During County Manager Jerry Ayscue’s report to the Vance County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night, he reminded members about their approved proposal to the City of Henderson regarding the disposition of the old H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library on Rose Avenue and the Henderson-Vance Armory.
The proposal consisted of three possible scenarios which may be viewed here.
Ayscue informed the commission that something was coming from the city. He had already provided the board with an unofficial copy which is identical to the document published here.
The county manager asked members if there is anything the county needs to do.
County commissioner Tommy Hester stated a need to have a committee meeting when the letter from the city arrives. He asked if the letter was coming from the [Land Planning and Development] committee or the council. He indicated that he wanted something from the city council.
A copy of the letter may be viewed here.
According to an email from Land Planning and Development chair Bobby Gupton, the letter was authorized by the Henderson City Council.
County Commission Chairman Tim Pegram said, “I don’t believe I can control the city council.”
Ayscue also advised the council that the city wants to select appraisers. He claimed that the city selected the appraisers for the assessment of the Armory.
Hester said that the city and county have been talking about the Armory for four years. He stated that he thought that [the commission] all felt that the county doesn’t want the Armory.
Commissioner Terry Garrison said that the board never took a formal position on the issue.
Board member Deborah Brown said that she would like the commission to give consideration to not having the building re-appraised. She said that it was “throwing good money after bad”. Brown said that one can get appraisers to say anything.
Brown expressed the hope that the two committees can “work something out”.
It was decided that a meeting of the county’s Intergovernmental Committee would be called.