A search committee of six members of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees has been appointed to find a successor to Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college’s president who is taking a position with Duke University in August.
Deborah F. Brown has been appointed chair of the search committee, and Herb Gregory will serve as vice chair. Rounding out the committee will be N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.
Trustees Chair Danny W. Wright made the appointment at the board’s regular bi-monthly meeting on July 16 at the college’s Main Campus.
Dr. Williams, the sixth president of VGCC, announced her plans in May to take the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13.
Looking back at her tenure at Vance-Granville, Dr. Williams offered her reflections to the Trustees, recalling the support given to the college through grants, donations and governmental and community partnerships; the thousands of students who have been educated and have graduated; and a supportive faculty, staff and Board of Trustees.
“I have one big wish for a bright future ahead for Vance-Granville Community College,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity that you all have provided for me to serve over the past six and a half years. It’s the people who have really made this a special place and a great experience for me. I will forever be grateful. And I will forever be a Vance-Granville Vanguard.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/vgcc.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-19 17:03:502018-07-19 17:03:50Search Committee Appointed To Seek Next VGCC President
Please be advised that contractor G2 Utilities will begin changing out all water meters beginning Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
Meter change-outs will be performed between 8 a.m and 5 p.m. Interruption of your water service should be 15 minutes or less for the process. If you are at home during the process, the utility technician will make every effort to advise you before he changes out the meter at your residence.
A door hanger stating that the work has been completed will be left at your residence once the change-out is complete at your house.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/warren-county-nc.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-16 16:54:122018-07-16 16:21:23Brief Interruption of Service for Warrenton Water Customers
The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, July 19, 2018, to express their opinions on the regional transportation projects in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties being considered for inclusion in the NCDOT 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects throughout North Carolina and schedules them for construction.
The Kerr-Tar Regional Transportation Planning Organization (KTRPO) will hold an informal open house on Thursday at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ office, 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC, from 5 to 7 p.m. Residents will be able to view all potential projects and provide feedback. KTRPO staff will be present to answer any questions and address any concerns.
For those unable to attend the open house, the projects are available for review on the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ website: https://www.kerrtarcog.org/. Comments may be submitted via email to info@kerrtarcog.org. Please include P5 Regional Projects Comments in the subject line.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0096_1-1.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-13 17:04:392018-07-13 17:04:39Public Open House for P5 Regional Transportation Projects
-Information courtesy the June 2018 newsletter of Rep. Terry E. Garrison (Dem)
The 2018 session of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) convened on May 16 and adjourned on June 29, 2018. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on November 27, 2018.
The NCGA passed the following six Constitutional Amendments, which will now be placed on the ballot for the upcoming midterm elections on November 6, 2018:
Strengthen Victim’s Rights
SB 551 amends the NC Constitution and expands the rights of crime victims to guarantee that victims receive the right to be treated with dignity and respect; reasonable, accurate, and timely notice; be present at any proceeding; be reasonably heard at certain proceedings; to receive restitution in a timely manner; to receive information upon request; to reasonably confer with the prosecutor.
SB 551 also directs the General Assembly to create a procedure for a victim to assert the rights provided.
This was the only amendment not vetoed by the Governor.
Bipartisan Ethics & Elections Enforcement
HB 913 amends the NC Constitution to remove the Governor’s authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and gives powers to Legislators to control those appointments. This bill also determines how those appointments are to be made: Four from the House with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders and; four from the Senate with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders.
Judicial District Changes
SB 814 amends the NC Constitution to change how judicial vacancies will be filled. Currently, when a judge leaves office before their term has ended, the Governor appoints a replacement to serve until the voters can fill the seat in the next election. This has been the law for decades through Democratic and Republican Governors.
The bill forms a Merit Commission to rate interested judicial candidates as “qualified” or “not qualified.” The Merit Commission then submits the list of candidates with the label of qualified or not qualified to the General Assembly. The General Assembly considers all candidates and narrows its selection to two persons. The two named persons are then sent to the Governor. If the Governor fails to make an appointment within 10 days after being presented with the candidates, the General Assembly shall elect in a joint session, an appointee to fill the vacancy.
Require Photo ID to Vote
HB 1092 amends the North Carolina Constitution to require every voter to show a photo ID. The details are left to legislators to figure out later.
This law may create hardships for North Carolina citizens who do not have such an ID. They are typically among our youngest, oldest, and poorest citizens. Further, the Voter ID requirement is likely to produce lower voter turnout.
North Carolina’s elections are already fair. There is no evidence of substantial voter ID fraud to justify the need for voter photo ID.
Income Tax Cap
SB 75 amends the North Carolina constitution to cap the tax rate on income for individuals and corporations. SB 75 would raise the previously proposed cap from 5.5 % to 7%. Currently, the constitutional cap is 10% for individuals and corporations.
The change will make it very difficult to pay for schools, healthcare, and other public services. The income tax is the biggest source of revenue for the state budget.
The bill will limit budget flexibility to pay for needed public services. It may also threaten our AAA bond rating. The AAA bond rating is important because it allows the state to borrow money at lower interest rates.
Protect Right to Hunt and Fish
SB 677 amends the NC constitution to merely reinforce a right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife. It will be submitted to the voters of the State at the mid-term election to be held on November 6, 2018.
Please note that a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot for the November 6, 2018, mid-term election will not become law unless approved by the voters.
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Area residents interested in the field of Biotechnology are invited to Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin Campus for an Open House on Monday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The event is open to new applicants to the program as well as current students of VGCC. Stewart Lyon, program head for the Bioprocess Technology curriculum program, will discuss the options for students to earn a certificate or an associate’s degree, and members of the admissions and financial aid staff will be available to help students complete applications on site.
Above: Students work in the Bioprocess Tech lab at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, which will hold a Biotechnology Open House on July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. (VGCC Photo)
“Vance-Granville prepares men and women for work in the growing biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing and distribution environments,” said Lyon. Graduates work as process technicians in biological products manufacturing facilities, with possible jobs including mixing chemicals to make cancer drugs, formulating medical and cosmetic creams and DNA testing kits.
“The certificate program is open to everyone, including students who would be currently enrolled in high school,” Lyon added. The certificate program can be completed with the BioWorks: Process Technician course through VGCC’s Continuing Education division and two curriculum courses, BIO 110 (Principles of Biology) and BPM 111 (Bioprocess Measurements).
In the two-year associate degree program, first-year courses include basics such as biology, chemistry, college algebra and computers, as well as industrial courses in bioprocessing, biochemistry and industrial environment. The first summer and subsequent semester of the program include a cooperative work experience in a local biotechnology company. The second year includes specialized courses in industrial bioprocessing, research and reporting and statistical quality control.
Evening and day course options are available, including online and hybrid opportunities. Visitors will be able to examine the state-of-the-art Biotechnology equipment that students use in the lab at Franklin Campus.
To register for the Open House, complete the form available on the college’s website at www.vgcc.edu/bio-open-house. For more information, contact Bioprocess Technology program head Stewart Lyon at (252) 738-3632 or lyons@vgcc.edu.
VGCC’s Franklin County Campus is located at 8100 NC Highway 56 in Louisburg.
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Vance-Granville Community College has entered an agreement with North Carolina State University to offer a dual-admission, dual-enrollment program. The initiative will benefit students who wish to be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree after completing an associate degree at VGCC.
VGCC is one of eight community colleges working with the university in the N.C. State Community College Collaboration, or C3, as the program is called. NCSU officials met with Vance-Granville officials on Main Campus on June 12 to online the plans for the program.
“This pathway to N.C. State is more like an eight-lane highway for our students to continue a superior education even beyond the doors of Vance-Granville,” said Stacey Carter-Coley, VGCC’s vice president of employee and student services. “What a remarkable day it is for our community of learners, supporters and partners.”
“C3 is intended for high-achieving community college students from low-to-moderate income backgrounds who plan to attend N.C. State University after completing their associate degree at one of the eight community colleges,” Bobbie Jo May, dean of VGCC’s Franklin Campus, said in her welcoming remarks. The program differs from other VGCC partnerships in place, however, she said, because “students are dually admitted to both institutions at the same time.”
North Carolina State University Senior Vice Provost of Enrollment and Management Services Dr. Louis D. Hunt outlines plans for the N.C. State C3 program to allow dual admission and dual enrollment to VGCC students who wish to earn their four-year degree at NCSU after getting an associate degree at the community college. NCSU officials met with college officials on Vance-Granville’s Main Campus on June 12. (VGCC Photo)
When a student enrolls in the Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs at VGCC, he or she will also enroll at NCSU as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student, according to Dr. Louis D. Hunt, N.C. State’s senior vice provost of enrollment management and services. Students will have up to three years to complete their AA, AS or Associate of Engineering (AE) degree at one of the designated community colleges.
After completing the degree and maintaining a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, the C3 participants will be guaranteed admission to N.C. State. Entry into specific majors may be more competitive, Hunt added.
“Each year, nearly 1,700 students transfer to N.C. State to complete their bachelor’s degree,” Dr. Hunt said. “N.C. State is committed to increasing that number by providing a guaranteed admission pathway to N.C. State from our partner community colleges.”
“We’re very excited about this partnership,” he added. “As a land-grant institution, we’ve always been committed to providing opportunities to all citizens across the state of North Carolina. Creating more opportunities for students from low-to-moderate income families and students from rural communities is essential to our success. N.C. State’s strategic plan emphasizes increasing the number of North Carolina Community College System graduates enrolling in our programs.”
May noted that C3 students will work with advising staff at both institutions. “Once enrolled, students are assigned an academic and career coach with Vance-Granville and a separate academic advisor for N.C. State,” May said. “The coach and the advisor will work together with the student on their academic plan.”
Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work, officials said.
Among the benefits of the program for Vance-Granville students will be access to N.C. State’s online advising and course planning systems, the opportunity to enroll in approved NCSU courses while enrolled at VGCC, and planned C3 activities on both VGCC’s campus and N.C. State’s campus.
“Vance-Granville is always seeking new opportunities to educate, inspire and support our students through creative partnerships,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president. “This initiative developed by North Carolina State University will open new doors for our Vanguards, providing clear pathways from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree.”
Also meeting with the NCSU officials were Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs, and Spence Bailey, director of admissions.
The other community colleges participating in the program are Alamance, Central Carolina, Durham Technical, Johnston, Nash, Wake Technical and Wilson.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Dr.-Hunt-VGCC.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-10 17:00:072018-07-10 16:40:26VGCC Partners With N.C. State For Dual-Admission Program
-Information courtesy the June 2018 newsletter of Rep. Terry E. Garrison (Dem)
SB 99 or the Appropriations Act of 2018 is the adjusted budget for the State of North Carolina. Every biennium, the General Assembly produces a budget for all North Carolina department divisions. The budget is a document that reflects the authorized expenditures for the department heads by which they determine their program allocations. Governor Cooper vetoed this bill because he felt the budget did not do enough to ensure the welfare of all North Carolinians.
The legislative short session typically has allowed all legislators an opportunity to review the budget and provide input for budget changes or adjustments. However, that did not happen this past session. Budget adjustments were made by a joint conference committee comprised of few Republicans from both the Senate and House. However, all Democrats and many Republicans were not involved with making budget adjustments. Thus, the general legislative body had but one option – to vote either “Yes” or “No” for approval of the budget.
This bill was vetoed by the Governor and his veto was overridden by the General Assembly on June 12, 2018.
Below are some comparisons of the budget that was put forth by the Governor and North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA):
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Provided $20 million to expand broadband in underserved areas NCGA’s Adopted Budget – Provides $10 million
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Provided $12.2 million in rural economic development grants NCGA’s Adopted Budget –Does not include statewide rural economic support grants
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Provided $9 million in community mental health funding to fight opioid use disorders NCGA’s Adopted Budget – Does not provide statewide funding to combat opioid use disorders
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Recommended expanding Medicaid to cover 670,000 additional people NCGA’s Adopted Budget – Does not expand Medicaid eligibility to close health care coverage gap
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Invested $28 million to improve safety & security of prison facilities NCGA’s Adopted Budget – Provides $15 million w/no funding for correctional officer training
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Provided $14.5 million to tackle water quality concerns NCGA’s Adopted Budget – Provides $10.3 million but spreads it around several entities
Cooper’s Proposed Budget – Provided an additional $2.5 million to our state’s HBCU’s NCGA’s Adopted Budget – This budget does not increase investment in HBCU’s
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NC-State-Flag.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-09 16:59:012018-07-09 16:52:12Garrison Provides Comparisons of the State’s Proposed Vs. Adopted Budget
-Information courtesy the June 2018 newsletter of Rep. Terry E. Garrison
The 2018 session of the NC General Assembly convened on May 16 and adjourned on June 29. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on November 27, 2018.
This short session of the NC General Assembly included adjustments to the 2017-19 Biennium Budget and passage of a flurry of bills allowable under rules of the General Assembly including six bills placing constitutional amendments on the ballot for the upcoming midterm elections in November 2018.
Some major items on the agenda considered:
Appropriations Act 2018 (Budget)
Teacher Pay
Principal Pay
NC Schools
State Employees Pay
Retirees Pay
Rural Broadband
Strengthening Safety Guidelines for Correctional Officers
Constitutional Amendments – Judicial Redistricting, Election Law Changes
Income Tax Cap
Farm Act
Clean Water
To stay up-to-date on NC General Assembly happenings, please visit the official website at www.ncleg.net
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0092_nc-seal.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-05 16:58:432018-07-05 16:43:55Garrison Provides Updates on Recent NC General Assembly Session
WIZS wishes you and your family a very happy and SAFE July 4th holiday!
Tuesday, July 3 –
The City of Creedmoor and Town of Butner will host a “spectacular” fireworks display at Lake Holt, located at 1200 Old Highway 75 in Butner, on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Concessions offering a selection of hot dogs, bottled water, and soft drinks are available (no alcoholic beverages are permitted), and a DJ plays music to add to the celebration.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and a personal-size flashlight. Due to the loud nature of fireworks, event organizers request that all pets be left at home for this event.
Parking and security are organized by officers of the Creedmoor Police Department, the Creedmoor Volunteer Fire Department, Butner Public Safety, and Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
This event is sponsored by Granville County, Town of Stem, Town of Butner, City of Creedmoor and City of Oxford.
Mark your calendars for the greatest small town celebration in NC! For those of you who have been…just a simple “Don’t miss the celebration in Wise on the 4th…” is all you need! For those of you who haven’t been yet, it is a “must” event for 2018.
Wednesday, July 4 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. all roads lead to Wise. For nearly an hour they close down US 1 through Wise for a hometown parade. Following the parade, everyone gathers on the grounds of the Wise Baptist Church (the Stone Church) for fellowship, food, fun, live music from The Deep Creek Band and some of the best homemade ice cream you’ll ever taste.
With activities for the entire family and lots of vendors and crafts, you’ll remember your 4th in Wise for years to come!
As an added entry in this year’s parade, they will have a Vietnam era Huey Medivac Helicopter. Mr. Jesse McGee of Hollister, NC will be the Grand Marshal this year. Mr. McGee is a WWII, US Army Air Corp veteran.
This year there’s the additional Classic Car Show. A $10 entry fee gets your classic rod in the competition for a chance at 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies.
Wednesday, July 4 –
The Creedmoor Lions Club and City of Creedmoor will host a Fourth of July picnic from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4 at Lake Rogers Park, 1711 Lake Road in Creedmoor.
The event is open to the public and features free hot dogs, watermelon slices, live music and a cake baking contest. Cake contest begins at 1 p.m.
For more information, please contact Lynwood Hicks at (919) 793-3172 or (919) 528-2137.
Saturday, July 7 –
Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual “fireworks extravaganza” on Saturday, July 7.
Fireworks will begin around 8:30 p.m. Those interested in the event are encouraged to arrive early.
Food, including Chick-fil-A and Pelican Snowballs, will be available for purchase.
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