News 10/10/19
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Town Talk 10/09/19: Ellington, Owens & Spriggs Comment on Election Results
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With only 12.60% of registered voters participating in Tuesday’s City of Henderson municipal election, incumbent mayor Eddie Ellington defeated challenger Sharon Owens by a vote of 652 to 568 to retain his position for an additional four-year term.
Owens carried the north, south and east precincts of Henderson, while Ellington won re-election behind a large margin of victory in west Henderson.
In the only other contested race of the election, Jason Spriggs defeated incumbent George Daye for City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 4th Ward by a count of 637 to 509.
Eddie Ellington
“The citizens have spoken and they have affirmed our course,” said Ellington. “In the last four years we’ve made much progress; however, the journey is not done yet. We enter into a time of great challenge but unlimited possibilities. We’ve got to finish the work we started.”
One of the most important tasks to focus on in the fourth quarter of this year, according to Ellington, is finding the right person for the Henderson City Manager’s position.
Current manager Frank Frazier, who has been with the City for 35 years, is set to retire at the end of January 2020.
Ellington said a firm has been hired to complete the vetting of applicants, and he is looking forward to further discussion in a private council meeting to be held prior to the public Henderson City Council meeting on Monday evening.
While acknowledging that Henderson has many issues that still need addressing, Ellington said he firmly believes much progress has been made in his first term as mayor and encourages all citizens to get involved.
“Go to City Council meetings, read the paper, listen to WIZS and get involved in order to gain perspective on what is being done to address the issues,” Ellington said.
Sharon Owens
“It wasn’t an easy race that I gave the mayor and I believe it gave him something to think about,” laughed Owens in a phone call to WIZS. “If I can get that close, the next person will probably win it.”
While her campaign didn’t result in a victory, Owens said she was proud of her staff and the people who worked hard and supported her.
“While I may not have had all the votes, they have not heard or seen the last of me,” Owens stated.
Owens said that while she wishes nothing but the best for Ellington and believes he’ll “continue to work for our city and make it better,” she also “will not be pleased until there is a turnaround.”
With retirement from her position as a budget analyst with Durham Public Schools on the horizon, Owens said she plans to “take advantage of every opportunity I can to do some work for the city.”
“I’m not satisfied with the work they [City Council] are doing,” explained Owens. “Retiring will give me the time to go out there and solicit people to replace some of the people sitting in those seats that I’m not pleased with.”
Owens said she is excited that Spriggs was elected to the City Council and looks forward to seeing what he brings to the table. “I’m grateful that Jason is getting an opportunity and has new, fresh ideas for the City Council, so I’m just as thrilled as if I had won.”
Jason Spriggs
Celebrating the victory with his campaign team, family and supporters, Spriggs said last night’s win “was the catalyst that can put plans into motion.”
In previous interviews with WIZS, Spriggs has discussed his belief that economic development in Henderson needs to extend beyond Dabney Drive and the downtown area.
“We need economic growth throughout Henderson, but especially east and north to equal what’s happening on Dabney Drive.”
Part of the lack of economic growth in those areas, according to Spriggs, is an image problem.
“I’m going to be real honest and frank, for the last week or so, I’ve spent most of my time on the east side around the Flint Hill area,” said Spriggs. “I’m a bit discouraged because if you were a visitor and came into that area, you would think it was a slum. It’s not a slum because people there are acting like it’s a slum, it’s a slum because of the way it looks. I personally believe as a city we can do something practical, logical and effective to change the way it looks.”
Spriggs also addressed the low voter turnout to the election by saying, “The turnout was low and it hurt. In the next four years, that turnout should be at least triple that. I think that’s a goal we need to reach for.”
Daye could not be reached for comment but previously said on WIZS “TownTalk” that he hoped Spriggs would win and looked forward to seeing some younger blood on the council.
Other, uncontested positions in the municipal election include:
Alderman At-Large 3rd Ward – Melissa Elliott
Alderman 1st Ward – Marion Brodie Williams
Alderman 2nd Ward – Mike Rainey
To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Salvation Army to Accept Holiday Bell Ringer, Christmas Assistance Applications
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The Salvation Army will begin to accept applications for holiday bell ringers on Monday, October 14, 2019. Apply at The Salvation Army facility currently located at 355 Alexander Avenue in Henderson.
Additionally, Christmas assistance applications for this year’s “Angel Tree Program” will be accepted October 15 – 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Salvation Army’s 355 Alexander Avenue location.
Eligibility requirements:
- Eligible children must be 12 years of age or younger and reside in the county where applying
- Adult applicants must meet one of the following requirements: be able to show proof of employment or other income, be a full-time student, child or parent must be on disability, be a Senior Citizen age 62 or above.
Applicants must bring the following documents to apply:
- Photo ID for ALL adults in the household
- Birth certificate and/or social security card for ALL household members
- Proof of income – employer pay stubs, verification letter showing disability or social security income, proof of Work First income or proof of unemployment income
- If applicable, proof of being a full-time student
- Proof of ALL expenses and any other income
Applications cannot be accepted without these documents. Please do not bring children during this process.
Distribution will be Wednesday, December 18.
Please note that residents of Warren, Franklin, Granville, Northampton and Halifax counties should apply at their county’s Department of Social Services.
Kiwanis Club of Henderson to Hold 9th Annual Golf Tournament
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The Kiwanis of Henderson, with support from Charles Boyd Chevrolet, J.M. White Funeral Service and Maria Parham Health, presents the 9th Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Kerr Lake Country Club in Henderson.
The four-person superball tournament includes greens fee, cart and lunch for $50 per person/$200 per team.
Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
First place wins $400 ~ second place wins $300 ~ great prizes every par 3 ~ hole in one prize of new automobile ~ door prizes and 50/50 raffle.
Applications are available at the Kerr Lake Country Club Pro Shop (252) 492-1895 or contact Ron at (919) 810-2950.
Every penny raised goes back to the children of Vance County.
VGCC Students Help With Ducky Derby
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College students volunteered at Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start’s 10th Annual “Ducky Derby” fundraiser in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 21.
The Ducky Derby festival, the local Smart Start program’s signature fundraiser, was a sell-out event, with record-setting attendance. Young children and their families watched over 2,250 yellow rubber ducks, purchased by supporters, swim down the “river” on Garnett Street and race to the finish line.
VGCC student Simone Rose assists with F-G-V Smart Start’s 10th Annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson. (VGCC photo)
A part of the festival included providing entertainment and games for the children, such as corn hole and ring toss, face painting and balloon animals.
Students from VGCC’s Early Childhood Education degree program assisted with implementing the games and helped to make sure that all the ducks had a safe journey down the “river.” Additionally, students assisted with the setup and cleanup of the event.
Participating VGCC students included Tiffany Bailey, Debi Brotherton, Brittaniana Channell, Cornisha Mitchell, Simone Rose and Ashley Wright.
“This event was an excellent example of our instructors and students serving as stellar representatives of VGCC and collaborating with the community we serve and was particularly appropriate since these students are in training to teach and nurture children,” said Antoinette C. Dickens, the college’s Department Chair of Public Service and Work-Based Learning Coordinator.
VGCC’s Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares students to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs; preschools; public and private schools; recreational centers; Head Start Programs; and school-age programs.
The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
For more information, contact Dr. Tracey Bennett Carter at (252) 738-3471 or cartert@vgcc.edu.
News 10/09/19
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Mayor Ellington Re-elected; Spriggs Unseats Daye on Council
Incumbent Mayor Eddie Ellington won re-election in Tuesday’s non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election. He earned 652 total votes to 568 votes from challenger Sharon Owens.
Just 12.60% of voters turned out.
Jason Spriggs defeated incumbent George Daye for City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 4th Ward by a final, unofficial count of 637 to 509.
Ellington told WIZS News that he plans to continue to work on the positive growth he’s seen in Henderson over the last 12 to 18 months and indicated the biggest thing now for the City is to find the next City Manager, of which the manager is the one who deals with the day-to-day running of the City. Ellington said he wanted to work towards positive growth for all of the City and its citizens.
Of the four larger precincts in Henderson, Owens carried the north, south and east, while Ellington won re-election behind a large margin of victory in west Henderson.
Owens thanked her supporters, said it would not be the last she was heard from, and said she would have more time for civics in Henderson just as soon as she retired. She spoke of getting more involved and holding those in office more accountable.
Spriggs spoke to WIZS News and talked about seeing positive economic growth in additional areas in the City, whereas a lot of growth has already occurred along Dabney Drive and to the west. He spoke in an excited and enthusiastic voice and expressed appreciation toward George Daye, who has worked with Spriggs in the past and encouraged him about running for the City Council.
Daye could not be reached for comment on election night but previously said on WIZS “TownTalk” that he hoped Spriggs would win to see some younger blood on the council.
Hometown Debate Series to Tackle Delivery of Medical Services – Oct. 17
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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The NC Institute of Political Leadership and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce present the 2019 Hometown Debate Series: A Conversation on the Delivery of Medical Services.
The event is free to the public and will be held at the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus in Henderson on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The discussion begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
State Representatives Donna McDowell White and Maryann Black will speak at the occasion, along with Gregory Griggs, with the NC Academy of Family Physicians and Jordan Roberts, with the John Locke Foundation.
The debate is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Humana, IIANC: Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, NC Rural Center and the NCAHU: North Carolina Associate of Health Underwriters.
Town Talk 10/08/19: Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Reports 1,300+ Domestic Calls
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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk will feature local organizations that deal with various aspects of this prevalent type of abuse each Tuesday in October.
Debbie Scott, Gang Resource Specialist and Domestic Violence Investigator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, was on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to discuss her role as a “supporter and advocate for those who are afraid.”
According to Emergency 911 reports, 1,304 domestic calls were reported throughout the City of Henderson and County of Vance between October 1, 2018, and October 1, 2019. Of these calls, 445 were assaults involving the victim being struck by the attacker’s body or a weapon; 84 were sexual assaults.
Scott said that once she receives a report of a domestic call, she follows up with a phone call to the victim and explains their options and available resources.
“I advise them if they should seek further assistance, make recommendations and share with them community resources,” said Scott. “I also explain their right to file a Domestic Violence Protection Order, otherwise known as a 50B, and sometimes serve as their support in court.”
Scott stated that protection orders can be taken out at the Vance County Clerk of Court Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and at the Magistrate Office after hours. The Vance County Courthouse is located at 156 Church St. in downtown Henderson.
Though Scott said many victims do not leave their partners after a domestic violence incident, she always suggests that they have a safety plan in the event that they do decide to remove themselves and their children from the abusive situation.
“I tell them to have some money set aside, at least a few dollars, talk to a family member or friend about staying with them for a few days, makes copies or take photos of important documents, keep a cell phone and don’t hesitate to call 911 or the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.”
When asked why victims do not leave abusive partners, Scott responded, “They’ll say they don’t have a job, they can’t support themselves or their kids, they worry about what will happen after they leave, they say they love them or think they will change; there are a variety of reasons.”
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, resources and assistance for domestic violence victims are available at the Vance County Department of Social Services, located at 350 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, or by calling the main office line at (252) 492-5001.
Infinite Possibilities, a non-profit domestic violence organization, is also available by calling (252) 431-1926 or the 24-hour local crisis line at (252) 425-2492. A National Hotline is also available by calling 1-800-799-7233.
Vance County ‘State of Our Schools’ Address to Highlight Successes
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-Press Release, Vance County Schools
The Vance County State of Our Schools will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2019. The first event will take place at Henderson Country Club by invitation, designed for elected officials and business partners.
The evening event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Vance County Middle School and is open to everyone in our community.
The State of Our Schools is an opportunity for stakeholders in our community to hear directly from Dr. Jackson regarding the successes and accomplishments within our district.
Additionally, the Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman, Dorothy Gooche, Vance County Principal of the Year, Rey Horner and the Vance County Teacher of the Year, Mary Landis, will be speaking briefly.
There will also be a performance by the Vance County High School chorus at the mid-day State of the Schools address.
This event will provide information about how Vance County Schools continues to make progress, achieve growth and make a difference in the lives of our students, community and beyond. Our schools are linking learning to life and when those connections and relationships are made, success becomes apparent in our students, schools and community.