The Shadow
Tony Bell provided the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors with an informative presentation on the “Rockbridge Regional Jail CBCP Study” at the Board’s meeting on Tues., Feb. 7 in Low Moor.
Bell projected charts onto a screen as he presented information about the need to expand the number of beds to accommodate inmates in area jails.
“We’ve got to have specialized facilities,” Bell observed.
He explained that once the jail gets 126 occupants other facilities must be obtained for the prisoners.
Bell explained that the Alleghany Regional Jail is situated in a location that would make it difficult to expand but that Sheriff Kevin Hall, whose office is located inside the facility, is willing to relocate his office to provide more room for expansion if needed.
He also informed the supervisors that it will take 16 weeks to access the needs and another eight weeks to draw up the proposal for a new regional jail or for a plan to expand current facilities.
Bell revealed that any proposal will then be submitted to the Board of Local and Regional Jails for review.
Noting that both Alleghany Co. and Rockbridge Co. have experienced crowding problems, either expanding existing facilities or building a new larger facility that will accommodate both counties may be a solution.
Bell also shared an idea that Bath Co. may become part of the overall expansion plan.
He informed the supervisors that a 2001 study concerning a regional jail expansion on land owned by Rockbridge Co. was never acted upon but that given the fact that Alleghany Regional Jail is landlocked with little room for expansion, the Rockbridge Co. site may offer a solution.
Bell noted, “Virginia determines jail standards.”
He explained that a jail needs a laundry facility, kitchen area, offices and other amenities as its core with the jail cells built around it.
“Virginia determines jail standards,” Bell offered.
During his presentation, he delved into the initial cost, operating cost, location, financing, staffing and retaining of staff.
Tom Botkins, a landowner on both sides of Cedar Creek, a stream that flows into the Jackson River less than a mile south of the Gathright Dam, spoke during the “Public Comment” section of the “Agenda.”
Botkins presented each supervisor with a folder of photographs of Cedar Creek and information about the construction that is ongoing in order to complete the last 1.6 miles of the Jackson River Scenic Trail that Alleghany Co. has approved and for which it is paying.
According to Botkins, who offered photographs to support his claims, debris, including shards of creosote crossties, has been unearthed and found its way into Cedar Creek along the railroad bed that is being converted into the trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail.
He pointed out to the supervisors that the switching of materials from the original 2020 study concerning the 100-year-flood-plan that determined the project once completed would cause less than a foot rise in the water cannot be valid today based on the materials that were listed in the original study no longer being used currently. Botkins believes that fact invalidates the 2020 study and that a new study would show more than the one-foot rise because of the switching of materials that are to be used in completing the project.
Botkins warned that if the materials such as rip rap currently proposed for use as fill where the railroad bed has been washed out by previous flooding are used that those materials will wind up in Cedar Creek and the Jackson River in the future.
He maintains that the plan as it is being implemented is inadequate to prevent future erosion as a result of flooding and that materials from walls scheduled to be constructed will be inadequate to prevent destructive erosion.
Also, during “Public Comment,” Deloris Quarles, Wrightsville Project promoter and community activist, reported on the Wrightsville Project and noted that Wrightsville is the only community in the Alleghany Highlands made up of minority people.
She thanked the members for their support of the project that has improved housing and roads, and she noted that one more house is scheduled to be built.
Quarles remarked, “Hammond & Mitchell and Alleghany Paving did a great job for us.”
She concluded, “For the first time in my lifetime, I saw Coleman Road paved.”
Humphrey Moynihan also spoke to the supervisors during “Public Comment.”
He noted that he would like to get feedback about the issues concerning the Jackson River Scenic Trail, and he expressed his belief that the parking area near the trailhead was adequate for the anticipated usage of the trail.
Rodney L. Kyle, who owns property on both sides of the Jackson River Scenic Trail, was given permission to run electricity and water lines under the Jackson River Scenic Trail to achieve his plan to switch from growing corn to raising cattle.
Susan Hammond, VDOT resident engineer, reported that much rain recently had hindered operations but that overall progress has been made in repairing roads in several areas.
Board Chairman Matt Garten complemented VDOT for removing a sycamore tree, and he asked if VDOT was going to remove the stump as well.
Hammond noted that VDOT had contracted the job and that she would follow up to see about having it removed.
Supervisor Shannon Cox, who led the group in prayer to begin the meeting, informed Hammond that some dangerous trees near the Craig Co. line need to be inspected for possible removal.
She noted that one had fallen onto the highway and that car skid marks nearby indicated an accident was narrowly avoided.
In other business, the Board voted 7-0 to approve an application from Joey and Karlie Brewster to rezone Lots 102 and 103 in the Eastwood Subdivision of the Dolly Ann area from a Residential R-2one classification to an Agricultural-Rural AR zone classification.
The property is in a “Residential Transition Area” as contained in the “Comprehensive Plan.” The vote was taken following a public hearing on the matter.
Also, the Board voted 7-0 to reappoint Rodney Tingler (Covington District) to the Planning Commission for a term of four years.
Jackie Smith (Falling Spring District) was reappointed by a 7-0 vote to serve another four year term on the Water and Sewer Commission.
Richard Fridley, Jr. was appointed by a 7-0 vote to complete the term of Richard Fridley, Sr. on the Boiling Springs District, beginning immediately and ending on March 1, 2025.
He was also approved to be recommended to the Alleghany Circuit Court’s judge to complete the term on the Board of Zoning Appeals beginning immediately and ending on Oct. 31, 2027.
Alleghany County Administrator Reid Walters reported that the firm doing the work at the “Jackson River Scenic Trial Project 5” is a company that has been building trails for many years and that he satisfied with the quality of the work being done.
He thanked Quarles for her work and for attending the meeting, and he told the supervisors that a lot of federal funding will soon become available to apply for via grant proposals concerning the housing project underway.
After each supervisor thanked those who attended and made their comments, Garten said, “I thank everyone for coming out.”
He concluded, “A lot of good things are going to happen.”
The Board then entered into a closed session pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) and (3) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, to discuss: 1. Personnel matters; and 2. Property acquisition.
