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Longtime produce growers to continue Walker's Market
Robin and Preston Brickey are set to open Walker's Market.
A couple who has been growing vegetables for nearly 40 years and who possessed a longtime relationship with the late Gene Walker is going to ensure that Walker’s Market continues to operate.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Gene ran Walker’s Market, a beloved vegetable and produce stand that served customers in Seven Mile Ford for about 50 years. When Gene died last year, many people wondered what would become of the market.
Along came Preston and Robin Brickey, who began growing vegetables at Valley Fork Farm in Saltville in the late 1980s and ran their own produce store.
Preston said he “grew up helping and learning from his grandfather Carl P. Brickey Sr. who began Valley Fork Farm…. It’s in my blood.”
The couple said they continue to carry on the farming tradition in Carl Brickey Sr.’s memory.
Preston was inspired by David C. Buchanan Sr., who taught him about vegetable farming, and Toby Haynes.
“Our vegetable store at Valley Fork Farm has been very productive and visited by many customers from a wide area in Virginia and also including several states,” said the Brickeys.
They also sold produce annually to Walker’s Market, “and we valued our friendship and working together with Mr. Walker through the years.”
When the Brickeys were presented the opportunity of buying the property with the produce business, they said, “…We felt led to combine our Valley Fork Farm market with Walker’s Market.”
“We look forward to continue serving the community with produce and other goods at Walker’s Market,” the Brickeys said.
Opening day is set for May 1 at Walker’s Market, 1059 Lee Highway.
Gene Walker’s children are delighted with this development.
“My sister Beth and I could not be happier with the way this situation worked out - it's the perfect scenario for everyone involved,” said Brian Walker. “The Brickeys are truly great people who had a longstanding relationship with my Dad, and there is nobody we would rather have taking over the market. We encourage the community to continue to support them the same way they have supported our family over the past 50 years. We can't wait to see them continue the tradition of Walker's Market and keep it growing into the future. We know our father and grandfather would be so pleased with this and are somewhere smiling about how everything has worked out.”
Store hours will be Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Sunday to Monday, Closed.
The Brickeys did note that the vegetable store in Broadford is permanently closed and all produce will be sold at the Walker’s Market location. Plants will be sold by Tyler and Holly at the Walker’s Greenhouse beginning around the third week of April.
They also said, “We have participated in the Farm Market Fresh Program since it began and will continue this year as well, beginning in mid-July when our Valley Fork Farm vegetables are ready to harvest. No transactions for this program will be made prior to that time.”
The Brickeys concluded, “We, along with Margaret, Cathy, and Anthony, are looking forward to seeing our former and new customers when we open. Come visit us for your produce and more!”
Chilhowie's Asher Chapman swings for a hit at Patrick Henry on Friday evening.
Chilhowie's Asher Chapman swings for a hit at Patrick Henry on Friday evening.
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Collective bargaining legislation high priority for local governments
As legislators return to Richmond this week, one issue that’s top of mind for numerous counties and school systems is collective bargaining. Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year could ultimately cost Smyth County taxpayers millions of dollars.
In the regular General Assembly session, the legislators sent HB 1263 and SB 378 to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.
The measures would establish a statewide framework allowing public employees to unionize and collectively bargain.
In early April, the Smyth County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution opposing the legislation.
At the time County Administrator Shawn Utt said a conservative estimate of the local impact would be $3 million to $4 million.
Localities were working to educate the governor on its impact.
Spanberger did make amendments to the legislation.
A key change was to delay the implementation until Jan. 1, 2030, giving localities extra and needed time to prepare for potential changes.
Monday, the Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League sent out a joint news release, saying they appreciated the amendment.
“Counties across Virginia have been clear about the importance of maintaining local flexibility in workforce decisions,” said VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch in the release. “VACo had requested a veto of this legislation, but we appreciate that Governor Spanberger carefully considered the concerns raised by local governments and took meaningful steps to address them through her amendments.”
“This legislation is complex and will require significant local resources to implement,” VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy said. “Additional time to prepare for a change of this magnitude is helpful.”
The release also said that VACo and VML will continue to work with members and state leaders to monitor the impact of the legislation and advocate for policies that preserve local authority and flexibility.
As the General Assembly reconvenes, legislators must vote on the changes. They could OK the governor’s amendments, reject them and send the original legislation back to her, or try to reach a compromise.
Late last week, Utt said, “…The amendments the Governor proposed really don’t correct the concerns of local governments. It looks like all the amendments do is delay the issue a few years. One can hope the local employees wouldn’t unionize but there’s nothing that keeps a statewide organization from combining several counties into a concerted effort. The bigger issue for our taxes would be the school system and teachers since they’re our largest employer. I guess we’ll have to sit back and see where the amendments go and keep our fingers crossed.”
The Virginia Education Association, a statewide union representing teachers and school support staff in most of the state’s school districts, said in a statement that the governor’s amendment “undermines both the spirit and the intent of these bills by replacing durable, statutory rights with a fragile regulatory framework.”
“By delaying rights for local school employees until 2030 and moving core protections into regulations, this substitute creates a ‘regulatory kill switch’ that would allow future administrations to stop collective bargaining in its tracks without a single vote from the General Assembly,” the VEA said. “When the General Assembly reconvenes on April 22nd, we urge lawmakers to stand strong for the public sector workforce and reject this substitute.”
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3 juveniles face charges following Smyth, Wythe pursuit on I-81
Adrian Gaskins
On Sunday, three teenagers were taken into custody following a pursuit that began in Marion and ended in Wythe County. At times, the vehicle being pursued reached speeds exceeding 100 mph. According to police, the vehicle was being driven by a 14-year-old.
According to Marion Police Chief Kevin Testerman, on Sunday, April 19, at about 4:20 p.m., the MPD was notified to look for a stolen 2022 black Chevrolet Tahoe out of Winchester. An officer located it on North Main Street and attempted to make a traffic stop.
At that time, Testerman said, “the driver fled, leading officers on a pursuit onto Interstate 81.”
“During the pursuit,” he said, “the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 100 mph and caused damage to a Marion Police Department vehicle due to roadway debris.”
The pursuit continued into Wythe County, Testerman said, where the suspect vehicle evaded spike strips before the pursuit concluded near the 78-mile marker on I-81.
The Smyth County Sheriff’s Office and Wythe County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the pursuit.
The three occupants of the vehicle, including two juveniles, were taken into custody.
The 14-year-old driver faces multiple charges, including Grand Larceny, Felony Eluding, Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile, and Driving Without a License. A 15-year-old male passenger was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile. An 18-year-old male, Adrian Gaskins, of Purcellville, was charged with Grand Larceny and two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
