May 2010 Supervisors report

There has been no news on Virginia Department of Transportation’s decision on No-Thru truck traffic on Blue Ridge Drive. Many citizens are waiting for this decision. The County and I have done all we can at this time and we ask that you be patient till we receive an answer on this issue from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The Board voted 7 to 0 to approve the School Board budget for fiscal year 2010/2011.This budget included $600,000 from interest earned on High School bonds. The other $600,000 was applied to Pittsylvania County general fund to help with this year’s budget short fall. I voted for this budget, as long as the bond money was applied to the Teacher Instruction line item. This would save jobs for our teachers. I believe that citizens need to address the School budget at the School Board meetings. The Board of Supervisors has limited input on how money is spent by the School Board that is allocated to them by the Board of Supervisors. The Pittsylvania County budget was approved with 6 to 0 vote Mr. Harville was absent. I’m glad that we were able to avoid layoffs or pay reductions with 2010/2011budget.The budget was cut by 12% from last year’s budget, it took a lot of work by all Departments to obtain this goal and I want to thank them for their efforts to reach it. Let’s hope that the economy picks up by next year to avoid drastic cuts.

Pittsylvania County is planning on having its first roundup of unlicensed dogs .This was planned to take place in June, but we have some legal issues to iron out before this can happen. The vote was 6 to 1 in favor of the roundup, this is a good way to pick up all unlicensed dogs that are running around without rabies shots or tags and allowed to breed at will and create more problems.

I tried to have a resolution to protect your money in the Mega Park, I thought this would be a no brainer .You never know what some members of the Board think on issues that would protect your investments, especially when the Tobacco Commission passed a resolution that requires Pittsylvania County to repay over $13.5 million dollars if they allow mining at the Mega Park. The vote was 4 to 3 to not protect your investment ,Mr. Davis,Mr. Snead and myself voted to protect your money, if you get a chance thank them for standing up for what is right.

I’ve been trying to have sidewalks repaired around the Court House for some time. There was even a petition from Staunton River District citizens to have the sidewalks repaired, after going around the block several times with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Town of Chatham and Pittsylvania County it had been determined that Virginia Department of Transportation was responsible for the sidewalk repairs, after several accidents the Board of Supervisors has taken the initiative to have one time repair 75 feet of side walk from Court House to Mosses building and stated that this was not to set a precedent for future repairs or responsibality.This passed by 7 to 0 to spend $4,200 for one time repair of sidewalk.

The Board of Supervisors voted 7 to 0 on May 3 Board meeting for the following=Group Long term care Insurance with all cost paid by employees; Letter of support EMS certification; Award Audit services contract for one year for County audits ; Request for proposal Ringgold East Industrial park; Request for proposal Mega Park sewer; Register with State Corporation commission to participate in Public Hearings on Verizon’s request to lower tax burdens in Virginia localities; Administration agreement for Chatham Railroad Depot amendment #4

The Board of Supervisors voted 6 to 0 at the May 18 Board meeting (Mr. Harville absent) for the following=Bond closing costs of $39,000 High School Bonds; Roanoke River basin Kerr Dam allocation letter of support; Allocate $8,000 for Danville Community College off site class location at Cascade Ruritan’s center, a portable class room will be refurnished for this project; Reduction in price of $18,000 for Chatham Railroad Depot; Additional $800 dollars for pipe fittings Route 40 water line.

A lot of work went into updating the Pittsylvania County Comprehensive plan, this plan carries as much weight as any county ordiance.We need to stick to the guidelines set by this plan and not deviate from it. I want to thank all who help prepare this plan and citizens who presented their ideas to make it better. The board vote 6 to 0 to adopt this 2010 Comprehensive plan. I encourage all citizens to look at this plan by going to Pittsylvania County web site or stopping by the County office (Mosses Building).

To get the Board of Supervisors packet or other information, you need to go to Pittsylvania County Home page www.pittgov.org; this is a tool for all citizens to use and help to keep a watchful eye on County business.

Feel free to contact me by telephone (434-335-5967) please no phone calls after 9 PM or you can e-mail me at any hour marshall.ecker@pittgov.org I want to know your thoughts or ideas on issues that are important to you.