students to earn a certificate or an associate’s degree, and members of the admissions and financial aid staff will be available to help students complete applications on site.
Above: Students work in the Bioprocess Tech lab at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, which will hold a Biotechnology Open House on July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. (VGCC Photo)
“Vance-Granville prepares men and women for work in the growing biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing and distribution environments,” said Lyon. Graduates work as process technicians in biological products manufacturing facilities, with possible jobs including mixing chemicals to make cancer drugs, formulating medical and cosmetic creams and DNA testing kits.
“The certificate program is open to everyone, including students who would be currently enrolled in high school,” Lyon added. The certificate program can be completed with the BioWorks: Process Technician course through VGCC’s Continuing Education division and two curriculum courses, BIO 110 (Principles of Biology) and BPM 111 (Bioprocess Measurements).
In the two-year associate degree program, first-year courses include basics such as biology, chemistry, college algebra and computers, as well as industrial courses in bioprocessing, biochemistry and industrial environment. The first summer and subsequent semester of the program include a cooperative work experience in a local biotechnology company. The second year includes specialized courses in industrial bioprocessing, research and reporting and statistical quality control.
Evening and day course options are available, including online and hybrid opportunities. Visitors will be able to examine the state-of-the-art Biotechnology equipment that students use in the lab at Franklin Campus.
To register for the Open House, complete the form available on the college’s website at www.vgcc.edu/bio-open-house. For more information, contact Bioprocess Technology program head Stewart Lyon at (252) 738-3632 or lyons@vgcc.edu.
VGCC’s Franklin County Campus is located at 8100 NC Highway 56 in Louisburg.
‘Police and Community Together’ at Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime
-Press Release, Henderson Police Department – Marcus W. Barrow, Chief of Police
In cooperation with the “35th Annual National Night Out,” the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime Committee and the Henderson Police Department will be hosting the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson on August 7, 2018. The event is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. with set-up beginning at 3 p.m.
The introduction of National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. NATW’s National Night Out program culminates annually on the first Tuesday of August (In Texas, the first Tuesday of October).
National Night Out now involves over 38.5 million people and 16,500 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars in an effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Events for this year’s Night Out include displays of law enforcement and public safety vehicles and equipment, informational booths for public safety and public health agencies and organizations, and children’s activities.
The Event Coordinator for the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime 2018 is Community Services Sergeant Marti Stewart of the Henderson Police Department. Agencies and organizations involved in public safety and related fields interested in participating in the event may contact Sergeant Marti Stewart at (252) 432-0062 or via email at mstewart@hendersonncpd.org