We’re reeling from the unexpected blow we suffered from our favorite columnist — et tu, Mile? — and from working our way through the 49-page Weed and Seed application, so we’ll just throw things open for discussion while we whimper in a corner.
Month: October 2005
Milestones: Henderson’s first CRAAPs
Today I am going to introduce what I hope will become an annual Henderson event: the Civic Responsibility, Awareness and Participation Awards, or the CRAAP (pronounced “crop”) Awards. These awards will be given to individuals who, in my opinion, have achieved milestones in city/county government, education, religion, society, social activism, or other forms of blatant, in flagrante civic-mindedness.
Weekend open line
The state Employment Security Commission released September’s jobless numbers Friday, and, as has been typical this year, the report combined good and bad news for Vance County. On the plus side, the jobless rate declined half a point to 8.8 percent from August’s 9.3 percent, and fewer than 1,700 people in Vance County are now officially counted as unemployed (1,664 to be exact). The downside is that Vance has the third-highest rate in the state and is at risk of …
Friday’s open line
We’re a little slow sometimes at HomeinHenderson, both in posting stories and in comprehending what they mean, but we finally took a moment to think about this whole question of the Clean Up Henderson Committee and conflicts of interest. First, we don’t think it’s a coincidence that the council members who are active on the cleanup committee were re-elected; the elections were a clear endorsement of Clean Up Henderson. More important, however, is that the cleanup committee has served as …
State to pay city’s actual winter road costs
Henderson does not face a “take it or leave it” position in its maintenance agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the upkeep of state roads in the city, the City Council’s Public Utilities Committee learned Thursday.
Council clarifies water cutoff rules
In a scheduled vote at Monday night’s Henderson City Council meeting, members passed an ordinance that more clearly defines when the city may terminate a customer’s water service.
Show, Shine, Shag and Dine a success
Nancy Wilson reported to the Henderson City Council on Monday evening the success of the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine event that took place Oct. 14 through 16 in Henderson.
Thursday’s open line
The city’s Public Utilities Committee meets this morning at 10 to discuss, among other things, the problems at Westover Terrace. Unless, of course, all the committee members resign to avoid any conflicts of interest. For the rest of us, the floor is open.
City, Army to discuss water Nov. 16
Henderson Mayor Clem Seifert announced at Monday night’s City Council meeting that he has a meeting scheduled with John Paul Woodly, an assistant secretary of the Army, regarding the city’s pending water storage contract with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Boys & Girls Club pitches plan
The steering committee of the proposed Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina held an invitation-only presentation and reception Tuesday night. Approximately 25 people gathered in the auditorium of Maria Parham Medical Center for the informational session.
Rainey brings concerns to council
Council member Mike Rainey brought several concerns to the Henderson City Council at its meeting Monday night.
Wednesday’s open line
Unless our calendar is wrong, the Clean Up Henderson Committee meets this morning at 8 at the Operations Center to hold a privately funded thank-you breakfast for the Public Works Department for the workers’ participation in Clean Up Henderson Week. It should be an interesting meeting after City Council member Mike Rainey attacked the committee Monday night. Among other complaints, Rainey asked whether it was a conflict of interest for council members to sit on the cleanup committee, which began …
Man wanted in two shootings
The Henderson Police Department is searching for a man charged in a pair of shootings.
On the death of Rosa Parks
Congressman G.K. Butterfield, the 1st District Democrat who represents Henderson and northern Vance County, issued the following statement today on the death of Rosa Parks:
Armed robber strikes Star Grocery
A Harriett Street convenience store was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash Sunday night.
Tuesday’s open line
We’re confused about the message sent by the Henderson City Council on Monday night. The council instituted a hiring freeze — a step that maybe would have been appropriate a year earlier, when the Finance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee first got word about the depleted fund balance — but also wrote a blank check for the Embassy Streetscape Project. For what it’s worth, we agree that the city should bite the bullet and stick with the brick; we just don’t …
City Council creates hiring freeze
On a motion introduced by Ranger Wilkerson that was not on the published agenda, the City Council voted Monday night to freeze all unfilled positions in the Henderson government with no exceptions. Future vacancies will automatically become frozen.
Embassy Streetscape $60K over budget
City Engineer Frank Frazier reported to the Henderson City Council on Monday night that the Embassy Streetscape Project will be $60,000 over budget if brick work is completed as planned.
Monday’s open line
Well, we’ve obviously failed to spark any conversation the past few days, so we won’t try today. The floor is open. Talk among yourselves.
Milestones: What’s so fair about it?
I was going to write a real column this week, honest. I was also going to fix the leak in the bathtub, catch up with some work from the office, maybe start Chapter 6 of my Henderson novel (working title for that chapter is “What if Yount and Wester Had a Baby? Who Would Be the First Victim, Clem or Eric?”). Yeah, I had big plans.