Tag Archive for: #hendersoncitycouncil

TownTalk: Henderson City Council Meeting 9-8-25

/by

The Henderson City Council voted Monday to accept the resignation of City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry – effective immediately – and appointed Paylor Spruill as interim city manager.

The Council also voted 6-1 to censure Council Member Geraldine Champion for violation of the city’s social media policy.

The regular monthly meeting had gone on for about two hours before Council voted to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Upon returning to open session, Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott announced that the Council had voted unanimously to accept the resignation of the city manager/city attorney, which originally was submitted at the August meeting and then rescinded at a subsequent special called meeting.

Elliott also said that the city would seek guidance from the N.C. League of Municipalities with regard to the city attorney position.

The vote to censure Champion was 6-1, with Council Member Michael Venable casting the dissenting vote. Champion recused herself from the vote.

Champion appeared in Vance County Superior Court at 9:30 Tuesday morning regarding a no-contact order filed by Charles J. Turrentine, Jr. on Aug. 21. That case was continued until Oct. 2, according to information from Turrentine to WIZS News, and the judge recused himself.

In speaking to Council members Monday, Turrentine asked for a formal censure as well as assurances that he and his family be protected from future encounters – verbal or otherwise – from Champion.

Council Member Sam Seifert made the motion to publicly censure Champion, which was seconded by Council Member Lamont Noel.

Referring to the city’s policy about social media postings by elected officials, Seifert reminded the Council that adoption of that policy some months ago was “as a result of an action of our colleague, Ms. Champion.”

Seifert said he’d reviewed the policy, Turrentine’s letter to Kingsberry and to City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell and said he was satisfied that there was a violation of “some of the conduct standards that we, this body, set.

“I’ve seen enough. I don’t need to see the video itself – I think these comments, we’ve got quotes on them – that’s enough for me to publicly censure Council Woman Champion,” Seifert said before making the motion.

Other action from the Council on Monday included:

  • Approval of a rezoning request for the former fairgrounds property on Andrews Avenue. The property had been rezoned to multi-family last year, but Arpan Makam with the Raleigh development group making the request said the residential mixed-use zoning included in the city’s updated UDO plan would be a better fit for future development of the property. Plans would “reorient” the potential development and would blend housing with locally focused businesses. He painted a picture that includes greenspace, a dog park, walking areas and pickle ball court. “It brings new life to that part of town – we’re not trying to change the character of the area; we’re trying to strengthen it. Council Member Michael Venable made a motion to approve, with a second by Council Member Ola Thorpe-Cooper and the motion passed unanimously.
  • Downtown Director Tracy Madigan asked Council’s approval to apply for grant funding to make improvements downtown, including purchase of new Christmas banners, five new trash cans and solar lights for the trunks of some of the trees located in the downtown district. The banners and the brackets needed to hang them will cost about $7,000, the trash receptacles – which will match the ones already placed downtown – will cost about $4,250 and the solar lights have a price tag of about $3,700. The request or funding will be made to the N.C. Community Foundation’s Frances Abbot Burton Powers fund, which was established in 2012 to support programs that benefit the city of Henderson.

Click play to hear our audio from September 9th, 2025 after the Henderson City Council Meeting!

Click Play to hear our audio from September 8th, 2025 before the Henderson City Council Meeting!

Vance County Logo

Final Candidate List For Henderson’s Oct. 7 Municipal Election

/by
UPDATE: 8-28-25
The filing period for the Oct. 7 municipal elections ended at 12 noon Friday, July 18. Each of the four ward seats for Henderson City Council has multiple candidates seeking the position, according to information from Vance County Board of Elections Deputy Director Shelly Wood.

Here is the complete listing of candidates, in alphabetical order:

Henderson City Council Ward 1 at large:

Geraldine Champion

Sara M. Coffey (incumbent)

Kenia Gomez-Jimenez

Clementine “Tina” Hunter

Henderson City Council Ward 2 at large:

Benjamin Buckner – (suspended his campaign Aug 28 and endorsed the incumbent)

George L. Mayo

Lamont Noel (incumbent)

Henderson City Council Ward 3:

Garry Daeke (incumbent)

Clifford “Cliff” High

Jason A. Spriggs

Deryl “Ms. Dee” vonWilliams

Henderson City Council Ward 4:

Catherine “Kitty” Gill

Fred Robertson

Ola Thorpe-Cooper (incumbent)

*****

OUTSIDE OF HENDERSON

Filings for the municipalities of Kittrell and Middleburg:

Kittrell mayor:

Gene Pulley

Kittrell town commissioner:

Mary Jo Floyd

Susan Pulley

Robert B. Tunstall

Middleburg mayor:

Ray Bullock

Middleburg town council:

Hazel A. Baskett

Shirley H. Bullock

Mamie Turner

Buckner Suspends Campaign, Endorses Incumbent Lamont Noel

/by

Benjamin Buckner, a candidate for the Ward 2 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council, announced Wednesday afternoon that he is suspending his campaign and endorsing incumbent Ward 2 at-large Council member Lamont Noel in the upcoming municipal election.

Noel joined Buckner for the announcement and thanked Buckner for his support. Noel shared the following statement:

“I want to thank Mr. Buckner for his endorsement, but primarily for his decision to support a path that brings us all together, working together for the citizens of Henderson. I sincerely accept this endorsement and support, hoping and believing that others will work with me to help heal our city by putting people first rather than party or politics.”

Buckner said he looks forward to continuing his role in Henderson, “creating a bigger presence and supporting candidates who prioritize unity and progress for Henderson.”

Buckner said he and Noel “share a united vision for Henderson. Remaining in the race is selfish on my part and would unfairly split votes that Mr. Noel needs to secure re-election and continue the work on behalf of the city.”

Buckner continued by saying that once Noel filed for re-election and challenger George Mayo entered the contest, “it was a concern of mine that we were going to split votes.”

“Mr. Noel’s job at City Hall is not finished and it would be selfish of me to stay in the race when we share a common set of goals and ideals for the city. While I am committed to seeing Henderson move forward, it is not my time to serve on the Council…I wholeheartedly urge citizens of Henderson to vote for Lamont Noel.”

Citing divisiveness and the climate at City Hall as factors that are hindering progress within the city, Buckner said Noel is “currently best positioned to carry my vision forward.”

Buckner noted three core values included in his campaign were respect, revitalization and a path forward – values that Noel also stands for and supports. Buckner said he is confident that Noel will continue to strive for respect for the city and its residents and the responsibility of the council members; work for revitalization by advancing real change through downtown improvements, and responsible growth of the tax base to ease burdens on homeowners and fostering a cleaner stronger city image; and finding a path forward “to ending the division and in-fighting at City Hall and to allow employees and leaders to work effectively on behalf of the city.”

“This is a decision that I landed on with the statement that those who want respect, give respect,” Buckner stated.

(Original Post above Wednesday, Aug 27.  Please Click Play below for Thursday, Aug 28 TownTalk audio.)

Click Play!

TownTalk: Henderson City Council Special Called Meeting Friday, Aug. 22 At 3 PM

/by

UPDATE: Friday, Aug. 22 at 5:03 p.m.

The Henderson City Council voted 6-2 to allow City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry to continue in his role through Dec. 31.

Kingsberry requested that the Council rescind his resignation so he can attend a program at the UNC School of Government. Kingsberry tendered his resignation at the regular monthly meeting of the City Council on Monday, Aug. 11 and shortly thereafter learned that he had been accepted into the program offered by the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill.

Council Member Sara Coffey made a motion, seconded by Council Member Lamont Noel. Council members Geraldine Champion and Michael Venable voted against the motion.

The cost of the program is $4,500 and will be paid by the city.

“Keep me on so I can attend this training,” Kingsberry said in comments to the council.

Venable said he objected to spending money for Kingsberry to attend the program, knowing that he would be leaving the position.

In making the motion, Coffey said, “We need a manager and we need an attorney.”

Council Member Garry Daeke apologized to his fellow Council members for leaving a closed session Monday – during the first called meeting of the week – and not returning to the open session.

“I should have,” Daeke said in brief remarks at the beginning of the meeting. “I sincerely regret that I didn’t finish my duties,” he said.

**********

— from Henderson City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell

The Henderson City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on Friday, Aug. 22, to hold a closed session pursuant to pursuant to NCGS § 143-318.11 (a)(6) regarding a Personnel Matter and G.S. § 143-318.11 (a)(3) Attorney-Client Privilege.  Also discussed will be THE consideration of Mayor Pro Tem position, an update on all law firms conducting investigations for the City of Henderson, and the City Manager’s participation in  the UNC School of Government Municipal and County Administration Program.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at City Hall in City Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave.  The public is welcome.

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Council Members Host Community Forum

/by

Three of the four incumbent City Council members running for re-election were present at a community forum Wednesday evening at Holy Temple Church in Henderson.

Ola Thorpe-Cooper, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were in attendance; the other incumbent, Sara Coffey, was not feeling well, and was not present.

The three incumbents spoke about the importance of the upcoming municipal election, and then entertained questions from the audience.

Thorpe-Cooper started things off, saying, “We care about you and your concerns in the city of Henderson – not the ward you live in, but the city of Henderson.”

“We are running for re-election – not because it’s easy, but because we care. Experienced leadership still matters. Let’s not trade progress for…promises.”

She said the Council works together to get things done.

“I don’t believe it’s about me, it’s about us,” Thorpe-Cooper said. “We sit together, we talk together, we pray together. We are here with a record of standing up…when it hasn’t been easy to stand up. Showing up when it matters and getting real results.”

Noel said he decided to run for a seat on the City Council so he could be a voice for residents who may not know how or to whom to address complaints or concerns.

He ended up writing a city ordinance – before he was on the Council – to address one such issue that he had involving driving golf cars on city streets. The police chief at the time took it to council and said he’d never had a citizen come to him with a problem AND a solution.

Shortly after that, Noel said people approached him to run for City Council.

“I realized that I had an opportunity to be a voice for those people that couldn’t speak for themselves.”

“We have to love Henderson,” he said. “What we go through, we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t have a love for Henderson. We want the best for Henderson and that’s why we’re here.”

Daeke grew up in Henderson, went to college, got a degree and came back because he wanted to serve his community.

“I came back to this town because I loved it,” he said.

He spent time on the city’s zoning board, planning board and downtown development commission and then felt he had the experience and knowledge to run for City Council.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – it’s work – very hard work. but great work.”

“We’ve hit a wall lately and we need to get beyond that,” he said.

Affordable housing is the city’s biggest project, and he said being a member of the Council is like being a part of a team  – working on a team  and seeing what you can accomplish when you work together.

When you go to the polls, he said, “think about my service when you’re voting.”

The non-partisan municipal elections are Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! City Council Approves Funding from Opioid Settlement

/by

 

The Henderson City Council approved funding two projects as it continues to spend down its opioid settlement money.

Community Partners of Hope asked for $140,000 to create a community recovery and resilience center. It will work in close partnership with Vance Recovery – in fact, the space beside Vance Recovery’s Andrews Avenue location will be renovated to provide services that also will include other working with other community agencies to provide support to those in crisis.

Jane King and John Mattocks provided an overview of the program proposal from their different perspectives, King from CPOH and Mattocks from Vance Recovery.

The money will allow CPOH to expand its services and be a resource not just for homeless men, King said, but for families in need, something Mattocks told Council members Monday had been “sorely missing.”

Over the next few years, the goal is to be a resource for prevention, reducing and eliminating recidivism and ER visits, as well as overdose deaths. Another component will be CPR training and how to administer Narcan.

“We want to be a welcoming place for people who are suffering the stigma of addiction,” Mattocks said, adding that having connections with other community resources like Day Mark’s mental health component as well as NC Works for employment opportunities.

Mattocks expects to take a few months to renovate the adjacent space and hiring an administrator before the program can be ready to serve.

Another $50,000 was approved to create two Recovery Alive homes – one for men and one for women.

Recovery Alive, Inc.’s CEO, Tisha Temple, defines an RA home as Christ-centered, sober living homes for individuals who have completed a treatment program and who are ready to begin next steps toward independent living.

“We are super excited about the work that we get to do with Henderson,” Temple told WIZS News. Temple is a native of Henderson and has been sober for the past 11 years.

She currently lives in Johnston County, and started the Recovery Alive, Inc. ministry there about four years ago.

Since then, more RA homes have been established in other North Carolina counties, as well as West Virginia and Alabama.

Temple said, “There is a need in Henderson and Vance County, and the money is just sitting in the bank,” she said of the opioid settlement funds disbursed thus far to Henderson.

“We’re going to be able to help save some lives and restore some peace and serenity to our surrounding areas, if we are able to utilize the funding in a way that is evidence-based and proven effective to make a difference.”

The next step for Temple is to identify and lease two properties in Henderson to create the homes, one for men and one for women and then prepare them for occupancy – they’ll be fully furnished to create a real home atmosphere. The residents will be responsible for paying household bills, and will get help and support with those independent daily living skills to prepare them to go out on their own and be successful.

She’s seen the concept work in the other RA homes, where residents grow, learn and move out to begin their lives anew.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see,” she said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve.

I’m excited to be able to expand what we’re doing out to Henderson – we are very grateful.”

Temple is so passionate about the RA homes because a similar type of program helped her get back on her feet. She’s come a long way from being a homeless addict on the streets of Henderson and she wants to be able to offer others the help that she received.

“I know that we can get better. I know that with the right resources, the right support system and with the right levels of recovery care that people, communities and families can not only get better, we can help other people get better.”

The $7.4 billion opioid settlement will support opioid addiction treatment, prevention and recovery programs over the next 15 years in all 50 states, Washington, D.C.  and four U.S. territories.

CLICK PLAY!

Chamber Of Commerce Sends Letter To Mayor, Council Members

/by

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has sent a letter to the mayor and City Council members asking that local elected officials conduct meetings in a positive, constructive manner.

Chamber Board President Scott Burwell signed the letter, as well as Beth Townsend and Kevin Wade, co-chairs of the Chamber’s Government & Public Affairs Committee.

The letter was cc’d to City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry, Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson and members of the Chamber board.

The letter is dated July 1, and reads as follows:

Dear Mayor and City Council Members:

I hope this message finds you well. The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of the business community in matters that affect the ability of local businesses to prosper and grow, and the ability of Henderson and Vance County to attract new businesses.  I am writing to respectfully encourage you, local elected officials, to conduct open meetings and business-related meetings in a manner that promotes productive dialogue, economic growth, and positive business relations.

Effective governance relies not only on policy but also on the tone and conduct of those in public service. When decision-making is rooted in civility, collaboration, and strategic thinking, it fosters a stable environment where businesses can plan, invest, and grow with confidence. In contrast, divisiveness and unproductive behavior can undermine investor confidence, stall progress, and weaken our region’s economic competitiveness.

Our local business community—small and large enterprises alike—looks to leadership for consistency, transparency, and a commitment to creating a supportive economic environment. On behalf of the Chamber member businesses, the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors urges you to continue championing policies and practices that strengthen partnerships, encourage innovation, and attract long-term investment.

Thank you for your service and dedication to our community. I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to seeing continued leadership that reflects the values and priorities of the business community you represent.

Click Play!

TownTalk: Henderson City Council July Meeting, Investigations Coming

/by

The Henderson City Council met Monday night for its regular monthly meeting to conduct routine city business but then went into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Mayor Melissa Elliott said she would entertain a motion to go into closed session.

The Council did vote to adjourn into closed session, which had not been included on the agenda that was sent to the press and posted on the city’s webpage.

Upon returning to open session, it was learned that Mayor pro tem Garry Daeke and Councilperson Geraldine Champion will work together to be the liaisons for separate, independent, third-party investigations that will be taking place into two matters: one involving employee surveys pertaining to the mayor and a second that involves accusations made against the manager.

The Council voted unanimously to make Daeke the liaison between the council and the two independent, third-party investigating entities that will look into the matters.

Champion requested that all information that is learned during the investigation be shared with the entire council, to which Daeke replied that would certainly be the case.

The procedure of discussion and voting got a bit complicated when Elliott suggested that Champion join Daeke as a liaison, but that suggestion did turn into what happened.

It’s unclear whether there was an addendum to the original motion or whether a secondary motion was made to include Champion as a liaison. Nevertheless, the vote was 6-2, with Council members Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert voting against the motion.

No further details were discussed about who will conduct the investigations, when they will commence, how long they should take or when results will be available.

CLICK PLAY!

No Doubt About It: Council Votes To Formally Adopt FY 2025-26 Budget At Special Called Meeting Monday

/by

The Henderson City Council took just a few minutes Monday to formally adopt the FY 2025-26 budget during a special called meeting that took place at 12 noon in Council chambers.

City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry introduced the budget and Council Member Tami Walker made a motion – seconded by Council Member Garry Daeke – to approve.

Council Members Geraldine Champion, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Daeke and Walker voted yes.

Council Members Sara Coffey, Lamont Noel and Ola Thorpe-Cooper were not present for the meeting.

The budget adoption had been on the agenda at the June 9 regular monthly meeting, but there was some confusion about whether the council actually took a vote to formally adopt the $54 million budget.

Mayor Melissa Elliott remarked at the special called meeting that she didn’t request an addendum to the budget when she called for the vote at last week’s meeting.

That confusion was cleared up by the vote taken during the special called meeting.

The budget must be approved before July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.