The Local Skinny! Involving Churches In Mental Health Education

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A bill introduced by Rep. Frank Sossamon that would get the faith community invested and involved in tackling mental health issues has passed the House in an almost unanimous vote, leaving passage by the Senate and then the governor’s signature before it can become law.

Sossamon said a pilot program is all set to be rolled out in Vance and Granville counties, which he represents – he’s just waiting for the bill to clear the last two hurdles. If all goes well, the plan is to have a program kickoff in September.

“We’ve got our notebook ready with all the material,” Sossamon said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “But we can’t do anything until it’s signed into law.”

The bill creates three levels of certification that churches can participate in to help their congregations and the larger community with education about mental health topics and resources available in the area.

More than 30 churches and other faith-based organizations are already signed up, according to information in Sossamon’s monthly newsletter to constituents.

The first level includes an orientation for church leadership to become familiar with resources in the area, Sossamon said, as well as inviting a pastor to preach about a different topic each month. Hearing about, say, depression from the pulpit or in Sunday School classes may help to remove the stigma of mental illness, he said. “It demystifies mental illness…and is also liberating” for someone who may be suffering in silence. It lets them know they can have a conversation with their pastor, or others in the church. “That in itself brings healing,” Sossamon added.

The next level of certification involves a quarterly training on mental health and level 3 involves specialized mental health first aid training and training to recognize someone who may be in crisis or expressing suicidal thoughts.

“We are still in the midst of a mental health crisis in North Carolina,” said Representative Frank Sossamon. “This program provides a unique opportunity to tap into the compassion and dedication of our faith communities to support their fellow citizens. By leveraging the trust and connections that churches have within their communities, we can make a meaningful impact on mental health care and support.”

Pastors in Vance and Granville counties can sign up HERE to get on the official list and receive kickoff information and program updates. If you are outside of Granville County or Vance County and interested in participating in the program, keep on eye on Sossamon’s monthly newsletter to know when the program will expand to other counties.

Sossamon and bill sponsors urge all North Carolinians to contact their state senators and express their support for HB 982. By advocating for this bill, you can help ensure that it becomes law and that our faith communities are empowered to play a vital role in addressing the mental health crisis.

View the bill text here and see its progress here.

To learn more about the faith-based program or to sign up for Sossamon’s monthly newsletter, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/zdADBdY.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Cleaning Engine Compartment

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Here’s a question for you: When was the last time you cleaned your car or truck?

If your answer is within the last month, give yourself a pat on the back. Good job keeping your vehicle looking nice.

Here’s another one for you: When was the last time you cleaned the engine?

Yep. The engine.

It’s important to keep the engine compartment clean for a couple of reasons, and the professional staff at Advance Auto Parts can help you select the products you need, from a quick rinse-off to a degreaser to go after some major build-up.

A clean engine helps keep your resale value high – what prospective buyer wouldn’t love to pop the hood and see a gleaming engine? As the vehicle owner, keeping the engine compartment free of dirt and grime also cuts down on premature wear of belts, hoses and gaskets.

And it helps the engine stay cooler and operate efficiently, too.

Cover the battery, alternator and carburetor with plastic and take care around coil packs and fuse panels. And the engine should be cool before you spray it with a particular product or with water.

Go after the dirt a little at the time, rinsing with low-pressure water and checking progress regularly.

Hand clean around the areas that you covered with plastic with soap, small brushes or a hand mitt.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

 

Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 Wayne Rowland of the Vance Co. Extension Service passes along information for gardeners.

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The Local Skinny! County Budget Includes $60K For McGregor Hall

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The newly adopted FY 2024-25 Vance County budget includes a $60,000 appropriation for McGregor Hall, which represents the full amount requested by the performing arts venue. Executive Director Mark Hopper told WIZS News earlier today that he is “absolutely elated” with the commissioners’ action.

“It’s the first step toward making this facility function in a way that every other facility functions in the state,” Hopper said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. “It’s a really important first step.”

Commissioner Archie Taylor is also on the board of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation. He said Tuesday that McGregor Hall attracts tourism dollars to the county each time an event is held there.

“As a commissioner, I look at our community as a whole, what is beneficial for Vance County, not for any particular organization,” Taylor said. He referred to a recent economic impact study completed by N.C. State University, which concluded that McGregor Hall has a multi-million dollar impact on the county, bringing outside dollars through sales tax and hotel/motel tax revenues.

The Henderson City Council included a $5,000 one-time grant to McGregor Hall in its recently adopted budget, representing just more than 6 percent of the total amount – $75,000 – that was requested.

City leaders have discussed the purchase of a downtown property currently owned by McGregor Hall for a price in the range of $255,000. When asked whether the sale would move forward, Hopper said “the city has not contacted us.”

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Vance County Logo

Vance County Commissioners Approve $57M Budget, 10-Cent Tax Increase

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Vance County commissioners approved a 10-cent tax increase and a $57 million budget Monday, June 24 at 4 p.m.

The special called meeting lasted about 15 minutes, and adoption of the budget was the first order of business. The budget was approved 4-2, with Board Chair Dan Brummitt and Tommy Hester casting no votes. Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was not present.

After a motion by Commissioner Sean Alston and a second by Commissioner Leo Kelly, commissioners took a few minutes to discuss their thoughts.

“I don’t like the tax rate,” said Commissioner Carolyn Faines. “I don’t want to put taxes on our citizens.” But Faines acknowledged the needs of the county and said she would therefore cast a yes vote.

Chair Dan Brummitt said he could support “some element of increase, but I can’t support a 10-cent tax increase.”

“I can’t support a tax increase of this much when people are struggling day-to-day,” Brummitt said.

He noted that this budget represents a 16 percent increase from last year’s budget, with $4.7 million being put into a savings account, largely because of unused salaries created by short staffing.

The overall operating budget, however, represents a decrease from last year’s budget.

Commissioner Tommy Hester said he advocates a revenue-neutral budget because he wants to be able to tell taxpayers exactly where their money will be used. That could be next year, when plans for a new jail are farther along.

“You don’t build a house without a plan,” Hester said. He also expressed his displeasure at a 23 percent increase in commissioners’ stipends when county employees will get only a 7 percent pay increase. “I can’t go along with that. My conscience will not let me do it – I can’t go along with this budget.”

Commissioner Leo Kelly reiterated his comments from a previous budget work session and said the growth of the county depends on the budget; he said he didn’t relish the idea of a tax increase, but he said he, as a taxpayer, is willing to do his share.

“If we don’t grow our budget, we don’t grow our county,” Kelly said. “It’s how we move this county forward.”

In concurring with Kelly, Commissioner Archie Taylor said the county is in dire need of some things that need to get done.

The board hasn’t increased taxes since the last revaluation eight years ago. “Now, we’re at the point where we know we’re going to have to increase taxes – either this year or next year,” Taylor said.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 Wayne Rowland of the Vance Co. Extension Service provides tips for gardeners.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Library

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Perry Memorial Library’s Youth Services Director Melody Peters took a few minutes Tuesday from tending to last-minute summer reading program details to talk about upcoming events that will be taking place soon at the library.

There’s a lot going on at the library, but Peters said she’s especially excited about the summer reading program kickoff. “I am expecting a big crowd – I really am!” she exclaimed on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Readers of all ages and abilities can complete reading journals and turn them in during the summer in exchange for cool prizes.

“Cool” is the name of the game today – the first 200 participants were going to get Pelican Sno Balls.

Library patrons can enjoy a musical performance at the library as part of “Make Music Day” throughout the city and county.

Clarinetist Tristan Beradi, a student at N.C. A&T State University, will perform in the gallery from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, gather the family and head over to the library for Family Story Time. Peters said she listened to comments from busy parents who just can’t swing a library program during the week. And with sports activities on Saturdays, the only day left is Sunday.

So Peters said she’ll be curious to see how many folks turn out.

“We’re trying it out and hope people come,” she said.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more about all the programs at Perry Memorial Library.

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Fire Departments Could See Additional Funding

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The county’s volunteer fire departments stand to gain an additional $30,000 annually as commissioners and County Manager C. Renee Perry hammer out details of the FY 2024-25 budget.

Commissioners held a budget work session last week, with sights set on June 24 as a possible date to adopt the $57 million budget.

Each department, as well as the rescue squad and the Vance County Fire Department, would see $130,000 in county funding and the new hourly pay rate for part-time firefighters would increase to $17 an hour, up from $15 an hour.

To achieve these goals, the county’s fire tax would be bumped from a revenue-neutral rate of 5.9 cents per $100 valuation to 7 cents per hundred, as recommended by Perry.

This increase will generate and additional $300,000 in revenues.

That amount, matched with a one-time disbursement of about $300,000 from the fire tax general fund, would provide for the additional funding. The current total fire tax fund balance is about $625,000.

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North Carolina Teacher Retention – NCAE

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Teacher pay and a moratorium on private school vouchers are two of the tangible issues that the president of the North Carolina Association of Educators has on her radar. But Tamika Walker-Kelly also is calling on legislators to join her as she and other public school advocates seek to restore a culture of respect for the thousands of teachers who work in public schools.

Yes, salaries have gone up – it’s about $41,000 for starting teachers, Walker-Kelly acknowledged on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! But North Carolina has lost ground to other states and now is ranked at 38th in the nation for teacher pay.

“We know our legislators in Raleigh could do more,” she said, adding that higher pay is a critical component when it comes to recruitment and retention, but teachers deserve to have respect restored to their profession – “they want to be valued and be heard, and their contributions… are respected and valued,” she said.

The 2024-25 school year marks the fifth year that Walker-Kelly has led the NCAE, which she said is the largest education advocacy group in the state.

She is a proud product of North Carolina public schools and has taught music all of her 18 years in Cumberland County.

“I was inspired by my high school chorus teacher,” she said. “I wanted to be a music teacher just like her.”

Public school teachers interact with more than 1.5 million students across the state’s public school districts – that number accounts for about 85 percent of all children in the state.

The legislature’s private school voucher program stands to siphon off upwards of $500 million dollars, a move the NCAE opposes.

“As an organization, the NCAE continues to be in opposition to vouchers,” she said, adding that taxpayers’ money should go to public schools.

Supporting universal breakfast and lunch programs, mental health programs for students and additional tutoring are other areas of interest for the NCAE, and Walker-Kelly said “education should be everybody’s issue. It should be a bipartisan effort, she said, adding that the NCAE would continue to be a voice for public schools in the General Assembly, across the state and in local communities.

She ranks visiting schools across the state as one of her favorite things to do in her role as NCAE president.
“We should never let people forget that great work goes on in public schools every single day.”

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 Wayne Rowland of the Vance Co. Extension Service provides gardening tips.

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