Town Talk 08/02/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
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Town Talk (08/01/19): George Daye Seeks Reelection to Henderson City Council
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
George Daye, the incumbent candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
Daye is running against Jason A. Spriggs in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.
Also serving on the Human Resources, Public Safety and Regional Transportation Committees for the City of Henderson, Daye said he would like to continue to seek affordable housing opportunities for residents should he be reelected to the City Council.
“It would help the community a lot if we had decent housing,” said Daye. “The City is doing a good job. When you have a complaint, [the solution] doesn’t just happen the next day. It takes time to get things resolved, but we’ve seen progress.”
Promoting additional rent-to-own opportunities to help residents achieve the pride that comes with homeownership is one way Daye said the City can help with the housing situation.
Daye, a resident of N. Pinkston Street, said he was “blessed” to achieve homeownership through a similar rent-to-own opportunity.
Another area of concern, according to Daye, is Henderson’s high crime and drug rate. “We need to somehow get control of our young people because what they are doing is killing our city.”
To accomplish that, Daye, who is also the president of Raemac Transportation, suggested working closely with law enforcement and local churches.
“I do think we have people in place that are willing to see Henderson go forward. People in [influential] positions should be willing to work with the community to see a better Henderson. We need to do everything we can to work with the Henderson Police Department to downgrade these things that are going on.”
“Then we need to carry the message forth to our churches. To me, the church should be the backbone of seeing that other people are living the best that they can. Many of us get in our churches and do our own thing and that is as far as we are going. I look at the need and the cry of the people that ride with me every day and there are some issues that we can help solve.”
Despite the issues, Daye said that he loves the city that he has called home for the majority of his life, “Henderson is a fine place to live; I’ve been here 76 years.”
Acknowledging his age, Daye said he has served in a mentoring capacity to current opponent Spriggs in the past, and initially questioned running for reelection because he was “looking for a younger person to take the position.”
Believing he has at least one more term left in him, Daye said he decided to file but will “support Jason all the way” if Spriggs is elected.
“As the time drew nigh, I said ‘well, if I win this election I’ll be 80-years-old when I get out of here. So, I refiled and if I win, I’ll give it my best shot.’”
(This is not a paid political advertisement. Jason Spriggs participated in a similar Town Talk interview with WIZS on July 24, 2019.)
To hear Daye’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, including discussion on a replacement for retiring Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Town Talk (07/31/19): ‘Visit NC Farms Mobile App’ Launch Announced
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Representatives from NC A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences toured several locations in Vance and Warren counties today to learn more about agricultural opportunities in the local area.
The group began the tour at the ReBuilding Communities NC Cultural Center, 117 Church Street in Henderson, where they were greeted by Executive Director Edythe Thompson, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen.
From there, the tour continued to the Henry and Ardis Crews Micro Gardens located at 424 Hamilton Street in Henderson, where Vance Co. Cooperative Extension ANR Technician Wayne Rowland discussed the Crews’ efforts to provide sustainable and efficient gardening practices for the community.
The next stop brought the group to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM), 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson, where they heard the history of the market and learned of its various community uses.
Turner Pride, extension director for Vance Co., also announced the official launch of the “Visit NC Farms Mobile App” for the five-county region consisting of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren.
Developed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the app connects users to local farms, restaurants and other agriculturally-related places and events.
“With this app, you can see places that can be toured such as wineries, Farm-to-Table restaurants, individual farmers markets, and farms that are open to the public,” Pride explained.
Pride said the launch of this app is just one way that the community is sharing with both residents and visitors alike that “goodness grows in Vance.”
Diane Cox, executive director for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) said the app was a collaboration between her agency, NC Cooperative Extension and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
After a successful soft launch in June, Cox was happy to discuss the official launch of the app during Wednesday’s tour.
“Please let Kerr-Tar COG know or let your Cooperative Extension directors know if you are having an event so we can help you market those through the Visit NC Farms App,” said Cox. “It’s a great marketing tool for farmers and it is free.”
A free download of the app is available for Apple products and Androids. Please visit https://visitncfarmstoday.com/ for more information.
NC A&T’s Chancellor Harold Lee Martin, Sr., a tour participant, spoke with WIZS on the future of NC farming and the importance of technological advances in agriculture.
“We see lots of small farmers developing, growing and returning to NC,” Martin said. “We see younger farmers using their education, their technology and science skills to do farming differently from their parents and grandparents. There are going to be more demands from the farmers of the future who are using science, technology and strategy to enhance productivity and profitability.”
Martin said this technological movement mirrors the shift officials are seeing in the state’s economy. “We are seeing movement from more of a skills economy to a knowledge-based economy. Education plays a bigger part in helping us create jobs, retain jobs and attract jobs to NC.”
After departing the VCRFM, tour participants enjoyed lunch and presentations by representatives from Warren County Schools, Warren County Cooperative Extension and Warren County Government at the Warren County Armory Civic Center.
To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Town Talk (07/30/19): Recovery Volunteers Reunite Lost Pets With Family
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Tracey Dreibelbis and Mary Paschall, local MAR (Missing Animal Response) trained volunteers, were on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss their lost pet recovery process.
Dreibelbis, who also volunteers at the Granville County Animal Shelter, said she began the MAR training process for lost pet consultants in 2015 and received her completion certificate in 2016.
Her love for animals and the satisfaction of reuniting pets with their loved ones fuels her drive. “Once you find a match and you get a pet back home, it snowballs and you have to keep doing it,” Dreibelbis said.
Paschall, a Vance County native, met Dreibelbis last year when the two helped recover a dog that was involved with a transport escape on I-85.
“It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed being involved,” said Paschall. “In the past, if I saw a lost dog along the road, I would stop and wonder why I could never get them to come to me. Then I had my training and I realized there are certain techniques involved; you just can’t go after a dog.”
Recently, Paschall was instrumental in locating “Titan,” a Shiba Inu that went missing after a car accident on I-85 southbound in June.
After seeing a Facebook posting about Titan’s situation, Paschall reached out to the dog’s owner Cecilie Taylor who lives in Apex.
“I started working with Cecilie to put out flyers and put up posters around the area,” said Paschall. “Then we set up a feeding station and heard nothing for several days.”
After a few days with no leads, Paschall said she received a text that there was a sighting of Titan. She then drove over to the area, spoke to another volunteer and, surprisingly, Titan “poked his head out.”
Using techniques she learned in MAR training, including remaining calm and using treats to pique the dog’s interest, Paschall was able to safely secure Titan and contact Taylor with the good news.
“It was a nice reunion to see,” said Paschall. “We got it on video. It was the way you want it to turn out.”
To hear the interview with Dreibelbis and Paschall in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Town Talk 07/29/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS: Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm; Town Talk M-F 11am
Town Talk is a public affairs presentation of WIZS News.
Town Talk 07/26/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 07/25/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk (07/24/19): Jason Spriggs Discusses Henderson City Council Campaign
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Jason A. Spriggs, candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
A resident of Turner Avenue near downtown Henderson, Spriggs is running against incumbent George Daye in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.
Spriggs, who said previous discussions with Daye led to his interest in Henderson’s political scene, expressed his surprise that Daye filed for reelection.
“George Daye filed on the very last day,” Spriggs said. “We didn’t expect it. From every City leader and County leader that I spoke with, he was not expected to do so. This is kind of where we’re at; this is politics, so we continue our campaign.”
Filing for the October 8 election began Friday, July 5 at 12 p.m. and ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. Offices that will be on the ballot include Mayor, 1st and 2nd Ward seats and 3rd and 4th Ward At-Large seats.
With no one filing for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat by the July 19 deadline, the State Board of Elections approved an extension that began Monday, July 22 and ends Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12 p.m.
Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Spriggs, who has called NC home for 20+ years now, said he is familiar with the rural way of life and understands the importance of local connections and personal relationships.
“In a small town, if they don’t know you – and I mean have eaten with you or have attended church services with you – you’re going to have some issues with not only getting known but also getting the support.”
Not being as well known around town is one reason Spriggs said his 2015 campaign for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat was, ultimately, unsuccessful.
Spriggs said he and his family’s establishment in the community has grown in the past four years and believes his ideas, coupled with suggested solutions, make him the right person for the job.
“The things that are going on in Henderson are not things that city leaders can take lightly,” said Spriggs. “A lot of youth are dying, residents are struggling to keep water and lights on and residents are struggling with addiction. No matter who I talk to, the first thing they say is ‘if they would just pick up this trash.’ The conversation then proceeds to crime and drugs. Those are the top three things.”
Conscious of budget constraints, Spriggs suggested using existing City resources and personnel to provide street litter cleanup on a weekly or biweekly basis.
He also referred listeners to his website at www.jason4henderson.com for more information on his campaign and a more extensive list of his ideas for improving Henderson.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent George Daye to participate in a similar interview.)
To hear Spriggs’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Town Talk (07/23/19): H-V Chamber Welcomes Familiar Face to President Role
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss her new position and vision for the organization.
Beginning her third term as the head of the chamber, Burgess’ first official day serving under the title of “president” was July 22, 2019. She previously served as executive director from 1982-88 and 1995-99.
Burgess succeeded Vanessa Jones, who served as interim president in the months following former president John Barnes’ resignation earlier this year.
In discussing her local connections, Burgess said she is excited the chamber’s board chose a Henderson native as their leader.
“I live in Vance County and I love Henderson,” Burgess said. “I love where I live. This is my hometown and I’m proud of it.”
For her first task, Burgess said she and chamber staff will be focusing on membership. “We are going to look at who is a member and who is not a member. We want to reach out to those who maybe couldn’t afford the membership dues when they first opened but are a little more established now and could benefit from our services.”
As far as current members, Burgess said she wants to introduce herself, or in some cases reintroduce herself, encourage continued community involvement and to set the tone for her “hands-on approach” to the chamber’s mission.
Burgess believes, much as she did in her previous chamber roles, that the key to growing the community is to think outside of the box and get creative with strategies to help small businesses. “A large majority of our members are small businesses with 50 or less, and many with 20 or less, employees,” she explained.
Acknowledging that attending popular chamber events such as Business After Hours, Meet Me in the Street and various networking sessions aren’t feasible for all business owners, Burgess said the question then becomes, “What can we do to help you?”
Some of the ways the chamber can help small businesses, according to Burgess, include offering relevant training for employees and advocating for their particular industry.
“We [the chamber] can do that,” Burgess reiterated. “We are an organization that serves businesses; it’s all about building businesses. The chamber is all about relationships.”
Further emphasizing the importance of relationships, Burgess explained the connections that are often made at H-V Chamber-sponsored events serve business leaders and their staff well in the future.
“You do business with people that you like and trust,” Burgess said. “The way to do this is to be involved in your community, and especially to be involved with your chamber.”
To hear Burgess’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Town Talk (07/22/19): 10th Annual Community Day to Offer Entertainment, Free Food
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Chalis Henderson was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss the upcoming 10th Annual Community Day hosted by Oasis of Hope Ministries and Turning Point CDC.
Slated for Saturday, August 3, 2019, the event will be held at 2495 US Hwy 1 – 158 Business in Henderson from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
A community yard sale will begin earlier in the day at 7 a.m.
The public is invited to enjoy fellowship, games, food, entertainment, giveaways and plenty of activities for kids.
Event sponsor Microsoft will host two STEAM tents involving digital arts and coding & gaming for interested participants.
According to Henderson, Betabox Labs and zSpace Labs will also be on hand to provide 3-D and virtual reality demonstrations.
Activities include:
Yard sale – begins at 7 a.m.
Community Day events – officially begin at 10 a.m.
Line dancing – 11 a.m.
Performance by the Vance County High School Band – 11:45 a.m.
Zumba – 1 p.m.
Comedy by Ms. Annie Perry – 1:30 p.m.
Free hot dogs, chips and water will be available to all participants. Lawrence Perry BBQ will also be on-site with meals available for purchase.
A backpack and school supply giveaway will also be held; the student must be present.
To hear Henderson’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.