Tag Archive for: #franklincountygovt

Franklin County’s New Assistant County Manager Will Doerfer

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— press release

Franklin County, January 20, 2021: Franklin County has selected William “Will” Doerfer as Assistant County Manager. Mr. Doerfer comes to Franklin from the Town of Liberty in Randolph County, North Carolina where he served as Manager since November 2017. While in Liberty, Mr. Doerfer led the effort to secure more than five million dollars in infrastructure grants to improve the Town’s wastewater collection system. He also organized and spearheaded economic development efforts to revitalize historic downtown Liberty through the formation of a nonprofit corporation, Experience Liberty.

Among his duties as Assistant County Manager, Mr. Doerfer will provide direct supervision to departments as assigned, serve as lead on assigned projects, conduct budget research and development, assist in the development and implementation of policies, long-term planning and serve as Manager in the absence of the County Manager. He will assume his role effective February 15, 2021.

Mr. Doerfer is an Army 82nd Airborne veteran and alumni of both Guilford College and Appalachian State University where he earned his BA in Psychology and Masters of Public Administration, respectively. He is active in professional organizations including the International City / County Management Association (ICMA) and the North Carolina City & County Management Association (NCCCMA).

Mr. Doerfer was raised on a small family farm in rural Northeast Ohio where he learned the value of hard work and determination. A lifelong organized sports participant, he understands the importance of teamwork in the pursuit of a common goal. Mr. Doerfer brings with him his young family with wife Chelsea and sons Wesley (12), Liam (3), and Miles (4 months) and two dogs Ellie and Rigby.

“Mr. Doerfer’s experience and education will be an asset to Franklin County. I am delighted to have him join our leadership team,” County Manager Kim Denton said.

For additional information, please contact Kim Denton, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.

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Valenzuela Selected as Franklin Co. Emergency Services Director

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Manager Kim Denton has named Hendrix Valenzuela as Emergency Services Director. Valenzuela will assume the position on December 14, 2020. Valenzuela comes to Franklin County from Cumberland County where he served as the County’s Emergency Management Program Coordinator.

Valenzuela’s public safety career began with the Fire Service where he served as a volunteer Fireman within his community as well as a Firefighter/EMT for the City of Burlington, NC and Town of Carrboro, NC. Valenzuela’s next role was serving as a Multi-Hazard Field Planner with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) Eastern Branch Office.

Valenzuela served as a key staff member during disaster activations for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. He received special recognition from the North Carolina General Assembly in January 2019 as a result of his personal rescue of a missing child in Craven County.

Valenzuela graduated from High Point University in High Point, North Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and he received a Master’s Degree in Disaster & Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.

“The Franklin County Emergency Services Department provides essential services, and Mr. Valenzuela’s experience and enthusiasm will continue our commitment to delivering high-quality services and ensuring emergency preparations for our citizens,” Denton said.

For additional information, please contact Kim Denton, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.

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COVID-19 Outbreak Reported at the Franklin County Detention Center

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

The Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) reports that as of Friday afternoon two (2) staff–members and thirty (30) inmates have tested positive for COVID–19 at the Franklin County Detention Center in Louisburg, NC. 

Staff from the Franklin County Health Department and the Franklin County Sheriff‘s Office are working together to address this outbreak for the safety of inmates and staff. 

Working in consultation with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the FCHD and the Sheriff‘s Office quickly implemented testing of inmates and Detention Center staff, contact tracing, quarantine/isolation measures and enhanced cleaning protocols. 

The FCHD will continue regular testing of inmates and staff, contact tracing and the use of quarantine and isolation protocols in response to this outbreak. 

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated that “the safety of our staff and inmates are our top priority and we will continue to work with the Health Department and follow CDC guidelines and all safety protocols as we move forward.” 

Local Health Director, Scott Lavigne, stated that “the early testing of inmates and staff, contact tracing, the use of quarantine/isolation measures and the wearing of face coverings and other personal protective equipment (PPE), will greatly assist us in resolving this outbreak.” 

The Franklin County COVID–19 Emergency Operations Center will issue additional statements as more information becomes available.

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Franklin Co. Announces New Convenience Site Hours

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

With the ending of Daylight Savings Time on November 1, 2020, Franklin County Convenience Sites will close at 6 p.m. beginning Monday, November 2, 2020.

All sites are open during these hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with the exception of the Timberlake Road site, which is open on Thursday as well.

The updated schedule of 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. will be observed until Monday, March 15, 2021, when Daylight Savings Time resumes. For reference, the schedule can be located online at https://www.franklincountync.us/services/solid-waste.

For additional information, please contact Lee Bodenhamer, Solid Waste Director, at (919) 496-5002.

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Franklin Co. Plans Drive-Through Veteran’s Day Celebration

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County will soon honor the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country at the county’s annual Veteran’s Day celebration. Due to social distancing measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebratory event will look a bit different this year. A drive-through meal is scheduled from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Crosscreek Charter School, 100 East River Road in Louisburg.

This year Veterans will enjoy prizes and a packed lunch for two as they drive through, courtesy of the Justice Volunteer Fire Department and many other sponsors. Please note social distancing will be practiced and masks and gloves will be used in serving our Veterans. No one will need to leave their vehicle to receive their meal and prizes.

The events of 2020 have presented us with challenges, however, Franklin County still intends to celebrate the men and women who served along with their spouses who stood with them.

For additional information, please contact Brenda L. Wilkins, Veterans Services Officer, at (919) 496-1939.

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Franklin County Library Update

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Libraries are currently and indefinitely closed inside to the public in order to ensure materials are properly quarantined before release.

Staff is making every effort to ensure materials are disinfected, quarantined and handled appropriately before and during any transaction. Doing so requires storing items in quarantine for 72 hours which puts a premium on available space that circumvents browsing by the public.

Hands-on acquisitions from the shelves by appropriately masked and gloved library personnel are safe, however, so we offer curbside delivery of materials to meet your needs. Patrons may select and put items on hold via the online catalog or by calling Franklin County libraries to request specific material or ask that personnel curate selections.

Items are also available through the NC Cardinal consortium, and many additions to online resources for all ages have been made. Online resources require the barcode number from the patron’s card and the patron’s PIN. If you are unsure about your information, call your library for assistance.

Franklin County Public School students have access to online resources using their Department of Public Instruction issued student identification numbers and a PIN. Content appropriate collections are available at e-inc and NC Kids as well as NC Live.org. Libraries are working with the Charter schools to assist students with access.

One of the services provided by libraries is making copies for patrons. Patrons may email documents or bring a USB and have copies made from its contents. Staff will also scan and email documents for patrons or send a fax.

Other useful services available include mail-in voter registration forms. Wi-Fi is available on the premises from 6 a.m. through midnight and item return via Book Drop is available near the entrance to each building. Standard check-out of material is handled at the curbside.

Exact change and personal checks are accepted tender for transactions requiring payments. Appointments are required for curbside item pick up and strongly encouraged for copy, print and fax services.

Visit http://franklin.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/home to reserve items online and for direct web access to the Library Catalog.

Email materials for print services to:

Louisburg: franklinlibraryprints@gmail.com

Youngsville: youngsvillebook@yahoo.com

Bunn: bunnbook@yahoo.com

Franklinton: franklib@yahoo.com

Curbside services:

Louisburg: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 5:45 p.m. Call (919) 496-2111 for an appointment.

Youngsville: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 5:45 p.m. Call (919) 556-1612 for an appointment.

Bunn: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 12 – 5:45 p.m. Call (919) 496-6764 for an appointment.

Franklinton: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12 – 5:45 p.m. Call (919) 494-2736 for an appointment.

For additional information, please contact Director Holt Kornegay at (919) 496-2111.

Jim Gusler

Gusler Named Franklin Co. Emergency Medical Services Director

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Manager Angela L. Harris has named James R. (Jim) Gusler, Jr Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director. Mr. Gusler will assume the position on October 5, 2020.

Jim Gusler

James R. (Jim) Gusler, Jr. has been named Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director for Franklin County. Gusler will assume the position on October 5, 2020.

Mr. Gusler has served in various roles in the EMS field, most recently as EMS Training Officer for Orange County since 2016. In that role, he was the training liaison for the County. Mr. Gusler‘s previous experience includes over five years as a Planner/Trainer at the UNC Burn Center and six years as the Emergency Services Director in Caswell County. He holds an EMS Management Program and Community Preparedness Certificate and is currently a member of the NC EMS Advisory Board.

Mr. Gusler also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Science from Guilford Technical Community College. Mr. Gusler is a dedicated public servant and community volunteer. He has been a volunteer for Boy Scouts for many years and has two sons who have both achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

“Franklin County Administration is delighted to welcome Mr. Gusler to the Emergency Services Department,” Harris said. “Emergency Medical Services are essential services for our citizens, and ensuring the ongoing delivery of high-quality services will continue to be our goal.”

For additional information, please contact Angela L. Harris, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.

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Untreated Wastewater Discharged From Youngsville Regional Pump Station

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the Youngsville Regional pump station in Youngsville. The discharge was a result of heavy rain on Monday, August 31, 2020. The discharge started at 11 p.m. and continued until Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 2 a.m.

The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 11,560 gallons, and approximately 6,200 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin. Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the discharge stopped.

The Division of Water Quality was notified of this event on September 1, 2020, and is reviewing the matter.

General Statute 143-215.1C requires the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities Department at (919) 556-6177. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.

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Franklin Co. Finance Celebrates 21 Years of Excellence

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Government

Franklin County’s Finance Department now holds a 21-year record of excellence in financial reporting. Once again, the team has achieved the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The Finance Department was recently notified by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) was awarded the Certificate of Achievement by the GFOA of the United States and Canada. Attainment of the certificate represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including the demonstration of a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

For additional information, contact Franklin County Finance at (919) 496-3182 or visit www.franklincountync.us.

The Finance Office is staffed by Director Jamie Holtzman, Mattie May, Christy Henson, Jan Wright and Claire Fuller.

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Franklin County: Notice of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the Youngsville Regional pump station in Youngsville, NC. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:32 p.m. and discharged until 9:34 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 20,040 gallons, and approximately 10,000 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.

The department also experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the South Nassau Street pump station in Youngsville. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:50 p.m. and discharged until 6:07 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 2,000 gallons, and approximately 800 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.

The division of Water Quality was notified of this event on August 16, 2020, and is reviewing the matter. For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities Department at (919) 556-6177. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.