Tag Archive for: #towntalk

A.V. Richards

Town Talk 06/16/20: Remembering Vance Senior High, NC State Football Alum A.V. Richards

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Brenda Peace, former Henderson City Councilwoman and sister of Vance Senior High and NC State University alum and football player Andrew Vance “A.V.” Richards, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Peace described her brother, who passed away Sunday, June 14, as a “gentle giant” who left his mark on athletics and has helped shape local youth.

“A.V. was tall in stature, just a massive dude, but he was the sweetest, most easy-going person that you would have ever met,” Peace reminisced. “He had nothing but love for everybody; it didn’t matter who you were, A.V. loved you.”

A.V. Richards, Vance Senior High and NC State alum and football player, passed away June 14, 2020. He is remembered as a “gentle giant who loved everyone,” according to his sister, former Henderson City Councilwoman Brenda Peace. (Photo courtesy Brenda Peace)

Playing on both the varsity football and basketball teams while a student at Vance Senior High School in the late 70s/early 80s, Richards took his love of sports with him to NC State University. There, Richards transitioned from tight end to offensive tackle as part of the Wolfpack’s football team.

Upon graduating from NC State in 1985, Richards was drafted into the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the Jacksonville Bulls, shortly before the league was shut down following a legal battle with the National Football League (NFL).

Returning to Henderson, Richards focused his attention on coaching and motivating youth on both the football field and in life. “A.V. has had a lot of influence on a lot of young men’s lives,” WIZS’s own Kemp Collins and life-long friend of Richards said during the Town Talk segment. “He’s in a better place now, but he left his print here, and I’m sure what he left will benefit those young men in their lifetime.”

Peace said while her brother is well-known for his athletic prowess, she will also remember the man that had a kind word and smile for everyone, in addition to being “one bad bass player.”

“Not only could he throw a football and dribble a basketball, but his fingers were magical when it came to playing music on his bass guitar,” said Peace. “As passionate as he was about football, he was just as passionate about music and people. He was a man of passion.”

To hear the interview with Peace in its entirety, including comments from special guests, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Town Talk 06/11/20: Local Organizations Promote ‘Go Big for Small Business’

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Sheri Jones, director of the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College; Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce; and Kathy Walters, director of Henderson’s Downtown Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Jones announced that in response to the cancellation of National Small Business Week 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is promoting small businesses through a coordinated social media campaign called NC Small Business Week.

Running June 8-12, 2020, the NC Small Business Week campaign encourages support for local small businesses with the slogan: “Go Big for Small Business!”

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy,” said Jones. “They create two-thirds of new jobs, represent almost half the economic activity in the country and drive innovation and competition.”

With 48 percent of all U.S. employees working for a small business, including 18 percent who work for businesses with 20 or fewer employees, Jones said small business entrepreneurs “come up with ideas, they test them, take them to market and create competition. They lead in innovation.”

With 90 percent of the H-V Chamber of Commerce’s 335 member organizations classified as a small business, Burgess said this sector of the business population is crucial to the local economy.

“The Chamber wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for small businesses and our partnerships,” Burgess stated. “A small business owner does everything. He doesn’t have an HR manager or finance director that he can call; he’s everything. When we partner with a business and they join the Chamber, they hire us on, in a sense, to help research and provide employee training and resources.”

Walters explained the VGCC Small Business Center, the Chamber and Henderson Downtown Development are all connected in a partnership with each other to make local small businesses successful.

“All of downtown, with the exception of government, is small business,” explained Walters. “When someone contacts me and tells me it is their dream to own a business downtown, I refer them to Sheri and the Small Business Center so they can discuss creating a small business plan. We also work with Michele and the Chamber all of the time by giving those interested in downtown a copy of the Chamber’s annual Envision Vance magazine, referring them to the Chamber for business resources and putting them in touch with downtown business owners.”

Jones said these three local entities also work well with their counterpart organizations in the four-county area. “Each of our four counties – Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren – are blessed to have local small business support through their economic development offices, through their respective Chamber of Commerce, through downtown development organizations and through the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.”

With COVID-19 canceling many plans, including the H-V Chamber’s Small Business of the Year recognition originally scheduled for May, Burgess said the four-county area is showing its interconnection and support for small businesses by joining together for a combined awards ceremony slated for the fall.

“The Henderson-Vance Chamber is joining with the Granville, Franklin and Warren Chambers, in partnership with presenting sponsor Duke Energy, to honor each county’s Small Business of the Year recipient at a luncheon on September 30. Each Chamber will select a small business based on their perseverance, resiliency and community spirit,” said Burgess.

Burgess said it’s not hard to find small businesses that have demonstrated all three attributes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To hear the interview with Jones, Burgess and Walters in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Dennis Jarvis

Town Talk 06/10/20: Jarvis Talks Move to WV, Future of Economic Dev. in Vance Co.

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Dennis Jarvis II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

It was announced via press release last week that Jarvis, with H-V Economic Development since November 2017, was recently named the executive director for the Jefferson County Development Authority in his home state of West Virginia. Jarvis begins his new role on July 6, 2020.

Jarvis brings 20 years of economic development experience to his new role and will use his expertise to develop a new strategic plan for the future direction and economic development of Jefferson County.

Discussing his time in Henderson and Vance County, Jarvis said he believes economic development is heading in the right direction. “Almost three years later, we have a stable and professional economic development office, a marketing program that I feel is one of the top in NC, expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park that will have infrastructure in place by the end of the year and heavy project activity.”

Looking to the future, Jarvis said workforce development and education are the keys to a successful, thriving community.

“In order to have a robust economy, I’d encourage Henderson and Vance County to continue to focus on developing and enhancing workforce skills and education,” said Jarvis. “We have too many organizations in this region that say they are doing workforce development and it’s like putting a bandage over a pothole; you can only traverse it so many times before it gives way.”

Jarvis praised Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson for their work in promoting workforce development and education.

“I credit Rachel Desmarais and Anthony Jackson for moving the needle and changing the way that workforce development is talked about and the way skills enhancement is viewed,” said Jarvis. “The community college is now back to its basic core functionality, which is skills assessment and workforce preparedness. I also think you are going to see the school system continue to progress and move forward. When you’ve had 20 years of stagnation and getting away from core missions in both institutions, you don’t change things overnight.”

To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including additional discussion on the local economy and organizations making strides to improve workforce development, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

City of Henderson Logo

Town Talk 06/09/20: No Tax, Service Fee Increases in Approved Henderson Budget

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Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Henderson City Council members provided WIZS News with a briefing on the FY 2020-2021 Budget Adoption at the Monday, June 8, 2020, Henderson City Council meeting.

The budget was passed unanimously with six of the eight City Council members in attendance either in person or electronically via Zoom. According to reports, Councilwoman Sara Coffey and Councilwoman Fearldine Simmons were not in attendance. Click here to view the 153-page budget in its entirety.

“Our June City Council Meeting went well,” said Mayor Ellington. “Half of the Council were present in the Council Chambers including myself, the city manager and the city clerk. The others were participating via Zoom. It was a fairly fast-moving meeting with a few housekeeping details, along with adopting our 2020-2021 budget. The budget includes funding for six new firefighter positions. There will also be no service fees nor tax increases to the citizens on a unanimous vote. We are also pleased with our new manager, Mr. Terrell Blackmon’s first budget since taking the role earlier this year.”

Councilman William Burnette said: “The budget was adopted by a unanimous vote, by all in attendance. We are still having to use Zoom. I will be very happy when we can go back to normal meetings and allow public participation in the Council Chambers. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later. I miss the interaction with the citizens.”

Councilman Garry Daeke and Councilwoman Melissa Elliott reported the budget was adopted with no changes and praised the declared proclamation for Dr. Andrea Harris that “was read beautifully by our Mayor,” according to Elliott.

The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris was born in Sumter, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Andrea L. Harris grew up in Henderson, North Carolina where she resided for the majority of her life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree at Bennett College and received an honorary doctorate from Bennett College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris is best known for the impact she made on the African American community and working with minority business owners; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Dr. Harris co-founded the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting business diversity for minorities, women, and disabled individuals: and

WHEREAS, during her lifetime, Dr. Andrea L. Harris received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Triangle Business Journal, and Governor Roy Cooper stated “Andrea Harris was a trailblazer who never stopped fighting for social and racial equity in our state.”; and

WHEREAS, the City of Henderson lost one of its most influential civil-rights figures with the passing of Dr. Andrea L. Harris on May 20, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Henderson City Council, on behalf of all our citizens, hereby goes on record as recognizing the contributions made by Dr. Andrea L. Harris and offers her family this sincere expression of condolence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to her family.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the City of Henderson in the State of North Carolina this the 8th day of June 2020.

-Eddie Ellington, Mayor

To hear the Town Talk segment in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk. Discussion on the Henderson City Council and budget begins at the 24:12 mark.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 06/08/20: Harrison & Short Discuss Increased COVID-19 Testing, Need for Continued Precautions

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), and Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

With 449 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, and 355 known Vance County cases and 27 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison and Short said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.

According to GVPH’s website, there are currently four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district, including the Federal Correctional Complex and the Murdoch Development Center in Butner and Pelican Health and Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson.

Of the Granville County community-based cases, 97 have been released from isolation and five are hospitalized. Of the 263 community-based cases in Vance County, 127 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.

Harrison reported that 696 NC residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. “The reason we keep promoting wearing face coverings, washing hands and practicing social distancing – and the point of flattening the curve – is so that we don’t overwhelm our health care system,” said Harrison. “We’ve seen in other countries how horrible it is when there aren’t enough ventilators for people. More than half-a-million tests have now been given in NC; we’re going to see the number of positives increase, and we are going to, unfortunately, see a number of those people need the hospital.”

According to Harrison, the report of increased cases is due, in part, to more testing and quicker turnaround times. “At the beginning of the pandemic response, getting access to test kits, swabs and the medium to be able to send off to a lab was really difficult to do,” stated Harrison. “We are seeing the number of available tests increase across NC because of private labs and our State lab. Mako, in our own backyard here in Vance County, is leading the charge in developing, as quickly as they can, more test kits.”

Explaining the two primary test types, Harrison said testing is currently done in the form of a nasal swab or a blood test with either a 24-48 wait for lab results or a rapid response with an answer in minutes.

An issue with the rapid result method and with the blood test is that results are not yet 100-percent accurate, which can result in false positives, according to Harrison.

For those that suspect they may be suffering from COVID-19, Harrison said the best thing to do is to contact a doctor’s office to discuss symptoms and testing. “COVID-19 is still a diagnostic test that requires a doctor’s order, that’s why we suggest contacting your primary care doctor first,” said Harrison. “We have not been able to do the sort of mass testing that people see on tv in big cities here locally yet. We will get there; I’m certain.”

In fact, Harrison said the health district’s first attempt at mass testing will be held in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Details are still being discussed and will be announced at a later date.

Short, who has worked closely with GVPH, Harrison and Granville County Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis through the pandemic, praised the business community for their response to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This is just my observation, but the overwhelming majority of people inside businesses seem to be wearing masks or face coverings,” Short said. “However, I’m not seeing a lot of social distancing, and that is disappointing. I think businesses have gone to great lengths to mark places for people to stand, place signs in the aisles and place revised occupancy notices on doors, but it’s so hard for them to enforce that inside the business. You almost need as many employees working as you have customers to really enforce them properly. I think the businesses are doing the best they can to try to protect the employees and the public, but it’s an almost insurmountable task.”

GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

To hear the interview with Harrison and Short in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Census 2020

Town Talk: 2020 U.S. Census Response a Legal Requirement

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Tracy Twisdale, a Vance County resident assisting a local non-profit with the 2020 U.S. Census, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Taken every decade since 1790, the census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories.

In March, homes across the country began receiving mailed invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Responses tell the U.S. Census Bureau how many people lived in a particular household as of April 1, 2020.

“The Census is done every ten years to give an accurate account of the people living in the United States,” explained Twisdale. “That count will determine how billions in federal funding is allocated for fire departments, hospitals, schools, roads and more. It also determines how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to draw state and congressional legislative districts. So, you’re basically shaping the future of the area around you as it relates to federal funding when you take a few minutes to complete the census.”

The census, which takes approximately five minutes to complete, includes questions on the age, race and gender of those living in the household as of April 1. According to Twisdale, no extra forms, paperwork or documentation is needed, and everyone in the household should be counted, including roommates, newborns, young children, and/or someone renting a space in the home.

The census can be completed by returning the original invitation via mail, by calling (844) 330-2020 or online at www.my2020census.gov.

With Vance County being labeled a “hard-to-count” community, which means, compared to other counties, Vance County residents are historically less likely to respond, Twisdale reminded Town Talk listeners that completing the census is required by law.

“According to the U.S. Code, if you are over 18 and you refuse to answer all or part of the census, you can be fined up to $100,” stated Twisdale. “If you give false information, your subject to a fine of up to $500. If you offer suggestions or information with the intent to throw off the count, you can be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and/or one year in prison.”

The 2020 U.S. Census website states that the U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect census answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that private information is never published and that answers cannot be used against a respondent by any government agency or court.

The deadline for census completion has been extended to an as-yet determined date due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the meantime, Twisdale said census takers will soon be going door-to-door to speak to those households who have not yet responded.

To hear the interview with Twisdale in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

NC MedAssist

Town Talk 06/04/20: NC MedAssist Holding Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Oxford

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Kinzie Luce, Mobile Free Pharmacy events and volunteer manager with NC MedAssist, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Granville County on Friday, June 19, 2020.  The event, which is in collaboration with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center (4185 US-15 South, Oxford, NC 27565). Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive the medicine. No identification is required.

In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. For those individuals unable to register online, volunteers will be available to complete registration forms for each person, limiting touch points.

Unlike previous Mobile Free Pharmacy events, this one will be held as a drive-thru service only. Participants are highly encouraged to order their over-the-counter medicine online at https://bit.ly/Granville. “We have completely revamped our Giveaway Day in order to keep our participants, volunteers, and staff as safe as possible,” said Misty Moore, Senior Development Director at NC MedAssist. “Over 100 participants have ordered their medicine in advance which will speed up the process significantly. Please register online if you are able to do so.”

“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to partner with NC MedAssist on the Mobile Free Pharmacy event,” said Foundation Director Val Short. “The event is expected to have a huge impact on the community, especially during such difficult times. Triangle North Healthcare Foundation values the work of NC MedAssist in our communities on behalf of those who are vulnerable and don’t have access to healthcare. We hope to educate participants on the healthcare resources available in Granville and surrounding counties.”

NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy, founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to low-income, uninsured North Carolinians. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program, the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program, and the Transitional Job Program. Learn more about NC MedAssist right now at www.medassist.org.

To hear the interview with Luce in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Town Talk 06/03/20: Protestor Khalil Gay Talks ‘Ending Stigma of Violence & Crime’

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Khalil Gay, a participant in last weekend’s protest in downtown Henderson, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Gay said, “people of all creeds, colors, ages and dispositions” gathered downtown on Sunday, May 31, 2020, in response to the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died during an incident with law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

While not an original organizer, Gay said he and his peers wanted to be among the first to arrive in order to set the tone for a peaceful protest.

“The last thing we want for our community is to continue the stigma of negativity, violence and crime,” stated Gay. “We wanted to show people that there are young black men that care about our community and that want to see everybody come together and thrive.”

The participation of local law enforcement and elected officials in Sunday’s protest went a long way in facilitating conversation on community relations, said Gay.

“Lt. Jessica West, Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Rev. John Miles came out there to have a conversation, and I was so appreciative,” Gay said. “That’s what we all want – we want understanding and conversation. They were willing to stand with us and have that conversation.”

According to Gay, “conversations focused on the prevalence of racism in the community and ways to put an end to systematic racism and prejudice, in general.”

Gay was pleased that the protest remained peaceful and said the event was just the beginning of the larger task of improving community and race relations.

“People say the protest was a great start, but where do we go next? Now we have to think about what we actually want in Henderson. A lot of people are saying police brutality has never been a problem for us here, so then we need to be able to improve community relations. I feel like my job is to step up to the plate, have the conversation with our elected officials and tell them what we as a black community want from them – what can be done, not only to make us feel more included but to feel more protected and feel safer in our communities.”

Gay said he has begun that process by attending Monday night’s Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting to discuss the protest. He said he plans to continue to attend additional Vance County and Henderson City Council meetings to learn more about the process and to represent the black community.

At the Commissioners’ meeting, Gay had a conversation with Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame who had positive things to say about the experience on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk.

“It was very interesting for us to hear from young people who are concerned about Vance County,” said Brame. “He [Gay] was saying ‘Hey, we’re not going to let people come in Vance County and tear down our city and our county. This is where I was born and raised.’ He was saying ‘we are not going to let that happen.’ We told him that if you say that, we are going to stand beside you; we’re going to stand with you in unity.”

“Ultimately, I feel like the power is in the people,” Gay explained. “We don’t understand that our government, police and elected officials are there to serve us. If we don’t let our voices be heard, if we don’t vote and research before we vote, if we don’t attend city council and commissioners’ meetings, if we don’t find out who our sheriff and police chief are, we will be lost and won’t be able to make real change.”

Gay is a 2019 graduate of Vance County Early College High School, a tutor at Vance-Granville Community College and a hip hop artist who describes his music as “positive and reflective.” You can check out his website at www.2flykng.com.

To hear the interview with Gay in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Town Talk 06/02/20: Sheriff, H-V Rec & Park Director Discuss Downtown Rally

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame and Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department Director Kendrick Vann appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Brame and Vann discussed Sunday’s rally/walk through downtown Henderson, a response, in part, to the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died during an incident with law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

With an estimated 30-40 rally participants, primarily young people and community leaders, both men expressed their gratitude that the event remained peaceful.

 

“It went very well on Sunday,” said Brame. “People came together to protest in an orderly fashion. There was no name-calling, no one got out of hand and no one tried to block the street. It was just a great rapport.”

Vann agreed, “Everything went really, really well. I’m truly proud of the young men and women that came out for this great cause. It’s very rare that you have people between the ages of 17 and 25 that stand up for something and have a purpose.”

Vann said the biggest takeaway of the day was the thoughtful conversations and the knowledge gained.

“Participants got an education between myself, Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, the Henderson City Council members, Rev. John Miles and others,” stated Vann. “They learned a lot about the process of doing things the right way. We also talked about the history of Vance County and downtown Henderson, why the community was named what it was named and the importance of knowing where your City and County offices are located. These young adults didn’t know that information, but they were excited to learn more.”

Sheriff Brame said what was most important to participants is that law enforcement and community leaders took the time to listen. “We cannot solve all the world’s problems, but we need to be there to communicate and listen,” Brame explained. “All people want us to do is hear them out, to be patient and listen to them.”

Addressing a recent press release issued by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and posted to WIZS.com (click here for full statement), Brame agreed that the officer in the Floyd incident acted “inexcusably” and his actions were “totally contrary to the training provided to law enforcement officers in North Carolina.”

Brame said he believes the respect for law enforcement in Vance County, and the respect law enforcement shows the community, is in a good place right now, and he doesn’t want to see that damaged.

“I had a young man come up to talk to me in my vehicle at the protest,” said Brame. “He didn’t understand the presence of law enforcement at the event. I explained to him that we don’t want what has happened in surrounding areas such as Raleigh and Charlotte to happen in Vance County. It took us a long time to build up what we have. Why would we tear it down?”

Vann reminded listeners that law enforcement is vital to a successful, thriving community. “Law enforcement is here for a reason and we’ve got to trust the system. Some people have bad experiences of working with the system and don’t have the whole story; that’s what makes it a sensitive topic.”

By working collaboratively, Vann said the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson Police Department are improving community relations.

“I think Sheriff Brame and Chief Barrow – one being African-American and the other being Caucasian – do a great job of working together to minimize a lot of things,” Vann said. “People in the community have to hold officers and deputies accountable. If you see someone doing something wrong, don’t blow it off. These two great men leading these departments can’t see or be everywhere. We have to tell them so that we can help prevent things from happening. We as a community need to be accountable for what goes on in our own community. That’s what I believe, and that’s why I was there on Sunday.”

Brame echoed Barrow’s request on yesterday’s Town Talk episode asking anyone that wants to hold a rally or protest in Henderson or Vance County to go through the proper channels by contacting the sheriff’s office or police department first.

To hear the interview with Brame and Vann in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Downtown Henderson

Town Talk 06/01/20: Henderson Police Chief Discusses Sunday’s ‘Peaceful’ Downtown Protest

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Barrow discussed Sunday’s protest/walk through downtown Henderson, a response, in part, to the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died during an incident with law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

Following days of both orderly protests and violent riots and looting throughout the country, Barrow reported that Sunday’s local gathering was both “peaceful and productive.”

Barrow estimated 30-40 Henderson residents participated in the protest, including local community leaders Kendrick Vann, director of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department; Lt. Jessica West, Henderson Police Department; Sara Coffey, Henderson Mayor Pro Tem; and Henderson City Council Members Melissa Elliott and Marion Williams.

“These community members came out yesterday to engage with the group, to engage our youth in conversation,” said Barrow. “We walked around downtown peacefully and talked and held a conversation the entire time. I think it was very productive.”

When asked to elaborate on their discussions, Barrow said, “We talked about history and where we are today. We talked about the incident in Minnesota. We talked about the right way of doing things and the wrong way of doing things. They were receptive to what we had to say and I feel like we were open to what they wanted to talk about and their opinions. We agreed on the majority of the things we discussed.”

According to Barrow, during the protest, phone numbers were exchanged and dates were scheduled for further discussions “among some Henderson residents whose paths had never crossed before.”

Barrow said some participants asked him if there were any fundamental changes he would like to see in law enforcement. “I told them ‘absolutely,'” he said. “As a nation, I think there are some fundamental changes we need to make to our hiring process and the way we operate.”

While currently a voluntary measure, Barrow said one thing he’d like to see is more law enforcement agencies become a part of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). According to Barrow, the Henderson Police Department is a CALEA participant with the next closest accredited departments being Durham and Raleigh.

“CALEA provides police departments and sheriff’s departments alike with opportunities to have up-to-date policies and best practices,” explained Barrow.

For those planning future protests or demonstrations in Henderson, Barrow said the proper procedure is to contact the HPD at (252) 431-4141 to file the required paperwork.

To hear the interview with Barrow in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.