November 2012 Board accepts stormwater grant

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 Check out the images
of Halloween at Rural
Retreat Lake
page 4
November 2012
ISSUE
340 S 6th St
24382
Wytheville,
VA
VOLUME
YEAR
Phone: (276) 223-6020
Fax: (276) 223-6030
E-mail: [email protected]
www.wytheco.org
www.facebook.com/wytheco

Find out how to help
a four-legged friend
page 7
Volume 1 Issue 12
 Fire Prevention
Week sounds off in
Wytheville
Page 8
Wythe
the news
THE HUB OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.
Video system approved for Boardroom
On October 9, 2012, the Wythe
County Board of Supervisors held
its bi-monthly meeting at the
Wythe County Administration
Building.
At the meeting, the Board received
a resolution from the Virginia
House of Delegates and Senate,
learned about National Heritage
Areas and the Crooked Road, approved funding for a Boardroom
video system, and passed the
Wythe County Subdivision Ordinance.
Del. Anne B. Crockett-Stark addressed the Board to present a resolution declaring Oct. 15 Edith Bolling Wilson Day. Wytheville was
the birthplace of First Lady Wilson
and was where her family resided.
With this resolution, the Town of
Wytheville and Wythe County have
been recognized by the Virginia
House of Delegates and Senate.
Jack Hinshelwood, Executive Director of the Crooked Road, presented the Board with information
regarding the organization and National Heritage Areas.
The organization is actively seeking to receive this designation to
have the region, including Wythe
County, recognized for its cultural
and historical significance.
Continued page 12
Board accepts stormwater grant
On October 23, 2012, the Wythe
County Board of Supervisors held its
bi-monthly meeting in the County Administration Building. At the meeting,
the Board received a business plan
from the Wythe County Rescue Squad,
scheduled a meeting with the Wythe
County School Board, and accepted a
grant for a new mandated program.
J.D. Hancock, Wythe County Rescue
Squad Director, presented the Board
with a new business plan for the squad.
Hancock pointed out that this is a
working document and will be updated
continuously. The squad plans to meet
with the Fire and Rescue Taskforce to
discuss the plan further.
The Board scheduled a meeting to discuss the Wythe County Public
School’s capital improvement plan on
Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the County Administration Building.
The plan includes three phases in
which four schools are proposed to be
renovated.
The 2012 Local Stormwater Program
Grant was accepted in the amount of
$33,842. Cellell Dalton, County Administrator, pointed out this program
is an unfunded mandate from the
Commonwealth of Virginia. The
funds awarded in the grant are only a
third of the funding necessary to establish the new program.
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New County Phone Numbers
On November 14, 2012, the
Wythe County Administration Office will transition to a
new phone system. Due to
the installation of the new
system, all telephone numbers will be reassigned as follows:
Planning Department: (276)
223-4508
General (276) 223-4500
Gary Cody: (276) 223-4519
Building Inspection Request:
(276) 223-4500
Parks and Recreation Information Line: (276) 223-4520
Water and Waste Water:
(276) 223-4501
Tina Brown: (276) 223-4517
Scotty Vaught: (276) 2234518
Emergency Management:
(276) 223—4521
County Administrator’s Office: (276) 223-4500
Public Information: (276) 223
-4522
Assistant County Administrator: (276) 223-4507
Fax: (276) 223-4515
Sign up for
emergency alert text
messaging today!
Wythe County Sheriff’s Office will now be sending text
message alerts during emergency situations. Messages
will be disbursed when notices need to be distributed for
adverse weather, traffic situations, dangerous incidents
and more.
The Wythe County Sheriff’s
Office hopes this will be tool
to better inform residents
when information needs to be
distributed quickly.
To sign up for this service,
text “WYTHECO” or
“WYTHESHERIFF” to
888777.
Letters from Santa
Deadline November 30. Through special arrangements with Santa and his elves, Wythe County Parks
& Recreation is sponsoring Letters from Santa. In order for your child to receive a personalized letter
from Santa’s Workshop, please send the completed “Letters to Santa” form to Santa’s Workshop,
WCPRD, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA 24382 by November 30th. This is for children ages
10 and under. Your child will receive a letter from Santa that is personalized with the information
you provide. Start a new holiday tradition and send your loved one(s) a little bit of Holiday Magic.
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Edith Bolling Wilson turns 140
Note from the Department of Building
Building
permits
are
required
for the
construction
of roof structures
and some decks. Please contact the Building Inspection
Department for information. On October 15, 2012, the Edith Bolling Wilson Museum held a reception in honor of the
former first lady’s 140 birthday. The reception was attended by a number of guests including Wythe County Tourism Director Gary
Cody.
Del. Anne B. Crockett-Stark addressed the
Wythe County Board of Supervisors at its bimonthly meeting to present a resolution declaring Oct. 15 Edith Bolling Wilson Day.
Wytheville was the birthplace of First Lady
Wilson and was where her family resided.
With this resolution, the Town of Wytheville
and Wythe County have been recognized by
the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate.
School Board presents Plan
On November 1, 2012, Wythe
County Board of Supervisors met
with representatives from the
Wythe County School Board to
discuss the Wythe County Public
Schools Capital Improvement Plan.
Dr. Lee Brannon, Wythe County
Public Schools Superintendent,
reported on public meetings held
regarding the plan.
Meetings have been held at George
Wythe High School, Rural Retreat
High School, and local civic clubs.
More meetings are scheduled for
the future.
Brannon also gave the Board a
presentation regarding what is being presented to the public about
the plan. The presentation includes
background information from facility studies, progress that has been
made to schools throughout the
County and what is being looked at
for the future.
The first phase of the project would
begin in May 2013, if approved by
the Board of Supervisors. Renovations included the addition of secure entrances, bus canopies, and
needed classrooms.
Continued page 5
Citizens who have recreational vehicles or campers
located in the floodplain
should be familiar with our
Floodplain Management
Ordinance. Please visit
our website to see the ordinance.
Upcoming Trips
Senior Van Tour of the
New River Trail – November 7 Enjoy a guided van tour along 40
miles of the New River
Trail. Discover the natural and cultural history
of the region through
site seeing of the New
River Trail system. Ages 55 & Older. Trip includes brochures and a
boxed lunch. Fee: $25
per person; leave the
New River Trail State
Park at Foster Falls at
8:45am and return at
4pm. Deadline to register: November 2nd.
Sponsored by the New
River Trail State Park
and Wythe County Parks
& Recreation.
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Rural Retreat Lake Halloween Celebration
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Upcoming Events
Upcoming Wythe County
Parks and Recreation Sports
Short Sports – 3 to 6 year olds
Short sports is a program geared towards 3-6 year old children who want to start learning the basic motor skills to basketball, baseball, tennis and football. This class will meet on
four straight Monday’s from 6:30pm-7:15pm at the Rural
Retreat Pentecostal Holiness Church. This is a great program to introduce your child to a variety of sports and also
prepare your child for organized sports. Parents much be
present and will be working with their children on assigned
tasks. Registration Deadline – Monday, November 12. Registration Fee: $10 per child. This program will meet on
Monday’s Nov. 19, Nov. 26 Dec. 3 and Dec. 10.
6th & 7th Grade Youth Basketball – Open for both boys and
girls. Games will be played at the elementary schools of Max
Meadows, Jackson, Rural Retreat, Sheffey and Speedwell, as
well as the high schools of Fort Chiswell, George Wythe and
Rural Retreat. Registration dates: November 1st-30th. Practice begins December 1 and season runs January 8-February
22.
Cont: school board
Schools to be worked on through
the first phase of the capital improvement plan include Rural Retreat Middle School, Sheffey Elementary School and Fort Chiswell
Middle School.
tor, suggested school improvement
also look at how recreation areas
can be utilized through the County’s recreation department and the
general public.
The proposed cost of this phase of
the capital improvements plan is
eight million dollars.
The Board requested information
from staff regarding what tax increase would be necessary contribute to the cost of the renovations.
According to Dalton, decisions
regarding the renovations for the
schools should be made before
Christmas.
Another topic discussed included
the use of school facilities for recreation activities.
Cellell Dalton, County Administra-
Ivanhoe Christmas Parade – Saturday, November 24 at 4 p.m.
Come out and show your
support for the Max
Meadows community.
Still taking entries for
organizations Civic,
Church, Commercial and
Antique vehicles. First
place trophies will be
awarded for organizations and a plaque for the
best chosen Antique vehicle.
To register, call (276)
223-6022. Sponsored by
the Wythe County Parks
& Recreation Department.
Max Meadows Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 1 at 1
p.m.
Come out and show your
support for the Max
Meadows community.
Still taking entries for
organizations Civic,
Church, Commercial and
Antique vehicles. First
place trophies will be
awarded for organizations and a plaque for the
best chosen Antique vehicle.
Entries will need to meet
at the Max Meadows Elementary school at
12:00pm. To register,
call (276)223-6022.
Sponsored by the Wythe
County Parks & Recreation Department.
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Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month at
Wythe County Dog Shelter
In honor of “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month, Wythe
County businesses offered special incentives for adopting a dog from the Wythe County Dog Shelter in the
month of October. New pet parents took advantage of
adoption fee waivers, Petco gift cards, free grooming
and more through October 31, 2012.
“Adopt a Shelter Dog” month encourages individuals to
become a caregiver to a dog in need and provide a
“furever” home. Wythe County adopted out 15 dogs in
the month of October.
Adopters took advantage of many great donations when
adopting a dog from the Wythe County Dog Shelter.
Bob Huff Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc. and Huff Ford
Subaru Inc. paid the adoption fees and provided treat
bags for dogs. Petco provided gifts cards and coupons.
K9 Designs provided free pre-adoption grooming and
Woofville provided free post-adoption grooming.
Wythe County would like to thank all of the businesses
who participated in “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month. The
services they are providing to the residents and animals
of Wythe County helped to give homes to dogs that are
in need.
For more information regarding dogs currently available for adoption please contact the Wythe County Dog
Shelter at (276) 228-6003. Dogs currently at the shelter
can be view at www.facebook.com/wythecodogshelter
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Wytheville Fire Prevention Week Parade
Tips for Fire Prevention
Put a smoke alarm on every level
of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.
 Smoke alarms can be batteryoperated or electrically hardwired in your home and are
available at a variety of price
points.
 If you have hearing problems,
use alarms with flashing
strobe lights and vibration.
 Test smoke alarms every
month. Replace batteries once
a year, even if alarms are hardwired.
Plan and practice several escape
routes and a safe place to meet
outside.
 Plan and practice two escape
routes out of each room of the
house. It is important to have
an alternate escape route in
case one is blocked by fire.
 Have a designated person to
help young children and others
who might have difficulty
escaping.
Teach safety. A child who is
coached properly ahead of time
may have a better chance of surviving.
 Children should know the
sound of the smoke alarm.
When they hear it, teach them
to get outside quickly and
crawl low if there is smoke.
 Touch doors with the back of
your hand before opening
them. If the door is hot, use an
alternative exit.
 Teach children never to go
back into a burning building
for anything such as a toy or
pet, and to call the fire department or 911 from a neighbor’s
home or a cell phone outside.
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Rescue Squad Attends EMS Day
On October 10, 2012, Wythe County Rescue Squad attended EMS
Day at Jackson Elementary School. The squad members read stories
to two classes.
Water and Sewer
Updates
Construction projects:
Wytheville to RR water extension;
The original contract was completed in July and 75 residents have
connected to the system. In addition, with grant funds remaining in
the project, a change order has
been issued to extend water service
along A Frame Drive, and an extension along St. Paul Ln and east
on Huffard Ln. This work should
be completed in early spring.
Grahams Forge Sewer Project
The contractor has completed approximately 45% of the work. This
project is scheduled for completion
in March of 2013.
Wytheville Volunteer Fire Department
Receives Brush Truck Equipment
With funding from the Wythe-Bland Foundation, the Wytheville Volunteer Fire Department has installed equipment on its brush truck. This
equipment will aid in the containment and expelling of brush fires, as
well as, interstate incidents. Wythe County and Wytheville Volunteer
Fire Department would like to thank the Wythe-Bland Foundation for
all of its contributions to fire and rescue services in Wythe County.
Old School Road water Project:
Bids will be received on October
31 for a water main extension off
of the recently completed Old
School Rd project. The extension
will loop around Old School Rd to
the end of Marble Ln. This work
should be completed in early
spring.
Project in the planning stages:
Slabtown community improvements project;
A public meeting was held October 25 to gain citizen input on
community needs such as water,
road and housing improvements.
About 14 citizens were in attendance. Citizen involvement is the
driving factor in determining what
the community needs and whether
or not there is enough support for
applying for a community development block grant. Communities
with low to moderate income may
be eligible for block grant funding.
At the request of the County, Mt.
Rogers Planning District Commission has been going door to door
getting income surveys completed
which will help to determine if the
area is eligible for grant funding. If
you live in the Slabtown area and
have not filled out a survey, please
stop by the County Administration
building to pick one up.
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Annual Wythe County Cheermania
On Saturday, October 27, 2012, the
Rural Retreat High School gymnasium was taken over by the sounds
of cheers, chants and dances for the
Annual Cheermania event sponsored by both Wythe County and
the Town of Wytheville Parks and
Recreation Departments. The event
was kicked off with all cheerleaders, coaches and family members
on the hardwood dancing to the
“Cupid Shuffle.”
The Cheermania event replaced the
Cheerleading Competition that was
held for 16 years prior. Cheermania created a different focus to the
3rd-6th grade in performing a Cheer,
Chant and Dance by eliminating the
awards of Champion, 1st and 2nd
Runner Up in the Junior Varsity
(3rd-4th) and Varsity (5th-6th) divisions.
Wythe County Parks and Recreation Cheerleading Coordinator Tina
Brown stated that the energy, hard
work and dedication to the cheer
program was definitely displayed in
each and every performance.
Brown stated the 2012 cheer season had two hundred and fifty one
(251) cheerleaders on sixteen (16)
different squads performing a
Cheer, Chant and Dance in front of
the packed gymnasium. Cheerleaders
were tossed in the air, stomped feet,
clapped hands and lead chants.
In addition, there was an explosion of
glitter, dancing football players, and
dance routines that dazzled the audience with music from the 80’s, Pop,
Hip-Hop and Michael Jackson’s
Thriller.
Each cheerleader in each division,
Junior Varsity – 3rd and 4th graders
and Varsity – 5th and 6th graders, re-
ceived a gold cheer medal that was
engraved with 2012 Cheermania.
Brown stated that everyone who
worked hard throughout the cheer
season not only deserved to be recognized by showcasing their practiced talents, but by taking home a
personal token from this event.
Cheermania will be an annual event
for all cheerleaders for Wythe and
Bland Counties and the Town of
Wytheville in grades 3rd-6th.
Wythe County Park and Recreation held its annual youth football Super Bowl on October 20, 2012. After great competition from all
teams, one Varsity and one Junior Varsity team came out victorious. The Jackson Eagles (right) took home the trophy for Junior Varsity
and the Bland County Bears won in Varsity.
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November 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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3
4
5
6
7
8 Economic
Development
9
10
11
12
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14 Board of
Supervisors
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20 Water
Committee
21 Budget
Committee
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Tourism
Committee
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26 Recreation
Commission
27 Board of
Supervisors
Schedule of Events
 11/8–
Economic Development Committee will meet in
the conference room of the
County Administration
Building, 340 S 6th Street,
Wytheville at 8 a.m.
 11/14-
Wythe County Board
of Supervisors will hold its
bi-monthly meeting at 7
p.m. in the County Administration Building, 340 S 6th
Street, Wytheville.
 11/20-
Water Committee
will meet in the conference
room of the County Administration Building, 340 S 6th
Street, Wytheville at 9:30
a.m.
 11/20-
Tourism Committee
will meet in the Board room
of the County Administration
Building, 340 S 6th Street,
Wytheville at 6 p.m.
 11/21
- Budget Committee
will meet in the conference
room of the County Admin-
istration Building, 340 S 6th
Street, Wytheville at 8 a.m.
 11/26-
Recreation Commission will meet in the Board
room of the County Administration Building, 340 S 6th
Street, Wytheville at 7 p.m.
 11/27-
Wythe County Board
of Supervisors will hold its
bi-monthly meeting at 9
a.m. in the County Administration Building, 340 S 6th
Street, Wytheville.
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Upcoming Classes
Wythe County Board of Supervisors
The HUB of southwest VA
340 S 6th St
Wytheville, VA 24382
Phone: (276) 223-6020
Fax: (276) 223-6030
E-mail: [email protected]
www.wytheco.org
www.facebook.com/wytheco
Cont: video system
The organization hopes to receive the
designation for recognition as an important part of the American experience and for one to one federal match
funding. In addition, the Crooked
Road hopes the funding will create
jobs and improve the quality of life in
Southwest Virginia.
Cellell Dalton, County Administrator,
presented the benefits to the County
for belonging to the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Virginia Association of Counties. Benefits include a discount drug card program in which residents have saved
over $200,000 through the County’s
membership to NACo.
The Board approved funding for a
Boardroom video system that will be
used to record and distribute video of
public meetings to residents via local
television and the Internet. More information regarding the release of the
videos will be provided when the system is in place and functioning.
The Board voted to pass the Wythe
County Subdivision Ordinance. An
informational meeting will be sched-
Water Color Classes – Workshop is designed for the professional painter who is
stuck in a style as well as for the novice
who wants to conquer their fear of painting.
The popular workshops nurture individual
success and personal enrichment with a big
emphasis on bold use of color. It is stressfree, but be warned; you could end up with
too much enthusiasm for painting! Expect
an intense concentrated study of watercolor
materials, color theory, painting techniques
and composition. Professional supplies
provided. Fee: $30 per class. Choose from
2 different locations and several dates:
Rural Retreat Pentecostal Holiness Church; Nov. 3rd & Dec 8th; 10am12:30pm;
Deadlines: Nov. 1st & Dec. 5th.
Max Meadows Ruritan Building; Nov. 11th & Dec. 9th; 1pm-4:30pm
Deadlines: Nov. 1st & Dec. 5th.
Minimum of 6 – Maximum 15 participants.
Pilates/Yoga Class – Tuesday & Thursday; 5:45pm-6:30pm – Instructors Patti
Mills & Thelma Surber
Stretch and strengthen your body, learn to
relax, breathe, and focus in a class tailored
to your needs and skill level. Develop better breathing habits, improve posture and
learn techniques to use mental concentrations and focus through deep stretching
exercises that will improve your balance,
flexibility and coordination. Fee: $55.00
for 6 weeks; $65.00 for both Zumba and
Pilates/Yoga. For ages 15 & Up. Tuesday’s & Thursday’s Oct 30th-Nov 15th;
SKIP Nov 20 & 22; Nov 27th-Dec 13th at
the Rural Retreat Middle School Cafeteria.
To register, call (276)223-6022.
Zumba Class – Tuesdays & Thursdays;
6:30pm-7:15pm – Instructors Patti Mills
& Thelma Surber
Party yourself into shape with this Latin
inspired dance fitness program created by
dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto”
Perez in Colombia during the 1990’s.
Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements. Unlike a typical dance class where
counts are used, Zumba involves following
ule by the Wythe County Planning
Commission staff for surveyors, land
developers, attorneys and other interested individuals to review the new
ordinance.
the music with repetitive movements.
Zumba’s choreography incorporates hiphop, samba, salsa, merenjue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood and belly
dance moves. Squats and Lunges are also
introduced. Fee: $55.00 for 6 weeks;
$65.00 for both Zumba and Pilates/Yoga.
For ages 15 & Up. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s Oct 30-Nov 15; SKIP Nov 20 & 22;
Nov 27-Dec 13 at the Rural Retreat Middle
School Cafeteria. To register, call (276)223
-6022.
Toddler Art – “Discover Art”; 3 to 5
year olds – Instructor Erin Simons
Bring the joy of creativity, the delight of
imagination, and the thrill of an art adventure to your child. “Discover Art” will allow your toddler to explore are on a grander
tmore expressive scale. This class will help
in building creativity, problem solving, social skills, as well as fine and gross motor
skills. Wear old clothes and shoes that are
okay to get stained; in the past students have
worn the same clothes from week to week.
Mondays beginning November
5th-26th; 4 weeks at the Max
Meadows Fire Department;
5:20pm-6:00pm; Cost of Instruction $20.00; Maximum Class – 10
Children.
For more information or to register, call
(276)223-6022 or email
[email protected]
Registration Deadline: November 2nd
(Max Meadows location);
Masterpiece Mania – Grades K-1 & 2-3 –
Instructor Erin Simons
Take a journey through the past and create
your own gallery of masterpieces based on
the art of such masters as Giotto, Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and
more. A gallery showing of each masterpiece completed will be shown at the end of
the six week course. Wear old clothes and
shoes that are okay to get stained. In the
past, students have worn the same clothes
from week to week.
Mondays Nov. 5th-Dec. 10th;
Max Meadows Fire Department
Section 1: Grades K-1 (Max 12
students); 6:15pm-7:00pm.
Section 2: Grades 2-3 (max 15
students); 7:15pm-8:00pm.
Fee: $15.00per class; $75.00 for
entire course.
Registration Deadline: Nov 2nd (Max
Meadows location)