Town Talk 09/26/19: Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow On-Air
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Town Talk 09/25/19: Police, Jobs Key to City’s Future Says Mayoral Candidate Owens
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Sharon Owens, candidate for the position of Henderson Mayor, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
Owens is running against incumbent Eddie Ellington in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson non-partisan, municipal election.
Owens, a budget analyst with Durham Public Schools and an evangelist with Greater Refuge Church, said it was prayer and her concern for the City of Henderson that led her to file.
A Henderson native, the Montgomery Street resident said she has spent much of the past year speaking to locals from “all backgrounds” regarding their concerns for the community. “We have a diverse community, but I’ve found that everyone has the same concerns: jobs, economic growth and safety,” Owens said.
Noting the concern about crime in the city, along with reports of the difficulty local law enforcement has in recruiting and retaining officers, Owens said it is past time to find a way to adequately fund the police force.
“We’ve got to find a way to get some money so we can hire more police officers,” said Owens. “We’ve got to be competitive with salaries so they want to stay here. We can’t afford for them to come in, receive training here and then go someplace else.”
She continued, “One of my priorities is to find some money so we can keep our police, especially the good ones that don’t mind working and whose agenda is just the safety of the people.”
Owens said a combination of grants and “money that the City may have tucked away somewhere” could be the answer to both increasing the police force and increasing police pay.
Stating that her research has shown the average salary in Henderson is $26,000, Owens said boosting paychecks is essential for the economic health of the area. “People are concerned about wages and the lack of job opportunities. We have to make our city safer and more presentable so jobs will want to come here.”
Owens also said the community needs to reach out to its youth. “We’ve got to inspire our young people. There’s got to be a reason for them to want to finish school and stay rooted in Henderson. We don’t want to see our young people leaving and to see Henderson become a ghost town.”
(This is not a paid political advertisement. To offer equal coverage to political opponents, Incumbent Mayor Eddie Ellington is scheduled to participate in a Town Talk interview with WIZS on Monday, Sept. 30.)
To hear Owens’ 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.
Town Talk 09/24/19: Vance County Fair Opens Tomorrow With New Rides, Shows
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With only one day to go until the Vance County Fair brings lights, food and entertainment to Henderson’s Fairgrounds, fair managers Ron and Mary Weber joined WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss new attractions and ways to make your visit more affordable.
An annual event for the community for nearly 100 years, Ron said the Webers “really want to revitalize the fair and the fairgrounds.”
“We’ve brought in a lot of great entertainment, running a bunch of great specials, setting up new rides and offering a variety of food stands; the fair is going to be as big and as full as it has been in a long, long time,” Weber said.
The fair will be open from 5 until 11 p.m. Wed., Sept. 25 through Fri. Sept 27 and 12 until 11 p.m. on Sat. Sept. 28.
General admission is $6 and visitors may purchase an unlimited rides wristband for $25. General parking is available for free, with a $5 charge for premium parking.
Additional savings are available on opening night, or what the Webers refer to as “$2 night.” Admission for anyone entering the fair on Sept. 25 is $2, with all rides also available at $2 each.
The savings continue on Thurs., Sept. 26 for Carload Night – up to eight people properly seated with seatbelts on gain admission to the fair and receive unlimited rides for $50 per vehicle. Weber said this is a great way to make the fair more affordable for the entire family.
Additional advanced sale savings are available online by visiting www.vancecountyfairnc.com.
With new attractions such as the Super Shot Drop Tower and Rock Star, thrill acts such as “The Globe of Death,” a lion and tiger educational show, a petting zoo and a variety of games and food vendors, the Weber’s are expecting a very successful and entertaining 2019 Vance County Fair.
To hear the Webers’ 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.
Town Talk 09/23/19: Founder Melissa Elliott Discusses Gang Free’s Mission
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Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and founder of Gang Free, Inc., was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide updates on the organization’s mission and focus.
Elliott founded Gang Free Inc. in 2009 to serve at-risk youth and adults. Stating she was once an at-risk youth with many of the same issues as the children she serves, Elliott credited “lots of prayer, a servant’s heart and a resilient spirit” for her success in life.
With a focus on local youth, the mission of Elliott’s organization is to “educate and empower individuals to live a life liberated of crime through innovative programs and services.”
Recently, Elliott said the focus has shifted slightly to preventing juvenile delinquency at the elementary school level before problems arise. Gang Free participants include children from L.B. Yancey, Pinkston Street, Clark and E.O. Young elementary schools.
“We are trying to reach these students before they actively become engaged in a gang or turn to juvenile delinquency,” said Elliott.
Located at 940 County Home Rd. in Henderson, the organization offers after school programs, summer camps, two homeless shelters and assistance for those suffering from food insecurities.
“We have a garden on our premises and we teach children about horticulture and growing their own food,” Elliott said. “In addition to the items from our garden, we distribute 60,000 pounds of food per month to those in need.”
Lack of adequate food and nutrition is just one obstacle facing many children in the community, according to Elliott, who said issues in the home often manifest themselves as “problem or troubled” behavior in the classroom and in public.
“Oftentimes, students that get involved in gang activity have a lot of barriers in the home. We’ve learned that you can’t just deal with one thing; it’s a domino effect,” explained Elliott.
While the bigger picture of what leads to juvenile delinquency and a life of crime are complicated and varied, Elliott said showing children they are cared for and valued at an early age can prevent gang involvement in the future.
“It’s not rocket science,” she said. “Children need to be loved and know that they are loved and cared for.”
To learn more about Gang Free Inc., to become a volunteer or to donate, please visit the organization’s website at www.gangfreeinc.org.
To hear Elliott’s interview in its entirety, including information on Gang Free funding, 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.
Town Talk 09/20/19
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Town Talk 09/19/19
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Town Talk 09/18/19: Harvest Gala, Upcoming Downtown Events
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Dr. Alice Sallins, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission’s Promotions Committee was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss the annual Harvest Gala event.
This year’s “fine dining in the street” experience is scheduled for downtown Henderson Saturday, September 21 on West Young Street. Participants will enjoy an eloquent, four-course meal courtesy of Chef Llew Sutton, owner of Uncle Llew’s Restaurant & Pub in downtown.
The Meet and Greet session begins at 6 p.m., with starters to follow at 6:30 p.m.
If weather is not cooperative, the event will be held inside at 130 West Montgomery Street.
Tickets are still available for $75 and may be purchased online by visiting Downtown Henderson’s website (click here), or by calling Sallins at (252) 767-4579.
Menu items for the evening include:
Starter
Salmon Cake Resting on House-Made Cocktail Sauce with Citrus Soli and Cilantro Atop
Chef Llew’s California Salad
Mixed Greens, Red Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Peppered Bacon, Dried Cranberries, Blue Cheese Crumbles, with House- Made Balsamic Reduction Drizzle
Main Course
Thyme Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions complimented with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes along with Fresh Lemon Peppered Asparagus
Dessert
Creme Brulee in Mini Mason Jars
The gala is the only fundraising event for the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission, a non-profit organization focused on revitalizing Henderson’s historic downtown business district. According to Sallins, donations will be used for events and beautification projects in Henderson’s central business district in an effort to preserve historic integrity.
“The money raised at the Harvest Gala allows us to promote new downtown businesses by offering incentives and facade improvement grants,” explained Sallins. “We were recently able to offer a grant to the American Legion and Sadies Coffee Corner as well as organize a beautification project in the parking area of the former Gupton’s Sporting Goods thanks to those who support the gala.”
To hear Sallin’s interview in its entirety, including information on Downtown Trick-or-Treating and the 2019 Christmas Parade, 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.
Town Talk 09/17/19: Jason Spriggs Discusses City Council Run
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Town Talk 09/16/19
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Town Talk 09/13/19
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