Tag Archive for: #garrydaeke

Smart Start

Town Talk 06/23/20: FGV Smart Start Offers Free Books, Literacy Programs for Children

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Garry Daeke, development coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance (FGV) Smart Start, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Daeke discussed Smart Start’s “Reach Out and Read” program as well as the agency’s on-going partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“Reach Out and Read” (ROR) is an evidence-based literacy program that promotes early reading and school readiness during pediatric well-child visits beginning at six months of age. Doctors and their staff offer children a new book free-of-charge each visit and talk to parents about the important role reading plays in mental, social and emotional development.

“Where do parents really listen? All the studies show the number one place, when they have young children, is the pediatrician or the doctor,” said Daeke.

Partially funded through Smart Start, additional funding is provided by community partners such as the Duke Energy Foundation, which recently granted the agency $5,000 to assist with book purchase. Thanks to this support, Daeke said ROR continues to grow, with over 4,500 children and parents involved in the program last year.

Duke Energy is also a supporter of Smart Start’s other literacy program – the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library offers youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.

The books are developmentally appropriate for children at the age of sign up and change each month as the child grows, taking them through their fifth birthday before they “graduate” out of the program.

The first book participants receive is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. The last book in the series is “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come” by Nancy Carlson and teaches children ideas and concepts that will prepare them for elementary school.

“What an incredible way to be a fundamental part of your child’s growth,” said Daeke. “The brain develops from reading and engaging with your children. Social and emotional development comes from sitting down with your child and reading to them. There’s a lot of love and comfort provided in that; our children need that.”

Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at various locations locally including pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.

To hear the interview with Daeke in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Town Talk 02/18/20: Daeke Discusses Potential McGregor Hall Funding

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Daeke briefly mentioned the upcoming Focus 20/20 Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 20, 2020, and discussed the success of another downtown entity, Sadie’s Coffee Corner.

“What a great venue, and a great community space where people can come together,” said Daeke. “Sadie’s is a great place for anyone and everyone to come together in downtown, relax and enjoy good food and drinks.”

In light of a recently completed economic development study quantifying McGregor Hall’s impact on the local economy, including increased traffic at downtown business and restaurants, McGregor Hall representatives requested City and County funding to assist with its remaining $2.9 million debt.

The results of the study, prepared by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University, were sent to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen and former City of Henderson Manager Frank Frazier. While McGregor Hall did not list a specific monetary amount in its funding request, it pointed out the following, as indicated in the study:

  • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy during the 12 months preceding April 2019.
  • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
  • McGregor Hall, with a 1,000 seating capacity, is the only performing arts center with over 750 seats in NC (not connected with an educational institution) that does not receive any kind of municipal or county funding.

With an annual budget of $491,839 as of 2018, McGregor Hall currently operates with one full-time employee and three part-time employees. The rest of the blanks are filled by numerous volunteers and donors, a feat that Daeke admitted will be hard to maintain in the long-run.

“I don’t think it can continue, in my opinion, with the level of quality they provide now with just so many volunteers,” Daeke said. “It’s very important that the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center continues to grow, thrive and be a pinnacle centerpiece for Vance County.”

Providing a history of the construction of McGregor Hall and other Breckenridge buildings, including the Henderson Police Department, Daeke stated that the City has already invested quite a bit of money into the project and suggested the County may be the place to turn to for additional funding.

“The City has a couple of million dollars in the facility already whereas the County was not involved in that funding,” explained Daeke. “The County benefits greatly from the sales tax [generated by McGregor Hall], the City to a lesser degree. For every $3 that’s generated by McGregor Hall, $2 goes to the County and $1 to the City.”

Daeke said the impact study has helped to shine a light on the extent of McGregor Hall’s economic reach and believes the County appreciates the results as well.

“A very fair and economical way of helping would be for the County to step up and provide some help; they get return from it. I do think the County sees its role in continuing to help McGregor Hall.”

To hear the interview with Daeke in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Town Talk 12/19/19: Daeke Talks City Growth, ‘New Energy’ of Council

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and Franklin-Granville-Vance Development Coordinator, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Daeke discussed the recent swearing-in of newly elected City Council officials and said he is encouraged by the “slow but steady progress” he has seen with the City, especially over the past year.

Recent collaborations between the City, County, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission and Downtown Development Commission have led, in part, to new businesses opening in both the downtown and Dabney Drive areas of Henderson, the approval of construction plans on an outdoor pavilion to be located near McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and inquiries from outside businesses interested in Henderson, Daeke reported.

“There’s a lot going on with the City; we are going through some exciting times with growth right now,” said Daeke. There’s a new energy and new things happening that I feel really good about.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch Hears From Daeke; Positive Changes Ahead for Henderson!

/by

-Notes courtesy Claire Catherwood

Notes from the West End Community Watch meeting held on April 16, 2019:

West End Community Watch met on Tuesday, April 16. The speaker was Garry Daeke. Daeke discussed the City Council’s progress and plans since his joining the council 12 years ago.

In 2006, the City Council was very short on funds and the city was in danger of shutting down. Finances are now greatly improved. Taxes are not expected to be increased any time soon.

Many streets need resurfacing, and they are now being done. Resurfacing is very expensive.

City employee salaries had to be increased because Henderson has not been keeping up with the pay for city employees in neighboring cities. The city is still not on par with surrounding areas.

New equipment has been added; this is also very expensive.

About 80% of city employees’ time is spent on water, sewer, and street maintenance. The city has 100 miles of water and sewer line.

Asked about the THM pollutant in the city water supply, Daeke noted that Henderson was “just over the edge” in recent tests.  The problems existed only at the “dead ends” of water lines that were all outside of city limits.

The City Council realizes that changes must be made in housing and is working towards redevelopment through private and public funding. Cost is the problem. Some of the plans are expected to be “very unique.” Attention is being placed on the entryways to the city; particularly Highway 39/Andrews Avenue. Lighting and signage will soon be added to some areas.

Downtown development is expected soon. An outdoor theater on Breckenridge Street, just outside the police station, has been contracted and will be the final stage of “Breckenridge Commons.” Also, a grant has been procured for a park to be developed at the site of the old Vance Hotel.  An “open-air market” and a park, to include a “splash pool,” is planned for the site.

Beckford Drive is to be widened soon. Original plans included Beckford being wider when first built, however, due to inflation, the money saved was insufficient by the time the road was built.

Dabney Drive is being redesigned. There are currently two separate, projected plans. One widens Dabney Drive only as far as Parker Lane. The second widens it all the way to the Hardees location.

Additional businesses are coming to Dabney Drive. A coffee shop and a bank are soon to be added to the new Aldi’s. After that, additional shops are expected to open. These will add to the traffic in this already congested area.

Daeke said he is pro-sidewalks, but they are very expensive. With the city population decreasing, little progress has been made on building sidewalks.

The council is trying to get more kids involved with the Recreation Center. There are many activities available to Henderson children, but many parents are not aware of offerings. To name just a few opportunities, Henderson has PALS, The Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the “Y”, the Henderson-Vance Recreation Department, Fox Pond Park, Aycock Recreation Center, Rollins Park, the Perry Memorial Library, etc.

From the floor, it was suggested that the police department and/or the City Council post a list on social media so that parents can see the many options open to their kids.

The City Council, realizing that the perception of the city needs to change, is soon to start a trash and litter program. Also, not enough people recycle. Daeke would like to see the existing garbage carts become recycle bins and smaller carts be used for garbage. Both of these goals require a change in the mentality of our citizens.

Complaints are often issued about the cost of the city’s water. Daeke noted that our water is actually much lower than areas around Henderson; however, it is expected that our rates will soon increase. Our sewer rates are, admittedly, already high.

The group asked about the development behind the hospital. Daeke noted that this is outside city limits and beyond the responsibility of the city council.

City of Henderson Logo

Daeke, Henderson City Councilman, Talks Dabney Dr. Rezoning

/by

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide further insight into the Council’s recent discussions on the possible rezoning of three lots at the corner of Lynne Avenue and Dabney Drive in Henderson.

Currently zoned for either residential or light commercial traffic, the Council has tabled the discussion on rezoning the lots for a heavier commercial use until their next meeting in February.

Further complicating any final rezoning decision is the concern over increased traffic volume in an already congested area along with uncertainty on the NCDOT’s current plans for the restructuring of parts of Dabney Drive.

“We know traffic on Dabney Drive is pretty bad most of the time, especially on Fridays and weekend,” said Daeke. “The corner of Lynne Avenue and Dabney has some particular concerns about ingress and egress traffic. For example, when you turn right off Lynne Avenue, you turn immediately into the right lane turning into the old Henderson Mall. Traffic also has difficulty turning left there and generally has to turn right.”

Daeke said one consideration to address safety concerns would be to make the area an out parcel of the mall and design the entrance and exits of any businesses that occupy that space to be accessible only through the mall parking lot.

According to Daeke, what the DOT has planned for Dabney Drive will also play into consideration. “We hope what the DOT does to Dabney Drive will help with that area, but we need more information before making a decision.”

As of now, Henderson City Council members are aware that the DOT is focusing its Dabney Drive surveying efforts from the intersection of the old mall to Interstate 85.

While Daeke said there have been talks that the lanes near the old mall intersection will be redesigned, the Council has not yet received an indication if that includes measures such as adding medians or changing the entire structure of the traffic flow.

Looking ahead to the future, Daeke said there are additional plans for Dabney Drive that include making the current road a one-way from the corner of Oxford Road and Dabney, all the way to the interstate. This plan also includes the addition of another one-way street running parallel along the old railroad line.

As with any project, costs and logistics are major considerations. “Some properties would be affected by this plan and that issue would need to be addressed. The plan we’ve been shown includes bike and pedestrian lanes and sidewalks; it’s a beautiful plan,” said Daeke.

While up to the DOT to fund any such project, Daeke said he believes “Dabney Drive needs it for growth in the future and for safety.” He suggested the implementation of the plan would be at least 5-10 years down the road.

Remembrance:

In an aside from the main interview topic, Daeke also discussed his fond memories of the late Mary Emma Evans, a former Henderson City Council member, on the occasion of her recent birthday.

“Mary was a sweet lady and a dear friend. She always called me ‘Daeke,’ which made me laugh. She always cared so much for the community and was wonderful to work with.”

“Something that she used to always say to me that I’ll never forget is, ‘We can disagree and we can have different opinions; that doesn’t have to mean we have to be disagreeable.’ She was always about compromise and working together to find a solution. We miss her and may she rest in peace”

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here. Daeke’s interview portion of the Town Talk segment begins at the 14:27 mark.