[1:59] Mhm.

[2:34] » All right, my watch is showing 6:00. So, we'll go ahead and call this meeting to

[2:39] order. Please rise for the invocation by

[2:42] Reverend Wayne Moore, High Point Baptist Church.

[2:47] » Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for

[2:51] this wonderful country that we live in and better freedom for 250 years. Thank

[2:57] for all those who made sacrifices to give us this freedom and to

[3:02] protect and continue to have it today. And Lord, we thank you for our founding

[3:06] fathers who recognized that we had certain inalienable rights that were

[3:11] given by you and not by government, but that government is to protect those

[3:16] rights. We thank you for the great documents that we have the Declaration

[3:20] of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America.

[3:24] Lord, we pray that you would help us to be faithful

[3:27] and continue to live uh by these values and protect these for our future

[3:32] generations. Lord, we pray for this body of local

[3:35] governing officials here tonight that you would give them direction and

[3:40] guidance and wisdom. Lord, that you would bless the people of

[3:43] Patrick County with prosperity, with happiness, with peace.

[3:47] And we would use all the blessings that you give us to further the gospel and

[3:52] to proclaim your great name to all that we can.

[3:55] Lord bless us as we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[3:58] » Amen. >> And the pledge of allegiance.

[4:03] Pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[4:06] United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands,

[4:11] one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[4:19] » And a moment of silence in recognition of US military serving here and abroad

[4:23] and all public safety.

[4:52] Well, you can be seated.

[5:03] All righty, the first item of business is approval of the meeting agenda. Do we

[5:07] have any amendments to the agenda?

[5:14] » Any changes, sir, are annotated in red.

[5:18] » Okay.

[5:22] All righty. And Mr. Cox would like to speak briefly

[5:26] after the employee recognition.

[5:32] And can I go ahead and get a motion to approve as amended?

[5:39] » Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any

[5:42] discussion?

[5:45] All righty, we'll proceed to vote. Mr. Marshall?

[5:48] » Yes. >> Mr. Kendrick?

[5:49] » It uh >> Mr. Cox?

[5:51] » Uh >> Mr. Wood?

[5:53] » I. >> And I vote I as well.

[5:56] The meeting minutes from June 8th, 2026. Do we have any amendments to those

[6:03] meeting minutes?

[6:08] All right, being there are no amendments, we will take those as

[6:11] approved as presented. Approval of the bills, claims, and

[6:15] appropriations. Do we have any questions?

[6:19] » Yeah, the uh the year-end transfer summary shows that

[6:22] some of the salary elements in last year's budget ran well under

[6:27] what those positions actually cost, and others ran well over.

[6:31] Um the transfers square the estimates with the actuals after the fact. I'm not

[6:35] questioning the math, and I'm not pointing fingers. This board, myself

[6:38] included, adopted that budget, and the careful reconciliation work in front of

[6:42] us is to the credit of our new finance officer, who inherited these numbers on

[6:46] short notice. My concern is simply this: We're approving differences after the

[6:50] money is spent, not having had a role in its formulation. I would like to be sure

[6:55] the current year's budget doesn't carry the same liabilities forward.

[6:58] I'm handing the county administrator a short written list of questions on the

[7:01] specific items, and I ask that staff respond in writing.

[7:05] Until I see those answers, I can't say the numbers in front of us

[7:09] are the ones I verified. Um it's a due diligence thing, and not

[7:14] criticism of anyone on the staff.

[7:18] » All righty, any other questions, or comments, or concerns?

[7:23] » I might have a question earlier today, but I think it's been answered over uh

[7:27] I said it's being graded this morning. Maybe on page 42.

[7:33] About the That's one of them.

[7:37] Under uh these questions.

[7:44] These questions.

[8:00] » You have a total page

[8:02] 44 should be corrected to $170

[8:06] and $1.96.

[8:11] » That is correct, right? >> It has been corrected. Yes, sir.

[8:18] » All righty, anything else?

[8:22] All right, I'll take a motion to approve.

[8:26] » I'll make a motion. >> All righty, can I get a second?

[8:29] » Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Any further

[8:32] discussion?

[8:35] All right, we'll proceed to vote. Mr. Marshall.

[8:37] » No. >> Mr. Kindred.

[8:39] » Aye. >> Mr. Cox.

[8:40] » Aye. >> Mr. Goins.

[8:41] » Aye. >> And I'll vote aye as well.

[8:44] We will proceed into our presentations. Uh the first one is Patrick County

[8:48] partner. Do you want to start that one?

[8:52] » Yes, sir.

[9:02] So, this evening I have the pleasure of presenting the Patrick County Partner

[9:05] Award to Dr. Richard Cole. I wanted to say thank you to the citizens that had

[9:09] contacted me to nominate Dr. Cole for the award this award. I've had the

[9:13] pleasure to know Dr. Cole and his family for approximately 5 years now. When I

[9:17] think of Dr. Cole, I think of simply one that puts county and people over self.

[9:23] You do not have to look hard to find Dr. Cole. One minute he is working at the

[9:26] ticket booth at the county fair, the next minute he is administering health

[9:30] care to a patient, and the next minute he is attending a meeting to help steer

[9:34] the county with the strategic vision plan.

[9:37] Like many of the residents of Patrick County, Dr. Cole does so with humility,

[9:41] compassion, and a deep love and commitment to Patrick County. And sir,

[9:47] you have the resolution. Would his family like to come up while they read

[9:50] the resolution? >> Proclamation of the Board of Supervisors

[9:54] of Patrick County, Virginia, honoring Dr. Richard Cole for a lifetime of

[9:58] extraordinary service. Whereas Dr. Richard Cole was raised in

[10:02] Patrick County, harboring a vision from the tender age of five to become a

[10:06] physician and return to his roots to dedicate his life to the health and

[10:11] well-being of his neighbors. And whereas fulfilling that lifelong dream, Dr.

[10:15] Cole, alongside his wife and their six children, returned to Patrick County in

[10:20] 1984, establishing the Patrick County Family Practice in 1990, which has since

[10:26] grown to employ approximately 50 dedicated staff members.

[10:30] And whereas for over four decades, Dr. Cole has selflessly assumed the massive

[10:34] responsibility and financial burden of recruiting physicians to the region, a

[10:39] vital community service traditionally managed and funded by local hospitals.

[10:44] And whereas Dr. Cole has consistently demonstrated unparalleled integrity and

[10:49] devotion to his staff, routinely prioritizing the payroll of his

[10:53] employees over his own financial compensation.

[10:57] And whereas during periods of immense instability, when the local hospital

[11:01] repeatedly closed and reopened, and others sought higher ground, Dr. Cole

[11:06] remained an unwavering anchor, ensuring that the citizens of Patrick County were

[11:11] never left without essential medical care. And whereas at immense personal

[11:16] financial loss, Dr. Cole independently purchased a CT scan machine to expand

[11:21] critical diagnostic capabilities within the county.

[11:24] And repeatedly worked grueling overnight shifts in the emergency room after

[11:28] putting in full days at his his practice, often receiving no

[11:32] compensation from hospital owners. And whereas when the hospital closed yet

[11:36] again during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Cole courageously stepped

[11:42] up into the gap by opening an urgent care office, equipping it with a vital

[11:47] x-ray and lab services, and becoming one of the first in the nation to secure

[11:52] Salvia lab the Salvia Salvia lab machine for rapid

[11:57] COVID-19 diagnosis. And whereas at the age of 71, Dr. Cole

[12:01] continues to work an astonishing 100 hours per week managing a practice that

[12:06] serves 38,000 patients on the books, and continuing his relentless recruiting

[12:11] recruitment efforts to fill a critical shortage of area physicians. Now,

[12:16] therefore, be it resolved that the Patrick County Board of Supervisors does

[12:20] hereby recognize and commend Dr. Richard Cole as the Patrick County partner for

[12:25] his heroic selflessness, his enduring sacrifices, and his monumental

[12:29] contributions to the health, safety, and longevity of Patrick County and its

[12:34] citizens.

[12:41] » [applause]

[12:48] [applause]

[12:53] » Thank you.

[12:57] That was very nice. I appreciate it. I don't know what else to say.

[13:04] » [laughter]

[13:06] » That's a picture, please.

[13:16] » I got it. >> Oh, I'm sorry.

[13:34] » Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. That was very

[13:36] nice. We certainly appreciate you.

[13:41] Thank you.

[13:44] Thank you.

[13:58] » And then we have employee recognition.

[14:04] » Miss Ruth Galper, come on up here.

[14:15] I don't think I need a microphone. Uh this month we recognize another one

[14:19] of our stellar performers from our Patrick County administration team. This

[14:23] Ruth Russell. Miss Ruth has been employed by Patrick County for 18 years.

[14:27] It comes cliche to say this, but she is much more to our team than just working

[14:31] in the finance department. I think I've said that before, but Ruth certainly

[14:36] isn't is, excuse me. When I think of Ruth, I was always sent back my first 2

[14:40] weeks working for Patrick County. I was

[14:43] aggressive and I was new to the job and people thought both people did not know

[14:46] where I fit in to question. To say Ruth and I bumped heads for about 3 months

[14:51] would be an understatement. Um I guess the just of it I was chasing things and

[14:55] directed to do things that Miss Ruth had already done so, but she had all the

[14:59] answers, too. Ruth is not only instrumental in

[15:02] our finance department. Ruth is a key player on our team. The quiet, unspoken

[15:07] hero of the things that happen, but often can be overlooked. If I need

[15:10] something done and I need it fast, I ask Ruth. Recently, the administration team

[15:15] is going through quite a large turnover of personnel. We are hurting, to be

[15:19] honest with everyone, and Ruth has stepped up big time. Not only has she

[15:23] stepped up and made an impact, she has done so working on holidays and during

[15:26] her time off. Ruth has taken a difficult job and all the responsibilities

[15:31] associated with it and done so for our team and for Patrick County. Ruth has

[15:35] answers, Ruth provides guidance for her teammate, and Ruth accomplishes her task

[15:40] efficiently and does so unassuming well. Ruth may not be aware of this as I'm

[15:44] sure most people on my team isn't. One day Ruth

[15:50] came to my office and told she told me thanks and she said she appreciated me.

[15:54] It was one of the few days that I had that was bad and I sure didn't need to

[15:58] hear that. It made my day. I needed a good word

[16:01] that day and it came from Ruth. So, Ruth, thank you again.

[16:05] You pushed me through a rough day and in closing

[16:08] that is what Ruth brings to the table. We always do not hear thank you and we

[16:12] always do not have a good day. Our team is just people like the rest of

[16:15] our citizens, but Ruth and people like Ruth make a difference as she did to me

[16:20] personally that day as she does for my team daily. And thank you for being on

[16:24] our team because we appreciate you.

[16:28] » [applause]

[16:41] » In in sincere appreciation of your 18 years

[16:45] of dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the success of Patrick

[16:48] County.

[17:05] » [applause]

[17:11] » I guess he's talking about the song. >> I can't

[17:17] » Here's the ball.

[17:30] » All righty, and Mr. Cox, you can go right ahead.

[17:37] » First of all, I would like to extend a word of thanks to the various

[17:41] organizations in Happy Camp. The Stuart Road Club

[17:46] and veteran organizations, Mission Road Club, all that.

[17:51] The newly formed Blue Star Mothers organization

[17:56] and the VA service officer that came down and gave us a unit 10

[18:01] and put a program called

[18:04] Pints for Valor and it was

[18:07] a program designed to make veterans aware of

[18:11] services and service agencies that might be able to help them

[18:16] navigate through their problems with being a veteran.

[18:20] And I I think Stuart Road deserves a big thank you

[18:24] uh for those efforts. Now, I ask your indulgence for a few

[18:30] minutes as I make my comments.

[18:34] For the past 6 months and the beginning of

[18:37] 2026 or 2025,

[18:41] we started to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

[18:46] There have been celebrations all over the nation

[18:49] and the awarding of this.

[18:53] Tonight, as I make my comments, I hope you will keep that celebration in mind.

[18:59] I'm not a legal scholar, teacher, or a preacher.

[19:03] I make these comments to the proud citizens of these United States of

[19:07] America. They're made in effort to refresh our

[19:11] minds what it to be a citizen as we continue to celebrate 250th

[19:17] anniversary of the founding of our great nation.

[19:22] It would be erroneous and a plain of error to not recognize that the United

[19:26] States is a nation of immigrants. Immigrants through hard work and a dream

[19:32] of hope that permeated their goals to establish

[19:35] a future for themselves and their descendants

[19:39] in a country that provided them opportunities

[19:43] of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

[19:48] As a result of laws of immigration, we are a diverse nation

[19:53] with diverse goals, but one coordinated goal of becoming a

[19:58] united nation.

[20:01] The objective of this diverse population is first found

[20:06] in the preamble to our Constitution, and not the Constitution itself.

[20:12] Constitution was developed to guide us in our choices towards leading the

[20:16] intended republic that provided the opportunities and

[20:20] liberties our founding fathers sought to provide also.

[20:27] Those words are "We the people of the United States, in

[20:32] order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

[20:38] tranquility, provide the common defense, promote the

[20:42] general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty

[20:47] to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution

[20:53] for the United States of America."

[20:57] Our forefathers could not envision all the social, economic, and political

[21:02] strife that we see in today's society, but the document they created was a

[21:07] living document with certain inalienable rights granted

[21:12] not by man, but by God. Over the centuries of our existence,

[21:18] this document has evolved by providing amendments to our

[21:22] Constitution that has filled our basic unquestionable

[21:27] rights in the first 10 amendments that we now refer to as our Bill of Rights.

[21:35] Our founding fathers were wise enough to recognize that a developing nation

[21:40] needed guidance and direction to avoid becoming an authoritarian

[21:45] dictatorship or principality ruled by kings and princes.

[21:50] They chose a form of government that would be ruled by the people and for the

[21:55] people and not to be dictated to by one

[21:58] individual or group of people. And our leaders were selected to be

[22:03] selected by the will of the people. Our representatives

[22:09] were never intended to seek their patriotism and self-

[22:16] unselfish acts of service as a means to personal success, fame,

[22:22] and economic riches through their efforts and thanks to their business.

[22:26] Our fathers recognized that being an elected representative

[22:31] was not to be used to gain power and authority

[22:36] as a result of their elected position. They fully understood

[22:42] that unempowered power and authority gained

[22:45] was rife with the opportunity to opportunity for corruption and abuse.

[22:52] Fathers never intended for our elected officials of public service

[22:56] to become a career profession. Many of the planners of our nation

[23:02] have suffered loss of financial gain and property.

[23:07] Indeed, many of the planners of this nation were deprived of their

[23:12] properties, rendered penniless, and some even faced certain death.

[23:18] Nevertheless, they stood up to those tyrannical acts in pursuit of a more

[23:22] unified and just nation.

[23:27] Over the course of our nation's history, we've lost many heroes in faith

[23:32] to the ravages of war. World War II, Korea, Vietnam,

[23:38] and so many other actions that have caused the disability and death of so

[23:42] many soldiers and leaders who took an oath to protect and defend

[23:47] our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

[23:53] Their sacrifices and sacrifices their families have not been in vain.

[23:59] Political ideology and even communist communist and

[24:04] socialist ideology is the most serious risk

[24:08] threatening the stability of our great nation today.

[24:12] We are at risk from outside sources, but the greatest risk all Americans face

[24:19] is within our own country, domestic terrorists.

[24:27] Today, as this meeting began, we asked you to

[24:32] stand with the four survivors with the service and hearing and

[24:36] swearing and repeat our nation's pledge of

[24:39] allegiance. I ask you to take a moment and think

[24:44] about your pledge, what it means to the future of our great country.

[24:49] I ask you to remember what has gotten us to this 250th celebration of our

[24:55] country, and while we still share the great hope

[24:59] » [clears throat] >> of liberty,

[25:01] pursuit of happiness for all of its citizens.

[25:05] God bless the USA. I thank you our citizens,

[25:09] our elected representatives, and hopefully

[25:13] the hope that can still be our guiding light.

[25:16] Thank you. >> Thank you, sir.

[25:20] All righty, we will proceed to the public comment period.

[25:25] And first on the list is Tara Burgess.

[25:35] » Sorry, I'm a little bit slow. >> Take your time.

[25:41] » I don't want to climb up on that box.

[25:54] Can you hear me? >> Yes, ma'am.

[25:56] » Okay. Um, I'm here to speak in opposition to

[25:59] closing Dogwood Road. You know, it's been going on for a while.

[26:04] Uh, pardon me while I get my notes cuz I

[26:07] can't remember anything anymore. Um,

[26:11] I feel the Dogwood Road should remain open serving all the public as an open

[26:15] thoroughfare. The school board should not control or

[26:20] steal public property from the public who are currently using it, especially

[26:24] when that property is being used every day, all day. We use that road when we

[26:28] go to vote, we go Walmart, transfer station, Tractor Supply, Do It Best, the

[26:33] hospital, Stagecoach Coffee, the courthouse, the county offices, this

[26:37] meeting, the library, nonstop, and everything

[26:42] else in Stewart. >> [clears throat]

[26:44] » And I feel that saying, "Oh, but the children." is gross emotional

[26:48] manipulation. There are other are of dealing with student safety than to

[26:52] endanger those same children and their families and everyone else trying to

[26:56] make blind exit at crossover. Vdot offered alternatives

[27:02] that seem like they would work to me. In addition to that, I would like to

[27:06] point out that the current safety measures for that area cannot be

[27:11] fairly judged because

[27:15] they're not even completed. There is no warnings limit, you know, the flashing

[27:20] 15 mile an hour warning sign of the school zone. There is none coming in

[27:25] from Harden Reynolds. There is also on on Abbott Penn coming

[27:30] south um there is no 25 mile an hour marking

[27:34] when you come over that hill. There is a 15 mile an hour flasher, but there is

[27:38] not 25 mile an hour which contributes to the lack of safety there.

[27:43] » [cough and clears throat]

[27:45] » Um there is however a shiny new 25 mile an hour sign right before that school

[27:50] crossing which would lead people to think, oh,

[27:53] now it's maybe up to 25 not down at 15 anymore.

[27:57] Um I feel that choosing the nuclear option of closing this

[28:01] the road is short-sighted and if and when the needs of the citizens change

[28:07] and we end up closing or relocating HRMS, we can't just open Dogwood Road

[28:12] right back up because that road won't meet current Vdot standards. It's

[28:16] currently grandfathered in, but if you close it, we won't be able to get it

[28:19] back. I feel that closing Dogwood Road does

[28:23] active harm to the community of Crites by removing the central point where

[28:27] those roads come together. It remove the central feeling of that intersection and

[28:31] impede access to the envisioned Crites community center and park.

[28:36] Feel that closing Dogwood Road does active harm to new businesses in the

[28:39] area, notably Clay and Twig and the now it has a name Glenn's Grill

[28:46] uh that just opened. And the envision community or Vision

[28:51] Crates Community Center and Park will be another place the students will cross

[28:55] the road to get to. Are you going to close

[28:58] as the school board going to close the Abbott Penn next? It also has safety

[29:02] issues for the students and community such as that blind hill.

[29:06] And where will we be voting? Will we move that voting area because we can't

[29:10] get to that gymnasium anymore? Where will the recycling bins go?

[29:15] I think that VDOT and the citizens have given you many other reasonable options

[29:20] besides ripping up that road. I know [clears throat] public service is

[29:24] hard especially when the pool of decent people willing to serve is limited and

[29:28] people accuse those of serving in multiple roles of nefarious motives.

[29:33] I've been there. I believe that

[29:37] » [clears throat] >> you chose I believe in you because you

[29:38] chose to serve us and I hope that you will come to a good compromise for all

[29:43] as this decision will have lasting effects for our community. Thank you.

[29:47] » Thank you.

[29:51] » [applause]

[29:55] » And next is Stanley Fain.

[30:12] » First of all, I'll let you folks in up there

[30:15] understand that you have a thankless job.

[30:18] I certainly appreciate everything you do. I mean and I know you're in a

[30:21] situation that many times that you're sitting here

[30:24] and you've got to think discuss this either right or wrong and then it's

[30:26] sometimes not a good middle road and then it's it's just a bad situation.

[30:31] I am here tonight to speak of our PSA. I think the train's already left on this

[30:36] situation I'm talking about. Understanding it was a public hearing I

[30:40] knew nothing about. Um not sure how you notify that, but

[30:44] anyway, I I I got word of it through a Facebook post the

[30:49] uh like 5:00 today of. But anyway, so what's happening in

[30:52] situation? PSA is good for Paden Springs. It really is. In all reality,

[30:56] back whenever Jimmy Easton Bobby Polin and

[30:59] and all those folks got together and know knew that Paden Springs had a

[31:02] problem and it's no doubt that PSA's good.

[31:04] The problem we got is there's some folks being charged and not using an ounce of

[31:08] water or or treatment one ounce of sewage into system.

[31:14] And so, they're getting I don't know again if it's going [clears throat] to

[31:18] be an increase or not. I'm assuming it's going to be an increase for that, but

[31:20] what's happening for whatever how many years it's been

[31:23] going on with them paying for this and not using an ounce of it.

[31:26] So, if I look at fairness, which we all

[31:29] should probably look at fairness in government and everything else we're

[31:31] talking about, is it fair to raise the price for

[31:34] someone not buying anything or not using anything?

[31:40] I don't I'm looking. I'm not sure any of you folks out there are even

[31:44] using PSA for sewage. Is that right? John, are you?

[31:48] So, you know, it's only the small area of Paden Springs and I'm not sure what

[31:52] the budget PSA is, but it seems like that somewhere along the line they

[31:55] forgot that you know, if you own property, you're

[31:58] having to pay this mandatory fee whether you use it or not.

[32:02] I I would like for you guys to kind of look at this and see if it's something

[32:05] that that you can do at least to keep the increases from going up or just just

[32:10] say, "Well, let's go ahead and increase everybody whether you're using it or

[32:12] not." Um I I know again I'm asking you

[32:15] probably something other that you think's no big deal, but in my

[32:19] situation, I've got a shop that's closed.

[32:21] It'll be around 900 bucks this year. Uh or or more

[32:26] for nothing. And I'm sitting here scratching my head,

[32:30] "What do I do about this?" Well, I guess they'll probably don't do anything. If I

[32:32] don't pay it, you're going to you're going to go ahead and assess my

[32:35] property. So, somewhere along the line you're getting money out of it, but

[32:38] you know, when it gets to the point that whenever you're paying for something,

[32:41] what do you get out of it? In this case, if you're not hooked up

[32:44] and using it, like like that particular one is, uh

[32:48] you're getting nothing for it. So, I'd ask you kind of look at this and

[32:51] see if it's really fair to be doing this to landowners that's not hooked up. I

[32:54] guess you call it a uh What is it called? What kind of fee is

[32:58] it called? >> Service fee.

[33:00] » Service fee, whatever. But anyway, I again, I think the trains are left on

[33:03] this one, but but anyway, I just want to bring it to attention that that that

[33:06] maybe you're not aware of what's going on with this, and you're probably

[33:08] looking at so much stuff you don't understand it, but but I'm sure there's

[33:11] some other folks who are going to be a little bit upset about if we get an

[33:13] increase on this thing again for not nothing kind of usage.

[33:18] I didn't sign up for the road deal, but I think you don't need to close that

[33:20] road, by the way, as well. I appreciate your time.

[33:25] » Thank you very much.

[33:30] And Rhonda Pruitt.

[33:43] » Hello. Normally, I'm here to talk about the

[33:46] food bank. Tonight, that's not yet, but I want to say thank you for everything

[33:50] y'all have done here while I'm in person um to help us in the past year.

[33:55] Today, I'm talking about the road closure at Hard Reynolds Memorial

[33:58] School. I am a rebel.

[34:01] I am a proud rebel. And I was in the first sixth grade class after the

[34:05] Patrick Springs-Hard Reynolds merger. So, I get to say that. I was in that

[34:10] first sixth grade class. All four of my children attended there,

[34:14] and so did my daddy, which was before me, obviously. My son is 33. He was one

[34:20] of the seventh grade boys basketball champions at that school.

[34:24] My daughter's 31, she cheered. My other daughter's 24, she was the seventh grade

[34:28] girls basketball champions, and

[34:32] played on the first softball team ever that came to HRMS.

[34:37] My youngest daughter's 21. She was in the van and played softball at Hardin

[34:41] Reynolds. None of them were hit crossing the road.

[34:44] And you know why? Because of the staff.

[34:48] We have an excellent staff at that school.

[34:52] Hardin Reynolds is not a primary school. When these kids come there, in the

[34:55] fourth grade, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade, they're preparing to go

[34:59] to the high school where they walk across a five-level

[35:02] parking lot every day. Possibly, some of them.

[35:07] So, we are preparing them to go on. We're not treating them like children.

[35:10] We want them to grow. We want them to be you know, we want them to succeed.

[35:18] That That's what we're here for. And they know the word stop and go. And

[35:23] when they they tell you, when you come on your third grade trip,

[35:26] you don't go across that road without somebody with you.

[35:30] You have to have somebody with you. And that continues throughout their

[35:33] schooling there. I've been there. I know.

[35:36] My kids will tell you. They make a point to drill it in the

[35:41] child's head. If you want to play in the gym, if you want to go to recess in the

[35:44] gym, you got to follow the rules. Because we can stay inside.

[35:48] You can stay on the basketball court not going in the gym where it's cool.

[35:52] Now, you might be saying that I don't have a

[35:55] dog in this fight because I don't have kids that go there anymore, but that'd

[35:58] be where you're wrong. Because

[36:01] I am the poll chief for the Creasy District precinct at Hardin Reynolds

[36:04] Memorial School gym. We are the largest precinct in Patrick

[36:09] County with over 1,700 registered voters.

[36:14] Have any of you thought about where you're going to put us?

[36:17] Where will we go to vote? You can't tell us they're not going to vote.

[36:21] You got to find somewhere for them to go.

[36:24] That That's where they are all used to. So,

[36:29] surely there are other ways to accomplish whatever goal it is that

[36:33] you're after. Maybe crossing gates, crossing guards,

[36:36] you know, like they have at railroads. Push a button.

[36:39] Gate goes down, kids go across, gate goes up.

[36:42] I mean, surely that would be less expensive

[36:47] than taking up this road and making the the

[36:52] adjustments to cross over road. I mean, and then during the

[36:57] uh winter break or when you're during the

[37:00] summer, leave them up if nobody's there. Maybe have the school resource officer

[37:05] pull his car up and him stand on this side while they go across.

[37:08] You're taxing an already poor county with making adjustments to a current

[37:12] road and closing one that there's nothing wrong with.

[37:16] You know, if you're looking for things to do with the school, I mean, help them

[37:20] figure out the car rider line situation, which is always out to Crooked Spur

[37:23] Baptist Church in the road because there's nowhere for

[37:26] them to go. There has to be a solution other than

[37:30] closing the road. And it's it's just ridiculous that this has gone on this

[37:34] long. We have no stoplight at a four-way intersection in Patrick Springs where

[37:38] people get hurt and killed all the time. But yet,

[37:42] nobody will They We can't put a light there. But nobody's been injured

[37:47] at the school. So, it's been that way for many years.

[37:51] Remember the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

[37:54] I can think of numerous purposes for the money that you're wanting to spend on

[37:59] this road. Thank you.

[38:02] » Thank you. >> [applause]

[38:09] » And next we have Don Wood. >> Dan

[38:13] » Dan

[38:21] » Thank you. I wanted to talk about Appalachian Power.

[38:25] Specifically, their family or their practices and how they take land and how

[38:30] they use land. I live out by Fairdale. They're

[38:34] rerouting that power line. I asked them to consider doing something differently

[38:39] um because of my health condition. I'm allergic to a chemical called Bronopol

[38:45] that is in herbicides and insecticides. Herbicides

[38:50] are very dangerous to me. I'm going to pay a price just for being here tonight.

[38:55] So, instead of doing that, it appears that they go hog wild. I

[39:02] actually met with them and talked to them about, "Please let me know when

[39:05] they're spraying." And they did not. I found out they

[39:08] sprayed the other end of Fairdale Road when my foot swelled up and I ended up

[39:12] in crutches for 3 months. I called and asked to speak to whoever

[39:16] was in charge of this operation, and they put me in touch with the young

[39:21] fellow at AEP who proceeded to explain to me exactly what chemicals they use,

[39:26] about how they mixed four different brands of chemicals together, including

[39:31] one called Aquacide. I asked him, "Are you sure you used

[39:37] Aquacide?" And he said, "Yes." Aquacide, as the name implies, is

[39:43] intended to be used for aquatic vegetation.

[39:46] Not intended to be sprayed all over the road.

[39:51] When it's used, at least in my experience, like at

[39:55] Jordan Lake, North Carolina, before the state of North Carolina used Aquacide,

[40:00] they posted notices all over the community

[40:03] to let people know they're not supposed to be swimming in the lake and to keep

[40:07] their pets out of it and not to have any fish

[40:11] or eat any fish that comes from it. Sorry, I'm nervous.

[40:15] So, what do I see when I drive down Union Bridge Road and across Goblin Town

[40:21] Creek and I look upstream right now, I can see where they sprayed

[40:25] just recently, a lot. If I look to the right, I can see where

[40:30] that water goes right up to the swimming area at Fairy Stone Lake.

[40:36] I didn't see any cautions or warnings. I didn't hear about any and I live there.

[40:42] This is highly irregular. Consistent with that, you can just look

[40:47] at coming into town on Highway 8 when you turn off 58 and you cut down on 8,

[40:53] you cross the Mayo Creek. Just look to the right. Look at where they sprayed

[40:58] all above the stream. Not supposed to do that.

[41:04] Along that same vein, while they were out there before

[41:08] several months ago, they started work out there. I asked the guys to avoid one

[41:13] particular section of the easement on my property because I thought it had

[41:17] wetland obligate species that I thought it was an ephemeral

[41:21] headland and that I was considering converting it into a permanent

[41:25] conservation easement so I can make a little money off of it.

[41:29] They might want to reconsider what their plans were.

[41:33] This Thursday, they showed up with equipment and immediately the first

[41:37] thing they did was they took a tracked piece of equipment and drove all over

[41:40] the section that I thought was a wetland. Now, it may or may not have

[41:45] been a wetland. Nobody tested the soils. I know it had the hydrology and the

[41:50] zoology but I don't know nobody dug any holes in the ground to test it.

[41:56] This is appalling. It sucks.

[42:00] I've only been here about a year and a half and I'm looking at having to sell

[42:03] out and move because of Appalachian Power's business

[42:08] practice. All I I for was to be notified when they

[42:12] were spraying and a little bit of consideration as they were moving this

[42:15] line instead of putting it on my land, maybe

[42:19] they can move it over to the state land since the state is asking for this to be

[42:22] done.

[42:25] No consideration. In fact, they came out and met with me to look at it and said,

[42:29] "Yeah, that'd be a great idea. That actually your plan looks like it would

[42:32] be more workable, less expensive and more efficient."

[42:36] And then they came back without warning and just started cutting trees.

[42:40] They cut a tree in front of my house today that had a 105-in circumference, a

[42:45] white oak. 105 in circumference. That indicates

[42:50] that that tree was alive when

[42:56] the chestnut blight hit. That would have been a tree that should

[43:00] have been saved. They should have tried to make an effort

[43:03] to go around it. They seemed

[43:07] determined to take all the big trees down on either side of that road

[43:12] regardless of their status as potentially being an old-growth tree.

[43:18] I just wanted to make you aware of it and aware of what kind of things they've

[43:23] been doing. And um I could speak much more about

[43:27] other things I've noticed in their business practice,

[43:30] but I'll leave it at that for right now. I'm just letting y'all know

[43:34] » [snorts] >> that this is going on in your county.

[43:37] I feel like they're taking advantage of me on the

[43:40] on my property rights. I feel like they have taken advantage of

[43:43] me because of my disability. It's ugly and I would like to see

[43:49] something done about it. Thank you very much. Thank you.

[43:53] » [applause]

[43:57] » And Ed Anthony. >> Mr. Chairman.

[44:01] » Yes. >> Uh

[44:03] would it be possible for for to come in on Mr. Woods

[44:07] discussion briefly.

[44:11] » We normally don't comment on public comment, but if you want to do

[44:16] something afterwards, you can do that.

[44:18] » I'll be happy to make myself available to you to talk.

[44:20] » I'll be here afterwards. >> Okay.

[44:24] » Over here, sir. I'll start with you. Can I ask a question of the

[44:29] uh people here?

[44:30] » Sure. Make it quick.

[44:32] » Those of y'all who are against the road closing

[44:35] Harden Reynolds Memorial stand up just about 3 seconds and sit back down.

[44:42] Thank you all.

[44:47] Thank you all for hearing me for just a minute.

[44:51] Gentlemen,

[44:54] good evening to the Board of Supervisors, our county commissioner,

[44:57] and press, and others who are attending tonight.

[45:01] On September 8th, 2025, the majority of the BOS, excuse me, Board of

[45:06] Supervisors, voted to disregard the request of the

[45:10] people of Patrick County and the Mayo River District to keep section

[45:15] of Dogwood Road in front of Harden Reynolds Memorial School in Critz,

[45:19] Virginia, open. The vote to close this section of the

[45:23] road was brought to the Board of Supervisors

[45:27] by the school board. This action was made without concerns of

[45:31] ongoing businesses, patrons, and citizens and landowners in the area.

[45:38] We the people presented a petition of 466 signatures to keep the road open

[45:44] with several safety precautions noted to be installed such as

[45:49] stop signs, flashing caution lights, drop bars, and

[45:53] uh at the crosswalk to keep children safe.

[45:58] The chairman of the uh Board of Supervisors

[46:02] accepted the petition to be entered into the record of the minutes and no other

[46:06] word of this petition has been noted by the board since.

[46:11] The road closure was not a suggestion of VDOT.

[46:17] The vote of the Board of Supervisors to close the road became null and void

[46:22] because of legalities. Number one, the decision to vote

[46:26] on the road closure was not properly addressed as specified. It was supposed

[46:31] to be announced in writing written form in two newspapers

[46:35] published at least twice a month that month prior to the

[46:40] meeting and it was not done. It was only one done.

[46:46] Number two, the resolution for the vote to discontinue the road

[46:51] that was filed with the County Commissioner's office stated different

[46:56] reasons for the road closure than the original reason that was voted

[47:01] on by the Board of Supervisors. It stated the road no longer provided

[47:07] public sufficient convenience to warrant maintenance

[47:12] instead of the safety reasons that were proposed by the school board

[47:16] at the meeting for the reason to close the section

[47:21] of the road in front of

[47:24] Harman Middle School.

[47:30] If that were to If that road were to close,

[47:33] it'll never be reopened. I want you gentlemen please think about that.

[47:38] Without spending millions of dollars for

[47:42] uh to bring it back into VDOT

[47:45] road re- uh road system requirements.

[47:51] You need to think about that now. Once that road is closed,

[47:55] it will never return. What if someday something bad happens

[48:00] like and uh heaven forbid it ever happen

[48:04] that our school closes. Then that road is no longer there.

[48:08] And it won't come back. It'll never come back.

[48:12] So, I'd like to thank all of y'all, and all

[48:16] the people who have helped us and are still helping us to keep our road open.

[48:22] Especially all the folks who collected uh

[48:25] signatures for our petition, those who signed the petition,

[48:30] those who attended the Board of Supervisors meetings,

[48:33] everyone who attended the community meeting at Stella Christian Church this

[48:37] past spring. At um

[48:40] Stella Christian Church, we can thank them for offering us and allowing us to

[48:44] use their facility to meet.

[48:49] Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir.

[48:57] And next is Leroy Trent.

[49:10] » Well, I don't have anything wrote out, but I do will tell you when I was a

[49:13] little boy, I went to the school. I never seen an accident there. I've never

[49:18] heard of one being there, and I don't think the road needs closing cuz it's

[49:22] going to create a big hazard. I got a tractor trailers we go through there

[49:26] sometime, and we go through that road that got It's going to be a disaster.

[49:31] And when you think about all the children,

[49:34] all these people up forward is going to get killed, and other people going to

[49:37] get killed when they pull out over there on Avery Penn Road

[49:41] like in the wintertime, we going to be caught out in the

[49:45] sometime slick. And what you going to do when you take out? First thing you going

[49:48] to do is spill a bit slide to the ditch. What are going to do when the cars

[49:52] coming over the hill? They can't stop. They're going to run right into the

[49:56] buses. You need to think about the children a little bit and quit thinking

[50:00] about the school or whatever now. We never had a problem.

[50:03] And I don't see why we should even think about closing that road.

[50:08] Like I say, when we went to I went to school, we parked cars there.

[50:13] A lot of things different now. We was crazy, but we had a lot of common

[50:17] sense. We had good back in the good uh uh vehicles. No no problem.

[50:23] We behaved ourselves, but you know what most of all, we know right from wrong.

[50:28] Just like when we was little, we'd ride a bicycle.

[50:32] When we hear a car coming, we didn't get out in the middle of road and think we

[50:35] was a big truck or car and hog the road up. We would get off the road and let

[50:40] the cars go. What has happened to the people? What

[50:43] has happened to our decisions? Why don't we think about this like the man said.

[50:49] If you want to do something to improve it, put some stripes up and down the

[50:52] road there and let us know which side to be on and mow the side of the road a

[50:56] whole lot better than what we do and we can all get along and see what's coming

[51:00] and I think we'd be much better off. That's all I got to say.

[51:04] » Thank you, sir.

[51:10] And next we have Steve Fearing.

[51:41] » Thank you. Please.

[51:46] I think I'm short one. Thank you.

[51:48] I think that was all of

[52:08] » Well, good evening. Have a good evening. We have a brief

[52:14] » [clears throat] >> We have reviewed your budget

[52:16] for 2026-27 fiscal year

[52:20] and it would appear that it

[52:23] as well as the last one is kind of a wag budget.

[52:27] » [snorts] >> At the last meeting and again at this

[52:29] one you'll be approving a number of

[52:32] transfers from accounts

[52:35] that were over budget to cover expenses that were under

[52:39] budgeted. We're curious at the way you think these

[52:42] transfers are necessary and who's responsible for their

[52:46] preparation for inclusion in your board package.

[52:51] We would think that the Board of Supervisors budget

[52:55] committee would want a clean posting

[52:59] of all expenses against budget to revise the 2026-27

[53:04] budget. It makes sense.

[53:08] There are several issues, however, that your budget committee overlooked

[53:13] that we will again call to your attention.

[53:16] The budget for inmate food is once again very high.

[53:22] If you calculate the daily cost of food budgeted

[53:25] you see that $8.70 $8.70 is the budgeted amount

[53:33] per inmate per day.

[53:37] A year ago, the average cost per inmate in the state of Virginia

[53:40] was between $3.00 and $6.00. You were above it last year, too.

[53:47] Even allowing for inflation, we're paying far more than needed.

[53:53] The last 2 years, we've mentioned this discrepancy,

[53:57] and have not been able to get an agreement from either the Sheriff's

[54:00] Department or the County Administrator to re-bid the current

[54:05] food contract. Last bid, I think, in 2021.

[54:11] We propose that the County Administration

[54:14] be made responsible for the jail administration

[54:17] in order to provide transparency to the taxpayers.

[54:21] This proposal does not necessarily increase the cost of running the jail,

[54:25] since no new position would need to be created,

[54:28] but it would certainly give us better control of the budget that's currently

[54:34] being used to finance the jail.

[54:38] » [clears throat]

[54:41] » So, we propose the County Administration take it over.

[54:45] The budget for our 911 service is riddled with charges for

[54:50] communication services that seem to be duplicated, and in some cases,

[54:55] triplicated, with portions of these expenses shared

[54:58] to other departments. It appears that we could save a great

[55:02] deal of money by consolidating or eliminating these redundant legacy

[55:07] systems. This operation should also be assumed

[55:11] and managed by the county, because once again, we're faced with the

[55:14] transparency issue from the Sheriff's Department

[55:18] when we were when we inquire as to the management of our taxpayer dollars.

[55:26] » [clears throat]

[55:30] » We hope that the Sheriff's Department is not

[55:33] only mismanaging We hope that the Sheriff's

[55:37] Department is only mismanaging our money and that the lack of supplying

[55:41] information is not symptomatic of something more problematic.

[55:46] We also propose that this unit be managed by the county administration

[55:49] to provide a venue that will allow for the modernization of 911 services

[55:55] and transparency of funding.

[55:59] We previously asked the administration to centralize the purchasing of

[56:01] janitorial supplies for the county, the jail, and the schools to save money.

[56:07] In February, we queried the administration regarding the status of

[56:10] this request and were informed that the bid for these

[56:13] supplies was eminent. To date, there's been no follow-up.

[56:19] We had previously proposed 3 months ago that the Board of Supervisors consider a

[56:24] real estate tax cap for our senior citizens

[56:27] who have resided in the county for 20 years or more and are over 65

[56:33] 65 years of age. This proposal has not been placed on the

[56:37] agenda and addressed by the board. Given the circumstances of the last

[56:42] year, this is more important than ever. Around 200 of our seniors are on the

[56:48] cusp of losing their ability to pay taxes and provide for their health,

[56:52] food, and medications. While we agree this is a side up side

[56:58] objective, while we agree that the employee

[57:00] recognition for exemplary work on our behalf is laudable,

[57:05] we feel it's only a placebo if it's not accompanied by a real reward, not just a

[57:10] plastic dust collector. Let's give a reward of a $100 gift card

[57:15] to accompany that dust collector. The cost of doing so once a month would

[57:20] be easily covered by the savings in janitorial supplies.

[57:24] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[57:30] » Next, we have Vance AG.

[57:42] » Good evening. Thank you for my time.

[57:49] Some of the comments made prior to me have pretty well said it probably

[57:54] in more detail, but very clear with regards to the closing of the Dogwood

[57:58] Road. Basically, we now know that the request

[58:04] and the vote for closing of the Dogwood Road is null and void.

[58:09] Therefore, we start all over again.

[58:13] VDOT offered up many alternatives as noted.

[58:17] You have 25% of that community even petitioned against closing that road.

[58:25] I think each one of you up there swore and pledged to serve the

[58:30] constituents and the citizens and taxpayers of this

[58:33] county.

[58:36] And I think it was said earlier by Mr. Cox,

[58:41] you're not here to serve one individual or one small group of people.

[58:46] We want to serve for the best of all and and more importantly, the majority.

[58:53] Further discussion and debate needs to be in regards to

[58:58] uh the alternatives for that road. But I question this. I'm an inquisitive

[59:04] person. If that road is not worthy of being

[59:09] maintained for the what few dollars it is to put a little asphalt and

[59:13] uh tar and gravel on it, then I would also challenge the question

[59:18] the legitimacy of the enrollment and the head count for

[59:23] the current and the next 10 years for Hardin Reynolds School.

[59:28] It's a business. It's got a balance sheet.

[59:32] And the revenues that come in as a result of a legitimate enrollment and

[59:37] head count needs to be considered. Cuz the essential spending for the

[59:43] payroll, maintenance, and operations of that facility is part of the

[59:48] expenditures.

[59:54] One of the supervisors did some homework

[59:57] and found no fatalities to students over the decades that school's been

[1:00:03] open. And he also found that there are no

[1:00:06] documented near misses at that facility. The vehicular transportation accidents

[1:00:14] were documented and noted. Yes, it's a traffic issue.

[1:00:19] The road being concluded as being closed

[1:00:25] as further, I guess, disclosed begs the question.

[1:00:31] We made some rash decisions and a rash vote based on a uh very limited amount

[1:00:38] of discussion and research. It was not an emergency.

[1:00:42] So, let's let's continue the discussion. The safe the the safety resource

[1:00:48] officers and the teachers have been good stewards of the policies of the public

[1:00:52] schools for that and all of the locations in

[1:00:56] that's my opinion. However,

[1:01:04] if we're trying to

[1:01:07] uh write a grant

[1:01:11] for monies of any kind, there's terms and conditions for the any

[1:01:15] grants that come forth from this uh county and/or

[1:01:19] Commonwealth of Virginia. They all got terms and conditions and it might

[1:01:24] include matching grants. Well,

[1:01:30] if it's justified, I'm worthy of that discussion.

[1:01:35] But, we want to make sure we get our money's worth.

[1:01:39] And if the intent Well, let's just say this.

[1:01:45] I would like to have a copy of the grant request. Who authored it and who signed

[1:01:49] off on it? Cuz what's the ulterior motive here?

[1:01:53] More money. And if we don't have enough money,

[1:01:57] we go out Oh, we're going to borrow some more money if we want to

[1:02:02] allow ourselves to be manipulated.

[1:02:07] » [clears throat] >> It opens the door for wasteful

[1:02:11] and fraudulent expenditures.

[1:02:14] And I'll use Meadows of Dan as a good example of that. We experienced and

[1:02:17] endured that years ago by previous administration, okay?

[1:02:23] We got to own it. But, we're going to also manage it.

[1:02:27] So, therefore,

[1:02:30] I would conclude that let's just call it

[1:02:35] line item expenses. Budget for what we really expect.

[1:02:41] Moving money as was previously stated, that's mis appropriation of funds.

[1:02:46] You know, if one line of lines out, then you come and make a

[1:02:50] request. But, we're not going to do it just

[1:02:53] randomly because it's in the budget.

[1:02:57] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:03:02] » [applause] >> And last call, is there anybody else

[1:03:06] that would like to speak?

[1:03:10] Come on up, Galen.

[1:03:43] » Sorry about being a little bit late and not getting in and signing up for

[1:03:46] everything, but uh my doctor kept me a little bit longer

[1:03:50] than I wanted to with that laser surgery.

[1:03:53] But uh I am addressing the 58

[1:03:58] intersection at Patrick Springs. I went around with the new uh resident

[1:04:04] engineer, I guess you'd say, about that road. And she informed me that now it's

[1:04:09] been classified as a scenic byway. I don't know who, what, where, when, or

[1:04:17] how this was done, but

[1:04:21] I don't think none of us Did y'all know it was a scenic byway?

[1:04:25] She says due to the fact it's a scenic byway, we can't put a stop light there.

[1:04:29] I call BS. Something needs to be looked at in

[1:04:34] another study because they've done a study on that intersection.

[1:04:38] And what they found in that study, they have not done yet.

[1:04:43] Which was involved in daylighting, fixing the curbing that has been broke

[1:04:47] up, plowing the snow and stuff. And them things happen.

[1:04:52] But somewhere along the line, we need [music] to look at

[1:04:58] something being done down there because it is

[1:05:02] very, very, very dangerous. And in reference to the Dogwood Road,

[1:05:10] uh I went down there for the meeting that they had at the church.

[1:05:15] And went out by the new way they was wanting to send us. And you have to pull

[1:05:19] halfway out in Abram Penn just to see down towards the post

[1:05:24] office. Now, how safe is that?

[1:05:28] And where are they going to put the people that pick up their kids that

[1:05:32] lines up from the school all the way past Wright's Baptist Church?

[1:05:38] Uh, they've moved the little building that was there back from the road. You

[1:05:43] can see really good. If

[1:05:46] APCO would do their job and clean the trees away from that telephone pole

[1:05:52] that is completely grown up with trees, you would see the gym

[1:05:57] plain as I'm looking at y'all right now. So, I know there was a little courting

[1:06:02] going on behind the doors of some of the school board people of

[1:06:09] wanting this road closed. And I got involved in actually

[1:06:16] seeing it happen. So, I know they were courting the

[1:06:21] supervisors to try to get this road closed.

[1:06:25] And the haste of doing this, Lisa Price Hughes said if she knew that

[1:06:31] y'all was going to vote to close that road that night, she would never had

[1:06:35] presented anything. And it would have been a null and void

[1:06:41] situation. And they say they talked with the

[1:06:45] Commonwealth attorney of the state of Virginia.

[1:06:48] And somebody that can't even spell Virginia, our senator, is trying to tell

[1:06:52] us what to do down here. We don't need it. That's BS, too.

[1:06:58] So, let's keep that road open. Let's do a new vote, new hearing,

[1:07:03] and be done with this situation. We've kicked this can down the road for the

[1:07:08] last 12 months maybe.

[1:07:12] And it's time to stick a fork in this cuz this pig is done.

[1:07:17] Thank you all very much.

[1:07:24] » [applause]

[1:07:26] » All righty, and now we will go on to new business

[1:07:30] and we've got VDOT.

[1:07:52] » In the Pull the microphone over there to you.

[1:07:55] » I'm sorry. Um

[1:07:58] in you all's packet you should have the um um

[1:08:02] documents for this this um needed resolution for changes to

[1:08:09] construct the uh changes due to construction. Um this is

[1:08:13] in regards to a section of 58 that was widened. The construction actually

[1:08:19] completed I think in 2016. Um the project ran from

[1:08:25] um Big Reed Island Allen Creek in Carroll

[1:08:29] County through Floyd County and then about

[1:08:34] 3/4 of a mile into Patrick County and connected with the four-lane section

[1:08:39] there and Meadows of Dan. And um um once the the project was completed

[1:08:47] this uh this here is is needed just to finalize

[1:08:52] and get proper documentation for those the changes done to the roadway and um

[1:09:00] um the the amount of changes is

[1:09:06] on 58. It's 3/4 of a mile. And again, it's it's

[1:09:10] abandoning the section that was two lane and adding it back as four lane. And

[1:09:15] then those are also 0.05 mile change to a secondary

[1:09:20] connection. Um so, this resolution would just be to

[1:09:25] do the the um next step of just getting this

[1:09:29] documentation finalized. We would submit a package to central office just for it

[1:09:34] to be recorded. >> Okay.

[1:09:37] Does anybody have any questions?

[1:09:42] All right, I'll take a motion to approve.

[1:09:45] » I'll make the motion. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second?

[1:09:50] » Second. >> A motion and a second. Any further

[1:09:52] discussion?

[1:09:55] All right, we'll proceed to vote. Mr. Marshall.

[1:09:57] » Aye. >> Mr. Kendrick.

[1:09:58] » Aye. >> Mr. Cox.

[1:10:00] » Aye. >> Mr. Wood.

[1:10:01] » Aye. >> And I vote aye as well. Thank you very

[1:10:03] much. >> Um thank you.

[1:10:14] » Then next we have um Mrs. Kirsten Kirsten Beasley with a

[1:10:19] grants update. >> Yes, sir. She just wrote me while we

[1:10:22] were here. Her child had a fever. She found out that it was hoof and mouth

[1:10:28] or something like that. So, she said she could not be here, but um

[1:10:33] as we spoke about before and in the budget, we've had the county has had a

[1:10:36] grant writer in there at least last year. What we decided to do um

[1:10:41] cost savings to the citizens as well, we brought Kirsten Beasley, who's a local

[1:10:46] Patrick County resident, on board. And on July 1st, she attended a department

[1:10:52] head meeting for the county. Um she sat down with any department head um

[1:10:58] who was looking for grant support for ideas. She spent 4 hours at the county.

[1:11:03] She went back and she listed on her spreadsheet the grants that she is going

[1:11:08] to apply for and work for the county. Um

[1:11:13] Again, Kerstin's a Patrick County lady.

[1:11:17] Absolutely a joy to have on our team in the capacity as a contractor for us.

[1:11:23] Uh probably the biggest thing is is looking

[1:11:26] at what we're saving as a county. When we did the budget, we had our budget

[1:11:29] committee meetings when we were working on it.

[1:11:33] We cut the cost of grant writing for the county probably in half.

[1:11:37] Um I told Kerstin, you know, we need some

[1:11:39] results. We need some grants. We need some businesses from EDA. We need a few

[1:11:44] things to start shaking and making things win, but uh

[1:11:47] again, I just wanted to be able to present Kerstin to you all this evening

[1:11:50] so you would know that she has worked for the county.

[1:11:53] Um EMS has reached out to her different sections.

[1:11:57] Department heads have reached out to her, spent a lot of time talking to her.

[1:12:01] So, she will come every month on the first work day of the month, have an

[1:12:05] open house in the county administration building. Supervisors, if you have an

[1:12:10] idea and there's something that you heard of or if you're chasing,

[1:12:13] please use her. And um

[1:12:16] No, that was it. I just wanted just to do a uh

[1:12:19] formal introduction from Kerstin, which again, her child is sick this evening

[1:12:23] and she stayed home. Look, any questions on that, gentlemen?

[1:12:29] Any questions from the board?

[1:12:33] All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:12:37] » We will proceed to old business. Mr. Mike Bailey man

[1:12:41] from APCO.

[1:12:49] » Good evening. Thank you for for me here this evening.

[1:12:52] Tonight, [snorts] I was here to discuss the uh line route along the rail trail.

[1:12:57] From our previous meetings, we got your feedback about the overhead lines and

[1:13:02] some concerns about how that might impact future development

[1:13:07] on the parcel. To help address those concerns, we have

[1:13:11] put together this map here, which I has been passed out, where instead of

[1:13:15] overhead, it is now an underground line which will be following the tree line.

[1:13:20] This underground line has a 20-ft right-of-way down from the 40-ft

[1:13:24] right-of-way of the previous overhead line.

[1:13:27] And from our discussions out in the field,

[1:13:30] Mr. Overby, um we feel that this addressed the concerns

[1:13:35] about future use of the parcel as well as

[1:13:39] allowing room for that picnic shelter that you had discussed and things of

[1:13:42] that nature. To explain this map on a uh

[1:13:47] more detailed level, it still would be an overhead line where

[1:13:52] that red line is going across the rail trail where it will get to the double

[1:13:56] circuit A-frame pole within the tree line. Once it reaches the tree line,

[1:14:01] those lines will go underground where it will then follow the tree line until you

[1:14:05] get to the box that sits splice boxes. With this being a double circuit, there

[1:14:09] would be one box per circuit in that area and it would then follow the line

[1:14:15] up until it gets to the parking lot. It will go underneath the parking lot.

[1:14:19] There will be and then they will go above ground

[1:14:22] to meet [clears throat] with the existing lines on the opposite side of

[1:14:25] the parking lot. Um I also have our

[1:14:30] customer design supervisor here. If you have any questions related to

[1:14:35] the design on a more technical level and I guess at this point, do you all guys

[1:14:41] have any questions or comments or concerns with this underground

[1:14:46] line route.

[1:14:50] » Um, I have a question for you. >> Yes, sir.

[1:14:53] » I understand App Alliance is going to take several pieces of parcels of land

[1:14:58] right in there. Why were those parcels not chosen to

[1:15:02] route this instead of going along the route it is now?

[1:15:07] » So, the reason why Appalachian Power did not go with the parcel to the south of

[1:15:12] the Mayo River, and you can see that on this map that uh

[1:15:16] with all the woods is with that being such a steep grade, it was going to be

[1:15:21] quite difficult as well as um to install it as well as difficult to get to that

[1:15:26] line in for maintenance as well as emergency situations. It's something

[1:15:31] where um the right-of-way would have to be

[1:15:34] cleared much more than 40 ft to allow for those poles to be there safely, as

[1:15:40] well as with how steep it is, um it would be quite difficult to have

[1:15:44] those poles safely installed onto the uh mountain that way.

[1:15:49] » So, would that be a cost measure as opposed to

[1:15:53] serviceability consideration?

[1:15:56] » Cost is not the only factor, um but yes, the serviceability is the main

[1:16:03] issue there.

[1:16:08] » The The blue line on your map >> Yes.

[1:16:12] » running here That's currently a line of some type,

[1:16:16] correct? >> That is correct. That is an existing

[1:16:18] distribution line.

[1:16:21] » So,

[1:16:23] as Mr. Godsey said, Patrick County owns 9 acres down in

[1:16:27] there. AEP owns over 280 acres.

[1:16:31] You already have a line across the river.

[1:16:34] Has that land not had timber cut off of it in the last little bit?

[1:16:38] Part of what AEP owns or am I completely mistaken there?

[1:16:42] » I'm not sure of any timber clearing that has been going on. If there has been any

[1:16:45] on that parcel. Um >> Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong piece of

[1:16:48] land. >> But yeah, this this particular piece of

[1:16:51] land um that we're looking at on this map is

[1:16:54] opposite of the rail trail. Um I'm not sure of any tree clearing on any

[1:16:59] of the other parcels. >> It's like I said, it's

[1:17:02] 249 acre tract, which is pretty good piece. If I remember right, it goes all

[1:17:06] the way over to the uh I don't know what that road is back

[1:17:10] there. Back on the back side. Um >> Wayside?

[1:17:14] » Basically goes to wayside. Thank you, Kenny.

[1:17:18] Um So, I'm just uh

[1:17:22] also about that as well. Um

[1:17:25] So, we're still going to have a double hitch

[1:17:29] frame hole at Winding Splice Box. How big is the splice box? Is that a

[1:17:34] We're talking about a car or a human size? We're talking

[1:17:37] over a home size? I don't know. >> At at this point in time, it's still to

[1:17:41] be determined the exact size of the splice boxes.

[1:17:44] Um Do you have any information on the

[1:17:47] splice boxes? >> Yeah, the splice boxes that we use with

[1:17:49] this this these two circuits. And of course, this is the main line. So, we're

[1:17:53] using pretty much the largest underground cable that we have to be

[1:17:56] able to handle the load. The splice boxes that are used are somewhere

[1:18:01] They do stand about this tall, somewhere at our level. And they're probably about

[1:18:05] um 1 and 1/2 times as big as this podium.

[1:18:07] Just as a generalization of what the size of the splice box is.

[1:18:12] And to address what you're talking about going across the river, if you go take a

[1:18:15] look at that, that land when it leaves the river, it pretty much goes straight

[1:18:18] up. And it'd be the same way. Yes, there's a

[1:18:21] line that goes over it in with the grade. And as you can think about

[1:18:25] driving a tractor, driving a car, if you're driving up the hill, it's

[1:18:29] different than trying to drive across it. And that's the way the new line

[1:18:33] would need to come is across that grade. So, to be able to try to get any type of

[1:18:36] equipment over there, the amount of of um grading work that would need to be

[1:18:41] done, but also more so than just getting it built. And this is one thing we do

[1:18:45] have to try to take in consideration is getting it built the first time is

[1:18:50] probably the easiest thing that you can do. Maintaining that line from that

[1:18:55] point on is where you end up um affecting your customers as far as the

[1:19:00] time frame it takes to get back to it uh so that we can try to restore the power

[1:19:04] as efficiently and quickly as as possible.

[1:19:09] » Have you ever encountered circumstances such as this in other areas,

[1:19:13] particularly along Muscle Shoals Road? >> As far as having facilities

[1:19:18] Yeah. >> Where you've got environmental factors

[1:19:21] such as this. You say it's too steep. And yet you own 200 and some acres

[1:19:26] through there. Is there not separate access ways that you can get in without

[1:19:30] having to follow the route you're prescribing

[1:19:33] now? That would be just big economical? >> Just a No, this right here is the most

[1:19:38] economical way that we have to try to build this line. It is determined to be

[1:19:43] the most reliable way for the customers and the people of Paster County to have

[1:19:48] this line built this way. >> Just a curiosity, why does that Why does

[1:19:53] AEP have that much land on side of the river that they can't use?

[1:19:57] » Now, that as far as the land purchase when it was Whatever was negotiated cuz

[1:20:01] I'm assuming it was part with the station as far as that work there.

[1:20:04] » Yes. >> I don't have any information over there

[1:20:06] uh Mr. Kendrick to to know decisions or um

[1:20:11] I do know that at times to get one piece you're made to get all of it.

[1:20:17] And that's a possibility to to get the piece that was needed

[1:20:22] it was required to get get this also. That possibly.

[1:20:27] » If I may add, my name's Robinham with Appalachian Power also. That was one

[1:20:30] large tract. So, that that's how that particular annexation went. Seller

[1:20:35] wanted to sell the entire tract of property. So, that's why we have so much

[1:20:39] property. >> Why did you need that much property

[1:20:42] AEP for AEP? Why did you need just for curious reasons? Why did you need that

[1:20:46] much property in that area? >> We It's proposed for a new station.

[1:20:51] It's going to be the mayor of River Station.

[1:20:52] » Okay. And And another thing that concerns me a little bit with that line,

[1:20:55] too, is right the other side of the jail. Doesn't it come across a pretty

[1:20:59] good-sized piece of property that the EDA owns?

[1:21:02] Or the county?

[1:21:06] » Uh on It would be a piece of land that would

[1:21:10] go between the rail trail and the jail.

[1:21:17] » I'm not quite sure where that Is that Is that parcel shown on this map?

[1:21:21] » I'm not sure, either. I can't tell heads or tails from these lines.

[1:21:24] All these lines, right? >> [laughter]

[1:21:27] » I see. But So, shown on this map is the Patrick County Jail, EMI Imaging, and

[1:21:33] then to the far left, there is the parking lot to the rail trail. So, if

[1:21:40] I I'm I might be misunderstanding the question here, but to talk about the

[1:21:45] parcel that is owned by the EDA, the only parcel owned by the EDA that is on

[1:21:49] this map is the parcel that contains the parking lot for the rail trail.

[1:21:54] Um for the parcel you're speaking of, I'm not 100% sure of where it's located.

[1:21:59] So, I'm not >> It concerns me a little bit cuz if you

[1:22:03] can put it on the other side of the river, it might clear up that piece of

[1:22:06] land instead of dividing it up to where it can't be used or utilized later on.

[1:22:11] That That concerns me a little bit, too. And I may be wrong on it, too, but I

[1:22:15] think we still got about 12 acres uh right there beside of that Probably

[1:22:19] beside of EMI. And if that if that rail comes across

[1:22:24] what I've seen in some of these pictures, it's going to be detrimental

[1:22:27] there, too. Or if you could get on the other side of the river, it might

[1:22:29] prevent both problems. >> I I I see, but like

[1:22:34] like Brian explained, I mean, we we're not we're not currently pursuing the

[1:22:38] line on being on the other side of the river river due to those concerns

[1:22:42] regarding serviceability. >> Well, I can understand that too, but it

[1:22:46] it bothers me a little bit on on the real chill property, you know, that was

[1:22:49] grants and everything else put up for that, and even though it's under the

[1:22:53] ground, how how far would it be underground? Will it be protected by

[1:22:56] conduit or what what's the arrangements on all that?

[1:22:59] » Yes, the line would be protected by conduit. As to how far it would be

[1:23:03] underground, would you >> be a minimum of 48 in below the ground.

[1:23:07] It will be installed in conduit, protected by conduit.

[1:23:10] » Um >> The location where it's at now, from

[1:23:13] what I understand, is right at the edge of the flood plane for that area there.

[1:23:17] So, as far as you know, that was as to stay out of the flood plane, that was

[1:23:21] as far down as we could get so that we wouldn't be encumbering the use of the

[1:23:25] property if it ever, you know, for whatever development you would have in

[1:23:28] the future for that. Okay.

[1:23:36] » All righty, any more questions?

[1:23:44] All right, I will accept any motions.

[1:24:01] I need a motion.

[1:24:04] Pick one.

[1:24:13] » Can I ask a question? Why would we make a presentation like

[1:24:17] this and the public that's sitting here be included to see a map of what we're

[1:24:23] talking about. I know we're the real is. real travelers, but I really don't know

[1:24:27] what he's talking about with the lines and all that other stuff. So, this could

[1:24:31] be beneficial if you're going to do a presentation to have somebody present

[1:24:35] something that the public that's coming to these meetings could be fun of it at

[1:24:40] least a little bit. Just a thought.

[1:24:52] » All right, I need a motion. >> I'd like a motion not to approve these

[1:24:56] taxes.

[1:24:58] » Okay, we have a motion [applause] and we have a second.

[1:25:01] Any further discussion?

[1:25:09] All righty, I'll call for a vote. Mr. Marshall?

[1:25:11] » No. >> Mr. Kindred?

[1:25:14] » Which way we voting now to To not

[1:25:16] » To not approve. >> Uh

[1:25:20] » Mr. Cox? >> Uh

[1:25:22] » Mr. Wood? >> Uh

[1:25:32] » I'm going to vote no.

[1:25:40] So, you'll have to come up with a better

[1:25:43] option. >> All right, we will if you have any more

[1:25:47] feedback for us, please reach out to me and I will bring that back to

[1:25:51] Appalachian Power. Thank you very much for your time.

[1:25:53] » Thank you.

[1:26:08] » All righty, we will proceed to our reports. Ms. Carol Craig, Department of

[1:26:12] Social Services.

[1:26:22] » Good evening. Um really don't have any new updates. We

[1:26:26] continue to meet all our state and federal guidelines in both benefits and

[1:26:32] services. Um I would however like to say thank you

[1:26:35] to Mr. McGinness for giving us extra space

[1:26:39] and making it possible for us to have a visitation room.

[1:26:42] Um so our families can visit with their children in a nice room and not be in a

[1:26:49] generic conference room. Um our furniture was delivered today.

[1:26:54] So now we are completely set up and excited about our visitations. So I do

[1:26:59] appreciate um Mr. McGinness's support and appreciate

[1:27:04] the support of this board for all of our agency and all the families that we

[1:27:08] serve. Thank you.

[1:27:12] » Thanks.

[1:27:15] And the administrator's report, Mr. McGinness.

[1:27:19] » Yes, sir. We have many improvements still taking

[1:27:22] place in our county. The backup generator for the old school board

[1:27:25] building uh for the emergency operations is still

[1:27:27] in progress. We have the improvements at DeHart Park still in progress. Our ITM

[1:27:32] facility managers have upgraded the conference rooms, the board rooms, as

[1:27:36] well as a few more security upgrades for the buildings.

[1:27:39] Uh my team has engaged FEMA and has sent out all notices and conducted all

[1:27:42] necessary notices to hold our first public open house forum for questions

[1:27:47] and answer period to help our citizens navigate this as well as educate them on

[1:27:53] the appeals process. So I wanted to thank Nick and I'm going to give it a

[1:27:57] shot, uh D'Aero, D'Aero, who's our building officer, and Mark Ferner for

[1:28:01] spearheading this effort. The next meeting for our citizens is July 20th.

[1:28:06] The first public forum for FEMA is at the school board building conference

[1:28:10] room from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. And then as well on July 30th, and that will be at

[1:28:16] the same location, but we will do it from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. So, we will

[1:28:20] publish that, sir, and get that Amy can get that on the website so people can

[1:28:24] look at that. The next Patrick County Citizens Learning Series will be

[1:28:28] conducted at the County Administration Building on Thursday, August 6th at

[1:28:32] 5:30. This will be an open house type of event. We will tour the building and

[1:28:36] have question and answer period for all guests.

[1:28:39] Dinner and refreshments will be served, and just so the public here doesn't

[1:28:43] lynch me beside the Jeb Stuart statue at the courthouse, I will pay for that out

[1:28:48] of my own pocket. So, do not worry. County funds will not pay for everybody

[1:28:53] to attend the meeting and have a supper. Um it's an opportunity to meet our team

[1:28:58] and see each individual office uh in the building. More details to

[1:29:02] follow. Um and it's really just a first-hands operation so our citizens

[1:29:07] can see what we do on a day-to-day basis.

[1:29:10] Um we've had a large turnover on our team

[1:29:13] here. We have some people in new positions, and though it's going to be

[1:29:16] difficult to replace the employees that are retiring with their vast knowledge,

[1:29:19] we have a hungry team, and we want to take charge. As I tell my team uh

[1:29:24] monthly, I say to them all the time, and I've heard my employees say, "Good teams

[1:29:28] have rules. Great teams have standards." And I think our team is setting the

[1:29:32] standards. We are winning. On Saturday, June 27th, I attended an

[1:29:37] event open to the public at Dominion Valley Campground. Free food, great

[1:29:40] entertainment, and free food for the Patrick County citizens. Um I wanted to

[1:29:45] thank the Dominion Valley Campground as well as the Roaring Twins for hosting

[1:29:48] this event as well and providing food and beverage. It was just nice to be

[1:29:53] able to sit in the pavilions and enjoy a cold soda and engage the citizens and

[1:29:57] answer questions about Patrick County. Uh my great economic development

[1:30:01] director, James, and I attended a conference in Stuart, Virginia for

[1:30:05] brownfields. We met many people that are willing to help Patrick County with some

[1:30:09] projects that we are engaged with and we hope to get started soon.

[1:30:12] Though um I do not like leaving the friendly

[1:30:15] confines of our county, benefit of this conference should be felt in Patrick

[1:30:19] [clears throat] County hopefully in this next year.

[1:30:22] Um as we wait to hear official word concerning broadband and the debacle, um

[1:30:27] there's a lot of things that I'm not privy to say. There's a lot of things I

[1:30:30] do not know. Uh there was a deadline imposed on

[1:30:33] Riverstreet Networks on July 10th. That deadline has been extended.

[1:30:38] Um but I think um our citizens

[1:30:42] and the county as a whole is definitely definitely postured with the new plans

[1:30:46] that I think that DHCD and West Piedmont have in plan with the

[1:30:50] county. Um I also attended another school board

[1:30:54] meeting and

[1:30:56] we're winning. We're struggling a little. We're getting beat up.

[1:31:00] You know, uh but again, I'm very proud of our team and um the work that

[1:31:04] everybody's doing and so that's all I have, sir.

[1:31:07] » All right. Thank you very much. And we will go to supervisors' reports,

[1:31:12] Mr. Marshall. >> Yeah, I was contacted by a constituent

[1:31:16] in Vesta. Uh He doesn't live here, but he has

[1:31:19] property. And um he came down to the property and

[1:31:23] and lo and behold, there was a huge swath of trees and plants that were

[1:31:29] sprayed and killed. And he asked me to look into it, but

[1:31:32] that's not what shocked me. What was on his property was the drive out there.

[1:31:37] Uh you want to talk about damage to your

[1:31:39] future? I mean, it it was pretty horrific

[1:31:43] driving out there. It's horrible. And I think it's uh the these are persistent

[1:31:48] herbicides. And I found out there's there's seven

[1:31:52] different chemicals they're using in cocktails

[1:31:55] um that they're mixing up and they're spraying it all over this county.

[1:31:58] And uh it it's going to cause permanent damage. This stuff does not go away.

[1:32:03] Um so, I think it's high time perhaps that the administrator go ahead and

[1:32:06] reach out to the state and the local offices and get

[1:32:10] Yeah. Get somebody >> provide a lot more information if you

[1:32:14] would like. >> And um I reached out to them. I reached

[1:32:17] out to the state and I've reached out to local and do you know I haven't gotten

[1:32:20] any answer? And I did it

[1:32:22] » a call from president of operations because I complained about all the

[1:32:27] spraying in my neighborhood. >> Yeah. Yeah.

[1:32:28] » And they said we'd like to hear everything I can tell them all about

[1:32:31] what's going on. >> Maybe get one mic and

[1:32:34] give them all the information on that. Um something has to be done. I mean this

[1:32:38] this can't continue like this. This is terrible.

[1:32:41] Um And and one of the reasons is our water

[1:32:45] resources. This stuff gets into our water resources, gets into the aquifer

[1:32:49] and it's been proven over and over and over again um

[1:32:52] uh that it's a carcinogen among other issues.

[1:32:57] » I I can speak to that. There's a chemical called Pronol.

[1:33:00] P R O N O L. It was subject to a lawsuit called Troy

[1:33:04] Corp versus Brown. I was given Social Security disability

[1:33:09] and VA disability because I'm allergic to Pronol.

[1:33:13] It was sprayed all over the roads of North Carolina in 1978

[1:33:17] by a company called Ward Transformer. It was the first It was the first

[1:33:22] » [cough] >> superfund site in the United States.

[1:33:25] It is extremely toxic, extremely deadly and they're giving a lot of people and

[1:33:29] going to be even more so disability because of it.

[1:33:33] This chemical causes people's lungs and when you breathe it, the fumes from it

[1:33:38] causes a normal reaction, not for me. Causes their lungs to fill with fluid.

[1:33:43] It causes you to have a swollen heart. Its primary action is it causes you to

[1:33:50] swell. >> And that is one of the seven chemicals I

[1:33:52] saw on that list. >> It is highly deadly

[1:33:56] and as a matter of fact, the EPA tested it when they did that case with the

[1:34:01] strong mouse. You don't get to read about it in a label. It's never on a

[1:34:05] label because it was dismissed with prejudice.

[1:34:09] But the EPA, when they tested it, said they could not determine an LD-100 when

[1:34:14] injected, ingested, or inhaled. That means there was no level at the at that

[1:34:19] they could physically measure in their lab that was safe. It killed everything

[1:34:23] it touched. Every animal it touched. It had an LD-100 or LD-50 of 140 parts

[1:34:30] per billion when absorbed through your skin. Unfortunately, this stuff is in

[1:34:35] insecticides, herbicides, air fresheners,

[1:34:39] sanitizers, alcohol-based sanitizers, cleaners. It's everywhere. Just Google

[1:34:44] where it's on a product you use and you'll see.

[1:34:46] » Now, what I'd like to see happen, Mike, and and Andrew,

[1:34:50] um is that the county be provided with

[1:34:53] material data safety sheets on all these chemicals they're using and a map of

[1:34:57] which chemicals they're using and where in the county. So, these homeowners and

[1:35:01] landowners can get some kind of understanding of what's being sprayed on

[1:35:05] their property. Um

[1:35:07] » Also, last meeting, Mr. Marshall, a citizen, and and Amy can testify to it,

[1:35:12] had brought up the spray um and I already responded to that

[1:35:16] citizen. I have a number where you can call that phone number and you can get

[1:35:19] on the no spray list. It's a guaranteed so they do not spray your specific

[1:35:25] property. Um still doesn't help us county wide if they're spraying other

[1:35:29] places. It just >> They're not notifying the public of that

[1:35:32] and and it's not widely known. So, unless we're going to advertise and get

[1:35:35] the information out, um I think they need to come here and speak to the

[1:35:38] public themselves. They should have a representative. I

[1:35:41] mean, this is a major thing they're doing within our county. The least they

[1:35:44] could do is come out and speak to us. >> In fact, the county should send that a

[1:35:47] no spray to the whole county. Appalachian should be individuals.

[1:35:52] Appalachian should just send that out a no spray. Appalachian that they can't

[1:35:55] spray poison on our properties and pollute our water.

[1:35:59] » be a question for the attorney if we can demand that or not. I don't know.

[1:36:03] » It's within your power, I believe. >> Okay. If it is, we should do it.

[1:36:07] Absolutely. >> I mean, just driving down the roads,

[1:36:09] lately, everything is brown on both sides of the road.

[1:36:13] I mean, forget about what it's doing to your property. What it's doing What what

[1:36:16] it's doing to our our beautiful county. >> It looks horrible driving down through

[1:36:20] there. Definitely does. Now, um if people are familiar or not with

[1:36:25] FERC, that's the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. And right now,

[1:36:29] the Pinnacles dam project um is in the licensing process.

[1:36:36] This process takes several years, but it lasts for 30 to 40 years.

[1:36:41] Um so, I've attended um

[1:36:45] two meetings so far. Um and I'm [clears throat] I'm down to

[1:36:48] receive all the information over the next five to seven years

[1:36:53] on on the docket for these for the licensing.

[1:36:57] Um This is all federal and those dams are

[1:37:01] private property, but it's important to the county because we are the headwaters

[1:37:05] and that's our water resources that we're talking about. So, we need to keep

[1:37:10] an eye on that. If you go on my Facebook page, I got a lot of pictures up there

[1:37:13] and what more information. That's all I got.

[1:37:16] » All right. Thank you, Mr. Kendrick.

[1:37:19] » No, I don't think I had anything. I think we had one with Piedmont, but it

[1:37:23] was executive.

[1:37:26] » And Mr. Cox. >> I um

[1:37:29] I attended a couple of the board uh meetings

[1:37:32] for the uh

[1:37:36] Economic Development Committee and uh

[1:37:42] There was quite a bit of information passed around through that, but

[1:37:47] is underway that will have a drastic effect on

[1:37:52] improving Patrick County life and facilities that will be available.

[1:37:58] I also attended two as I mentioned previously two events

[1:38:04] associated with Celebration 250. And one of them is at the Woolwine

[1:38:09] Volunteer Fire Department and was sponsored by the uh

[1:38:15] Rotarians up there and they did a fantastic job of providing entertainment

[1:38:20] for families and the kids that came up. Uh and also came down the next morning

[1:38:27] after surviving 102° temperatures on Saturday

[1:38:33] and uh thank goodness it was a little little

[1:38:36] cooler. I think it was only about 98. But anyway, that those were good events

[1:38:41] that I attended and enjoyed. And uh and uh

[1:38:45] » [clears throat] >> I think those citizens who were there

[1:38:48] enjoyed them as well. Uh

[1:38:52] one comment I'd like to make is in regard to an incident that Mr. McGinnis

[1:38:56] just referred to. Uh the spraying by AEP

[1:39:01] on uh I believe it was Scenic Drive. Uh the gentleman that uh got a uh

[1:39:08] had a problem down there. And uh he had sought resolution and

[1:39:13] couldn't get the answers. So, I filed with the

[1:39:19] federal Department of Environmental Quality

[1:39:24] a request to review that situation. And when I filed it, it says, "Well, we

[1:39:30] we may not contact you. This goes into the file."

[1:39:34] And I was surprised about 3 weeks later, I got a contact from DEQ.

[1:39:40] And I explained the problem to them, the gentleman involved, his address,

[1:39:45] and they said, "Well, with the information we're calling him."

[1:39:49] And and I believe they did call him. And as AEP did go back and discuss the

[1:39:56] situation with them. And I think a resolution was reached.

[1:40:02] But there is a number available if you've got concerns.

[1:40:06] Um if you can't get it through the state or

[1:40:09] locally, you can you can file your inquiry and it can be done online.

[1:40:15] And it didn't fall into a dead box. They did respond to it.

[1:40:20] And they had mentioned uh

[1:40:24] that it's not the the the EQ's policy to require release of

[1:40:29] chemical names or

[1:40:32] ingredients in the chemicals. And uh

[1:40:36] so I felt that was a little unusual, but that's the information I was given.

[1:40:42] And it all involved AEP spray.

[1:40:49] And that's all I have. >> All right. Mr. Wood.

[1:40:53] » I don't know if I have anything to add since last time was the

[1:40:56] park director meeting. Uh for anybody wanting to enjoy Christmas in July,

[1:41:01] uh they have the Grinch, the animated version, the one that I watched

[1:41:05] countless times around Christmas when your kid is 18 months old

[1:41:09] and needs to be watched multiple times per day, but we can't ever pick up where

[1:41:13] we left off, so I've seen the first 30 minutes of the Grinch

[1:41:17] multiple times per day. But that will be July 25th at the Heart

[1:41:22] Park when the sun goes down. Um the other thing that surprised me is

[1:41:25] how many of our youth are involved in our rec sports.

[1:41:29] I wish I had the exact number. I left that home.

[1:41:32] I think it's in excess of 1,200 different

[1:41:37] athletes that we have. Now, some of those kids competed more than one sport,

[1:41:41] but uh you know, sports are really picking up. The soccer program is more

[1:41:45] than you can even imagine. Um I forget how many teams they had. It

[1:41:48] was in the dozens of teams. Uh so, you know, if you get a chance to

[1:41:52] go out there and watch those kids play any of those sports, it's great. Uh

[1:41:56] there's good work going on at all of our parks around the county.

[1:42:00] As Mr. McGinnis said, the bathroom and uh

[1:42:04] the D-heart that one It should be 24 hours a day, I believe. I'll follow

[1:42:10] up with you on that, but it's going to be open longer hours than the one that's

[1:42:13] over the pool. Uh so, for the people that are there

[1:42:16] during the little odd hours of the day, you know, playing with their own time,

[1:42:19] not necessarily uh for different events.

[1:42:22] Um I will tell you, I was at a couple of places one time, um

[1:42:25] I think it was 3 months ago, and a guy, I don't know his name, but he was

[1:42:29] able to tell me where I was. He walked up,

[1:42:31] and he said, "We need a bathroom at D-heart Park." He said, "My a little guy

[1:42:35] had an accident." Okay.

[1:42:37] And uh I said, "We're actually working on that

[1:42:40] right now." I have no idea who the person was, but I

[1:42:42] got a hug from a random 350-lb man uh that was excited that now there was

[1:42:48] going to be a public restroom in the area at D-heart Park. You know, we're

[1:42:50] we're trying to make our parks better for our communities, cuz it also helps

[1:42:53] with tourism. Uh so, it also, you know, helps our

[1:42:56] economy. That's all I have.

[1:42:59] » All righty. And I don't have anything additional to

[1:43:01] add, so we will proceed to close session.

[1:43:09] » Could I uh briefly ask a question? Okay. >> Mhm.

[1:43:13] » I'll direct this to Mr. McGinnis. Who actually owns the I C D-heart Park

[1:43:19] in Woolwine?

[1:43:23] » We do. >> I I I can get you that answer. I don't

[1:43:26] want to tell you for sure till I check tomorrow.

[1:43:28] » Well, I I think I know the answer, but I wanted

[1:43:31] see if see what response I got. It's owned by the county.

[1:43:37] Is it considered part of the recreation department that is funded in part by the

[1:43:41] county? >> Mhm. Yes, sir.

[1:43:45] » Could you tell me the

[1:43:51] lack of a better term, the percentage of revenue that's available for the park

[1:43:55] system that gets distributed to I.C. DeHart Park or their facility?

[1:44:01] » All the parks are contributed equally um unless they have a specific project that

[1:44:07] they've come to the board to request, but those requests go through the

[1:44:12] parks and recreation committee. >> I was looking through the budget and I

[1:44:16] saw the parks and recreation budget items.

[1:44:21] The only item I could find that was pertaining to I.C. DeHart Park was

[1:44:26] $1,700 $1,700, I think it was, that was

[1:44:30] utilized to make some maintenance equipment

[1:44:34] on the power supply out there.

[1:44:38] And also, the only other activity I could find related to that park was the

[1:44:43] mowing of the grass. Now,

[1:44:48] there's we've got the number one mountain trail bike mountain trail in

[1:44:53] the state and it's been publicized as that,

[1:44:56] but we can't take advantage of it because of lack of

[1:45:00] access to facilities out there. So, I would ask that perhaps in the

[1:45:06] future budgeting we consider

[1:45:10] a better budgeting process that would benefit the I.C. DeHart Park more or a

[1:45:16] greater extent.

[1:45:19] » Well, the park boards need to talk to the parks and recreation committee and

[1:45:23] get their requests put in. >> I I don't think

[1:45:27] » The bathroom at DeHart Park in Stuart was an 80% grant, 100%

[1:45:33] » Correct. >> So, that was a grant we applied for

[1:45:36] and received But, all of the parks that you're

[1:45:40] receiving capital improvements money

[1:45:46] Mount Olympus just got a new whale. So, every

[1:45:50] everyone got some. We'll look into that for

[1:45:53] » Now, I noticed that I had this that a lot of volunteers up there are

[1:45:59] providing you know

[1:46:02] the primary work around up there. Perhaps they need to be made aware of

[1:46:08] grant opportunities. I don't not sure that that organization

[1:46:13] is totally familiar with it. >> Yep.

[1:46:15] But, it would certainly be be beneficial they had some guidance in obtaining

[1:46:19] grants for that program. It can be developed to be a real asset

[1:46:24] to Patrick County. I just want

[1:46:26] » Well, sir, if you if you gave them my name, if they're looking for a grant, I

[1:46:30] don't think the Board of Supervisors and this is without asking permission. But,

[1:46:34] I think the Board of Supervisors would agree that our grant writer would write

[1:46:38] grants for that entity. >> Well, we've offered that grant writer's

[1:46:42] services >> Sir?

[1:46:44] » That's why I was glad to see this lady come on board.

[1:46:47] » So, if if if if they wanted to and she actually lives in Woolwine. So, if they

[1:46:50] wanted to meet her, if they wanted to talk to her, she charges an hourly rate.

[1:46:55] Um and and she'll be able to give us an

[1:46:57] estimate before she says, you know, depending on the size of the grant, the

[1:47:00] type of a grant, state, or federal, state, uh

[1:47:04] you know, commercial type grants, or so, she'll give us a price, but she will and

[1:47:08] has actually worked with Luke, the Parks and Rec director, for other grants for

[1:47:12] other parks as well. They've already started submitting to her.

[1:47:16] But, my understanding is and this is 8 months here

[1:47:19] like like Mr. Wood said, the the parks and recs division

[1:47:25] oversees the park and rec boards at each individual park. And last year, if you

[1:47:29] go back and I don't believe I was the county administrator, if I was it was

[1:47:33] very early on, there was some large items that each park and rec

[1:47:39] uh committee for their respective parks had problems with. One was a well, one

[1:47:43] was upgrades and things like that. So, the board of supervisors, before you got

[1:47:48] here, sir, um had voted to help each um individual park with major, like uh

[1:47:54] Mr. Woods said, capital improvement plans.

[1:47:57] So, it's um you know, you're the supervisors, you

[1:48:00] you dictate policy, I execute it. So, if you tell me to give them money, I give

[1:48:04] them money. If you tell me not to give them money, we don't give them money.

[1:48:07] » Well, I'll I'll have to admit that looking in the budget is not the most

[1:48:10] simple thing I've ever done. >> That's why people like Miss Donna

[1:48:14] » to the citizens in Woolwine who are associated with that park, who contacted

[1:48:20] me and wanted Those Those were the questions they

[1:48:22] wanted >> There's There's something else we

[1:48:25] overlook a lot of times, too. West Piedmont's got a professional,

[1:48:29] full-time grant writer. And

[1:48:32] Doug Curry was on the uh West Piedmont liaison with him. He

[1:48:38] helped him get a grant from down there. I think it was about $50,000 to replace

[1:48:42] the picnic tables and work on the bathrooms and all that stuff last year

[1:48:46] or year before, when A lot of times we overlook West Piedmont. And we pay their

[1:48:50] dues every year, so we need to take advantage of it.

[1:48:55] Now, that that contract grant writer you're

[1:48:57] talking about will be an advantage cuz she'll be working for Patrick County,

[1:49:01] where you got three or four counties down there that's going to pull to get

[1:49:03] the grants, but they did get get DeHart Park up there. I I think it was $50,000,

[1:49:08] wasn't it?

[1:49:11] She didn't hear me, but 50 or 60,000 dollars and they got them new picnic

[1:49:14] tables under the shelter and a lot of stuff like that. So, we need to keep in

[1:49:17] mind that we got that opportunity down there that don't cost us anything to get

[1:49:21] it. >> All right.

[1:49:24] » All right. >> And there is a lot of money out there.

[1:49:26] You just got to ask for it. >> I move to support convenient close

[1:49:30] meeting pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A1

[1:49:35] to discuss and consider following personnel matters, planning commissions

[1:49:39] with Blue Ridge Economic Development Authority at large pursuant to 8-31-26

[1:49:45] pursuant [clears throat] to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A3

[1:49:50] to discuss and consider the following real estate matters Blue Ridge District

[1:49:54] and consultation with legal counsel retained by the public body regarding

[1:49:58] specific legal matters requiring the provision

[1:50:02] the provision of legal advice by such counsel pursuant to Virginia Code

[1:50:05] Section 2.2-3711A8

[1:50:09] related to proposed contract. >> All right, we have a motion. Do we have

[1:50:13] a second? >> Second.

[1:50:15] » Have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

[1:50:18] We will proceed to vote. Mr. Marshall. >> Aye.

[1:50:20] » Mr. Kendrick. >> Aye.

[1:50:22] » Mr. Cox. >> Aye.

[1:50:23] » Mr. Wood. >> Aye.

[1:50:24] » And I vote aye as well. We are now in closed session.

[1:50:27] We're going to take a brief uh break.

[1:50:31] Please return back at 5:08. >> Thank you.

Patrick County - Board of Supervisors Meeting - July 13, 2026

Agenda

Transcript