-Press Release, Granville County Government
On May 21, 2004, Granville Athletic Park (GAP) was dedicated to the citizens of Granville County after a hard-fought battle to keep out a hazardous waste incinerator. Fifteen years later, the GAP is now the area’s largest recreational area and environmental preserve, serving as a “third home” for thousands of residents and visitors.
What happened to change the intended use of this site is the result of many concerned people – from near and far – coming together to make a difference in their community.
In 1989, North Carolina joined a five-state compact that would commit the state to site and build five hazardous waste incinerators for a private company called ThermalKEM. In May of the following year, the list of 18 potential locations had been narrowed to two sites – one on the Rowan/Iredell County border and one near Oxford in Granville County. Land for the incinerator site totaled 580 acres off Belltown Road, which was combined from nine different landowners.
A protestor stands her ground at the Belltown Road site that was once considered for a hazardous waste incinerator. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
When Granville County residents learned of the plan to locate the toxic waste incinerator in their area, they took action. In addition to multiple local protests, Oxford attorney John Pike secured a loan from Adams Tobacco Company to purchase the 48-acre Ellok Jones farm, one of the tracts of land in the middle of the 580-acre proposed incinerator site. Pike then sold $5.00 ownership shares of the newly-acquired farmland to approximately 8,000 people, most from Granville County but some from as far away as the Soviet Union and South America. The intent was to make it so difficult to negotiate with the large number of shareholders that the state would eventually abandon the project. The idea worked. Facing multiple lawsuits and the publicity that resulted, the state was deterred from their original plan.
In March of 1999, a partnership was forged between Jonesland Environmental Park, Inc. and Granville County. According to the deed between the two partners, 48.28 acres of the land was to be used for recreation and environmental park purposes; the forestland was to be preserved in a natural state (no clear cutting); the grounds were to be maintained by organic methods defined by the National Organic Standards Board; and the Jones family’s cemetery plot was to be maintained.
On May 21, 2004, the Granville Athletic Park and Jonesland Environmental Preserve were dedicated, with many supportive residents in attendance. The Granville County land that had once been envisioned as a site for the burning of toxic waste is now Granville County’s largest recreational area, covering more than 60 acres as it grows to meet the needs of its residents.
Pictured at the GAP’s dedication 15 years ago are Commissioner Tony Cozart, Carolina Sunrock owner Brian Pfohl, Commissioner Hubert Gooch, Oxford Attorney John Pike, Commissioners Dave Currin and W.E. “Pete” Averette. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
Due to continued efforts by county staff, local organizations and volunteers, today’s park includes walking trails, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic areas, open play spaces, playground equipment, pickleball courts, a disc golf course, basketball goals, an educational Kids TRACK trail, an outdoor classroom space, a splash pad, a butterfly garden and many more amenities.
Phase III of the GAP’s expansion is to begin soon, which will include tennis courts, fitness stations, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, an all-inclusive play area, a sound garden and other additions.
Granville County Government has been observing the 15th anniversary of Granville Athletic Park with an online “Fifteen Day Countdown” and will soon be introducing “Fifteen for 15,” which details 15 sponsorship/giving opportunities to kick off this milestone celebration. More details will be coming soon.
For more information about Granville Athletic Park, contact Management Analyst Charla Duncan at charla.duncan@granvillecountygovernment.org. To reserve specific time periods for field play, picnic shelters, etc., contact Raymond Allen, Granville County’s Parks and Grounds Director, at 919-693-3716.
Coach’s Corner 05/22/19
/by CharleneCoach’s Corner Show – Vance County Aquatics.Program Interview
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 05/23/19
/by CharleneNews 05/23/19
/by LarryTown Talk 05/23/19
/by LarrySheriff Brame Gets More Personnel; May Lead To Other Cuts
/by John C. RoseIt’s budget time for Vance County, and the Vance County Board of Commissioners met Monday night and Tuesday night for more than four combined hours in budget sessions.
A priority emerged Tuesday night, and that is adding about $250,000 in additional funding to the proposed upcoming county fiscal year budget to provide additional manpower to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame’s Office and his efforts at the jail.
In simplified terms, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office gets three more deputies and another lieutenant, while the Vance County Jail gets two more personnel to help with reducing workloads and safety concerns for jail employees and prison transports. To be clear, two deputy positions were in the originally proposed budget and now an additional deputy and an additional lieutenant are set to be added to the proposed budget.
After lengthy discussion by the board, Brame was asked to speak.
He said, “Vance County is a hub for heroin.” He said that hub was in Durham and now it is here. He said he needed more support and manpower to fix the problem. He said, “Nobody is dealing from home. If you see two cars meet in the street, they’re passing dope.”
Commissioner Tommy Hester said as he understood it, about $122,500 would fund two more deputy positions.
Commission Chair Archie Taylor said there appeared to be a consensus on the board to do more for the sheriff and said the money needed to be found.
Commissioner Leo Kelly raised the point of increasing the tax rate by a penny because it would generate about $287,000 and that would eliminate the squeeze on other parts of the budget.
As to the jail, it was stated that $90,000 would fund two more positions.
All present commissioners, and all but one was present, agreed and directed County Manager Jordan McMillan to find the necessary $250,000. It may come from the general fund, a tax increase, other cuts and by finding other priorities and making cuts.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt said, “The board has made the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and jail a priority.” He said it was in the best interest of public safety and for the county to move forward.
Commissioner Gordon Wilder said, “We have a new sheriff and we want to support him.”
As to the other public safety concern, the much ballhooed fire protection plans, the next public opportunity to hear about that comes Tuesday, May 28th. In a press release, the Commission board has announced that the location of the public safety committee meeting on the 28th has been changed to the Perry Library’s Farm Bureau room (205 Breckenridge Street). The time is 6 p.m.
The fire coverage discussion at this time is centered around the proposed 2.3 cents increase in the fire tax rate, how the fire tax monies are used, the equitable distribution of funds to the volunteer departments, the provision for two paid positions in each volunteer department funded by the county, except at Epsom and Drewry who get one paid firefighter, and the additional debate about the future of the Vance County Fire Department and, stillmore, the future of the Vance County Rescue Squad.
There are more questions than answers and the commissioners appear to be stuck in the details without actually having fully decided if broader, more full scale changes are needed.
KVA Headmaster Frank Wiggins Talks Championship Win, Sense of Community
/by Kelly BondurantFrank Wiggins, Kerr-Vance Academy Headmaster, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the Spartans recent NCISAA 1A Baseball Championship win and end-of-year activities.
The Spartans took the best two out of three series against Albemarle Academy on May 18 – 19, 2019, at home on Boyd Field. With a final score of 15-2, the win resulted in a third straight state title for KVA.
Prior to the championship round, the team defeated The Burlington School and Lawrence Academy.
“What a phenomenal accomplishment,” said Wiggins. “The kids have worked really hard this year, and the coaches have done an outstanding job. To win the championship three times in a row speaks volumes about the program.”
Wiggins praised the talent and leadership of upperclassmen Cam Murphy, Lane White and Matt Overton in addition to Head Coach Todd Wilkerson and Assistant Coach Mike Rigsbee.
The combination of “senior leadership, young talent and coaches that set a high standard for performance” led to a successful team that even had KVA’s daycare and preschool children cheering from the stands.
“One of the great things about Kerr Vance being such a small school is that everybody knows everybody. Our high school kids know our younger kids. You’ll see daycare and preschool kids at the ball games, and they know the players by name. That kind of community is something special,” Wiggins said.
As KVA winds down the 2018-19 school year with a victory, Wiggins said there is still plenty of excitement left this week with final exams, award ceremonies and the graduation of 23 seniors. This Friday, May 24 marks the last day of school and graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 25 at 10 a.m.
Camp activities and events will be offered over the summer break. For additional information, please visit KVA’s website at www.kerrvance.com.
Looking ahead to enrollment for next school year, Wiggins said KVA staff would love to see you and your family in person via a campus tour. “I invite people to take a tour of the campus, to speak to our teachers and staff and to experience the routines and day-to-day operations that demonstrate what we’re all about.”
According to Wiggins, what KVA is all about is offering personalized education, all while fostering a sense of community.
“Our job is to educate children for success, and that takes a whole child approach,” said Wiggins. “We have an excellent track record of not only preparing kids to go to college but to be successful in college, graduate and then go on to outstanding careers. Many are leaders in their field and give back to the community.”
To hear the Town Talk interview with Frank Wiggins in its entirety, click here.
Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrests in Heroin Trafficking Cases
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office
On Monday, May 20, 2019, Lagarris Alexander Peace was arrested at North Pine Street and Harriett Street, Henderson, NC 27537.
Peace was charged with three (3) counts – Conspire to Traffic Heroin.
Peace was part of an on-going drug trafficking investigation that involved Homeland Security Investigation (Norfolk) Virginia and Raleigh, NC along with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and NCSBI.
Peace is currently in the Vance County Jail under an $850,000.00 bond.
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On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 1975 Carey Chapel Road in Henderson and recovered 104 bricks of Heroin.
During the investigation, deputies recovered an additional 184 bricks of Heroin.
Warren County’s Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigation and North Carolina State Bureau Investigation assisted with the investigation.
Arrested during the investigation were Demario Henderson, Jordan Collier and Shikevon Davis. As part of this same investigation, Anthony Brame was arrested at 2301 Outterburn Place, Apartment 202 in Raleigh, NC on May 1, 2019.
All four defendants were charged with trafficking Heroin.
Location Change for Vance Public Safety Meeting on Fire Matters
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners
The Vance County Public Safety Committee (Brummitt, Faines, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at 6 p.m. to discuss volunteer fire department matters.
Originally scheduled to be held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, the meeting will now be held in Perry Library’s Farm Bureau Room, 205 Breckenridge St. in Henderson. Please make note of the location change.
Granville Athletic Park Reaches 15-Year Milestone
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Granville County Government
On May 21, 2004, Granville Athletic Park (GAP) was dedicated to the citizens of Granville County after a hard-fought battle to keep out a hazardous waste incinerator. Fifteen years later, the GAP is now the area’s largest recreational area and environmental preserve, serving as a “third home” for thousands of residents and visitors.
What happened to change the intended use of this site is the result of many concerned people – from near and far – coming together to make a difference in their community.
In 1989, North Carolina joined a five-state compact that would commit the state to site and build five hazardous waste incinerators for a private company called ThermalKEM. In May of the following year, the list of 18 potential locations had been narrowed to two sites – one on the Rowan/Iredell County border and one near Oxford in Granville County. Land for the incinerator site totaled 580 acres off Belltown Road, which was combined from nine different landowners.
A protestor stands her ground at the Belltown Road site that was once considered for a hazardous waste incinerator. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
When Granville County residents learned of the plan to locate the toxic waste incinerator in their area, they took action. In addition to multiple local protests, Oxford attorney John Pike secured a loan from Adams Tobacco Company to purchase the 48-acre Ellok Jones farm, one of the tracts of land in the middle of the 580-acre proposed incinerator site. Pike then sold $5.00 ownership shares of the newly-acquired farmland to approximately 8,000 people, most from Granville County but some from as far away as the Soviet Union and South America. The intent was to make it so difficult to negotiate with the large number of shareholders that the state would eventually abandon the project. The idea worked. Facing multiple lawsuits and the publicity that resulted, the state was deterred from their original plan.
In March of 1999, a partnership was forged between Jonesland Environmental Park, Inc. and Granville County. According to the deed between the two partners, 48.28 acres of the land was to be used for recreation and environmental park purposes; the forestland was to be preserved in a natural state (no clear cutting); the grounds were to be maintained by organic methods defined by the National Organic Standards Board; and the Jones family’s cemetery plot was to be maintained.
On May 21, 2004, the Granville Athletic Park and Jonesland Environmental Preserve were dedicated, with many supportive residents in attendance. The Granville County land that had once been envisioned as a site for the burning of toxic waste is now Granville County’s largest recreational area, covering more than 60 acres as it grows to meet the needs of its residents.
Pictured at the GAP’s dedication 15 years ago are Commissioner Tony Cozart, Carolina Sunrock owner Brian Pfohl, Commissioner Hubert Gooch, Oxford Attorney John Pike, Commissioners Dave Currin and W.E. “Pete” Averette. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
Due to continued efforts by county staff, local organizations and volunteers, today’s park includes walking trails, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic areas, open play spaces, playground equipment, pickleball courts, a disc golf course, basketball goals, an educational Kids TRACK trail, an outdoor classroom space, a splash pad, a butterfly garden and many more amenities.
Phase III of the GAP’s expansion is to begin soon, which will include tennis courts, fitness stations, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, an all-inclusive play area, a sound garden and other additions.
Granville County Government has been observing the 15th anniversary of Granville Athletic Park with an online “Fifteen Day Countdown” and will soon be introducing “Fifteen for 15,” which details 15 sponsorship/giving opportunities to kick off this milestone celebration. More details will be coming soon.
For more information about Granville Athletic Park, contact Management Analyst Charla Duncan at charla.duncan@granvillecountygovernment.org. To reserve specific time periods for field play, picnic shelters, etc., contact Raymond Allen, Granville County’s Parks and Grounds Director, at 919-693-3716.
Local Youth Ages 4-12 Needed for Competitive Football League
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
The 2019 East Wake Football League is a competitive football league for youth of Vance, Warren, Franklin and Granville counties.
Participants will learn the skills and rules of football. Team tryouts will be conducted and participants will be placed on teams by coaches. In order to be on a team, participating youth must attend tryouts.
Schedules will be developed by the East Wake Football League and games will be played on Saturday afternoons. Participants will travel to local communities to participate in games.
Registration will be held June 3 – August 4, 2019, at the Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson.
Cost is $40 for both in and out-of-county participants. Participants may be eligible for the fee waiver program.
Age levels include:
Flag Football – Ages 4 – 6
Mini Mites – Ages 6 – 8
Mighty Mites – Ages 9 – 10
Pee Wee – Ages 11 – 12
Age will be determined as of August 1, 2019.
For more information or to inquire about the fee waiver program, please contact Steve Osborne at (252) 438-2670 (sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us) or Victor Hunt at (252) 430-3408 (vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us).