City Manager Eric Williams projects that Monday night’s City Council meeting should take an hour, with the exception of two items whose duration he deems “impossible to estimate.” Both are discussions the council has held several times: the auditor and alcohol.
Delay in audit presentation wasn’t Yount’s idea
Who said what when and who will say what when about the audit will be issues before the City Council again Monday night. So return with us now to the meeting of the council’s Finance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Feb. 17, when auditor Curtis Averette made his one and only public appearance concerning the 2004 audit.
Pick of the day: A circumstance for pomp
What better way to kick off graduation week in Vance County than with a bit of prayer? That’s what Kerr-Vance Academy’s graduating class will do during its baccalaureate at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents on Chestnut Street. We’re told it’s a moving, meaningful event, although given that confession is good for the soul, we have to make one: We still regret skipping our own baccalaureate all those years ago. For those of you planning your …
Vance schools reject third-party fundraisers
Vance County Schools will prepare a policy banning outside fundraising companies after an incident involving the Northern Vance band came to light this week.
Pick of the day: Bike safety
The Henderson Optimist Club will hold its annual bicycle safety skills competition for ages 6 to 12 at the Marketplace Shopping Center at 10 a.m. Children will compete by age group for prizes that include new bicycles. Children who use training wheels may participate but are not eligible to win bicycles.
Torch run, T-shirts to support Special Olympics
Henderson police officers, Vance County sheriffs deputies and North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers are planning to participate in the annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday morning, May 31.
Killer’s 14-year sentence angers coalition
The 14-year sentence for a man who pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child has provoked outrage in the community, according to members of the Vance County Coalition Against Violence.
Coalition Against Violence deals with dissent
The Vance County Coalition Against Violence became a debating society Thursday night at the Gateway Center.
Doubts crop up about Weed and Seed
Thursday’s meeting of the Vance County Coalition Against Violence included the first public signs of opposition to bringing the federal Operation Weed and Seed to Henderson.
Pick of the day: Jump into the deep end
Summer starts Thursday for Vance schoolchildren. Still looking for a fun activity for the kids? There’s always the Vance Aquatics Club, which holds an unusual Friday practice from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Complex. The team is always open to new swimmers ages 5 to 18. Come out and try a few laps. Practices will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings starting May 31. The first Durham Summer Swim League match is Saturday morning, June 4. …
Berger bill closer to buying hub time
Sen. Doug Berger, D-Youngsville, speaks to five people in the commissioners’ chambers at the old Vance County courthouse Wednesday night. An important piece of legislation for the regional hub project advanced in the General Assembly on Wednesday, state Sen. Doug Berger said during a town-hall-style meeting he held at the Vance County Administration Building that night.
VOICE calls for Weed and Seed
After receiving two detailed presentations on the program in two weeks, the Vance Organization to Implement Community Excellence is sold on the federal Weed and Seed program.
Opinion: Calling the language police
Operation Weed and Seed seems like a good fit for both Henderson and the Vance Organization to Implement Community Excellence, and we look forward to hearing more about the local effort to choose an area, identify the needs and develop a strong enough strategy to win the federal designation.
Land sale set to move ahead
Henderson’s fund balance should be $90,000 healthier by the end of this week when a long-awaited land sale finally closes.
VOICE elects Williams, four others as leaders
The Vance Organization to Implement Community Excellence elected its first officers this morning, led by the man who has facilitated all of VOICE’s sessions, Henderson City Manager Eric Williams.
Pick of the day: ‘Star Wars’
This is actually our pick for Thursday, not our second pick for Wednesday, but you’ll be too late if you wait until that day to read this. It’s the Henderson premiere of “Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” timed to start one minute after midnight Thursday at the Marketplace Cinema. Costumes aren’t manadatory, but why not have fun with what figures to be George Lucas’ sixth and final “Star Wars” epic. It even is getting good reviews. Tickets …
Opinion: The stakes are too high on the EOGs
The end-of-grade tests continue across Vance County today, which gives us another opportunity to reflect on how good intentions can lead us down a nightmare path.
Pick of the day: Shriner fish fry
Tents set up outside the armory are serving the eat-in crowd through 7 this evening at the Henderson Shrine Club’s 41st annual fish fry. The Henderson Shrine Club will hold what has to be one of the most successful food fundraisers anywhere, its annual fish fry, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. outside the old armory on Dabney Drive. Whether you want to take out your meal from the back of the armory along Oak Street or want to eat …
An open letter from Elissa Yount
Elissa Yount sent the following letter to her fellow City Council members, as well as the media, on Tuesday: For months I have requested that the auditor come before the City Council to address and answer questions on the 2004 audit, as has been the practice of the city. This request has been resisted. There now is a proposal that I meet apart from the council with the auditor and a representative from the Local Government Commission, which is a …
Mayor Seifert speaks out on library funding
Mayor Clem Seifert this morning submitted the following comment to the post “Opinion: We hate tax increases, but …” I know I am making a huge mistake by posting this but I’ve made ‘em before and I’ll make ’em again! I am one of the “bimbos” that help make decisions that affect the finances of the city.