Tag Archive for: #thelocalskinny

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The Local Skinny! Pearson And Harris To Be Honored By City Of Henderson

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The Henderson City Council has approved naming a couple of city-owned properties for two former residents who helped shape the community and make it a better place for their neighbors.

The Operation and Service Center will be renamed in memory and in honor of Dr. Andrea L. Harris, who grew up in Henderson and went on to become a community activist and organizer. She also was instrumental in establishing the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development, becoming its president in 1990.

And the public parking lot beside Sadie’s Coffee Corner in downtown Henderson will be named for the late Stephen Pearson, who opened Sadie’s in 2019 and was a vocal proponent of downtown revitalization and development.

Neither Harris nor Pearson was born in Henderson, but both made significant contributions to the place they called home.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS that Council in August had asked him to investigate possible locations to consider. “(It) made a lot of sense to consider the parking lot next to Sadie‘s Coffee as an opportunity to honor Dr. Pearson,” Blackmon said Monday.  The Council voted unanimously to approve both recommendations at its Sept. 13 meeting. Making signs for the two locations are next on the to-do list.

Councilwoman Melissa Elliott suggested the Operations Center, he said. Harris was an advocate for contractors and the building industry and she also was a civil rights leader, which made the operations center a very fitting site – the operations center is the largest voting location during city and county elections.

Pearson died in March at the age of 57. He was chair of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission, and took pride in promoting new business in downtown Henderson.

Harris died in May 2020.

Although Harris was born in South Carolina, she grew up in Henderson and graduated from Henderson Institute in 1966 and then received her undergraduate degree from Bennett College in Greensboro in 1970. She started teaching school in 1971 – the first year of integration – at West End School like her mother had, and then began participating in community activism. She established the first rural transportation program in the state for older adults, among other things, at the local level.

Then, in the early 1980’s Harris began working in Raleigh at the state level. She began at the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. It was during this time that Harris and her colleagues established the minority economic development institute.

She was active locally and participated on a variety of boards, councils and commissions.

She received many accolades and awards over the years, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from three governors and an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Bennett College.

In 2018, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Duke University’s Samuel Dubois Cook Society.

She was a member of the Oxford-Henderson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a life member of the NAACP.  Andrea was a trustee and member of Kesler Temple AME Zion Church. She was small in stature but a forced to be reckoned with.  She was always willing to be a “voice” for the underrepresented, breaking down socio-economic, racial, and gender barriers as a broker for change and equality for ALL people.

Pearson, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, is remembered for being the Army’s first Web Master. He earned a doctorate in Global Business Leadership in 2019 and wrote numerous books topics from entrepreneurship to cyber forensics. He taught required and elective classes at the School of Information and Library Science at UNC-Chapel Hill and New York’s Utica College and owned several businesses, including Sadie’s.

The Local Skinny! Vance County Grapples With Employee Discontent

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A recent survey of county employees conducted by the UNC School of Government has turned up several areas of discontent, which county officials are hopeful could be eased by providing targeted training opportunities and following recommendations from the surveyor.

Three focus groups totaling 23 county employees were convened during the week of May 24 of 2021, and the Human Resources Committee comprised of Commissioners Carolyn Faines, Archie B. Taylor, Jr.  and Gordon Wilder met in July with UNC School of Government representatives to receive the results.

The three focus groups were titled Department of Social Services, Cross-organizational and Department heads. The results were shared at the August commissioners’ meeting, during which time several distinct themes emerged. The full report can be found at www.vancecounty.org and as part of the August commissioners’ meeting minutes.

The survey results captured employee sentiment, which ranged from feelings of disrespect to intimidation from supervisors. But the survey also reported that employees find their jobs interesting, they enjoy serving their community and have caring co-workers.

The recommendations, designed for the entire organization and not a specific department, include investing in supervisor training that emphasizes on effective communication, the role of supervisors as stewards and as a player in conflict resolution. Another recommendation is development of a set of values that govern and guide workplace behavior – to be developed at the employee level and involving the whole organization in the process.

Among the survey results were comments that ranged from employees enduring disrespect and intimidation from supervisors to feeling expendable or having their ideas not valued or taken seriously.

During the August meeting, county staff explained that efforts already are underway to provide additional training opportunities for supervisors, but those efforts have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The HR committee discussed the importance of group trainings and felt that on-site workshops would be especially valuable for supervisors.

As for the suggestions for the board of commissioners, the survey results showed that employees value greatly the opinion of the commissioners, and they would like to see more commissioners attend employee events to show their interest in the county’s employees; the employees work hard to bring ideas for discussion – don’t dismiss them outright.

One idea the commissioners considered, but decided against pursuing, is taking over the responsibilities of the local Social Services board. A handful of counties in the state have made this switch, but Vance County commissioners decided not to join that group.

Commissioner Faines said the DSS board had not addressed several concerns from DSS employees, but Commissioner Taylor – who also sits on the DSS board – disputed that notion. It was reflected in the minutes that Taylor said the DSS board is focused on employee morale, employee treatment and the best operation of the department.

“When issues come up, they are addressed,” the minutes read. Taylor also said that the current structure is working properly and there is not need to change it.

Chairman Dan Brummitt said he would like to hold a work session to further discuss the matter.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Prevent weeds from going to seed. Easier to control now than controlling weed seedlings in the spring.
  • We are past the preferred planting window for tall fescue.
  • Put netting over your goldfish pond before leaves start actively falling.
  • Check NC State Extension resources before planting fruit crops of any kind to find out recommended cultivars for this area.
  • Start assembling your leaf gathering equipment. Have a plan on what to do with your leaves this year.
  • Strategic limb removal from large shade trees can allow more sunlight into your yard. Take note now of key limbs, but wait until December at the earliest to do the work.
  • Monkey Grass / Liriope maintenance – February.
  • Soil samples need to be taken now to make soil amendments!
  • Don’t waste time trying to pull bermudagrass or wiregrass out of flower beds. It’s a futile effort. Call us for more effective strategies. 438-8188.

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for September 21, 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 September 21, 2021

 

Name of the Company:  Henderson Belk

Jobs Available: Immediately hiring for full and part time employees.

Method of Contact: Visit belkcareers.com for more information or text JOBS to belk4u 235-548

 

Name of the Company: Henderson Collegiate

Jobs Available:  Middle and High School Apprentice Teachers and a Middle School Teacher.

Method of Contact:   Contact NC Works Career Center, located at 857 South Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson or call 252-438-6129

 

Name of the Company:  Granville-Vance Public Health Department

Jobs Available: Nutritionist

Method of Contact:  For more information you can call NC Works at 252-438-6129 or apply in person at 857 South Beckford Drive, Suite G or visit the Health Department website at https://gvph.org and click Job Opportunities under the About Tab

 

Name of the Company: Vance County Government

Jobs Available: They currently have numerous open positions

Method of Contact:  For a complete listing and more information go to the county website at www.vancecounty.org and click the tab marked JOB POSTINGS

 

Name of the Company: Penn Pallett

Jobs Available: Looking for a hardworking, reliable 1st shift employee. Starting rate is $14.00 an hr with weekly production incentive pay. Must have a valid driver’s license, experience in wood industry is helpful bur not needed and forklift experience is helpful

Method of Contact:  If interested please call or email Meloney Francis at 814-512-6109 or meloney.francisco@pennpallet.com

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.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Cicada Killer Wasp

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

 

The Local Skinny: National Opioid Settlement to Have Impacts Locally

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The proposed $26 billion settlement with drugmaker Purdue Pharma for its involvement in the national opioid crisis could have a ripple effect that would help fund future opioid crisis intervention programs locally.

In 2020, it is estimated that 70 percent of drug overdoses involved opioids. Twenty-eight states in the U.S. saw at least a 30 percent increase last year, with North Carolina coming in higher at 40.5 percent.

Some state leaders have estimated that North Carolina’s share of the settlement could be as much as $750 million over a 17-year period. Counties and municipalities, including Vance County, are adding their names to the list to receive a share of that money.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Agreement at their Sept. 7 meeting, and County Manager Jordan McMillen told John C. Rose today that this positions Vance County to be a recipient of this funding stream. To date, nearly 60 of the state’s 100 counties have signed the memorandum of agreement.

“The NC MOA provides us guidance as to how funds will be distributed in North Carolina, how they can be spent, as well as audit and reporting requirements, McMillen said in a statement to WIZS News Monday. “The NC MOA is important as it provides local governments with 80-85% of the funds that come into North Carolina versus a lower standard percentage within the national settlement,” he added.

Not only does the MOA govern distribution of funds, but it gives some assurance of the local governments that would participate in the settlement, McMillen noted. It’s not final yet, but if the settlement process continues smoothly, money could start flowing in the next year or so, he estimated.

If Vance County’s share were $3 million over the next 17 years, that means more than $176,000 could be available each year. The memorandum of agreement spells out how each county and municipality must account for, report and audit the funds it receives.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Balancing Work & Family Pt. 2

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In this broadcast: Routine, Stability; Avoid Unnecessary Conflict Before Work; Make Sure You And Your Partner Are On The Same Page; Choose Your Childcare Provider Wisely.

Click Play or Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

 

Upcoming Listening Sessions Give Residents A Chance To Give Input On Redrawing District Boundaries

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Vance County residents have the opportunity to attend several public listening sessions in the next month as the county begins the business of redrawing district boundaries for commissioner and school board seats.

The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Vance County Administration building. The second meeting will take place at the Townsville Volunteer Fire Department on Monday, Oct. 11 and the third meeting will be Monday, Oct. 18 at Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department. All meetings begin at 6 p.m., according to information from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board of commissioners.

Every 10 years, counties use updated Census data to ensure that voting districts have essentially the same number of constituents. Changes are required after every Census to ensure the “one person, one vote” standard. To do so, an ideal population is established for each district by dividing the population by the number of elected officials to be elected from those districts.

Information on the county’s website notes the population by district, based on 2020 Census data. The ideal population for each district has been calculated at 6,083. Districts 1, 2 and 7 stand to lose some constituents and districts 3,4,5 and 6 could gain some constituents as the boundaries are redrawn.

Although there is some room for flexibility, districts must still meet federal and state guidelines. The state’s guidelines are stricter, allowing for a 5 percent deviation.

For Vance County to meet that 5 percent or better threshold, lines must be drawn so that there are no more than 304 people in any one district versus another. District 7 will get the most attention as it is 13.1% over at the present time in population. No other district is more than 2.7% worse than ideal.  Since three of the four districts that surround district 7 are in pretty good shape, minor adjustments should correct all issues related to population and district lines.

District 7 is largely what could be described as north and west Henderson, extending west between the I-85 and U.S. 158 Business corridors and including areas like the Dabney community and west as well as south of Oxford Road to Old County Home Road.

As a result of the Census data, Henderson’s fall election was rescheduled for spring 2022; municipal elections in Kittrell and Middleburg are not affected.

TownTalk: BBQ Cook Off Promises Great Food and Fun

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– Update Sept 15

The second annual Tri-County BBQ competition is Sunday, Sept. 19 at Kerr Lake Country Club.  Organizer Tracy Mosley said the competition is a fundraiser of Helping All People Excel, Inc., a local nonprofit that, among other things, helps college-bound students from Vance County with some necessary school expenses. The cookoff will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at KLCC, 600 Hedrick Drive, Henderson.

The inaugural event provided help to a dozen college students, she said. This year, she hopes to be able to provide assistance to 15 students.

“We don’t want them to have any barriers when they’re in college,” Mosley, H.A.P.E.’s executive director told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk. Mosley said there are lots of programs that provide backpacks and school supplies, to those in high school and below, but those young people who have graduated high school and who are headed off to college sometimes get left out.

Mosley calls them “lost in the sauce” costs – things like a printer, or copy paper, or even household items like plates, silverware and washing powder.

Some of those items are costly, she said, adding that and her organization deals with many first-generation college students whose parents may not be aware of all the things a college student may need.

“We work to eliminate obstacles and barriers that youth in our area face …as they work to reach their potential,” Mosley said. “There are real expenses associated with going off to college.”

The BBQ cookoff is a fun way to raise money for this effort. Tickets are $5. Get there early and enjoy samples off the contestants’ grills, she said. In addition to the competition, the Sept. 19 event will have numerous community resources on site to share opportunities for young people. There will be food trucks and a deejay, too, until 3 p.m. when Jim Quick and Coastline take the stage. The band will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If Mosley has her way, the Tri-County BBQ competition will become Henderson’s “signature event,” much like Oxford’s Hot Sauce Contest and Clarksville’s Lakefest. She would love to outgrow the Kerr Lake Country Club and have next year’s contest in downtown Henderson.

Learn more at kerrlakebbq.eventbrite.com and helpingallpeopleexcel.com.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

– Update Sept 13

Time is ticking for cook teams to register for the second annual Tri-County BBQ competition – the cookoff is Sunday, Sept. 19 at Kerr Lake Country Club and organizer Tracy Mosley said tonight (Monday) is the deadline to register. The fee to register is $100. Call Mosley today at 252.432.1131 to register a team.

The competition is a fundraiser of Helping All People Excel, Inc., a local nonprofit that, among other things, helps college-bound students from Vance County with some necessary school expenses. The cookoff will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at KLCC, 600 Hedrick Drive, Henderson.

The inaugural event provided help to a dozen college students, she said. This year, she hopes to be able to provide assistance to 15 students.

“We don’t want them to have any barriers when they’re in college,” Mosley, H.A.P.E.’s executive director told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk. Mosley said there are lots of programs that provide backpacks and school supplies, to those in high school and below, but those young people who have graduated high school and who are headed off to college sometimes get left out.

Mosley calls them “lost in the sauce” costs – things like a printer, or copy paper, or even household items like plates, silverware and washing powder.

Some of those items are costly, she said, adding that and her organization deals with many first-generation college students whose parents may not be aware of all the things a college student may need.

“We work to eliminate obstacles and barriers that youth in our area face …as they work to reach their potential,” Mosley said. “There are real expenses associated with going off to college.”

The BBQ cookoff is a fun way to raise money for this effort. Tickets are $5. Get there early and enjoy samples off the contestants’ grills, she said. In addition to the competition, the Sept. 19 event will have numerous community resources on site to share opportunities for young people. There will be food trucks and a deejay, too, until 3 p.m. when Jim Quick and Coastline take the stage. The band will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If Mosley has her way, the Tri-County BBQ competition will become Henderson’s “signature event,” much like Oxford’s Hot Sauce Contest and Clarksville’s Lakefest. She would love to outgrow the Kerr Lake Country Club and have next year’s contest in downtown Henderson.

Learn more at kerrlakebbq.eventbrite.com and helpingallpeopleexcel.com.

For complete details and audio click play.