Billy Gooch – Vance Co. Sheriff Candidate Q&A

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Name: Billy Gooch

Candidate For: Vance County Sheriff

Age: 37

Town of Residence: Henderson

Previous position(s) held: Sergeant of Criminal Investigation Division/K-9 Handler at Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Degrees/Certifications Earned: Basic Law Enforcement Training; Radar Operator Certification; DCI Certification; Police Law Institute Training; Narcotics Investigation; First Line Supervision; Taser Certification; Comprehensive Roadside Criminal Interdiction; Precision and Pursuit Driver Training; Police Law Institute Training for Supervisors; K-9 Instructor; NCAware Certification; CJ Leads Certification and NC Linx Certification

 

What motivated you to run for Vance County Sheriff?

Not only as a law enforcement officer but also as a citizen of Vance County I was tired of seeing the community I was born and raised in continue to spiral downhill due to violence and drug activity. This is one of the reasons I decided to run for sheriff so I can bring the community back together and help pave a safer future for our youth.

 

What distinguishes you from other candidates?

I am young, energetic, honest and approachable. I don’t believe in being a paper-pusher or being absent from my duties. I want to be out in the community with my deputies being proactive and visible with a hands-on approach.

I have dedicated 15 and a half years of my life to serving the citizens of Vance County.  Even as a supervisor, I have served search warrants, executed drug raids, investigated crime scenes, worked murder investigations and performed K-9 tracks/searches. I will be a working Sheriff.

I know what it will take to make the department run more smoothly and efficiently. Being Sheriff of Vance County is more than just a title to me, it’s about stepping up to be a strong leader for our community, it’s about having more youth involvement as they are our future, and it’s about ensuring that the citizens in our county feel safe.

 

What do you believe is the single most important skill to possess in order to be a successful sheriff?

In order to be a successful sheriff, you need to have strong leadership skills.  Strong leadership will instill in our deputies the eagerness to perform their job in a professional manner and to the best of their ability.  It will increase morale in the department which will restore a sense of pride and dignity in our deputies.

A strong leader will also regain trust in the community through effective communication and an open door policy.  We need a strong leader that is engaged in the community and keeps the community informed.

 

If elected, would you keep the Sheriff’s department moving along its current path or change the course?

After being employed with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for the past 15 years I have noticed some issues within the department’s chain of command.  I feel that I could make improvements by moving positions around to help the department run more smoothly and efficiently.

I would also like to bring in more experienced deputies. I have reached out to several past certified employees of the Sheriff’s Office who have expressed interest in coming back to the department to help me reach my goal of filling vacant positions.

The Sheriff’s Department needs to become more involved in the community, especially with our youth. I would like to build better relationships and trust between law enforcement and our citizens by hosting events that would bring the two together.

 

What do you believe is the biggest concern facing Vance County today and what would you do as Sheriff to address that concern?

I believe the biggest concern facing Vance County today is the opioid epidemic. Other crimes such as theft, burglary, assault, and murder also stem from drug activity. As Sheriff, I would expand our narcotics unit and make sure that the unit is fully staffed with experienced deputies that already have connections with state and federal agencies. A solid connection will allow us to speed up conviction rates of repeat offenders and make sure they are served with harsher sentencing.

I would also bring back the drug interdiction unit in an effort to intercept narcotics being transported through our county via major highways.  I would like to introduce a special enforcement unit to concentrate on high crime areas throughout the county. I would also implement drug awareness and prevention programs in our schools. By taking a proactive approach to our drug problem the crime rate in Vance County will gradually decrease.

 

The photo accompanying this article provided by Billy Gooch.

 

Charles Pulley – Vance Co. Sheriff Candidate Q&A

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Name: Charles Pulley

Candidate For: Vance County Sheriff

Age: 57

Town of Residence: Henderson

Previous position(s) held: Lieutenant – Henderson Police Department (Retired)

Degrees/Certifications Earned: Basic Law Enforcement Certification; Advanced Law Enforcement Certification; Criminal Investigations Training – N.C. Department of Justice; Drug Unit Commander Training – University of North Florida; Major Case Investigation -Federal Bureau of Investigation; Interaction Management Program – N.C. Department of Justice; Community Oriented Policing – Coastal Plains Law Enforcement Training Center; Human Relations – State of N.C. Human Relations Committee; Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Training – United States Attorney’s Office/DEA; Investigations and Management of Hate Crimes – National Criminal Justice Academy; Federal Drug Enforcement Training – Drug Enforcement Administration

 

What motivated you to run for Vance County Sheriff?

I am motivated to run for Sheriff because I care about Vance County. I can see that the violence and drug sales and drug abuse have increased dramatically over the past several years. I believe I have the experience and knowledge to lead the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in the right direction to reduce the drug and criminal activity.

Citizens expect law enforcement to keep their families safe whether at home or anywhere they may go in the county. We must address the violence and drug trafficking in our community. We must target and aggressively prosecute these individuals involved in criminal activity in our county.

 

What distinguishes you from other candidates?

I believe I have the training, knowledge and experience that the other candidates do not possess. I have experience in patrol, criminal investigations and narcotics investigations. During my 30- year tenure with the police department I was the Commander of the Interagency Drug Enforcement Unit for 10 of those 30 years.

I supervised and coordinated hundreds of state and federal investigations. I prepared and submitted all budgets associated with the drug unit. We worked closely with all agencies including the SBI, DEA, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

What do you believe is the single most important skill to possess in order to be a successful sheriff?

I believe the most important skill to possess is the knowledge of each aspect of law enforcement; patrol, criminal investigation, narcotics and administration. A sheriff must have a working knowledge of all aspects of the department to be an effective leader.

 

If elected, would you keep the Sheriff’s department moving along its current path or change the course?

I would change the course of the department to address the current problem of violence and drug trafficking in our county. I have several plans that are included in my platform if elected Sheriff:

  • Citizens Advisory Board to meet periodically with the Sheriff to discuss concerns and information regarding their community.
  • Proactive Criminal Enforcement Team to patrol Interstate 85 and U.S.1 and other areas where drug trafficking is a problem. 80% of money seized is returned to the County and this money could be used to purchase vehicles and equipment needed to fight crime in our community.
  • A full-time Crime Prevention Officer to work closely with residents to create more community watch groups throughout the County.
  • E-Mail Alerts and other forms of electronic communication that could inform the public and media when and where crime occurs and other information that should be immediately released to the public.
  • Create and train a full-time Crime Scene Technician who would respond to homicides and robberies, as well as breaking and entering incidents at businesses and residences.
  • A Sheriff’s Citizens Patrol that could be operated by graduates of an Academy that would offer 40 hours of training in crime prevention and other areas of law enforcement.
  • A chaplain to provide specialized guidance, counseling and assistance to deputies and their families along with a program at the jail for inmates.
  • Restructuring and redirecting the Narcotics Unit to work with both State and Federal law enforcement authorities including DEA, ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Implement a career development program that would give employees an opportunity to not only attend state-mandated training but to continue their training in other fields of law enforcement.
  • Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) – a program taught by deputies in local elementary and middle schools. This program helps mentor and educate students on gang awareness.
  • Security/threat assessment – make sure locations have a plan in place to address emergencies and disaster whether natural or man-made. These locations would include businesses, schools, churches, daycare facilities and nursing homes.
  • Create a link for information on cold cases on the Sheriff Office’s website that would give residents a synopsis of the case and to ask for any information or details the public may have.

 

What do you believe is the biggest concern facing Vance County today and what would you do as Sheriff to address that concern?

I believe the biggest concern facing Vance County today is the heroin epidemic that is causing so many drug overdoses and overdose deaths. I would address this problem through undercover operations, search warrants, highway interdiction/investigation and prosecution through both State and Federal laws.

A narcotics unit must be proactive and identify the individuals involved in narcotics trafficking and aggressively investigate and arrest these individuals.

 

(The photo accompanying this article provided by Charles Pulley.)

NC Coop Extension

Vance Co. Cooperative Extension – Weekly Parenting Tip

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-Weekly parenting tips provided courtesy of Jean Bell, Parenting Education Coordinator, Vance County Cooperative Extension

Parenting tip week of 5/7/18

Engage your child’s senses in play

Young children learn through exploration. Kids explore with their whole bodies, using all of their senses. Find ways to help your child explore their world by engaging their senses while they play. Play experiences with water, sand and finger paints encourage your child to feel, touch, look at and manipulate things with different textures.

Blending finger paints brings the world of colors to life. Cooking with adults can engage your child’s sense of smell, taste and touch. Finding play materials your child can feel, smell, taste and see will engage their senses and make playtime fun.

News 05/07/18

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Overgrowth on Hwy 39 Hot Topic at Committee Meeting

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Vance County’s Planning/Environmental Committee consisting of Commissioners Carolyn Faines, Committee Chair, Leo Kelly, Jr. and Gordon Wilder met yesterday in the administrative conference room to discuss the removal of vegetation growth on Hwy 39 North at Kerr Lake.

According to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen, the vegetation at Hwy 39 has previously been maintained by the NCDOT. The agency sprayed the bridge last year; however, the vegetation is to a point of overgrowth where heavier machinery may be needed for proper removal.

In speaking with the DOT regarding the diminishing quality of vegetation removal around the area, McMillen said the agency cites “the lack of access to prison labor that they use to have.”

Kerr Lake cannot be seen through the vegetation overgrowth on Hwy 39

Commissioner Wilder raised concerns about the County taking on the responsibility of NC State road maintenance and setting a precedent that would be difficult to maintain, “Counties in this state do not do road maintenance. If we take on this responsibility, where does this stop?”

Commissioner Faines reminded the committee and those in attendance that this overgrowth has been an eyesore for those living around that area for some time and that the obstructed view of Kerr Lake could hurt the local economy. “The 39 area is considered the gateway to Vance County,” Faines said. “We have to consider that as well.”

Commissioner Kelly suggested the possibility of rallying a volunteer group in the community to help maintain the area and lessen the cost of hiring a contracted worker. Other Board members brought up issues of liability with private citizens engaging in that type of work and the more involved process of closing off a lane of traffic while work is in progress.

Bryan Yount, a concerned citizen, addressed the commissioners and stated that the same type of saplings that are overgrown on Hwy 39 are starting to grow at Nutbush. “If they aren’t sprayed now, the Board will be having the same discussion and looking at spending more money in five years,” Yount said. “An ounce of prevention can save you $20,000 later.”

Saplings at Nutbush Bridge are quickly growing and may block the view of Kerr Lake in a similar manner to the bridge on Hwy 39

The final recommendation was to take the matter before the full Board of Commissioners for further discussion. McMillen will be responsible for getting quotes in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

McMillen also presented a proposal to remove two additional trees on Young Street in front of the former Vance County Courthouse. The large tree that fell last week was severely damaged due to an internal fungal issue not visible from the outside.

“We are very fortunate that the tree did not cause property damage or injure someone,” said McMillen.

According to McMillen, it is suspected that two additional trees, one large and one small, may also be affected by the fungal disease and should be removed for safety purposes.

“We may not get so lucky [as to avoid injury] next time,” said Wilder.

The Committee agreed to take the matter before the full Board for further discussion. McMillen will get several quotes on the price of tree removal and stump grinding in an amount not to exceed $7,000.

 

H-V Chamber Logo

J.M White Funeral Home Receives Chamber’s Small Business Award

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce held their annual Small Business of the Year luncheon at Henderson Country Club on Wednesday, May 2.

Vance County Commissioner Archie Taylor, Jr. served as speaker for the luncheon. A 2017 Small Business of the Year award was presented to one business from each of the counties represented in the four-county service area.

Receiving this year’s awards were J.M. White Funeral Home – Vance County; Granville Insurance Agency, Inc. – Granville County; Winslow Custom Homes – Franklin County; and Robinson Ferry Restaurant & Spirits – Warren County.

J.M. White Funeral Home is a locally owned business that has been serving the community since 1967. The business is currently managed by Betty White and her sons Scott and Jerry White.

In a phone call to Betty White, she said she and her staff were very honored to receive the award and “are grateful to have served the community for 51 years.”

“This honor would not be possible without the dedication of our staff who give the very best service as they interact with those who have lost loved ones,” White said.

The funeral home has been a long-time Chamber member and supporter, a part of the North Carolina Funeral Director’s Association and active in local organizations.

“We are so appreciative to the citizens of Vance County for their support through the years,” White said. “What an honor for both our family and staff.”

Exciting Changes Ahead for E.O. Young Elementary School

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Exciting changes are coming to E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year.

Principal Marylaura McKoon and her colleagues on the school’s design team for the Opportunity Culture initiative are completing plans to implement the innovative program to benefit students and staff members in the school.

E.O. Young will be one of three local elementary schools launching the Opportunity Culture initiative next school year. After a year of planning, McKoon and her staff are ready to implement the initiative.

Opportunity Culture is designed to extend excellent teaching throughout the school, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, to touch all students. The initiative will require the hiring of a multi-classroom leader, who will coach teachers in the school and will create and facilitate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).

Opportunity Culture also will include the employment of an Extended Instructional Teacher (EIT) at the second-grade level who will have a classroom of students and also will pull in a small number of students from other second-grade and first-grade classrooms to work with them during a 90-minute English/language arts block each day.

A third new position, Reach Associate (RA), will be filled by a teacher assistant who also will work with students in the EIT’s classroom.

McKoon added that the person in the MCL position will model lessons and teaching for teachers in the school, particularly in grades 3-5. She said this will be especially helpful to any new or novice teachers in the school.

Another key role for the MCL will be to assist classroom teachers to evaluate available data on students’ academic progress to see where he or she can most effectively help the teachers to enable their students to be more successful and to master skills.

Educators who are hired in these three new positions will receive higher pay for their responsibilities.

The hiring process for these three positions at E.O. Young will begin this spring.

McKoon notes that for the 2018-2019 school year, the Opportunity Culture initiative at her school will focus on instruction and support in English/language arts, with plans to expand the focus to mathematics the following school year. Since the MCL will be supporting classroom teachers, he or she will be a reading coach for teachers in grades 3-5 and assist them with classroom management and personal skills, McKoon said.

The work being done as part of the Opportunity Culture initiative in the school will be driven by data available for student achievement. The data will show where students at all grade levels need the most help and the MCL will lead efforts with the teachers to assist the students.

Principal Marylaura McKoon, right, talks with Assistant Principal Cassandra Evans in front of the charts for the school’s Opportunity Culture initiative that is being planned for implementation next school year at E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School.

“This is a really good program and I am excited for what it will do for our school,” McKoon said. “It will provide us with the opportunity to expose excellence in teaching to all of our children and will be great support for our teachers. It really is a win-win situation. It will do good things for our school.”

McKoon also said that for the educators selected for the three new, key positions it will be essential that they be committed, good leaders, work well with others and have the ability to develop good relationships with students and colleagues. The MCL, EIT and RA also will have time during each school day to complete their “homework” to help colleagues and students and to have important planning time.

“Each of our schools now involved in Opportunity Culture, has its own design team to plan a program that best fits their school, students and staff,” McKoon added. “Our team also has developed our program budget, which includes funds for the higher pay for the three new positions.”

L.B. Yancey and Pinkston Street elementary schools also will implement their Opportunity Culture initiatives in 2018-2019. Those schools join E.O. Young as the second cohort for the innovative program. The first cohort includes Aycock, Dabney and Zeb Vance elementary schools which began their Opportunity Culture programs this year.

The new positions as part of the schools’ Opportunity Culture initiatives are now open for applications from current teachers (for MCL and EIT) and teacher assistants (for the Reach Associate).

Interested persons may apply online at www.vcs.k12.nc.us or seek answers to questions from staff members in the Vance County Schools’ Human Resources Department at 252-492-2127 or by email at amiles@vcs.k12.nc.us.

Vance County, NC

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners’ Meeting – Mon., May 7

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, May 7, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

Items on the agenda include:

An organizational update from Felicia Gregory, FVW Opportunity.

Presentation from Dennis Jarvis, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commision, on an EDC marketing initiative.

Recommendations from the Public Safety Committee on fire engine financing, options for the old fire engine, Volunteer Fire Department funding and response and fire commission guideline revisions.

Recommendations from the Planning/Environmental Committee on tree removal at the Administration Building, Williamsboro Wayside vegetation, electronics waste, cost reduction pilot and roadside cleanup.

Finance Director’s report on surplus property, FY 2017-18 audit contract and Pension Testing Engagement letter.

Vance County Manager’s report on fireworks permit for Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department and presentation of FY 2018-19 proposed budget.

Lunch & Learn at H-V Chamber of Commerce – Wed., May 16

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— courtesy Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce | John Barnes, President ~ 252-438-8414 ~ info@hendersonvance.org ~ Facebook

Don’t miss out on this Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, May 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Office, 414 S. Garnett Street, Henderson.

“Wellness Tips for the Small Business Owner” will be led by Dr. Brandon Taylor.  You can register online at https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530380015 

Deadline to register will be Friday, May 11.

In a small business where the owner’s time may be limited, the wellness of the owner can either help build a strong business or cause it to suffer. While it is not always possible to avoid getting sick, taking preventative measures can help to lower your downtime and can ultimately increase your businesses’ productivity.

Small business owners are known to run themselves ragged, so keeping good health is so important. You will learn how to avoid toxic food ingredients and discover how to eat healthy and stock up on the foods you love.

This seminar is an excellent opportunity to learn how great health can positively affect your small business. Lunch provided to the first 20 who preregister.

Speaker(s): Dr. Brandon Taylor

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson Wellness Center; Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Fee: No Cost
(This is not a paid advertisement)

SHPHC Youth Fundraiser TODAY!

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SHPHC Youth Fundraiser TODAY!

The South Youth of the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church at 905 Americal Road, Henderson are having a chicken plate sale TODAY.  Grilled chicken, buttered boiled potatoes, green beans, bread, dessert and beverage for $8.  All proceeds will go to support South Youth.

The youth will travel to Kentucky in July to participate in Talent Quest 2018, and your support would be greatly appreciated.

Plates are available now until 7 p.m. at the church.