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TownTalk: Vance County Considers Changes to Fire Service

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The Vance County Commissioners met Monday night but the proposed budget was not adopted. Preparing a budget – whether for a county or any other organization, is sort of like making sausage…nobody wants to see it being made, but they all want to enjoy the end result.

The annual budget adoption process requires having a public hearing before the budget is approved, but not a single person addressed the board specifically about the budget last night.

And no member of the Vance County board of commissioners made a motion to adopt the budget.

Rather, it appears that the budget adoption is being held up by additional discussion that will take place tomorrow, June 7, at 4 p.m. during a meeting of the county’s Public Safety Committee.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt told WIZS News Tuesday that he hoped people interested in this topic will attend tomorrow’s meeting to learn more about plans for the fire tax rates and plans to restructure/redistrict fire departments across the county – this seems to be a sticking point in the passage of the 2023-24 budget.

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The issue of fire departments has long been a topic of discussion within the county – and Brummitt said there’s a “wildfire of misinformation” swirling about with regard to consolidation of departments, as well as getting more paid staff in place to bolster the largely volunteer organizations.

There’s talk of merging the county fire department and dissolving the Golden Belt district, but Brummitt said misinformation within the community is fueling unfounded rumors.

“I’ve talked to people in professional fire services, fire professionals throughout the region, “ Brummitt said in a telephone interview. “There’s merit in what we’re trying to do.” And, Brummitt contends, there are many options to consider.

Just what that is, however, remains to be seen. Brummitt said a written plan is not ready to be released to the public, but he said he hoped to have some details and accompanying budget figures at tomorrow’s meeting.

The commissioners will reconvene at 4 p.m. on June 14 in a special called meeting to consider any additional recommendations that come from the Public Safety Committee and could possibly adopt the budget at that time.

Commissioners have until June 30 to approve the 2023-24 budget, which currently is at $57.5 million.

If the proposed budget is adopted without changes, improvements to the county’s fire tax fund would help provide 24/5 coverage in the north and south of the county – that is, two additional full-time employees at both the Hicksboro and the Bearpond fire departments.

CLICK PLAY TO HEAR TOWNTALK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION!

 

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Perry Memorial Library Plans A Busy June For Kids

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Young patrons who come to Perry Memorial Library, check out some books or other materials and then leave are missing out on a bunch of fun programs and activities that all happen inside the library.

Melody Peters, the library’s youth services director, reeled off a good-sized list on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

This summer’s reading program is called “All Together Now,” has its official kickoff from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13.

There will be carnival-style games, snacks and some cool swag for participants, including creating an origami butterfly to add to a mural.

Beginning June 14 and continuing on Wednesdays in June and July (except the week of July 4), Cooperative Extension representatives are going to have a Lunch and Learn from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The program is for youth in grades 6-8 and they’ll learn to cook something different each week. Register for the program with an email to ndkearney@ncat.edu.

Mother Goose Story Time resumes next week as well, with activities for the little guys, Peters said. There’s a 10 a.m. slot that is opening up on Thursdays at 10 a.m. for groups like day care centers and others; the 11 a.m. story time is for the public, she said.

Later on Thursdays – from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – the Lego club meets at the library. Summertime activities include special challenges for the builders, as well as a variety of team-building exercises, all while enjoying playing with Legos. This club is for children in grades K-8.

The library will become a movie theater for awhile on June 20 when library staff present “Up,” a Disney Pixar film that Peters said is a perfectly wonderful flick. The movie begins at 2:30 p.m.

On June 27, the Greensboro-based bang “Big Bang Boom” will perform at the library beginning at 11 a.m.

Teen patrons – those youth in middle and high school – haven’t been left out, Peters said. She has created a coupon book, which encourages them to complete activities and get vouchers for free stuff from local vendors.

“We want kids to come in,” Peters said, and enjoy the library. Some of the activities, in addition to reading books, include telling a librarian a joke and creating a chalk drawing on the sidewalk and snapping a pic to share with library staff.

The goal is to submit two completed coupons each week in exchange for the gift voucher. The completed coupons will be put in the mix for a raffle of ear buds at the end of the summer.

“The more coupons in the box, the better the chance to win the raffle,” Peters said.

Read about all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

 

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VCS Gets $50,000 Emerging Technology Grant

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Vance County Schools has been awarded a $50,000 Emerging Technology grant which it plans to use to provide students with a simulator to program robots, including virtual drones.

The local school district was among 12 across the state to get the grant, which is part of the state’s Digital Learning Initiative, designed to promote  effective digital learning practices across the state’s K-12 public schools.

Granville County Public Schools also got $50,000 to create a mobile podcasting studio for students, school employees and community use.

These one-year grants allow districts to use technology and develop more innovative practices within their schools.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said the grants are key to helping North Carolina’s students be better prepared to compete for high-wage, high-demand careers while supporting districts in their effort to adopt new technologies and methods for teaching.

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“These grants are such a critical way we continue providing digital teaching, learning supports, and resources for North Carolina’s districts, educators, and students,” Truitt said. “I commend these districts for their support of digital innovation and desire to incorporate technology into the classroom. These grants will make a difference in the way we equip our students for the rapidly changing, technologically driven world that they will soon enter.”

Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, chief information officer for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, echoed how these grants positively impact a student’s learning experience and better prepare them for the world ahead.

“Technology continues to play a significant role in shaping successful outcomes for students, especially as the workforce continues to be increasingly digitally driven,” Wrenn said. “It is important for students to be well versed in the latest technologies. We continue to be impressed by these schools’ innovation with their grant proposals and how the funds are used to transform student’s educational experience.”

TownTalk: Local Elections And Voter ID

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Local elections officials are gearing up for the fall municipal elections as they set about to comply with the new state law that requires voters to present a photo ID when they go to the polls to cast their vote.

Henderson residents will vote for a new mayor and four City Council seats in the Oct. 10 nonpartisan elections; Voting in Kittrell and Middleburg will take place on Nov. 7, according to Vance County Board of Elections Deputy Director Shelly Wood. Early voting for the Henderson elections begins Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

Most registered voters can simply show their driver’s license, but non-drivers have a variety of options for acceptable photo IDs that meet the criteria from the State Board of Elections.

The photo ID must be a government-issued ID, such as a passport or DMV identification card, available free of charge. Soon, voters can request free photo ID cards from their local elections offices, but they are not available right now.

The main point for voters to understand is that they will be allowed to cast their vote with or without an acceptable photo ID. Those without an acceptable photo ID will complete provisional ballots and submit additional information to be reviewed and certified by the local board of elections.

School IDs and employee identification cards issued by state and local governments could also be used, as long as they have been approved in advance.

State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell said educational institutions and and other government employers have until June 28 to provide the necessary information for approval.

“We strongly encourage all eligible educational institutions and government employers to apply for their IDs to be approved for voting. Getting their IDs approved will help ensure their students and employees are best equipped to participate in our state’s elections,” Bell said in a press statement.

Poll workers in the state’s 100 counties will only be looking at the photo to determine that it reasonably resembles the voter; there’s a process in place for when it doesn’t.

In such a case, the voter will complete a provisional ballot, which will be included in the final tally when the ID is verified.

Local elections officials have about a month before the filing window opens for the three municipal elections in Vance County – candidates may file between 12 noon on Friday, July 7 and 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

The State Board of Elections has a survey open until June 23 to collect public comment on the proposed changes. Find it here: Public Comment Portal: Photo ID Rules. You can also send comments via email to rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov or by regular mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, PO Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255.

There also will be a virtual public hearing on June 19 at 11 a.m. Participants can join by phone or computer. The links are below:

  • Online: Webex
    • Access code: 2435 046 5077
    • Passcode: NCSBE (62723 from phones and video systems)
  • By Phone: (415) 655-0003
    • Access code: 2435 046 5077#
    • Passcode: 62723

To learn more, visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/

 

 

City of Henderson Logo

Proposed City Budget Includes 3.8-Cent Tax Increase, $3 Hike In Sanitation Fees

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The Henderson City Council is expected to adopt the 2023-24 budget at its June 12 meeting, with a few adjustments that have been made since the proposed budget was presented on May 8.

Those changes include a 3.8-cent tax increase, a $3 increase in sanitation rate and 50 percent reduction in non-payment fees for water/sewer customers, from $50 to $25.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the tax increase would mean an extra $318,437 in additional revenue for the city. The increase in sanitation fees will add $196,200, Blackmon said.

Council member Lamont Noel told WIZS News Friday afternoon that the council had reached consensus on the changes over the course of a string of budget work sessions, the most recent of which included a public hearing that took place Tuesday, May 31.

No member of the public spoke for or against the proposed budget at the public hearing, and no member of the council said anything of substance during the May 31 meeting.

A June 5 budget work session that had been announced on the city’s website has been cancelled, according to information from Blackmon Friday afternoon.

The next chance for the public to comment on the budget will be during a public hearing scheduled to take place at the beginning of the June 12 City Council meeting.

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These proposed increases would be the first since 2014, and Blackmon said there could be a slight increase in the water rate as well, now that financing for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System has been secured. That increase hasn’t been determined yet and it’s still being studied.

“Additional revenues will help sustain a stable fund balance to balance the budget and to help meet increased costs related to salaries, utilities, supplies such as chemicals, and other expenses impacted by inflation,” Blackmon stated Friday.

He added that the Council has a policy of maintaining a 30 percent fund balance available in reserves during periods of declining revenues, to be used for emergencies and unforeseen expenses.

It may take a couple of years before the budget is “revenue neutral,” he added. The upcoming county tax revaluation will take effect in January 2024, so that could mean more dollars coming to the city coffers, which would keep the fund balance at a healthy level.

Chamber, Rotary Team Up To Host “State Of The State” June 21

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and The Henderson Rotary Club are hosting the annual “State of the State Address and Luncheon” Wednesday, June 21 at 12 noon.

State Sen. Lisa Barnes and N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon will bring news and updates from the General Assembly to those in attendance.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson said this event is designed to give business leaders and engaged citizens insight and information about what’s happening in Raleigh, especially as it pertains to government budgets, resources, initiatives and more.

Chamber members, staff and guests are invited to attend the luncheon. The price is $30 a person; tables of 8 can be reserved as well.

Registration for the luncheon should be made before June 15. Contact the Chamber at 252.438.8414 or email tanya@hendersonvance.org.

Vance County Early College Celebrates the Class of 2023

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Press Release Courtesy of Vance County Schools —

Vance County Early College High School awarded 33 students with their high school diplomas Friday evening (May 26, 2023) at The Center for Innovation. 29 students also received their Associates of Arts or Science degree from Vance-Granville Community College.

Principal Debbie Hite shared words of encouragement to the graduating class, and VCECHS Class of 2023 graduates Jayson Otts and Katia Portillo-Chavez, delivered farewell addresses to their fellow classmates.

Jayson Otts talked about his journey through senior year, and reminded his classmates that “if you are having a bad day, God woke you up for a reason.”

Katia Portillo-Chavez encouraged the Class of 2023 to, “let us never forget the lessons we’ve learned here, as we go on new roads. Whether it is furthering our education, entering the workforce, enlisting into the military or pursuing our passions. Remember that we all have our destinies and travels to follow.”

Students were presented their diplomas by Principal Debbie Hite, Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Bennett, Mrs. Gloria J. White, VCS Board of Education Chair, and Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College.

Congratulations, Vance County Early College High School Class of 2023!

VCECHS Class of 2023 Fast Facts:

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  • VCECHS Class of 2023 has received over $4.9 million in scholarships.
  • The following seniors are enlisting into the military:
    • Alexander Cruz – U.S. Marines
    • Morris Gene Langley, III – United States Air Force
    • Keyon O’Shea Tunstall – U.S. Marines
  • 31 students are graduating with distinction:
    • 8 seniors are graduating Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.25-3.5)
    • 7 seniors are graduating Magna Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.6-3.9)
    • 16 seniors are graduating Summa Cum Laude (weighted GPA 4.0+)
  • 29 seniors earned their Associates Degree from Vance Granville Community College.
  • VCECHS students have earned a total of 1824 transferable college credits.
  • 23 seniors were accepted into a 2 or 4 year college/university.
  • Students graduated with a variety honors:
    • National Honor Society
    • North Carolina Scholar
    • National Beta Club
    • President’s Award for Educational Excellence
    • President’s Award for Achievement

Vance Virtual Village Academy graduates on Saturday, June 10 at 9 a.m. followed by AdVance Academy at 11 a.m. All ceremonies are at the Center for Innovation and require a ticket to enter.

Drug Complaint Leads to Investigation and May 26th Arrest

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From HPD Chief Marcus W. Barrow — 

On May 26, 2023, members of the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation served a narcotic’s search warrant at 125 Wyche Street Henderson, North Carolina, Apartment 304, in response to a drug complaint.

During the service of the warrant approximately 75 grams of cocaine, drug manufacturing equipment and $13,964.00 in cash proceeds from drug sales were seized.

65-year-old Christopher Williams was arrested in relation to this investigation.

Williams was charged with, two counts of Trafficking Cocaine, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Cocaine, one count of Felony Manufacturing Cocaine, two counts of Maintaining a Dwelling Place for a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Williams received a $150,000.00 secured bond (from the magistrate).

Williams was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.

Williams is currently on Federal Probation for prior drug related charges.

If anyone has information about any ongoing criminal activity, please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252- 492-1925 or P3 app), call us at 252-438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.

(Henderson Police Department Press Release)

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