The Local Skinny! Positive Parenting Program

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Parents everywhere can probably remember a time or two when their children created a stressful situation – maybe it was a tantrum on the toy aisle or the nightly shriek of “NO!” at the mention of bedtime or bathtime.

What’s a parent to do?

Kimiko Williams is the coordinator of Postive Parenting Program – Triple P, for short – for Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties and she said it’s a program worth checking out.

The program helps parents reduce stress. “Parenting can be very, very stressful,” Williams said, whether you’re a new parent or a parent with vast experience.

“You want to enjoy raising your children,” she said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

But stressing out over bad behavior and power struggles does not bring much pleasure, she said.

Triple P is an evidence-based program that helps parents identify their strengths and then come up with strategies that build on those strengths – it’s not a one-size-fits-all program. And there’s no cost involved.

“Every parent has strengths to bring to the table,” Williams said.

“Children feed off of what we are giving out,” she continued, adding that the more tools and strategies in a parent’s tool belt can serve to lessen those power struggles and lower incidents of misbehavior.

Confident parenting skills create more confident, self-sufficient children.

“It’s all in how you interact with the child,” she said. Fussing and yelling detracts from the bonding that takes place between a parent and child.

“We all need help when it comes to parenting,” Williams said. Finding strategies that promote kindness in the way parents interact with their children helps reduce stress levels of the adult and of the child.

Call Williams at 919.496.2533 (ext. 2335) to learn more about Triple P and to find a practitioner near you.

 

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TownTalk: Vance County Retirement Community Designation Ceremony

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With Kerr Lake as a backdrop, local officials and community leaders witnessed Vance County receiving its official designation as a certified retirement community. It joins 17 other communities across the state, marking an achievement that has been some years in the making.

In welcoming remarks, Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry called the designation a significant milestone in the life of the community. “It’s not just a badge of honor,” Perry said, “it’s a testament to the vibrant quality of life, welcoming spirit and rich resources that make Vance County a wonderful place to live, work, and now – officially – retire.”

Visit NC’s Andre Nabors said North Carolina attracts people who are looking for “small town Americana” in retirement. But they aren’t quite ready to sit in rocking chairs, he said. “Some are looking to start businesses…and be great volunteers in the community as well.”

With amenities that include Kerr Lake, as well as McGregor Hall, quality health care facilities and proximity to larger cities, Vance County is poised to be a destination for retirees.

It’s a win-win situation: retirees enjoy what the county offers and the county enjoys the boost in economic development that accompanies an infusion of residents.

Through VisitNC, N.C. Department of Tourism markets the designated retirement communities. And Nabors was quick to point to the economic impact that retirees have before and after they make the all-important decision about where to live in retirement.

“Before they make a decision to call another place home, they’re going to visit four to seven times before they make a decision,” Nabors said. “That’s tourism dollars” that come in the form of gas tank fillups, lodging, dining in local restaurants and visiting coffee shops.

“They’re in their ‘fun’ phase,” he continued, describing youthful retirees as folks who may want to start a small business or engage in community and civic activities.

“North Carolina is continuing to be an asset for those who are looking to view their Golden Years in another location,” Nabors said. With this new designation, Vance County will be included in marketing materials, like a new RetireNC guidebook that will be placed in the state’s nine welcome centers and visitor centers.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said the chamber predicts positive results from the retirement community designation. “We’re not selfish. We want to share our beautiful community with others. I believe this designation will put a welcoming spotlight on us,” she told the group gathered for the presentation.

Vance County’s new Economic Development Director, Ferdinand Rouse, agreed.

The designation “reflects progress we are making to a prosperous future where all residents, whether starting a career or enjoying retirement can thrive…I look forward to what’s next in Vance County.”

 

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Meet Maria Parham’s Surgical Robot Nov. 4

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Maria Parham Health welcomes the newest addition to its surgical team – the da Vinci Surgical Robot, a groundbreaking advancement in surgical technology. To celebrate, the hospital invites the Henderson/Vance County community to attend the “Meet the Robot!” event on Monday, Nov. 4 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This special event will provide attendees with an exclusive opportunity to explore the capabilities of Maria Parham’s newest surgical team member. Guests will learn how this state-of the-art technology enhances patient care and surgical precision, revolutionizing the way surgeries are performed.

“We are thrilled to bring this advanced technology to our community,” said Donna Young, public information officer at Maria Parham Health. “The da Vinci Surgical Robot represents the future of robotic surgery, and we can’t wait to share its benefits with our patients and community members.”

Join Maria Parham for this informative and engaging event, where you can meet the da Vinci Surgical Robot and discover how it will improve surgical outcomes for patients.

For more information about the “Meet the Robot!” event, contact Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.

(This post is not a paid ad.)

TownTalk: County Tax Rate Discussion

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In a follow-up to recent criticism aimed at the recent tax-rate increase adopted by Vance County by a concerned citizens group, Manager C. Renee Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that she is working with County Attorney Jonathan Care to determine next steps.

Representatives of the Concerned Citizens of Vance County addressed the board of commissioners during the public comment portion of the Oct. 7 meeting. Commissioners only receive comments during that time and do not respond.

“…we haven’t decided what action to take as far as a response goes,” Perry said in an email to WIZS.

In remarks during that public comment period, citizen Caroline Burnette asserted that the commissioners were violating public meeting laws by not having written minutes of the June 13 work session. Minutes are supposed to be voted on or adopted by a majority of the board, she said.

Perry said minutes of that June 13 work session will be taken to the board at its Nov. 4 meeting for approval; once approved, the clerk to the board will post the minutes to the website.

“Historically, official minutes have NOT been kept for budget work session, work sessions, or committee meetings,” Perry told WIZS. “Moving forward, we will keep official minutes for all budget work sessions, work sessions, and committee meetings.”

Burnette also said she wanted commissioners to allow county residents to pay the taxes they paid in 2023 and “to direct the tax administrator to take no action on delinquent taxes if the 2023 amount has been paid.”

Perry said commissioners “have not indicated that’s a direction they want to take.”

The foreclosure process can begin when a property owner is two years behind in paying taxes.

According to information on the Vance County Tax Administration’s webpage, tax bills not paid by Jan. 6 will be charged a 2 percent interest on unpaid taxes due.

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KVA Marks 50 Years Of Accreditation With Latest External Review

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Kerr-Vance Academy Head of School Matthew McLaughlin has announced that the school has achieved 50 years of accreditation from Cognia, a nonprofit improvement organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

“It is an honor and a privilege to stand with Kerr-Vance Academy today as we reach this milestone,” McLaughlin stated in a letter to KVA parents.  “Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides a nationally recognized mark of quality and sustained excellence for our school. Being able to maintain this distinction for 50 years demonstrates our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”

KVA Board of Trustees President Robert Bowen – who also is a KVA alumnus and a KVA parent – reflected on a half-century of accreditation.

“We are reminded of the dedication and commitment that have brought us here. This achievement reflects our unwavering focus on providing an exceptional education for our students, ensuring that they are prepared to thrive in the world. On behalf of the KVA Board of Trustees, we are proud of the hard work of our educators, students and the community, and we look forward to continuing this legacy of excellence for many years to come.”

Throughout its more than 125 years of service, Cognia has recognized schools across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource reallocation, and effective leadership. To receive Cognia Accreditation, a school must submit to an external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission is a recognition that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring that all students can flourish in engaging and equitable school environments. Kerr-Vance Academy has continually met high standards and made progress on key indicators that impact student learning. Maintaining their accredited status for half of a century can only be achieved with a steadfast commitment to high quality education and continuous improvement.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at https://www.cognia.org/.

Visit https://www.kerrvance.com/  to learn more.

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TownTalk: The Evolution of 4-H

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Most anybody who has participated in 4-H at one time or another can probably remember what the four H’s stand for.

If you came up with Head, Heart, Hands, Health, give yourself a pat on the back.

And although its roots are based in agriculture-related programs, today’s 4-H clubs are pivoting to embrace the growing fields of STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.

Micah Sharpe is Vance County’s Extension agent for 4-H Youth Development. Sharpe said on Tuesday’s TownTalk segment that 4-H clubs tend to reflect the counties in which they operate.

“We still have farming, poultry,” Sharpe said, but 4-H’ers are also “coding robots, flying drones (and) using iPads to create digital marketing.”

4-H is for young people between 5 and 18, and Sharpe said programs and activities can look different, depending on the age group.

The 4-H Clover Buds, as the 5- to 7-year-old group is called, tend to get more hands-on, fun activities, Sharpe said. They’re eager to learn but their attention span is short.

Tweens and teens can sit still a bit longer, so they can handle discussions about topics including civic engagement and the importance of voting, for example.

Sheronika Sharp is the STEM specialist at Vance County Cooperative Extension, and Sharpe said he values their collaboration to create programs, trainings and more.

Sharpe said he has programs that can be taught in school settings, but it can be challenging to gain inroads in that program delivery method.

He said he likes to talk about his 4-H programs and curricula with school counselors, Career and Technical Education teachers, and principals; he trains teachers to carry out the programs as after-school activities, so even if he cannot be there, instructors will know what to do.

Sharpe did not grow up with 4-H – in fact, his first exposure to the program was last year.

But it hasn’t taken long for him to realize the benefits 4-H offers young people.

He tells them, “You’ve got to do what’s right for yourself,” but he follows up with “It’s cool to be knowledgeable.”

Whether they’re learning the basics of cooking through the Dinah Gore challenge or learning to fly drones, 4-H brings together head, heart, hands and health to support young people along their journey to adulthood.

To learn more, contact Sharpe at 252.438.8188, mosharpe@ncsu.edu or even just drop by the office at 305 Young St.

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TownTalk: Concerned Citizens Group Vocal On Tax Rate, Budget Process

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A group of concerned citizens has been gaining momentum and voicing their disapproval of the process used by city and county elected officials to approve the 2024-25 budget, including the jump in property tax bills brought on by the recently completed revaluation.

During the public comment period at recent council and commissioners’ meetings, representatives of the citizens’ group have called for both bodies to allow taxpayers to pay the amount of their 2023 taxes without penalty for failure to pay the 2024 amount.

Concerned Citizens of Vance County had about 300 people at their Sept. 17 meeting; the Oct. 17 meeting attracted about 75 people, according to organizers.

Several individuals associated with the group have appeared before the Henderson City Council and the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Most recently, Caroline Burnette and Melissa Lemmond, both Henderson residents, were critical of the way that the city and county turned their backs on revenue-neutral budgets in favor of a tax rate increase. County commissioners approved a 10-cent increase; the City Council voted for a 20-cent increase. Burnette is a N.C. District Court judge; Lemmond practices law in Henderson.

In comments to the City Council on Oct. 14, Lemmond said, “I’m back here again about the tax issue because I think this city council has done a real disservice to the citizens of Henderson…I don’t think you thought about how it was going to affect people,” she said.

In comments to the county commissioners on Oct. 7, Burnette asserted that commissioners violated the Public Meetings Law by not having written minutes of June budget work sessions.

“The board gave consensus to bring back a balanced budget with a 10-cent tax increase,” Burnette said. “That was transacting business – real or apparent,” she said, quoting a portion of the law in question. Minutes are supposed to be voted on or adopted by a majority of the board, she added.

“So, the June 24 (budget) approval could be found null and void by a Superior Court judge,” Burnette said, for what she said was the commissioners’ failure to comply with the law. “An injunction could also be issued so that this will never happen again and you could also be ordered personally to pay attorneys’ fees,” she continued.

“Commissioners, it’s time to do the right thing. I implore you to let the citizens of Vance County pay the taxes they paid in 2023 (and) to direct the tax administrator to take no action on delinquent taxes if the 2023 amount has been paid.”

In her comments to the City Council on Oct. 14, Lemmond said the 20-cent city tax increase, along with the 10-cent county increase, will have dire consequences.

“Y’all are going to cause foreclosures… cause people to lose their homes, cause renters to be forced out,” she said. She was one of a handful of citizens who spoke to voice their concern for the way the budget process was handled.

“When you passed the 65 cents, there was no discussion. So either you talked about it ahead of time and everybody agreed, and it wasn’t in a meeting, or you just didn’t care enough and said ‘oh yeah, we’ll make it 65 cents,’” Lemmond said.

She made similar remarks to commissioners on Sept. 3 on the budget approval and tax rate increase. “It had to have been discussed somewhere, sometime for it to have passed that quickly,” she said.

“I understand the need for more money, we all need more money,” Lemmond said. “But that was a really big tax hike and I don’t’ think the county thought through what it was going to do to a lot of these people…it shouldn’t have been that big of an increase.”

Concerned Citizens for Vance County meets at the local headquarters of the Republican Party, located at 605 S. Garnett St. every third Thursday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.

The group’s email address is concernedforvance@gmail.com and a Facebook page is being worked on as of this date.

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