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Wow.

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96th hall.

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Yeah, one line.

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42, 42 goats, 30, 20, no sears.

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And,

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you know,

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almost like 38.

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That's incredible. That's a lot of money.

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And I got 530. You ready?

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I mean, hit the button.

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Good evening. Meeting of the Green County Board of Supervisors will come to order. First on the agenda, we have closed meeting. Ms. Kemp, can you read the motion?

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Yes, sir. Whereas the Board of Supervisors of Green County desires to discuss and close meeting the following matters. Discussion, consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries,

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or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body

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regarding the Water and Sewer Department, Economic Development, the Jefferson Area Board

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of for Aging, Java Advisory Council and Region 10, discussion or consideration of the acquisition

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of real property for a public purpose or the disposition of publicly held real property

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where discussion at open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position of the public

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body, whereas pursuant to Section 2.2-3711A1 and A3 of the Code of Virginia such discussions

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may occur in a closed meeting. Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Supervisors

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of Green County does hereby authorize discussion of the afore stated matters of closed meeting.

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Thank you Ms. Kemp. I have a motion to adopt. Is there a second?

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Okay, we have a motion and a second to go into closed session roll call vote. Mr. Lamb?

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Mr. Gouldsby?

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Hi.

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Ms. Durham?

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And the chair votes aye.

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Okay.

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Yeah, I'm not sure that I have audio.

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You have it on right now. Don't you want to be in mute?

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What will I think of?

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The

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video means it's their video, and if I get the license, it says calling green, but it doesn't show.

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Well, you're a seer. David, please mute yourself.

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You ready, Jim? Yeah, we're good.

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We have a motion to come in the open session. So move a second. We have a motion in a second to come in the open session and roll a call.

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roll vote. Mr. Lamb. Mr. Hartung. Aye. Mr. Gouldsby. Aye. Ms. Dura. Aye. And the chair

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votes aye. Do all members certify that only public business matters lawfully exempted from

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the open meeting requirement and only such matters as identified by the motion to enter

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and close meeting were discussed? Roll call vote. Mr. Lamb. I certify. Mr. Hartung.

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I certify. Mr. Gouldsby. I certify. Ms. Dura. I certify. And the chair certifies.

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Yes. Okay. Out of closed session. First, obviously Mr. Hartung is remotely attending the meeting. Is it the board's pleasure to allow him to do that?

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Yes. Yes. Okay. Mr. Hartung, where are you physically?

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I'm in Houston currently on a business trip.

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Okay. Perfect. All right. Well, we will have you as part of the meeting. We just can't see you.

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All right, Mr. out of closed session. Yes, sir. I moved to reappoint Mr. Robert Murphy to the Jefferson area board for aging for a two year term to conclude July 31st, 2028.

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Okay, their second. I second. Okay, we have a motion in the second roll call vote. Mr. Mr. Goolsbee. Hi. Mr. Hartung. Hi.

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Mr. Lamb. And the chair votes aye.

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I move to reappoint Dr. Wendy Mitchum to the Region 10 Community Services Board for a three-year term to conclude on June 30, 2029.

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Okay, is there a second?

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I second.

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Okay, we have motion and a second on nomination roll call vote.

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Mr. Lamb?

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Mr. Hartong?

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Aye.

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Mr. Gouldsby?

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Aye.

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Ms. Durham?

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Aye.

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And the chair votes aye.

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And finally, I move to reappoint Ms. Linda Copeland to the Java Advisory Council for a two-year term to conclude August 31, 2028.

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Okay, we have a motion to second roll call vote. Mr. Lam, Mr. Hartung.

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Aye.

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Mr. Gouldsby.

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Aye.

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Mr. Durham.

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Aye.

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And the chair votes aye.

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Thank you, Mr. Durham.

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Thank you.

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Thank you to everyone that volunteers their time to these committees.

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It's much appreciated.

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Want to welcome everyone to the Green County, a meeting of the Green County Board of Supervisors.

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As is customary, we will stand and pledge the flag and follow it by a moment of silence.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic with

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which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Okay.

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Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda?

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So moved.

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Is there a second?

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Second.

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Okay, we have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda roll call vote.

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Mr. Lamb?

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Aye.

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Mr. Hartung?

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Aye.

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Mr. Gulsby?

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Aye.

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Mr. Durham?

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and the chair votes aye. Next on the agenda we have some recognition presentation of the Virginia

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Association of County's Achievement Award for the Green County Water and Sewer Department. We

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have Mr. Joe Lerks from VACO and Thomas Hucka, the director of water and sewer. Okay, Ms. Shaffer

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will be doing it. Yeah, hello everyone. James Hutzer with the Virginia Association of Counties.

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I was just talking to my new friends back there and it's really nice to see the whole

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community come out to listen to me speak. You guys deserve this award, so I'm happy

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everyone's here to get to hear about it. But for those who aren't familiar with the

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Association of Counties, we've existed since 1934 and served county leaders' efforts

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in many ways, mostly through our advocacy at the state and federal level. We also

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serve counties through our member services, educational programs, and many other things

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at the Virginia Association of Counties. So we created this achievement award program

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in 2003 to highlight the great work that's being done across the state. Hopefully, you know,

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these programs can serve as models for other counties to emulate and better deliver public

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services for their citizens. So, oh, and it's also fun because this is the best small county

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achievement award. So, out of the 95 counties, you know, we have a bunch of more rural counties

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in the state and this county won the best small county achievement award. So, congratulations.

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I'm sure the County Administrator would like to discuss the program.

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Thank you very much.

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And also, not only do we have a lot of people, we have all our most esteemed media here.

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So, very happy for that.

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The water and sewer department was created in 2023 to manage utilities after we acquired it from the rapid and service authority.

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And in less than three years, we've achieved, we've addressed a host of repair and upgrade work that was needed.

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hired and trained an entirely new staff and we also won an award from VDH for

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water quality and for the first time ever for that particular water treatment

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plant. So this profession just for, there's a lot of people here that

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probably don't know this, it requires by law to have a staff that possess very

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specific technical skills including water treatment licenses, waste water

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treatment licenses, utility line repair proficiency, and it's also highly regulated by the state,

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the Department of Health and DEQ, which is the Department of Environmental Quality.

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And you have to have licensed operators who meet the level required by the system's

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classification.

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So the operators have to have the education, the experience.

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They have to take a very, very challenging exam.

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Many times people are required, you know, going to have to take it multiple times before they can pass.

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And these licenses require biennial review and continuing education hours.

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And most importantly, the jobs not only require the experience and water and wastewater treatment and the corresponding state licenses,

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but hands-on training working in our specific plants.

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So in other words, no operator, no matter how experienced they are anywhere,

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can't just come aboard and handle a shift by themselves without a couple, you know,

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several weeks of training that is very specific to our plan. So, like many people in the Commonwealth,

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actually across the country, it has been very difficult to find people with that high level

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of skill to operate this utility, which sometimes, you know, especially in, you know,

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certain dry months, might have to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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And there's a shortage.

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So this program was able to expand our pool by assisting employees who were on the wastewater

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side to get the water treatment licensure by working in the water treatment plant

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and vice versa.

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People in the water treatment plant went to the wastewater plant and the best part

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of the whole program was we did it with our existing very small staff. So, because we were

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swapping people, nobody was short. You know, people, we were able to have enough coverage

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where we needed it, which gives us the ability that if there are people sick or they're,

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you know, whatever is happening that causes us to need extra people, we are now so cross-trained.

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Which also, by the way, and the staff, there are many staff here that can tell, well,

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some of them may have been intimidated and left, but the staff that run those two,

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the water treatment plant and the wastewater plant are here. And it's very invigorating. The

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employees loved it. So it was just a win all the way around. And it was really able to help us be

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more resilient, create better quality of life, because we no longer have to say, hey, you're

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the one person who knows how to do this, so you're going to have to work a 20-hour shift

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or you're going to have to work 20 days straight or whatever might happen. And people were able

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to advance their own, you know, knowledge base and be able to feel much more fulfilled. It

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breaks down silos. When you're wastewater and you understand the water treatment plant works

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and vice versa, it really helps you understand the mission and the mission that they have

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to fill the pride to be able to deliver this very important public health and safety, you

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know, benefit to the community. It's just, that's why I love it. And any community could

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do it. So to, you know, the point of why they go does these awards, they should be things

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that you can take and achieve anywhere else. And that's how we all help ourselves at

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at the local level, be able to be the best we can be.

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So, that's it.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Yeah, just wanted to close out.

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Say, appreciate you guys for participating in the program.

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I'm sure I'll be here next year for another award.

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And, you know, keep doing the fantastic work

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and keep delivering it for the citizens of Green.

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So thank you so much.

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Sure, absolutely.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank

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you.

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my word. Hey man, leave the way. You want to start here or you want to get some

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We said now everybody like it in between some bodies.

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They weren't once you're on the end.

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It's like a family photo to fix for anything.

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Thanks to my family.

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You're not posing in there.

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Okay, next on the agenda we have a public hearing public hearing to consider an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 budget to adjust the aggregate amount to be appropriated during the current fiscal year.

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for an appropriation which is in excess of 1% of the total expenditure shown on the adopted fiscal year 2026.

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Specifically, a resolution authorizing the supplemental appropriation of $3 million in funding from the General Assembly for 2026 water projects

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and $210,000 payment to the Rutgersville Volunteer Fire Company for the purchase of their truck.

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The staff report.

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There's a memo that's included in your package.

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And it is so that you can appropriate the three million dollars that we got from the General Assembly toward the white run reservoir projects keeping on the theme of water and tour.

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And as you can see that that was approved with the General Assembly budget.

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And because it's more than 1% of our general fund, that's why we have to have a public hearing.

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And along those same lines, the Rockersville Volunteer Fire Company, we have $210,000 that was allocated, you guys appropriated in a previous fiscal year.

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The truck arrived this spring. We've already made the payment. So now the budget is coming to catch up with, you know, where we made the payment in the fiscal year FY26.

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So that's what this is for because those two will total those two totals go more than 1% of the general fund. So unless you have any questions.

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Thank you. Appreciate it. We might. I doubt it, but we might. It is a public hearing so we will get the sign up sheet open up to the public for comment.

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Okay. No one has signed up. Mr. Friedel, can you check Zoom for us, sir?

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Absolutely. Anyone that is joining us via the Zoom link, if you want to address the

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board on this topic about the budget, please use the Raise Your Hand feature and we'll give

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you a moment to find that. It's under your React button and at that point you'll be

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able to address the board.

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Does

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not appear we have any speakers on this topic.

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Okay.

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Thank you, Mr. Friedel.

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I will close the public hearing and open it up to the board of supervisors for discussion

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who would like to go first.

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I think it's kind of a no-win situation.

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Totally self-explanatory.

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I think it is.

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The last payment was given to represent the truck is in the county and it is in service.

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Questions?

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Comments, motion?

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I'll make a motion to approve the resolution to appropriate amount not to exceed three

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million, $210,000 for the white-run reservoir project and payment to Rockersville Voluntary

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Fire Company for Apparatus payment for the supplemental budget of probation for the 2026.

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Okay. Is there a second? I second. Okay. We have a motion and a second.

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Is there any further discussion on motion?

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Hearing none, we'll move to a roll call vote.

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Mr. Lamb? Mr. Hartle? Aye. Mr. Goolsbee? Aye. Mr. Durer? Aye. And the Chair votes aye.

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Consent agenda. Can we take it together?

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Thank you.

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Motion to take agenda all together. Okay. Is there a second? I'll second here

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We have a motion a second to take to consent agenda together roll call vote. Mr. Lamb. Hi, Mr. Harton. Hi

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schools be I was Durer I and their chair votes. I

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Do not have action items, but we do have items for discussion

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Request from the school board for the board of supervisors to petition the court for a referendum on the November ballot for a 1%

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local sales tax dedicated exclusively to public school construction and capital improvement projects.

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Ms. Shaffer, if you want to tee that off and we'll get into a discussion and the school board

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members that are here are welcome to participate in that discussion.

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00:32:09,740 --> 00:32:12,880
It's kind of the first time we're all digging into it at the same time.

228
00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:21,240
So. Absolutely. So this is a very compressed timeline that the General Assembly has allowed

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for us to be for the board to consider whether they want to push forward to the

230
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To request that a amendment be put on the ballot in the fall. So we have here the chairman of the Green County School Board who is and I don't know if there's any other school. I can't tell.

231
00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:48,620
Oh, yeah. Sorry. I'll see you down there. I was going to speak to the issue, too.

232
00:32:50,380 --> 00:32:55,500
Sure. Okay, great. I also feel like there's a lot of people here to listen to me speak.

233
00:32:56,720 --> 00:33:00,640
Good evening, Chairman and members of the board. Thanks for giving me a few minutes tonight.

234
00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:04,840
I'm here this evening as a school board chair, but honestly, I'm here as a partner.

235
00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:09,040
Someone who cares about where this county is headed and wants to help get us there.

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00:33:09,040 --> 00:33:13,380
We all see the steady growth happening around us and while that can be an

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exciting or terrifying thing, depending on your specific views on growth, it does

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mean we have to be incredibly proactive about planning for the future. Our job is

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to look ahead and ensure that as more families move here, we can continue to

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provide safe, functional, and supportive spaces for our kids to learn and our

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staff to work. And we can't do that without being smart and responsible

242
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with taxpayer dollars. Recently the state gave all Virginia localities a

243
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tool to do exactly that. We now have the option to ask our voters to approve a 1% local sales tax

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that would be dedicated entirely to school construction and capital projects. It would let

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us set aside real savings for capital needs, including a new school we'll likely need within

246
00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:59,620
the next seven years, given our growing population and new housing developments, and it

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would do that without leaning entirely on our citizens and taxpayers. The school board

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00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:09,500
unanimously passed the resolution we've presented to you all. To be clear, I'm not here tonight

249
00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:15,040
to ask this Board to raise anyone's taxes. I am simply asking that you approve the resolution

250
00:34:15,040 --> 00:34:19,980
to place this question on the ballot this November. Our goal is that our citizens get

251
00:34:19,980 --> 00:34:23,960
to have the opportunity to look at the options and make the final call for themselves.

252
00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:28,340
Thank you for letting me speak, and I really would like to have Mr.

253
00:34:28,340 --> 00:34:30,960
Dr. Mastrovich to add to the conversation.

254
00:34:31,260 --> 00:34:32,340
Okay, sounds good.

255
00:34:35,980 --> 00:34:36,720
Welcome, sir.

256
00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:38,400
Sorry for the problem, I didn't have the time.

257
00:34:39,380 --> 00:34:40,340
This is cool.

258
00:34:41,740 --> 00:34:44,120
So good evening, Mr. Chairman and Board.

259
00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:46,380
My name is David Mastrovich.

260
00:34:46,480 --> 00:34:48,060
I'm a resident of the Midway District

261
00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:50,100
and I am a member of the School Board.

262
00:34:50,740 --> 00:34:52,640
I'm here this evening to ask you to place

263
00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:55,220
the proposed 1% local sales tax

264
00:34:55,220 --> 00:34:57,900
for school capital projects on the November ballot.

265
00:34:57,900 --> 00:35:04,960
But earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly gave counties a new tool, allowing

266
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local voters, not Richmond, to decide whether to approve a dedicated 1 percent sales tax

267
00:35:11,380 --> 00:35:13,000
for school capital projects.

268
00:35:13,560 --> 00:35:18,540
I believe the citizens of Green County deserve the opportunity to decide whether this is

269
00:35:18,540 --> 00:35:19,980
the right path for our community.

270
00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:25,100
By placing this question on the ballot, you are not approving a tax, you're given

271
00:35:25,100 --> 00:35:30,580
the people of Green County the right to vote on it. State law is very clear. Every dollar raised

272
00:35:30,580 --> 00:35:35,960
must stay in Green County and may only be used for school capital purposes, including construction,

273
00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:43,920
major renovations, land acquisition, repayment of school construction debt. It cannot be used for

274
00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:49,900
salaries, administrative costs, or other operations. What I appreciate about this proposal

275
00:35:49,900 --> 00:35:55,500
was not simply how the money is spent. It's who makes the decision. This decision belongs,

276
00:35:55,980 --> 00:36:00,980
doesn't belong to Richmond. It doesn't belong to the school board. It doesn't belong to the

277
00:36:00,980 --> 00:36:06,760
board of supervisors. It belongs to the Green County. Its referendum passes, it's because

278
00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:12,740
the citizens choose it. If it fails, it's because the citizen chooses that. That is local

279
00:36:12,740 --> 00:36:18,500
government working exactly as it should. The funding option is particularly well suited for

280
00:36:18,500 --> 00:36:25,000
Green County because of our location. Unlike a property tax, this sales tax paid by anyone

281
00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:31,760
making taxable purchases within Green County, not just our residents. It also excludes groceries

282
00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:39,160
and central personal hygiene products. Another important feature is, unlike a property tax

283
00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:44,340
increase, this proposal includes a sunset provision ensuring voters that this funding

284
00:36:44,340 --> 00:36:50,360
sources not intended to continue indefinitely. Over the years, I've learned one of the best

285
00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:55,480
ways to strengthen your financial position is to invest using other people's money.

286
00:36:57,240 --> 00:36:59,460
I think everybody understands that.

287
00:37:01,480 --> 00:37:05,800
In this case, Green County has the opportunity to invest

288
00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:11,620
its schools with the help of visitors traveling through our community. Estimates suggest that

289
00:37:11,620 --> 00:37:16,380
roughly one quarter of the revenue generated by this tax would come from non-residents.

290
00:37:17,140 --> 00:37:23,140
Overall, the tax could generate approximately $1.3 million each year for school capital projects

291
00:37:23,140 --> 00:37:26,800
while reducing future pressure on local property.

292
00:37:28,380 --> 00:37:34,840
Reasonable people can disagree. Ask why any tax at all is the right answer. It's a fair question.

293
00:37:35,380 --> 00:37:40,220
But perhaps the better question is this. If we choose not to use the tool, what's the

294
00:37:40,220 --> 00:37:46,160
alternative? Do we continue asking the Green County homeowners, the farmers, the businesses

295
00:37:46,160 --> 00:37:51,520
to shoulder the entire burden through property taxes? Do we postpone needed improvements

296
00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:58,780
and leave future generations with even larger repair bills? Rule communities are not presented

297
00:37:58,780 --> 00:38:04,300
by or not preserved by accident. They're preserved when each generation chooses to

298
00:38:04,300 --> 00:38:09,320
invest in the things that make them worth preserving. Few investments are more important

299
00:38:09,320 --> 00:38:15,700
than our schools. Strong schools encourage young families to put down routes. They help protect

300
00:38:15,700 --> 00:38:21,900
values, attract employers, prepare the next generation of farmers, teachers, business owners,

301
00:38:22,480 --> 00:38:29,420
first responders, military members, volunteers, and civic leaders like yourself who will shape

302
00:38:29,420 --> 00:38:35,900
Green County long after we are gone. So my request is simple. Please allow the voters

303
00:38:35,900 --> 00:38:42,360
Ring County to decide this question for themselves by placing the 1% local sales tax referendum

304
00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:43,560
on the whoever ballot.

305
00:38:44,480 --> 00:38:45,540
Thank you for your time.

306
00:38:45,740 --> 00:38:46,240
Thank you, sir.

307
00:38:46,380 --> 00:38:47,120
Thank you.

308
00:38:52,780 --> 00:38:55,060
Anyone else from the school board like to speak to us?

309
00:38:55,720 --> 00:38:56,300
I'm okay.

310
00:38:56,660 --> 00:38:57,020
You okay?

311
00:38:57,220 --> 00:38:58,440
I see you down there.

312
00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:02,920
Thank you.

313
00:39:03,100 --> 00:39:04,320
Thank you for allowing us to speak.

314
00:39:04,660 --> 00:39:05,100
It's no problem.

315
00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:05,920
No problem at all.

316
00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:09,280
Well, it's difficult because it just rolled out

317
00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,180
and the timing is interesting.

318
00:39:11,460 --> 00:39:14,920
But yeah, we're used to interesting timing

319
00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:16,020
when it comes to the general assembly.

320
00:39:17,580 --> 00:39:18,860
What's the board's feelings on it?

321
00:39:21,680 --> 00:39:25,040
I think it's another one of them, kind of a no win situation

322
00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:30,100
to them as much as we try to do to keep taxpayers from paying.

323
00:39:31,180 --> 00:39:34,140
This kind of puts it in their hands in general, begin with.

324
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:35,680
Where it belongs, right?

325
00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:39,860
It's it's the taxpayers vote at that point, you know

326
00:39:40,440 --> 00:39:43,160
we do our best in the budget time to

327
00:39:44,020 --> 00:39:46,440
keep everybody from paying taxes and

328
00:39:47,220 --> 00:39:49,400
And it kind of takes a burden off of us in the general

329
00:39:51,060 --> 00:39:52,740
So I don't have any

330
00:39:53,380 --> 00:39:56,980
Problem whatsoever putting it on it. Oh

331
00:39:56,980 --> 00:39:58,260
Great. I think we should

332
00:39:59,060 --> 00:40:01,500
Yeah, put it on the rough. I'm like Susan's

333
00:40:02,140 --> 00:40:05,240
Mr. Hartung, you're the school board liaison. What's your pleasure?

334
00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:09,960
I agree with the rest of the board and the comments from the school board.

335
00:40:10,180 --> 00:40:14,660
I think that I just want to thank them for putting together those thoughts and bringing it in front of us.

336
00:40:15,120 --> 00:40:18,480
And yeah, so I'm in agreement with the rest of the board.

337
00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:20,080
Okay.

338
00:40:20,600 --> 00:40:28,600
I like it for construction, not administrative favor there.

339
00:40:28,600 --> 00:40:34,500
The only question I have, I have absolutely no problem with the referendum because that's the most pure way of figuring out if you're on the right track.

340
00:40:35,720 --> 00:40:44,640
But my only question is, are we short changing the potential success of that item because of the time crunch to do it now instead?

341
00:40:44,900 --> 00:40:47,300
I understand we can wait. I'm saying that I want to wait.

342
00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:54,220
I just think that if we spend the money to put it on the ballot, like, who's going to do the education?

343
00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:59,920
you know what I'm saying? Do you feel like, because you guys are the experts in that field, right?

344
00:41:00,240 --> 00:41:04,860
Do you guys feel like that that's enough time to get your point across to make it successful?

345
00:41:06,840 --> 00:41:10,520
We don't know what it will be, but I mean, there's certainly needs an amount of public education.

346
00:41:10,720 --> 00:41:13,920
Many people don't know that it even is an option at this point.

347
00:41:14,840 --> 00:41:16,920
I would say we're certainly willing to try.

348
00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:28,240
You know, I don't think I think we can put it on the November ballot in 26 or we could push it to 27 or some localities are even doing a special election.

349
00:41:28,660 --> 00:41:36,580
You know, I don't know that there's any guarantee any which way, but I think we feel strongly based on what we know is coming.

350
00:41:37,460 --> 00:41:43,220
Our population is growing. We're going to need a school and we don't want to put that burden on the taxpayers.

351
00:41:44,580 --> 00:41:47,980
So, that's only, you know, as it currently stands.

352
00:41:48,340 --> 00:41:52,980
So, our board is willing to give it a good shot.

353
00:41:53,500 --> 00:41:56,220
So you feel like it's a useful timeline?

354
00:41:57,840 --> 00:41:58,860
Well, maybe it's worth it.

355
00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:00,480
That's all I need to hear.

356
00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:01,220
Oh.

357
00:42:03,080 --> 00:42:03,760
First of you.

358
00:42:04,820 --> 00:42:05,600
Good enough for me.

359
00:42:05,780 --> 00:42:09,080
So if it fails this year, can you come back and put it on next year?

360
00:42:09,460 --> 00:42:09,520
Yes.

361
00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:10,700
Is that standing up?

362
00:42:10,840 --> 00:42:11,040
Yes.

363
00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:12,580
Yes, I wanted to make sure, okay?

364
00:42:13,100 --> 00:42:14,980
Okay, sorry, what's the board's pleasure?

365
00:42:15,320 --> 00:42:19,520
I like your idea because with construction

366
00:42:20,080 --> 00:42:24,740
and also you can pay off some debt too with it later

367
00:42:25,220 --> 00:42:28,440
and build it and then each year or whatever.

368
00:42:29,200 --> 00:42:32,020
I mean, just another small percentage

369
00:42:32,020 --> 00:42:34,400
in the way that housing is going right now.

370
00:42:35,060 --> 00:42:36,620
I mean, a penny's gonna be worth it.

371
00:42:36,720 --> 00:42:38,660
We even know in percent it's gonna be a lot of money.

372
00:42:40,080 --> 00:42:44,400
so I'm okay with it. Okay. So it sounds like I'm looking for a motion.

373
00:42:46,320 --> 00:42:51,860
I'll take a motion. I'll take a stab at it. Yes, ma'am. I'll take a motion that we honor

374
00:42:51,860 --> 00:42:56,900
the request from the school board for the Board of Supervisors to petition the circuit court

375
00:42:56,900 --> 00:43:03,880
for a referendum on the November ballot for a 1% local sales tax dedicated exclusively to

376
00:43:03,880 --> 00:43:08,500
public school construction and capital equipment projects improvement projects

377
00:43:08,500 --> 00:43:14,540
usually do I have a second second okay discussion on the motion miss kiln so

378
00:43:14,540 --> 00:43:18,900
you all are gonna have to do a resolution our next meeting you all mean

379
00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:22,480
this gives us direction but the timeline is that you all would do a

380
00:43:22,480 --> 00:43:26,160
resolution at your next meeting and then the certain court judge has to

381
00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:33,800
sign it by August 14 right to get it on about so we we will present you

382
00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:42,620
with a formal resolution. It sounds like, I mean, depending on what happens, so you will see a formal

383
00:43:42,620 --> 00:43:48,780
resolution. Okay, we can probably just put that on the consent agenda then at the next meeting

384
00:43:48,780 --> 00:43:51,840
since we've already voted or we want to vote against it. It doesn't matter, we'll deal with that next

385
00:43:51,840 --> 00:43:55,560
meeting. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

386
00:43:57,700 --> 00:43:58,960
Hearing none, roll call

387
00:44:00,460 --> 00:44:06,740
Mr. Gulsby. Hi. Mr. Harton. Hi. Mr. Nam. Uh-huh. And the chair votes aye. Thank you all very much.

388
00:44:07,040 --> 00:44:13,800
Thank you. Thank you. Got one more. Exactly. To get that resolution done. Yeah, that's pretty, it's cutting it close.

389
00:44:15,480 --> 00:44:19,320
Okay. Board liaison reports. Who'd like to give first? I have none.

390
00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:29,880
The last planning commission, they had a thing that's going to probably pop up to the board

391
00:44:29,880 --> 00:44:36,460
that probably by the middle of next month, I suspect, and the Thomas Jefferson Planning

392
00:44:36,460 --> 00:44:40,200
Commission, they had theirs last month, and actually they didn't have them this past

393
00:44:40,200 --> 00:44:40,880
month of July.

394
00:44:41,860 --> 00:44:43,160
So I didn't have one.

395
00:44:43,560 --> 00:44:44,480
You didn't have to go to town.

396
00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:44,880
Nope.

397
00:44:46,560 --> 00:44:47,040
Okay.

398
00:44:47,100 --> 00:44:47,720
That's all I had.

399
00:44:47,720 --> 00:44:48,480
others?

400
00:44:50,750 --> 00:44:55,870
County Minister to update. I don't have anything for this particular

401
00:44:55,870 --> 00:44:58,950
meeting. Okay. Other items from the board?

402
00:45:00,500 --> 00:45:18,860
Yes. I have one question. Yes, ma'am. I have been asked by numerous members of the community of how much the lawsuit that Dr. McGuigan filed against the board cost, and I wonder if by our next meeting if we can have those figures. Yes. So that can be put out there.

403
00:45:19,020 --> 00:45:29,100
Would you also like the total figure on the litigation that has not been successful that we've had to defend ourselves with? That would be wonderful. Okay. I think the citizens have a right to know that.

404
00:45:29,100 --> 00:45:29,680
Yep.

405
00:45:30,380 --> 00:45:32,960
We could break it down so that you can see each, yes.

406
00:45:33,140 --> 00:45:33,460
My case.

407
00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:34,740
That would be great.

408
00:45:35,000 --> 00:45:35,360
Thank you.

409
00:45:36,540 --> 00:45:37,580
That is no problem.

410
00:45:38,840 --> 00:45:39,480
Anything else?

411
00:45:39,720 --> 00:45:40,060
Yes, sir.

412
00:45:41,140 --> 00:45:51,400
I have points from people that live on more road, especially, I mean, I don't blame them,

413
00:45:51,440 --> 00:45:56,080
but the people that live in the apartments, they're starting to walk every evening and

414
00:45:56,080 --> 00:45:57,520
and in the mornings and during the day,

415
00:45:57,940 --> 00:45:59,560
the shadows of the trees,

416
00:45:59,880 --> 00:46:02,000
they'd up, they wear dark clothing

417
00:46:02,500 --> 00:46:03,640
and you can't see them.

418
00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:07,120
And I get the people calling me all the time saying that,

419
00:46:07,120 --> 00:46:09,720
hey, there's too dangerous, somebody's gonna get killed

420
00:46:09,720 --> 00:46:12,380
walking on 645, more road.

421
00:46:13,140 --> 00:46:14,720
I just thought I'd bring it.

422
00:46:15,280 --> 00:46:17,120
So you wanna forward that to VDOT

423
00:46:17,120 --> 00:46:17,940
or we wanna do that?

424
00:46:18,460 --> 00:46:19,640
I don't know what to say.

425
00:46:19,800 --> 00:46:23,100
I mean, sometimes they right on the edge of the road

426
00:46:23,100 --> 00:46:28,460
because there's nowhere to go, you know, especially during the winter in the wooded area.

427
00:46:28,900 --> 00:46:33,540
I guess maybe we'd send something to Ms. Shepherd just to make them aware of that.

428
00:46:34,260 --> 00:46:34,640
We'll do.

429
00:46:35,180 --> 00:46:35,400
Okay.

430
00:46:36,840 --> 00:46:37,580
Anything else?

431
00:46:40,860 --> 00:46:41,200
Nothing?

432
00:46:41,600 --> 00:46:41,800
Okay.

433
00:46:42,520 --> 00:46:44,360
Number 14, matters in the public.

434
00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:51,560
Before we get started, I would like to go over the rules of the evening or every

435
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:52,920
evening when it comes to matters in the public.

436
00:46:52,920 --> 00:46:57,060
But first, matters in the public is intended to be a vehicle for the Board's constituency

437
00:46:57,060 --> 00:47:00,500
to speak on all matters of concern they might have regarding the Board's governance.

438
00:47:01,200 --> 00:47:05,940
These are rules we expect compliance with to make this a fair and proactive and positive

439
00:47:06,940 --> 00:47:07,900
part of our meeting.

440
00:47:08,580 --> 00:47:10,340
You have exactly three minutes to speak.

441
00:47:10,460 --> 00:47:11,880
Please speak directly to the Board.

442
00:47:12,280 --> 00:47:16,720
Please be respectful to your fellow citizens, the Board, and staff as you express your

443
00:47:16,720 --> 00:47:17,200
concern.

444
00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:19,840
Disrespect of any kind is not tolerated.

445
00:47:19,840 --> 00:47:25,240
Personal attacks or debates between speakers and members of the general public will not be tolerated.

446
00:47:26,020 --> 00:47:28,360
Accusations and profanity will not be tolerated.

447
00:47:28,840 --> 00:47:30,580
And obviously threats will not be tolerated.

448
00:47:30,900 --> 00:47:34,820
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in you losing your privilege to speak tonight.

449
00:47:35,160 --> 00:47:38,360
So I wanted to start by putting the rules of the road down.

450
00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:42,240
And Ms. Kemp, if you could get me the sign-up sheet, we shall get started.

451
00:47:43,740 --> 00:47:44,380
Thank you.

452
00:47:45,640 --> 00:47:47,040
First, we have Cynthia Ward.

453
00:47:51,110 --> 00:47:51,630
Good evening.

454
00:47:51,630 --> 00:47:52,210
Good evening.

455
00:47:52,490 --> 00:47:52,630
Good evening.

456
00:47:52,890 --> 00:47:53,510
Thank you.

457
00:47:54,410 --> 00:47:58,850
I'm a Green County resident, a U.S. citizen and above all a Christian.

458
00:47:59,350 --> 00:48:05,310
The Bible teaches us when a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.

459
00:48:05,830 --> 00:48:08,870
The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native born.

460
00:48:09,230 --> 00:48:12,010
Love them as yourself as you were once foreigners too.

461
00:48:12,690 --> 00:48:15,690
This is a sentiment that is repeated over and over again in the Bible.

462
00:48:15,930 --> 00:48:20,390
We are to love, care for, protect and seek justice for the immigrant, the foreigner,

463
00:48:20,390 --> 00:48:25,210
the stranger among us. The Green County Sheriff's Office decision to target our

464
00:48:25,210 --> 00:48:29,350
neighbors who appear Hispanic or Latino stands in direct opposition to that

465
00:48:29,350 --> 00:48:33,530
biblical command to love our neighbors. The Sheriff's Office did not target

466
00:48:33,530 --> 00:48:37,930
criminals, rapists, or felons. They did not target individuals suspected of

467
00:48:37,930 --> 00:48:42,350
overstaying their visas. They targeted individuals with brown skin on their

468
00:48:42,350 --> 00:48:47,010
way to work. They targeted our neighbors, customers supporting our local

469
00:48:47,010 --> 00:48:53,050
businesses and valued members of our community. Without cause and without due process, these

470
00:48:53,050 --> 00:48:58,130
individuals were detained and taken to ICE detention centers where they faced harsh living

471
00:48:58,130 --> 00:49:04,070
conditions, overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, lack of healthcare, and are denied life-saving

472
00:49:04,070 --> 00:49:09,210
medications. These men have lost income, time with their family, and have had their

473
00:49:09,210 --> 00:49:14,630
freedom needlessly stripped from them. This is not how we love our neighbor. I stand

474
00:49:14,630 --> 00:49:18,670
and solidarity with their immigrant neighbors and request this board stand with them as well.

475
00:49:19,230 --> 00:49:24,490
I request the Board of Supervisors audit the Green County Sheriff's budget to disclose

476
00:49:24,490 --> 00:49:28,310
how much they were paid to target Hispanic and Latino residents and visitors

477
00:49:28,310 --> 00:49:32,510
and to find out how they are using these funds. Thank you for your consideration.

478
00:49:33,150 --> 00:49:33,950
Thank you, ma'am.

479
00:49:41,000 --> 00:49:42,540
Arianna Mostada.

480
00:49:50,410 --> 00:49:50,830
Welcome.

481
00:49:51,410 --> 00:49:52,570
Thank you. Good evening.

482
00:49:53,930 --> 00:49:55,790
My name is Ariana Mosqueda.

483
00:49:56,530 --> 00:50:00,690
I live in the Rutgersville district and I grew up in Green County.

484
00:50:01,550 --> 00:50:06,970
I went to school here my whole life and after all of these years of living here I can say

485
00:50:06,970 --> 00:50:13,670
that I do not feel safe and I'm not alone in that feeling because what has been described

486
00:50:13,670 --> 00:50:18,570
as an effort towards safety by the Sheriff's Office is the complete opposite.

487
00:50:18,570 --> 00:50:25,910
it. Their collaboration with ICE has only instilled fear and cause division. I am here,

488
00:50:26,830 --> 00:50:31,730
like many of us, to speak out against the Green County Sheriff Office's collaboration

489
00:50:32,370 --> 00:50:39,170
with Immigration Customs Enforcement through the 287G agreement. I understand that you,

490
00:50:39,470 --> 00:50:44,730
as the Board of Supervisors, maintain budgetary and financial influence over our county.

491
00:50:44,730 --> 00:50:52,850
So, I demand on behalf of my immigrant neighbors and my community that you do everything in

492
00:50:52,850 --> 00:50:57,690
your power to help protect the immigrant families of Green County.

493
00:50:59,030 --> 00:51:01,190
We are here and we matter.

494
00:51:02,450 --> 00:51:06,030
Our humanity and right to a dignified life is indisputable.

495
00:51:06,950 --> 00:51:12,190
We ask for your empathy and consideration in your financial decision making.

496
00:51:13,030 --> 00:51:29,510
We ask that you redirect funds towards initiatives that allow all people who reside in Green County to thrive rather than towards agreements like the 287G agreement that instill fear and intimidation in people of color.

497
00:51:32,210 --> 00:51:38,490
We will continue to speak up until our demands are met and until the 287G agreement is terminated.

498
00:51:38,490 --> 00:51:45,910
I hope that you, as people in power, reflect on your unique ability to listen to us, the

499
00:51:45,910 --> 00:51:51,930
people you serve, and make a positive change that demonstrates your commitment to the welfare

500
00:51:51,930 --> 00:51:58,010
and success of Green County, which should always include our immigrant community members.

501
00:51:58,690 --> 00:52:05,150
We must remember a community built on trust is a community that thrives.

502
00:52:05,790 --> 00:52:06,290
Thank you.

503
00:52:06,650 --> 00:52:07,030
Thank you.

504
00:52:07,030 --> 00:52:08,270
Mary

505
00:52:17,040 --> 00:52:17,720
Lee Hawkins.

506
00:52:19,980 --> 00:52:25,960
Welcome ma'am. Thank you and thank you for the opportunity to address the

507
00:52:25,960 --> 00:52:30,920
board this evening. My name is Mary Lee Hawkins and I've lived in Green County,

508
00:52:31,140 --> 00:52:38,660
Standardsville Precinct for almost four years. I have never felt so welcomed any place I have

509
00:52:38,660 --> 00:52:45,580
lived. Green is a beautiful county with wide open spaces and the people of Green County are

510
00:52:45,580 --> 00:52:51,920
warm and accepting of newbies. But I'm white. I know my constitutional rights and don't worry

511
00:52:51,920 --> 00:52:57,580
about them being challenged. I want to speak for others, in many cases, folks who have lived

512
00:52:57,580 --> 00:53:04,040
here far longer than I. The constitutional rights I take for granted, such as the rights

513
00:53:04,040 --> 00:53:08,660
remain silent, the right not to be searched without a judicial warrant, and the right

514
00:53:08,660 --> 00:53:13,900
not to be detained without a valid, articulable reason, suspicion of a crime or probable

515
00:53:13,900 --> 00:53:18,960
global cause of a traffic violation applied to everyone, regardless of document status.

516
00:53:19,860 --> 00:53:26,240
I also support law enforcement. I believe we need police officers and sheriff's deputies.

517
00:53:26,920 --> 00:53:32,840
Crimes do happen. Domestic abuse and vehicle accidents happen. And we need the deputies

518
00:53:32,840 --> 00:53:39,000
to staff the forts and the jail, to serve legal documents and transport prisoners. What

519
00:53:39,000 --> 00:53:45,220
What we don't need is for deputies to be terrorizing law-abiding residents or making contractors

520
00:53:45,600 --> 00:53:53,780
not accept jobs here for fear of endangering their crews, or giving outsiders like my friends

521
00:53:53,780 --> 00:53:59,680
who live in Maine who have seen reports of Greene County on national news the impression

522
00:53:59,680 --> 00:54:03,040
that this is a scary place they would never want to visit.

523
00:54:03,040 --> 00:54:10,600
We want the sheriff to do his job, but immigration enforcement has never been in his job description.

524
00:54:11,440 --> 00:54:14,220
It has always been the work of federal agencies.

525
00:54:15,220 --> 00:54:22,220
U.S. immigration and customs enforcement had, prior to 2025, a workforce of 5,000.

526
00:54:22,880 --> 00:54:29,480
There are now 22,000 agents, and with 287 agreements, they have brought in local law enforcement

527
00:54:29,480 --> 00:54:33,140
and literally begun a reign of terror over immigrants.

528
00:54:34,140 --> 00:54:36,180
Immigration isn't administrative

529
00:54:36,180 --> 00:54:37,860
rather than a criminal matter,

530
00:54:38,120 --> 00:54:40,840
but the pathway to American citizenship

531
00:54:40,840 --> 00:54:44,120
for the vast majority is long, complex,

532
00:54:44,500 --> 00:54:45,780
and financially draining.

533
00:54:46,500 --> 00:54:49,320
Visa backlogs can exceed 20 years.

534
00:54:50,180 --> 00:54:52,360
Immigration reform is still possible

535
00:54:52,360 --> 00:54:54,120
despite today's gridlock.

536
00:54:54,600 --> 00:54:57,580
It begins with a recognition of immigrant contributions

537
00:54:57,580 --> 00:55:04,260
and it begins with local governments promoting civil rights and due process for all citizens

538
00:55:04,780 --> 00:55:10,160
within their jurisdiction. As leaders of our county government, I ask you to focus on the

539
00:55:10,160 --> 00:55:17,140
human cost of family separations, especially for long-term residents with deep roots, U.S.

540
00:55:17,160 --> 00:55:21,120
citizen children, and strong community ties. Thank you.

541
00:55:21,120 --> 00:55:21,840
Thank you now.

542
00:55:29,200 --> 00:55:32,520
That was perfect speed right on time. Right on time

543
00:55:34,120 --> 00:55:34,820
Abbey normal

544
00:55:36,160 --> 00:55:36,920
Abbey normal

545
00:55:38,160 --> 00:55:47,880
Well, it's not normal. Um, no, no RMA L is not. Sorry. Sorry. Yeah, it's just my name for my name. I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry

546
00:55:47,880 --> 00:55:49,920
It's your fault. I

547
00:55:49,920 --> 00:55:54,940
Usually but your names which is odd with my last name. How did I but your other people's names? But that's really bad

548
00:55:54,940 --> 00:55:55,640
I'm really sorry

549
00:55:55,640 --> 00:55:57,220
No, please don't apologize. It's okay.

550
00:55:57,420 --> 00:55:59,340
Okay. Well, welcome tonight. Thank you.

551
00:55:59,420 --> 00:56:02,100
So much. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. Thank you so much.

552
00:56:02,660 --> 00:56:06,480
My name is Abby. I'm a special needs teacher here in Green County.

553
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:10,100
I've been in the Green County school system for eight years.

554
00:56:10,620 --> 00:56:13,880
I moved here from Seattle, which is a very different vibe.

555
00:56:15,060 --> 00:56:19,960
I was worried about being accepted. Most of green is born and raised and I'm an outsider.

556
00:56:20,740 --> 00:56:28,780
My first year teaching, my 21-month-old suffered a traumatic event that left her with two broken legs and a weak hospital stay.

557
00:56:29,400 --> 00:56:36,140
Not only did we receive a porch full of groceries, but my oldest was cared for by the community while we were in the hospital.

558
00:56:36,820 --> 00:56:38,260
Green is family to us now.

559
00:56:39,640 --> 00:56:43,220
What's happening now with the Sheriff's Department of ICE is not Green County.

560
00:56:43,720 --> 00:56:46,360
We don't put our people in sheds during a record heat wave.

561
00:56:46,360 --> 00:56:50,560
Most of us are gun owners, but we don't wear masks and terrorize people with them.

562
00:56:51,360 --> 00:56:54,120
The justification is immigrants are stealing benefits.

563
00:56:54,820 --> 00:56:59,080
Do you think they uprooted their whole family for $174 in SNAP benefits?

564
00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:02,540
They're not even eligible without a social security number.

565
00:57:03,360 --> 00:57:07,440
In fact, since these mass deportations, I can't afford health insurance for my kids.

566
00:57:07,980 --> 00:57:10,380
There's no benefits for anybody now.

567
00:57:11,580 --> 00:57:13,980
The justification is immigrants are making us poor.

568
00:57:13,980 --> 00:57:19,760
I know my grocery bill has not gotten any lower since ICE killed Sebastian Guerrero

569
00:57:19,760 --> 00:57:20,920
in front of his three-year-old daughter.

570
00:57:21,700 --> 00:57:26,680
The justification is they're taking our jobs, talk to farming communities, talk to people

571
00:57:26,680 --> 00:57:28,420
in healthcare, and education.

572
00:57:28,920 --> 00:57:30,480
It is now harder to find staff.

573
00:57:31,120 --> 00:57:35,140
No one was offered their dream job after ICE killed Lorenzo Solgado for help.

574
00:57:35,880 --> 00:57:38,240
The justification is immigrants make us unsafe.

575
00:57:38,960 --> 00:57:43,180
Mass men and women with guns are patrolling our community and putting people in shits.

576
00:57:43,180 --> 00:57:44,800
Do you feel any safer?

577
00:57:46,940 --> 00:57:51,600
I teach my students about correlation and recognizing the relationship between variables.

578
00:57:52,120 --> 00:57:56,520
I see no correlation between increased ICE presence and our life's getting better.

579
00:57:57,180 --> 00:57:58,620
It's even affected my teaching.

580
00:57:59,600 --> 00:58:03,740
Instead of asking me what correlation means, my students are asking what to do if they

581
00:58:03,740 --> 00:58:05,420
get home and their parents are gone.

582
00:58:06,340 --> 00:58:11,520
I am asking Green County to stop working with ICE, stop intimidating people and

583
00:58:11,520 --> 00:58:17,800
breaking up families. Our flag says death to tyrants. This is tyrannical. And it needs

584
00:58:17,800 --> 00:58:19,500
to end. Thank you so much.

585
00:58:20,060 --> 00:58:20,500
Bethany.

586
00:58:29,360 --> 00:58:34,160
I think it's Cox, but it might not be an X. Hi.

587
00:58:35,620 --> 00:58:36,960
Hope. Like, hope.

588
00:58:37,780 --> 00:58:43,160
Well, that would be, in my handwriting, that would be Cox. So, well, welcome. Thank

589
00:58:43,160 --> 00:58:43,800
you for coming.

590
00:58:43,900 --> 00:58:47,840
Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. My name is Reverend

591
00:58:47,840 --> 00:58:52,920
Bethany Koch and I am the pastor of a church in Charlottesville, though I am not a Green County

592
00:58:52,920 --> 00:58:58,600
resident and our church isn't located in Green County. Faith communities do not follow county lines.

593
00:58:59,460 --> 00:59:04,780
My church has a number of congregants who are Green County residents who don't feel safe speaking

594
00:59:04,780 --> 00:59:09,600
publicly about recent ICE activity here, particularly the joint operations in Rep. Brazil

595
00:59:09,600 --> 00:59:15,100
between the Green County Sheriff's Office and ICE agents in late June. My congregants have

596
00:59:15,100 --> 00:59:20,660
expressed grief and horror over this immigration enforcement in their community. We are part

597
00:59:20,660 --> 00:59:25,400
of the Christian tradition, which emphasizes loving our neighbors and welcoming in the stranger.

598
00:59:26,340 --> 00:59:30,780
But welcoming immigrants and protecting our neighbors who are living peacefully isn't

599
00:59:30,780 --> 00:59:36,440
just a religious value. Practically, our communities are strengthened by the presence

600
00:59:36,440 --> 00:59:42,160
of our immigrant neighbors. They're part of our families, of our economy, of our churches,

601
00:59:44,480 --> 00:59:57,180
So I echo my congregants and my friends in Green County and asking the Board of Supervisors for greater oversight of the Sheriff's Office, particularly on vegetarian matters, and ultimately in asking that the Sheriff's Office stop partnering with ICE.

602
00:59:57,760 --> 00:59:59,920
Our neighbors should not have to fear some.

603
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:08,520
And the governor is simply driving down the road. Families should not fear being separated and people in this community should not feel afraid to speak publicly about this.

604
01:00:09,140 --> 01:00:17,720
Our immigrant neighbors are a part of this community in green and in the surrounding counties. And this community is stronger with all of us together. Thank you.

605
01:00:18,180 --> 01:00:18,980
Thank you very much.

606
01:00:25,640 --> 01:00:28,760
Doug, all of it. Doug, all of it.

607
01:00:29,300 --> 01:00:29,440
Yeah.

608
01:00:30,060 --> 01:00:30,820
Welcome, sir.

609
01:00:30,820 --> 01:00:36,270
Good evening. I'm Doug Alamance. I'm a candidate for U.S. Congress in the

610
01:00:36,270 --> 01:00:39,750
7th District, which, as you know, all of Green County is apart.

611
01:00:40,350 --> 01:00:46,410
I'm here to speak tonight in support of Sheriff Smith. It is an injustice that the prior

612
01:00:46,410 --> 01:00:51,450
administration put us in a position where these types of programs are

613
01:00:51,450 --> 01:00:56,770
lamentably necessary. But when 10,000 or more, we don't really know.

614
01:00:56,930 --> 01:01:00,810
No one really knows how many immigrants came across the border during the last

615
01:01:00,810 --> 01:01:05,990
administration. When we have 10 million or more that have moved illegally across our

616
01:01:05,990 --> 01:01:11,210
borders, breaking down trust, not being part of our society, not having social

617
01:01:11,210 --> 01:01:15,630
security numbers, not having car insurance, not being able to be part of a

618
01:01:15,630 --> 01:01:21,890
high-trust society, it puts our law enforcement in a dangerous position. I

619
01:01:21,890 --> 01:01:27,450
support Sheriff Smith. I support ICE. It is a federal law enforcement

620
01:01:27,450 --> 01:01:33,010
enforcement agency that is part of the rule of law. We are a nation of laws. We live by

621
01:01:33,010 --> 01:01:38,690
the rule of law. Local law enforcement should cooperate routinely with federal law enforcement.

622
01:01:39,210 --> 01:01:42,930
Thank you very much for your time. And again, I want to give my support to Sheriff Smith

623
01:01:42,930 --> 01:01:43,850
and his entire staff.

624
01:01:44,390 --> 01:01:44,570
Thank you.

625
01:01:44,610 --> 01:01:45,070
Thank you, sir.

626
01:01:49,760 --> 01:01:50,480
Buddy Bauer.

627
01:01:50,980 --> 01:01:51,680
Buddy Bauer.

628
01:01:54,620 --> 01:01:55,440
I saw him.

629
01:01:55,780 --> 01:01:56,000
I saw him.

630
01:01:56,000 --> 01:01:56,040
I saw him.

631
01:01:56,260 --> 01:01:57,520
There he is.

632
01:01:57,840 --> 01:01:58,540
Thank you.

633
01:01:59,100 --> 01:02:00,060
Welcome, Mr. Bauer.

634
01:02:00,540 --> 01:02:00,860
Thank you.

635
01:02:05,810 --> 01:02:09,070
Firstly, thank you to all of you for enduring this.

636
01:02:09,750 --> 01:02:15,230
I know you have county business to deal with and all of these outsiders with some green county residents,

637
01:02:15,550 --> 01:02:20,490
but all of these outsiders coming in here just to cause a ruckus when they can't even get their own communities in order.

638
01:02:22,250 --> 01:02:27,750
I'd like to know what country in the world doesn't have immigration law?

639
01:02:30,220 --> 01:02:32,540
What country in the world doesn't have immigration law?

640
01:02:32,980 --> 01:02:35,600
What country can you go to, jump their border,

641
01:02:36,360 --> 01:02:44,800
disrespect their sovereignty and say, forget your culture, forget your ways, we now own this.

642
01:02:46,040 --> 01:02:52,180
Now if people want to acknowledge that they're invading intentionally at the behest of foreign

643
01:02:52,180 --> 01:02:58,260
interests, then say that. Say that so we can deal with it accordingly. If you're okay with invading

644
01:02:58,260 --> 01:03:03,560
our country and disrespecting our sovereignty, then just say that so we can deal with it.

645
01:03:03,560 --> 01:03:12,920
But illegal immigrants cost this country $130 billion a year.

646
01:03:13,700 --> 01:03:17,720
They pay roughly $90 billion in taxes.

647
01:03:18,820 --> 01:03:23,880
They are a net drain on our economic society.

648
01:03:25,460 --> 01:03:32,660
To say that they do not, they are not able to draw on social services, on welfare, on

649
01:03:32,660 --> 01:03:38,700
WIC is a complete lie. You can lie to yourselves all you want, but it's a lie. We're not fooled.

650
01:03:38,900 --> 01:03:43,640
We're not being fooled. I know people who work in those industries. I talk to them from DC area,

651
01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:47,780
go to basketball tournaments up in that area. I know people who work there and say that they

652
01:03:47,780 --> 01:03:53,880
have to give these social services Medicaid with no questions asked in these big cities.

653
01:03:54,140 --> 01:03:56,380
They are absolutely draining on those systems.

654
01:04:00,120 --> 01:04:03,920
The fact that we believe or it is believed

655
01:04:03,920 --> 01:04:08,920
that we are living on stolen land denies the reality that the entire world was

656
01:04:08,920 --> 01:04:16,820
shaped by sometimes war, sometimes settling, migration. The entire world was

657
01:04:16,820 --> 01:04:25,800
shaped as such. So I'm not naive to believe that America was founded by

658
01:04:27,020 --> 01:04:32,720
anything original, but it was founded to be original. It was founded to be

659
01:04:32,720 --> 01:04:37,720
sovereign. It was founded for freedom, and we are seeing our culture eroded. We are seeing

660
01:04:37,720 --> 01:04:43,480
people come in with no respect for our sovereign borders, no respect for our ways of life,

661
01:04:43,680 --> 01:04:48,900
no respect for our constitution, and trying to fundamentally change our country from within.

662
01:04:49,620 --> 01:04:54,980
Fundamental change, as Barack Obama put it. The same man who gave an award to Tom

663
01:04:54,980 --> 01:04:58,780
Holman, the same Tom Holman who is now being villainized for doing his job,

664
01:04:58,780 --> 01:05:07,440
Barack Obama gave that man an award in 2015 for his work in deporting 990,000 illegal immigrants.

665
01:05:08,260 --> 01:05:11,680
When are we going to see consistency? When are we going to see consistency?

666
01:05:12,160 --> 01:05:12,620
Thank you, Mr. Barr.

667
01:05:13,080 --> 01:05:13,220
Thank you.

668
01:05:17,010 --> 01:05:21,470
Rabbi Ezra Leventhal. Rabbi Ezra Leventhal.

669
01:05:23,430 --> 01:05:23,870
Welcome.

670
01:05:24,470 --> 01:05:25,170
Thank you so much.

671
01:05:26,410 --> 01:05:27,510
Thank you, members of the board.

672
01:05:28,050 --> 01:05:28,210
Yes.

673
01:05:28,510 --> 01:05:29,930
My name is Rabbi Ezra Leventhal.

674
01:05:29,930 --> 01:05:34,110
I serve as a rabbi at congregation Beth Israel in Charlottesville now

675
01:05:34,110 --> 01:05:37,310
I don't know if you've looked around recently, but there's not all too many synagogues in this area

676
01:05:37,310 --> 01:05:42,010
So my community members span Albemarle Green Fluvana and Louisa County's alike

677
01:05:42,890 --> 01:05:47,150
Immigration is an issue that is very close to the heart of my community and in honor of that

678
01:05:47,150 --> 01:05:49,730
I'd like to tell you about the story of an undocumented person

679
01:05:50,850 --> 01:05:52,470
He was a husband and a father

680
01:05:53,030 --> 01:05:59,370
His family faced persecution and poverty in their home country and he dreamed of a better life for them in the United States

681
01:05:59,930 --> 01:06:04,550
With few resources and few options available, he did what he could to protect his family.

682
01:06:05,350 --> 01:06:09,510
He got a job as a mess boy on a merchant ship, jumped ship in the United States,

683
01:06:09,810 --> 01:06:13,170
and worked hard until he could afford to send for his family to emigrate with papers.

684
01:06:14,270 --> 01:06:16,670
That man was my great-grandfather, Maurice Levinthal.

685
01:06:17,190 --> 01:06:21,790
I am alive today because he managed to get his family, my family, out of Lithuania.

686
01:06:22,430 --> 01:06:25,850
I am alive today because he was brave enough to fight for his family.

687
01:06:27,090 --> 01:06:33,270
I am alive today because this country is promised to be a haven for the poor, tired, huddled

688
01:06:33,270 --> 01:06:35,250
Mathes' yearning to breathe free.

689
01:06:36,290 --> 01:06:39,050
The sheriff says that he wants to put citizens first.

690
01:06:39,730 --> 01:06:43,750
The sheriff argues that everything he is doing is in accordance with the law.

691
01:06:44,790 --> 01:06:49,470
As a citizen, I will never feel safer in a country where honest, hardworking people

692
01:06:49,470 --> 01:06:52,150
can be taken from their families without due process.

693
01:06:52,970 --> 01:06:57,790
As a citizen, I want my government to treat people with dignity, kindness, and compassion.

694
01:06:58,850 --> 01:07:04,510
Six million of my people died in the name of returning an unstable nation to an imagined,

695
01:07:04,530 --> 01:07:10,230
glorious past. Everything that was done to the Jewish people in the Holocaust was sanctioned

696
01:07:10,230 --> 01:07:16,710
by the law. They were legally deported, detained, and murdered. In the name of putting real

697
01:07:16,710 --> 01:07:23,830
citizens first. It did not make Germans any happier or any safer. And you can ask anyone

698
01:07:23,830 --> 01:07:29,070
in the nation of Germany today, they look back on that period of time with shame and

699
01:07:29,070 --> 01:07:34,970
regret. There is still time for us to learn this lesson. There is still time for us to

700
01:07:34,970 --> 01:07:40,850
love our neighbors. There is still time for us to save our country. I urge for you

701
01:07:40,850 --> 01:07:45,830
to use your power as the Board of Supervisors to refuse federal funding from ICE and

702
01:07:45,830 --> 01:07:49,350
decrease the sheriff's budget if he continues to intimidate our immigrant

703
01:07:49,350 --> 01:07:54,030
population and community and cooperate with ICE. Thank you for your time.

704
01:07:54,410 --> 01:07:54,730
Thank you.

705
01:08:00,300 --> 01:08:04,560
Wayne Smith. Wayne Smith. Wayne Smith.

706
01:08:06,940 --> 01:08:08,420
All right it says Smith comma Wayne.

707
01:08:08,580 --> 01:08:11,820
I'm just thinking it's Wayne Smith so Wayne

708
01:08:13,860 --> 01:08:14,980
Smith or Smith Wayne.

709
01:08:18,920 --> 01:08:21,940
He signed up. He wasn't sure if he was going to speak or not.

710
01:08:25,000 --> 01:08:26,060
Is he here?

711
01:08:27,360 --> 01:08:28,200
I think he's here.

712
01:08:28,940 --> 01:08:29,140
Okay.

713
01:08:31,480 --> 01:08:32,700
Maybe he's with them.

714
01:08:32,920 --> 01:08:35,240
Okay. Well, I'll just mark it out and make a note of it.

715
01:08:36,080 --> 01:08:37,080
Steve, he comes back.

716
01:08:42,280 --> 01:08:43,160
Anna Malo,

717
01:08:46,720 --> 01:08:47,580
welcome.

718
01:08:48,660 --> 01:08:49,760
Thank you for having me.

719
01:08:51,440 --> 01:08:52,380
My name is Anna.

720
01:08:53,340 --> 01:08:54,940
And I wanted to share with you.

721
01:08:54,940 --> 01:08:59,860
I was really nervous about coming here and so I didn't know what to talk about.

722
01:09:00,080 --> 01:09:05,400
I wanted to share with you my experience going to Gena, Louisiana.

723
01:09:06,320 --> 01:09:09,960
I'm a part of the proud union member SEIU Workers United.

724
01:09:11,160 --> 01:09:16,800
And last year we visited a facility in Louisiana which held thousands of detainees.

725
01:09:17,740 --> 01:09:21,580
This facility also held a member of my union, my sister.

726
01:09:22,420 --> 01:09:29,260
While inside she spoke of the horrors she witnessed, pregnant women delivering babies with no medical

727
01:09:29,260 --> 01:09:35,620
care, many of them miscarrying, standing in pools of blood, wailing at their loss.

728
01:09:36,720 --> 01:09:40,560
No food or rotted food, mere worms, bed bugs.

729
01:09:41,560 --> 01:09:46,220
We were standing outside and I had maybe the most visceral experience of my life.

730
01:09:46,740 --> 01:09:50,520
We were chanting, we love you, we see you, we support you.

731
01:09:50,520 --> 01:09:56,440
and people were banging their hands on the windows screaming help us and holding

732
01:09:56,440 --> 01:10:03,760
up signs that said free us. This wasn't a prison, it was a concentration camp and

733
01:10:04,360 --> 01:10:09,540
that's where your neighbors are being taken. I want to dispel some myths

734
01:10:09,540 --> 01:10:14,740
that some people here today are outside agitators as a person who lives

735
01:10:14,740 --> 01:10:21,880
in Charlottesville. It took me 30 minutes to get here, and for a decade, I lived about

736
01:10:21,880 --> 01:10:27,300
15 minutes from here. Whether you want to believe it or not, or whether you even like

737
01:10:27,300 --> 01:10:34,220
me, I am your neighbor. I was born in this country, but my great-grandparents came to

738
01:10:34,220 --> 01:10:40,800
escape poverty. I am from a family of immigrants, and that heritage is the most American thing

739
01:10:40,800 --> 01:10:47,160
about me. All Americans are our neighbors. The fact that there are people here who are

740
01:10:47,160 --> 01:10:53,480
willing to drive up and stand with the intimidation that we face today means that something is

741
01:10:53,480 --> 01:11:00,760
really wrong. I want the people of Green County to know we have your back. And in

742
01:11:00,760 --> 01:11:09,400
my last 50 seconds I want to say something. Sitting in the bus at the front in the south

743
01:11:09,400 --> 01:11:11,260
for a black person was illegal.

744
01:11:12,160 --> 01:11:14,100
It was illegal to sit at the lunch counters.

745
01:11:14,700 --> 01:11:17,680
People did it anyway because the law was not correct.

746
01:11:18,180 --> 01:11:20,120
There are a lot of laws in this country right now

747
01:11:20,120 --> 01:11:21,280
that are not correct.

748
01:11:22,300 --> 01:11:27,840
You don't have to think about the constitution or this

749
01:11:27,840 --> 01:11:29,640
or that, I want you to think about what's right.

750
01:11:30,140 --> 01:11:34,120
Because sometimes what's right is the most important thing.

751
01:11:34,740 --> 01:11:38,380
I don't believe in what's happening here

752
01:11:38,380 --> 01:11:43,800
with the racist policing, and I don't think that you have to support it with your budget.

753
01:11:44,260 --> 01:11:48,480
I think that you can be good stewards of your county's money, and I think you can be even

754
01:11:48,480 --> 01:11:52,020
better neighbors by letting people know you don't stand for this.

755
01:11:52,500 --> 01:11:53,060
Thank you.

756
01:11:53,360 --> 01:11:53,820
Thank you.

757
01:11:58,020 --> 01:11:58,720
You're not.

758
01:12:01,630 --> 01:12:02,110
You're not.

759
01:12:02,110 --> 01:12:02,470
You're not.

760
01:12:02,810 --> 01:12:03,690
You're not.

761
01:12:06,280 --> 01:12:06,640
You're not.

762
01:12:07,280 --> 01:12:07,680
You're not.

763
01:12:07,680 --> 01:12:08,080
You're not.

764
01:12:09,380 --> 01:12:09,600
You're not.

765
01:12:12,560 --> 01:12:13,040
You're not.

766
01:12:13,040 --> 01:12:13,300
You're not.

767
01:12:15,300 --> 01:12:16,260
You're not.

768
01:12:16,260 --> 01:12:18,060
It's a lot of things that you do behind the scenes

769
01:12:18,060 --> 01:12:20,180
that you don't get credit for,

770
01:12:20,480 --> 01:12:23,040
but you certainly deserve our recognition and our thanks.

771
01:12:23,280 --> 01:12:25,200
So thank you for myself and for others.

772
01:12:26,500 --> 01:12:29,320
My request this evening is not certainly as emotional

773
01:12:29,320 --> 01:12:30,780
as some of the others you've heard.

774
01:12:31,240 --> 01:12:32,480
Mine's a little bit simpler request.

775
01:12:33,820 --> 01:12:35,700
Mine has to do with hazardous waste.

776
01:12:36,900 --> 01:12:40,540
This county does not have any means for its citizens

777
01:12:40,540 --> 01:12:42,280
to dispose of hazardous waste.

778
01:12:43,240 --> 01:12:48,420
I've been in talks with E-mail with Mike Taylor for the last two years trying to figure out

779
01:12:48,420 --> 01:12:49,360
what was going to go on.

780
01:12:50,000 --> 01:12:54,520
There was a tip I was told made last year to try to do a day where people could turn

781
01:12:54,520 --> 01:12:54,960
in waste.

782
01:12:55,200 --> 01:12:56,840
It turned out to be too expensive.

783
01:12:58,320 --> 01:13:02,500
The surrounding communities no longer accept our waste even if you go in there and want

784
01:13:02,500 --> 01:13:05,100
to pay them your hard greenbacks, they will not accept it.

785
01:13:05,560 --> 01:13:08,940
And so you put us at risk, you put the county at risk.

786
01:13:08,940 --> 01:13:16,860
I'm asking you to do something about enabling the recycle center to start a program, at

787
01:13:16,860 --> 01:13:22,840
least some kind of annual program, to give the citizens the means to get rid of hazardous

788
01:13:22,840 --> 01:13:23,320
waste.

789
01:13:23,980 --> 01:13:24,740
Thank you very much.

790
01:13:25,200 --> 01:13:25,560
Thank you.

791
01:13:31,620 --> 01:13:32,740
Melanie Johnson.

792
01:13:37,600 --> 01:13:37,900
Welcome.

793
01:13:38,380 --> 01:13:38,700
Thank you.

794
01:13:39,460 --> 01:13:43,020
Chairman, members of the board, my name is Melanie Johnson and I live in the Rutgersville

795
01:13:43,020 --> 01:13:43,380
District.

796
01:13:43,380 --> 01:13:51,260
Last month, I shared the story of my neighbor who was detained by ICE after a racially motivated traffic stop conducted by the Green County Sheriff's Office.

797
01:13:52,040 --> 01:13:58,940
After nearly three weeks in deplorable conditions in Farmville, his family was able to hire an immigration lawyer and get him released.

798
01:13:59,620 --> 01:14:03,440
Clearly, he is not a criminal if he is released today.

799
01:14:04,360 --> 01:14:10,820
Six weeks and $25,000 later, his future is still uncertain.

800
01:14:10,820 --> 01:14:19,040
This business owner, father of two, and Green County resident of nearly 20 years has no criminal warrant.

801
01:14:19,400 --> 01:14:28,760
He's never even had a speeding ticket. After three weeks in detention, he took one day off before returning to work.

802
01:14:29,380 --> 01:14:30,700
That's how strong he is.

803
01:14:30,700 --> 01:14:34,180
Across this country, ICE has escalated violence.

804
01:14:34,760 --> 01:14:39,820
In the last two weeks alone, they've killed two people, both fathers, neither with criminal

805
01:14:39,820 --> 01:14:40,400
warrants.

806
01:14:40,780 --> 01:14:46,700
And in Virginia, there are videos of ICE agents mercilessly beating an unarmed man just last

807
01:14:46,700 --> 01:14:47,040
week.

808
01:14:47,640 --> 01:14:53,860
These are the same federal agents you have allowed into Greene County, working alongside

809
01:14:53,860 --> 01:14:58,400
our deputies, whose salaries are funded by our tax fellers.

810
01:14:58,400 --> 01:14:59,960
And when ice comes in,

811
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:07,620
Commits violence. During a joint operation, Green County faces both moral and legal exposure

812
01:15:07,620 --> 01:15:14,000
under Virginia law. The community impact is undeniable. 9 percent of Green County residents

813
01:15:14,000 --> 01:15:18,880
are Hispanic. I know several who have already chosen to leave because they no longer feel

814
01:15:18,880 --> 01:15:24,580
safe driving to work, taking their kids to school, reporting actual crimes, or even

815
01:15:24,580 --> 01:15:29,180
grocery shopping. Local restaurants and markets are struggling as workers and customers

816
01:15:29,180 --> 01:15:35,060
are afraid to go out. Development projects are at risk when contractors,

817
01:15:35,560 --> 01:15:39,300
laborers, and business owners do not feel comfortable working or living in a

818
01:15:39,300 --> 01:15:47,320
county where 62 people can be stopped in one day based on race. This is not a

819
01:15:47,320 --> 01:15:52,400
just a humanitarian crisis. It's an economic crisis, a workforce crisis,

820
01:15:52,500 --> 01:15:58,800
and a public safety crisis. This new tax proposal going on the ballot to fund

821
01:15:58,800 --> 01:16:04,140
our schools, requires tourism. It requires people to want to come to Green County. And

822
01:16:04,140 --> 01:16:08,860
my goodness, what a beautiful county do we have. Absolutely breathtaking. We have the

823
01:16:08,860 --> 01:16:14,380
prettiest Walmart in the entire U.S. I'm convinced. My breath has taken away every time I drive

824
01:16:14,380 --> 01:16:18,780
up to Walmart and see the mountains in the background. I want visitors to Green County.

825
01:16:19,020 --> 01:16:25,340
I want strong schools. I want people to feel safe and happy about coming here, not

826
01:16:25,340 --> 01:16:32,480
scared and fearful. My expectations are simple. As others have said, we want a full audit of the

827
01:16:32,480 --> 01:16:38,120
money that has come in and how it's been spent. I want the budget reduced. I want the sheriff's

828
01:16:38,120 --> 01:16:44,680
budget reduced by the amount that he has doubled out. Thank you, Ms. Johnson. Please focus on local

829
01:16:44,680 --> 01:16:46,660
matters. That's our job.

830
01:16:51,320 --> 01:16:52,240
Stephen Bitt.

831
01:16:56,610 --> 01:16:59,570
That's good. I'm sorry. Welcome, sir.

832
01:16:59,990 --> 01:17:04,870
Honorable Chairman, members of the board, usually I'm here to yell at y'all, but today's

833
01:17:04,870 --> 01:17:07,710
a little different occasion, so you get a little reprieve today.

834
01:17:09,870 --> 01:17:13,330
If I may, I just want to address the board, but more importantly, I'm going to address

835
01:17:13,330 --> 01:17:17,530
my fellow citizens back here. First off, the comments that I've heard, I understand

836
01:17:17,530 --> 01:17:22,310
a flight considering that even my religious beliefs, I can't then dismiss what I've

837
01:17:22,310 --> 01:17:27,250
heard. However, considering that I have walked a core center in my life and lands that

838
01:17:27,250 --> 01:17:32,790
tyranny, the Elvin Welling was around. I can assure you that the rule of law is

839
01:17:32,790 --> 01:17:37,850
paramount in preventing tyranny. To my citizens, let me advise you right now

840
01:17:37,850 --> 01:17:41,750
that as a contractor working in certain areas, I'm going to give you a little

841
01:17:41,750 --> 01:17:44,030
insight how they're targeted. They're not targeted by our sheriff.

842
01:17:44,170 --> 01:17:46,510
Can you address the board only?

843
01:17:46,810 --> 01:17:48,190
I'll find out. I'll address you then, sir.

844
01:17:48,450 --> 01:17:49,270
Yes, sir. Thank you.

845
01:17:49,710 --> 01:17:54,550
They're not targeted by our sheriff. They're targeted because we walk around

846
01:17:54,550 --> 01:17:58,350
with most sophisticated surveillance device known to man, and voluntarily we walk with

847
01:17:58,350 --> 01:17:58,570
this.

848
01:17:59,230 --> 01:18:03,510
We have automatic license plate readers that are read by third party companies that actually

849
01:18:03,510 --> 01:18:03,910
do this.

850
01:18:04,030 --> 01:18:08,390
Working in the Department of Justice myself, that data is what feeds into the database

851
01:18:08,390 --> 01:18:09,090
to track them.

852
01:18:09,910 --> 01:18:11,950
When a sheriff receives funding, he does receive from ICE.

853
01:18:12,050 --> 01:18:13,310
He also gets it from Secret Service.

854
01:18:13,430 --> 01:18:17,790
He also gets it from DEA and many other federal agencies that are trying to offset

855
01:18:17,790 --> 01:18:21,630
their task force, Gray and Joyce task force, and that's where that funding goes.

856
01:18:21,630 --> 01:18:26,030
Use the board must reward it to the sheriff or you must return to the federal government be advised

857
01:18:26,030 --> 01:18:31,010
That's the only rule law of that when this council here was to object. Don't think so, right man

858
01:18:32,950 --> 01:18:39,030
Anyway, I'm going to point out this that our argument lies at the feet of Vin men and our senators came and

859
01:18:39,030 --> 01:18:43,490
Warner because it is a federal matter. It is not this arena

860
01:18:43,490 --> 01:18:48,670
I'm saying this and loving to all of y'all to be empowered because this is what makes our country great

861
01:18:49,210 --> 01:18:53,790
We need a constitution amendment or we need other laws to put in place to address this.

862
01:18:54,150 --> 01:18:58,570
And as some of you who had a soldiers of mine who became U.S. citizens in Baghdad,

863
01:18:58,750 --> 01:19:05,010
Iraq, Bagram, Afghanistan, and Kandahar, I can assure you that the American dream is alive

864
01:19:05,010 --> 01:19:09,750
and well and is being bought today by those who are not even citizens but earning it.

865
01:19:10,050 --> 01:19:13,430
And this 4th of July, we had a Marine become a citizen as an example.

866
01:19:13,430 --> 01:19:20,050
There are pathways. I suggest empowering those groups that turn around to help these people achieve citizenship.

867
01:19:20,790 --> 01:19:27,230
But at the same time, please note, by Virginia Constitution, that is our Chief Constitution Enforcement Officer,

868
01:19:27,530 --> 01:19:34,450
the Constitution has no address against this. Let me advise you, if a bill of amendments applies to everyone,

869
01:19:34,830 --> 01:19:41,250
then why can't an undocumented citizen or an undocumented person go by a firearm and execute their second amendment?

870
01:19:41,250 --> 01:19:47,290
it. Be a worry that the Constitution is still not defined, and that's how it's set. Our

871
01:19:47,290 --> 01:19:51,490
argument goes to those who represent us on the federal level, not those who are down

872
01:19:51,490 --> 01:19:56,250
here enforcing law that have been placed upon them, and he is powerless because he has no

873
01:19:56,250 --> 01:20:00,950
constitutional means to intervene. But God bless every one of you, and thank you for

874
01:20:00,950 --> 01:20:01,470
giving me my time.

875
01:20:01,470 --> 01:20:02,570
Thank you, Mr. Vitz.

876
01:20:05,500 --> 01:20:07,600
Mary Reich, Mary Reich,

877
01:20:10,140 --> 01:20:12,000
Mary Reich, oh, sorry.

878
01:20:13,180 --> 01:20:14,420
Or Reich, Mary.

879
01:20:14,760 --> 01:20:15,840
Thank you.

880
01:20:17,200 --> 01:20:25,100
On the Green County website, Sheriff Smith is featured as having a certification in racial profiling awareness.

881
01:20:25,100 --> 01:20:34,240
This gives the mistaken notion that this office takes the prevention of bias-based law conduct very seriously.

882
01:20:35,060 --> 01:20:39,180
Instead, the opposite, aiding and abetting ICE.

883
01:20:40,200 --> 01:20:50,160
The dragnet that the sheriff and ICE have created together is significant, terrorizing the Green County community and our friends and neighbors with brown skin.

884
01:20:50,160 --> 01:20:58,640
This flood of pretextual traffic stops blatantly ignores the Fourth Amendment, which is unreasonable

885
01:20:58,640 --> 01:21:04,660
search and seizures, and the Fourteenth Amendment equal protection under the law.

886
01:21:06,050 --> 01:21:10,620
The enormity of this local injustice is hard to put into words.

887
01:21:11,470 --> 01:21:14,960
Countless families are utterly crushed and terrified.

888
01:21:14,960 --> 01:21:20,420
untold numbers are afraid to step outside of their homes to send their

889
01:21:20,420 --> 01:21:25,420
children outside to play to go to school. I have read that this board has

890
01:21:25,420 --> 01:21:30,160
expanded the ability to coordinate with ICE with the recent budget approval

891
01:21:30,160 --> 01:21:36,980
and acceptance of federal ICE money. I ask you to examine your motives and

892
01:21:36,980 --> 01:21:44,560
your heart? Is this what you believe makes grain a better place to live and be?

893
01:21:45,940 --> 01:21:53,540
Whether or not you are a person of faith, do you feel any unease with the

894
01:21:53,540 --> 01:22:00,540
alignment of the sheriff, local law and coordination with ICE, an organization

895
01:22:00,540 --> 01:22:03,900
that murders and violates human's rights.

896
01:22:06,790 --> 01:22:09,430
I request that this Board to not fund

897
01:22:09,430 --> 01:22:18,050
ICE. Choose to make Green County a place that is safe for all. Shuns on ethical

898
01:22:18,050 --> 01:22:25,470
racial profiling. Let Green recreate its reputation. One that is known for

899
01:22:25,470 --> 01:22:30,550
loving neighbors, human kindness, with liberty and justice for all.

900
01:22:38,120 --> 01:22:38,740
And as

901
01:22:39,580 --> 01:22:41,200
Anthony D. Raphael.

902
01:22:43,250 --> 01:22:46,670
Anthony D. Raphael. Welcome.

903
01:22:47,550 --> 01:22:48,290
Thank you. How are you all doing?

904
01:22:48,530 --> 01:22:49,630
Doing well, sir. How are you?

905
01:22:50,130 --> 01:22:55,230
All right. My name is Anthony D. Raffielli. I'm a resident of Green County, Virginia.

906
01:22:56,890 --> 01:22:59,250
First, I'd like to recall some of the words of our founders.

907
01:22:59,250 --> 01:23:06,010
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people are created equal, that they are

908
01:23:06,010 --> 01:23:12,450
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights among these, life, liberty, and the

909
01:23:12,450 --> 01:23:13,810
pursuit of happiness.

910
01:23:15,270 --> 01:23:19,810
These words form the basic tenets of our republic and the foundation upon which our constitution

911
01:23:19,810 --> 01:23:20,670
has been rid.

912
01:23:21,410 --> 01:23:26,130
Recent events have made it clear that our sheriff does not believe in this nation's

913
01:23:26,130 --> 01:23:27,130
founding principles.

914
01:23:28,190 --> 01:23:33,590
Sheriff Smith has worked with the force of tyrannical federal thugs to deprive residents

915
01:23:33,590 --> 01:23:39,030
of our state their constitutional rights guaranteed by the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

916
01:23:40,880 --> 01:23:47,710
He has assisted in destroying the lives of 49 individuals in this county, and he has

917
01:23:47,710 --> 01:23:49,450
done so for what?

918
01:23:50,290 --> 01:23:50,890
Pickup truck?

919
01:23:51,690 --> 01:23:52,350
Tactical year.

920
01:23:52,950 --> 01:23:55,110
How does that benefit any of us in this county?

921
01:23:55,730 --> 01:24:02,710
Now, let me remind you that our Constitution is not reserved exclusively for citizens but

922
01:24:02,710 --> 01:24:05,190
for all people who reside within our borders.

923
01:24:06,290 --> 01:24:11,490
In conclusion, I say that as an American, it is my duty to stand up and speak out when

924
01:24:11,490 --> 01:24:16,870
our government abuses its power to deprive us of our liberties and hereby I call for

925
01:24:16,870 --> 01:24:20,530
the removal or the resignation of Sheriff Stephen Smith.

926
01:24:21,230 --> 01:24:21,710
Thank you.

927
01:24:21,930 --> 01:24:22,170
Thank you.

928
01:24:27,770 --> 01:24:32,970
David Mastavich. David Mastavich. David Mastavich. You good?

929
01:24:33,210 --> 01:24:34,070
We're breathing again.

930
01:24:35,950 --> 01:24:37,730
Okay. Thank you.

931
01:24:38,110 --> 01:24:40,150
All right. Stephanie Hammer.

932
01:24:45,730 --> 01:24:46,730
Hammer or Hamner?

933
01:24:47,330 --> 01:24:49,210
Hammer. Hammer. Okay.

934
01:24:49,670 --> 01:24:52,150
I've gotten into the bad handwriting again. It was going well.

935
01:24:53,150 --> 01:24:53,570
Goody.

936
01:24:53,610 --> 01:24:54,270
Just kidding with you.

937
01:24:55,610 --> 01:24:57,090
I am Stephanie Hammer.

938
01:24:57,390 --> 01:25:00,150
I'm a former middle school teacher here in Green County.

939
01:25:00,150 --> 01:25:06,050
And I think it's important that we acknowledge and understand who we are talking about.

940
01:25:07,020 --> 01:25:12,950
The only original people that belong to the land we call the United States are the American

941
01:25:12,950 --> 01:25:13,390
Indians.

942
01:25:14,250 --> 01:25:19,630
The rest of us come from immigrant families that took a risk to start a new life in

943
01:25:19,630 --> 01:25:20,390
a new world.

944
01:25:21,170 --> 01:25:24,650
We are a nation formed by the immigration of people.

945
01:25:24,650 --> 01:25:32,550
The country we call home, filled with 2.5 million immigrants living in the new world,

946
01:25:32,890 --> 01:25:36,970
declared independence to form a more perfect union.

947
01:25:38,390 --> 01:25:45,850
We should remember the contributions of our immigrant ancestors that made to the development of our country.

948
01:25:46,630 --> 01:25:53,750
Those early immigrants created a country based on a system of government where the power is vested in the people.

949
01:25:53,750 --> 01:25:56,590
We still believe in that.

950
01:25:57,460 --> 01:26:01,210
From the Declaration of Independence to the Vietnam War,

951
01:26:01,650 --> 01:26:06,490
there were 7,300,000 immigrant soldiers

952
01:26:06,490 --> 01:26:09,450
that fought for the United States of America.

953
01:26:10,250 --> 01:26:11,970
They fought for a better future.

954
01:26:12,310 --> 01:26:15,830
They believed in the idea of forming a more perfect union.

955
01:26:16,190 --> 01:26:18,430
They believed in the United States.

956
01:26:18,430 --> 01:26:24,430
In the modern world, we remember those soldiers' sacrifices and call them family.

957
01:26:25,130 --> 01:26:28,910
I am the proud grandchild of immigrants.

958
01:26:29,310 --> 01:26:32,590
They traveled across the ocean with uncertainty and hope.

959
01:26:33,030 --> 01:26:38,270
They lived simply, worked hard, and their generation built America.

960
01:26:39,750 --> 01:26:43,530
I grew to know modern immigrant families as a teacher.

961
01:26:44,230 --> 01:26:48,530
Just like every American parent, they want the best for their children.

962
01:26:49,050 --> 01:26:52,810
They want them to live in a safe, stable environment.

963
01:26:53,490 --> 01:26:56,150
They have high expectations for their children.

964
01:26:56,590 --> 01:27:00,070
They are grateful for what our schools do for their children.

965
01:27:00,470 --> 01:27:07,750
And just like the rest of us celebrate our ancestors' heritage,

966
01:27:08,370 --> 01:27:10,470
they take pride in their heritage too.

967
01:27:11,310 --> 01:27:12,630
And who are their children?

968
01:27:12,630 --> 01:27:18,190
they're good kids. They strive to fit into their new community and have high

969
01:27:18,190 --> 01:27:23,710
ambitions. They behave themselves and talk to their teachers respectfully. They

970
01:27:23,710 --> 01:27:29,130
bring new perspectives into the classroom while working overtime to be a good

971
01:27:29,130 --> 01:27:34,810
American kid. Our American-born children's lives are enriched because

972
01:27:34,810 --> 01:27:39,130
of the diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds that immigrant

973
01:27:39,130 --> 01:27:41,150
community brings to the classroom.

974
01:27:42,130 --> 01:27:46,130
They are the kind of people we want living in our community.

975
01:27:46,850 --> 01:27:50,330
What does a child think when we teach them about welcoming a

976
01:27:50,330 --> 01:27:54,210
stranger to our country and they see the adults in their world

977
01:27:54,210 --> 01:27:55,070
doing the opposite?

978
01:27:55,830 --> 01:27:56,670
Thank you, Ms. Hammer.

979
01:28:05,100 --> 01:28:06,520
I just have the name Elliott.

980
01:28:07,740 --> 01:28:08,360
Elliott,

981
01:28:13,670 --> 01:28:14,290
welcome.

982
01:28:15,370 --> 01:28:15,870
Thank you.

983
01:28:18,110 --> 01:28:25,630
I've been a resident of Green County in Rockardsville for over 20 years.

984
01:28:26,510 --> 01:28:34,890
I've worked for over 38 years in social services and I can assure you that the tens of thousands

985
01:28:34,890 --> 01:28:40,670
of people that I worked with, not a single one was an undocumented immigrant.

986
01:28:42,010 --> 01:28:49,470
If there was someone who was part of a family who was undocumented, they were not included

987
01:28:49,470 --> 01:28:57,390
on the food stamps, the Medicaid, or the aid to families with dependent children.

988
01:28:58,790 --> 01:29:07,930
In one case, there was a father who was included on the grant with his children born in the

989
01:29:07,930 --> 01:29:17,490
States, but his wife who came here as a four-year-old child but was brought here undocumented

990
01:29:18,410 --> 01:29:29,870
was not allowed to be included on those benefits. So I found that claims that people are stealing

991
01:29:29,870 --> 01:29:36,510
billions of dollars in benefits to just not be the case. And I thank you very much for the

992
01:29:36,510 --> 01:29:38,750
opportunity to speak. Thank you very much.

993
01:29:46,710 --> 01:29:48,890
Jerry Schiller. Jerry Schiller.

994
01:29:53,170 --> 01:29:53,490
Welcome, sir.

995
01:29:56,720 --> 01:29:59,980
I'm Jerry Schiller. I've been a green fed resident from the city of

996
01:30:01,560 --> 01:30:06,520
And I have raised my children here, sent to the schools. I'm as much green county as anybody I think.

997
01:30:07,440 --> 01:30:14,700
I'm a working man. I had a tree service many years, get my truck, go off to work, and by grace of God I came home again.

998
01:30:16,100 --> 01:30:20,260
This is what bothers me. These people that we took were working men like me.

999
01:30:21,120 --> 01:30:27,520
They got in their trucks in the morning, and they went off to work and were snatched off the streets of Green County and disappeared.

1000
01:30:28,420 --> 01:30:38,960
no due process, no acknowledgement of who we took, why. This is just not who we are. And

1001
01:30:38,960 --> 01:30:44,200
I don't know, I started apparently with you guys passing a resolution to cooperate. You

1002
01:30:44,200 --> 01:30:47,540
took the money, I think it was a couple hundred thousand dollars about what a fire truck costs.

1003
01:30:47,880 --> 01:30:53,240
And that started the ball rolling in this regard, as I recall. And then of course

1004
01:30:53,240 --> 01:31:01,980
of Smith went there from there, but the idea that a working man, minding his own business,

1005
01:31:02,700 --> 01:31:06,840
trying to go to work, can be snatched off the streets just does not sit well.

1006
01:31:08,140 --> 01:31:15,020
I believe it was a result of that guy up in D.C. that can't finish his sentence trying

1007
01:31:15,020 --> 01:31:19,520
to make political hay by dividing us, poor people against poor people.

1008
01:31:19,520 --> 01:31:23,800
Well, this is a dwege issue that if we can get some of us

1009
01:31:23,800 --> 01:31:25,760
to turn against the others, we're all easier to control.

1010
01:31:25,920 --> 01:31:27,040
And that, I believe, is the problem.

1011
01:31:28,400 --> 01:31:31,560
But it's not right.

1012
01:31:32,100 --> 01:31:32,780
It's not moral.

1013
01:31:32,960 --> 01:31:33,500
It doesn't make sense.

1014
01:31:34,020 --> 01:31:35,480
Now, I don't believe you all are bad people.

1015
01:31:35,700 --> 01:31:37,200
I believe that each one of you people

1016
01:31:38,000 --> 01:31:39,760
had maybe had, maybe the money was easy.

1017
01:31:40,160 --> 01:31:42,220
Maybe you bought into the rhetoric, what it is.

1018
01:31:42,300 --> 01:31:43,520
But I expect that you'll do better.

1019
01:31:44,100 --> 01:31:45,100
We ran the experiment.

1020
01:31:45,360 --> 01:31:46,660
We can't go back, we can't turn back.

1021
01:31:46,660 --> 01:31:50,300
but we can at least learn from our mistakes and do better now.

1022
01:31:50,960 --> 01:31:52,200
We can pass a new resolution.

1023
01:31:53,220 --> 01:31:57,500
We can't really get money back, maybe, but we can find out who the people were, what

1024
01:31:57,500 --> 01:31:58,080
happened to them.

1025
01:31:58,360 --> 01:32:02,000
I expect a resolution to find out who they took off our streets and where they've been

1026
01:32:02,000 --> 01:32:03,080
held and why they've been held.

1027
01:32:04,020 --> 01:32:08,920
And if possible, then these women and children who are hungry, these guys are gone.

1028
01:32:09,000 --> 01:32:09,420
They can't work.

1029
01:32:09,940 --> 01:32:10,860
Maybe we can help them.

1030
01:32:11,380 --> 01:32:13,540
It's a moral issue and it's a logical issue.

1031
01:32:13,540 --> 01:32:17,700
So these, the people that you didn't take are still trimmer trees, they're changing

1032
01:32:17,700 --> 01:32:19,640
tires, they're stacking lumber.

1033
01:32:20,040 --> 01:32:24,900
This is a thing that we need, this is a thing that's right, and I expect that y'all

1034
01:32:24,900 --> 01:32:25,320
will do anything.

1035
01:32:26,000 --> 01:32:26,260
Thank you.

1036
01:32:26,900 --> 01:32:27,060
Thank you.

1037
01:32:35,160 --> 01:32:36,220
Kelly Greer.

1038
01:32:36,540 --> 01:32:37,780
Kelly Greer.

1039
01:32:38,440 --> 01:32:44,600
What's about the, oh, then recognizing in this form,

1040
01:32:48,000 --> 01:32:53,240
Mark Hermsky, is it closed?

1041
01:32:53,240 --> 01:33:04,120
Yeah, I'm working on it. Thank you. Welcome family. Oh, thank you for chair. Thank the board for giving you an opportunity to speak here.

1042
01:33:06,360 --> 01:33:18,380
I'm just, I don't know. I've been here for 15 years in Green County and I've never seen anything like this. I'm kind of stunned that we have a collaboration with a federal basically federal police force.

1043
01:33:19,380 --> 01:33:25,320
And the federal police force seems kind of unaccountable to the citizens of this county.

1044
01:33:25,480 --> 01:33:32,340
They're sweeping up people in dragnets, multiple people at a time, and taking them God knows

1045
01:33:32,340 --> 01:33:33,280
where, do we know where.

1046
01:33:33,480 --> 01:33:39,060
I wish the board would find out where these folks are, why they're being held, and get

1047
01:33:39,060 --> 01:33:41,040
it so that their families can be in touch with them.

1048
01:33:43,120 --> 01:33:43,860
I don't know.

1049
01:33:43,940 --> 01:33:47,760
I think it's a bad precedent to be so involved with the federal government.

1050
01:33:47,760 --> 01:33:56,340
My dad was, my dad was a Rock River Republican, we had some political differences, we both agree

1051
01:33:56,340 --> 01:34:03,900
that people should be treated as individuals and not as groups. Right now, I treat people as groups

1052
01:34:06,160 --> 01:34:11,060
and taking them to facilities where we don't know what's happening to them. I hear there's

1053
01:34:11,060 --> 01:34:14,460
a lot of cruelty there. I'm not certain. I haven't been there, but I just hear this

1054
01:34:14,460 --> 01:34:17,100
And it makes me wonder, here, it's all the back here.

1055
01:34:19,520 --> 01:34:24,740
And I'm just concerned about the President's setting for the future, the lack of transparency,

1056
01:34:25,300 --> 01:34:31,520
and also the involvement of federal agents who seem to be not responsible to the individual

1057
01:34:31,520 --> 01:34:32,060
citizens.

1058
01:34:34,900 --> 01:34:42,200
This morning I read about the District of Tuning in Harris County, Texas, who wants

1059
01:34:42,200 --> 01:34:46,020
to investigate the shooting of this man in Houston last week.

1060
01:34:46,960 --> 01:34:48,400
And the feds are just locking them out.

1061
01:34:48,500 --> 01:34:52,740
They're not saying you can't investigate this, but they're not even getting any of the information

1062
01:34:52,740 --> 01:34:53,400
they had.

1063
01:34:53,960 --> 01:34:59,500
And this district attorney said there's in the past with issues of this nature of federal

1064
01:34:59,500 --> 01:35:04,520
law that they were able to do a parallel investigation and basically they can't

1065
01:35:04,520 --> 01:35:09,040
do a parallel investigation because they're not getting the evidence that the government

1066
01:35:09,040 --> 01:35:09,440
has.

1067
01:35:09,440 --> 01:35:14,660
And I just kind of worry, we don't want to have a situation like that here with shooting

1068
01:35:14,660 --> 01:35:18,140
what's going to happen, you know, what kind of work that they give us.

1069
01:35:18,520 --> 01:35:19,460
Thank you very much.

1070
01:35:19,600 --> 01:35:20,080
Thank you, sir.

1071
01:35:26,840 --> 01:35:27,560
Susan Bernard.

1072
01:35:29,880 --> 01:35:30,520
Susan Bernard.

1073
01:35:39,370 --> 01:35:39,670
Okay.

1074
01:35:44,490 --> 01:35:45,090
Todd Sampson.

1075
01:35:47,130 --> 01:35:47,930
Todd Sampson.

1076
01:35:51,490 --> 01:35:52,170
Welcome, sir.

1077
01:35:52,650 --> 01:35:53,070
Thank you.

1078
01:35:53,350 --> 01:35:53,550
Good evening.

1079
01:35:53,710 --> 01:35:54,430
Good to see all of you.

1080
01:35:55,590 --> 01:35:56,510
I'll try and be brief.

1081
01:35:57,130 --> 01:36:00,330
I consider people on both sides of this argument dear life, long friends of mine.

1082
01:36:00,330 --> 01:36:02,010
And so this is a tough thing for the community.

1083
01:36:02,210 --> 01:36:07,850
And the first thing that I want to say is that I hope that we can maintain mutual respect

1084
01:36:07,850 --> 01:36:11,710
for one another as citizens after all the words are said here this evening.

1085
01:36:12,830 --> 01:36:15,670
I am here to wear two hats.

1086
01:36:15,890 --> 01:36:19,230
I'll speak briefly as the chair of the Green County Republican Committee.

1087
01:36:19,910 --> 01:36:25,210
As I offer my support to our sheriff, Steve Smith, we think he is on an admirable

1088
01:36:25,210 --> 01:36:25,650
job.

1089
01:36:25,810 --> 01:36:28,470
We have been reliant on him for many years now in Green County.

1090
01:36:29,230 --> 01:36:31,050
and hope to rely on him for many more.

1091
01:36:31,190 --> 01:36:33,250
So I just want to publicly say on behalf of our committee

1092
01:36:33,250 --> 01:36:34,190
that we thank you, Sheriff,

1093
01:36:34,590 --> 01:36:36,170
and all of your people for your work.

1094
01:36:36,850 --> 01:36:38,870
I'll elaborate now on that a little bit more personally.

1095
01:36:40,170 --> 01:36:41,990
And I just want to say that I'm hearing a lot

1096
01:36:41,990 --> 01:36:43,570
about the discomfort that has felt

1097
01:36:45,090 --> 01:36:46,330
with the Sheriff and his staff.

1098
01:36:46,510 --> 01:36:48,430
Yet it seems that four or five of them are here tonight

1099
01:36:48,430 --> 01:36:49,810
and we all seem reasonably comfortable.

1100
01:36:49,930 --> 01:36:51,310
In fact, I bet in our heart of hearts

1101
01:36:51,310 --> 01:36:53,490
we are more comfortable that they are here

1102
01:36:53,490 --> 01:36:54,550
versus if they were not.

1103
01:36:56,530 --> 01:36:58,310
So there is something to be said for the work

1104
01:36:58,310 --> 01:37:03,110
that they do for the record that they've had, they have earned the benefit of our trust

1105
01:37:03,110 --> 01:37:08,390
over the particular sheriff's tenure here. I think it's important to also note, because

1106
01:37:08,390 --> 01:37:13,370
I haven't heard it said this evening, that the sheriff is not selecting who ICE is going

1107
01:37:13,370 --> 01:37:19,630
after or why. They come in with their reasons. The sheriff, as I understand, may not even

1108
01:37:19,630 --> 01:37:22,650
know what they are in certain cases, but he has to make the decision, am I going

1109
01:37:22,650 --> 01:37:24,230
to help a federal agency or not.

1110
01:37:26,330 --> 01:37:30,250
So the targeting of the sheriff may be easy because it's convenient and it's here and

1111
01:37:30,250 --> 01:37:33,370
he's our neighbor and he has to face us, but these are not his decisions.

1112
01:37:34,050 --> 01:37:39,630
And I would much rather have a sheriff that regardless of the law enforcement, the particulars

1113
01:37:39,630 --> 01:37:44,550
of the case, a sheriff that is willing to work with state and federal officials to

1114
01:37:44,550 --> 01:37:49,590
try and keep things peaceful as possible as opposed to the alternative, which would

1115
01:37:49,590 --> 01:37:55,290
be making federal officials come in here from any department for any reason and run

1116
01:37:55,290 --> 01:38:01,050
Rothschild with no, with no assistance from our locals. So again, I just want to thank

1117
01:38:01,050 --> 01:38:05,090
you. Appreciate the work that you guys are doing. God bless you all. Keep you safe. Thank

1118
01:38:05,090 --> 01:38:06,110
you. Thank you, sir.

1119
01:38:09,440 --> 01:38:11,260
Ellen Dyer. Ellen Coyer.

1120
01:38:14,460 --> 01:38:14,780
Welcome.

1121
01:38:17,900 --> 01:38:20,740
Good afternoon. I'm Ellen Coyer and

1122
01:38:20,740 --> 01:38:24,400
I live here in Stanninsville and I've lived here more than half of my life.

1123
01:38:26,760 --> 01:38:33,120
I'm here to support our sheriff and also to support ICE.

1124
01:38:34,540 --> 01:38:40,460
And I think immigrants, I support immigrants and I think if someone has been here 20 years,

1125
01:38:40,860 --> 01:38:42,640
he should be a citizen by now.

1126
01:38:43,920 --> 01:38:47,040
If he's living here, he should be a citizen.

1127
01:38:48,960 --> 01:39:01,540
And I think we should not draw conclusion and assume, I think sometimes their assumptions made about what's happening and how people are treated.

1128
01:39:02,700 --> 01:39:04,320
And that's all I have to say.

1129
01:39:04,580 --> 01:39:05,660
Thank you, Ms. Goddard.

1130
01:39:08,110 --> 01:39:09,850
Sarah, Dorian, Christians.

1131
01:39:11,530 --> 01:39:13,290
Sarah, okay.

1132
01:39:16,650 --> 01:39:16,930
Welcome.

1133
01:39:18,370 --> 01:39:19,610
I'm not seeing you.

1134
01:39:19,650 --> 01:39:20,310
Is that you talking?

1135
01:39:20,310 --> 01:39:25,290
That's me. Yes. Hello. I've been there, so I wasn't seen anything. Good evening, everybody.

1136
01:39:25,990 --> 01:39:31,250
I'm Reverend Seredorian Christians. I am the senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church

1137
01:39:31,250 --> 01:39:37,470
in Albemarle County. Therefore, I am also one of your neighbors, and I'm glad to be here tonight.

1138
01:39:38,170 --> 01:39:45,110
I wasn't planning on speaking, but the Spirit has put a scripture on my heart. I can tell

1139
01:39:45,750 --> 01:39:49,470
by the conversations I'm hearing on the lawn around this room that we have a lot of

1140
01:39:49,470 --> 01:39:59,390
in this room. I will say I am both lamenting the sin that is Christian nationalism, the

1141
01:39:59,390 --> 01:40:06,010
conflation of genuine Christian freedom with a warped sense of American freedom. I'm also

1142
01:40:06,630 --> 01:40:12,410
so encouraged and moved by the number of people in this room tonight and the number of people

1143
01:40:12,410 --> 01:40:17,830
who are saying, I love living in Green County and what is happening is not who we are.

1144
01:40:17,830 --> 01:40:24,450
The scripture that God is putting on my heart is from 1 John. God is love.

1145
01:40:27,030 --> 01:40:30,290
God is love. And those

1146
01:40:30,290 --> 01:40:36,730
who live in love live in God. And God lives in them.

1147
01:40:39,360 --> 01:40:45,460
Love. It is what God is. It is alone. What

1148
01:40:45,460 --> 01:40:50,280
we judge all of scripture and all of life by. And if you are a person of faith rolling your

1149
01:40:50,280 --> 01:40:55,760
eyes right now with the ooey gooeyness of this. It doesn't have any place in a room like this.

1150
01:40:56,220 --> 01:41:05,080
My friends, you are making a mockery of the faith that you claim to profess. God is love. Love is

1151
01:41:05,080 --> 01:41:15,220
the goal. It is the measure. It is the way. Beloved, this coordinated effort to profile people

1152
01:41:15,220 --> 01:41:24,420
with dark skin, to detain them without due process, and to burden them with the traumatic

1153
01:41:24,420 --> 01:41:31,660
and material consequence of those actions is not to live in love.

1154
01:41:32,420 --> 01:41:38,700
Any process, any way that we choose to govern ourselves, any way that we enforce immigration

1155
01:41:38,700 --> 01:41:46,880
law that doesn't begin there is not Christian and it is not American and it doesn't reflect

1156
01:41:46,880 --> 01:41:48,500
the values of Virginia.

1157
01:41:49,440 --> 01:41:56,160
My friends, the guys in masks covering their faces, carting people off, they are never

1158
01:41:56,160 --> 01:41:57,780
the good guys ever.

1159
01:41:58,820 --> 01:42:07,220
Future generations will not judge us with grace to not recognize the depravity of

1160
01:42:07,220 --> 01:42:17,530
this national moment to not recognize that? Well, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. With all

1161
01:42:17,530 --> 01:42:23,810
due respect to the people that said this is a federal matter, you do have power. You do

1162
01:42:23,810 --> 01:42:27,050
have moral authority. Thank you, Ms. Christians. Appreciate it.

1163
01:42:32,200 --> 01:42:34,060
CJ Jordan. CJ Jordan.

1164
01:42:37,100 --> 01:42:41,480
Welcome, Mr. Jordan. Thank you, sir. How are you? Well, how

1165
01:42:41,480 --> 01:42:44,600
you. I'm blessed and highly favored.

1166
01:42:47,000 --> 01:42:52,180
First of all I want to make a comment and that comment is to

1167
01:42:52,180 --> 01:43:00,520
respond to the fact that this nation was built by immigrants because my ancestors came on a boat

1168
01:43:00,520 --> 01:43:01,020
and chains.

1169
01:43:03,080 --> 01:43:10,480
So therefore I would like to say this we the people of the United States in order to

1170
01:43:10,480 --> 01:43:17,120
form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,

1171
01:43:18,000 --> 01:43:24,300
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the

1172
01:43:24,300 --> 01:43:32,220
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain the

1173
01:43:32,220 --> 01:43:38,860
establishment of this Constitution for the United States of America. Sure, I've

1174
01:43:38,860 --> 01:43:44,880
coming through here for over five years, I spend the night in this town on multiple occasions.

1175
01:43:45,680 --> 01:43:51,960
I do my ministry in this county. As a brown person, I've never been targeted.

1176
01:43:52,800 --> 01:44:01,500
I've never been profiled. So that I wanted to make clear. The other thing I want to make clear

1177
01:44:02,100 --> 01:44:07,000
is the fact that this sheriff is not doing anything illegal because I just read the preamble

1178
01:44:07,000 --> 01:44:14,940
of the Constitution. And it says to establish justice. Justice is the 287G program.

1179
01:44:17,500 --> 01:44:18,180
And therefore,

1180
01:44:18,700 --> 01:44:26,860
as a federal partner, he's entitled to deal with when he raises his hand. He swears by

1181
01:44:26,860 --> 01:44:33,780
the Constitution. My uncle was a Lynchburg police officer retired with his original

1182
01:44:33,780 --> 01:44:35,720
badge. You don't get to do that.

1183
01:44:37,900 --> 01:44:44,360
I can tell you he took that oath personally. I can tell you

1184
01:44:44,360 --> 01:44:50,740
the men and women in the sheriff department take this oath personally. But they also spent a great

1185
01:44:50,740 --> 01:44:58,320
deal of time knowing their neighbors. But those who think that he just randomly wakes up and

1186
01:44:58,320 --> 01:44:59,880
and say, hey, I'm going to round up people.

1187
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:05,540
So, that's not what he is. Look at him. He's a lovable, big Santa Claus who loves the

1188
01:45:05,540 --> 01:45:13,460
Lord because he is. But he will also tell you that if a member of his family breaks the law,

1189
01:45:14,600 --> 01:45:17,500
he will arrest them and he will also pray for them.

1190
01:45:19,680 --> 01:45:22,940
So tonight, I want to make it known

1191
01:45:24,360 --> 01:45:30,400
that if you decide you want to take any funding from this sheriff, if the Commonwealth wishes

1192
01:45:30,400 --> 01:45:37,160
to take any funding from this sheriff, I'm going to personally write to the U.S. Justice Department

1193
01:45:37,160 --> 01:45:38,920
and ask for investigation.

1194
01:45:41,180 --> 01:45:44,720
He is doing his job. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Jordan.

1195
01:45:46,260 --> 01:45:50,900
Ken Copeland. Ken Copeland. Ken Copeland.

1196
01:45:55,420 --> 01:45:57,820
Welcome, sir. Good evening. Ken Copeland,

1197
01:45:57,820 --> 01:46:07,700
and Standards Bill District want to reiterate as I have before been discussion about what's

1198
01:46:07,700 --> 01:46:14,020
happened and a lot of uncertainty around it. What's missing is transparency.

1199
01:46:16,700 --> 01:46:18,460
The board

1200
01:46:19,490 --> 01:46:28,660
should in my opinion do what is within their power to request the sheriff to provide the

1201
01:46:28,660 --> 01:46:36,680
information that's needed to make it more clear. We know, seeing reported, how

1202
01:46:36,680 --> 01:46:45,520
many people were detained in the two days in which action was taken with ICE, but

1203
01:46:45,520 --> 01:46:50,820
what we don't know is how many traffic stops were made. For what reason?

1204
01:46:54,900 --> 01:46:55,680
What was

1205
01:46:55,680 --> 01:47:07,740
perception that the stops were made, I'll say, overwhelmingly based upon the

1206
01:47:07,740 --> 01:47:14,860
color of the occupants should share information about that can help

1207
01:47:14,860 --> 01:47:25,040
understand how many people were stopped and of what potential ethnicity was a

1208
01:47:25,040 --> 01:47:33,980
citation issued, or was an individual detained from that stop, and under what law or what

1209
01:47:33,980 --> 01:47:41,320
violation? Whether any occupants were taken into custody and detained, and if so, how

1210
01:47:41,320 --> 01:47:49,640
many occupants? For each person taken into custody, detained, following a traffic stop

1211
01:47:49,640 --> 01:47:55,320
on those dates. What was the reason for taking them into custody? What was the

1212
01:47:55,320 --> 01:48:01,000
reason they were detained? And finally, whether the person has been released and

1213
01:48:01,520 --> 01:48:07,060
if not where the person is currently being held. This is information that

1214
01:48:07,060 --> 01:48:14,060
allows people to get beyond perceptions and assumptions and get to a better

1215
01:48:14,060 --> 01:48:20,920
understanding of what's happening. I've heard talk that people are being stopped because

1216
01:48:21,530 --> 01:48:30,500
ICE has asked the sheriff to stop them. I seriously have my doubts that in making a

1217
01:48:30,500 --> 01:48:35,880
traffic stop, all of those traffic stops were based upon knowledge of who the occupant

1218
01:48:35,880 --> 01:48:44,560
was. But again, without information, we don't know. So I would again ask you to urge the

1219
01:48:44,560 --> 01:48:50,260
sheriff to share information that helps the public better understand what's going on and

1220
01:48:50,260 --> 01:48:54,040
from there have appropriate conversations. Thank you.

1221
01:48:54,360 --> 01:48:54,600
Thank you.

1222
01:49:01,030 --> 01:49:01,530
Thank you.

1223
01:49:01,530 --> 01:49:01,570
Thank you.

1224
01:49:03,010 --> 01:49:03,610
Yant.

1225
01:49:05,840 --> 01:49:06,220
Thank you.

1226
01:49:06,320 --> 01:49:07,640
Tell me the other part of your name.

1227
01:49:08,100 --> 01:49:09,440
It's at Cheveri, Jim.

1228
01:49:09,680 --> 01:49:15,440
Let me say this is the first time I've ever attended a public meeting like this.

1229
01:49:15,980 --> 01:49:20,360
So indulge me if I'm a little bit nervous about it, but I also want to say how impressed

1230
01:49:20,360 --> 01:49:25,940
I am by the democracies are taking place here in Green County and that we have such

1231
01:49:25,940 --> 01:49:28,200
a diverse range of views and people listen respectfully.

1232
01:49:29,100 --> 01:49:35,300
I've been visiting detainees in the Farmville Detention Center and I've been moved by

1233
01:49:35,300 --> 01:49:43,180
that to speak, despite my lack of experience here, and of the people that I've been visiting,

1234
01:49:43,400 --> 01:49:52,500
two of them were detained here in Green County in the last month or so. But I want to talk,

1235
01:49:52,660 --> 01:49:59,560
in particular, about a single case, the case of Juan Gutierrez Ramirez, who I think is,

1236
01:49:59,620 --> 01:50:04,040
at least in my experience, not an atypical case. But what I'd like to highlight is,

1237
01:50:04,040 --> 01:50:05,940
I'm not going to advocate for one policy or another.

1238
01:50:06,060 --> 01:50:11,740
I just want to highlight the human costs involved in their current immigration policies.

1239
01:50:12,680 --> 01:50:15,480
So Juan went to work.

1240
01:50:16,060 --> 01:50:21,320
He worked on a – with a roofing company in June 2025.

1241
01:50:22,300 --> 01:50:28,800
And after a couple hours of work, agents from ICE swooped down and took all of the members

1242
01:50:28,800 --> 01:50:33,340
members of his working crew, 13 members, and detained them.

1243
01:50:34,800 --> 01:50:43,000
Juan has a particularly difficult case in that some months after he was detained, they found

1244
01:50:43,000 --> 01:50:51,880
out that during his 21 years of living here in Virginia, he was convicted on one DUI charge.

1245
01:50:52,400 --> 01:50:54,820
And so it's very likely that he'll be deported.

1246
01:50:54,820 --> 01:50:57,480
I don't think that there's any question that he's going to be deported.

1247
01:50:59,040 --> 01:51:04,620
And he left behind a pregnant wife and a nine-year-old daughter.

1248
01:51:05,880 --> 01:51:11,100
In November, his wife suffered from preeclampsia and was hospitalized.

1249
01:51:12,000 --> 01:51:17,520
I was meeting with Juan at the time, and the only thing he wanted to do was to go

1250
01:51:17,520 --> 01:51:18,860
and support his wife.

1251
01:51:20,060 --> 01:51:30,120
In December, on December 20th, his son was born, Juan Daniel, and once again, the only

1252
01:51:30,120 --> 01:51:34,820
thing Juan wanted to do was to go and support his wife and family.

1253
01:51:35,260 --> 01:51:39,300
But of course, he was detained at Farmville and wasn't able to do so.

1254
01:51:39,300 --> 01:51:46,160
So Juan's family, they used to live in a rented house.

1255
01:51:47,720 --> 01:51:52,280
Now they live in a rented, well, then they switch to a rented room,

1256
01:51:52,420 --> 01:51:57,760
and now they live in a space with some of their neighbor communities.

1257
01:51:59,000 --> 01:52:04,080
They've really been, it's not even fair to say that they are living by hand to mouth.

1258
01:52:05,840 --> 01:52:12,640
One now has asked to be sent back to his home, so he can at least send funds from his home.

1259
01:52:13,060 --> 01:52:19,320
He asked at the beginning of February, and even today, he remains in Farmville.

1260
01:52:19,500 --> 01:52:20,160
Thank you, Mr. J.

1261
01:52:20,160 --> 01:52:20,520
Thank you.

1262
01:52:20,720 --> 01:52:21,140
Thank you.

1263
01:52:25,190 --> 01:52:25,790
Kevin?

1264
01:52:26,350 --> 01:52:26,790
Cruise check.

1265
01:52:27,210 --> 01:52:27,470
Kevin?

1266
01:52:27,770 --> 01:52:28,310
Cruise check?

1267
01:52:30,880 --> 01:52:31,660
Or cruise check?

1268
01:52:31,940 --> 01:52:33,680
K-R-U-C-Z-E-K.

1269
01:52:34,200 --> 01:52:34,620
Kevin?

1270
01:52:40,440 --> 01:52:40,740
No?

1271
01:52:46,650 --> 01:52:46,910
Okay.

1272
01:52:47,310 --> 01:52:47,590
Stephen?

1273
01:52:47,970 --> 01:52:48,710
Steve Hollis.

1274
01:52:48,710 --> 01:52:49,470
Steve Hollis.

1275
01:52:53,240 --> 01:53:00,920
Welcome sir. Chairman, members of the board. Thank you for letting me speak tonight.

1276
01:53:01,900 --> 01:53:07,280
My name is Steve Hollis and I live in Rutgersville. I've lived in Rutgersville for over 20 years

1277
01:53:07,280 --> 01:53:11,340
and Davis lives with my neighbor for that whole time. How are you doing today, Davis?

1278
01:53:12,960 --> 01:53:17,660
Davis, I bet you didn't know I was the son of a legal immigrant.

1279
01:53:20,700 --> 01:53:24,200
I was three years old before my mother became a U.S. citizen.

1280
01:53:25,860 --> 01:53:31,280
And after high school, I joined the U.S. military, served 20 years and deployed more times than

1281
01:53:31,280 --> 01:53:32,260
I have on one hand.

1282
01:53:33,420 --> 01:53:39,340
This is my country, and I sworn oath to the Constitution of the United States.

1283
01:53:41,060 --> 01:53:45,760
That oath was to protect my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

1284
01:53:47,980 --> 01:53:52,200
that included in that oath is the obligation to follow the laws of Congress,

1285
01:53:53,580 --> 01:53:58,960
and Congress created laws on how to lawfully emigrate to the United States of America.

1286
01:54:00,880 --> 01:54:04,840
Sheriff Smith and I had not always seen eye-to-eye as people attest,

1287
01:54:07,660 --> 01:54:09,100
but he took a civil oath.

1288
01:54:09,560 --> 01:54:14,640
He took a note to the first of the U.S. Constitution and then to the Virginia Constitution.

1289
01:54:14,640 --> 01:54:19,000
The U.S. Constitution shrugs any Virginia laws.

1290
01:54:20,280 --> 01:54:25,520
And I fully expect Sheriff Smith and his officers to work with federal officials to enforce

1291
01:54:25,520 --> 01:54:30,780
federal immigration laws that have been authorized by the United States Congress.

1292
01:54:31,780 --> 01:54:37,720
And those who object to Steve Smith and his officers working with federal officials to

1293
01:54:37,720 --> 01:54:46,100
enforce federal immigration laws are basically espousing anarchy on congressional immigration

1294
01:54:46,100 --> 01:54:49,940
laws. Thank you. Steve, keep up the good work.

1295
01:54:50,880 --> 01:54:51,520
Thank you, Mr. Collins.

1296
01:54:55,440 --> 01:54:59,120
Okay. I would like to see if Wayne Smith is here still or still

1297
01:54:59,120 --> 01:55:03,920
not here. Okay. All right. Fine. Mr. Friedel, can you check on Zoom? And while you're

1298
01:55:03,920 --> 01:55:07,020
doing that, I'd like the Vice Chair to go over this list to make sure I got everybody.

1299
01:55:08,500 --> 01:55:14,680
Absolutely. So anyone that's joining us via Zoom that wants to address the board on any

1300
01:55:14,680 --> 01:55:20,280
matters from the public, please use the raise your hand feature so that we can see your

1301
01:55:20,280 --> 01:55:25,820
desire to speak. We'll give you a few moments to find that. You can find it under the

1302
01:55:25,820 --> 01:55:32,880
react button. And as soon as we do it, I'll ask you to unmute yourself once I see it.

1303
01:55:32,880 --> 01:55:38,040
So the first caller Kevin Kelly can you unmute yourself?

1304
01:55:40,980 --> 01:55:43,620
Thank you good evening

1305
01:55:43,620 --> 01:55:49,380
Mr. Chairman board of board members administrator Shaffer. I'm Kevin Kelly

1306
01:55:49,380 --> 01:55:54,940
resident of Standardsville speaking purely as a citizen. I rise to support

1307
01:55:54,940 --> 01:55:59,540
the Sheriff's Department activities with ICE. I think it's important the law

1308
01:55:59,540 --> 01:56:07,040
be enforced. My contention is if the law is bad, the law should be changed, not ignored.

1309
01:56:08,820 --> 01:56:15,300
And on immigration, my position is that if you come here legally, welcome. God bless

1310
01:56:15,300 --> 01:56:16,460
you. I hope you do well.

1311
01:56:19,660 --> 01:56:23,940
And that is all I have to say on this. Thank you all. I support

1312
01:56:23,940 --> 01:56:24,300
the show.

1313
01:56:25,940 --> 01:56:29,480
Thank you, Mr. Haley. Anyone else, Mr. Vredel?

1314
01:56:32,750 --> 01:56:36,070
There are no more raised hands. It doesn't appear we have any more remote

1315
01:56:36,070 --> 01:56:42,030
speakers. Okay. I will close matters from the public. I want to tell everybody that

1316
01:56:42,030 --> 01:56:44,690
I, are you signed up?

1317
01:56:47,930 --> 01:56:52,710
What's the board's pleasure? Come on. Thank you. State your

1318
01:56:52,710 --> 01:56:54,830
name. Andrew Wilder Young.

1319
01:56:59,710 --> 01:57:02,090
Okay. All right. You have three minutes. All right.

1320
01:57:02,090 --> 01:57:04,850
Good evening to this honorable Board of Supervisors.

1321
01:57:05,530 --> 01:57:07,230
Again, my name is Andrew Wilder Young.

1322
01:57:07,890 --> 01:57:09,930
My cousin was a Commonwealth attorney here.

1323
01:57:10,110 --> 01:57:12,230
You may remember his name the same as mine.

1324
01:57:13,270 --> 01:57:17,410
In my day job, I'm an attorney, but on June 23rd,

1325
01:57:17,410 --> 01:57:19,770
I was being held by the sheriff and ICE at gunpoint

1326
01:57:19,770 --> 01:57:23,010
for having the nerve to show up and offer legal services

1327
01:57:23,010 --> 01:57:24,150
to those that were detained.

1328
01:57:25,090 --> 01:57:28,910
I'm here tonight as a patriot who believed in the U.S. Constitution,

1329
01:57:28,910 --> 01:57:31,750
due process and limited government.

1330
01:57:32,470 --> 01:57:36,190
In this vein, I view Sheriff Smith's racist police tactics

1331
01:57:36,650 --> 01:57:40,350
under this agreement to be a sin against God and country.

1332
01:57:41,150 --> 01:57:44,210
There is no nobility in breaking up families

1333
01:57:44,890 --> 01:57:48,270
and in dehumanizing others because of the color of their skin

1334
01:57:48,270 --> 01:57:50,410
to send them off to private prisons.

1335
01:57:51,870 --> 01:57:55,190
If there is a judicial warrant signed by a judge,

1336
01:57:55,190 --> 01:57:56,970
By all means, serve it.

1337
01:57:57,430 --> 01:58:04,250
But using race-based traffic stops as a pretext to deliver people into ICE custody is exactly

1338
01:58:04,250 --> 01:58:07,990
the kind of government abuse that the Constitution was written to prevent.

1339
01:58:09,370 --> 01:58:15,130
This is foundational to our social contract and is what sets us apart from the rest of

1340
01:58:15,130 --> 01:58:15,570
the world.

1341
01:58:16,430 --> 01:58:20,950
Sheriff Smith's tactics here violate our American social contract.

1342
01:58:20,950 --> 01:58:25,610
The sheriff is a duly elected official, but he is not beyond accountability.

1343
01:58:26,610 --> 01:58:29,770
This board controls appropriations and local resources.

1344
01:58:30,410 --> 01:58:36,810
This board has a duty to protect taxpayers from civil rights litigation and state AG

1345
01:58:36,810 --> 01:58:41,730
investigations, as well as protecting the county from becoming a statewide symbol

1346
01:58:41,730 --> 01:58:44,010
of fear and racist terror.

1347
01:58:44,830 --> 01:58:50,510
This collaboration threatens the county's reputation and economy, and it makes everybody

1348
01:58:50,510 --> 01:58:53,630
less safe when law enforcement cannot be trusted.

1349
01:58:54,510 --> 01:58:59,570
Green County should be known as the gateway to Shenandoah National Park and Virginia

1350
01:58:59,570 --> 01:59:05,690
Wine Country, not as a place where families, tourists, and people of color are afraid to

1351
01:59:05,690 --> 01:59:13,150
drive, work, worship, or visit because the Ku Klux Klan took off their robes and hoods

1352
01:59:13,150 --> 01:59:15,630
and went to work for the Green County Sheriff's Office.

1353
01:59:15,630 --> 01:59:26,290
I ask you to direct the county attorney to review this program for compliance or lack thereof, and I demand a full accounting of ICE receive money and resources.

1354
01:59:27,450 --> 01:59:38,070
I would request further that you prohibit new county resources being used for civil immigration enforcement without a signed judicial warrant and hold the public hearing on this matter with Sheriff Smith.

1355
01:59:38,810 --> 01:59:44,650
Rain in this terror, protect the Constitution and protect Green County's future. Thank you.

1356
01:59:44,650 --> 01:59:44,730
you.

1357
01:59:59,280 --> 01:59:59,700
Okay.

1358
02:00:00,180 --> 02:00:05,820
So as I was saying, I am very thankful that everybody came here today and exercised their rights.

1359
02:00:06,180 --> 02:00:10,800
I'm very thankful that everybody adhered to the rules of the road, as you say, under our matters from the public.

1360
02:00:11,300 --> 02:00:15,340
I appreciate it very much. That is how we exchange ideas.

1361
02:00:16,540 --> 02:00:19,900
Right and wrong, as we know, is a lot of gray area in local government.

1362
02:00:20,660 --> 02:00:28,260
So we have multiple opinions and personalities that have to come together to negotiate through that minefield of things.

1363
02:00:28,260 --> 02:00:32,980
I would like to read a statement from the Green County Board of Supervisors on the issue.

1364
02:00:34,100 --> 02:00:37,320
And I make fun of people's handwriting because mine is the worst.

1365
02:00:37,700 --> 02:00:40,640
So if I stumble on my own words, I'm really sorry, but I will read them.

1366
02:00:41,520 --> 02:00:45,140
In our form of government, which is very prevalent in counties throughout the Commonwealth,

1367
02:00:45,860 --> 02:00:51,940
the Board of Supervisors appropriates funds to constitutional offices, the school board, and to internal departments.

1368
02:00:52,740 --> 02:00:57,840
Out of these funds, we only have operational control and fiscal control over our direct departments.

1369
02:00:58,500 --> 02:01:02,960
We have very little authority over specific functions provided by our constitutional officers.

1370
02:01:03,660 --> 02:01:11,500
The sheriff, treasurer, commissioner, revenue, commons attorney, court clerk and the school board are all elected by the voters, the same voters that elect us.

1371
02:01:11,940 --> 02:01:20,160
It puts us all on legal footing and it also provides for a check and a balance within our system of how we actually govern as a community.

1372
02:01:20,160 --> 02:01:22,380
The Board does have the power of appropriation.

1373
02:01:22,920 --> 02:01:26,580
We appropriate lump sums, large lump sums of money to the

1374
02:01:26,580 --> 02:01:29,800
constitutionals to provide services that they see fit

1375
02:01:29,800 --> 02:01:31,400
to satisfy their constituents.

1376
02:01:32,040 --> 02:01:34,180
It becomes between the voters and the constitutionals.

1377
02:01:35,380 --> 02:01:38,380
Having said this, Green County is a very safe community.

1378
02:01:38,740 --> 02:01:39,920
It is a community of laws.

1379
02:01:40,500 --> 02:01:44,460
The Board of Supervisors appropriates a significant percent

1380
02:01:44,460 --> 02:01:47,680
of local tax dollars to maintain that long order.

1381
02:01:48,300 --> 02:01:51,540
Our citizens demand that we maintain that law and order.

1382
02:01:51,780 --> 02:01:56,800
We are responsible for a lump sum appropriation to a constitutional officer.

1383
02:01:57,520 --> 02:02:05,760
How law and order is maintained and what that means is not an operational decision we are qualified or constitutionally allowed to make.

1384
02:02:06,500 --> 02:02:09,180
So having said that, we appreciate all the dialogue.

1385
02:02:09,180 --> 02:02:14,840
we will make sure that everything we do is compliant and we thank you for

1386
02:02:14,840 --> 02:02:19,700
coming out tonight and that will be our official word on the matter. Thank you

1387
02:02:19,700 --> 02:02:20,140
all very much.

1388
02:02:23,870 --> 02:02:28,250
What's the Hollis back at Steve Hollis? I just like to let him

1389
02:02:28,250 --> 02:02:33,730
know that I said that same oh 5 30 in the morning at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

1390
02:02:35,590 --> 02:02:36,390
Thank you.

1391
02:02:36,550 --> 02:02:37,310
Hi, 30 in the morning.

1392
02:02:37,630 --> 02:02:37,750
Yeah.

1393
02:02:38,170 --> 02:02:38,690
All right.

1394
02:02:38,890 --> 02:02:39,710
Mr. Goolsbee.

1395
02:02:40,530 --> 02:02:41,590
A motion for adjourns.

1396
02:02:41,870 --> 02:02:42,110
All right.

1397
02:02:42,150 --> 02:02:43,450
We have a motion for adjournment.

1398
02:02:43,530 --> 02:02:44,050
Do we have a second?

1399
02:02:44,410 --> 02:02:44,630
Second.

1400
02:02:45,050 --> 02:02:45,250
All right.

1401
02:02:45,270 --> 02:02:47,130
We have a motion and a second for adjournment.

1402
02:02:47,190 --> 02:02:47,830
Roll call vote.

1403
02:02:47,990 --> 02:02:48,350
Ms. Durr.

1404
02:02:48,610 --> 02:02:48,870
Okay.

1405
02:02:49,210 --> 02:02:49,830
Mr. Goolsbee.

1406
02:02:50,690 --> 02:02:51,010
Mr. Lamb.

1407
02:02:51,850 --> 02:02:52,410
Mr. Hartum.

1408
02:02:54,130 --> 02:02:54,930
Mr. Hartum.

1409
02:02:56,870 --> 02:02:57,870
Can you hear me?

1410
02:02:58,510 --> 02:02:58,790
Yeah.

1411
02:02:58,870 --> 02:02:59,250
There you are.

1412
02:02:59,590 --> 02:03:00,130
What's your vote?

1413
02:03:01,350 --> 02:03:01,750
Yes.

1414
02:03:02,910 --> 02:03:03,310
Yes.

1415
02:03:03,570 --> 02:03:03,710
Okay.

1416
02:03:03,710 --> 02:03:06,990
and the cheerbook time. Meeting adjourned.