The Shadow
Welcome back, Shadowers! The holiday festivities are kicking into high gear around the Highlands and there’s no shortage of feel-good events for the season! Hooray!
The roar of the Alleghany Cruisers muscle cars sounded through the streets of Covington over the weekend, paying homage to local legend James “Cheeze” Smith. Jay Crowder, spouse of newly elected councilwoman Susan Crowder, summed it up perfectly: “Absolutely perfect, Cheeze is smiling from up above. He will be missed!”
Speaking of the newly elected Covington City council members Susan Crowder and Susan Wolfe, seems the glow of their wins has come to a tire-skidding halt as the magnitude of just how much they’ve bitten off turns into reality. There’s no doubt they’re up for the job, but are most likely dreading the upcoming ‘first day on the job’ jitters everyone gets when facing the unknown.
With transition and change, comes opportunity.
Now this is where we, the citizens come in. We elected them, and now we have an obligation to give everyone on our local councils our loyal and dedicated support. I find this kind of change very exciting, as change gives us the opportunity to reassess where we’ve been, where we’re going, and create a new chapter on how we’re going to get there. We’ve got a very promising new day ahead of us, and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say to all the existing and new freshman council members, “We got your back. Now take the bickering and fighting off the front burners and let’s get some great things done for the Highlands.
Let’s start with changing our approach.
In small country communities like ours, where gossip travels faster than a horse to the barn and everyone knows whose dog is digging up whose yard, we all have to figure out how to coexist—warts, grudges, and all. Now that the election dust has settled and we’ve handed the keys to new leadership, maybe it’s time to follow the words of Jesus and focus on community healing, reconciliation, and inclusion. How about we use community discussion and involvement to help support our progress for a better outcome than one where a decision is forced upon us whether we like it or not?
For example, last week, there was a heated joint public hearing on the Alleghany Highlands Community Services’ new Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), followed by a substantial “pros and cons” discussion on the Shadow Facebook Group. Briefly, the CRC in Covington is a promising “24/7 behavioral healthcare facility designed to provide immediate support and stabilization for individuals in a mental health crisis.” It seems to be part of Governor Youngkin’s push for “Right Help, Right Now” campaign for better mental health services across the State. The planning commission approved the special exception request and forwarded it to the Covington city council, which decided to table the topic until its next meeting on Dec. 2 to allow for further consideration and community input.
It seems to me that people aren’t opposed to the idea. However, with the previous administration’s habit of doing whatever it wanted, they’re weary of projects and decisions being rammed down people’s throats with a “we don’t need your input nor votes to do this, we’re going to do it our way” bulldozer. Actually, all the community wants is a little respect, inclusion, humility from our leaders, and openness to what they have to say.
The Shadow did a quick “for or against” poll for the CRC project. Out of 200 votes, 61% voted positively for the project. Out of the remaining 39% only 4% were outright against it, while the rest had very good points to ponder. Questions like, “is this the best location?” “What about addressing root causes and prevention with better law enforcement and social services?” “Or… what about at Alleghany Regional? Available space there, from what I hear. Then, if someone is in need of medical assistance for detox, you are close by to access help.”
So remember local leaders, it’s you who are serving the community, not the other way around. So don’t placate, just ask. There’s gold in them thar hills.
In the “Pat on the Back” corner, there are several people this week who have earned it. Lisa Worley for her outstanding service to Covington Parks and Rec, by singlehandedly running the show over there for months on end. And to Jennifer Simpson Smith, the driving force behind the new Alley Gallery project in Covington. “We’re so excited to bring this to the community,” Smith said. “We have the sensory path, the alley gallery, and so much more. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s all worth it to see the smiles on people’s faces.”
Thanks to these leaders of our community for making a positive difference in so many people’s lives.
Finally, I promised the Virginian Review publisher I’d “chill out” for a bit, but something’s got me riled up. I have some tough words for a couple of folks on my naughty list. To the vandalists and criminals making a mess over in Clifton Forge, cut the crap. Myself, Chief Balser, Mayor Irvine, and the rest of the community are not impressed with your childish, criminal activities. Trashing the Love sign, trails, cameras, and such will already guarantee you time visiting Chief Balser’s or Sheriff Moore’s special time-out rooms made just for you. But now you are going to find out that vandalizing a Post Office is a federal offense that will ensure a whole different level of jail-time experience for you and your accomplices. Remember, the Shadow knows about everything going on around the Highlands, so we know who you are. You’re going to be getting a visit shortly from some folks with badges.
I’m out of time… wait! I’ll let someone else do the closing honors this week. In the Shadow FB Group, Ann Payne Foster posted a cute photo of her pup, Doris, saying, “She’s out of time and out of coffee! Time for pup nap #3 of the day!” It made my week, and hopefully yours too. Happy Thanksgiving ya’ll, here’s to good food, pumpkin pie, football, coffee, and plenty of naps! See you next week.
