Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and chairman of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk call-in show to discuss updates concerning the City of Henderson.
Breckenridge Pavilion
The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.
According to Daeke, the landscaping plan for the sited area is expected to be completed and submitted to the City for review within a week. Landscaping work will include, among other tasks, grading, debris removal and parking lot repair.
Groundbreaking is expected to begin on the pavilion this fall, with the City already making plans for future operating procedures. “The City Council has had discussions with the Embassy Foundation about overseeing the booking of events for the pavilion,” Daeke said. “They have been receptive to that.”
Kerr Lake Regional Water System
The Kerr Lake Regional Water System is currently in a two-phase expansion process aimed at increasing the system’s access to the lake’s water supply.
Daeke explained that the first phase of the plan is to increase supply by two million gallons of water. The second phase will bring even greater expansion with up to 20 million gallons of water.
“We can draw from the lake and would pay a fee to have access to the water,” said Daeke. “This is going to give us an increased supply for our partners in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County.”
While the City currently has funding earmarked for the first phase of the project, a new $15 million loan may help the second phase come to fruition.
The proposal to accept the $15 million loan will be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“We will be able to pull water from Kerr Lake, treat it and send out some of the best water in NC to our customers,” Daeke said.
City Redevelopment Plan
A redevelopment plan to include approximately a quarter of the City, from I-85/Hwy 39 into the downtown area has been in the discussion phase for some time.
“This is the main area for people coming off the interstate and driving into the downtown area and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center,” said Daeke. “We are trying to do some incredible change in terms of bringing business and industry in, rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods.”
According to Daeke, the Council hopes to have the redevelopment plan finalized within a year.
“I think this type of planning is what we have to do to help make changes in our whole community – to make it healthier and to draw investment for economic development.”
Granville Chamber to Hold 4th Annual Appreciation Picnic
/by WIZS StaffThe Granville County Chamber of Commerce will host their 4th annual Member Appreciation Day picnic on Friday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Granville Athletic Park (GAP), 4615 Belltown Rd in Oxford.
This is a Chamber Ambassador-sponsored event that will include free hot dogs, hamburgers and trimmings. The Chamber encourages you to drop by anytime and enjoy great conversation, corn hole and a free lunch.
The food will be prepared by members of the Ambassadors’ group and the picnic is being held to express the Chamber’s appreciation of their members.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to wanda@granville-chamber.com, (919) 693-6125; or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com, (919) 528-4994.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Upcoming Budget Workshops for Granville Co. Commissioners
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold budget workshop sessions on Tuesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m. at the Granville Expo & Convention Center.
At the May 15 session, commissioners will hold a review of service expansions, including County departments and outside agencies.
Slated for discussion are Granville County Public Schools, general government, Human Resources, Finance, Board of Elections, Veterans Services, Senior Services, Vance-Granville Community College, Social Services, Library, Recreation Advisory, Inspections, Fire Services, Solid Waste, Animal Management, Recreation, SGMG, Granville County Museum, John Chavis Historical Society, ACIM, Oak Hill Heritage Museum and Shepherd Youth Ranch.
Franklin Co. Schools Will Close May 16 for Teachers’ Rally
/by WIZS StaffGood Afternoon Parents and Guardians,
We closely monitored the number of anticipated teacher and support staff absences in light of the rally that will take place on Wednesday.
This rally in Raleigh was established in support of improving teacher working conditions and classroom opportunities for students.
We reached a point at which scheduled absences of teachers and support staff will not allow us to safely and effectively operate that day. Therefore, all schools are closed for students.
May 16th will be an optional teacher workday, the central office will be open and students will not make up the day. All school activities on May 16th are canceled with exception of Advanced Placement (AP) testing at our high schools. Impacted students will receive additional guidance regarding testing directly from their respective schools.
We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
Thank you and have a great rest of your day.
Warren County to Recognize Historic Communities with Signs
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook
Warren County’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is moving forward with its program to preserve County history. Permanent signs will eventually be placed across the county in communities contributing to the history and development of Warren County. To date, four pilot communities have been designated: Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City.
Citizens seeking to be included in this new effort are still needed to form committees to research their communities’ history, select a roadside site where motorists can pull over to read the sign and to raise funds for the purchase of the signs (similar in appearance to the silver-toned signs already in the county). The County’s Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department working in conjunction with the HPC will select a company to produce the signs similar to what is done for State markers through the State Historic Preservation Office.
Signs have been researched to cost approximately $2000 and funding is available to assist the Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City in starting their respective efforts. Communities that raise the necessary remaining funds would need to have checks written out to Warren County General Fund and delivered/mailed to:
Warren County Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department
Attn: Ken Krulik
542 West Ridgeway Street
Warrenton, NC 27589
Ken Krulik, Planning and Zoning Administrator, as staff to the HPC, shall maintain records of funds collected and from which community. In an earlier article he said “In identifying the various communities with these signs, those who visit our county and those who reside here can learn more about its history and contributions as well as how these local areas were formed. Through this new program, the HPC is working to preserve and promote these communities as well as protect our county’s cultural heritage.”
The signs will include the name of the community, historical information such as when the community was established and why it is prominent in Warren County’s history, the county seal and the county’s tourism website address, where additional information can be viewed. The HPC plans to partner on the project with the county library, which can archive additional historical information about the communities, such as genealogical research and photographs.
Community members interested in participating or getting more information may contact Ken Krulik at (252) 257-7027, (252) 257-3037, or KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov.
Town Talk 05/11/18
/by LarryNews 05/11/18
/by LarryPavilion, Water and Redevelopment on City’s Plate
/by Kelly BondurantGarry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and chairman of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk call-in show to discuss updates concerning the City of Henderson.
Breckenridge Pavilion
The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.
According to Daeke, the landscaping plan for the sited area is expected to be completed and submitted to the City for review within a week. Landscaping work will include, among other tasks, grading, debris removal and parking lot repair.
Groundbreaking is expected to begin on the pavilion this fall, with the City already making plans for future operating procedures. “The City Council has had discussions with the Embassy Foundation about overseeing the booking of events for the pavilion,” Daeke said. “They have been receptive to that.”
Kerr Lake Regional Water System
The Kerr Lake Regional Water System is currently in a two-phase expansion process aimed at increasing the system’s access to the lake’s water supply.
Daeke explained that the first phase of the plan is to increase supply by two million gallons of water. The second phase will bring even greater expansion with up to 20 million gallons of water.
“We can draw from the lake and would pay a fee to have access to the water,” said Daeke. “This is going to give us an increased supply for our partners in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County.”
While the City currently has funding earmarked for the first phase of the project, a new $15 million loan may help the second phase come to fruition.
The proposal to accept the $15 million loan will be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“We will be able to pull water from Kerr Lake, treat it and send out some of the best water in NC to our customers,” Daeke said.
City Redevelopment Plan
A redevelopment plan to include approximately a quarter of the City, from I-85/Hwy 39 into the downtown area has been in the discussion phase for some time.
“This is the main area for people coming off the interstate and driving into the downtown area and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center,” said Daeke. “We are trying to do some incredible change in terms of bringing business and industry in, rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods.”
According to Daeke, the Council hopes to have the redevelopment plan finalized within a year.
“I think this type of planning is what we have to do to help make changes in our whole community – to make it healthier and to draw investment for economic development.”
Hayley-Haywood Park Dedication Ceremony in Warrenton, Sat, May 19
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook
The Town of Warrenton is set to dedicate the Haley-Haywood Park, a new park just off Franklin Street, next to the Warren County Senior Center on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Officials from the Town of Warrenton, Warren County, and local residents will be on hand to officially open the park and honor famous Warren County native, Dr. Julian Haywood, who donated the land.
The ceremony is scheduled to have light refreshments, African drumming, a raffle and several speakers. Mayor Walter Gardener of Warrenton will be on hand with remarks and a proclamation.
Following the ceremony, the Town of Warrenton will have a disc golf giveaway and a chance to play a round of disc golf on the course in the Hayley-Haywood Park.
The new park will serve as a gathering place for the community, complete with nine “holes” of disc golf.
Disc golf is similar to regular golf; however, instead of using golf clubs and balls aiming for a hole, disc golf players use golf discs and aim for a disc pole hole, a pole extending from the ground with chains and a basket where the disc lands.
The object of the game is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws, starting from a tee area and finishing at the disc pole hole. Players start at a tee area and complete the course in order, playing through to the last hole. The player with lowest total cumulative score wins.
Public Hearing Set for City of Oxford 2018-19 FY Budget
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CITY OF OXFORD BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 7-1-2018 to 6-30-2019
The proposed budget for the City of Oxford was submitted to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. A copy is on file for public inspection during regular office hours in the lobby of Oxford City Hall and in the office of the City Clerk both located at 300 Williamsboro Street.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 159-12, a public hearing to receive input on the proposed budget will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in conjunction with the Regular Session. The proposed FY 2018-2019 Budget Ordinance may also be adopted at that time.
Oxford Prep Softball Team Advances in State Playoffs
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Tommy Anstead, Coach, Oxford Preparatory School
Jordan Dunn with five hits and Kaci Roberson with four hits led the way for the Oxford Prep Griffins softball team’s victory of 18-1 over #14 seeded Mattamuskeet High Wednesday, May 9 in the 1st round of state playoffs. The entire batting order contributed to the 16 hit/18 run win. This is Oxford Prep’s third trip to the state playoffs, but the first win.