Tag Archive for: #granvillecountygovernment

Maloney Named New Branch Manager at Thornton Library

/by

-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Library System welcomes Andrew Maloney as branch manager of the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford.

Maloney comes to Granville County from the Boston Public Library in Boston, MA, where he served in several capacities ranging from Fine Arts Archivist and Music Specialist to Readers’ Services Librarian. He brings with him knowledge and experience in cultural research, program development, collections management and library technology, and has plans to use these skills to continue and further enhance the programming already in place.

“I hope to expand on what is already being offered by possibly adding more music and movie events and a greater outreach,” Maloney said. “There are so many ways that the library can partner with the community and help people connect, and I am looking forward to exploring those opportunities.”

The Granville County Library System welcomes Andrew Maloney as branch manager of the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. Maloney’s first day of work was February 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Government)

Maloney also credits the library’s Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Library for their enthusiastic support of the Thornton Library.

A new resident of Durham, Maloney is a 2012 graduate of the University of Connecticut, majoring in English and Political Science. He received his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at Simmons College Graduate School and earned his North Carolina Public Librarian Certification in 2018.

Maloney’s first day of work was February 1, 2019.

Will Robinson will continue to serve as Director for all four branches of the Granville County Library System, which are located in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea. Both Maloney and Robinson can be reached at 919-693-1121.

For more information about the Granville County public libraries, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

Story of ‘Two Races, One Family’ to Come ‘Home’ to Granville County

/by

-Press Release, Granville County Government 

What started as two separate genealogical research projects – one by a woman of primarily African ancestry and one by a man of European descent – eventually intersected when a DNA match connected the two, leading them back to Granville County.

The story of the ancestral search of Pamela Williams of Virginia and James Wilson of South Carolina has been presented in educational programs at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh and twice at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation of Williamsburg, VA.

On Saturday, February 23, the story will come “home” to Granville County during a program in celebration of Black History Month.

Pamela Bagley Williams and James Wilson pose in front of the 1760’s Wilson home in Granville County. Photo courtesy Granville County Government.

“Two Races, One Family” will be presented at 1:30 p.m. at the Richard H. Thornton Library as Ms. Williams describes the journey that led to finding her ancestor “Henry,” a Granville County slave prior to the Civil War. What she had not counted on, however, was finding a modern-day relative, James Wilson, who had also been researching his own family tree.

Through online genealogical research, as well as through centuries-old documents and court records, both Williams and Wilson followed leads to an 1842 court case involving the intestate estate of Robert Burton Wilson (James’ 4th great-grandfather) which listed 28 slaves. One of these slaves was Williams’ second great-grandfather “Henry,” along with his mother “Hanah,” who would have been Williams’ third great-grandmother.

Through DNA testing in 2016, it was determined that Williams and Wilson had a common paternal ancestor, which made them distant cousins.

The February 23 presentation at the Thornton Library will include the story of Williams’ and Wilson’s personal ancestral journeys, focusing on Williams’ traditional and online genealogy research, Wilson’s ancestry research and family tree development, and the DNA testing that brought the two researchers together.

The presentation will also bring to light the cultural norms of the period and an insight into the slave/master relationships of tobacco plantations during the Colonial/Antebellum era.

The 1760’s Wilson home in Granville County. Photo courtesy Granville County Government.

A retired Probate Specialist from the Spotsylvania Circuit Court (VA), Pamela Williams – a native of Granville County and a 1977 graduate of J.F. Webb High School – is a paralegal employed with Herndon Law, P.C.  in Glen Allen, VA. She has 20 years experience in ancestry research and preservation and has spoken at numerous conferences on genealogy and the importance of court records and historical documents in researching ancestral heritage.

James Wilson, who began his genealogical research as a hobby, is Chief Performance Officer for a North Carolina 100 company. He grew up on a plot of land that was once owned by his 5th great-grandfather John Wilson, who was one of the early European settlers in Granville County in the 1760s. Today, James lives in Greenville, SC.

Wilson’s daughter, Dr. Jamie Wilson, provided the cultural context of the research conducted by both Williams and her father. Dr. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History and is an adjunct professor of history at the University of South Carolina. She is considered an expert on antebellum slavery.

“Every journey in life leaves a trail,” Williams said of her experience. “Follow the trails and they will lead to the paths of your ancestors.”

The “Two Races, One Family” presentation is open to the public and all interested in learning more about genealogy, the use of historical archives, Colonial plantations, slavery laws in Granville County and how the lives of these two researchers eventually intersected are invited to attend.

For further information about this program, contact the Richard H. Thornton Library at (919) 693-1121.

Granville Vance Public Health Announces Funding Still Available for WIC Program

/by

-Information courtesy Granville County Government’s Facebook page 

UPDATE FROM GRANVILLE VANCE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

The WIC program still has funding available, even with the risk of a second (potential) government shutdown. NC eWIC cards will still work at grocery stores that accept WIC benefits.

Call your local WIC office at 919-693-1333 (Granville County) or 252-492-3147 (Vance County) if you have any questions.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Animal Shelter Announces Change to Operating Hours

/by

-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page

Beginning Wednesday, February 20, 2019, the hours of operation for the Granville County Animal Shelter will change. Every third Wednesday of each month, the Shelter will be closed for staff development. Animal Control officers will still be on call during these hours.

Regular hours for the rest of the days will remain unchanged – Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For questions about operating hours, please contact the Animal Shelter at (919) 693-6749.

The Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, NC.

 

 

Volunteers Recognized for Service to Granville County

/by

-Press Release, Granville County Government 

Sam Upchurch, Paul Staley and Dave Pavlus were singled out as a group/team to receive Volunteer Service Awards in the categories of “Beautification” and “County Heritage” for their work with the Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC). The team devoted many hours of service to TRLC through the construction of hiking trails on the TRLC’s Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area – located near the town of Stem – which will be open in the near future.

Comm. Tim Karan is pictured with TRLC volunteers Dave Pavlus, Paul Staley and Sam Upchurch. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

Recognition was also given for their efforts in maintaining three miles of trails that opened to the public in 2017. This maintenance entailed clearing trails of limbs and trees following storms, using hand and power tools to keep trails free of brush and grass and picking up litter. The team also helped build new trails by clearing land, removing stumps and obstacles and helping with the construction of wooden bridges.

“Cumulatively, these three men have devoted approximately 320 hours of service to TRLC over the previous 12-month period,” said TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg in his nomination form. “Their attitudes and hard work have set examples for many other volunteers who have participated.”

Other volunteers who have been mentored by Upchurch, Staley and Pavlus in this project include students, retirees and Scouts who have also devoted time and efforts to help maintain and build new trails at the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area.

Commissioner Tim Karan made the official presentation at the Feb. 4 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Granville’s Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter

/by

-Information and photos courtesy Granville County Government

Please SAVE THE DATE for Tuesday, March 12, 2019, for a “groundbreaking” ceremony for Granville County’s new Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter.

The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the construction site, 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford. The public is invited to attend.

History of Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter:

Granville County closed on 35 acres at 525 New Commerce Drive, Oxford in August of 2017. Situated just off of I-85, the location is easily accessible from Butner, Creedmoor and Oxford and is a short drive from the Granville County Courthouse.

For economies of scale, the Board also approved the addition of an animal shelter the following month, to be constructed on the same site.

Rendering of Granville County Law Enforcement Center – designs by Moseley Architects.

The new Law Enforcement Center will include the Sheriff’s Office, the 911 Call Center and the 176-bed Detention Center.

The new Animal Shelter will include additional kennel space and administrative offices for Animal Shelter staff and Animal Control – all under one roof – as well as a spacious outdoor exercise area for the animals housed there.

The building which will house the Law Enforcement Center totals 88,231 square feet. Almost 50,000 square feet will be dedicated to the detention center/sally port. A Sheriff’s office and 911 call center will adjoin this portion of the building and totals 24,790 square feet. A separate pre-engineered Sheriff’s vehicle storage and warehouse facility of approximately 6,000 square feet will also be provided on site. (The building now used for the Sheriff’s Office/911 Call Center is approximately 4,900 square feet, with the current Detention Center at less than 5,000 square feet.)

Rendering of Granville County Animal Shelter – designs by Moseley Architects.

Due to space limitations, many of the intakes taken to the current detention center are often sent to other counties each month. The new detention center will initially include 176 beds for both men and women, with an ultimate capacity of 250 beds if additional housing units are added to meet future needs.

The Animal Shelter facility will be approximately 8,500 square feet, more than doubling its current 3,800 square footage. In its new facility, the Animal Shelter will be able to provide kennel space for 40 to 60 dogs and 40 to 60 cats, an increase in the number that is presently housed.

In addition, the new shelter will have more outdoor room for any “roaming” livestock that is picked up from Animal Control until the animal’s owners are located. The goal is to increase adoptions and to decrease the number of animals euthanized due to space restrictions.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2020 with the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center to transition into their new respective buildings in the months following.

 

Granville County Logo

Summer Heat Means Hot Car Danger for Children & Pets

/by

-Information courtesy Lynn Allred, Public Information Officer, Granville County Government

Sizzling temperatures are here and that means hot car dangers for kids and for pets – even if left for just a few minutes.

Granville County Government offers a reminder that if you see a child or a pet in a locked car during the summer heat, please call 911. North Carolina law allows first responders to enter another person’s vehicle after making a “reasonable effort” to find the vehicle’s owners. Be a good citizen and remember to alert authorities if you have any concerns about the safety of a child or pet in a locked car.

This message brought to you by Granville County Government, Granville County Emergency Management and the Granville County Animal Shelter.

About Granville County Government:

Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Several Granville Commissioners/Staff attend NCACC Conference

/by

 

Durham, N.C. – August 10-12, hundreds of county commissioners and staff convened in Durham, N.C. for the 110th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference.  Granville County participated in the conference, which is held each summer to bring together county officials from the state’s 100 counties to conduct official Association business and discuss important county issues.  The event also provides networking and educational and training opportunities for commissioners and county staff.

Chairman Tim Karan was recognized for achieving the Master’s level in the Local Elected Leader’s Academy and Commissioner Zelodis Jay was recognized for serving as a Granville County Commissioner for more than 20 years.

Commissioner Tony Cozart stated “The NCACC State Conference was a wonderful opportunity for knowledge and networking. I enjoyed the session on NC Pre-K with presenters expressing the need for quality early childhood opportunities for all children. Some communities have made plans to have universal pre-k for all children. The alarming fact is that far too many children still enter kindergarten without skills to be successful. This results in continual need for remediation which is extremely costly. In our Saturday General Session, I was able to hear from the mother of one of the shooters in the Columbine school shooting. My take-away was that she did not see any signs to alarm her that her son would do something like that. Our challenge as family, friends and the community (village) of our children is build healthy relationships and help all children realize their self-worth. It is not as easy to detect children with depression and other challenges as it was in the past.”

During the Business Session of the conference, NCACC elected Ronnie Smith, Martin County Commissioner, to serve as the Association’s next Second Vice President.  In addition, commissioners voted for Surry County Commissioner Larry Phillips to serve as President Elect and Yadkin County Commissioner Kevin Austin to serve as First Vice President.  Furthermore, Davidson County Commissioner Fred McClure became Past President.

Several counties were recognized by the Local Government Federal Credit Union and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service for establishing innovative partnerships that improve services to citizen.

In addition, NCACC honored several individuals for their achievements in support of counties.

As part of the conference, NCACC teamed up with 4-H Youth Development (a service of NC Cooperative Extension) and Boys & Girls Clubs of North Carolina to sponsor YouthVoice for the eighth consecutive year.  YouthVoice brings together youth delegates ages 14-19 and county officials to promote dialogue between current county leaders and the next generation of leaders.  It also helps educate youth delegates on the county’s role in their community and the complex art of governing.   Abby Holsomback was the Youth Representative from Granville County 4-H.

About the NCACC: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.

Granville County provides new option for proper disposal of worn U.S. flags

/by

Oxford, June 29, 2017- In partnership with the National Association of Counties, the National Flag Foundation and the National Sheriffs Association, Granville County has installed a flag retirement box, at no cost to the county, at the Granville County Administration Building at 141 Williamsboro Street, Oxford. Flags should be folded respectfully before being placed in the box.

The United States Flag Code prescribes flag etiquette — everything from flying it near other flags to instructions on how to raise and lower it. “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning,” says the code. 

Members of Boy Scouts will be responsible for the proper disposal of the worn flags. Flag disposal boxes are provided free of charge to NACo member counties thanks to generous national sponsorship from Nationwide Insurance & Lamar Advertising.

###

About Granville County Government:

Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.

About National Association of Counties:

The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.  More information at: www.naco.org.

Granville County Elected Officials and Staff Tour Bladen County Law Enforcement Facility

/by

Oxford, NC, June 23, 2017 – In preparation for future construction of its own law enforcement complex, Granville County elected officials and staff toured the recently constructed Bladen County, North Carolina, Law Enforcement Facility on Wednesday, June 22. The Bladen County facility, yet to be occupied, was toured by four Granville County Commissioners- Tim Karan, Sue Hinman, Zelodis Jay, and David Smith- as well as Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins, County Manager Michael Felts, Sherwood Boyd (Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy), Trent Brummitt (911 Center Manager), Jimmy Hayes (Detention Administrator), and Edward Cash (Lead Detention Shift Supervisor). Todd Davis of Moseley Architects also attended the tour.

This visit will make the third tour of a law enforcement facility by Granville County leadership, though it is the first facility that was unoccupied at the time.

###

About Granville County Government:

Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.