During a called meeting at the Main Street Missionary Baptist Church by the Town Council of Clifton Forge, Dr. Ronald O. Baker, the church’s pastor, presented to Council a list of citizens’ concerns.
Pastor Baker asked if the abandoned Jefferson East School building situated adjacent to the church has been sold. The facility served as the high school for the African-American community prior to integration and later on as an elementary school.
Charles “Chuck” Unroe, the town manager of Clifton Forge, responded to his question by assuring him that the building has not been sold. Unroe added that the Town of Clifton Forge has received a $50,000 grant to involve the community in the process of determining the future use for the building.
As for the question posed by Baker about double taxation, Jeff Irvine, mayor of the Town of Clifton Forge, explained that since the City of Clifton Forge gave up its charter to become the Town of Clifton Forge that its citizens now are required to pay taxes to both the Town and Alleghany County because the Town is now part of Alleghany County.
Town Attorney Jared Jenkins and Unroe confirmed that the Town of Clifton Forge has no choice in the matter.
Questions were raised about the classroom modules on the property adjacent to the Jefferson East school building, and some of those gathered, expressed their concerns about the dilapidated condition of those temporary classrooms.
Unroe explained that after Alleghany County Public Schools and Clifton Forge City Schools consolidated, the facilities not being used by the newly formed school system reverted back to the City of Clifton Forge prior to the City becoming the Town of Clifton Forge and that after Mountain View Elementary and Clifton Middle School were opened the facilities were no longer needed by the school system.
Irvine, who is employed by the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, amplified Unroe and noted that he and Unroe had shown the Jefferson East Elementary School to a developer who has expressed interest in purchasing the building. Both stressed that the potential developer has a keen desire to help the community.
Unroe and Irvine noted that nothing has been agreed upon, and both invited all in attendance to get involved with the planning process that will determine the future of the facility and the best path forward for the community.
Councilman Carl “Shorty” Wolfe, Jr. noted that the $50,000 grant that the Town has received will help determine the best plan for the school based on community input, and he urged all to get involved.
Baker moved on to other subjects, one concerning alleys that need paving instead of gravel that he deemed “…a waste of money because rain washes the gravel away leaving ruts.”
“When I drove down one alley to inspect it, I was worried that my tire would get stuck in a hole,” Baker noted.
Unroe agreed to respond by having maintenance workers examine the alleyways in question.
Council also fielded questions about clogged drains, and Baker suggested that a roundabout in one location would help traffic flow.
The new parking spaces recently added along Church Street between the Masonic Amphitheatre and the Clifton Forge School for the Arts were the topic of a complaint that those parking spots have created a dangerous traffic flow situation when motor vehicles are parked on both sides of the street.
Councilman Dale Burdette responded by agreeing that it is a legitimate concern if and when oversized vehicles park on the Masonic Amphitheatre side of Church St. He noted that the rear ends of such vehicles can extend too far toward the center of the street and could present a hazardous situation while traffic is moving both east and west at the same time.
Unroe pointed out that the safety guidelines had been met by the company that painted the parking lines on the south side of Church St., but he agreed to check with the company about the situation and the possibility of reconfiguring the slant of the parking spaces to eliminate any hazard presented by oversized vehicles parking there.
Those at the meeting who expressed dissatisfaction with the timely manner in which progress is being made complained about the lack of upkeep in dwellings, and one example provided was that of a house that had black mole detected but not eliminated. Without being inspected, it was rented by the owner to another tenant. Currently, the Town is advertising to hire a replacement for the code enforcer who recently resigned.
Another citizen reported that he moved to Clifton Forge recently and rented a house but did not receive a water bill month after month. He explained he notified the Town’s finance department and paid his $211 water bill a few months ago but has not received another water bill. His statement drew many belly laughs from those crowded into the room, including members of Council.
Also, complaints about vines overtaking dwellings, trees growing in such a way as to interfere with their TV signals and other unsightly vegetation problems were fielded by the Council.
Irvine pointed out that his father had worked for the City of Clifton Forge in its maintenance department when there were between 20 and 25 employees on hand. He noted that the Town of Clifton Forge now has 10 to 12 workers who are top notch at their jobs despite being overwhelmed with the number of problems that need to be addressed.
He and Unroe noted that the priority has to be dealing with water and sewer problems and that other problems must be dealt with later after workers are available to address them.
Unroe informed those in attendance that a sewer line broke about three weeks ago and that problem required the maintenance workers to attend to it immediately.
Irvine recalled that he was driving one winter night toward Kroger when he saw the maintenance crew waist deep in water fixing a water line that had broken because of below-freezing temperatures. He praised the workers who were there for hours till the broken pipe was repaired.
As for the coffer dam and the Verge Street project, Unroe pointed out that due to weather setbacks, the work there has been delayed and is projected to be finished by the end of Oct.
Those who requested that the Town send construction workers to trim trees were informed by Irvine that the Town has no authority to cut trees on private property, and Unroe noted that the Town could face a lawsuit should that action be taken.
Baker asked if job openings are posted by the Town and inquired if any people of color have been hired.
Unroe explained that currently the Town of Clifton Forge is advertising to fill the position of code enforcer. He added that two African-Americans have been hired and that on applications there are no questions that applicants must answer concerning their race.
He also pointed out that all jobs are advertised online and in media outlets.
Evelyn Cooper replaced Baker at the podium and called for a rental inspection mandate to be enforced. She cited the black mole as an example for the need to have rental property inspected, and she provided Council with a list of items to address, items such as open dumpsters that are eye sores.
She said that it seems like Council is only interested in the downtown area and sewer and water.
Irvine welcomed anyone who perceives a problem to inform him about the problem, and he explained that he has faithfully responded to each person’s concern by discussing the problem with Unroe in order to find an appropriate solution to the problem, providing a solution is feasible.
After fielding the questions, each member of Council made a statement and welcomed community involvement in problem solving, and each member encouraged all present to attend Council meetings and give their input during the public comment section of each meeting.
Vice-Mayor Robert “Bob” Umstead emphasized that complaints can only be handled after they are reported, and he encouraged citizens to keep reporting problems until those problems are solved.
He concluded, “We can’t do anything until I hear the problem.”
Councilwoman Deborah “Debbie” Laudermilk had praise for Unroe.
“I’d like to say that Chuck runs the Town well, but he only has 12 (maintenance) workers,” she reiterated.
She added, “We work for you; thanks for inviting us.”
Irvine was the last to comment, and after he thanked Baker for inviting Council to meet at the church, he promised, “Give me your problems, and I’ll call you back.”
After the meeting was adjourned, Baker remarked, “I believe the meeting went very well.”
He concluded, “I hope that this is the beginning of many meetings to work with the community.”
The meeting took place in the George R. Goode Fellowship Hall inside the church. Goode, a highly respected African-American community leader who passed away in 2014, served as mayor of the City of Clifton Forge from 1976-1986.
Dr. Ronald O. Baker, pastor of Main Street Missionary Baptist Church In Clifton Forge, handed over the podium to Evelyn Cooper who presented a list of concerns to Council. (M. Ray Allen) |
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