Well, we were disappointed to hear that few observers turned out at the library Thursday for the meeting of the Henderson-Vance Economic Partnership: two representatives of the media and two others. Kudos to City Council member Mary Emma Evans for being the only elected official not on the partnership board to attend the meeting. For the rest of us, who couldn’t be bothered to spend an hour at the library, the floor is open for semi-informed discussion.
Month: September 2005
Western Outer Loop could be named for King
Vance County Commissioner Terry Garrison reported at Wednesday’s joint city-county meeting a recommendation that grew from this week’s Board of Commissioners retreat: the naming of a road or street after Martin Luther King Jr.
City tries to conserve fuel
Some other items discussed at Monday night’s City Council meeting:
Thursday’s open line
Sometimes it seems as if the Henderson and Vance County governments operate in separate worlds. Then the two sides confront each other at an event such as Wednesday’s intergovernmental forum, and they’re like people attending a family reunion. They catch up on what they’ve been up to, then start saying the same things they said a year earlier. For example, the idea of uniting the two governments comes up every now and then (it certainly has been discussed many times …
Pick of the day: A partnership is born
The day we all have awaited and/or dreaded is here. The Henderson-Vance Economic Partnership will make its debut in polite society this afternoon at 4:30 at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library. As demanded by the public, the meeting will be open to all comers. Here’s your chance to see what all the fuss was about and to observe economic development in action. We’re curious to see whom the ex officio members of the partnership board will elect as representatives …
Opinion: Why Election Day is like Tribal Council
By the Rev. Todd Hester I do appreciate everyone’s thoughts and phone calls, but I’m just fine. The shakes are over, and the anxiety has settled significantly.
County: City responsible for ETJ enforcement
An intergovernmental meeting of the Vance County Board of Commissioners and the Henderson City Council took place Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Silo Restaurant. In attendance for the city were Mayor Clem Seifert, council members Elissa Yount, Ranger Wilkerson, John Wester, Mary Emma Evans, Lonnie Davis, Bernard Alston and Mike Rainey, and City Manager Eric Williams. County Commissioners Tim Pegram, Terry Garrison and Tommy Hester were there to represent the county, along with County Manager Jerry Ayscue.
Speak Up forum addresses water, sanitation, mold
Council members Elissa Yount, John Wester, Mary Emma Evans, Bernard Alston and Lonnie Evans joined Henderson Mayor Clem Seifert at Monday evening’s monthly Speak Up Henderson forum, a free-form period for people to address concerns to the city officials.
Wednesday’s open line
No sooner do we recover from the excitement of a City Council meeting than we’re faced with true government thrills: an intergovernmental meeting between the city and the county today at 6 p.m. Some old reliables are on the agenda — the ETJ and the ambulance contract — along with something that already happened (the special ceremony for the girls 12-and-under softball All-Stars) and what could prove to be a monumental waste of money (considering what is needed and how …
City Council bickers over role of city clerk
The most acrimonious debate during Monday night’s City Council meeting came when council member Ranger Wilkerson defined what he perceives as a problem with the role of the city clerk. The position of city clerk is held by Dianne White.
Tuesday’s open line
Before we open things up for discussion, and we understand the City Council was in fine form Monday night, we offer you this public service announcement: The third and likely final community forum on the proposed Weed and Seed application will be held today at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Eaton-Johnson Middle School. Now that we’ve dispensed with the civic duty, on with the discussion.
Amortization ordinance tabled again
Before the public hearing on a proposed ordinance to force compliance or removal of certain auto repair facilities at last night’s Henderson City Council meeting, Planning Director Erris Dunston provided a brief overview of the ordinance for council members.
Oakridge Avenue attacker arrested
A Henderson man was arrested Sunday and charged in an attack on a senior citizen in her Oakridge Avenue home Saturday.
Milestones: Masters of illusion, defenders of the faith
Mayor Clem Seifert: Let’s call this meeting of the council to order. Ms. Evans, please lead us in the invocation.
Monday’s open line
It’s a big day. The last Speak Up Henderson forum before the municipal elections is at 6 p.m. The penultimate City Council meeting before the elections is at 7:30 p.m. And all of the right-thinking UNC fans will have a blast at work all day mocking the State fans, whose only hope at being better than Carolina was in football, and now it looks as if that dream is as dead as T.A. McLendon’s NFL aspirations. Feel free to discuss.
Legislative report: Teacher bill could be vetoed
This is the latest in an occasional series of articles contributed by state Sen. Doug Berger about legislative issues of concern to Vance County. There remain 31 bills Gov. Mike Easley has yet to sign into legislation.
Pick of the day: A more entertaining forum
The City Council candidates will have another chance to tell Hendersonians about their hopes and dreams today at a forum arranged by Ward 1 at-large candidate Sara Coffey, who has said this event will be her only effort to campaign for the council seat she’s trying to take from Bernard Alston. The fun part of the forum, in addition to the possibility that the questions will make the candidates squirm, is that there will be gospel music in addition to …
Weekend open line
There’s no need to fear — your open line is here. We’ll post the mixed unemployment news later (had to deal with movers Friday and today), but there should be plenty to talk about. After all, Monday night is City Council meeting and Speak Up Henderson forum night!
Friday’s open line
Dr. Dennis, your prayers are answered — well, almost. Herewith we present a fresh open line. But it appears that Thursday’s open line was somehow lost in the wind as Rita came blowing by on her way to Texas. If we can ask the Rev. Hester to say a little something (easily diagrammed, of course), we can put Thursday to rest and move on to a whole new day of Henderson craziness.
Wednesday’s open line
Below, Henderson City Manager Eric Williams explains the reasons that council member Elissa Yount was kept in the dark Friday about a regional water meeting. What he doesn’t explain is how it could happen again so soon. We hear there’s a water meeting today, and again some council members weren’t notified. Here’s our notification: The floor is open to everyone.