Tag Archive for: #towntalk

Reflecting On The Life, Legacy Of Ernest C. Terry, 76

Ernest Carlton Terry, 76, died on April 27, 2025 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham. Terry spent his life in service to others, from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps to his work in Henderson as a local businessman and elected official.

The funeral for Terry was Wednesday, and his daughter Enesa said she and other family members are still coming to terms with her father’s unexpected passing.

Enesa offered reflections on her father’s life and told WIZS News this morning that her dad was a very loving man who loved his family, his friends and his community.

“My dad absolutely loved the city of Henderson,” she said.

Recalling conversations with her father, Enesa said he didn’t want people to forget about him. “I don’t want to die and people not remember me,” she recalled him saying to her.

At his funeral, she said she heard people call him a “trailblazer” and someone ahead of his time.

“To hear those words yesterday, it meant a lot,” she said. The City of Henderson also lowered flags in his honor, another gesture she said her father surely would have appreciated.

In business and in public, she said, he showed a dignified, professional side. Enesa’s mom, Costella, died when Enesa was 13, and she said her dad had to be both parents to their only child.

“He learned to do my hair,” she said, among other “little things that a mother is supposed to do.” It helped them form a closer relationship, she said.

“Behind the scenes, he was a kind, soft heart – he was a good man,” she said.

Terry has two brothers, Raymond and Michael. Raymond said his brother joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 and served four years – including a year-long tour in Vietnam. He participated and organized the Bugle Corps when he was stationed at Guam. He was awarded the Distinguished Navy Achievement Medal, among others.

After an honorable discharge he returned to Henderson and worked for a few years with the Henderson Police Department before he decided to attend mortuary college.

He worked for a couple of funeral homes after completing his education and then started E.C. Terry’s Funeral Service in 1982.

Enesa was in middle school when her dad served on the City Council.

He enjoyed explaining his role with the city to her and took her whenever he could to show her how city government works.

“He was ahead of his time,” she said. “He loved to serve on the City Council.”

Terry was the first African American to run for mayor of Henderson, but Enesa said at the time, she didn’t realize that. “He never pointed that out,” she said. Although Terry didn’t win, Enesa said it was a good race and she was proud of her dad.

“It was just amazing,” she said, “my dad was trying to run for mayor of this city.”

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott became the first African American and the first female to be elected to the position in 2023. Elliott spoke at the funeral and in comments to WIZS News Thursday echoed the sentiments about Terry’s kindness. “…he helped many families in the transition of their loved ones and was a true asset to our community,” Elliott said.

Former Henderson Mayor and City Council member Donald C. “Clem” Seifert, Jr. remembered Terry as someone who was very easy to talk to and reasonable during one-on-one discussions. “I often found that we agreed on many more things than we disagreed on,” Seifert told WIZS News Wednesday.

It was a three-person race for the mayor of Henderson in 2003, with Terry, Jeanne Hight and Seifert vying for the seat.

“I served with Ernest on the city council for many years,” Seifert said. “We always got along, and we always were able to come to some agreement on what we thought was the best way to move forward on issues that we may have some disagreement on.

“I enjoyed working with him and I’m sorry to hear of his passing. We did run against each other for mayor my first term…but Ernest never said anything derogatory toward me,” Seifert said.

“He was a nice, decent man who didn’t always speak up, but when he did speak, you wanted to listen to what he had to say. Ernest served the city well and his community well, in my opinion, and will be missed.”

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TownTalk: Mobility Hub Info Sessions In Henderson May 13, 14

The concept for situating a mobility hub in downtown Henderson is taking shape, and the public has a chance to share opinions and ideas about what the actual facility should – and could – look like.

Grady McCollum is one of many at the N.C. Dept. of Transportation who is helping to move the plan from the vision board stage to the brick-and-mortar stage. McCollum, senior project coordinator of NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division, said having a mobility hub in Henderson can be transformational for transportation options and beyond.

The information sessions will be held Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14 in Henderson. The May 13 session will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Room at Perry Memorial Library; the May 14 session will take place from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the site of the proposed mobility hub – the former First National Bank Building on South Garnett Street.

Although plans for the S-Line rail corridor may be on pause as a result of efforts at the federal level to reduce wasteful spending and make government more efficient, McCollum said on Wednesday’s TownTalk that he and his team at the state level will keep working toward completion of mobility hubs along the S-Line Corridor until they’re told there’s definitely a major change happening.

“We’re planning on the money coming, and we’re anticipating the money coming,” he said.

Until they hear otherwise, it’s “full steam ahead – pardon the pun,” McCollum said.

Having a mobility hub in place will make sure Henderson is “ready” for rail service, he said. The former bank building is centrally located, right in the heart of downtown Henderson, and the concept is to have it be a central location for all types of transportation used by residents, as well as those coming to visit or using Henderson as a stop to a future destination.

It’s a place to meet and gather, too, he said – “a catalytic spark to future development.”

A mobility hub would offer amenities like restrooms and bike racks but also give people a place to connect that is new, exciting, convenient and inviting.

What better place than a former bank building to purchase a train ticket, reserve a KARTS micro-transit ride or just stop in to meet up with like-minded friends?

“Being in the center of downtown is what makes it a good site,” McCollum said. “It brings in excitement to downtown,” and the plan to revitalize the area across the railroad tracks along William Street helps to broaden the scope of the total project.

The bank building, although in need of some major renovation, is unique among the half dozen or more spots along the S-Line corridor that the NCDOT is working with.

McCollum called it an anchor of the city, and he is excited “to build that up and make it as impressive and cool” as it can be.

“It gets your mind racing with all it could be,” he continued, adding that having an actual bank vault as a backdrop to a ticket counter? “It’s a unique and interesting space I think that brings a lot of character with it.”

Other communities along S Line don’t have the luxury of lots of community gathering places, and McCollum said this mobility hub could serve as a way to bring the community together for events in addition to helping to move people around in the easiest, most convenient way possible.

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TownTalk: Commissioners Receive Proposed 2025-26 Budget At Monday’s Meeting

 

UPDATE:  Friday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry said late Friday that the budget work session of the Vance County Board of Commissioners originally scheduled for Monday, May 12 has been cancelled. The first budget work session will be Tuesday, May 20.

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 6 at 5 p.m.

Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry presented a proposed $64.3 million budget to county commissioners at their meeting Monday.

Perry hit the highlights of the 2025-26 budget in a summary to the Vance County Board of Commissioners, which includes additional funding for Vance County Schools, Vance-Granville Community College, the Granville-Vance Health Department and money for a new ambulance, among other items.

“This budget is more than balanced, it’s strategic,” Perry stated. “It reflects our goals of transparency, accountability and long-term progress. We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future.”

Perry said the budget document should be posted on the county’s website by 12 noon on Tuesday.

Members of the public will have a chance to comment on the budget during the June 2 commissioners’ meeting. That also will be the first opportunity for commissioners to vote to approve the budget, which must be completed by June 30.

Commissioners agreed to hold budget work sessions beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 20.

No increases in property tax rates and fire tax rates are included in the budget, although Perry said solid waste fees would increase by $10 a month and there could be an increase in water rates for county residents.

The budget is a 5.74 percent increase over last year’s budget, largely fueled by overdue funding adjustments, implementation of a $1.1 million pay study and escalating operating costs.

Public safety, education and infrastructure are three main areas of focus, Perry noted.

“We confronted head-on the long-term impacts of prior underbudgeting, repeated audit findings” and inclusion on the Local Government Commission’s unit assistance list since June 2024, Perry told WIZS Tuesday because of late audits, embezzlement and audit findings.

“We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future,” Perry told commissioners Monday evening.

Below are some of the numbers Perry highlighted to commissioners during her presentation:

  • just over $122K in additional funding for Vance-Granville Community College
  • $50,000 for Granville Vance Public Health to address rising costs and modernize their medical system
  • $703,000 for a new ambulance, a remount, six new radios and funding for overtime pay
  • $585,000 in additional operating funding for Vance County Schools
  • $850,000 in capital funding for school-related projects like roof repairs
  • $1.2 million increase in health insurance costs
  • $60,000 to modernize the county website
  • $75,000 for a new van for Cooperative Extension

Find the complete budget document here: https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MASTER-File-Website.pdf

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UPDATE: Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners meets this evening for its regular monthly meeting. County Manager C. Renee Perry is scheduled to present the proposed 2025-26 budget.

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

Information included in the agenda packet notes that Perry will present the proposed budget but will discuss in greater detail budget particulars during future work sessions.

It is expected that commissioners will schedule those budget work sessions in advance of the June 2 regular monthly meeting, which is when the public hearing on the budget will take place.

The 2024-25 budget came in at about $57.8 million.

At the time it was presented, the current budget was praised for being only about a 1 percent increase over the previous budget, but it didn’t have any money for jail renovations or a new EMS building, two big-ticket items that the county is considering.

Rising health insurance costs and cost-of-living increases are other items that may affect the budget that Perry will roll out to commissioners. County employees got a 4 percent COLA increase last year.

While it’s probably the most anticipated item on the commissioners’ agenda, the budget is not the only item. Here are a few other items the commissioners are likely to act on:

  • A recent rezoning request for property on N.C. 39 South near Epsom. Perry is recommending that commissioners deny the request because it is not consistent with the county’s 1996 Land Use plan. Plans to put in a subdivision were met with some pushback by some county residents who spoke at the March commissioners’ meeting and commissioners requested then that the request be studied further.
  • Granting the audit contract for 2024-25 is also under consideration. Included in tonight’s agenda is a recommendation that the county engage Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, & Co.to conduct the annual audit. The fee is $61,500. The county still will send out requests for proposals, however.
  • May 18-24 is National EMS Week, which Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones is requesting commissioners to officially recognize. There’s a proclamation for commissioners to approve that highlights the dedication of EMS professionals and promotes awareness of the critical role that EMS plays in public health.
  • Increase the minimum salary for social worker positions in the county. The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services “has expressed serious concern regarding the welfare of children in our county, which is being significantly impacted by ongoing staff vacancies across all levels of the Social Work team. Competitive compensation is critical to recruiting and retaining qualified professionals to ensure that essential services and protections for vulnerable children are not compromised,” according to an explanation in the agenda packet. Perry proposes a one-grade or two-grade increase in salaries for county social workers. Right now, the salary is $52,797; Perry proposes an increase to $55,172. She also proposes that the county consider building in more flexibility to the position, including allowing telework options that other nearby counties offer.

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TownTalk: Fasting and Prayer Challenge

Brian J. Boyd is not alone in his belief in the power of prayer. He’s taking things a step further, however, to combine prayer with the act of fasting and wants to invite others to join him. It’s an effort that Boyd says can have a positive impact on the community and the city.

To that end, Boyd has created a Henderson Vance Prayer and Fasting group, and he challenges area churches to join him in his efforts with a focus on families, the community and the city.

Individuals can sign up for single day or multiple days to commit to fasting and praying for the community, Boyd said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“That fast is something I leave up to the individual – one meal, two meals, it can be a whole day,” he said. “Whatever you decide works for you.”

He did a little quick math and said of Vance County’s total population of 43,000 residents – about 21,000 – fall into the 18-64 age range.

Vance County also has more than 100 churches, he said, with 22,700 members altogether. Using that same age distribution, Boyd figures there are roughly 11,000 church members who are between the ages of 18 and 64.

Divide that 11,000 people by 365 (days in a year) and that’s about 31 people fasting and praying every single day of the year.

“Can you imagine the impact on our community?” Boyd mused.

“Fasting has multiple benefits,” he continued, adding that he is drawn closer to God through fasting and is more knowledgeable of the Word of God.

“Your strength increases and you’re able to pray powerful and fervent prayers,” he said.

He wants to put the power of prayer and fasting to work in the community, which he says is at a crossroads.

Too often Henderson is recognized for negative reasons, from teen pregnancy and drug addiction to violence and murders.

“I want to put that aside,” he said. “I want to bring that to a close.”

If you’d like to join Boyd in his effort, email him at hendersonvanceprayer@gmail.com.

Here’s the link to a simple Google doc to sign up to join the prayer and fasting challenge:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjByTOxNoSRXyFecFHIsi6gPVN8vnyIDuh7GQ6lC_eqWXAww/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF1GtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFkWldhOTlSN29KNXVkRnB0AR7TmXdab2U2NRfR48I6fz4YKAyS_3avd7PujoZkTjQ-RKmvv-fx7pFTxYi1PQ_aem_JW5CcsRfWaZ_AY1ccm1Hpg

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TownTalk: Shriners Fish Fry Coming May 14th

The Tri-County Shrine Club is in the final planning stages of the annual Fish Fry to benefit Shriners Children’s Hospitals. The menu is the same, but Shriner Donald Seifert said the May 14 event will take place in a new location and customers can enjoy an eat-in option.

“We’ve missed the eat-in option,” Seifert said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. But this year, Tony and Tammy Sanford are hosting the fish fry at their business on Raleigh Road, right across from the headquarters of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

“It’s really a neat place,” he said, adding that the interior of the former Toyota showroom has been transformed into a 1950’s style diner. “Tony Sanford and his wife Tammy have been really gracious to offer their facility,” Seifert said, a central location with easy access and plenty of parking.

Eat in or pick up plates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Shriners Hospital for Children, which provides top-quality care – free of charge – to children.

“The cost to them is zero – there’s never a bill,” Seifert said. It’s a cause worth supporting, and the local community has supported the Shriners for 60 years. Seifert said the best he can tell, this will be the 61st year that Shriners and countless volunteers have come together to produce plates of perfectly fried fish with all the trimmings.

“We try to furnish a good plate of fish for the money. I don’t think you can beat it,” he said. “I know you can’t beat the cause.”

Businesses who wish to purchase plates can call Seifert at 252.438.8355 to arrange delivery of 10 plates or more.

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TownTalk: NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey Visits The Studio

As the commissioner for the N.C. Department of Insurance, Mike Causey keeps his finger on the pulse of the insurance industry for the state and for its citizens, handling everything from rate requests by insurance companies, reports of possible insurance fraud from consumers and keeping an ear to the ground about possible cuts to his department in the upcoming budget.

Causey said it’s important for consumers to reach out to his office – via email, phone call or by visiting the website – it’s the best way he and staff can help.

Legislators often refer constituents to the Department of Insurance to get help with issues, and Causey said he and his staff are only too happy to help.

But right now, he’s got his eye on a budget proposal from the N.C. Senate that effectively eliminates a program popular with senior adults who seek advice about health insurance and prescription drug plans during the annual Open Enrollment period.

It’s called SHIIP – Seniors Health Insurance Information Program – and Causey called it one of the best programs the state has ever had.

More than 800 volunteers across the state help senior adults answer questions during Open Enrollment for Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drug plans.

“We do a lot to help our seniors,” Causey said during a visit to the WIZS studio Tuesday morning.

The federal government is looking to cut SHIIP’s funding, which Causey said is vital. If the Senate budget proposal goes through, it would essentially shut the program down.

“Let’s not cut anything from our much-valued SHIIP program,” he said. The program helps people save money by reviewing their plans each year, Causey said, adding that last year alone, SHIIP helped more than 66,000 people.

“That’s a lot of folks,” he said.

And more folks are on the way – more seniors, in fact. North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states for retirees. “I would urge all retired citizens or anybody to please get in touch with your state representative and your state senator and let your feelings be known” about budget issues or other concerns they need to know about.

“If they don’t hear from you, they don’t know.”

To add insult to injury, the state wants to cut 19 full-time positions from the Department of Insurance. “If anything, we need to add 19 – we don’t need any cuts.”

The Department of Insurance is a self-funding agency.

“Money comes from the Insurance Regulatory Fund, and we bring in hundreds of millions of dollars through that fund to the general fund every year,” he said.

“We’re a money maker for the state,” he noted. “We’re asking for the House and the Senate to take a good look at the Department of Insurance” and what it brings to the table as budget work continues.

Visit www.ncdoi.gov to learn more, email Causey at mike.causey@ncdoi.gov or phone toll-free 855. 855.408.1212.

Whichever method you use, Causey said you’ll get a quick response, and you get the help you need.

“We’re here to help,” he said.

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Jeffrey Percy Hired To Be Vance County Facilities Maintenance Director

Jeffrey Percy has been named Vance County’s Facilities Maintenance director, succeeding Brad Weatherington, who retired in December 2024.

Percy will begin his new job Tuesday, April 29, according to information from the office of County Manager C. Renee Perry. Percy has more than two decades of experience to the county, and has a background in electronics, project management and facility operations.

“I’m honored to serve the citizens of Vance County in this new role,” said Mr. Percy. “I look forward to using my experience to enhance our county facilities and provide safe, well-maintained environments for our employees and the public.”

Most recently, Percy worked in facilities maintenance at N.C. Specialty Hospital, where he was responsible for ensuring seamless operation and upkeep of healthcare infrastructure.

As Facilities Maintenance director, Percy will be responsible for administrative and supervisory work in planning and directing the maintenance, repair, cleaning and security of county buildings, grounds and other facilities, according to the job description.

In addition to supervising housekeeping and maintenance staff, Percy also will supervise and participate in semi-skilled level trades repairs for carpentry, plumbing and other needs by staff, as well as oversee contracted repairs. The director also oversees building security and courier services.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Percy to our team. His broad expertise, hands-on technical knowledge, and strong project management skills make him a valuable asset to our county. We look forward to the improvements and innovation he will bring to our facilities operations,” Perry said.

Perry also stated that Percy could play a role as the county considers construction of new jail and EMS facilities.

Special Projects Coordinator Frankie Nobles had served as interim director since Weatherington’s retirement, Perry said.

A Southern Durham High School graduate, Percy earned an Associate of Science degree in Electronics from DeVry University in Atlanta. His technical career began at IBM in Research Triangle Park, where he worked in robotic and test equipment maintenance. As global manufacturing operations evolved, he transitioned into IBM’s purchasing division, where he served as a parts data analyst and Engineering Change analyzer.

Percy advanced into a leadership role with CTG as an account manager, overseeing a large team of contract employees working on-site in coordination with IBM. Later, he spent a decade as a project manager in the reconstruction industry, managing complex restoration projects with precision and efficiency.

TownTalk: National Day of Prayer, May 1st at VCMS

Local churches and interested individuals are invited to come out on Thursday, May 1 to take part in Vance County’s observance of the National Day of Prayer.

The event will take place on the football field of Vance County Middle School beginning at 6 p.m., and organizer Delilah Marrow welcomes all.

It’s not just one church participating, “we want all of the churches,” Marrow, an ordained minister, said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“Everyone is really glad that we are getting together and having a National Day of Prayer” observance, she said. It’s a time for everyone to come together to pray for the community.

“We are the body of Christ, one church – the church of Jesus Christ,” she said.

“When we pray, something happens…when we, in a city, come together we see the hand of God move. When you pray and believe God, something happens,” she said.

Marrow said the idea came to her during her daily prayers before Easter. A prayer partner provided encouragement to act on her vision, and her pastor mentioned the upcoming National Day of Prayer, observed each May 1.

“That ignited me to move forward,” she recalled. “God just laid out every piece of the puzzle (and) everything began to fall in place.”

To learn more, call Marrow at 252.422.1202.

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TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Warren County Historical Markers

The historical marker that bears his name doesn’t have room for it, but James Turner is the North Carolinian who came the closest to being President of the United States.

He only made it as far as Speaker of the House, said Mark Pace, local historian and North Carolina Room specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford. But Speaker of the U.S. House is second in line – behind the vice president – to assume the role of President if circumstances call for it.

As governor, U.S. Senator and state legislator, Turner has his own historical marker, one of 20 that can be seen along major roads throughout Warren County.

Pace and WIZS’s Bill Harris continued their discussion of historical markers in the four-county area in their tri-weekly history segment called Around Old Granville; Thursday’s segment focused on Warren County, which Pace described as one of the most important and influential areas in the state between the Revolution and the Civil War.

The first marker that went up in Warren County remembers Annie Carter Lee – the daughter of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. She and other family members had left their Virginia home because of the war and were staying at Jones Springs, a health resort. She died after contracting typhoid fever in 1862 and was buried in the Jones cemetery in Warrenton. Her remains were moved in the mid-1990’s and placed in the Lee family cemetery.

Her marker was placed in 1936, just one year after the state created the program.

Jacob Holt didn’t get a marker until 1976, Pace said.

“He was one of two really big architects in the boom era” between 1845 and 1861, Pace said.

He designed and built homes – many of which still stand. His interest lay in Greek Revival and Italianate styles, but his own home in Warrenton, Pace said is quite modest and doesn’t resemble the other examples of his work.

Find a complete list of historical markers located across the state at https://www.dncr.nc.gov/

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TownTalk: Child Abuse Prevention Month with S.A.M. Child Advocacy

If you’ve driven down Garnett Street lately, you may have noticed a tree in the yard of 704 S. Garnett St. decorated with blue ribbons.

Those ribbons, tied to branches and limbs of that tree, have created a ‘Tree of Hope’ this year to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center.

There also are pinwheels planted in the ground and a big inflatable blue ribbon adorning the S.a.M Child Advocacy Center, along with the ‘Tree of Hope,’ a new addition this year, Gill said.

It’s a small way to show support for and honor families and children who have been victims of child abuse.

For Gill and her team at the nonprofit, this is a year-round effort – not just one month out of the year. “We try to go above and beyond any way we can this month,” she said.

Overall statistics surrounding child abuse and neglect are grim, Gill noted. For every report of child abuse, she said, there are two that are unreported.

Vance County is not immune, and, in fact, as a Tier 1 county, there simply aren’t many resources for families and children.

Abuse is a multi-faceted issue that doesn’t always look the same or follow a familiar pattern. From family dynamics to generational abuse or neglect, Gill said part of S.a.M.’s approach is to provide wraparound services to support individuals and families in crisis.

Part of S.a.M.’s role is to connect families with resources to get the help they need.

Another part is the monthly meeting of a multi-disciplinary team that gathers and discusses each family that is seeking help to make sure the particular needs are being met.

“We can’t be a stand-alone center,” Gill said. “The whole point is that every family is getting exactly what they need…for the best outcome.”

One question on the S.a.M. intake form asks whether anyone else in the family has been a victim of abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of the time, the answer is yes. Generational abuse or neglect adds another layer to the degree of trauma felt by families.

Since it started in 2016, Gill said S.a.M. has played a role in helping families and individuals get the healing they need and that they deserve.

“We have had kids that are now in college,” she said. “They are doing wonderful things.”

Ninety percent of the victims of abuse or neglect know the alleged abuser, Gill said. It’s so important for parents or guardians to have conversations with their children to help them understand what appropriate contact is and what is inappropriate.

“Have these conversations with your kids,” Gill said, even if it feels awkward.

“You are your child’s first line of defense,” she said. “We’re always here to help out in any way.”

Parents may get an eye roll from their children, but it’s important to know who their child’s friends are. Getting involved in their lives, showing interest in their activities opens up doors to more important conversations in the future, she added.

Visit https://www.samchildadvocacycenter.com/ to find resources. Call 252.572.4112 to learn more or email Gill at cara@samcac.com.

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