Tag Archive for: #granvillecountyboardofcommissioners

Youth Leadership Council Ensures Young People’s Voices Are Heard

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Sixteen Granville County high school students have been selected to serve on the Youth Leadership Council for 2022-23.

The council works with the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the local cooperative extension service to ensure that youth are represented as county leaders make decisions, according to Charissa Puryear, county extension director.

“The purpose of this council is to ensure that youth in the community have a voice, but most importantly, that their voices are heard, recognized and valued, “ Puryear said in a press release. The youth council members will learn leadership skills through service on selected county board, outreach activities, youth-led projects and other initiatives.

The group meets on the second Saturday of the month.

The new term began with a planning retreat and orientation in November at Camp Oak Hill, during which time they learned more about the council’s role in general and their roles as members.

They crafted a mission statement for the council, which reads: “The mission of the Granville County Youth Leadership Council is to provide representation, opportunities and direct connections for Granville County youth by support and amplifying youth voices and focusing on causes that affect our peers and us through education, resources, activities, community outreach, and partnerships.”

To learn more, contact the cooperative extension office at 919.603.1350 or email granvilleylc@gmail.com.

Following is a list of the new council members, the districts they represent and their roles on the council:

Jermaine Puryear, Jr., Chair, Board Liaison, District 3 

Elaina Eley, Vice Chair, Board Liaison, District 6 

Carissa Jackson-Rodriguez, Secretary, Board Liaison, District 3 

Jaden Easow, Treasurer, Board Liaison, District 6 

Cassie Peele, Media and Public Relations Chair, Board Liaison, District 3 

Vashti Pearson, Social Media/Content Creator, Board Liaison, District 5 

Chloe Hernandez, Social Event Chair, Board Liaison, District 1 

Asia Abdul-Haqq, Board Liaison, District 5 

Morocco Abdul-Haqq, Board Liaison, District 5 

Annie Drake, Board Liaison, District 2 

Elijah Griffin, Board Liaison, District 1 

Joydan Johnson, Board Liaison, District 6 

Iesha Landis, Board Liaison, District 6 

Amber Necessary, Board Liaison, District 6 

Cassie Peele, Board Liaison, District 3 

Brodie Winborne, Board Liaison, District 1

Drew Cummings Sworn In As Granville’s New County Manager

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The Granville County board of commissioners officially welcomed new county manager Drew Cummings this week, following a swearing-in ceremony and oath of office at the Monday board meeting.

Chairman Tony Cozart administered the oath of office, and Cummings had wife Amy and children at his side. Cummings had spent the past 14 years as Durham’s assistant county manager and chief of staff. Before that, he held several positions in municipal government and had been a middle school teacher for seven years before beginning a career in local government.

Doug Logan had served as interim manager since July 29, following the resignation of Michael Felts.

During his tenure in Durham County, Cummings focused on a wide range of issues including economic development, education, transportation, affordable housing and homelessness. He has been a member of the International City-County Management Association (ICMA) as well as the North Carolina City and County Managers Association since 2004. Cummings achieved his ICMA Credentialed Manager status in 2021 and also is a graduate of the UNC School of Government’s Public Executive Leadership Academy, participating in the 2015 cohort.

He is a graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in government. He got a master’s degree in public policy from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. Cummings is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. He and his wife, Amy, have three school-aged children (Webb, Isa, and Doran) and in his spare time Cummings enjoys exercise, woodwork, and singing in his church choir.

Granville County Manager Leaving; Accepting State-Level Job

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Granville County Manager Michael Felts announced his resignation at Monday’s board of commissioners meeting and is set to take a position with the N.C. Association of County Commissioners Risk Management Pools.

Felts was appointed county manager in July 2013 after serving 11 years as the county’s finance director. His last day with the county is set for July 31, 2022, according to information from Terry Hobgood, county public information officer.

During his tenure as manager, Felts spearheaded the county’s first long-range strategic plan and established a capital improvement program for county facilities to deal with current and expected growth to maintain a high level of service to county residents.

Board Chair Tony Cozart called Felts’ departure “a tremendous loss” for the county.

“Michael Felts has done so much for Granville County as a leader and dedicated public servant,” Cozart said in the press statement. “He has guided our county staff with a steady hand and worked  tirelessly to implement policies from this board in a diligent and professional manner.

His ability to identify solutions, develop a strong team, and maintain a visionary focus are truly exemplary.”

The board of commissioners will determine the appropriate process to search for the next county manager and will provide details as they become available.

Felts stated that it was a privilege to serve the citizens of Granville County in his roles as manager and finance director and said he was proud of the work he and the team had accomplished.

“It has been an honor to serve this community and I am confident that Granville County is well-positioned for the years ahead, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff and the steady and thoughtful leadership of our board of commissioners,” Felts said.

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Granville School Board, Commissioners To Meet Monday, Nov. 8 To Discuss Draft Voting District Maps

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The Granville County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners will hold a special joint session next week to discuss – as required by law – the revision of voting districts.

The meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, 4815 US-15, Oxford, NC 27565.

The meeting, which will include an opportunity for public input, will be recorded and the video will be made available on the GCPS website, according to Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and student services and public information officer.

Visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Granville-County-Plan-5.pdf to view a draft of the district revisions. Maps are available for in-person viewing at the Richard H. Thornton Library, 210 Main Street, Oxford, the South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Dr., Creedmoor and at the Granville County administration building, 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford.

Persons who wish to speak at the meeting must sign up prior to the start of the meeting in the Expo Center lobby.  Each speaker may address the boards for up to three minutes. Comments on topics other than revision of county voting districts will not be permitted at this meeting.

Commissioners, School Board Set To Meet To Continue Redistricting Discussion

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The Granville County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss redistricting, according to a press statement from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and public information officer.

This meeting is open to the public, and masks and social distancing protocols are recommended.  A recording of the meeting will also be available to view on the GCPS website following the meeting, Winborne stated.

The Wednesday meeting of the two groups follows public hearings that have been held recently to hear from community members about several options regarding school reorganization and consolidation.

A public hearing was held at Tar River Elementary on Oct. 18 and school board members heard from teachers and parents about the idea of making Tar River Elementary a middle school to replace G.C. Hawley Middle in Creedmoor.

Speakers voiced their opposition to the idea and cited numerous reasons why it would be a bad idea, from splitting up school staff and losing teachers to other districts and charter schools to spending money to make the newest school campus appropriate for middle school students.

A called meeting of the school board is set for Monday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m., Winborne stated, at which time the board will continue its discussion of school reorganization and consolidation. The meeting will be held at the Mary Potter Center of Education, 200 Taylor St., Oxford.

The meeting will be livestreamed at: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.
Winborne said that anyone who attends this meeting must wear a face covering and cooperate with social distancing requirements.  Anyone without a face covering will not be permitted to enter the building.  Face coverings must be worn at all times while inside the building.  Anyone who chooses not to comply with the above will be asked to leave the property.  There will be limited seating available.

JF Webb Student’s Artwork Selected For NACo 2022 Calendar

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A local teenager’s artwork has been chosen from entries submitted from across the country for a 2022 calendar that will be distributed across the country by the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Brim Royster, a junior at J.F. Webb High School, is one of 18 winners selected from a pool of entries submitted through local county governments across the nation. The “I Love My County Because…” art competition, sponsored by NACo, was held for students in grades 1 through 12, who were asked to explain in words and in art why “their county matters.” Royster’s entry depicts his strong family connections in the area.

J.F. Webb High School art teacher Ophelia Staton was recently notified of the selection, according to a statement from Lynn Allred, Granville County’s public information officer.

“I am so excited for Brim and for our art program,” Staton said in the statement. “We have some talented students, and this recognition means so much for our school and – of course – for Brim. We are very proud of him. His talent is sure to take him very far.”

Students from J.F. Webb, Tar River Elementary and Creedmoor Elementary submitted artwork for the 2021 competition, which was introduced this year as part of the “Counties Matter” campaign. All entries are currently on display at the Harris Exhibit Hall of the Granville County Historical Society Museum, 1 Museum Lane in Oxford.

In addition to being featured in the NACo calendar, Royster will receive prizes and a certificate, as well as having his artwork published in the NACo newspaper “County News,” which is distributed to county members in all 50 states. More than 3,000 U.S. counties are active NACo members, including Granville County Government.

“Granville County was well represented in this contest,” said Sue Hinman, chair of the Granville County board of commissioners. “We thank all the students who participated, as well as the art teachers who submitted entries on behalf of their students. We are also grateful to Granville County Public Schools, who assisted us in this project.”

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Granville County’s David Smith Receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

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Granville County’s David Smith was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine earlier this week.  The award is one of the most prestigious in North Carolina and comes from the Governor.

Smith, presently chairman of the Granville County Commissioners, is a former Sheriff of Granville County.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine society’s web page (https://longleafpinesociety.org/) indicates North Carolina Governors have presented the award since 1963 “for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.”

Comm. David Smith, District 2, is pictured with his family as Granville County’s Clerk to the Board, Debra Weary, administers the oath Dec 3, 2018. (Photo Credit: County of Granville)

On the web site granvillecounty.org  (https://www.granvillecounty.org/2020/12/16/smith-awarded-order-of-the-long-leaf-pine/) you can see additional details.  For 48 or more years, Smith has served Granville County.

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Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Nov. 16

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting.

Public comments for the 5310 Transportation Grant and public comments for other matters will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, November 16 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

Please contact the County Administration Office at (919) 693-5240 to receive the registration link.

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

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Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet This Evening

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 7 p.m. for a regular scheduled meeting.

In order to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by a Zoom link. Please contact the County Administration Office at (919) 693-5240 to receive the registration link.

Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, November 2 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

Ernie Anderson

Anderson Sworn In as Granville County Commissioner

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Mr. Ernie Anderson of Creedmoor was sworn into office as County Commissioner at 3 p.m. on September 16, 2020. Anderson was appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners to represent District 5, a seat left vacant by the unexpected passing of Comm. Owen Roberts in July.

Anderson, a construction project manager, was sworn in by Creedmoor Mayor Bobby Wheeler, with Commissioners Zelodis Jay (District 1), Sue Hinman (District 3) and Tim Karan (District 6) in attendance.

The appointment was made at the September 8 meeting of the Board. Anderson will serve until December 7, as this seat is on the upcoming ballot.

County Commissioner Ernie Anderson is pictured above (right) being sworn into office on Sept. 16, 2020. Creedmoor Mayor Bobby Wheeler administered the oath of office while Anderson’s wife Linda looked on. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)