City of Henderson Logo

Town Talk 10/09/19: Ellington, Owens & Spriggs Comment on Election Results

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

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.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/08/19: Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Reports 1,300+ Domestic Calls

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

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.

Town Talk 10/07/19: Granville’s Fall Season Full of Festivals, Farms, Shows & More

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Angela Allen, director of the Granville County Tourism Development Authority, was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the many upcoming fall activities planned for the community.

To hear more details on events such as the Granville Haunt Farm, 9th Annual Oxford Masonic Homecoming, Cedar Creek Gallery’s Fall Pottery & Glass Festival, City of Creedmoor’s Fireman’s Day, Granville Co. Chamber of Commerce’s Cluck ‘N Shuck, 4th Annual Military History Show and Granville Little Theatre’s upcoming dinner theatre performance, 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 10/03/19: Edwards Discusses Medicare/Affordable Care Open Enrollment

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Bradley Edwards, an insurance broker for CMI Insurance in Henderson, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss open enrollment for Medicare and Affordable Care Act insurance plans.

Changes made during open enrollment will be effective on January 1, 2020.

Medicare

Enrollment for Medicare, an insurance plan typically reserved for qualifying individuals 65 years or older, begins October 15 and runs through December 7, 2019.

In his segment, Edwards explained that what is termed “Part A and Part B” of Medicare includes deductibles and coinsurance but does not include prescription drug coverage.

“People will find ways through private health insurance to help pay for what Medicare doesn’t cover,” explained Edwards. “That can be done through a supplemental prescription drug plan or through what is called a Medicare Advantage plan.”

Edwards said that advertisements of $0 health insurance are often referring to Medicare Advantage. “Medicare Advantage plans are considered Part C of Medicare. It handles your Part A and Part B claims, plus adds in prescription drug coverage.”

In addition, Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits such as dental, vision and hearing coverage along with free gym membership.

According to Edwards, Medicare Advantage plans typically range from $0-$75 per month for qualifying individuals.

For more information on Medicare, please visit medicare.gov online.

Affordable Care Act

Also known as Obamacare, open enrollment for individual Affordable Care Act insurance plans runs November 1 through December 15, 2019.

Those that do not enroll by December 15 will not be eligible for coverage in 2020 unless they qualify for a special enrollment period.

Affordable Care offers subsidies, or tax credits, based on an individual’s annual household income.

“If someone is on an Affordable Care plan where they receive a subsidy, every year during open enrollment they can change their plan and update their income. That needs to be adjusted every year between November 1 and December 15,” Edwards stated.

Even with the Affordable Care Act, Edwards said plans still go through a private insurance company. Private insurance is also still available to individuals outside of the Obamacare marketplace.

For more information on the Affordable Care Act, please visit healthcare.gov online.

“It can get confusing in a hurry, but I can often make it pretty easy for my clients,” said Edwards. “A lot of it is going to come down to how much health and drug coverage you are going to need.”

CMI is a local Blue Cross insurance agency located at 601 S. Chestnut Street in Henderson, NC and can be reached by phone at (252) 438-2635.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

To hear Edwards’ 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 10/02/19: Chief Frankie Nobles Talks Vance Co. Animal Services

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/01/19: Vance Co. DSS Announces Domestic Violence Awareness Events

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

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.

Cassandra Hart, Program Integrity/Child Care Supervisor with the Vance County Department of Social Services, appeared on today’s edition of Town Talk as the first guest in the series.

Other guests and scheduled dates include:

Tuesday, October 8 – Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Tuesday, October 15 – Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks

Tuesday, October 22 – Vance County Schools

Tuesday, October 29 – Domestic Violence Advocate/Therapist

“Every October, DSS collaborates with Infinite Possibilities, Inc., Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department and Vance County Schools, to bring awareness to domestic violence,” explained Hart. “We have been offering domestic violence awareness activities for 11 years now – since 2008.”

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the definition of domestic violence is “willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.” This includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological and emotional abuse.

NCADV statistics indicate that nearly 10 million women and men, or 20 people per minute, are physically abused by an intimate partner every year in the United States.

To assist those in the community who may be experiencing domestic violence or would like to better understand how to help those suffering from abuse, Vance County DSS, in partnership with local organizations, has several events scheduled, including:

Lunch and Learn Events hosted by Infinite Possibilities, Inc. on Oct. 7, Lincoln Height Apartments at 12 p.m.; Oct. 10, North Henderson Heights Apartments at 2 p.m.; Oct. 14 Cedarhurst Apartments at 2 p.m.; Oct. 16 Highland Green Apartments at 2 p.m.

The 9th Annual Domestic Violence Walk & Candlelight Vigil will be held on the Vance County Courthouse steps at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 24. Walk and presentation, including candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims, last approximately one hour.

A charity basketball tournament will be held Fri., Oct. 25 and Sat., Oct. 26 from 6 until 9 p.m. each evening at the Aycock Rec. Center. All proceeds go to Infinite Possibilities, Inc. to assist victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence training will be held in the auditorium at Maria Parham Health in Henderson on Fri. Oct. 25. Those interested in learning how to properly help domestic violence victims can choose between the 9-11 a.m. session or the 2-4 p.m. session.

Resources and assistance are also available at the Vance County DSS, located at 350 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, or by calling the main office line at (252) 492-5001.

Infinite Possibilities 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.

To hear Hart’s 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 09/30/19: Code Enforcement, Public Safety on Incumbent Mayor’s Agenda

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

Ellington is running as the incumbent mayoral candidate against Sharon Owens in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson non-partisan, municipal election.

Noting that continued improvements to public safety are of the utmost importance to many in the community, Ellington said it has been his goal since taking office in 2015 to increase pay “across the board” for law enforcement officers.

“There has been a 31% increase in officer pay and a 51% increase in sergeant’s pay,” Ellington said of his time as mayor. “We are not quite there [goal pay], but we are well on our way and are mindful that we need a top-notch police department.”

Emphasizing the importance of economic development in the area, Ellington also said that it is essential that local leaders have the appropriate contacts in Raleigh to attract businesses and make decisions quickly.

“Economic development is driven by Raleigh and you’ve got to have the contacts,” Ellington said. “When you have the contacts and you say ‘we’re ready and we’re open for business,’ then if they get someone on the hook, they’re going to bring them right our way.”

A testament to the current relationship City leaders have with Raleigh, according to Ellington, is Mako Medical Laboratories which is now “well on its way to exceeding the 150 jobs they initially promised us.” Mako opened their Henderson location in late 2017.

Ellington said he also wants to continue to focus on code enforcement, especially as it relates to dilapidated housing, and praised local groups that assist with either the removal of or the recovery of these properties.

“We don’t need to pass any more laws or ordinances until we can enforce what we already have on the books,” stated Ellington.

With the removal of over 400 dilapidated structures since 2010, Ellington said the City of Henderson and County of Vance work well together to get through the “red tape, letters and ordinances that have to be enforced to be able to bring down these houses.”

The City’s recent hiring of an additional full-time code enforcer is a move that Ellington said he believes will help with the backlog of structures in need of repair or demolition.

The process of removing potential safety hazards such as these does not happen overnight or with minimal effort, and Ellington thanked local volunteer group Citizens Aligned to Take Back Henderson, NC for the work they do “simply because they care about their city.”

Ellington said Citizens Aligned founders Tommy Haithcock, Hope Hoyle Howard and Heidi Owen “are wonderful people and we need more residents like them.”

A new program for the City, Urban Homesteading, was also mentioned by Ellington as a means of properly updating non-compliant structures that meet certain criteria.

In addition to volunteers and programs, Ellington said it takes the cooperation of local government leaders to make positive changes happen.

“I’ll echo what Chief Marcus Barrow and Sheriff Curtis Brame have said on Town Talk recently about the collaboration they have – local leadership is getting along,” Ellington said. “The City of Henderson and the County have a team that gets together right now and can get together in a day’s notice if industry is looking to come to Henderson. I have a great working relationship with the county commissioners; the relationship is there.”

Ellington said his tenure as mayor has reaffirmed his belief that Henderson is a great place to call home. “It’s easy to criticize, condemn and complain; we are all guilty of that. We have so many great things that are moving in Henderson. We are in the best place that we’ve ever been – all systems go – unless we let the naysayers talk us into thinking otherwise.”

Early voting for the City of Henderson Municipal Election will be held at the Vance County Board of Elections Office located at 300 S. Garnett Street through Friday, October 4.

The submission of absentee ballots by mail ends tomorrow, Tuesday, October 1. Anyone that would like to request a ballot can call the BOE office at (252) 492-3730.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Sharon Owens participated in a similar Town Talk interview with equal on-air and online coverage.)

To hear Ellington’s 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 09/27/19

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Henderson Police Department

Town Talk 09/26/19: Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow On-Air

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Town Talk 09/25/19: Police, Jobs Key to City’s Future Says Mayoral Candidate Owens

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

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.