The Historic Masonic Theatre played host to the Community Gathering VI that featured a slide presentation by Gayle Hillert and a question and answer session that followed.
As the audience viewed her slides, Hillert wove a narrative about the bottom up approach needed to improve communities, stressing the necessity of citizens banning together to pursue worthwhile projects to improve their community.
She urged the public to challenge the status quo in order to improve the town, and she cited examples of past successes such as the Clifton Forge Dog Park that she noted started with one man and one dog advocating for a dog park to be established in Clifton Forge that now has a dog park that was totally funded via donations.
She also noted community activities that have strengthened the community, citing Juneteenth and Flag Day activities at the Masonic Amphitheatre where the LoveWorks Sculpture ground breaking recently took place.
Hillert also noted the success of the Stars & Stripes Celebration that drew large crowds to Clifton Forge on July 3 and the Fourth of July.
She showed a photo of The Historic Masonic Theatre that Appalfolks of America Assoc. had donated to the Town of Clifton Forge in 2003 after 12 years of restoration work had been completed, and she remarked, “It was dusty and dirty, but look at it now.”
John Hillert, her late husband, was appointed by the Town of Clifton Forge to spearhead the restoration of the theatre, and he was successful in raising the $6.3 million needed for the complete restoration of the theatre that reopened in July of 2016. She cited the theatre as an example of the community acting together to make the Town of Clifton Forge a better place to live.
Her slide presentation included photographs of workers who were picking up trash on Trash Week that is conducted bi-annually.
Photos also included ones that show progress that has been made in the Town of Clifton Forge. One of the photos presented shows the pavilion that has been constructed at Booker T. Washington Park.
Following her presentation, she read a series of questions directed at Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe who stood at the front of the stage and fielded her questions and other questions from citizens on topics ranging from water leaks to code violations for letting grass grow too high.
Unroe pointed out that all callers reporting code violations are kept anonymous and that the Town of Clifton Forge has a paid positon open to hire someone to deal with code violations.
He noted that the Town of Clifton Forge may create a hybrid position by combining the position of code enforcer with community development, but a member of the audience retorted that the two positions call for two different skill sets. Unroe noted that the two positons may need to be combined in order to provide a salary lucrative enough to attract a qualified person to fill the positon.
Unroe shared with the gathering the fact that 57 letters have been mailed to citizens recently concerning code violations, and he responded to a citizen’s question concerning paying water bills online. Unroe stated that currently the office is not set up to accept online payments of water bills, but he did not rule out moving in that direction.
A citizen questioned what the Town of Clifton Forge is doing for youth, and Unroe noted that the Clifton Forge Armory is available for activities sponsored by citizens or organizations and that the skateboard park is near there.
Also, two new pickleball courts have been created by converting one tennis court at Mathews Park to accommodate pickleball players.
Questioned about diversity in Clifton Forge, Unroe said, “We have an open door policy, and all citizens should feel welcome.”
Unroe was questioned about e-mails and calls that lack what the questioner considered to be prompt responses, and he defended the Town’s response time, “We strive to call back within 24 hours.”
Questioned about the Town of Clifton Forge’s “Five Year Plan,” Unroe responded by spreading his thumb and index finger about three inches apart, indicating to the audience the thickness of the “Five Year Plan” book in his office.
As he did so, he remarked, “Clifton Forge has a comprehensive, detailed “Five Year Plan” that is a guide to move Clifton Forge forward, and it is all public record.”
He invited citizens to stop by his office to view the plan and noted that the Clifton Forge Public Library should have one as well for viewing.
The bright news he delivered for the Town of Clifton Forge is that monies from COVID-19 relief funds (Va. Department of Drinking Water) and funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission have been obtained.
The ARC has provided $1.8 million for infrastructure, and $2.9 million in health relief funding has been received to address drinking water issues.
As for the vacant Primis Bank building, Unroe noted that a local person is interested in purchasing the property and that outside interests have been expressed but that nothing has been confirmed.
Dale Burdette, Clifton Forge town councilman, won the door prize, the late Elizabeth Hicks Corron’s book, “Clifton Forge, Virginia: Scenic, Busy, Friendly.” Martha Edwards presented him with the book at the beginning of the gathering.
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