TownTalk: City Council Votes 5-1 Allowing Workshop To Teach Day Trading

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In a 5-1 vote, the Henderson City Council approved a motion that will allow Mayor Melissa Elliott to take part in a “train-the-trainer” session to teach day trading.

Council Member Sam Seifert cast the dissenting vote and Council Members Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were not present at the special called meeting, announced on Friday, Aug. 29 with the intent of going into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

The meeting lasted just over an hour and the closed session never happened. According to the city’s website, Tuesday’s meeting is the 10th special called meeting of 2025.

Elliott said the grant opportunity comes from the African American Mayors’ Association, which will allow for up to 10 city residents, selected by a committee, to learn the ins and outs of day trading, using $100 of “free” money that is all part of the grant.

Council Member Tami Walker expressed reservations about the program, but she ultimately voted in favor of the city participating. Walker also asked to be included on the committee that will select the individuals who will participate. Elliott said she didn’t have exact dates, but said she would get the dates and send them to the Council.

Much of the meeting was contentious, with Elliott and City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry talking over one another and arguing the finer points of mayoral roles and responsibilities versus those of the city manager.

Elliott said she checks the city calendar before scheduling meetings in the Council Chambers; Kingsberry said he needed some notice about any meeting that will be held on city property since it will involve city staff and facilities.

“The city manager doesn’t have power over elected officials,” Elliott said.

And Kingsberry’s response was that he manages City Hall. “I don’t have a problem with you holding things,” he said, adding that “you can’t just commandeer a space in the City Hall.”

We still need to know when it’s going to be.”

Elliott did agree to providing a two-week advance notice to Kingsberry when the Council Chambers would be reserved for a training or a meeting that Elliott schedules.

The City Council is set to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 for its regular monthly meeting.

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TownTalk: Granville County Spicing Things Up For September

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If you’ve driven around downtown Oxford recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the street decorations and banners that have been installed, creating a festive atmosphere to usher in the 19th annual N.C. Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this is the second year that the hot sauce festival will be a two-day affair, with evening music and other activities kicking off on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13 is a full day of all-things-hot-sauce, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

“Things are getting hot and spicy in downtown Oxford,” she said.

More than 300 vendors will be set up throughout downtown to share samples of their sauces, rubs, jams, jellies and more that they’ve created with peppers. “It’s a foodie paradise,” Allen said.

Some vendors have participated 15 years or more, and they’ll set up their tents and tables alongside others who may be new or nearly new to the experience. They come from all over the state and elsewhere to share their creations with pepper enthusiasts who like a little – or a lot – of kick in their salsas and sauces.

Peppers may take center stage for the host sauce festival, but pumpkins are also a favorite for fall.

In addition to Cedar Creek Gallery’s glass pumpkin patch in the front gallery on exhibit through October, there are a couple of harvest festivals that will be popping up across the county for folks to get their fall “fix.”

  • Sept. 14 – Carlee Farms Harvest Festival, hosted by Kissing Booth boutique. More than 25 vendors will have fashion, homemade crafts, seasonal décor and treats available
  • Sept. 27 – Harvey Hills Farm’s Harvest Days each weekend through Oct. 26. Festive vendor market featuring fall produce, décor, pumpkins and mums
  • Sept. 27 – Indian Branch Farm hosting Roots and Rows from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 65 vendors featuring fashion, home décor, seasonal treats and more

Allen said farm festivals provide authentic experiences for people to meet farmers and craftspeople responsible for things we eat and things we put in our homes.

“It’s really awesome to go into these festivals and meet the people that actually make these things,” she said.

But it’s not all hot sauce and fall festivals in Granville County, she said. The city of Oxford has recently renamed the auditorium located in City Hall, and “The Ox” is set to host a varied lineup of live entertainment and performances through fall and into December.

The Granville Arts Council is bringing Red Bird Theater back, this time for a production of the play Revolution, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m

Then, on Sept. 10, it’s “The Bad Moms of Comedy,” with a 7:30 performance.

Beach music fans will be happy to know that The Drifters are set to perform on Nov. 1 and then there are a couple of Christmas shows scheduled – Dec. 1 it’s Celtic Angels and Dec. 14 Nashville Nöel.

Check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/  to learn about all the events taking place across Granville County.

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Buckner Suspends Campaign, Endorses Incumbent Lamont Noel

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Benjamin Buckner, a candidate for the Ward 2 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council, announced Wednesday afternoon that he is suspending his campaign and endorsing incumbent Ward 2 at-large Council member Lamont Noel in the upcoming municipal election.

Noel joined Buckner for the announcement and thanked Buckner for his support. Noel shared the following statement:

“I want to thank Mr. Buckner for his endorsement, but primarily for his decision to support a path that brings us all together, working together for the citizens of Henderson. I sincerely accept this endorsement and support, hoping and believing that others will work with me to help heal our city by putting people first rather than party or politics.”

Buckner said he looks forward to continuing his role in Henderson, “creating a bigger presence and supporting candidates who prioritize unity and progress for Henderson.”

Buckner said he and Noel “share a united vision for Henderson. Remaining in the race is selfish on my part and would unfairly split votes that Mr. Noel needs to secure re-election and continue the work on behalf of the city.”

Buckner continued by saying that once Noel filed for re-election and challenger George Mayo entered the contest, “it was a concern of mine that we were going to split votes.”

“Mr. Noel’s job at City Hall is not finished and it would be selfish of me to stay in the race when we share a common set of goals and ideals for the city. While I am committed to seeing Henderson move forward, it is not my time to serve on the Council…I wholeheartedly urge citizens of Henderson to vote for Lamont Noel.”

Citing divisiveness and the climate at City Hall as factors that are hindering progress within the city, Buckner said Noel is “currently best positioned to carry my vision forward.”

Buckner noted three core values included in his campaign were respect, revitalization and a path forward – values that Noel also stands for and supports. Buckner said he is confident that Noel will continue to strive for respect for the city and its residents and the responsibility of the council members; work for revitalization by advancing real change through downtown improvements, and responsible growth of the tax base to ease burdens on homeowners and fostering a cleaner stronger city image; and finding a path forward “to ending the division and in-fighting at City Hall and to allow employees and leaders to work effectively on behalf of the city.”

“This is a decision that I landed on with the statement that those who want respect, give respect,” Buckner stated.

(Original Post above Wednesday, Aug 27.  Please Click Play below for Thursday, Aug 28 TownTalk audio.)

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TownTalk: The 2025 Kerr-Tar Housing Summit Sept. 11 At VGCC Civic Center

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The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is hosting a regional housing summit on Thursday, Sept. 11 to provide information about tacking challenges and working to resolve some of the barriers that exist in the realm of housing.

Desiree Brooks, Kerr-Tar’s Community & Economic Development manager, said the summit will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Vance-Granville Community College’s Civic Center and will conclude at 1 p.m. In addition to featured speakers offering a national and a regional perspective, the event includes a panel discussion and a work session to allow individuals to focus in on challenges specific to their counties.

“We’re really excited to launch this regional housing summit – it’s the very first time we’ve had the summit,” Brooks said on Wednesday’s segment of TownTalk. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

“We recognize that every county has unique housing challenges,” Brooks said, but it’s important to start talking about housing because it is a crucial issue in economic development.

“We want to start talking about it so we can start working toward solutions.”

Keynote speaker is Chris Allen, the director of Events and Partnerships with Strong Towns, a national nonprofit media organization. Allen will bring a national perspective on the issue and will get down to the root causes of the housing crisis and identify some rational responses that communities can take to improve the situation, Brooks said.

Tyler Mulligan, a public law and government professor at the UNC School of Government will talk about his work helping local government in areas of economic development, affordable housing, public/private partnerships for development and revitalization efforts, she said.

Brooks said she’d love to see county and city managers, elected officials, housing advocates, community leaders at the summit, as well as developers, financial institution representatives – anyone with an interest in helping make a tough situation better.

“We recognize that there’s an issue and we look at what those top challenges are in economic  development,” Brooks said. “Housing is huge – that is a huge issue in our region – and everywhere really.”

The summit is one way Kerr-Tar COG can gather stakeholders to have conversations, identify needs and work on solutions.

“We hope that everybody leaves motivated, and with tools that they feel like, ‘OK, we’re working toward solutions,” Brooks said.

“I know we can’t fix it, but we have to start somewhere.”

 

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TownTalk: Upcoming Municipal Elections

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Editor’s note: As part of its continuing effort to keep listeners and readers up-to-date on local issues, WIZS Radio will be sending candidates a list of questions in an effort to gather responses to be included in a special elections project that will be published and aired before the early voting period begins.

Campaign signs are popping up along roadsides and in people’s yards, indicators that early voting for the upcoming Henderson municipal elections are not far off. Registered voters can cast ballots during the early-voting period at 500 N. Beckford Drive beginning Thursday, Sept. 18. Early voting continues Sat. Oct. 4.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 is the official Election Day, when voters will determine four seats on the eight-member City Council.

The Council Ward 1 at-large seat includes not one, but two incumbents – Council member Sara Coffey is seeking re-election, and Council member Geraldine Champion, who has the Ward 1 seat until the 2027 elections, has added her name as an at-large candidate. Newcomer Kenia Gomez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter also filed as candidates for the at-large seat.

Ward 2 at-large Council Member Lamont Noel is seeking to defend his seat against challengers Benjamin Buckner and George Mayo.

In the contest for the Ward 3 seat, incumbent Garry Daeke faces Clifford “Cliff” High, former Council Member Jason Spriggs and Deryl “Ms. Dee” vonWilliams.

And in the Ward 4 contest, incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper faces challengers Catherine “Kitty” Gill and Fred Robertson.

Anyone who lives in the city and still needs to register to vote has until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12 to do so.

The N.C. State Board of Elections has issued a press release with details and requirements about voter registration.

“To vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality. Working within city, town, or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. Similarly, while a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality,” the press release stated.

Eligible individuals who miss the regular registration deadlines may register and vote at the same time during the in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county.

Eligible individuals have many options to register to vote, including the following:

There are 450 voters living throughout Vance County who need to provide additional information to the N.C. State Board of Elections to complete their voter registration, according to information from the SBE’s Registration Repair Project.

Individuals with incomplete voter registrations have received, or will receive, letters stating that they need to provide additional information – their driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number – to update their registration.

This can be done in several different ways, including by mail, in person at their county Board of Elections office or by visiting the NCDMV secure website payments.ncdot.gov. There is no fee associated with the online method and updating twill not be made over the phone.

Check to see if your name is on the list at ncsbe.gov/registrationrepair.

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TownTalk: Sheriff Brame Pleads for Higher Pay for New Officers

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The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is between a rock and a hard place, it seems, as it faces a 20 percent vacancy rate – 12 sworn officers – including some who have recently left to take higher paying jobs in other counties.

Sheriff Curtis Brame took his plea to county commissioners during their Aug. 18 work session to ask for help in the form of funding salaries at a level that will attract officers and make them want to stay. Until salaries can become more competitive, Brame said he believes he’ll continue to face vacancies. But with so much money being put into state-mandated renovations and repairs to the jail, county commissioners and staff are at a loss as to where to find the money.

“We have lost valuable, seasoned employees,” Brame said. “Losing a deputy after two years is understandable. When you start losing investigators and SROs, that’s a wakeup call,” he said.

He said two School Resource Officers have left recently to take jobs in other counties – one went to Halifax County and a second went to Granville County.

Maj. William Mitchell recently left to take a state level job with the Standards and Training division. A lieutenant and other seasoned investigators also have left because of salaries. They can make more money elsewhere and work less, Brame said.

Brame said, “I’m here to make a plea. I am facing a crisis. I do not have enough help.”

Commissioners talked about implementing a progression pay scale, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry. That topic was referred to the Human Resources committee, and commissioners ultimately opted to give employees a one-time bonus instead.

Perry said, “We do need to move forward to allow people to move within their pay scale.” She acknowledged that the county is behind other nearby counties for starting pay – most are at $55,000, with the exception of Warren County, which is about $45,000.

The current starting pay for Vance County sheriff’s officers is just above $46,000. Both Vance and Warren counties are Tier I counties, which means they are among the 40 most distressed counties in the state when looking at the average unemployment rate, median household income, percentage growth in population and adjusted property tax base per capita.

Brame said he’d like to see the starting salary increase to $55,000.

The sheriff suggested possibly taking funds from a rainy day fund to boost salaries, something Perry told commissioners she would never recommend doing.

Board Chair Carolyn Faines said, “God knows we understand” that the sheriff’s office employees need more money.

But with all the money the county is putting into renovating the current detention facility, commissioners and county staff are hard-pressed to find even more money to boost salaries.

In response to a question from Commissioner Leo Kelly about what Brame would like to see happen, the sheriff said, “I trust our county manager,” adding that he would like to sit down and talk about numbers.

Perry and Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones both endorsed the idea of addressing the concept of “compression” before bumping up starting salaries for deputies.

Compression is a way to address employee retention because salaries are based on experience.

At this time, Perry said it would be best to consider this for sworn personnel only, before opening it up to detention staff and other positions.

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TownTalk: Henderson City Council Special Called Meeting Friday, Aug. 22 At 3 PM

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UPDATE: Friday, Aug. 22 at 5:03 p.m.

The Henderson City Council voted 6-2 to allow City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry to continue in his role through Dec. 31.

Kingsberry requested that the Council rescind his resignation so he can attend a program at the UNC School of Government. Kingsberry tendered his resignation at the regular monthly meeting of the City Council on Monday, Aug. 11 and shortly thereafter learned that he had been accepted into the program offered by the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill.

Council Member Sara Coffey made a motion, seconded by Council Member Lamont Noel. Council members Geraldine Champion and Michael Venable voted against the motion.

The cost of the program is $4,500 and will be paid by the city.

“Keep me on so I can attend this training,” Kingsberry said in comments to the council.

Venable said he objected to spending money for Kingsberry to attend the program, knowing that he would be leaving the position.

In making the motion, Coffey said, “We need a manager and we need an attorney.”

Council Member Garry Daeke apologized to his fellow Council members for leaving a closed session Monday – during the first called meeting of the week – and not returning to the open session.

“I should have,” Daeke said in brief remarks at the beginning of the meeting. “I sincerely regret that I didn’t finish my duties,” he said.

**********

— from Henderson City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell

The Henderson City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on Friday, Aug. 22, to hold a closed session pursuant to pursuant to NCGS § 143-318.11 (a)(6) regarding a Personnel Matter and G.S. § 143-318.11 (a)(3) Attorney-Client Privilege.  Also discussed will be THE consideration of Mayor Pro Tem position, an update on all law firms conducting investigations for the City of Henderson, and the City Manager’s participation in  the UNC School of Government Municipal and County Administration Program.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at City Hall in City Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave.  The public is welcome.

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VCSO Maj. William Mitchell Named Director Of State Sheriffs’ Training And Standards Division At N.C. Dept. Of Justice

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N.C. State Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Wednesday that Major William L. Mitchell will serve as the new director of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Training and Standards Division at the Department of Justice. He replaces interim Director Robin Pendergraft, who took on the role after Richard Squires retired earlier this year.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Wednesday afternoon that he wishes Mitchell well in his new position.

“He will be missed. He was a valuable employee to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office,” Brame said. His departure will be felt at the sheriff’s office, Brame continued.

“It’s going to be an impact on us,” Brame said, “until we can get somebody in place who’s capable and competent to do what he did. He was an asset to this office.”

The Sheriffs’ Training and Standards Division staffs the Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, which was established in 1983 and is responsible for the certification of all justice officers, including deputy sheriffs, detention officers, and telecommunicators employed in the North Carolina’s 100 sheriffs’ offices.

“Major Mitchell’s decades of service to the people of North Carolina are a testament to his character and his integrity,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I’m thrilled that he is taking the helm of the Sheriffs’ Standards Division and leading our work with all 100 sheriffs in North Carolina. His law enforcement experience will help us do everything we can to have the best-trained, most committed public servants in law enforcement.”

“I have been privileged to work alongside some of the best officers and deputies the state of North Carolina has ever produced,” said Major William Mitchell. “As director of the Sheriffs’ Standards Division, I’ll continue to follow the rule that has guided me throughout my law enforcement career: take care, be safe, and look after one another.”

“Major Mitchell is a lifelong public servant whose experiences on the job will inform the work of the Sheriffs’ Commission to ensure our deputies and officers live up to the highest standards of the profession,” said Sheriff Alan Norman, Chair of the Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. “I congratulate him on the appointment and look forward to working with him.”

Major Mitchell is a Johnston County native who has served in law enforcement for 33 years. He received a degree in criminal justice from Wake Technical Community College and completed basic law enforcement training in 1991. From 1992 to 1994, he served with the Youngsville Police Department. He then served with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office until 2014, where he rose through the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant over the Narcotics Division, Supervisor in Charge of Multi-Agency Narcotics Units, and then Captain of the Uniform Patrol Division. He began serving with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in 2019, initially with the Criminal Investigations Division, then as Sergeant over the Narcotics Unit and then Major of Operations.

Off duty, Major Mitchell also obtained his private investigators license in 2014 and investigates homicide cases for Indigent Defense Services in Raleigh. He is a deacon with the Louisburg Baptist Church and a volunteer with the Louisburg Fire Department.

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TownTalk: ‘Way To Grow Fest’ Continues With Weeklong Activities

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The weeklong Way to Grow fest, in full swing in Henderson and Vance County, is shaping up to provide the community with a variety of ways to come together and support the place we call home.

At Monday’s community block parties, folks gathered at several different spots to share an easy meal and let the kids play together, conjuring up feelings of nostalgia for Tracy Mosley, director of Helping All People Excel.

When she was a child, cookouts and playing with other kids in the community all summer long were routine; it’s less so nowadays, but the Way to Grow festival is creating opportunities for children to play together and find things in common with one another instead of focusing on differences.

Mosley spoke with WIZS News Tuesday and outlined the rest of the week’s activities, leading up to the culminating street festival Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The block parties Monday “set the stage” for the rest of the week, Mosley said. “The energy is good; the vibe is great!”

Tuesday marks the launch of “Buy Local, Build Local,” a campaign that supports local businesses.  Patrons download an app on their phone and earn points or credits for shopping local.

It’s important to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, she said, but for small business owners to be successful, the whole economy around them has to be strong.

Wednesday is all about the S-Line, with a focus on what the future holds for Henderson and Vance County as plans progress to return passenger rail service to the area. Thursday brings a focus on the arts and Friday’s theme is college and careers. Come out to Southern Charm between 12 noon and 4 p.m. for Friday’s information about college and careers.

“We were very intentional about how we built this week,” Mosley said. From small business and economic development to education and the arts, the Way to Grow Fest offers a glimpse into what a future could look like when different sectors of the community come together for a common goal: helping each other to be better.

“The whole week is designed to be what we want it to be,” Mosley said, “to help Henderson and Vance County grow in the right direction.”

Visit www.waytogrowfest.com to learn more.

Saturday’s daylong festival in downtown Henderson has grown from last year. Last year, the festival stopped at Orange Street, but this year stretches one block further to include more buildings on the far end of Garnett Street, Mosley explained.

There will be more vendors and food trucks, participating shops and resource tables available for folks to enjoy, but if you don’t do anything else, Mosley said bring the kids to the Youth Village.

“They are the future of this community,” she said.

“For them to get together and get to know one another and learn how to work with each other now while they’re younger and learn that they have more in common than not, because at some point they’re going to leave this community and it’s our job to make sure that they’re getting everything that they need to be the best leaders that they can be. It’s truly a chance to invest in your future,” she said.

Learn more about Gateway CDC at www.thegatewaycdc.org

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TownTalk: Franklin-Vance-Warren Launches $3M Jubilee Center Project

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Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc. occupies the red brick building with the low profile up on the hill at 180 S. Beckford Dr. Through its efforts over the course of the last 60 years, FVWOPP has woven itself into the fabric of the communities it serves.

From this location, FVWOPP interacts with the community through a variety of programs that benefit pre-school age children all the way up to senior adults. The building began as Jubilee Hospital, and once served as Henderson City Hall.

By the time Abdul Sm Rasheed joined about five years ago as FVW’s CEO and senior advisor to the board, he said the first thing they had to do was fix the roof.

Community leaders gathered on Aug. 5 to launch a $3 million Jubilee Center renovation and transformation of the property, which includes much more than fixing a leaky roof. And Rasheed said it’s one way to give the facility new life by embracing its history and the role it played locally, statewide and beyond.

“We’re hoping that as we give the Jubilee facility new life,” Rasheed explained, “it will give inspiration, particularly to our young people in our community, and have them see how the future can look.”

“This project really grows out of my love for my community,” he said. “I love my community…I’m a product of this community and not a victim of all the history that some of us may want to point to and embrace. I’d rather embrace the triumphs of our community, and I consider what we are trying to do today with the Jubilee Center is a triumph that we want to announce to the world.”

The artist renderings of the project reflect the idea of bringing new life to the building. It’s not a restoration project, but more of a reimagining. Rasheed said the project isn’t abandoning the history, “but we do want to advance the image, the look, hopefully the inspiration that this facility can bring to all citizens of our community and visitors to our community.”

Roy Brown, Jr. is FVWOPP’s media and communications coordinator, and he said the groundbreaking event “Celebrating Triumphs” is bringing FVWOPP into the 21st century. Longtime programs like Head Start and Section 8 housing are making room for new programs like YouthBuild as some of the services that FVW offers.

“We want to present the public something nice,” Brown said. In addition to the outward transformation, there are plans for the building’s interior to honor numerous African Americans who have had a lasting effect on their communities. “It’s inspirational to look at a building, and the history, and where we came from and where we’re going…to inspire change throughout the whole city.”

The bulk of the funding – $2.7 million came from a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture lending program for small, rural communities.

Another $150,000 came from the Cannon Foundation and the roof repairs a few years ago were made possible by a $150,000 loan from First National Bank.

Rasheed’s 40+ years in the area of community development have cemented for him the need for public/private partnerships in projects like this.

“Public/private is the only way to address our major issues in our communities and neighborhoods,” he said.

The Section 8 housing program is sort of like that public/private partnership. The program subsidizes rents for qualified individuals.

Rasheed said it’s a $3 million initiative that brings dollars into the community for residents “to realize stable, safe housing” and pays landlords directly. “That’s a direct investment into local real estate owners,” he said.

The YouthBuild program provides wraparound services for young people 16-24 years who want to get their GED or trade certificate to make themselves employable. Rasheed said the program has helped 65 or so young people so far.

The Early Head Start and Head Start programs may be familiar to many, providing a preschool education experience before kindergarten. There are close to 500 children in both programs, he added.

With a current annual budget of about $12 million, Rasheed said there are more than 100 employees on the FVW payroll. “It has been bringing capital into this community and investing that capital into people to improve themselves and contribute to the health of the community,” he said.

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