Adjourned Board Meeting, April 21, 2009

First, we would like to urge citizens to attend at least a couple of Board Meetings. Since starting this communication effort, we have found that these meetings are actually interesting in many respects. Last evening, Phillip Lovelace spoke about the iron found in the drinking water pursuant to the uranium core drilling, Deborah Dix and Allen Gross also spoke on related topics. Karen Maute also spoke, however, because Ms. Maute is so soft spoken, we can never get her recorded so that she can be heard. If anyone reads this, please let Karen know that we would be pleased for her to write a synopsis of the issues she spoke on last night, and we will post it on the blog - a couple of paragraphs will be fine.



Nancy Smith reprimanded the Board due to the negligence of conducting Board business in line with Roberts Rules of Order. Mr. Snead and Mr. Ecker actually had the book with them, which was interesting.

A memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Corrections was voted on by the Board, and it was voted to go forward with this. Basically, in plain english, the old Prison Farm has been offered to the Conty by the state, and if the County goes ahead in a timely manner, they will be able to also claim "rights" to the beds, linens, etc. Basically, if the county is going to do anything at all as far as a jail space goes, this is the least expensive route.

Regional One's Contract was voted on and passed, 5 - 2, with Davis and Ingram against. There wasn't a public discussion, so we don't know why they dissented.

Wheeler Baker and Frank Martin from Hargrave Military Academy accepted a resolution from the Board in recognition of HMA's 100 year anniversary.

Then we had the rezoning cases, and this is usually boring - but one interesting topic arose - North American Properties - Coleman Marketplace wanted to rezone in the Sweetgum Lane area of the county from R-1 to RMF (Residential Multi-family). They intend to build housing facilities, with the intention that there will be no subsidized homes involved. With the second phase of the project, a traffic study will be required, but the company has proffered to have it done, at no cost to the county. The residents of the area signed a petition that they had no problems with the multifamily housing in their neighborhood.

Dan Sleeper informed the Board that the Hurt Volunteer Fire Dept. requests a lease on the Wayside Park in Hurt. The county will maintain what is already there; however, if the FD builds something on the property - i.e. a ball diamond - they would be responsible for maintenance on it. The Board unanimously approved.

In new business, a resolution to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the VDH (Virginia Department of Health) requesting an investigation of the well water problems passed after some resasonable discussion.

The Board voted 4-3 to support Lindsay Bowman with a $500 contribution to support her pageant participation in the Miss VA pageant. Harville, Barber, and Snead voted against the proposal - citing that this should not be funded with county taxpayer money; Mr. Snead said that he made a personal contribution as supervisor from Lindsay's district and he thought that was the better route. I must say that I agreed with them, citing the tight budget right now. However, I did discuss this with Mr. Ecker, and he said that he felt it was the right thing to do, since she was, after all, representing our county. My opinion softened somewaht - BUT, since she is running as Miss Danville Pittsylvania County, shouldn't Danville pony up $500, too?! At the date and time of this meeting, Mr. Harville informed us that the City had contributed $0.

Dan Sleeper explained a Cost Allocation Plan that had a $10K price tag attached to it; however, he did explain that due to the county's use of this plan (which the county has been contracting for since 1979) Pittsylvania County gets back 5 0r 6 times that in federal grant money. Interesting.

The Board discussed the issue of giving Chatham Elementary (with exception of the Registrar's Office) to the Town of Chatham. Mr. Ecker said that there should be a stipulation made that the town can't turn around and sell it - in that case, the county may as well sell it. There is to be a public meeting to discuss this on May 4th, at the Regular Board meeting.

I have a few videos to upload, so check back later!