The Shadow
The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors recognized nine employees, with a combined total of over 250 years, and approved resolutions of appreciation in honor of their retirement from Alleghany County government service, at their last regular meeting of 2023, Tuesday evening.
After an invocation by Shannon Cox, Boiling Springs District, the pledge of allegiance, and approval of the minutes from their last meeting, Matt Garten, Chairman, called the names of the recently retired employees: James Vest, Sheriff’s Office, 16 years, 6 months; Paul Hatcher,
Sheriff’s Office, 22 years, 3 months; Monroe Keith, Public Works, 22 years, 4 months; Iris Humphries, Sheriff’s Office, 22 years, 5 months; Casey Gibson, Sheriff’s Office, 22 years, 10 months; Langston Johnson, Jr., Public Works, 30 years, 1 month; Judith Persinger, Sheriff’s Office, 33 years, 5 months; Lesia Wheeler, Victim Witness, 35 years, 8 months; and Charles Kellison, Public Works, 49 years, 5 months.
A Public Hearing was held to consider an amendment to the County’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 in the amount of $1,337,340.00. Suzanne Adcock-Nicely, Director of Finance, explained that the ALL In VA state funding had been allocated to address “the COVID-19 learning loss and absenteeism.” “It’s an incentive to keep kids in school,” added Garten.
Hearing no comments, the Public Hearing was closed, and Garten called for a vote to waive the policy and the amendment was approved by a unanimous vote of 7/0.
During Public Comments, the Board heard from Dwaine Paxton, Alleghany Fire and Rescue Association president. Paxton thanked Jonathan Fitch, Director of Public Safety, the Board, and the Alleghany Foundation for supporting a grant to update the 20–25-year-old Scott Air-Paks, relied on daily by fire and rescue personnel. “We really appreciate y’all’s support.”
At his last board meeting as Sheriff, Kevin Hall, thanked the Sheriff’s Office retirees for the years they worked with him and each board member “for their working relations with him over the years.” Even when things didn’t run smooth, Hall wanted them to know that it was “never
anything personal.” “It was about the citizens of Alleghany County, providing them with the best-equipped law enforcement agency possible and making the Alleghany Highlands a better place,” said Hall.
Though he is leaving “sooner than he wanted,” Hall wanted to note a couple of things that he was proud of. He is proud of the drug court and credited Stephen Bennett, Jackson River; Ingrid Barber, Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board; Ann Gardner,
Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Ed Stein, Presiding Judge, Alleghany Circuit Court with spear heading this accomplishment. He also noted that he was proud of the Crisis Initiative Team as “they can help people with mental health.” Bennett would later compliment Hall on the Chrome Book Program he added to the jail during his Board Member Comments.
Hall closed by asking the Board to continue to support the men and women in LE, EMS, and incoming Sheriff Kyle Moore and the new administration. “We are working toward a smooth transition into January.”
Susan Hammond, Resident Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation, gave her monthly maintenance report and update and noted comments from Board Members.
The Board had a discussion with Reid Walters, County Administrator, before considering a resolution in support of an application for Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding for broadband service in the Crows/Hematite area of the County. He also asked the community to email letters of support addressed to him or his assistant, Melissa Munsey. The letters, along with the Memorandum of Understanding from the Board would be included in the application package. Bennett and James Griffith, Covington, agreed that this is the first opportunity they have had access to the kind of money to make this happen. The Board also reappointed Shawn Wright, Covington, and Nolan Nicely, Sharon, to the AHCSB. Their current terms expire December 31 and they both agreed to the reappointments.
During the County Administrators update, Walters advised that the Commerce Center pad site easement deal had been worked out; the Wells Fargo Building had been closed on; and buildings four and five are going up at the River Retreat Apartments. Ronald Goings, Clifton Forge East, asked what the occupancy rate was as someone was concerned that more units were empty than should be and how that could be in a housing shortage. “It throws a cold water on other developers who want to come in and build things,” added Goings. He also wanted to know the status of a development at exit 29. Walters would get back with Goings on the occupancy rate at River Retreat and advised there were challenges with utilities at exit 29, but “it is in process,” added Walters.
The Board Members thanked Hall for his service and wished the audience a Happy Holiday Season during their comments. “Do something good for not only your family but for someone else. Share the love. Be safe,” said Garten before the meeting was adjourned to a closed session to discuss acquisition of property. Their first meeting of January will be Wednesday, Jan. 3rd, due to the New Year’s Day Holiday.
