Clifton Forge Town Manager, Chuck Unroe spoke at the April 4th meeting of Clifton Forge Woman’s Club. Unroe began his speech by telling club members that it was an honor to serve the people of Clifton Forge. He said, “It is my job to get the community going in the same direction and to work together. We are appreciative of those of you who have chosen Clifton Forge as your home, as well as those of you who have been here all your lives.”
Unroe said that despite the pandemic that Clifton Forge is in pretty good shape and is financially solid. “For the most part, we have weathered the COVID storm well.”
He noted that Clifton Forge is the only community in the Alleghany Highlands that is fully staffed. He said, “That’s a wonderful position to be in.”
Receiving funding from the American Rescue Plan and the Department of Health will help the Town begin working on projects like infrastructure, and safe drinking water among other initiatives. Unroe said that engineering companies that the Town works with are evaluating several situations now and in the coming weeks, work will begin on the projects.
Unroe also pointed out that several downtown businesses have closed but some businesses have moved in and that Ace Hardware is making plans for a year-round garden center. Members of the Woman’s Club expressed a need for a high-end restaurant.
In addition to the business district, Unroe talked about upcoming paving projects, the construction that is ongoing at the Dog Park at Matthews Park, and replacement of water mains in town.
Beginning on July1, Clifton Forge will have its own emergency response team. An ambulance has been purchased and staff interviews are taking place. The paid crew will work closely with volunteer emergency response teams.
Unroe spoke about Town Sponsored free movie matinees at The Historic Masonic Theatre every Sunday afternoon. The Town not only sponsors the movie but provides free popcorn, hotdogs, and drinks. The Town also supports the “Memories in Time” campaign at the Theatre where items are placed in a Time Capsule given to the Theatre by Masonic Lodge 166 on the Theatre’s 2016 reopening. The Capsule is planned to be installed in the summer of 2022. A volunteer initiative that the Town supports is the Clifton Forge LOVE Sculpture which will be installed this summer at the Masonic Amphitheatre Park.
Unroe mentioned a Ridgeway green space that will be the site of a butterfly garden. This effort is being done by a resident of Clifton Forge.
Unroe ended his speech by stressing that, “If we work together as a community, we will have so much to look forward to and our ‘scenic, friendly, busy’ town will have a bright future.”
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