TownTalk 03-18-21: Vance County Comprehensive Architectural Survey to be Conducted

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Local history buffs, take note: Vance County is one of six counties chosen to have a comprehensive architectural survey conducted over the next couple of years. A state historic preservation expert was on Town Talk Thursday to discuss the project with Bill Harris and Mark Pace.

Elizabeth King, architectural survey coordinator with the NC Department of Cultural Resources, said the next step – after selecting field workers – will be to have a “scoping phase” which could start as early as this summer. This phase should take about six months and includes examining the 300-plus properties already identified in Vance County, most of which are in Henderson. The second phase involves conducting a complete evaluation of rural Vance County, including Kittrell and Middleburg, she said. Then the final phase, which should start in early 2023, will take a thorough look at yet-to-be-identified properties in Henderson.

King said this project is “long, long overdue” for Vance County.  The project is scheduled to be completed by late 2023.

The most recent architectural survey was conducted in 1974 and was meant to be merely an information-gathering project rather than a comprehensive record of buildings and places with historical significance, she said.

Back in 1966, Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act, whose mission was to create a national inventory of historic buildings and historic places, King noted.

As coordinator of the survey in her role with the State Historic Preservation Office, she said she is “standing on the shoulders of giants” because North Carolina is recognized for having one of the best architectural survey programs in the nation.

Click play for 3-18-21 TownTalk broadcast.

In the early 1970’s, young people, many fresh out of college, were hired to do a county-by-county inventory of historic buildings, King said. They interviewed residents in the communities and created a record of historic places that were beginning to disappear from the landscape and from people’s memories.  “These young surveyors were going out and capturing local history from some of the last people who were living that agrarian lifestyle,” she said of the work done back then.

The migration from rural to city life after World War II, as well as the creation of Kerr Lake in the 1950’s are a couple of factors that contribute to fading memories and disappearing buildings that could be considered architecturally and historically significant.

King said she and her colleagues in the historical preservation field use “the 50-year rule” when talking about historical significance of buildings and places. This year, a building built in 1971 could be considered as having historical significance, she explained. “But it may not be ‘historic’ with a Capital H,” she said. “We have to continually be moving that needle to be capturing younger aspects of our history,” King added.

What makes or breaks projects such as the survey is local involvement, King said. “We want to raise awareness at a local level of what is special and regionally unique” to the area, she said. A public meeting will be held closer to the beginning of the field work phase to exchange information with the community. King said the project will certainly have a technical component to collect information such as window patterns, roof lines and the like, but another component is “to listen and absorb” information from the community.

And rest assured, she said, that nobody associated with the survey will visit a property without permission. “We do not trespass. If we aren’t invited on someone’s property, we will attempt to make contact,” she said, adding that all workers would be clearly identified and will carry business cards and official letters stating the purpose of their visit.

To learn more, contact King at elizabeth.king@ncdcr.gov or 919.814.6580.

“The Local Skinny!” March 18; Eddie Ferguson VGCC Foundation and more

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It may seem like a small detail, but Vance-Granville Community College officials have decided to change its fundraising arm from an endowment to a foundation.

Eddie Ferguson, executive director of the VGCC Foundation, said that changing one little word could make a big difference in fundraising opportunities.

Ferguson spoke with John C. Rose Thursday on The Local Skinny and said the move to become a foundation opens up additional opportunities for funding. The community college awards more than $250,000 each year to more than 350 students on the four campuses, he said.

“We’re very excited about becoming a foundation,” Ferguson said, as a way “to broaden our appeal to many more businesses and particularly other foundations that may want to support community colleges.”

Ferguson cited a recent example: VGCC secured a grant from the Cannon Foundation to repurpose some space at Main Campus and also to purchase equipment and truck driving simulators at the Warren Campus. Some foundations, he said, do not give to endowments, but by becoming a foundation, VGCC could receive additional grants like this one.

“The name change allows us to offer not only the ability to raise money for scholarships but also to help the college raise additional funds for the different types of initiatives and program that we need to create and enjoy,” he said.

Another advantage of a foundation is to raise funds for the college itself, the same way a capital campaign works, he said. “We have many programs that we’d like to expand upon and start and repurpose,” Ferguson said.

There are several ways to give to VGCC, including individuals writing checks and donating appreciated stock to churches and businesses establishing scholarships in memory or in honor of others. VGCC is still a 501c3 entity, which means that contributions may be tax deductible. Over the last 30 years or so, he said, the community has created hundreds of scholarships for VGCC students. That support has not wavered during the pandemic, he added.

“It’s an indication of support the community has provided to Vance-Granville,” he said. “They see the value of Vance-Granville in the community,” and Ferguson said the foundation name will enhance the giving opportunities for individuals, churches and other community businesses.

He estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of students receive scholarships. “In a rural community like ours, money is important, so we try to help students as best we can,” tuition, books and other fees can be costly, so “the more we can reduce the cost of education, the more a student can take advantage of education and improve their lot in life with economic mobility.”

To learn more, email Ferguson at fergusone@vgcc.edu or phone him at 252.738.3264.

Visit www.vgcc.edu and click on “Giving” to make a contribution online.

(THE LOCAL SKINNY! ON WIZS AT 11:30 A.M. MON-THURS ALSO TYPICALLY FEATURES CALLS FROM LISTENERS, ITEMS FOR SALE AND THE VANCE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION REPORT.  CLICK HERE FOR THOSE “TRADIO-LIKE” ITEMS AND CLICK HERE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION REPORTS.)

buy, sell, trade items.NC Coop Extension

VGCC Law Enforcement Training Division Receives Reaccreditation

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— VGCC Press Release

Vance-Granville Community College’s Law Enforcement training division received word last week that three programs have been reaccredited until May of 2026.

Last month, a field representative from the Criminal Justice Standards Division of the State Department of Justice conducted an audit of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), Speed Measuring Instrument Training, and General Instructor Training programs. The audit included a review of program-related files campus facilities, and program equipment to ensure compliance with guidelines set by North Carolina Training and Standards Commission.

Law Enforcement Training Coordinator, Glen Boyd, said, “Our training and administrative staff work tirelessly to maintain the integrity and proper documentation of our programs. We would like to thank our partner agencies for trusting us to provide training for their agency.”

VGCC’s Law Enforcement Training program has been providing training at all levels for over 40 years. The program partners with and serves law enforcement and corrections agencies in Granville, Vance, Franklin and Warren counties.

For more information about VGCC law enforcement­­ programs please visit https://www.vgcc.edu/program/blet/ or contact Glen Boyd, Coordinator of Law Enforcement Training, at boydg@vgcc.edu or Trudy Hargrove, Administrative Assistant, at hargrovet@vgcc.edu.

“The Local Skinny!” March 17 Home and Garden Show

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Each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on WIZS 1450 AM / 100.1 FM Your Community Voice, “The Local Skinny!” will feature the Home and Garden Show.

Vance County Cooperative Extension agents Paul McKenzie and Wayne Rowland announce the show each week live and take phone calls at 492-5594 with home, lawn and garden questions.

During the week, you can also call them directly in their office downtown at 438-8188.

Home and Garden Show Podcast of March 17, 2021.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News Audio 03-17-21 Noon

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WIZS, Your Community Voice — 100.1 FM / 1450 AM

Click Play for today’s Local News Audio.

Local News Airs on WIZS M-F at 8 a.m., 12 Noon and 5 p.m.

PRESENTED IN PART BY OUR SPONSOR DRAKE DENTISTRY

“TownTalk” Airs on WIZS M-F at 11 a.m.

“The Local Skinny!” Airs on WIZS Mon-Thurs at 11:30 a.m.

 

Vance Commissioners Could Bring Fire Discussion to a Head Soon

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The Vance County Public Safety Committee met Monday to continue discussing the possible reorganization of the county’s fire department structure. Although no final decisions have been made yet, County Manager Jordan McMillen said there seems to be some progress toward a satisfactory resolution.

This issue – to create a fire department structure to provide as close to 24-hour protection as possible – has been the topic of conversation for the past several years, and McMillen said Tuesday that there is hope for reaching that goal.

The board renewed its desire to bring the issue to a close at its recent planning retreat in February. The volunteer fire departments have been able to lower their Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings as a result of receiving additional funds from the county, which were used to hire at least part-time paid staff.

“Some good things” have come about as a result of the continuing talks at the county level, and despite some disagreement, “at the end of the day, we’re making some improvements,” McMillen said.

The volunteer fire departments have been able to lower their ISO scores, which operate on a scale of 1 to 10 and indicate how well the community is protected by the fire department. The lower the score, the better protected the community. The volunteer departments have scores of 5 or 6, some down from as high as 9. ISO ratings affect fire insurance rates.

McMillen said the board would hear the update from the public safety committee at its next meeting, and would be considering several key issues: 1)how to handle rescue services – continue with contract services or pull the service in-house; 2)determine whether there is interest in dispersing the county’s fire department; and 3)determine whether to look at revisiting fire district lines which could reduce response times.

The rescue services contract should be able to be decided before the end of fiscal year 2021, but the discussion of the other two components probably will take longer to decide.

McMillen said the committee members stressed that the most important thing is to provide the best fire service possible. “We’re on the right path,” he said.

McMillen said … (Click Here for sound or on the Image Below)

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen

For God, For Peace, For Brent, For Family, For Friends, For Community

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If you will, please allow us to remember Brent Montgomery with the words in this attached broadcast.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 03-16-21 Noon

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WIZS Your Community Voice — 100.1 FM / 1450 AM

Click Play for today’s Local News Audio.

PRESENTED IN PART BY OUR SPONSOR DRAKE DENTISTRY

Local News Airs on WIZS M-F at 8 a.m., 12 Noon and 5 p.m.

“TownTalk” Airs on WIZS M-F at 11 a.m.

“The Local Skinny!” Airs on WIZS Mon-Thurs at 11:30 a.m.

 

Maria Parham Health

Betsy Hunt Named Chief Nursing Officer of Maria Parham Health

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— press release from Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announced today that Betsy Hunt has been named Chief Nursing Officer of MPH, effective immediately. Betsy Hunt has been acting as interim CNO since October of 2020.

“We are so excited to have Betsy step into this important leadership role,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “She is an exemplary leader with a tremendous amount of clinical experience and expertise. Her commitment to patient care, physicians, employees, and the community is evident in all that she does, and I know that she will help us further advance our mission of Making Communities Healthier.”

“Betsy is a great fit for this leadership role,” Beard added. “We have been so impressed with her experience and knowledge, as well as her genuine care for people. We are looking forward to working with her to lead the hospital forward.”

Betsy Hunt has been with LifePoint since 2013, working at Person Memorial Hospital and then joining Maria Parham Health in 2015. At MPH, her roles, responsibilities, and impact have progressed on the nursing and clinical quality front to position our health system among the safest in the company and throughout the nation as it pertains to process, protocols, and preventable harms.

“Maria Parham Health is such an important part of this community,” said Hunt, and I am really excited to take on this new role with this incredible team of individuals. I look forward to building on the solid foundation that already exists and helping the leadership team look for even more ways to improve the overall health and well-being of this community.”

Betsy Hunt holds a Master’s degree in Nursing with a concentration and leadership and management from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also has an Associate in Science in Nursing from Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and an Associate in Arts degree from Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina. She is a certified professional in patient safety (CPPS).

(Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS.  This is not a paid ad.)