VOICE being heard in high places


The Vance Organization to Implement Community Excellence made its first move toward a formal structure Wednesday morning, but VOICE already is having some positive effects.

Assistant District Attorney Quon Bridges reminded the group during its regular meeting at the Aycock Recreation Complex that one of the first issues VOICE addressed was the lack of adequate Juvenile Court sessions in Vance County.

As reported in March on HomeinHenderson.com, Chief District Judge Charles Wilkinson decided to expand Vance Juvenile Court almost as soon as the then-unnamed working group made a call for change.

Vance now has one half-day session and one full-day session of Juvenile Court each month.

“It’s great to have a full day when you can focus on juvenile cases,” Bridges said. “This group deserves some of the credit.”

“I think this group’s efforts helped,” Henderson City Manager Eric Williams said.

“This group is also influencing the congressman,” said Dollie Burwell, who heads Rep. G.K. Butterfield’s district office in Weldon. The Democrat’s 1st District includes Henderson and northern Vance County.

Burwell was handing out fliers Wednesday for a grand opening celebration for Butterfield’s Weldon office at 311 W. Second St. on Friday, May 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. She said that instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, the congressman wants time to get to know children and families in his district. (Those interested in attending the grand opening should call 252-538-4123.)

That decision reflected the influence of VOICE’s activism, Burwell said.

“If you get key people’s attention, they can help make a difference,” Williams said.

VOICE could have an easier time getting attention once it elects leadership. The group took the first step toward picking officers when it formed a nominating committee Wednesday.

Henderson-Vance Recreation Director Alan Gill, Bridges, Vance County Coalition Against Violence representative Loree Adams and Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments staffer Ben Foti agreed to serve on the committee, and they volunteered juvenile court counselor Cynthia Yancey to join them.

The committee intends to present nominees for chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer at VOICE’s next meeting, May 18.