CMYK
Recreation, parks could take a hit if budget does
Page 6A
WEDNESDAY, February 10, 2010
Volume XCVI, No. 34
(252) 436-2700
MISSING BANK BAG
Cash? Taxes paid By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Vance County Manager Jerry Ayscue said Tuesday that no additional money will be sought from property owners whose cash tax payments are in a bank deposit bag still missing since Dec. 17. The bag — containing $7,800 in cash and checks totaling more than $52,000 — apparently never made it from the tax office to the bank, according to Ayscue. He said the county’s insurance might cover the loss of the cash, depending on the outcome of an investigation by the sheriff’s office and the State Bureau of Investigation. There is a possibility that different insurance coverage could be involved in case of theft or loss, Ayscue explained. At the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, he assured affected check-payers that the county will absorb any related stoppayment fees required by banks. He said that any involved check-payer who makes such a request “needs to give us something from the bank that shows they paid it, or that they have been charged.” Ayscue said 53 of the 58 checks in the bag have been replaced and deposited in the bank used by the county. Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.
By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
The City Council, concerned about an already lean city budget, will return to the table Thursday to discuss joint funding with the county. The city’s and the county’s intergovernmental affairs committees will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall to discuss joint funding of programs and services. City Manager Ray Griffin said the purpose of Thursday’s meeting will be to start a discussion, express the council’s concerns and get the county’s feedback on
Candidates file for seats on county commissions More candidates filed Tuesday to run in the May 4 primaries. Two Vance County commissioners — Scott Hughes in District 7 and Dan Brummitt in District 4 — filed Tuesday with the Board of Elections to seek another term. Butner Town Councilman Edgar Smoak, 63, a Democrat, declared his candidacy for the County Commission District 7 position being vacated by the retiring Ron Alligood, 71, a Democrat who has served on the commission since 1992.
50 cents
joint funding. Joint funding was the main item of discussion at a Monday evening council work session. During the work session, the council revisited the funding agreement for the operations of the County Tax Office. “We’ll have to find our way on how we’re going to do it,” Griffin said, adding that the important point will be the start of a conversation. “And letting them know that we’re not happy with this,” Councilwoman Sara Coffey said. “Well, we have concerns,” Mayor Pete
O’Geary said. “Well, that’s not being happy,” Coffey said. City Finance Director Sandra Wilkerson provided information to the council Monday and answered questions about joint funding agreements, starting with the tax office. The county currently pays 75 percent of the operating costs while the city pays 25 percent. The agreement, which dates back to 1986, allows citizens to pay taxes at one place. Please see JOINT, page 6A
Cleaning up mobile homes sites
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
Damaged and abandoned mobile homes sit in the old Max Wilson’s Mobile Home Park on Vicksboro Road in this April 2008 file photo. The property has since been cleaned up. Vance County is starting an Abandoned Mobile Home Project Initiative.
Project to help owners finance demolition, removal of blighted structures By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Daily Dispatch Staff
Please see MORRIS, page 3A
Joint meeting on joint funding
Morris foreclosure sale postponed OXFORD — A foreclosure sale has again been postponed for the burned home of slain Granville County woman Kelly Currin Morris and her husband, Scott. A sale was set for Jan. 5 and was reset to Tuesday in the lobby of the county courthouse. Carol Lindsley, a paralegal representing the substitute trustee, Brock & Scott, a law firm based in Winston-Salem, said Tuesday that the sale has been reset to 1:30 p.m. April 5.
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Procedures for Vance’s Abandoned Mobile Home Project Initiative were tentatively approved Monday night by the Board of Commissioners. The initiative is a move by the county to help owners finance the demolition and removal of blighted structures while cleaning up the county and improving property. Review by County Attorney Jonathan S. Care will be necessary before the guidelines can be implemented. Included in the guidelines is a sum of $210 that will be paid up front by owners of abandoned mobile home to cover trash
tipping fees up to seven tons (at $30 per ton). Tipping fees are based on the current disposal fees that are charged to receive such debris. The amount paid by a property owner will be adjusted according to actual weight of the material. The frame of a unit will be recycled and taken out of the total weight. Other specifications include a contractor’s agreement that must be signed to receive payment for demolition-and-removal bids that have been awarded. Unless an extension is granted by the Planning and Development Department, a contractor has 30 days to start and remove an abandoned unit.
Everyone is eligible to participate in the program, Planning and Development Director Jordan McMillen told the commissioners. He said only one unit per lot and per property owner will initially be permitted in the program. For the time being, the exception also applies to units within manufactured home parks. Homes that have sustained any fire damage are not eligible. Property owners who express interest and fill out a sign-up form are not guaranteed inclusion in the program. McMillen said priority will be given to visible units along main traffic arteries and major areas of growth. Priority will Please see MOBILE, page 6A
EDUCATION
Making up snow days at area schools By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer
Local school systems are looking for ways to make up the days that were missed because of the recent snowstorm. Each school system lost three days. Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, said that VCS will make up the first day on Feb. 15,
a snow day already in the school calendar. The second day will be made up on March 5, formerly scheduled as a teacher work day. The third make-up day will be determined by the board of education at its March meeting. Granville will make up two of the three snow days on Feb. 26 and March 26, which are on the schedule as optional work days. The third day will be decided by the school
board at its meeting on Feb. 15. At its meeting on Monday night, the Warren County Board of Education set the make-up days for students in kindergarten through grade eight as May, 25, 26 and 27. Make-up days for high school students will be March 29, May 28 and June 10. Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch. com.
>> INSIDE TODAY <<
Index
Weather
Deaths
Our Hometown. . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Quick Take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A Light Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2C Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6C
Today
Henderson Josephine A. Choplin, 87 Oxford Thomas M. Brown, 65 Raleigh Winella Green, 88 Warrenton Ruby Burwell, 79
Mostly sunny
High: 37, Low: 23
Thursday
Sunny
High: 40, Low: 23
Details, 3A
Obituaries, 4A
COMMISSIONERS ASKED TO MARCH FOR YOUTH
LOVE AT FIRST BITE ON VALENTINE’S DAY
Commissioners have been invited to join a march to bring awareness about the needs of Vance youth. At their meeting Monday, commissioners also heard the animal shelter needs improvements. Page 4A
Cupid’s day calls for yummy desserts that say “you’re special” at first sight and first bite. With a few easy techniques, some of your yearround favorites become delicious Valentine treats. Page 1C