The Shadow
Welcome back, Shadowers! There’s a lot of undercurrents going on in the Highlands, with some of them too deep to make any real sense of just yet. So while we’re waiting for those to surface, pull up a chair in a sun-filled corner and pour yourself a good cup of caffeinated curiosity. Or popcorn.
Apparently, the last thing Olde Town Covington (OTC) board member Jamie Hale said as Brad Armentrout was shown the door was, “I’m sure this will be on the Shadow shortly.”
Last week, Brad Armentrout was voted off and unceremoniously removed from the OTC board. Apparently, Armentrout had been pushing for information on the $14,000 spent on the Alley Gallery and why the board was bypassed in the approval process for that. He also allegedly discussed a potential loss due to incorrect materials being used for all the displays that are not rated for outdoor use.
Armentrout stated, “I spoke up and said these minutes are not approved when the vote came up. I wasn’t yelling and was asked to lower my voice or leave. Some time later, the lady who now runs the city’s Parks and Rec Department stated that if I didn’t like the decisions they were making, “there’s the door.” When I asked about her opinion on her belief that if a board member has cause for concern or questions, should they remain quiet? It was my belief that the purpose of every board member was to express their questions and concerns. She said, “That’s not what I said.” When I asked her to clarify her statement, she just made a ‘humpf’ sound, shifted in her seat, and remained quiet the rest of the meeting.”
Armentrout also asked about the hiring process for the new OTC Executive Director. Armentrout stated, “I wanted to be interviewed for the Executive Director position to see for myself the interview process and how it was being handled. I informed the board that a selection criterion during the interview was to ask if I supported or condemned the Virginian Review’s Shadow, and my response was that I neither support nor condemn them. It is a media outlet whose effectiveness is based on your interaction with it and how we as an organization utilize it. That was followed by Terry, Jamie, Lisa Akers, and Afton all attacking me for showing any support.”
Armentrout said that apparently, in the eyes of the OTC board, the Virginian Review is not considered a business on Main Street. (Reality: The Virginian Review is physically located there, and has actively participated in and supported every Main Street event and parade since it moved there last year.) Armentrout also alleged that “Hale doesn’t support the Virginian Review, nor will she ever consider it a business on Main. Most of the board members have spoken out against the Virginian Review’s “Shadow.” Lisa Crawford allegedly stated, “It’s not good for the community and needs to go away.”
Armentrout then reminded them that it’s a downtown business, and to not support them as a downtown business goes against everything this organization stands for.Amentrout feels strongly about the OTC mission: “As an organization that is funded by money from the City of Covington, grants, and donations from members of the community, we have a responsibility to account for every penny that is spent and an obligation to the citizens of Covington to be completely transparent with all of our actions. We must maintain a high level of professionalism and steadfast in our dedication to keep and maintain Olde Town Covington as an organization that strives to revitalize and help ALL downtown businesses and not let personal bias falter that goal.”
During the board meeting, Terri McClung then spoke up and said, “I motion for the removal of Brad from the board.” Armentrout reflected, “I think every person there raised their hand. I stood up, wished the organization good luck, and walked out.”
Does it seem to you that using one’s official position to weaponize one’s personal grudges is still a thing in the Highlands?
By the way, if you’re like the rest of the town trying to peer into the OTC’s blacked-out windows wondering who the heck is running the show over there, apparently the board members are: Afton Griffin, Jamie Hale, Jaime Griffin, Lisa Akers, Lisa Sponaugle, Lisa Worley, Susan Crowder, Terri McClung and Tony O’Brien. The Executive Director is still unknown.
Now for some brighter news around town. Just last week, one shadower slipped into the City of Covington’s budget meeting and found themselves nudged into awe. City Manager Dressler—backed by Finance Maestro B.B. Bryant—treated every question as if it were the morality play of municipal spending. No line moved until they’d probed its ripple effect on you and me, proving our leaders just might be able to balance spreadsheets without losing their hearts.
That same spirit of genuine awe continues to echo around town over this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, which drew visitors all the way from Texas hungry for tacos and tunes. The salsa flowed so freely you’d swear it also patched all the potholes, and even The Shadow himself filled his sombrero with tasty goodness.
Speaking of rolling up sleeves and filling voids, Lawyer Kristen McConnell, who put so much effort into the beautiful work done on the old bank building now known as the “Five Sides Building,” along with her husband Ron, has recently opened up a general contracting business called Dave and Steve LLC, named after their two dogs. The business employs licensed and bonded contractors who specialize in taking on jobs that other contractors feel are too small to bother with. Kristen had trouble getting contractors to show up and help with minor construction needs, so she and Ron started this business to fill that gap. Bravo.
Yesterday, the halls of Covington Middle School, were in full celebratory mode with Gary Wayne Twitty Day. Gary Wayne Twitty is retiring from Covington Middle School after 45 years of faithful service. Thank you for your service.
And lest our goodwill run dry, save Monday, September 8 for Hometown Monday at Jack Mason’s Tavern. Ten percent of every pint and plate that night will flow straight to the DSS Food Pantry, reminding us that raising a glass can raise hope, too.
Finally, Shadower Howard Crush writes in, “The County Board of Supervisors has posted their agenda for Tuesday, June 3rd. Item D is a proposed tax rate decrease from 73 cents per $100 to 49 cents per $100. While that’s a decrease of 32.88% it doesn’t mean much when your assessment went WAY up. Now is the time for everyone to show up and make your voices heard.”
I’m out of time and out of coffee, but will leave you with this thought, “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell.
(Photo: Gary Wayne Twitty being honored at Covington Middle School for his 45 years of service. Photo Credit: Christopher Mentz)
