In a last counterproposal to all of the scenarios the City of Henderson and the County of Vance have been slinging at each other in recent weeks, Vance County offered an even trade of the Armory for the old library on Rose Avenue.
In the new proposal put forward at last Thursday’s Intergovernmental Meeting, the Armory would be deeded to the city and the old library to the county. No money would change hands unless the buildings were sold by either entity for a non-public use. In that event, the proceeds would be split evenly between the two government bodies.
When City Manager Jerry Moss asked for a definition of public use, County Manager Jerry Ayscue responded that it was public purpose as defined in North Carolina General Statute.
Moss asked what would happen if the county fixed up the old library and rented it. It was concluded that half of the rent would come to the city.
Hester stated emphatically that the county does not want the Armory. He voiced the opinion that that was not clearly understood at the last meeting.
“We get the picture,” FAIR Committee chair Lynn Harper responded.
Henderson City Council member Elissa Yount, who was present at the meeting but is not a member of the city’s FAIR Committee, asked Hester that if both governments own it, do they not both value it equally?
Rather than respond to the question, Hester asked if Yount was in order.
FAIR Committee member Bobby Gupton responded that the city and county share liabilities.
Ranger Wilkerson, also a member of the FAIR Committee, argued that citizens county-wide would vote to preserve the Armory if a referendum were held that day. He argued that as elected officials that they should do what can be done to please the people.
Hester responded that a unanimous polling of County Commissioners had declined interest in the Armory.
County Commissioner Terry Garrison effectively ended the debate on the issue by stating, “You have our proposal; that’s it.”