TownTalk: Midterm Elections Are 370 Days Away
Midterm Elections are now just over a year away and the idea of conformity vs. non-conformity will possibly be what could define the election season.
Midterm Elections are now just over a year away and the idea of conformity vs. non-conformity will possibly be what could define the election season.
The City of Henderson today issued a press release about discolored water.
Kerr Lake Regional Water System customers, including those in the City of Henderson and those served in Vance County, will experience periods of discolored water over the next few days.
According to the press release, there was a water line break and repair. The release says the water is safe to drink and should become clear after running the water for a short period of time.
Questions concerning this matter should be directed to Christy Lipscomb – KLRW Director/ORC at 252-430-9387, or Public Works Director – Andy Perkinson at 252-431-6117.
In speaking with Lipscomb, WIZS News learned that the break occurred near Greystone Quarry. She indicated that when an alternate feed line was used, it changed the speed of the water moving through the line and it scoured the line.
This is an apparent indication that anything inside that line was forced or flushed out and into the system at large.
Dr. Cindy Bennett has been superintendent of Vance County Schools since July 1. In these past few months, she and her team have continued to navigate the rough waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent tragedies affecting VCS students and families have offered challenges as well, and Bennett said her team is pitching in to provide support for students and staff.
“I firmly believe in servant leadership,” Bennett said on Tuesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose. “It’s all hands on deck and that’s the way we operate,” she added. It’s the way she and her administrative team – her Cabinet, as she calls the central services staff – deals with issues and problems, as well as in times of great success.
Last week’s tragic car accident that took the lives of two teenage siblings on their way to Vance County High School also injured two students and their mother who were on their way to Aycock Elementary.
Upon hearing the news of the accident, Bennett said a team of guidance counselors and social workers were dispatched immediately to the high school. The leadership team went as well, to offer support to their colleagues at the high school, as well as to students.
The students were well-loved, she noted. “It’s been a tremendous loss.”
She added that she hopes and prays for a speedy recovery for the two Aycock students.
Feeling part of a team is an important component of Bennett’s attitude of leadership. She said she and former superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson had a very good working relationship before they found themselves working in the same school district. Jackson arrived about six months before Bennett, who has now in her 7th year with VCS.
In fact, she said, they both applied for the VCS superintendent job that Jackson ultimately won. “I had a desire to be a superintendent,” Bennett said, whether in this district or elsewhere.
Vance County has been “home” now for the past 13 years, and Bennett said she is very grateful to have a chance to give back to her community.
In her first six years or so with VCS, she said she has observed a real focus on innovative practices. “I think there is a very strong mindset of innovation and a desire to provide the best possible opportunities and experiences for our students,” Bennett said. “That is something I want to continue.”
Opportunities sometimes arise from challenges, and she said the COVID-19 pandemic certainly has proven to be a challenge for everyone. And educators are no exception. She said she hopes to be able to continue to offer school staffs and families social emotional support as the district and the community face a “new normal or our next normal, whatever that might be.”
The district will continue to focus on what is best and what is right for students, she said. “I think one of my areas of focus will be providing authentic experiences for students” so that whether they decide to further their education after high school or stay at home to join the work force, they will have had great opportunities and experiences with VCS.
Focusing on this aspect surely will have a positive effect on graduation rates and staff retention, she noted.
“Ultimately, our one responsibility is to the students in this community to recognize where the gaps in learning might be, to recognize where there are places and experiences that we can provide for them,” Bennett said.
Understanding the needs of the community while tapping the expertise of educators is key to providing a quality education.
The Center for Innovation is one such facility that Bennett looks to for creative ways to teach students. “I don’t want this to be a facility that is planned from the top down,” she said. “We want to be good neighbors and good partners, she added.
“We want to be seen as an organization providing experiences to our community but also providing support to our community,”
Bennett said.
“it’s all about relationships – those that trickle down and those that bubble up in the organization. We want to be seen as an organization that values its community…sees the value, power and worth of every single student that comes through our doors. (We want to) take them from where they are and grow them as much as we possibly can…That’s what we are here for.”
A couple of things that nag at the superintendent are staff shortages and bus driver shortages.
She said she’s trying to get a pay increase for bus drivers and there’s a $2,500 signing bonus to entice prospective drivers. “They are essential to everything we do,” she emphasized.
Making sure that parents feel reassured about safety protocols in schools is uppermost in her mind as well. The district follows a layered protection approach to achieve the COVID-19 safety protocols – masks, daily temperature checks and school nurses diligently monitoring the health of everyone inside school buildings – all serve to keep the school environment safe.
She commended parents, staff and students for working together in this effort and encourages anyone in the community to ask if something is unclear. “We do not mind answering their questions,” she said. “We understand how important it is to know that our children are safe.”
For Bennett and her leadership style, it’s all about focusing on relationships and on transparency.
“It’s all about servant leadership – that’s what we’re practicing,” she said.
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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for November 2, 2021. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.
JOB OPENINGS IN VANCE COUNTY – Week of November 2, 2021
Name of the Company: Cordell’s Lawn Care
Jobs Available: Looking for new team members. Must be motivated with good customer service. Experience is a plus but willing to pay the right person. Offers paid holidays and vacation pay. Pay based on experience
Method of Contact: Contact Steve Cordell at 252-492-9381
Name of the Company: Vance County Social Services
Jobs Available: Multiple positions open
Method of Contact: Please go to county website at www.vancecounty.org for more information
Name of the Company: Servpro of Franklin Vance and Granville Counties
Jobs Available: Staff to clean up and restore homes and businesses related to water damage, fires and mold. On- the- job training is provided
Method of Contact: Stop by the office at 260 Industry Drive off Ross Mill Rd. near Lowe’s or call 252-433-005
Name of the Company: Ahner Security, Inc.
Jobs Available: Alarm Technicians Needed. MUST be able to pass a drug test and background check. Experience preferred but not required
Method of Contact: If interested contact office at 438-7181 or go by 5799 US-1 Bypass in Henderson
Name of the Company: Vance County Sheriff’s Department is urgently hiring
Jobs Available: 3 Deputies, 1 Investigator, 2 School Resource Officers, 1 Office Administrative Assistant and 10 Detention Officers
Method of Contact: For more information please contact the Sheriff’s office at 252-738-2200 or go by the office in person at 156 Church Street Suite 004, Henderson
Name of the Company: Turning Point Community Development Corporation
Jobs Available: Executive Assistant, Academic Coach
Method of Contact: For more information call Chalis Henderson at 252-621-5190 or go to www.turningpointcdc.org
Name of the Company: Vance County Schools
Jobs Available: Health Science Education Teacher (CTE) High School and Middle School Family and Consumer Science (CTE) Hight School and Business Finance & Marketing Teacher (CTE) Stem Early High School. Applicants must hold or be eligible to obtain a NC Teacher License and have a minimum bachelor’s degree
Method of Contact: for more information please go to the Vance County Schools website
Name of the Company: Kerr-Tar Council of Governments
Jobs Available: Is currently seeking energetic, self -motivated, detail oriented candidates for the position of Aging Specialist
Method of Contact: Please email a cover letter, resume and references to info@kerrtarcog.org by November 15, 2021
Name of the Company: Champion Heart and Vascular Center
Jobs Available: Is looking for a Physician’s Assistant
Method of Contact: For more information contact office at 252-572-4223
Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS. Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast. This is not a paid ad.
County Approves More Than $126,000 In Economic Development Incentive Grant Funding To M.R. Williams, Inc.
The Vance County commissioners on Monday approved more than $126,000 in economic development incentive grant funding for local wholesaler M.R. Wiliams, Inc., which is planning to embark on a $4 million capital improvement project.
M.R. Williams, Inc., located at 230 Raleigh Road in Henderson, plans to add 20,000 square feet of freezer space, as well as expand the warehouse and office areas.
The business currently employs about 250 people, and expects to be able to add at least 25 employees by the time the project is completed.
The grant, which totals $126,821, would be distributed basically over a 5-year period and is part of an effort to support economic development in the county – especially the creation, maintenance and retention of jobs, according to the agenda packet information. The grant specifies certain criteria that the company will have to comply with to continue to receive the funding. The project is estimated to add at least $4 million in real property improvements.
The grant will provide financial support to a local business that has a positive impact on the local economy and is designed to be an incentive for businesses like M.R. Williams to stay in the area and continue to provide jobs for the community.
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Brother and Sister Killed in Car Wreck Friday Morning on the Way to Vance County High School
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it was a head on collision which is still under investigation. Two juveniles were killed on the way to VCHS. The three occupants of the other vehicle, including a mother and two children, were also on the way to school. The mother and two children were all transported to Duke. The accident happened on Rock Mill Road, just south of the intersection with Vicksboro Road. Speed was not a factor in the crash, an NC SHP spokesperson said Sunday evening by phone.
Vance County Schools issued a statement. “At this time, we can confirm we lost two students from Vance County High School on Friday, October 29. We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that has impacted the family and our school community. We are committed to serving the needs of the students and employees in the days and weeks to come. Additional counselors and support staff were on campus to work with students and employees (Friday) and will continue to be made available as long as they are needed. Today, we are all Viper Strong.”
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said, speaking of the young woman who died, “She was on our softball team. (The young man) was a freshman and I hadn’t had a chance to get to know him yet. She was an amazing student and really good kid, good softball player. It’s definitely a tough one. One of the best academic performers we had in the school. She was a junior.”
Community member and family friend Hope Hoyle Howard said, “I knew them well. Two very smart kids who were a pleasure to be around. Asia loved to cut up and KT was shy. Both very athletic and bright. I’m very thankful the family has a strong Christian faith and large support system. I taught them at Aycock and my daughters have played ball with Asia for several years. My kids are same age as them. Terrible tragedy.”
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