CMYK
Southern beats Webb in OT, 62-55 Page 1B
WEDNESDAY, February 17, 2010
Volume XCVI, No. 40
(252) 436-2700
garbage
Council to rebid pick up City considering privatizing service By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
The City Council voted 7-1 at a Tuesday evening work session to restart the bidding process for a proposed privatization of the sanitation service because only one company, Waste Industries, made an offer. The council majority, at a 6 p.m. Monday meeting, will send out another request for a proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Lonnie Davis, the lone dissenter, asked, “If we were to re-advertise and we come back up with the same process we’re in right now, what are we going to do? Just forget about the whole thing or what?” Davis was concerned about nothing being gained or remaining in the same situation. Councilman Michael Inscoe told Davis that he understood, but that “there is some merit in telling the public that we are giving the opportunity again. And if you get the same results at the end, that’s what you get.” City Manager Ray Griffin said a new bid or new bids could be opened April 1 and the municipal administration could bring information to the council, “hopefully” by April 12. And Griffin said the council could have a series of special work sessions. “The only thing that concerns me is the prices are already public from the current process,” Griffin said. During the session, Frank Lorick, Waste Industries vice president for the Mid-South area, said the company has had an office in Henderson 38 years of the company’s four decades in business. “We’re a resource for you. Are you disappointed you got only one bid? You probably are,” Lorick said, noting the company can provide numbers showing the company is competitive. “Our intent is to hire locally, understand your concerns about your people,” Lorick said. “We want to be part of the community. We’re not the 800 pound gorilla coming in here and telling you what to do.” New Councilwoman Sara Coffey said, “We need to decide what’s best for Henderson and I think that’s what some of our reluctances are because we’re getting a lot of feedback from different people here.” “And right now some our citizens are not feeling like they are getting a choice because they are given one thing: Waste Industries,” Coffey added. The previous council, at an annual retreat in March, agreed to study possible means Please see GARBAGE, page 3A
www.hendersondispatch.com
50 cents
ABC profit sharing on tap Bigger share for city? Joint funding also topic for retreat By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Vance County Commissioners on Thursday are expected to consider the City Council’s proposal that Henderson get half of local ABC profits, instead of its
current 15 percent share. Commissioners will take up the matter, and other joint funding issues, during their winter retreat at the Glass House in the Satterwhite Point recreation area. According to an audit report
on the Vance Alcoholic Beveral Control Board, total profit distributions to the city and the county were $252,645 for the fiscal year ending June 30 of 2009. The sum represented a 3.4 percent increase from the previous year. The county will also consider joint funding of the library at its retreat. Gary Daeke, a member of the city council, said Monday
night he would like to see operation funding for the Perry Library change from 65 percent county/35 percent city to a ratio of 90 percent county/10 percent city. At one point, Daeke said he would love for the county to take over the cost of the library. The city also wants the 55 percent city/45 percent county ratio for operating recreation Please see RETREAT, page 3A
Moving more at exercise class
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
Participants in the Eat Smart, Move More weight loss challenge follow the lead from instructor Julia Langston during an exercise class at the Henderson Family YMCA Tuesday afternoon. The 10 week challenge is in full swing as team members are in their fifth week. The challenge is sponsored by Granville Medical Center, South Granville Medical Center, Maria Parham Medical Center, Granville County Health Department, Vance County Health Department and the Henderson Family YMCA.
old national guard Armory
Roof repair will be put out for bid Building too unsafe for a walk-through By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
The City Council agreed with a proposal by City Manager Ray Griffin to seek a bid to stabilize the roof of the deteriorating former National Guard Armory and to seek a grant to help determine a future use for the building along with a cost. The city and Vance County, which jointly owns the property off the highly commercial Dabney Drive near Garnett Street, have had the location on the real estate market since 2007. New Councilwoman Sara Coffey suggested a walkthrough of the property, but other council members cited safety reasons for not intending to so. Coffey said the last time she walked in the former
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
The Henderson Armory sits empty and for sale. City council voted to seek a bid to stabilize the roof. The armory is owned jointly by the City of Henderson and Vance County. armory was probably three to four years ago, prompting Councilman Garry Daeke to tell her, “It’s changed dramatically, I’m afraid.” Daeke, who remains an advocate of trying to save the building, said, “I can tell you, that roof was leaking four or five years ago. It was starting to affect the floor. I’ve been in
since and it’s gotten most of the floor.” Councilman Michael Inscoe said there are environmental concerns, such as asbestos and lead-based paint, with the structure. Inscoe said he believes a cleanup could cost up to $1 million. Griffin on Monday evening told the council that several
prospective buyers have looked at the building. “And, quite frankly, most just want to tear it down because of the condition of the building and the fact it is not configured well for retail space and current business needs,” Griffin said. Griffin said that, because Henderson’s government lacks a specialist to obtain services, someone would have to be found to write up the specifications for the stabilization so a bid could be obtained. The process could take up to 30-60 days, Griffin said. “So, I think you’d be looking at a roof repair in early summer,” Griffin said. And Griffin said getting a grant application to the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and obtaining funding could take six to nine months “on a fast track.” The study would probably take a year or more to conduct, Griffin said. Councilwoman Mary Emma Evans said she would favor Please see ARMORY, page 3A
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Today
Copenhgen, Denmark Rowland L. Matteson Jr., 71 Henderson Blanche W. Cheatham, 92 Hamlin Christopher, 79 Josephine E. Atwater, 85 Shirley L. Patton, 57
Mostly sunny
High: 45, Low: 26
Thursday
Sunny
High: 44, Low: 25
Details, 3A
Oxford Vaughan Warrenton
Henry P. Riggan, 89 Earl W. Howard Louida M. Lee, 52 Elven Alston, 61
Obituaries, 4A
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, SO EAT HEALTHY You’ve probably heard that saying. In reality most people struggle with their taste buds and their conscience on doing what’s right. Find out how great healthy foods can taste. Page 1C