The winner of the 2024 Sam Watkins Visionary Award has a clear vision for what his community can be – for young people, for all people.
Charles Turrentine, Jr. told WIZS Wednesday that he thought he was attending Tuesday’s United Way banquet to see his wife recognized for being Warren County’s Teacher of the Year.
As Turrentine listened as the presenter described the recipient’s projects and accomplishments, he said they sounded familiar, but added he “didn’t have a clue” that he was the award winner. “To be honest, it’s still kind of a shock,” Turrentine said, just a day after getting the award.
Whether through his work with renovating the Chestnut Street Park and Crime Stoppers or being a trustee for Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Turrentine, 41, said his focus is on changing the narrative of Vance County.
And he’s hoping to add to his growing list of interests that of county commissioner. Turrentine lives in District 3 – the seat recently vacated by Sean Alston – and he wants to be appointed to fill Alston’s unexpired term and then run for the seat when it is next up for election.
“I’ve been putting the word out there,” Turrentine said. “I’m not doing it for me – I’m doing it for Henderson and Vance County…I’ve (got) pure intentions,” he said – no hidden agendas. “I just want to do what’s right for the people.”
He’s already hearing from people who have concerns about the property tax rates and having a revenue-neutral budget. He also puts public education and the future of the county jail on his priority list.
He said Sam Watkins and his brother George always had a vision of what Henderson could be – and it’s a vision he shares. “I’ve always wanted to put the youth in Henderson in that vision,” he said, “to let them know there’s a brighter day ahead.”
In his mind’s eye, he pictures George congratulating him on his work and for receiving the award that bears his brother’s name. “I can see George now, shaking my hand and saying ‘I’m proud of you. You’re doing good things. I think my brother would be proud of you, too.’”
Looking at his name on the same plaque that bears not only Watkins’s name, but other recipients, Turrentine said, simply, “I’m in some good company.”
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