T.J. Lawson of Richlands carries the ball around the Tazewell defense.
T.J. Lawson of Richlands carries the ball around the Tazewell defense.
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Annual ComicCon draws large crowd
Captain America is a regular at Tazewell's ComicCon.
There were plenty of challengers for best costume.
Tazewell Va. – It’s been 12 years since ComicCon made its debut in Tazewell County and the event has grown every year.
The event started at the Tazewell Library and quickly outgrew that space and moved to Knuckolls Hall on the fairgrounds. The library still sponsors the event each October with lots of family activities including vendors, authors and lots of costumed characters.
Among the new events this year was a slime lab, which drew lots of youngsters. There were over 30 vendors, many of whom have become regulars, at this year’s event.
The Friends of the Library sold t-shirts and other items and offered free coloring sheets to the children. ComicCon’s originated in the 1930’s as science fiction conventions and are now celebrations of comics and pop culture.
  The local convention is always highlighted by a costume contest where attendees dress as various comic book characters.
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Richlands preparing to update comprehensive plan
Richlands residents will get a chance for input on how the town operates.
During the Oct. 13 town council meeting Town Manager Don Marr told council that he wants to update the town’s comprehensive land use plan. Marr said the plan was supposed to be updated every five years and has not been updated since 2017.
Marr said he would like to undertake the update after the election. He said the community needs to be involved and to have a discussion on driving top line revenue. Marr said he did not know the town had a plan and started asking about it. He said town employees found it for him.
“You can not cut your way to success, nor can you tax your way to success it has to be a combination,’ Marr said. He asked that every citizen in the town begin thinking about ways to improve the revenue picture.
Marr said once the updated plan is approved council needs to keep it in hand and consult it to make sure new projects fit in.
In other action council:
*Heard from Ernest Edgell with a question about the cost of the truck that picks up tree branches and other bulk debris. Edgell also asked about the rule on leaving trash cans in the street.
*Heard from Simon Steele requesting to meet with the planning commission. Steele also thanked the town for being transparent.
*Heard from Nicole Helbert criticizing the decision to limit speech.
*Heard from Debbie Justus asking for something to be done about dilapidated buildings and flooding.
*Heard from Ken Smith complaining about utility bills.
*Approved a budget amendment to cover $50,000 in legal expenses for an analysis of contracts related to the power system.
*Approved a $4,000 transfer in the water and sewer line maintenance fund to cover tools for a new maintenance vehicle.
*Received an update on the status of several grants from Marr.
*Heard from Marr that the town is having significant issues with sanitation equipment.
  *Heard from Marr that the electric committee was disbanded and will be removed as a standing committee.
*Appointed Jeff Hurst and Joquetta Owens to the board of zoning appeals pending approval of the circuit court.
*Voted five to one to appoint Charity Hurst to the I/EDA subject to legal review.
*Heard from Marr that the Virginia Municipal League had only one concern about the town’s ordinance governing citizen participation in council meetings. He said the VML did not believe the town’s policy was restrictive.  He said the town is within the model guidelines put forth by the VML.
Carolyn Wimmer and her husband, Greg, have big plans for their 144-acre property as they develop Wimmers Woodlands, a tourist destination spot featuring cabins and ultimately, a mountain coaster in the Abbs Valley section of North Tazewell, VA. Wimmers Woodlands is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Carolyn Wimmer and her husband, Greg, have big plans for their 144-acre property as they develop Wimmers Woodlands, a tourist destination spot featuring cabins and ultimately, a mountain coaster in the Abbs Valley section of North Tazewell, VA. Wimmers Woodlands is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
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Town projects moving forward
 The town of Tazewell received over $1 million in grants earlier this month.
Town Manager Leeanne Regon and I/EDA Chairman Cara Spivey told Town Council at its Oct. 13 meeting that the Riverside Drive property was awarded $100,000 from Appalachian Regional Commission to do planning work for its commercial kitchen and fab lab.
Spivey said the building is within the North Tazewell Revitalization area. The town has also received $972,000 for the façade replacement project in North Tazewell as well as money to continue work at the Ramey property.
In other action council:
*Received an update on activities planned by Tazewell Today.
*Heard from Attorney Brad Pyott that state code deals with automated license plate readers and the town does not need to adopt an ordinance. Police Chief Stan Lampert said his department has not applied for any grants for the cameras.
*Scheduled a public hearing for the Nov. 10 meeting for comment on the proposed comprehensive plan.
*Set a public hearing for the Nov. 10 meeting on house bill 258 dealing with home-based childcare.
*Discussed plans for marketing the lot near the medical clinic at Four way and voted to move forward with planning commission’s recommendation to advertise it for six months.
*Heard from Town Manager Leeanne Regon that work has resumed on the route 460 water project.
*Learned from Regon that the roll-off truck has been repaired and the recycling center has been reopened.
*Received an update on the development of the mountain biking trail.
*Learned from Police Chief Stan Lampert that the department is fully accredited with zero returns.
*Learned from Lampert that the department’s annual shop with a UA program is set for Dec. 13.
*Adjourned until Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
