Author: S. Reeves

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on May 10, 2022. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Sarah Cooke, lead advisor for SkillsUSA at Tazewell County Career and Technical Center, came before Town Council to request support for the students as they compete at the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, GA in June. The students will compete against over 6,500 other state contest winners in various trade, technical, and leadership fields.

Students competing at SkillsUSA Nationals: 
💚 Tiffany Childress, 1st place in State for Barbering
💚 Adam Justice, 1st place in State for Cabinetmaking
💚 Avery Keene, 1st place in State for Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
💚 Patrick Rowe, 1st place in State for Diesel Equipment Technology
💚 Jonathan Sullivan, 1st place in State for Power Equipment Technology

Town Council recognized new business owner Violet Asbury, who recently opened The Violet Studio. The Violet Studio is located in North Tazewell at 2835 Fincastle Turnpike and offers a variety of classes, parties, and private art lessons. Violet offers services on site at the studio or at your location. For more information, you can visit The Violet Studio’s website or find them on Facebook.

John Thomas, Chief of the Town of Tazewell’s Fire Department, introduced their newest acquisition for their fleet – an aerial ladder truck to replace one that was decommissioned due to age and wear. The aerial ladder provides an important asset to the community by assisting the fire fighters in containing large or multi-story fires.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on April 12, 2022. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Members of the Tazewell High School DECA program asked Town Council for their support as DECA members attend Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 23rd. Sisters Katie and Haleigh Church were State finalists in the Business Services Operations Research category. THS Marketing instructor, Gretchen Cline, also shared that rising DECA officers Taryn Stiltner and Jaden Redd will attend a Leadership Academy at the conference 💚

Randy Ann Davis, Director of 911 & Emergency Communications at the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, shared with Town Council that 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of 911 service in Tazewell County. From its small beginnings, Randy Ann recounted the evolution of the program that has now expanded to support developments such as Text 2 911, that allows contacting 911 via text message when communication by voice is not an option. Captain Jonathan Hankins spoke of the dedication the 911 team demonstrates daily and said on behalf of law enforcement officers that “Dispatchers are the true first responders.”

Donny Yates, President of the Tazewell County Fair Association, approached Town Council to request a representative be nominated by the Town to serve as a liaison to communicate between the two. Donny stated that 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the Tazewell County Fair and will be celebrated the week of August 2nd through the 6th. The Tazewell County Fair is known as the longest continuously running county fair, starting in 1872, with the only interruption in its historic run being for COVID-19.

Town Manager Todd Day recognized and congratulated staff members Treasurer Leeanne Regon and Tracie Lewis for their hard work and accomplishments. Leeanne recently received certification as a Master Governmental Treasurer and Tracie received certification as Master Deputy Governmental Treasurer, through the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service program.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on March 8, 2022. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Mayor Michael Hoops and Council recognized Tazewell High School freshman Talan Hall on winning the title of Virginia state champion in VHSL’s Class 2 Wrestling.

Council also recognized the Tazewell High School Track Team. The girls indoor track team finished 4th in the state and the boys team placed 9th. Lauren Keene won State Champion in the 3200m run and Abigail Rhudy won State Champion in the 500m run. Other placements for the girls and boys teams were:
– Ethan Mills 3rd in high jump, All State
– Cassius Harris 6th in 55m, All State
– Abigail Rhudy 4th in triple jump, All State
– Boys 4×200 relay 6th place, All State (Jackson Duty, Chase Noel, Logan McDonald, and Cassius Harris)
– Lauren Keene 2nd in 1600, All State
– Cassius Harris 3rd in 300m, All State
– Ian Rhudy 10th in mile
– Bella Davis 10th in shot put
– Cassius 9th in long jump
– Jackson Duty 10th place in 500m
– Abigail 5th in 300m, All State
– Alayshia Griffith 12th in 300m
– Chase Noel 9th in 300m
– Girls 4×400 relay 10th (Alayshia Griffith, Josie Whitt, Sage Dagout, Katie Large)
– Boys 4×800 relay 11th place (Jackson Duty, Nick Taylor, Ambrose Tyson, Ian Rhudy)
– Girls 4×800 relay 2nd place All State (Josie Whitt, Lauren Keene, Sage Dagout, Abigail Rhudy)
– Abigail Rhudy 8th in long jump, All State
– Cassius Harris 9th in long jump
– Brock Alley 11th in shot put

Town Manager Todd Day introduced new Tazewell County Board of Supervisors member Aaron Gillespie to Council. Aaron represents our Southern District and will serve as chairman of the board.

Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce Director Lori Stacy spoke with Council about the 2022 Oktobrewfest planning and sought Council’s approval for the festival. Oktobrewfest will be held on October 1, 2022 on Tazewell’s Main Street. More information is available on the Chamber’s website here.

Andy Cecil, of the Cecil Engineering, updated Council on the status of the Recreational Access Project. 

Curt Breeding, of the Tazewell County Recreational Development Authority, spoke with Council about tourism trends and potential partnerships to improve our recreation opportunities.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on February 8, 2022. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Vera Mitchell shared with Town Council the meaning of Black History Month to her and stated, “Black History is a time to reflect. Reflect on what was, what is, and what’s to come. That’s what it means to me. I look back and I thank the ancestors for the foundation that they laid. Not only for me, but for everyone in here. Even though it is designated as African American Black History, I like to think of it as being American History.”

The new Executive Director of Tazewell Today, Vanessa Rebentisch, introduced herself to Town Council and shared her vision for upcoming Main Street projects. Vanessa has been hard at work developing a plan for utilizing a vacant area as new green space for exciting new options. For more information on Tazewell Today, visit their website here.

Bob Lauterburg, with VML/VACo Finance, updated Town Council with a presentation on the evaluation of Tazewell on six financial benchmarks. VML/VACo Finance is a registered municipal advisor that assists governmental entities with financial planning. They conducted a review of the Town’s Water & Sewer Fund’s debt service coverage, unrestricted net position, and cash position, along with the General Fund’s debt service as % of expenditures, unassigned general fund balance, and cash balances.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on January 11, 2022. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

There were no special presentations or requests at the council meeting.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on December 14, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Corbin Stone, of Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates, presented an audit report to Town Council.

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

A letter was presented to Town Council from Phillip Bevins to request Town Council consider waiving personal property tax on one automobile for citizens that are active duty military personnel.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on September 14, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Venus Laney, representing Southwest Virginia Community College’s Workforce department, announced a service hospitality training session set for Monday, October 25, 2021 from 9 am – 11:30 am. This free training is made available through a partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Town of Tazewell, and Tazewell County. Registration is required and can be done by clicking here.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on August 10, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

• Amanda Hoops, Executive Director of Tazewell Today, requested approval for usage of their current ABC license for Cruise In events
• Town employees Angie Buchanan and Jessica Hayes were introduced to Town Council
• Local business owner Jaimal Viney expressed his concerns regarding permits for his business
• Micheal Tanck, of Spectrum, updated Town Council about service issues with local customers

Town Council welcomed Renee Adair and her new business, Adair Behavioral Services, LLC. It is an applied behavior analysis clinic that serves children with autism, developmental delays, or conduct disorders. For more information, you can find them on Facebook here or through their website here.