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Local & State, Page 4A
Opinion, Page 6A
Faith, Page 1C SATURDAY, September 26, 2009
Volume XCV, No. 226
(252) 436-2700
www.hendersondispatch.com
Forum attracts 5 of 17 competitors in city contests
EDC choice for small business unit not recommended
By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer
By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
Crackdown on speeders
A van passes a speed limit sign Thursday afternoon on Oak Street behind E.M. Rollins Elementary. Henderson Police have been cracking down on speeders in the area after complaints from residents. Over a three week period, officers have given out 11 citations including one driver who was clocked at 33 in the 15 mph zone.
Icons aplenty at Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Hall of Fame induction, reunion part of annual event in Henderson
Corbitt trucks’ role in Henderson history Henderson is not known as a competitor with Detroit, but it has its own place in automotive history. From the early 1900s to 1954, the Corbitt Company, located in Henderson, manufactured trucks for the military, bus companies, the state of North Carolina and moving companies. Richard Corbitt built buggies in Henderson, beginning in 1899. In 1907 he began building automobiles and continued until 1912, when he decided that building trucks would be more profitable. He was right. His company always made money, except when it was building automobiles. The shift to trucks was well timed. When the United States entered World War I, trucks became vital to the war effort. Corbitt supplied 4,000 trucks to
By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer
“There is no way to list all the icons that are coming.” That is how Vance County Tourism Executive Director Nancy Wilson described prospects for the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame reunion and induction that will cap the mid-October week end devoted to motor sports. Show, Shine, Shag & Dine is an annual event that attracts car buffs from the far reaches of the country. The event will begin on Friday, Oct. 16, when Ambassador’s Inn and Suites offers guests a southern-style barbecue cookout from 1 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot. Disc jockey “Koko” will furnish beach music. There will be a $4 cover charge. Receptions will follow from 7 to 10 p.m. at host motels for guests staying at Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Jameson Inn, Sleep Inn and Ambassador’s Inn and Suites. Also from 7 to 10 that evening, a cruise-in will take place at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-in Theater. The car show portion of Show, Shine, Shag & Dine will take place Please see FORUM, page 3A on Saturday, Oct. 17, in downtown
Index
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Where to put center?
Hopefuls stake out positions
Thirty citizens turned out on Thursday evening to hear candidates for City of Henderson offices state their views on a variety of issues. Meeting in the Vance County Senior Center on Garnett Street, the group sat through a lengthy session, which at times became rather repetitive. Seven of the 15 candidates in competitive races attended. Deryl von Williams, one of the organizers of the forum, led the questioning, beginning by giving each candidate an opportunity to make an opening statement. Ward 1 candidate Cathy Ringley listed issues important to her as housing, cost of water and crime. Her opponent, Mary Emma Evans, did not attend the forum. Sara Coffey, at-large candidate for Ward 1, said the current city council “has not stepped up to the plate to get things done.” The opposing candidate, Bernard Alston, did not attend. Ward 2 candidate Mike Rainey, incumbent, said that the last two years have seen a reduction in crime and improved morale of city employees. His opponent, Lewis Edwards, pointed out that he has lived up north and seen how a town can prosper. With that background, he said he can do more for Henderson. Mike Inscoe, candidate for re-election to the Ward 2 seat, said that the city has received $6.2 million in grants during the past year. He emphasized the importance of the agreement between the city and Vance County to work as partners for economic development. His opponent, Lowell West, did not attend. Tim McAllister, candidate for mayor, said he has lived in Henderson for 13
Weather Today
Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6C Classifieds. . . . . . . 7-9C
Some rain High: 70 Low: 59
Sunday A.M. rain High: 81 Low: 62
Details, 3A
Please see CORBITT, page 3A
Henderson. Antique, classic and racing cars will line Garnett, Breckenridge and Williams streets, sharing space with vendors of food, wine and miscellaneous keepsakes. Numerous celebrities are scheduled to appear at the car show, many with their equally famous cars. Visitors will be able to inspect
legendary cars, talk to the owners and drivers and even have a photo made with them. Of special interest to racing fans will be the appearance of Danny Thompson, son of speed record holder Mickey Thompson, who drove the Challenger for a record 406.6 mph in 1960. The younger Thompson will autograph copies of his new book about his famous father. Joe Timney, of the North Carolina Timing Association, will talk with fans about one-mile land speed records set at Maxton, N.C. Children will be interested in the Munster vehicles, made famous on the TV series. Fans of the show will remember the “Munster Koach,” a hot rod hearse built on a 1928 Model T Ford chassis, and the “Drag-u-la,” a dragster built from a coffin. Entertainment on Saturday will be provided by the Imitations Band, the Al Williams Band and Rock & Roll D.J. “Koko.” The Corbitt Preservation Association will display some of the classic Corbitt trucks in the city parking lot at the intersection of Williams and Montgomery streets. Corbitt trucks were manufactured in Henderson from the early 1900s to 1950. On Sunday, Oct. 18, the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame reunion will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College. Here visitors may meet and chat with icons of the drag racing
All of the Vance County Commissioners will be asked Oct. 5 to consider relocating the Small Business Center from the Vance-Granville Community College campus to the vacant BB&T building on Chestnut Street in downtown Henderson. Members of the board’s Planning and Environmental Committee — Chairman Dan Brummitt, Terry Garrison and Danny Wright — declined to make a recommendation based on a proposal in a recent letter from Sam Watkins, chairman of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission. The EDC requested that the County rent space in the building from Henderson Investment Development Corporation, which has an option to purchase the property for $300,000. Part of the center would consist of classrooms, and there would be small business “incubators” in the building. Watkins also mentioned that the EDC would like to move its office to the site if space is available. During the committee meeting, concern was expressed about spending $240,000 for rent and an equal sum for utilities in a $300,000 building over the life of a five-year contract with HIDC. The three commissioners agreed that Vance County already has enough buildings, including some that are not being used. There was also talk about getting Granville to provide 25 percent of the relocation costs, in keeping with the ratio the two counties have previously agreed to in funding VGCC. Contact the writer at awhe-
Please see SHOW, page 3A less@hendersondispatch.com.
Deaths
Injuries in lightning strikes in North Carolina
Henderson John E. Perry, 69 Norlina Lizzie G. Alston, 84 Oxford George T. Blackwell, 88 Mamie H. Cooper, 60 Townsville Sarah W. Curl, 92 Warrenton Willie Mae Turner, 85
Woman, toddler struck by lightning
FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — Authorities say a woman and a toddler have been struck by lightning in the parking lot of a North Carolina department store. The Fayetteville Fire Obituaries, 4A Department said the woman and the 18-month-old child were hit by the bolt Friday Good news! The Daily Dispatch afternoon after shopping at is printed on recycled paper. T.J. Maxx and were taken
to Cape Fear Valley Health System in critical condition. Battalion Commander Ronald Lewis says a bystander called 911 and began CPR on the woman. The names of the woman and child were not released, and hospital officials did not immediately return a phone call. Lewis says the woman was carrying the child and an umbrella when she was struck. The National Weather
Service says a thunderstorm that dropped around two inches of rain was moving through the area at the time.
Strikes hits water, shocking swimmer WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH (AP) — Coast Guard officials say a 19-year-old man has been rescued from the ocean off Please see LIGHTNING, page 3A