July 2010 Supervisors report

When you are in Chatham please take note of the new sidewalk in front of old County Court house. It is a great improvement .The County has started a new process of saving trees, we have started to cut down on paper in the Board packet, I would hope that we could eliminate most of the paper we get and place it in electronic form that’s why we were issued laptops, every Board member could help make this change if they wanted to, so far I haven’t gotten any support for this change so we will destroy many more trees.

Their seems to be some disagreement on setting a public hearing on fees that the Treasurer sets to charge those who fail to pay their taxes and personnel property taxes when she initiates a stop order to Department of Motor Vehicle on any future transaction initiated by that delinquent tax payer. I believe that everyone has a chance to work with the treasurer if they are experiencing financial troubles and can’t meet their tax obligations. The Treasurer told me that many are repeated offenders and I want to make sure that those taxpayers who pay on time don’t have to foot the bill for those who don’t. I along with 3 other Board members voted to set a public hearing on this issue.

I had been trying to find anything in the Code of Virginia to stop thru-truck traffic on our secondary roads mainly Blue Ridge Drive, I did find some information but we have to own the secondary roads to place any restrictions, I did vote along with 3 other Board members to have County attorney draft ordinance on roads that Pittsylvania County owns. Mainly in our Industrial Parks.

I was the lone vote against a change order for the Route 40 water line /Fire Hydrant. This change order was to move the existing Fire Hydrant out of VDOTs ditch and additional pipe at a cost $2,160. I question why we didn’t bill the Engineering firm for such a mistake instead of charging the taxpayer for this error. Our County Administrator was going to look into this matter.

I was the lone vote against giving Regional –one a one year extension on their contract to pay them $70,000 for a back-up service in Pittsylvania County. They are a “for profit” company that provides a service to Pittsylvania County, how many business in Pittsylvania County would like local taxpayers to help fund their operations? The Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to start County wide billing nothing has happen except confusion ,so here we are with no county back-up service started and we are paying Regional-one. I believe that the Fire & Rescue association needs to get “off center” and start this process rolling.

The Board of Supervisors did vote 7 to 0 for the following: Resolution to change Jet broad /band LLC to Shentil;Resolution to Richmond to prohibit all predatory lending practices in Virginia; Amend local ordinance on Probate fee to increase by $25;Approve engagement letter to represent Pittsylvania County regarding Verizon’s request for reassessment of property owned in Pittsylvania County; Contract amendment to Dewberry & Davis Groundwater and Gas monitoring for $70,200 and $6,800;Livestock claims for $690;Award engineering contract Ringgold East Industrial Park water & sewer Dewberry & Davis $105,700;Set Public hearing budget carryovers to 2010/2011 year; Set Public hearing to revise ordinance on Fire Hydrants and fines for taking water; Set Public hearing to clean air ducts county jail-Jag grant.

The Board vote to send the Schools systems request for $1.7 million to build 4 storage buildings and redo Chatham High School Track and Athletic fields back to Finance committee. The School system in my opinion is trying to blackmail the Board of Supervisors by attaching all or none conditions, I care what happens to our children’s education but not one item the school system is asking for would improve your child’s mind this has nothing to do with education only feel good items. We need to approve the $1, 7 million and they will drop the fees charged to Recreational groups for School property use. The County would be better off if we spent the estimated $50,000 cost to those groups than $1.7 million that School system is requesting we approve, about $500,000 from taxpayers. This money should be used to pay down the School Bond debit -end of story.

The Board made two recommendations to Planning commission to establish new category for special use permits called Internet Sweepstakes and set up new category for special use called non-emergency medical transport.

The support to Altavista EMS additional funding request was with a 7 to 0 vote, it increased the Block funding from $15,000 to $20,000 and will pay fuel cost related to all calls in Pittsylvania County upon receipt of those calls and miles traveled.Altavista EMS has went to a 24/7 operation which will give Northern Pittsylvania County citizens better service.

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.