Tag Archive for: #thelocalskinny

The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 1 At-Large

/by

Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 1 at-large seat. Challengers Kenia Gómez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Kenia Gómez-Jimenez

Question #1: What prompted you to run for office?

For those who may not know me, my name is Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, candidate for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. I am a proud Vance County native, raised in Kittrell by a strong Christian single mother who instilled in me the values of faith, determination, and hard work. Henderson is my home and the place I want to raise my family one day.

After overcoming a battle with cancer last year, I returned to City Council meetings and saw a city at a crossroads. Henderson is full of potential, but too often our leadership has settled for stagnation, division, and complacency. Our citizens are frustrated and deserve better.

I am running for City Council because I believe we must choose a new path forward—one that breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and prioritizes unity, growth, and safety for all. Henderson needs leadership that restores trust, renews hope, and truly puts people first.

Question #2: What’s your platform?

My platform is built on five key priorities that I believe are essential to Henderson’s future: Downtown Revitalization, Affordable Housing, Workforce & Economic Development, A Safer City for All, and Unity Above Identity.

First, Downtown Revitalization. Our downtown is the heart of Henderson, yet too often our citizens look around and ask: why are the towns around us flourishing? Why are their downtowns bustling with wonderful, locally-owned businesses—while Henderson lags behind? This is a real concern, and it’s one we can fix. With strategic investment, support for small businesses, and a vision for growth that stays true to our identity, we can breathe new life into downtown and make it a place where people want to gather, work, and invest.

Second, Affordable Housing. In a city where the average annual salary is just over $40,000, too many of our families are struggling to find safe and affordable places to live. We need to partner with developers, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal resources to create housing options that meet the needs of all income levels, especially working families and young people who want to stay in Henderson.

Third, Workforce & Economic Development. Henderson’s poverty rate remains significantly higher than the state average, and too many of our citizens feel left behind. By expanding workforce training, supporting small businesses, and encouraging new industries to locate here, we can create pathways to higher wages, sustainable jobs, and stronger economic growth for everyone.

Fourth, A Safer City for All. Public safety is the foundation of every strong community. While crime has long plagued Henderson’s reputation, I believe we can change that narrative. By strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and our neighborhoods, investing in prevention and youth programs, and addressing the root causes of crime, we can create a Henderson where families feel secure and proud to call home.

Finally, Unity Above Identity. Henderson has for too long been divided—by politics, by personal agendas, and by old ways of thinking. Our citizens are tired of division. My vision is to bring people together, across neighborhoods and backgrounds, to move Henderson forward. We cannot afford leaders who put ego above progress. We need leaders who will put people first.

At the end of the day, my platform is simple: to build a Henderson that works for its people, not against them. By focusing on revitalization, housing, jobs, safety, and unity, I believe we can transform Henderson into the city we all know it has the potential to be.

Question #3: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The three most important issues facing Henderson today are: restoring trust in our leadership, addressing infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs.

1. Restoring Faith in Leadership.

Over the past year, our City Council meetings have too often left citizens feeling frustrated, confused, and hopeless. Instead of moving Henderson forward, dysfunction and disarray have held us back. If elected, I will bring stable, levelheaded, and productive leadership to Council. That means showing integrity, listening to our citizens, and working alongside fellow council members with respect and collaboration. My focus will always be on progress, not personal agendas. By restoring trust in leadership, we restore hope that Henderson’s future can and will be brighter.

2. Infrastructure.

From potholes all over our city, to broken windows in our beautiful historic downtown, Henderson’s infrastructure is in dire need of attention. Optics matter—not just for our residents, but also for potential citizens, investors, and business owners. If elected, I will work closely with city departments and committees to prioritize infrastructure improvements, from roads and sidewalks to public spaces. I will also support policies like a Vacant Building Ordinance to ensure that empty, neglected properties no longer drag down our city’s appearance or discourage investment. A stronger Henderson starts with a stronger foundation.

3. Jobs and Economic Opportunity.

At the heart of many of Henderson’s struggles is the lack of good-paying jobs. With the average annual salary in our city just over $40,000, too many families are struggling to make ends meet. As a rural community, we must be realistic about our strategies—but also ambitious. We need to attract small and mid-sized businesses, support entrepreneurship, and expand workforce training programs that prepare our people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I will work with regional partners, including community colleges, workforce boards, and local industries, to create pipelines for employment and ensure that Henderson becomes a place where families can build stability and young professionals can see a future.

Together, by restoring trust, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating jobs, we can put Henderson on a path toward growth, pride, and prosperity.

Question #4: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?

I believe Henderson can and should be a city of unity, opportunity, and pride. My passion is to help build a community where families feel safe, businesses can grow, and citizens trust their leadership again. By revitalizing our downtown, creating good-paying jobs, ensuring affordable housing, and working together instead of against one another, we can unlock Henderson’s true potential. At the end of the day, my belief is simple: Henderson deserves better, and together, we can make it the best it can be.

Question #5: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

I am a proud graduate of Vance County Public Schools—Zeb Vance Elementary, Henderson Middle, and Southern Vance High School—and went on to earn a double major in Political Science and Philosophy from UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2021, I immediately put my degree to work in local government, serving as the Regional Program Coordinator for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and later as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Oxford. These roles gave me firsthand experience in municipal processes, economic development, and the elements that help rural communities thrive.

Beyond my professional career, I proudly serve on the Henderson Optimist Club Board of Directors, the Salvation Army Advisory Leadership Council, and the Vance County Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, and I am a graduate of the Leadership Vance Class of 2023. I have consistently stepped up to lead, serve, and give back because I believe in Henderson’s future.

Despite my young age, I believe that sometimes what we think disqualifies us is exactly what makes us special. Leaders too often choose to remain captains of a sinking ship rather than have the courage to change course and let others take the wheel. Henderson cannot afford that any longer. My experience—rooted in proven community service, regional leadership, and deep dedication to this city—makes me ready to bring the change Henderson deserves.

Question #6: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?

Right now, the climate in Henderson is one of frustration and uncertainty. Too many of our citizens have lost trust in local leadership. City Council meetings have left people feeling hopeless rather than hopeful, and many feel like our city has been stuck in place.

My short-term goals are reflected though my answers for question #3. My long-term goals are bigger, and they align with my five-point platform:

• Downtown Revitalization: To see Henderson’s downtown not just improved, but thriving—bustling with locally owned businesses, outdoor events, restaurants, and safe, walkable streets that bring families and visitors back into the heart of our city.

• Affordable Housing: To build lasting partnerships with developers and nonprofits so that Henderson becomes known as a community where safe, affordable, and diverse housing options are available for every generation—young professionals, families, and seniors alike.

• Workforce & Economic Development: To transform Henderson into a hub of opportunity where job seekers don’t have to leave to find work. This means investing in workforce pipelines with Vance-Granville Community College, supporting small businesses, and attracting industries that provide sustainable wages.

• A Safer City for All: To change Henderson’s reputation from one of crime to one of resilience and safety. I envision a city where law enforcement and neighborhoods work hand-in-hand, youth programs offer positive paths forward, and families can feel safe walking downtown or letting their children play outside.

• Unity Above Identity: To create a Henderson where division no longer defines us. My long-term goal is to leave behind a culture of gridlock and replace it with a culture of collaboration, where leaders put people above politics and neighbors see themselves as part of one Henderson, one future.

These long-term goals are not just about fixing what is broken, they are about building the Henderson we all know is possible: a city of opportunity, safety, and pride for generations to come.

Question #7: Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.

Henderson is at a turning point. A city stops growing when it stops changing — and right now, our citizens are demanding change. Failure isn’t fatal if you don’t let it be final. Our current political climate does not have to define us or defeat us.

I want every voter to know that this is your moment. The power to decide Henderson’s future is in your hands. We can choose to remain in division and stagnation, or we can choose to build a city that reflects our resilience, our strength, and our shared belief that Henderson deserves better.

I am not running because it is easy. I am running because I believe in Henderson, and I believe in you. Together, we can restore trust in leadership, revitalize our downtown, create jobs, build safer neighborhoods, and unite as one community moving forward.

On October 7th, 2025, I humbly ask for your consideration and your vote for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. Let’s break barriers, build bridges, and make Henderson the city we all know it can be.

———–

Ward 1 at-large seat

Clementine “Tina” Hunter

Q: What prompted you to run for local office?

A: Several reasons prompted me to run for local office; this being my third time appearing on the ballot as a Candidate, for City Council, Henderson, NC 27536:

Personal ambition – running for office gains experience in, and improves upon relationships between constituents, and aids in networking for future higher office. Constituents elect their candidate to be the voice for their concerns and issues. I believe my acquired communication skills will be that voice.

To serve – holding a local office position means having a direct effect on decision-making regarding change and needed improvements of basic human services such as affordable housing, educational opportunities, access to health coverage, food security, and public safety. I believe I can be a positive change-maker.

Q: What is your platform?

A: Again, my platform is being a positive change-maker for the betterment of my constituency in areas of basic human needs and access to resources; including food, shelter, and clothing.

Q: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city, and explain how you plan to address these issues if you are elected.

A: One of the three most important issues I see that are facing the city is Public Safety. While Public Safety ensures protection of the people, Law Enforcement exists to make it happen. Running “to serve” means education in the community with regard to the policies that govern to make Public Safety and Law Enforcement a reality within the city. Public Safety issues can be addressed by attending meetings conducted by this department, together with Law Enforcement; and in turn, bringing the message(s) to my community of constituents on an individual and/or group basis.

A second important issue is education, for the people perish for a lack of knowledge! Being a life-long learner and educator, I am at my best with an audience of one, or many. If elected, I will hold meetings and/or gatherings that encourage issues, concerns, complaints, or constructive input from community members on how to move the city forward.

A third important issue is housing. Minority communities are most likely affected. Contributing factors to homelessness are unemployment and lack of affordable housing. Those who are gainfully employed with low income status spend the bulk of their income on housing, utility costs, and food; making this population likely to lose their housing. Some solutions may be increased access to support programs of housing vouchers and support for mental health.

Q: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?

A: To make Henderson the best city it can be is to continue to be inclusive of all its residents. For my last 20 years of living here in the city, I have witnessed much growth of progress in areas of civic awareness an engagement, jobs creation, employment, education, and in recreation and tourism. For the city to continue along this positive path, Henderson will be the best city it can be, to live, work, play, and worship; this is my belief.

Q: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

A: My personal and professional experience is, and has always been a “can do” spirit. Acquired skill sets and ability to communicate with, and relate to most all individuals and levels of management in a diverse population will set me apart. This will contribute greatly to the work of the City Council.

Q: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?

A. I feel the current climate in the city is that it has its issues as any other city, with a diverse population of cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. With increased improvement of aforementioned basic human needs, the city can reach its highest potential. If elected, my short-term and long-term goals are to do my best work and learn as much as possible on local governance to move the city forward.

Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you

• Resident of the city for 20 years. Native of Oxford, North Carolina

• Served on various Boards in the City of Henderson including School Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Adjustment

• Hold earned advanced degrees in Education and Training, pursuing a Doctorate in Education

• Love God and Country

• Would like to have your vote

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 2 At Large

/by

Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 2 at-large seat. Lamont Noel, the incumbent, and challenger George Mayo responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Lamont Noel

1. What prompted you to run for local office?

My family’s encounter with insufficient ordinances or the lack thereof in my neighborhood inspired me to become involved in our city’s governance. Advocating for my sons under circumstances that felt discriminatory pushed me to ask our leadership questions about the fairness of law enforcement pulling over kids in my neighborhood.  With the help of our city’s chief of police, I successfully wrote an ordinance that could be enforced for all people driving a golf cart throughout our city’s neighborhoods. This experience made me think about all those people without an advocate, those who probably felt like they would not be heard. So, I decided to run for a local office for the people, not the position. 

2. What’s your platform? 

My platform is based on my principles about treating people with respect about their concerns and doing my very best to address them. I am an approachable listener, and I don’t make promises that I cannot keep. The citizens deserve leadership that will put our communities above any personal differences. I am only one of eight council members, but I stand in the gap for many who want affordable housing options, cleaner neighborhoods, better streets, and safer living environments.

3. State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The top three that have been consistently brought to our mayor and city council are 1) crime reduction, 2) cleaning up the city, and 3) affordable housing.

I will continue to work with the council members to secure resources that will address factors such as poverty and drug abuse, which feed our 68.79 crime rate.  While I voted to increase the average salary for our city police so we could hire and retain qualified officers, I recognize that law enforcement presence is not the solution.  It will require a concerted effort to bring more job opportunities to our city and make sure we prepare potential employees for those positions through our educational system. But it will also require us to hold each other accountable for our own neighborhood safety concerns. If you see something, say something.

Regarding cleaning up the city, I have proposed to the council something as affordable and commonsense as employing a small staff of people to drive around our neighborhoods and pick up trash in coordination with our city sanitation department. This “two-men-and-a-truck” concept would be a full-time anti-litter campaign effort until we get a handle on the current condition. It may seem impossible with the number of complaints we receive, but we must start somewhere. This brings me back to my comment about the importance of citizenship accountability.  All of us must take ownership and pride in our homes and neighborhoods, whether we live in the country club or a housing authority neighborhood. We must all work together to clean up and maintain our surroundings, and then hold others accountable for doing the same.

Lastly, affordable housing is possible as a part of a larger economic development plan. For example, I propose offering developers incentives, such as tax reliefs and reduced purchase prices, for some of our city’s vacant lots to build affordable housing in communities that need revitalization.

4. What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be? 

First, let me state that I believe in Henderson and its potential. We have a prime location, situated off the interstate and a major US highway, which should attract visitors and future residents. We can build upon our existing economic foundation by partnering with our adjoining cities and counties to encourage business growth—my ideas and plans to help our city focus on the importance of economic development, beginning with helping our small business owners and making Henderson more appealing to new and larger businesses.

5. Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council. 

As the owner of a small business, I bring my professional work ethic and commitment to running the city’s business affairs effectively. 

6. How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals? 

We must work together to end the chaos and confusion that plagues our city council meetings. We have a lot of work to do to restore confidence in our elected leaders, who are there to take care of our city and citizens. I will continue to make decisions based on the best interests of all citizens and encourage my fellow council members to join me without divisive arguments or personal attacks. Our citizens deserve better, and I will continue to strive to earn the privilege of serving them and not the position.

———

George Mayo

My name is George Mayo, I’m 26 years old, and I am proud to be the youngest male candidate to ever run for City Council here in Henderson.

I am running for council because I believe it’s time for a major change in our city. I believe our community deserves someone with “NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND FOR CERTAIN—LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST.” It’s about time someone young, like myself, with fresh, new ideas steps up to serve both our city and our citizens.

Let me be clear:

“I AM ABOUT MY BUSINESS. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.”

I promise you—I will always be here to serve our citizens and address some major issues in our city. These include:

• Proposing affordable property taxes for our residents

• Strengthening public safety, so that our police and first responders can serve and protect the City of Henderson the way it should be

• Expanding programs that support our citizens—especially our young people—by providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and succeed

Our elders have paved the way for us, and now it’s time for our generation to step up and take life more seriously.

Although I do not currently own a home, and I’ve lived in Ward 2 for just under 10 years, I have personally witnessed many of our citizens struggle—and in some cases, lose their homes—simply because they couldn’t afford the rising cost of property taxes. That should never happen.

Let me be very clear:

No one—Black, White, Purple, Pink, Brown, or Blue—deserves to live in fear of losing their home due to unaffordable property taxes.

The solutions I plan to propose include:

• Mentorship programs

• Skill-building workshops

• Community engagement initiatives

• And most importantly—being a positive role model for our youth, showing them that they can be anything they put their minds to

Gun violence, drugs, and the streets are not the only path. You don’t have to fall back on those things to “look like somebody.”

To strengthen our public safety, I propose:

• Community Violence Intervention – by treating violence like a public health issue

• Invest in our citizens – engage more with the people, and build relationships

• Show our community that law enforcement can be a safe space, not just a force that pulls people over or makes arrests

I hope I have said something today that will earn your vote—whether it’s during early voting or on Election Day.

Early Voting is from September 18 – October 4, and Election Day is October 7th.

Thank you, and may we move forward with NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST!

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 3

/by

Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 3 seat. Garry Daeke, the incumbent, and challenger Jason Spriggs are the two candidates who responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Garry Daeke

What prompted you to run for local office?

After coming home from college, I wanted to give back to my community and hopefully be a part of the solutions.  I joined the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, and served on the Downtown Development Commission.  The experience I gained from these City centric boards prompted me to run for local office.

What’s your platform?

I believe we need citizens who will serve the best interests of the local community. Henderson is at a crossroads, and with a Council that can honor each other and work together to solve problems, we can focus on the areas of most need.  For the City to grow, we have to add more taxable property, whether business or residential, to grow our budget.  With that revenue, we need to begin building homes in our downtown areas where we have taken so many dilapidated structures down.

State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

First, I am hoping that the next Council members honor each other for their individual knowledge and are willing to work as a team to reach positive outcomes for the citizens. Without that, we cannot move forward. Secondly, we have to acknowledge that our tax rates are high, and our expenditures the last few years have depended too much on fund balance to continue operations, so we must increase taxable properties to the City to maintain our present services, and that will be the key to growth and additional programs and services.  Third, we must provide better housing options for our citizens within the City.  We must foster growth in our downtown and the surrounding residential areas.  Grow we must (annexation of new developments for revenue), but we cannot let the center of town, especially our neighborhoods, continue to decay.

What are your beliefs, ideas, and passions for ways to make Henderson the best place it can be?

My mother was specific in teaching us the Golden Rule as a way to always treat others with respect and honor.  That has guided me throughout my personal and professional life.  My passion for working to assist people to thrive in a safe, supported, and caring environment still drives me to make the best decisions for this community, and to make Henderson the best place it can be.

Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

After coming back home to Henderson from college, I worked for the Area Mental Health program for 15 years, specifically serving adults with developmental disabilities, assisting them with support services to live and find employment in the community. Next, I worked with FGV Smart Start for 25 years, serving families with young children, focusing on their social, emotional, and educational development. I have been blessed that my employment history allowed me to utilize my passion for helping people and to be able to continue to learn of the multitude of challenges people face in our community. Combining this work, while serving on local boards and commissions, has enabled me to understand the work of the Henderson City Council.

How do you feel about the current climate in the city?  If elected what are your short and long term goals?

The current climate in the city is problematic. Presently, there is not a collaborative environment on the Henderson City Council.  The lack of transparency, the efforts to control rather than involve all elected members, and the loss of any team effort has crippled the City and created an environment in which our professional staff does not feel supported.  Council efforts are now competitive, yet should be one of collaboration and working together.  Elect people who are honored to serve, and choose to do this because they care.  My short term goals are to re-create the positive working environment that we previously enjoyed at the City, and restoring the publics’ confidence in the City Council and its’ leadership. Longer term goals are building a stronger revenue base, creating better housing options in the City, revitalizing downtown with new businesses and customers, and continuing the upgrade of our infrastructure (sewer, water) and as well as our streets, many of which need pothole work and additional paving.

Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.

Born and raised in Henderson, after coming home after college (UNC-Chapel Hill) and volunteering to work on many community and City boards, I decided to apply what I had learned and run for Henderson City Council.  I have served Ward Three for 20 years.  Presently, I am Mayor pro tem, chair of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System board, and chair of the Public Works committee. I have been married for forty one years (wife, Scarlett), and have two sons (Adam and Aaron). I am a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church.

A City Council member is a steward of the citizens’ resources.  Our work must be done with equity for all, with honesty, and transparency so that our citizens can see and understand what we are doing with their money and property.

———

Jason Spriggs

What prompted you to run for local office?

I’m running for the 3rd Ward City Council because I have a deep desire to improve the lives of the people closest to me…my family, friends, and neighbors. I’ve seen our city’s progress slow down noticeably. I believe the best way to serve those I love and the entire community is to step up, help get us back on a path of progress, and ensure our progress is benefitting everyone equally.

What’s your platform?

My platform focuses on key initiatives that will improve our city:

  • Complete Downtown Projects: Finish the Montgomery St. park (skate and splash pad) and build the Downtown pavilion.
  • Support Local Organizations: Provide continued financial support for local non-profits and the Henderson Vance Chamber of Commerce.
  • Invest in City Employees: Improve yearly salary and compensation for all municipal employees.
  • Enhance City Operations: Separate the City Manager and City Attorney dual roles, officially transition to the “City of Water,” and reinstate the Assistant to the Mayor position.
  • Improve Public Services: Secure funding for year-round street cleaning and establish a Community Resource Center on the Eastside to serve youth and seniors.

State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The three most important issues I believe our city is currently facing are a loss of citizen morale, the ongoing problem of incomplete city projects, and the need to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. If elected, I plan to prioritize transparency and communication by holding more accessible public forums and actively seeking citizen input. City Hall should re-prioritize and secure the necessary funding to complete what has already been started before we initiate any new, large-scale projects. I would like to implement a year-round street-cleaning program by hiring local contractors in order to make our city noticeably cleaner, while making sure our police and fire departments have the resources they need to keep us safe.

What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?

We have to remember that the city we pass on to our children and grandchildren is the legacy we are building today. Henderson deserves our full commitment, and we should always be ready to support new ideas that improve the quality of life for every single resident.

Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

With over a decade of experience in public service and politics, I’ve had the honor of serving on the City Council and on the boards of local non-profits like the United Way, Visions Learning and Tutoring, and the Boys & Girls Club. This dual experience has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to not only help create policies but also secure meaningful grants that directly fund the work of these vital organizations.

How do you feel about the current climate in the city? 

Our residents want more from their city, and their frustration is a call to action. That’s something I can empathize with. Change happens when people are able to express their discontent. I’m certainly listening and hopefully our elected officials are too.

 If elected, what are your short-term goals?

Short term, we need to complete the Montgomery St. park project as well as our Downtown Pavilion and hire local contractors to clean up our neighborhoods.

Long-term goals?

Long term, we need to make progress on our 3rd fire station and work with our state and federal partners to ensure our Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant upgrade is funded in its entirety and completed.

Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.

While I respect our political parties, I am an unaffiliated (independent) voter and public servant committed to one platform: our entire community. My focus is on finding common ground and crafting policies that create opportunities for all residents, regardless of their personal or political beliefs.

Click Play!

Home and Garden Show

/by

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

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • Collect your soil samples ASAP.
  • Sow tall fescue this week.
  • Check collards for aphids, cabbage worms and harlequin bugs.
  • Control Fire Ants now that the weather is cooler.
  • Check nurseries for trees and shrubs you would like to plant this fall.
  • Check for insects on any recently planted transplants.
  • Clean garden tools and store them if you are not going to use them till next spring.
  • Avoid pruning right now.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • Start ordering your fall planting bulbs now.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

Click Play!

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Activities For All In The Fall At Perry Memorial Library

/by

If you’ve got a pair of pants that are too long and you’re 13 years old – or older – there’s a class at Perry Memorial Library on Sunday that could fit you just right.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is having a “Fix It” Lab that will help participants learn how to hem a pair of pants.

The class takes place at 2:30 p.m. at the library. “It’s a simple skill,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

Peters revealed that she has a background in costume and theater, where she learned some of her sewing skills.

Offering the “Fix It” Lab is also a way to bring people of all ages together to enjoy time together.

“We used to have more community settings,” Peters said. Church events and extended family get-togethers provided young people access to older folks that may not be in their immediate family circle.

This library offering is another way to address patrons’ requests to have more intergenerational programs.

“We’re going to get some going and see what happens,” she said.

Here are some other events coming up at the library:

  • Michael McCray of “Occasions by M” has cooked up a series of free cooking classes for young people 13 years and older beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Space is capped at 16, so if you’re interested, sign up soon. The class will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. McCray is going to fire up the library’s Charlie Cart, which Peters said has everything on it you need to learn how to cook – without being in a regulation-size kitchen.
  • Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to hop on the anti-litter bandwagon as part of a county-wide effort to clean up trash. “We are on board, we’ve signed our pledge,” Peters said. The “Essay and Art Clean Community Contest” winners will be announced at National Night Out Celebration in downtown Henderson, set for Thursday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to submit entries is Sept. 30. Three students from elementary, middle and high school levels will win gift cards for their winning entries.

Contact Peters at mpeters@perrylibrary.org for more details.

Learn more about all the happenings at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

CLICK PLAY!

Juvenile’s Self-Inflicted Gun Shot Wound Leads to Two Arrests and Juvenile Petitions

/by

On September 8, 2025, at approximately 5:34 p.m., officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the 1600 block of North Garnett Street regarding a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers observed signs that an individual had been injured. A sixteen-year-old juvenile was located and treated by EMS at the scene for a non-life-threatening wound. The juvenile was transported to a local medical facility for further treatment.

Through further investigation, it was determined that the injury sustained by the juvenile was self-inflicted.

During the course of the investigation, officers observed a black Honda Accord leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was stopped a short time later by deputies with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office near 2101 North Garnett Street. Four individuals were detained from the vehicle: two 17-year-old juveniles, Kyriek Alston (19), and Rashad Gray (18).

Investigators discovered that one of the juveniles and Alston were in possession of heroin. Gray was found to be in possession of marijuana. Henderson Police Department Investigators responded to assist deputies and took custody of the individuals. Two firearms were also recovered during the investigation, one is believed to have been used in this incident, and the other was confirmed to have been reported stolen.

Charges filed to date include:

  • Kyriek Alston (19): Charged with Felony Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance. Alston was transported to the Vance County Magistrate’s Office, where he received no bond due to being on pretrial release for a separate matter. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 7, 2025. He was remanded to the Vance County Detention Facility.
  • Rashad Gray (18): Released on a citation for Simple Possession of Marijuana.
  • Juveniles: Juvenile petitions are being pursued in connection with the drug and firearm offenses.

This case remains under active investigation.

The Henderson Police Department extends its appreciation to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for their proactive response and assistance in this matter.

— Henderson Police Department Press Release

Marcus W. Barrow
Chief of Police
Henderson Police Department
Click Play

Home and Garden Show

/by

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

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is now open only on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • Soil Sample Season Is Now!
  • Sow tall fescue now through September 15th.
  • Irrigation is needed on newly planted grass and newly planted transplants.
  • Control Fire Ants now that the weather is cooler.
  • Check for Pecan trees for Pecan weevil. Tie a burlap bag around the portion of the pecan tree. If weevils are visible under the burlap bag after a few days. Treat the base of the tree and ground around the tree with liquid Sevin.
  • Check for insects on any recently planted transplants.
  • Record what went well and not so well  in your garden journal. Include varieties.
  • When purchasing transplants look for a dark green color of leaves, stay away from pot bound transplants.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • Start ordering your fall planting bulbs now.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! FVW Opportunity Receives $40,000 Grant From SECU Foundation

/by

Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc. (FVWOPP) announces it has received a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the SECU Foundation to strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability in support of programs serving Henderson and the region.

Abdul Sm Rasheed, CEO/Advisor, FVWOP said, “We celebrate yet another triumph with honor as a recipient of the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Mission Development Grant. As one of fourteen  recipients, we are extremely grateful for this opportunity and partnership with SECU. This $40,000 grant, is an investment and a significant catalyst to a new partnership for FVWOPP as we continue to build capacity and sustainability to advance our organizational infrastructure to maximize successful outcomes.”

A ceremonial check presentation was held Wednesday, September 4 at 2 p.m. at FVW OPP Headquarters, 180 S. Beckford Drive.

Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc. is a community-focused organization dedicated to advancing opportunity, improving economic mobility, and supporting families across Henderson and surrounding communities.

Click Play!

American Flag

Vance County Committee Forming To Plan Activities, Events To Celebrate 250th Birthday Of The U.S.

/by

Communities across the country are gearing up for next year’s big 250th birthday, and Vance County is forming a planning committee to climb aboard the anniversary bandwagon.

America 250 NC, a program of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is partnering with local governments and nonprofits across the state to plan celebrations to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The celebration officially kicked off this past July 4 and culminates on July 4, 2026.

The local committee that is forming now will be responsible for planning and organizing events, projects and initiatives, said Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry.

“The plan is to have an event or some type of events leading up to the 250th anniversary,” Perry stated.

Anyone interested in serving on the planning committee is asked to complete the application found here and return to Kelly H. Grissom, County Clerk, to the address or email listed on the application.

Visit https://america250.org/americas-250th/ for a comprehensive listing of programs and activities of the national celebration.

The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools Asks Commissioners For 5% Match Of State Grant Funding For Repair Projects

/by

The majority of Vance County’s schools need some work, from roof repairs and paint  to sewer lift station upgrades and new windows and doors. All that work would surely come with a hefty price tag, but Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett has a work-around that she presented Tuesday to the Vance County Board of Commissioners.

The work-around comes in the form of a state-administered grant for capital improvements and Vance County could stand to get more than $47 million to make those necessary repairs and renovations, Bennett told commissioners Tuesday.

“The capital needs grant allows us to apply for $47.2 million as a school district,” Bennett stated in her comments to the board. All the commissioners need to do is agree to a 5 percent match.

If the school district were to be approved to receive the maximum amount, the 5 percent match would amount to about $2.5 million.

The matching funds wouldn’t have to be paid all at once; rather, the money could come in over the course of the projects, which could take several years.

Bennett and Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry agree that Vance County is poised to receive the funding because of its Tier 1 designation and because it hasn’t applied previously to get the funding.

Time is of the essence, however, and that’s why Bennett and VCS Chief Finance Officer John Suther appealed to the commissioners for financial support. The grant opened on Aug. 15 and the application came online on Aug. 18, Bennett explained. All documentation must be back to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction no later than Oct. 3.

Although she expressed full support for the plan, Perry said she would request that commissioners have a chance to review the documents shared by Bennett before the board makes a decision.

“I’m in full support,” Perry said, but suggested that commissioners review and discuss the matter at an upcoming work session and then make a decision at a special called meeting in a couple of weeks. As of Thursday morning, that special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. The matching funds for the schools is one of three topics to be discussed.

“We need to look at our fund balance,” Perry said. “We also have to think about (other) capital projects. The school district gets money from the county each year that is designated for capital outlay, so perhaps some of that money from the budget line item could be used as part of the 5 percent match, she said.

Commissioner Tommy Hester called the decision a “no brainer” since the school district normally relies on county funding for capital projects. A 5 percent match is like saying the county will get a 95 percent discount if the state approves the grant funding.

 

(Our WIZS written coverage will appear here soon.)

CLICK PLAY!