Archive for August, 2019

Triangle North industrial park selected for site visit

Rep. Terry Garrison and N.C. Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland visited the Triangle North industrial site on Friday, Aug. 23. The tour, led by Granville County’s Economic Development Director Harry Mills, included an overview of park sites with a focus on its close proximity to Interstate 85 and the airport.

Located in Oxford, Triangle North Granville includes more than 500 acres of development-ready land in an easily accessible location, offering state-certified sites, access to water and sewer, electric system plans in place and a short drive to the Research Triangle Park.

Also participating in the tour and presentation were Granville County Commissioner Tony Cozart, Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent, and Katherine Noel of the Economic Development Advisory Board.

Commissioner David Smith tapped by Governor

Governor Roy Cooper has appointed Granville County Commissioner David Smith to serve on the N.C. Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission. Comm. Smith, who served as Granville County Sheriff from 1998 until his retirement in 2009, has a 37-year career in law enforcement.

The North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission is responsible for the certification of justice officers – including deputy sheriffs, detention officers and telecommunicators – who are employed in the 100 Sheriff’s Offices across the state. The Commission also oversees the establishment, maintenance and upgrading of acceptable training courses.

“I am honored to have been selected by Gov. Cooper for this appointment,” Comm. Smith remarked.

North Carolina established the first Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission in the country, with quality of course work and hours of required training that are among the highest in the nation. Through their Association, North Carolina Sheriffs have developed a program of professional standards and training that serves as a national model.

In addition to serving on this Commission, Smith is also a member of the Granville Health System Board of Trustees, the Board of Equalization and Review, the Human Relations Commission, the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) Board, the Oxford Downtown Economic Development Commission (EDC) Board, the Senior Services Advisory Committee and the Triangle North Board. Representing District 2 on the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Smith was elected in 2010 and is currently serving his third term.

(Comm. Smith is pictured here)

Preliminary work for Census 2020 now underway

Every ten years, America comes together to count all the residents and households in the country, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing federal funds that support vital programs in communities, counties, states and across the nation. Census results impact housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy.

According to Sandy Woody, Granville County’s Addressing/GIS (Geographic Information System) Manager, preliminary work is now underway for the 2020 Census as address canvassing for the 2020 Census officially began on Aug. 19. Representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau are now in the field to update and verify local addresses prior to Census Day, and may be knocking on doors across the area to confirm addresses and to request information regarding additional living quarters on the property. For identification purposes, badges and briefcases will be visible indicating affiliation with the Census Bureau.

This preliminary operation is one of several activities the Census Bureau conducts for an accurate and complete count and will continue through mid-October. The official Census count will begin in March of 2020.

For more details, visit the Census Bureau website at https://www.census.gov/.

Notice of Public Hearing

Granville County is preparing an application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Economic Development. The application will request up to $300,000 in CBDG Building Reuse funds. The County intends to use the funds to assist in the renovation of a 9,000 square foot building located at 117 Main Street in downtown Oxford. Strong Arm Baking has purchased the building and plans to move its operations in order to increase production. The company plans to create 19 new jobs in the first two years of operation and will invest $485,000 in renovations, equipment and project planning and administration. At least 60% of the new jobs will be filled by persons residing in households of low to moderate income.

All interested persons please take notice that a public hearing will be held by the Granville County Board of Commissioners pursuant to N.C.G.S. 158-7.1.

Granville County will conduct a public Hearing on Tuesday September 3^rd, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter in the auditorium of the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, located at 4185 US Hwy 15 South, Oxford, North Carolina. The purpose of the hearing is to obtain citizens input into the identification of economic needs and desired economic development activities. The input from the Hearing will be incorporated into the County’s consideration and submission of a CDBG application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Written comments received prior to the opening of the Public Hearing will be considered and may be sent to Michael Felts, County Manager, 141 Williamsboro St, Oxford NC 27565.

All interested citizens are invited and urged to attend.

Debra A. Weary,

Clerk to the Granville County Board of Commissioners

Woodland owner workshop scheduled for Aug. 29

Woodland owners are encouraged to attend a “Marketing Timber” workshop from 7 until 9 p.m. on Aug. 29. The event will be held at the Granville County Expo and Convenion Center and is co-sponsored by the N.C. Forestry Service and N.C. Cooperative Extension.

For most woodland owners, a timber sale is a once- (or twice) in-a-lifetime event. With such limited experience, it can often be difficult to be certain that the price is fair and that the harvest is conducted properly.

At this workshop, woodland owners will get advice from the experts on how to navigate the process successfully. Presenters will include a forestry specialist (Dr. Robert Bardon, NCSU Extension Forestry); a woodland owner (Preston Floyd, 2017’s N.C. Tree Farmer of the Year); and a Registered Consulting Forester.

The Granville County Expo and Convention Center is located at 4185 Highway 15 South in Oxford.

This is a free event, but registration is requested. For more information, visit http://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods or call 252-438-8188 or 919-603-1350. You can also send an email to paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or johnny_coley@ncsu.edu.

http://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods

Coming soon to YOUR public library

From movie nights and game nights to craft projects and student enrichment, your local public library offers a full slate of activities during the last full week of August.

This Saturday, Aug. 24, enjoy a homemade dessert competition at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor. Bakers from all over the county have been invited to participate in this contest for a chance to win gift card prizes. This event begins at 3 p.m. and is open to the public. Come join the fun!

If baking is not in your wheelhouse, join Young Adult (YA) book lovers for a meeting of the new “Never Too Old YA Book Club.” On Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., club members will be discussing the book “Sadie” by Courtney Summers in the Thornton Library’s small conference room. For more details, contact Stefani Perry, Adult Services Librarian, at 919-693-1121.

And for a great family experience, all local residents are invited to “Movie Night at the Library!” On Tuesday, Aug. 27, enjoy “Jumanji” (rated PG-13) on the big screen. The movie starts at 6 p.m. at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford.

Next week’s “Crafternoon” DIY workshop will be held at the South Branch on Aug. 26 as the “Make Your Own Scented Candle” series continues. The workshop will be held at 2 p.m. for ages 12 and up.

Story Times continue for the younger set, with a theme of “Back to School.” Visit the Stovall Library on Mondays at 10:30 a.m., the South Branch on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., the Berea Branch on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and the Thornton Library at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Contact your local library branch for more details!

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) workshops continue for students in kindergarten through grade 8 each Thursday at the Thornton Library (4 p.m.) and Game Nights are held each Thursday evening at 6 p.m., also at the Thornton branch.

For those needing help with their computer or smart phone, Drop-In Tech Help is available on Aug. 27 at 3:30 p.m. at the South Branch and every Friday at the Thornton Library at 10 a.m.

Today’s local library offers more than just books! To learn more about upcoming programs and events, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us for a complete schedule.

Creative Lifelong Learning program gears up for fall

A full calendar of classes, interactive activities and educational trips have been scheduled through Granville County Senior Services’ Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program, which offers a wide variety of programming for all interests. Courses range from “Beginning Tai Chi” and a “Basic Self-Defense” class to “Conversational Spanish” and “Nutrition.”

This is the second full year that the CLL program has been offered to residents of Granville County, as well as those outside the area. Even though early renewal and membership ended on August 15, anyone can join CLL and register for various classes throughout the year.

According to Senior Services Director Kathy May, the Creative Lifelong Learning program is modeled after the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offered at Duke and N.C. State Universities, was well as other senior center programming in the Triangle. The suggestion for a similar program was made by a local retired couple, who also established an endowment fund which pays for course instructors. Through the work of a steering committee, led by CLL Coordinator Marilyn Howard, many interests have been identified and instructors scheduled for a wide variety of course offerings based on member requests, class leader expertise and balance in the curriculum, with most classes being held at the Senior Center in Oxford. Classes vary in length, with sessions that range from interactive hour-long workshops to day-long trips and/or lectures.

“What we are trying to do is to fill a void in the community,” May said about the CLL program. “We have so many baby boomers here who want to stay active and be stimulated. We are excited to be able to offer this program to all of our citizens.”

The first week of the CLL program kicks off with “The Study of Mark” by instructor Pat Cox, which will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays (until Dec. 19) from 8:30 until 10 a.m. For those interested in learning Tai Chi, a 9:30 a.m. class, “Beginning Tai Chi,” is offered on Tuesday mornings until Dec. 31, as well as a “Tai Chi Continuation” class, offered at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. These hour-long classes are taught by Peter Kay.

Laura Gabel will instruct an intermediate Spanish class beginning Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. and continuing through Nov. 27, with Kathy Wolford offering a 1:30 p.m. class in “Wire Weaving” each Thursday from Sept. 5 until Oct. 17. A Basic Defense class will also be offered, with instructor Brent Bedwell. This class will be held on Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning Sept. 9 and scheduled through Oct. 28.

Back by popular demand, the Young at Heart Chorus will meet at Oxford Methodist Church on Mondays at 11 a.m. beginning Sept. 9. This group is under the direction of Sarah Lewis and there is no cost for returning members.

On the second Tuesday of each month, the “North Carolina, Our Home” interest group will resume meetings at 9:30 a.m. and will have their first meeting of the new CLL calendar on Sept. 10. This meeting is free and open to the public, with no enrollment or membership required.

And new to the CLL curriculum is the “My Former Life” series, which offers a glimpse into the professional experiences of Granville County seniors and their careers before retirement. Cynthia Salzhauer will kick off this new offering with a presentation of her background in managing one of the largest ice-skating rinks on the east coast. This session is also offered at no charge to those interested in attending.

Many other classes will follow in coming weeks which include “Clogging,” “The History of Granville County,” “The Romanov Dynasty” and others as more instructors and course offerings are being made available. For a more complete listing or to see how you can enroll, contact Marilyn Howard, CLL Coordinator, at 919-693-1930 or visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-2020-CLASSES.pdf.

Pictured are SallyAnn Hobson and Joan Roberson of the CLL program’s Steering Committee. Pictured on home page is Conversational Spanish Instructor Laura Gabel.

New Parks, Greenways and Recreation Committee formed

A recommendation from the former Granville County Recreation Advisory Committee and the Granville Greenway Technical Committee has resulted in the formation of a new advisory group to help plan and implement the county’s recreational needs, as well as the Greenway Master Plan. On July 1, the county’s Board of Commissioners voted to dissolve the former structures of both committees and to create a new one that will advise the Board on matters related to parks, greenways and recreation.

“Greenways are becoming more and more a form of recreation, in addition to transportation,” explained Granville County Management Analyst Charla Duncan. With a goal of creating a group that is a more efficient and effective representation of the County’s recreation, parks and greenway needs, 11 committee members were named at the Aug. 5 Commissioners’ meeting.

Appointed to the new Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee are Allen Nelson (District 1), Reginald T. Harris (District 2), Glenda Williams (District 3), Betty Lou Davis (District 4). Joshua H. Averette (District 5), Ivan S. Washburn (District 5) and Michael McFadden (District 7).

Serving as at-large members of the committee are Mara Shelton, Marilyn Howard, Richard Rote and Ginnie Currin, rounding out the 11-member voting group. Most of these committee members had served on either the Granville Greenways Technical Committee or the Recreation Advisory Committee before the merger.

“This slate of names balances knowledge from each of the previous committees, along with a diversity and balance of backgrounds, geographic location and new voices at the table,” said Duncan, who brought the proposal before the Board. “This new committee will continue to work to broaden the scope of recreation – including greenways – while still maintaining the goals that had been set since the previous committees were established.”

Ex-Officio members – who will serve on the committee but will not vote – are County Commissioners Sue Hinman and Tim Karan, as well as Raymond Allen (Granville County’s Parks and Grounds Director), Angela Allen (Granville County Tourism Development Director), Michael Williford (Town of Stovall Commissioner) and Michael Kelly (Regional Planning Board/Council of Government).

Each committee member will serve a term of two-years.

The first meeting of the newly-formed committee will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, with Duncan and Granville County Transportation Planner Justin Jorgensen providing guidance and support. Additional meetings will be held at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford at 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.

For additional information on this committee, its goals and objectives, contact Charla Duncan at 919-693-5240 or Justin Jorgensen at 919-603-1332.

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Local public libraries offer wide variety of programs

The four branches of the Granville County Library System welcome the third full week of August with a wide variety of events, presentations and activities. From cooking competitions to assistance with computers and smart phones, each library offers more than just books, but a “gathering place” for cultural enrichment as well as informational programming.

A lawn and gardening class will be offered at the Thornton Library in Oxford on Tuesday, Aug. 20 as Johnny Coley, Horticulture Agent for NC Cooperative Extension, provides tips on how to start and maintain a healthy lawn. Topics to be discussed include soil testing, fertilization, liming, herbicides and more. This class is scheduled for 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, join the South Branch Library for “Harry Potter and the Battle for the House Cup.” Ages 9 to 14 can participate by joining a team in “Hogwart’s House” to earn points, with the winning team taking home the prized “house cup.” Registration is available online at https://granville.lib.nc.us or at the front desk of the library, which is located at 1547 South Campus Drive in Creedmoor.

Every Thursday night is “Game Night” at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. From 6 until 8 p.m. on Aug. 22, enjoy a variety of Board games in friendly competitions. All ages are invited. And each Friday at 10 a.m., “Drop-In Tech Help” is available for those needing assistance with computers or smart phones. Learn to set up an email account, how to post on social media and much more.

“DIY” classes continue as participants learn to make a scented teacup candle in a series of “Crafternoon” sessions. Next week’s class will be held at the Berea branch at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22, with registration recommended. Those interested, ages 12 and up, can register at https://granville.lib.nc.us/DIY-Candlemaking/. Participation is free, with all materials donated by Candlescience.

For those who enjoy baking, a dessert competition will be held at the South Branch at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24. Enter a homemade dessert for a chance to win a free shopping gift card. Judges are also needed for this contest. For more details or to enter the contest, contact the South Branch at 919-528-1752.

For the younger set, Story Times are offered at all four library branches. The theme for the third week of August is “Ninjas!” Children are encouraged to attend a fun and educational program at the Stovall Library on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; at the South Branch in Creedmoor on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; at the Berea branch on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and at the Thornton Library in Oxford at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.

The STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) also continues at the Thornton Library each Thursday at 4 p.m. for kindergarteners through students in grade 8. Contact Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121 for details.

To learn more about upcoming events scheduled at your local public library in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us.

(Pictured is Johnny Coley of NC Cooperative Extension, who will present information about Lawn Care and Maintenance on Aug 20)