Frank Timberlake, lead of public affairs for the Kerr Lake Park Watch (KLPW), was recently on Town Talk to discuss what is, in his and other Park Watch members’ opinion, the troubling trend of the dwindling role of the park ranger position at Kerr Lake.
Timberlake has been with the KLPW for eight years and has seen its ranks grow from six to almost 600 concerned citizens. He said the group’s mission is “to promote, to protect and improve all of the public facilities around Kerr Lake.”
Timberlake believes today’s park rangers are expected to act predominantly as law enforcement officers while ignoring traditional ranger duties such as protecting the environment and educating the public, specifically youth, on preservation efforts.
In documentation provided to WIZS, Timberlake states:
At Kerr Lake, the park rangers for the US Army Corps of Engineers parks still adhere closely to [a] broad range of duties, with only a few designated as full law enforcement officers. The rangers, including the Chief Ranger, wear Federal badges and can issue citations. That may sound mild but be assured those citations land accused violators in Federal court because those parks are on Federal land. Those arrested on the say-so of Corps rangers are hauled before a magistrate or to jail.
In Virginia, the two parks on Kerr Lake have law enforcement officers. There is no “split” in Virginia having parks versus recreation areas; they are all parks. Some current and former Virginia State Parks employees believe that the tilt of the park ranger job is going too far towards law enforcement and leaving behind the resource, the park’s other employees and the visiting public.
The KLPW recently conducted their own 30-day investigation into the role of park ranger and the visiting public’s opinion of ranger responsibilities. The results of this investigation were documented in a five-page report that was sent to the NC Division of State Parks and Recreation in Raleigh.
“One reason we’ve taken it public is that we don’t want to bring this issue out, bring it to the forefront, and then it be swept to the back when something else comes along,” Timberlake said.
Among the findings, the KLPW cites a lack of understanding of ranger roles other than as a law enforcement entity, the public’s unawareness of who the rangers are, a high turnover of rangers at Kerr Lake leading to inconsistency in leadership, the lack of an official park manager role to keep parks organized and a prevailing “that’s not my job” attitude among park officials.
“Part of the problem is that there is nobody assigned to the duty of being a park manager, so to speak,” said Timberlake. “There is nobody to fill in on those interpretive services that were done previously. The park rangers use to take pride in their part. What’s been mutilated in all seven parks is the team spirit.”
Timberlake said part of the KLPW’s proposal to NC State Parks and Recreation included a recommendation that entry stations built at each park in recent years be made the rangers’ offices. “The State of NC spent $250,000 on entry stations that are unmanned most of the time,” Timberlake said. “There is a missed $6 entry fee for every person who drives through. Why not make those booths the park ranger’s office?”
In the report, the KLPW invite the administration to “leave Raleigh and get out to talk with the park – public and employees.”
Timberlake said he was recently told by some of the leadership of NC State Parks and Recreation that the department is taking into consideration several points mentioned in KLPW’s report and that meetings have previously been held to discuss issues related to organizational structure.
While the KLPW finds this encouraging, Timberlake warns that “the wheels of government grind slowly.”
*For more information on the Kerr Lake Park Watch Association, including a more detailed summary of their report on Kerr Lake’s park ranger role, please visit their website at https://kerrlakeparkwatch.org/.
News 06/07/18
/by LarryCooperative Extension with Jean Bell 06/07/18
/by CharleneSummer Learning
Kids work hard during the school year and look forward to summer break. Kids and parents do need downtime from schoolwork and projects, but students can lose ground over the summer, forgetting what they learned the previous year. Parents can help prevent this from happening by planning some simple summer activities to help keep kids engaged in learning.
One of the most important activities you can do with your child over the summer school break is to encourage reading. Make reading fun for your child this summer and let your kids know that reading is important. Set a good example by reading together as a family. Let kids know that their parents read for pleasure, and let your kids see you reading.
Go to the library or bookstore together and let kids select books on any topic that interests them. Ask the librarian for help in selecting books that are at your child’s reading level. Even if your child is not yet reading on her own, take her to the library and let her select books that interest her, then read them aloud together. If a book is a little above your child’s reading level, but he is interested in the topic, select the book as one that you will read aloud together. Reading aloud together is a wonderful way to let your child know that reading is enjoyable and can spark discussion on new topics and interests between parents and kids.
Talking and listening to kids about what they are reading is a good way to get to know your kids and is a way to encourage learning. Ask your kids questions about what he is reading. Go beyond the easy questions like “What book are you reading?” and ask her about the story and the characters. You could ask your child questions like “Why do you think the character did that?” or “What do you think could happen next?”
Listen to your child’s ideas about the book. Asking more in-depth questions helps your child think about the meaning of what he reads. Don’t forget about having talks when you and your child are together. This is a great way to learn about how your child thinks and feels. You might talk in the car when traveling or just at home in the evenings since there’s no homework to do! Your preschooler has ideas too, and when you talk and listen and sing to your preschool child you also teach your child vocabulary and how language works.
Along with reading, talking and listening to your child, writing is another way your child learns to express himself and learns language. Your child may already be able to write his name and his ABC’s but that doesn’t mean that he can’t have fun writing. Make writing fun by writing your children of all ages a note, and have them write you a note back. Find a pen pal for an older child. Have kids write your shopping list, then take the list to the store when you shop and have the kids check off the items as you put them in the cart. Kids can even write and illustrate their own comic or short story on anything that interests them. Show your kids how you use writing in everyday life, that writing can be a good creative outlet.
Helping kids continue to learn during the summer does not mean that you have to do worksheets and tests, just showing your kids that reading is a fun activity will help them to be ready for the next school year
Kerr Lake Park Watch Asks ‘Are the Days of the Park Ranger Numbered?’
/by Kelly BondurantFrank Timberlake, lead of public affairs for the Kerr Lake Park Watch (KLPW), was recently on Town Talk to discuss what is, in his and other Park Watch members’ opinion, the troubling trend of the dwindling role of the park ranger position at Kerr Lake.
Timberlake has been with the KLPW for eight years and has seen its ranks grow from six to almost 600 concerned citizens. He said the group’s mission is “to promote, to protect and improve all of the public facilities around Kerr Lake.”
Timberlake believes today’s park rangers are expected to act predominantly as law enforcement officers while ignoring traditional ranger duties such as protecting the environment and educating the public, specifically youth, on preservation efforts.
In documentation provided to WIZS, Timberlake states:
At Kerr Lake, the park rangers for the US Army Corps of Engineers parks still adhere closely to [a] broad range of duties, with only a few designated as full law enforcement officers. The rangers, including the Chief Ranger, wear Federal badges and can issue citations. That may sound mild but be assured those citations land accused violators in Federal court because those parks are on Federal land. Those arrested on the say-so of Corps rangers are hauled before a magistrate or to jail.
In Virginia, the two parks on Kerr Lake have law enforcement officers. There is no “split” in Virginia having parks versus recreation areas; they are all parks. Some current and former Virginia State Parks employees believe that the tilt of the park ranger job is going too far towards law enforcement and leaving behind the resource, the park’s other employees and the visiting public.
The KLPW recently conducted their own 30-day investigation into the role of park ranger and the visiting public’s opinion of ranger responsibilities. The results of this investigation were documented in a five-page report that was sent to the NC Division of State Parks and Recreation in Raleigh.
“One reason we’ve taken it public is that we don’t want to bring this issue out, bring it to the forefront, and then it be swept to the back when something else comes along,” Timberlake said.
Among the findings, the KLPW cites a lack of understanding of ranger roles other than as a law enforcement entity, the public’s unawareness of who the rangers are, a high turnover of rangers at Kerr Lake leading to inconsistency in leadership, the lack of an official park manager role to keep parks organized and a prevailing “that’s not my job” attitude among park officials.
“Part of the problem is that there is nobody assigned to the duty of being a park manager, so to speak,” said Timberlake. “There is nobody to fill in on those interpretive services that were done previously. The park rangers use to take pride in their part. What’s been mutilated in all seven parks is the team spirit.”
Timberlake said part of the KLPW’s proposal to NC State Parks and Recreation included a recommendation that entry stations built at each park in recent years be made the rangers’ offices. “The State of NC spent $250,000 on entry stations that are unmanned most of the time,” Timberlake said. “There is a missed $6 entry fee for every person who drives through. Why not make those booths the park ranger’s office?”
In the report, the KLPW invite the administration to “leave Raleigh and get out to talk with the park – public and employees.”
Timberlake said he was recently told by some of the leadership of NC State Parks and Recreation that the department is taking into consideration several points mentioned in KLPW’s report and that meetings have previously been held to discuss issues related to organizational structure.
While the KLPW finds this encouraging, Timberlake warns that “the wheels of government grind slowly.”
*For more information on the Kerr Lake Park Watch Association, including a more detailed summary of their report on Kerr Lake’s park ranger role, please visit their website at https://kerrlakeparkwatch.org/.
Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Now Open on Wednesdays!
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Regional Farmers Market is now open on Wednesdays!
You now have two days to shop at the Market – Wednesday & Saturday – 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Wednesdays, there will be produce vendors, craft vendors and a food truck serving breakfast.
Location:
Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Upcoming Vance Co. Relay for Life Fundraising Events
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Cindy Robinson and Sandra Parham
Upcoming weekend fundraisers for the 2018 Vance County Relay for Life
Friday, June 8 – Plant Sale at Tractor Supply, 1733 Dabney Drive, Henderson, from 9 a.m. – until
Saturday, June 9 – Spaghetti Supper and Quarter Auction at the Church of the Holy Innocents, 210 S. Chestnut St., Henderson. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. – meal at 6 p.m. – auction at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Sunday, June 10 – Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church is presenting a gospel music program at 4 p.m. The “Big Ruin Creek Strivers” will also hold a “Shoe Size Rally,” meaning you donate based on your shoe size. For example, if you wear a size 10 shoe, you give $20. Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church is located at the intersection of Ruin Creek Road and US 158 Business in Henderson.
Henderson Lions Club to Meet Thurs., June 14
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Randy Oxendine, President, Henderson Lions Club
The Henderson Lions Club will meet Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club. The Club will install their new officers for the 2018/2019 year.
To learn more or join the Lions and be a part of an active community service organization, contact any Lions Club member or President Randy Oxendine at 252-438-8034.
Spring Street Missionary Baptist Seniors Ready to Cruise
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church
The seasoned seniors of Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson will host a trip to the Spirit of Norfolk in Norfolk, VA, on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. A limited number of seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
The total cost of the trip, which includes the cruise, an all-you-can-eat luncheon and transportation is $75.
A deposit of at least 50% of the total cost is due no later than Sunday, June 17, 2018. Final payment is due by Friday, July 20, 2018. To guarantee your seat, you must make deposits on time.
For an itinerary and additional information, please call Adrian Davis at (252) 767-1686.
Granville Co. Board of Education to Hold Special Called Meeting Mon., June 11
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a special called meeting Monday, June 11, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford.
The board will also meet in a closed session for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.
The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, June 28 at 6 p.m.
City of Oxford Public Works Committee to Meet Thurs., June 14
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The Public Works, Water, & Infrastructure Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.
The purpose of the meeting is to hear a presentation on Automated Water Meters, hear a presentation on the City of Oxford Road Condition Survey, and to discuss the existing downtown trash compactor.
All those interested are invited to attend.
Spay/Neuter Program to Help Qualifying Warren Co. Pet Owners
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Mary Cervini, founder of Community Partnership for Pets
The Warren County Animal Shelter, Community Partnership for Pets and Warrenton Animal Clinic are announcing a new spay/neuter program to help qualified, low-income families in Warren County get their dogs and cats fixed.
Families must provide proof of income and can purchase their voucher at the Warren County Animal Shelter, 142 Rafters Lane, Warrenton. The cost of the vouchers is $10 for cats and $20 for dogs. The voucher will cover the pet’s surgery, rabies and distemper vaccinations and pain medication.
For more information about this new program, please contact the Shelter at 252-257-6137.
Please help reduce the number of unwanted animals in Warren County by opting to get your pet fixed. If you would like more information about Community Partnership for Pets and their statewide spay/neuter initiatives and/or to donate to spay/neuter pets in your county, please visit www.communitypartnershipforpets.org.
(This is not a paid advertisement)