The Shadow
Former African Americans who served on the City Council of Clifton Forge and/or the Town Council of Clifton Forge were honored with Mayor Jeff Irvine making presentations on Tues., July 12.
Those honored were former mayors Pamela Marshall and George Goode, Sr.
Others were Meredith Mills, former vice-mayor; Frank Davis, former vice-mayor; Rev. W. Ed Mansfield, former councilman; and Rev. Robert Johnson, Jr., a former councilman.
Plaques and meritorious certificates were handed out one by one, and Mayor Irvine read aloud the text printed on each one prior to presenting the certificate to those being honored or those accepting the award in place of those deceased.
Teresa Hammond, executive director of The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, made a comprehensive slide presentation of the Chamber’s activities and strategy to draw visitors to the Alleghany Highlands.
After minutes of the June 14 meeting and department reports were approved, Council members discussed the naming of an all abilities park that has yet to be constructed.
Town Manager Charles “Chuck” Unroe explained that by naming the project the Town of Clifton Forge could satisfy the requirements of some potential grant proposals that may be written in hopes of helping fund the park’s construction.
A discussion ensued with the idea being floated that children could be called on to name the park via a contest, and the name Dawson Moser was discussed as a potential name that could be used. Councilman Dale Burdette made a motion that the naming be tabled while more input could be gathered. The motion passed 5-0.
The stone building that was built during The Great Depression at Mountain View Cemetery was discussed, and Unroe’s “Recommendation A” on the agenda was to identify the preservation of the stone building as a Town project funded through donations.
“Recommendation B” on the agenda was to authorize Unroe to apply to The Alleghany Foundation for a $10,000 grant to replace and repair the roof of the stone building.
Council approved both, and it was noted that due to inflation the earlier estimate of $7,600 due to material increases would now run $10,000.
Councilman Shorty Wolfe said, “Yes, we are going to make the preservation of the building official, and right now we want to stop the bleeding.”
Mike Hayslett spoke to Council about the mini-park being planned by the Parks & Trails Committee, and the request to rezone a portion of Hickory Ave. to accommodate the project was approved.
Hayslett remarked, “We’ve not done anything yet, just discussions about the possibilities.”
Diane Smith pointed out that the rezoning of part of the property on Hickory Ave. would help move the project forward.
Once constructed, the new park would have a boardwalk, and Hayslett noted that the project would be funded via grant funds and public donations. He noted that the Town would only be required to spend a small amount for maintenance.
Hayslett concluded, “The hope is that there will be no expenses to the Town other than minor maintenance funding. The rezoning of the portion of Hickory Ave. was approved by Council.
Unroe noted that only one letter concerning the cutting of grass on a property in the Town was necessary to be sent and that after the first letter, no other letters would be sent, but the property owner would be required to keep the grass mowed.
He also noted that leans on property are being placed in cases where the property owners are not paying their tax bills.
Martha Edwards spoke to Council during the public comment section of the meeting, and she proposed that stickers be placed on water bills to communicate important information that the Town may wish for its citizens to know.
Unroe said that the idea was good, but he pointed out that it would take three employees many hours to attach the stickers. He then called for volunteers that may pitch in to help should the Town decide to embrace Edward’s idea.
During the “Council Comment” section of the agenda, each member of Council thanked those who received awards for the contributions that they or the ones they represented made to Clifton Forge.
Vice-Mayor Bob Umstead noted that the “Stars and Stripes Celebration” on July 3 and the Fourth of July was the best yet. He praised Main Street for a job well done, and he pointed out that signatures gathered during that time helped secure enough names on the petition to have school board members elected to qualify for having the issue placed on the ballot in Nov.
Unroe informed Council that 27 EMS employees have been hired and that the response time has been short. He revealed, “I haven’t heard of any response having been made more than five minutes, and most responses are made within three minutes.”
All five on the Town Council thanked Hammond for her presentation and dedication to improving tourism.
