Dignitaries cut ribbon in front of one of the towers.
Dignitaries cut ribbon in front of one of the towers.
April Christian and Matt Griffey cut the ribbon Sept. 12 to welcome Jazzercise to the Four Seasons YMCA.
April Christian and Matt Griffey cut the ribbon Sept. 12 to welcome Jazzercise to the Four Seasons YMCA.
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Northwestern district school board member resigns
Northwestern District Supervisor Donna Culbertson has resigned.
Near the end of the Sept. 14 board meeting, Culbertson announced her resignation effective immediately. Culbertson, who recently married, said she and her new husband want to travel and have not decided where they will settle.
The remaining board members approved David Woodard’s motion to begin advertising for applicants to serve until a special election is scheduled. State law allows the remaining board members to either leave the seat vacant or appoint someone to serve until a special election is held.
That appointment has to be made within 45 days of the vacancy. The board is required to hold a public meeting announcing all proposed appointees and make their resumes and required materials available for inspection.
That meeting must be held at least seven days before the appointment is made. Â Culbertson was re-elected to the board in November 2023 and has just over a year left on her term.
The seat will be up for a full four-year term in November 2027. The deadline to submit a resume is Sept. 28 at five pm.Â
Applicants must be registered to vote and a resident of the district. The names and resumes of applicants will be made available at a public meeting Oct. 12.
The school board will make the appointment on or before Oct. 29.
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Tazewell council rejects flock cameras
There will be no Flock cameras (automated license plate readers) in the town of Tazewell.
During its Sept. 8 meeting town council discussed the issue and passed a resolution preventing the use of the cameras in the town and also voted to have the town attorney report back as to how they could change it to an ordinance if needed. Â Â Â Â Â
In other action council:
*Welcomed A Hope and A Future Ministries to Main Street as a new business.
*Approved sponsorship for the OKtoBrewfest on Main Street.
*Approved $500 sponsorship for SWCC’s Festival of Arts.
*Received an update on Tazewell Today activities from Nate Thomas and were introduced to Tessa Farrell, the new interim director.
*Heard from Cara Spivey that the I/EDA Has received a planning grant for the property at 1616 Riverside Drive.
*Ratified an email vote to set the decal price at $1 per decal.
*Approved selling surplus equipment at auction.
*Discussed possible uses of town property on Walnut Street.
*Appointed Kathy Buchanan and Ben Mitchell to the historic review board.
*Council Member Dave Fox asked for the reservoir at Lincolnshire Lake to be checked.
*Received an update on the renovations of the EMS building.
*Received an update on the 460 waterline replacement project.
*Heard from Town Manager Leeann Regon that a quote has been received and an agreement reached to fix the sewer line on the Lowe property.
*Heard from Regon about a road cave in due to a waterline leak on Steele’s Lane.
*Approved a request to the department of housing and community development for an extension on the loan for the Tazewell Cinemas until March 1.
Richlands defenders pursue an Abingdon runner.
Richlands defenders pursue an Abingdon runner.
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County offers food services a chance to avoid Styrofoam ban
Styrofoam containers could return to some local restaurants.
During its Sept. 1 meeting the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors approved a process for considering exemption requests from the ban imposed by the Commonwealth. The ordinance established a form vendors may fill out and return to the county attorney’s office to be considered for an exemption. There is a $25 processing fee associated with the application.
Restaurants, delicatessens, coffee shops, convenience stores, grocery stores and food trucks may apply for the exemption. The county attorney has 21 days from the receipt of a completed application to make a recommendation to the bord of supervisors.
The board will post notice of consideration of the application on the county website, and the vendor or a representative may attend the meeting and address the issue. Economic hardship is a key factor in the decision.
Availability of alternative containers that are suitable, the impact of costs on the financial condition of the business, and whether the vendor has made a good faith effort to obtain alternative sources will be considered as well.
The law banning the use of Styrofoam containers was first passed by the state legislature in 2021 and was phased in before taking full effect this past July 1. The ban covers plates, cups, bowls, trays, and hinged containers used for prepared food.
The hardship exemptions are good for one year and may be renewed annually if the hardship continues. Businesses, who use Styrofoam containers without an exemption face fines of up to $50 per day.
