|
|
1 0 . 1 6 . 2 5
All Access
5 items
Hopewell’s interim city manager is defending the city’s decision to spend $17,000 on a recent City Council retreat in Williamsburg, calling it “an amount well spent” because it provided the opportunity to “provide better governance and make better decisions.” But some people who heard Michael Rogers’ remarks at the Oct. 14 council meeting did not seem fazed by what he said. They continued to criticize council and city administration for spending the money unnecessarily when Hopewell does not have the surplus funds to spend, adding that citizens would have been better served had council used Hopewell meeting space and restaurants for their discussions. Ed Houser, a former Hopewell council candidate who is among the more vocal critics of City Council, was more direct with his remarks. “It would have been a lot cheaper if you … ,” Houser said before pausing, folding his arms and glaring at the dais. He because he claimed some councilors were turning their heads and appearing disinterested in what he was saying. “OK,” Houser said after a few seconds, “are y’all paying attention now?” “Of course I’m paying attention,” Mayor Johnny Partin Jr. shot back.
The Progress-Index
|
|
|
|
Local
Former coach and athletic director at Central High School, Mike Yew, is suing three Shenandoah County School Board members and the school division’s superintendent over his termination earlier this year. During a closed session, board members asked Yew a few questions about the football player’s eligibility but then grilled him for about 45 minutes about the cheerleading coach’s dismissal, the lawsuit claims. The board reconvened in public session to consider personnel actions including Sheppard’s recommendation that Yew receive a suspension. Instead, the board used the motion to terminate Yew’s employment, according to the lawsuit. Board members mentioned Yew’s name four times during the 19-minute discussion about disciplinary action against him. The meeting was livestreamed on the SCPS YouTube channel. “Shenandoah County Public Schools’ staff later altered the meeting video posted on the YouTube Channel to replace each time Mr. Yew’s name was said with the number associated with him on the personnel list being voted on that night,” the lawsuit claims.
|
|
|
|
Local
Rich Creek has a mayor and a full town council again, though some appointees may not be in office for long. A Giles County judge appointed Paul Morrison, who has served on the town’s planning commission for about 20 years, as mayor until the end of the year. Christopher Thornton and Phillip Hunt will serve until a special election in November 2026. Christopher Wickline and Mikhail Mann were already running for town council and were appointed until the outcome of next month’s election. Four out of the five town council members and the previous mayor resigned in August, as some cited a “horrible” working environment. Bill Kantsios was the only town council member who did not resign and still remains. Former Mayor Anne Chambers was the only candidate on next month’s ballot, and she resigned too late to add any other candidates. So, Rich Creek voters can now write in their selection for mayor.
|
|
|
|
Local
Issues over not being allowed to speak at public meetings resurfaced at the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors Sept. 9 meeting when Supervisors Chairman Don Harris threatened to have citizens removed from the room for not abiding by public comment rules. The Middlesex County School Board denied a county minister whose residency was out of the county to speak at a November 2023 public comment period, under a policy that only Middlesex County residents can speak during a public comment period. The Urbanna Town Council restricted a couple from speaking when they arrived late to a meeting after driving from a long distance.
|
|
|
|
Local
A new platform has been launched in Albemarle County to allow residents and business owners to share details about their homes or properties that could be helpful in the event of an emergency. Albemarle County Fire Rescue has launched Community Connect, designed to better prepare first responders responding to a scene. The program allows residents to create a household profile and provide details including family members, medical conditions, mobility challenges, pets, utility shutoffs, entrances and exits. Users can also enter additional information that could be helpful to first responders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
