Archive for August, 2018

County receives $300,000 funding for GAP expansion

The office of Governor Roy Cooper has announced the award of more than $6.7 million in grants to fund local parks and recreation projects across the state, with Granville County being awarded $300,000 for the expansion of Granville Athletic Park (GAP). In an Aug. 24 meeting held in Raleigh, the state’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Authority approved grants for twenty-seven projects which will help fund land acquisition, development and renovations for parks and recreation areas. Through this funding, approximately 14 acres of additional park space will now be developed and utilized for Granville County residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Phase III expansion of the GAP will include the addition of tennis courts, sand volleyball pits, paved and unpaved walking trails, a picnic shelter, horseshoes, playground equipment, open green space and nine holes of a disc golf course. All amenities in the Phase III site plan are reflective of top-rankings of a 2015 countywide recreation survey. Additional parking and restroom facilities will also be included in the expansion.

“We’re excited about expanding the recreational opportunities that the GAP has to offer,” said Charla Duncan, Management Analyst for Granville County, “and we’re grateful that the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority believes in this project as well.”

The PARTF grant process was a competitive one, with 50 grant applications – totaling $12.6 million  – considered. Other communities/counties receiving grant funding include New Bern (Craven County) for the first phase of a new park; Lake Lure (Rutherford County) for a new park acquisition; Morganton (Burke County) for a riverfront soccer complex; Elizabeth City (Pasquotank County) for improvements to their Coast Guard Park; and other projects ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. Awardees must match funds dollar for dollar for the awarded amount.

“What a great win for Granville County,” Mike McFadden, chairman of the county’s Recreation Advisory Committee remarked. “It was Charla Duncan’s hard work and perseverance in pulling this worthwhile phase of the GAP’s next expansion together and the strong support of the community that brought this grant home.”

The City of Creedmoor received one of the largest PARTF awards in this grant cycle, with its Community Center project receiving funding at the highest level of $500,000.  Because of the potential benefit to patrons of the local Senior Centers, County Commissioners had also committed to a $350,000 contribution to the Creedmoor project, with funds approved at their Oct. 2017 meeting.

“We are proud that between the County and the City of Creedmoor, we were able to bring home $800,000 of state funding for recreation in Granville County through these PARTF grants,” Duncan noted.

Phases I and II of Granville Athletic Park’s development had been funded by PARTF in 2000 and in 2005. In 2013, additional acreage adjacent to the existing GAP had been acquired by the County for future expansion. According to Duncan, Phase III of the project has so far been funded with a 2016 National Parks Service Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for $250,000, along with a county match. This newest award of $300,000 will now be added, with a goal to complete construction in 2019.

“This additional funding will enhance our already wonderful park that we are so proud of,” Betty Lou Davis of the county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee said. “Thanks to the Commissioners and to all of the people who visualized what this park could be, and worked so hard to accomplish this.”

With an additional focus on inclusive recreation, Granville County is also preparing to initiate adaptive recreational opportunities for those with special needs. Leading up to this PARTF award, Duncan had interviewed professionals with the Murdoch Development Center and Granville County Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Program about recreational options across the county. The Phase III project has begun a larger conversation about inclusivity and universal play and the lack of opportunities that many facilities provide for children and adults with special needs.

This conversation has resulted in a partnership between Granville County and the local United Way, as well as a three-year focus on creating more diverse and inclusive recreational opportunities at the GAP. The United Way’s funded agencies and corporate volunteer partners – Altec, Bridgestone/Bandag, the Masonic Home for Children and Falls Lake Academy – have already committed to several projects and will move into Phase III when construction is complete. So far, these projects include an outdoor classroom, a butterfly and sensory garden, a pickleball court and an upcoming “sound garden” with large musical instruments along a paved path.

“Phase III is a chance to diversify the recreational amenities that the County has to offer and make the GAP more inclusive of all needs,” Duncan said. “We are looking forward to exposing Granville County residents to new ways to be active and stay healthy.”

Granville Athletic Park is located at 4615 Belltown Road in Oxford.

For more information about the PARTF grant awarded to Granville County, contact Charla Duncan at charladuncan@granvillecounty.org. To learn more about the grants awarded statewide, contact Ford Porter at 919-814-2100 or govpress@nc.gov.

Business and Industry Appreciation Day

Granville County Economic Development, in partnership with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, will present its annual ‘Business and Industry Appreciation Day’ on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 4 until 6 p.m. The event, held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center (4185 Highway 15 South in Oxford), will provide opportunities for participating businesses and manufacturers to network and to learn more about the services and resources available in the area. A brief program will also be held, including remarks to recognize the contributions made to the county by local employers.

Organizations, agencies and businesses offering any type of service or program beneficial to other businesses/industries in the county  – meeting space, training, office supplies, technology, finance, insurance, etc. – are invited to set up a display area to share their information with those in attendance. Registration is required and there is no charge to participate. Reservations will be taken until Sept. 24.

 Held annually for more than 10 years, Business and Industry Appreciation Day was initiated to celebrate the achievements of local business owners and the industrial decision-makers and employees who enhance the quality of life in Granville County.

 “This event just keeps getting bigger and better,” said Harry Mills, Economic Development Director for Granville County. “Our businesses and industries continue to grow and expand and are quickly becoming a force in the Research Triangle region.”

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

To reserve space at this year’s Business and Industry Appreciation Day event, contact Lynn Cooper at the Granville County Economic Development Department at 919-693-5911 or lynn.cooper@granvillecounty.org. 

Back to School Safety Tips

Granville County Sheriff Brin Wilkins offers some safety tips for drivers and for students as the new school year approaches.

“We can all learn from the safety tips below and abide by them to make Granville County safer for everyone,” Sheriff Wilkins said.

Drivers should:

• Remember to not block crosswalks and to yield to pedestrians, taking extra care in school zones;
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians;
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children;
• Stop far enough behind a stopped school bus to allow students to safely enter and exit the bus, remembering that the area ten feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children.

Students walking to school should:

• Always travel with a friend – two heads are better than one, especially if there’s an emergency;
• Remember that a stranger is anyone you or your parents don’t know well;
• Never get close to a car driven by a stranger. You could get pulled in. And never get in the car;
• Never tell anyone your name or address when you’re walking. Don’t think that because someone knows your name that they know you – they may just be looking at your name printed on your lunch box, school bag or tee-shirt;
• Always tell your parents or teacher if a stranger has approached you.

Those riding bikes should:

• Know the rules of the road. Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across;
• Watch for opening of car doors and other hazards;
• Use hand signals when turning;
• Wear bright-colored clothing;
• Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly.

“By taking the time to carefully prepare for these situations, we can ensure student safety, whether on the way to school or home, playing on a playground or riding their bikes,” Sheriff Wilkins concludes. “Let’s have a safe start to the new school year.”

County parks and recreation projects receive funding

Projects pertaining to parks and recreation in Granville County have received funding during the county’s annual grant cycle, according to the County’s Management Analyst Charla Duncan. These projects, which focused on areas outside the city limits of larger municipalities, were approved by the county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and by the Granville County Board of Commissioners. Special consideration was given to areas not in close proximity to existing recreational facilities.

Funding was approved for the following projects in the 2018/2019 fiscal year:

• Grassy Creek Community Center ($25,000) for playground equipment and installation;
• Toler Community Reach Out Club ($25,000) for equipment purchase, installation and field maintenance;
• Town of Stem ($25,000) for purchase and installation of playground equipment, as well as replacement costs and repairs;
• Oxford Preparatory School ($25,000) for a walking trail; and
• Granville County Chamber of Commerce ($5,000) for the Alive After Five outdoor concert series.

 The application process for these grants was a competitive one, Duncan explained, with recreational priorities that included walking trails, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, biking trails, picnic shelters/tables, pickleball, dog parks, basketball and inclusive recreational equipment and opportunities for youth and adults of varying needs. Also considered priorities were facilities and activities not requiring a membership fee, as well as open park space for family-friendly activities.

 “I am very excited that these new projects give residents across the county better access to recreational equipment,” Comm. Sue Hinman stated. “Parents can now take their children to play closer to where they live.”

 The Granville County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is made up of seven volunteer members, with one voting member from each district, as appointed by Commissioners representing each district of the county. The committee meets at 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Thornton Library in Oxford. Serving as chair of the committee is Michael McFadden. Other members serving on this committee include Joshua Averette, Bessie Bailey, Betty Lou Davis, Ruth Hicks, Ivan Washburn and Jimmy Williams.

The next grant cycle will have an application period of Dec. 1, 2018 through Feb. 1, 2019.

(Photo on home page: children at play at the Toler Community Reach Out Club’s playground in the Oak Hill Community.)

Granville County awarded $25,000 grant

Granville County was recently selected to receive funding through Cardinal Innovations Healthcare’s Community Reinvestment Initiative. The grant will be used to better address mental health and substance abuse disorders among the local jailed population, helping build upon an existing pilot project to address a gap in service, reduce repeat occurrences of bad behavior and lower instances of unrest due to mental health crises at the Granville County Detention Center.

 Granville County has plans to launch a telemedicine mental health clinic at the Granville County Detention Center in 2018/2019 and has identified a partner in Durham-based program, Correctional Behavioral Health, under the direction of correctional psychologist Deron Coy, PhD. Dr. Coy’s services include individualized mental health assessment and treatment of jail detainees. Through Correctional Behavioral Health, a weekly mental health clinic – by videoconference – is offered for new assessments and previously assessed followups. Services are also available every day of the year for mental health crisis situations and for detainees on suicide watch.

The Detention Center currently has a part-time nurse that comes in every day for two hours, and a doctor who comes to the facility once a week. There is currently no dedicated mental health clinician or substance abuse professional that provides services to those who may need assistance. Due to the limited services available, the Center is unable to address treatment and recovery options for mental illness or substance abuse disorders.

 The Granville County Detention Center also struggles with severe space limitations, resulting in many of its intakes being sent to other counties each month. The telehealth program provided by Correctional Behavioral Health will not only result in cost savings for the county, but will help reduce behavioral management problems, will help clear documentation of clinical activities in inmates’ medical records and will provide improved communication and support between medical staff and detention officers, as well as reducing the county’s liability.

 Granville County is presently part of the “Stepping Up Initiative” with four surrounding counties: Vance, Franklin, Warren and Halifax. Dr. Coy is currently assisting two other jails in the five-county region. Granville-Vance Public Health has also been researching ways to access a more consistent approach to mental health and substance use disorder treatment in the area.

 Organizations were asked by Cardinal Innovations to submit proposals for programs that would improve health outcomes for those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders. Granville County’s funding request was one of hundreds of proposals from across Cardinal Innovations Healthcare’s 20-county service area, with proposals accepted from municipalities, counties, public school systems, colleges/universities and qualifying non-profits.

 Final approval of the awards was made by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

(Pictured on home page are Elliott Clark of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare; Edward Cash of the Granville County Detention Center and Charla Duncan of Granville County Government.)

Learning for a Lifetime…

Granville County Senior Services announces its first full-term schedule of Creative Lifelong Learning classes, which includes a variety of courses, activities and educational trips for senior citizens and other interested adults. Topics such as Conversational Spanish, Beginning Sewing, Marketing and Advertising, Tai Chi as Physical Therapy and other subjects will be provided throughout the year, as well as hands-on activities, social events and educational trips such as visits to museums and galleries, participation in line dancing, trivia contests and nature hikes and the formation of a community chorus.

Registration is currently open for local residents over the age of 50, and open enrollment will soon follow for any interested adult.

Through the work of a steering committee led by resident Joan Roberson, interests have been identified and instructors have been contacted to offer a wide variety of classes, programs and activities in the arts, history, current affairs, literature, recreation, health, technology and other topics. Courses were selected based on member requests, class leader expertise, course variety and balance.

The endowment fund established for CLL will pay for course instructors, with other lecturers provided through the N.C. Humanities Council’s ROAD Scholar program, which has a pool of more than 70 speakers. Courses have been scheduled similar to a school year calendar, with fall, winter, spring and summer “quarters.” Although the program guide has been published, more classes will be offered as interests and instructors continue to be identified.  A teacher interest form is available online for any instructors who would like to participate.

 Most classes will be held at the Granville County Senior Center at 107 Lanier Street in Oxford between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Class times will vary in length, depending on class format, with sessions consisting of one-day lectures or workshops or ongoing schedules.

 The fall session will begin on Sept. 4 and continues through Nov. 16, with winter classes scheduled for Jan. 7 through March 1, 2019.  Classes for the spring quarter will be held March 11 through May 24, 2019 and a summer session will be offered June 3 through 28, if there is enough interest from the public during summer months.

 A course catalog is available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford or online through www.granvillecounty.org. Registration is available to Granville County Seniors, ages 50 and up, for an annual membership fee of $10. Other interested adults are also invited to participate for a $12 annual membership fee. Additional class fees will be based on expenses and are to be paid at the time of enrollment. (Supplies and materials are not included in the course fees.)

 Charter members of the Creative Lifelong Learning program – those who are the first to enroll – will be offered ten percent off all classes. For those with financial need, a limited number of scholarships are available through the Granville County Senior Center. All requests for financial assistance will be kept confidential.

Marilyn Howard has been hired to coordinate the CLL program. A Granville County native, Marilyn will work with Senior Center staff and volunteers to recruit instructors and students, speak to community groups about CLL, keep up with annual memberships and other duties. She will also be working with a volunteer board of advisors in this part-time position.

For more information about the Creative Lifelong Learning program, visit www.granvillecounty.org/residents/senior-services or contact the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at 919-693-1930.

(Pictured on home page are Jane and Paul Reeder of Oxford, the first to sign up for the Creative Lifelong Learning program who are now charter members. Pictured here is Marilyn Howard, newly-hired CLL Coordinator. )

Jack Day Community Park Re-Opens in Stem

The Town of Stem hosted a grand re-opening of their Jack Day Community Park this past Saturday, August 11th. The park, formerly named the Jack Day Kiddie Park, reopened with expansions and improvements under the new name of the Jack Day Community Park. Granville County has funded the Town of Stem through two recreation grant cycles for park improvements. In attendance at the event were County Commissioners Zelodis Jay, David Smith, Sue Hinman, and Timothy Karan, as well County Manager Michael Felts. Representative Larry Yarborough was in attendance as well. Congratulations to the Town of Stem for advancing recreation opportunities in Granville County!

Three rabid raccoons reported

Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of three (3) raccoons last week (Aug. 5 – 11). All three tested positive for rabies.

Notices were provided to residents of the following areas: US Highway 158/Hobgood Road; Satterwhite Road/Shep Royster Road; and Bayview Court/Bruce Garner Road.

This is the fourth rabid raccoon confirmation in the last three weeks. Six rabid animals have been reported since Jan. 1, 2018, according to Matt Katz, Animal Management Director, who offers a reminder that the Granville County Animal Shelter provides one-year rabies vaccines for only $6.00.

Residents are advised to ensure all animals have their current rabies vaccines. One shot is not enough.

If any  pet owner is unsure as to when their animals need rabies booster shots, they are asked to please contact their veterinarian.

The Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford and is open Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. Call 919-693-6749 for more information.