Tag Archive for: #towntalk

TownTalk: Granville County Tourism Heating Things Up In June

/by

With summer just around the corner, Granville County’s calendar of events is heating up with a variety of programs, events and exhibits from Butner to Oxford sure to satisfy everyone’s interests.

Granville’s Tourism Director Angela Allen has a whole list of activities for folks to take part in most any time – summer in Granville County, she said, sort of unfolds – there’s something to do just about all the time.

Looking for an easy way to wind down after work with family and friends? Head to downtown Oxford on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in June for Quittin’ Time. Slow down for a minute and stroll downtown, listening to live music, visiting local retail shops and enjoying small plate and specialty beverages from participating restaurants.

Or head down to Creedmoor’s Cedar Creek Gallery any ol’ time to catch the National Teapot Show, which comes every three years to the art gallery/retail space in southern Granville County. The exhibit features teapots created by artisans and craftspeople from all over, from the functional to the sublime.

Find some fresh produce, local meats and more at the Oxford Armory Farmer’s Market in downtown Oxford on Saturday mornings.

That’s just a sample of what’s available across Granville County this season, and Allen has a whole other list of special events that you’ll surely want to take in.

  • Butner Summer Festival this weekend, June 5-6. There’s a barbecued chicken cookoff, live music, vendors, kids’ activities and more.
  • Juneteenth Freedom Day – in Creedmoor on Friday, June 19
  • Juneteenth Freedom Day – Oxford on Saturday, June 20
  • Bee Jubilee and Food Truck Rodeo – Saturday, June 27 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center on Highway 15 just south of Oxford

See a complete listing of events taking place in Granville County at www.visitgranvillenc.com

CLICK PLAY!

(The text and audio are not a paid ad. Granville Tourism is, however, an advertising client of WIZS.com.)

TownTalk: Stewardson Making Headlines In And Around Henderson

/by

Downtown Henderson is set to be the backdrop for a music and arts festival, the brainchild of a local man who’s set to take the stage with others as part of the day’s performances on Sunday, June 14.

Bridger Stewardson has just completed the first year of a four-year program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and this idea to do something for his hometown has been taking shape over the past few months.

The result: the Henderson Music & Arts Festival, and five different groups are scheduled to perform from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the space between the police department, McGregor Hall and Perry Memorial Library, Stewardson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

He’d been thinking about doing something in Henderson – for his hometown – for the past few years, noting that there’s not much offered locally when it comes to live music.

“Putting this festival together is a perfect of giving back to the community.”

He describes the festival as “small town soul, big stage jam” on his social media page promoting the event and said vendors, artisans and food trucks are going to add to the festival atmosphere.

For those unfamiliar, Bridger Stewardson is the son of Jason and Missy Stewardson and the grandson of Faye Stewardson and the late Bob Stewardson and Dr. Roddy and Beverly Drake. And Berklee College of Music in Boston, well, it’s the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world, known for the study of jazz and modern American music.

Stewardson, who plays piano, is majoring in jazz composition.

“I first started playing when I was eight,” Stewardson said. He took lessons with Henderson’s own Mark Hopper for a couple of years, then took some time to do his “own thing” before working with Oxford’s Cindy Clark. “She really honed my skills,” Stewardson said. “She let me play what I wanted to play and have fun.”

For Stewardson, having “fun” at the piano often includes improvisation, something jazz musicians are known for. He said when he plays, it’s 70 percent off the page and 30 percent on the page.” His music, he said, comes from the soul.

His group, Stewardson and Friends, opens up the friendship circle to include four other groups that will perform at the festival, which is free to the public.

Local favorites Jimmy and the Sound Barriers will kick off the concert, followed by

Soul Livin’ jazz quartet from Durham, Noah Gibney trio from Boston, the Westbrooks, another local group. Stewardson and Friends will round out the concert with a 90-minute set, he said. He’ll be at piano, accompanied by drums, bass, keyboards and vocalist.

He credits jam sessions in David Westbrook’s garage with helping him – as a young musician – feel comfortable creating music with a group of like-minded folks who have fun and enjoy playing music together.

He said musical improvisation comes pretty natural to him, and he gives a nod to his dad for sharing with him the love of artists like the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan when he was growing up.

Recognizing that everyone’s musical tastes are different, this music festival is going to have something for everyone, Stewardson said, from bluegrass and jazz to Southern rock, R & B to funk.

“Not everybody’s into the same thing,” he said, adding that things would probably be pretty boring if they were.

“I feel like it takes a lot to make me uncomfortable musically,” he said.

“If somebody’s happy playing it, I’m happy watching and listening.”

Click Play!

TownTalk: City Council FY 2027 Budget Work Session Creates As Many Questions As Answers

/by

City of Henderson Finance Director Joey Fuqua stood and answered questions from City Council for the better part of 90 minutes during the City Council’s budget work session on Thursday.

Council members reviewed the $51.7 budget department by department, with questioning led mainly by Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker, Catherine “Kitty” Gill and Geraldine Champion.

When he presented the proposed budget in May, Fuqua told Council members that this budget – as several previous budgets – required an infusion from fund balance. The FY 2027 budget must be passed by June 30.

Fuqua said, in closing remarks just before the work session ended, that FY 2027 is going to be a “savings effort on steroids.” He further stated to Council that city staff had already been told that the month of June would see a total shutdown on expenses as one last measure to get every last penny out of the expense category to preserve a dwindling fund balance.

The FY 2027 budget is using $5 million to bridge the gap between revenues and expenses.

The work session was, at times, contentious, as Council members and the mayor interacted with city staff, asking questions that ranged from how many cell phones the recreation and parks staff needs to whether funding the Henderson-Oxford Airport is necessary.

At one point, Mayor Melissa Elliott admonished City Manager Paylor Spruill for not letting her know ahead of time that the budget didn’t include funding her assistant’s position. “I’m not a department head – I’m just the mayor of the city,” Elliott said somewhat sarcastically.

“Don’t you think it would have been a great conversation to have with me that ‘hey, we’re not going to fund him this year.’ “I’m just wondering…,” Elliott said.

Recalling the pay raises the city used COVID-era federal ARPA funds to provide employees, Council Member Gill said the city is going to have to look at other places to cut.

“We’re going to have to cut the fat somewhere,” she said, adding that she would like to review salaries across the different city departments to look for ways to cross-train staff to possibly cover additional duties.

Council Member Garry Daeke offered several suggestions to get a jump start on next year’s budget, including calling city staff together on July 1 to get them thinking about where to make savings over the course of the fiscal year – one way to hopefully preserve services and positions.

Finding ways to tweak efficiency, he said, could be one way to do that.

“I don’t think we’re going to do a whole of changing with this budget – it’s tight as it can be.” He wants to begin FY 2028  budget discussions earlier in the year to try to get a handle on what is shaping up to be another stressful budget process.

Daeke said he doesn’t want to cut services to residents or cut positions, but he does want to investigate ways to give citizens the services they expect. “We’ve got to find a way to do it a little better,” he said.

“We can’t wait three months before the budget and say we need $4 million out of fund balance or we’re going to cut staff or we’re going to raise taxes,” Daeke said. “Let’s start now prepared not to do that and then see where we get. But we have to start early.”

TownTalk: KTCOG Elder Abuse & Awareness Conference Coming to Warrenton June 12

/by

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is sponsoring the 12th annual Region K Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention event and walk on Friday, June 12 in Warrenton.

It’s a time for senior adults and those who may be caring for senior family members or others to learn more about elder abuse, how to spot it and how to get help if you suspect abuse or neglect.

The ultimate goal is prevention, and Kim Hawkins, KTCOG long-term care ombudsman, said participants will leave with a greater awareness of the resources available to them in their communities.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a catered lunch, takes place at the Warren County Armory Civic Center.

Hawkins wants to make sure that people know about the opportunities and resources available to them, whether they are receiving care or providing care, so they become neither a victim nor a perpetrator of elder abuse or neglect.

This year’s theme for the event is “Self-Care Matters,” Hawkins said, which highlights the importance of taking steps to make sure caregivers and their loved ones alike to keep themselves healthy.

Participants can expect to learn more about tasks that go into self-care.

“Sometimes it’s not always someone abusing us,” she said, “sometimes we do it to ourselves.”

There will be presentations on topics of self-neglect, mental health wellness and civility, among others.

Representatives from area long-term care facilities, home health and hospice agencies, nursing facilities and assisted living locations are planning to be on site for the event.

“We want to be a resource to those in need,” Hawkins said.

But she’s planning on attendees enjoying themselves, too. T-shirts, goodie bags and more will be available, while supplies last. And there will be ice cream, she added.

“We’re going to have a good time – come prepared to enjoy yourself!”

Knowing who to call when a need arises goes a long way to relieve stress an ease your mind, Hawkins said.

The importance of preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable populations like the elderly cannot be overstated.

Knowing what constitutes abuse, neglect or exploitation is key.

Hawkins said that 90 percent of abuse is committed by someone the victim trusts, whether that’s a care provider or a family member.

But only 1 in 24 cases is reported – that means 23 cases are not reported.

State law mandates that anyone who suspects elder abuse contact their local Department of Social Services. The caller can remain anonymous and only needs to provide the name of the purported victim.

“It’s not our job to investigate or evaluate a need,” Hawkins said – only to make the phone call. Visit www.kerrtarcog.org to learn more. Contact Hawkins at 252.436.2040 for more information.

Departments of Social Services for Kerr-Tar Region K:

Vance County:  252.492.5001

Granville County: 919.693.1511

Warren County: 252.257.5000

Franklin County: 919.496.5721

Person County: 336.599.8361

 

CLICK PLAY!

Maria Parham Orthopaedics Lunch & Learn June 19 In South Hill, VA

/by

Maria Parham Health will host a free Lunch & Learn focused on the latest advancements in orthopaedic surgery on Thursday, June 19, at noon at 313 Franklin – Cocktails and Kitchen, located at 313 Franklin St. in South Hill, Virginia.

The event will feature Darius Divina, DO, of Maria Parham Orthopaedics, who will discuss MAKO robotic-arm technology and how it is transforming joint replacement procedures through personalized surgical planning and precision-guided care.

Attendees will learn how MAKO technology uses 3D models of a patient’s anatomy to help surgeons customize procedures, potentially leading to faster recovery, improved joint function and a quicker return to daily activities.

“We are proud to offer opportunities like this Lunch & Learn to help educate our communities about advances in healthcare technology and treatment options,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Orthopaedic care continues to evolve, and we are excited to connect patients with experts like Dr. Divina who are bringing innovative solutions closer to home.”

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged due to limited seating. Community members can register using the QR code featured on event promotional materials on the hospital’s Facebook page. Participants can also register online using the link at MariaParham.com.

For more information about Maria Parham Orthopaedics, visit https://www.mariaparham.com/maria-parham-health.

Click Play!

Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Government Public Hearing & Public Comment Rules

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners has adopted policies that spell out how individuals are expected to conduct themselves when addressing the board during public comment periods and during public hearings.

The public comment policy covers 10 different points which go into detail about the various aspects ranging from its length – 30 minutes – to the topics a speaker may discuss – “the business and activities of the county.”

The public comment policy is just more than a page long, and includes a summarized version in paragraph form at its conclusion.

The public comment period is designed to allow members of the public to speak to the board about “matters that are relevant to the body to which the comments are made;” it is different than a public hearing, which is a formal opportunity for the public to speak on a certain topic before the commissioners.

Individuals who wish to speak during the public comment portion of a commissioners’ meeting need to sign up in the 30-minute period that takes place before a commissioners’ meeting. That 30-minute period ends 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. So if the board meeting begins at 6 p.m., prospective speakers should sign up between 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Speakers sign in with the clerk by providing their full name, their contact information and the topic they wish to discuss.

Comments are restricted to the business and activities of the county. Each speaker will have 3 minutes to address the board. A speaker can have an additional 3 minutes from another person who’s signed up to speak, with the total number of minutes by one speaker not to exceed 10 minutes.

Speakers will be called in the order they signed up and if a group of speakers presents itself, that group must designate a spokesperson. If the group doesn’t choose a spokesperson, the board chair or designee can choose a spokesperson or refuse to hear from the group until they choose a single person to speak on the group’s behalf.

Those speakers who want to address the board in a language other than English must first offer remarks in English. The standard 3-minute rule applies, with no additional time provided. A speaker may ask that a translator be used if the speaker is unable to present remarks in English.

View the commissioners’ public comment policy in its entirety at https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Public-Comment-Policy-Revised-May-2026.pdf

 

The public hearing policy lists 8 guidelines, several of which are similar in nature to those of the public comment policy.

One difference, however, is that speakers are limited to 3 minutes and may not receive additional time from others. A spokesperson for a group of three or more may speak up to 8 minutes, with additional time given at the board’s discretion.

Another difference is that a speaker will be asked to note whether he’s in favor of or in opposition to the topic he or she wishes to discuss.

 

View the commissioners’ public hearing policy in its entirety at

https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Public-Hearing-Policy-May-2026.pdf

Click Play!

Review of City of Henderson Public Hearing on Budget

/by

Three individuals signed up to speak at the Henderson City Council’s public hearing on the FY 26-27 budget that was held on Thursday, May 21 but it took more than 40 minutes for those speakers to address the Council members.

For the first half hour or more, several Council members had questions for City Manager Paylor Spruill and Finance Director Joey Fuqua that centered around how the city got itself into the undesirable situation of having to dip into fund balance in order to balance the budget.

In his response to Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker’s question about the pay study implementation, Fuqua reminded Council members about how more than $4 million in federal ARPA funds had been used to help address employee turnover and retention rates.

About 80 percent of municipalities across the state offer a cost of living adjustment each year, he added, but Henderson has been able to offer a COLA only four out of the last 10 years.

It was FY 2025 that the salary increases started, and Fuqua said the city spent “an enormous amount of fund balance” to balance that budget.

“When those salaries hit the bottom line,” he said, “we’re on the hook for that every year.”

This year’s $51.7 million budget also earmarks $5 million from the fund balance to balance the budget. As Fuqua explained, that doesn’t mean that is the final number that will be needed, but represents a maximum amount from the unassigned fund balance that could be used.

The FY 26 budget audit has not been finalized yet, but Fuqua said if the city uses another $1.2 million or so as it needed for FY 25, then his prediction becomes clearer: the fund balance is set “to take another record-breaking hit. Without new revenue streams, next year at this time we’ll be in an even more challenging situation” because there won’t be enough money in fund balance to offset the shortfall.

The City Council will have another budget session on Thursday, May 28 at 5 p.m. in Council chambers.

The 2026-27 budget must be approved before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

 

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Franklin County Sends Letter To KLRWS For Terms To Be Met

/by

 

In a letter to the owners of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System dated May 21, Franklin County Manager Ryan Preble posed a couple of possible solutions to his county’s need for more water.

The six-page letter recounted efforts undertaken by Franklin County over the past almost 20 years to find a way to bring more water to an area experiencing explosive growth, seemingly with no end in sight.

Preble sent the letter to City Manager Paylor Spruill, Warren County Manager Crystal Smith and Oxford City Manager Brent Taylor – Henderson is a 60 percent owner of the KLRWS and Warren County and the City of Oxford each have a 20 percent share in ownership.

In March, Franklin County asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its own allocation of water from Kerr Lake – 16.7 million gallons a day. That request will be considered but no answer is expected for more than a year.

The regional water system is undergoing an expansion that will increase capacity to 20 million gallons per day, but Preble’s letter states that it would be too costly and impractical for Franklin County to pay as a customer.

In his conclusion, Preble offers the three water system owners “options” and gives the three entities 30 days to accept the terms.

Here’s an excerpt from the letter:

“Franklin has been in discussions within the region about short-term and long-term water supply for at least 19 years (since 2007). Henderson supplies Franklin with an additional 450,000 GPD but that is all Henderson is willing to do given the size of its water distribution infrastructure. Franklin respects that. Short-term, Franklin cannot pay $35 million for 2.5 MGD when there are other potential sellers at a lower cost. Franklin is open to regional discussions, but KLRWS must either agree to sell at an agreed-upon fair market value of a 51% stake in KLRWS or sell a lower percentage interest but give Franklin the right to expand at its cost to develop additional capacity that belongs to Franklin (the Basic Terms). If either of these options are amenable, we would like to discuss terms to move this forward. Any business formation issues (create an authority or a joint venture) are irrelevant unless Franklin is going to solve its supply challenge with a regional solution.

Please indicate your willingness to accept the Basic Terms within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter, by June 21, 2026. If you would like to setup (sic) a meeting after accepting the Basic Terms, please let me know.”

Find the full text of the letter here https://www.franklincountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2089/Letter-from-County-Manager-Ryan-Preble-on-Regional-Water-Discussions—May-21-2026-PDF

 

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Henderson City Budget Public Hearing Set For 6 P.M. Thursday, May 21

/by

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has scheduled a special called meeting of the City Council for Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. in order to hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget.

The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers at 134 Rose Ave.

This is the time for the public to ask questions about the proposed budget, and there is no need to sign up ahead of time.

The meeting also will be livestreamed live on the city’s YouTube channel for viewing only. If you want to speak during the hearing, you’ll have to attend in person.

City Finance Director Joey Fuqua presented the proposed $51.7 million budget to Council at its May meeting; since then, the City Council has had a couple of budget workshops as it works through the approval process. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

Find the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@CityofHenderson-NC.

 

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Business Spotlight – The Assurance Group

/by

As an insurance professional and Medicare benefits coordinator with the The Assurance Group, Dr. Almice Floyd Gill has the knowledge and experience to help individuals understand their choices when it comes to Medicare options.

In her role as an insurance broker, she can help clients as they consider all the different choices that are available, from health insurance to life insurance.

Gill branched out into Medicare in 2018, she said on Tuesday’s Business Spotlight.

“There were so many things that I didn’t know,” she said, as she pursued her license. Besides being licensed in North Carolina, she holds licensure in South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Indiana.

“We have to make sure we stay on top of what’s going on with Medicare and HIPPA,” she said. Staying updated on all the latest information means that education is a big part of what she does as a broker, and it’s what she focuses on with her clients.

There is no cost for a consultation, Gill said, and she’s happy to meet over the phone, in person. She’ll even make a home visit, if that’s what the client needs.

One of the aspects of her work that brings her the most pleasure is simply helping people understand what programs they qualify for.

“Whatever the customer needs, that’s what I focus on,” she said. As a broker, she said she has the flexibility to “find the best rates and look for what’s best for the client.” Plus, she said, “I’m here…I’m local. I don’t just write policies and then walk away.”

Besides health insurance, Gill helps clients understand the value of having life insurance and hospitalization insurance, both of which come in handy.

Life insurance is something that doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s something that you should consider when you’re young and healthy.

“You don’t have to have a million dollars of life insurance, or even 100,000,” she explained. Even a $10,000 or $20,000 policy – which would cost probably in the $40-$50 a month range – would help family members with final expenses upon the death of the policy holder.

She said she wishes she’d thought more about having a life insurance policy when she was younger. It’s something an employer may offer, she said. “but when the job ends, the life insurance ends, along with other benefits.”

At the end of the day, Gill said, she really and truly enjoys helping people. “I love it when I see the light bulb go off when people see they are eligible for other benefits.”

Call or text Gill at 252.701.6720 or email her at

adfloydgill@assuregrp.com

 

CLICK PLAY!