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Town Council Meeting February 2021

02/11/2021 in Town CouncilTown Council 2021

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on February 9, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Presentations and Requests

Flora Sinkford, Dispatcher and Administrative Assistant of the Town of Tazewell’s Police Department, organized an excellent presentation for Town Council in honor of Black History Month. Flora stated that often the focus is on the national level and she wanted to shift that to honor black men and women who contributed greatly to their local communities.  Minnie Holley Barnes, known affectionately to those that knew her as Miss Minnie, taught generations of Tazewell youth as an educator and was recognized by Flora for her contributions. From her nationally recognized leadership in Girl Scouts to the books she authored, such as Glimpses of Tazewell through the Holley Heritage, Minnie’s life lessons shaped the lives of generations that followed. Fellow Girl Scouts and leaders Brenda Davis, Elena Combs, and Wanda Smith, shared their memories of Minnie with Town Council. 

Flora also recognized the contributions of George M. Dickerson as a civic leader, established author and poet, as well as a mentor. George’s granddaughter, Jeanette Wilson, read his famous poem, Tazewell Town. Jeanette’s family was blessed with several generations of poets whose rhythms not only reflect their daily lives and stories, but also of men with a dream of equality for all.  Local resident and widow of coach “Lou” Peery, Sandra Peery, was also a special guest speaker and spoke of her own personal difficulties and triumphs as she left segregation at Tazewell County High School to integrate with Pocahontas High School in ninth grade. Flora and Councilman Dr. Terry Mullins discussed a historical photo that was given to Flora by a former area resident. Though there is no formal history known for the photo, it depicts community members gathered aside one another at a location suspected to be the Tazewell Female Seminary once located on Fincastle Turnpike.

Jim Higginbotham, the first black Deputy for Tazewell, and later Chief of Police, was also honored. Flora shared a story of his strength in character, noting he once had to lead a Ku Klux Klan procession after receiving a formal request from the racist group to march through Tazewell’s Main Street. Jim explained at the time that he could not deny them their right to assemble, but that he did have the power and authority to demand their faces not be hidden from public view while they did so.

Flora Sinkford, organizer of a presentation on local icons for Black History Month at the February 2021 Town Council meeting.

Brenda Davis spoke of Minnie’s academic achievements, which included teaching at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, Bluefield State College, among others, receiving her Master’s Degree at Columbia University, and later becoming a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society in 1984, which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators.

Elena Combs recounted Girl Scout Day Camp memories of Minnie and her “Golden Gloves,” which shaped the lives of all they touched.

Wanda Smith shared her wonderful adventures as a Girl Scout under Minnie’s loving and patient leadership

Sandra Peery spoke of her personal experiences with integration, having been transferred from the segregated Tazewell County High School after 8th grade to the newly integrated Pocahontas High School.

Flora Sinkford and Councilman Dr. Terry Mullins discussed a historical photo that was given to Flora by a former area resident. Though there is no formal history known for the photo, it depicts community members gathered aside one another at a location suspected to be the Tazewell Female Seminary once located on Fincastle Turnpike.

Jeanette Wilson, granddaughter of Rev. George M. Dickerson, read his famous poem “Tazewell Town.”

 

Full video of the Town Council meeting:

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