CMYK Granville United Way gears up
Where’s Epsom? And where’s it going?
S. Vance volleyball beats Webb, 3-1
Our Hometown, Page 2A
Opinion, Page 6A
Sports, Page 1B FRIDAY, October 2, 2009
Volume XCV, No. 231
(252) 436-2700
www.hendersondispatch.com
50 cents
Despite divisions, city stays course on Ransom St. grant By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
The City Council continued the steps toward a $1 million Community Development Block Grant application for revitalizing Ransom Street in the Orange-Breckenridge part of Henderson, but not without differences of opinion surfacing in an extensive discussion. “My concern is fixing up houses for landlords who, in turn, get rent for this,” Councilman Michael Rainey said. And although no landlords have
Some on council concerned about possibility of using taxpayer dollars to rehab rental properties for landlords agreed to participate in the program, the landlords not being on the list of applicants would jeopardize the city’s chances of obtaining the grant. Councilman Garry Daeke said while repairing housing is a good thing, in a free enterprise system it seems there ought to be a few more landlords taking care of their properties them-
selves. Rainey agreed. Daeke recalled the council majority in the spring of 2008 killing a certificate of occupancy ordinance requiring apartments and rental houses to pass minimum housing standards inspections and requiring the obtaining of permits before a tenant moves in. Additionally, Daeke noted
the council for this fiscal year decided not to give City Code Compliance Director Corey Williams sufficient staff to enforce minimum housing standards. “And then we come along and give money to fix houses up for the folks,” Daeke said, adding he wished he was a landlord. And Daeke added his think-
ing is if the properties are kept at a minimum standard, then there might not be a need for the grant. Councilwoman Mary Emma Evans told Rainey, “I hate for you and Daeke to do all the talking” on this particular issue because the area in question is in her ward. Evans said, “It seems like we are more concerned, just listening to you all, about whether a landlord gets a little bit of help Please see RANSOM ST., page 3A
Four phases toward countywide water Powell a write-in More grants for Oxford mayor possible with Candidate earlier decided not to seek re-election to Commission
more areas By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Consisting of two construction phases at the time of a successful $27 million bond referendum on May 6 of last year, Vance County’s proposed rural water district was later subdivided into four. The purpose was to comply with the funding requirements of USDA Rural Development. The result qualified the district for four $1 million federal grants — one for each phase — instead of just two. It also opened up opportunities for the county to receive additional USDA grants, as well as loans for the project. Since nearly half of the voters in the referendum cast negative ballots, it was inevitable that some of the opposition would later make their opinions public. Many of them did just that in letters to the editor of The Daily Dispatch. Their reasons for dissent included feelings that the created district was unnecessary and complaints about the accuracy of proposed water rates for customers. A construction phase map that accompanies this article was submitted to the newspaper this week by Tim Carpenter, the lead engineer for the Pinehurst firm of Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates. He said it is not an accurate map of the rural water district, because the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which is part of the project, is not shown. With the exceptions of Middleburg and Dabney, the district includes unincorporated areas of Vance. Potential totals of 3,348 customers and costs of
ing to do something that would enhance the lives of people. Powell, while acknowlOXFORD – City Comedging the position of missioner Steve Powell is mayor is limited to casting a write-in candidate for tie-breaking votes on the mayor. commission, said a mayor Powell said he made does have the power of his decision at 3:27 a.m. influence. Thursday to “He has the power of campaign resources. And he has for Oxford’s the power of connections top position. to people who can influ“And it just ence and impact a city by hit me like a the merit of his title” and bolt,” Powell can provide people with a added. sense of hope, irrespective Powell said Powell of the economy, Powell he told his said. wife, Yolanda, at approxiWoodlief, a retired mately 6:30 a.m., noting, radio broadcaster, was a “As soon as I said it, she commissioner from 1987 said, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’” until being elected mayor Powell is facing Mayor Al Woodlief and challenger in 2001. Strickland, who is chief of police at Meredith Frank Strickland in the College in Raleigh, unsucNov. 3 election, with the cessfully opposed Woodlief winner to in the 2005 serve a twoDecision to run and 2007 year term. elections. for mayor ‘hit Powell, a Strickteacher, is me like a bolt’ land has completing called for his first term Woodlief’s resignation and in office and doubles as has said he believes Woodchairman of the commislief lied to cover up alleged sion’s Recreation Commitmisconduct by Police Chief tee. John Wolford. Powell had decided at Powell was asked the end of July not to seek whether he sensed voters re-election to another four wanted an alternative to years on the seven-man Strickland and Woodlief commission. and whether he sees himPowell at the time said self as that alternative. he, his wife and Rev. “Well, I definitely see “Coach” Rick Alexander myself as an alternative,” formed a six-county nonPowell said, though quickprofit organization called Youth and Parent Empow- ly noting he does not know whether voters wanted an erment. Powell on Thursday said alternative to Strickland that, if he is elected mayor, and Woodlief. “But I do think that givthis will not affect his abiling people another option ity to serve as a leader of This engineer’s map shows the construction phases of the Vance rural water district. has a tremendous impact the organization. on the number of people Powell said his reason $22,619,000 could be figure includes adjusted and fees for selling bonds. that will vote and why reached when all four costs based on today’s The futuristic statistics for running for mayor they vote,” Powell said. is because he had been phases have been complet- construction-cost averages include: contemplating on ways of ed, according to County across the State. • Phase 1A — 1,275 Contact the writer at bwest@ trying to help the entire Manager Jerry Ayscue. It does not include other hendersondispatch.com. Please see WATER, page 3A city get better and of tryHe said the money costs such as legal services
Index
Weather
Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Public Records . . . . . 7A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 9A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Classifieds. . . . . . 6-13B
By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
Deaths
Today Sunny
High: 79 Low: 58
Saturday Stormy
High: 82 Low: 53
Details, 3A
Henderson Clarence E. Hargrove Sr., 59 Laura S. Hayes, 90 Pearl J. Parham, 73 Oxford Nancy J. Davis, 54 Providence Margaret C. Coates, 77 Warren County William R. Richardson, 73
Henderson firefighters plan open house By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
The Henderson Fire Department will hold its “2009 Fire-Prevention Open House” Oct. 10 from 1-4 p.m. in the No. 2 Fire Station at 205 N. Garnett St. All volunteer fire deObituaries, 4A partments and the Vance Good news! County Rescue Squad are The DailyDispatch is among numerous service printed on recycled paper. agencies and organizations
expected to make information on fire prevention and safety issues available during the event. Attractions will include: • Fire trucks and other vehicles. • Safety smoke house. • Sparky, McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey the Bear and the Chic-Fil-A Cow. • Fingerprinting for kids provided by the Henderson Police Department.
• Moon Walk by Character Antics. • Cotton candy offered by Safe Kids. • Ice cream provided by Gould’s Ice Cream, Sub & Catering. • Free hotdogs, chips, snacks and drinks. Everyone who signs in will get a ticket for drawings for door prizes and gift certificates from variPlease see OPEN HOUSE, page 3A