Town Council

At the April 9 meeting, Courtney Mailey, Program Manager of Virginia’s Main Street America (VMS) Coordinating Program, gave a presentation to Town Council. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) VMS program helps communities across Virginia create lasting impact in their downtowns and commercial districts. Courtney, along with Tazewell Today President and Town of Tazewell I/EDA Chairperson, Cara Spivey, provided statistical insights on the impact our Main Street has witnessed through the program. In 2020, Tazewell Today worked alongside the Town of Tazewell to procure the prestigious Virginia Main Street designation. Tazewell Today continues to carry on the vital role of coordinating with Courtney and DHCD to spur economic development, and to maintain this designation.

Town Council recognized new business, Haus of Taylor, welcoming owners Michael and Mary Blevins. Located at the beautifully renovated 113 Fincastle Turnpike, Haus of Taylor features fine art and curated goods. A recent inaugural gallery opening of Faith Framed: Sacred Artistry in Lens & Brush showcased their Luther Taylor brand original paintings and artwork.

At the February meeting, Greta Burton introduced Town Council to the Main Street Merchants Association. Greta serves as President of the new organization and shared her passion and vision of their mission on Main Street. The Main Street Merchants Association (which can be found on social media under Tazewell, VA Main Street) was recently formed by Main Street business owners and has hosted several successful events, including the New Year’s Eve ball drop.

Robert (Spot) Steele, of the Tazewell County Vocational Center, proudly introduced several of the recent local Skills USA competition winners to Town Council. Alana Capshaw, Dalton Golcher, and Ella Lawson then gave a presentation on their community service project, Spike’s Trike Track, which saw the vocations join forces to construct a fun tricycle track for use by the Tazewell Primary School’s Pre-K group. Excellent job done by all and best wishes for the team and other competitors as they advance to the state level competition in April at Virginia Beach.

Kondwani Patterson and Brittany Davis, of Each One Teach 1, Inc., updated Town Council on their progress with the Warhawk Community Park project. Through their diligent efforts, community support, and grant opportunities, the site plan is now progressing.

Town Council also voted to donate funds and commit to sponsorships for several community and student organizations, including the Tazewell High School Art Class, who are presently raising funds to provide the students with a trip to Washington, D.C.

At the February meeting, Brittany Davis helped Tazewell commemorate Black History Month with her special presentation on Tazewell’s oldest resident. Jane Fudge was born into slavery in the 1820’s and was considered to be the property of Hezekiah Harman, who later gifted her to his daughter, Nancy Fudge. Her obituary stated that she lived within 100-yards of the Tazewell Train Station her entire life but had never boarded a train, only riding in a car once. Jane died in August of 1931 at 102 years of age, as the oldest resident of Tazewell. During those years, birth records were not documented consistently, and for slaves, sometimes not at all, further complicated by the practices regarding slave surname assignments by various slaveholders. Jane’s relatives strongly felt she may have in fact been even older than 102, making Jane’s story and reported excellent health at over a century in age even more impressive!

Town Council also voted to commit their support to the Tazewell Community Foundation’s newest project that will see Tazewell as the home of a new medical clinic, providing residents with expanded access to local primary care providers. Chris Wearmouth, who serves as Chairperson for the Tazewell Community Foundation, presented their completed feasibility and economic impact study that clearly demonstrates the need for this expanded access.

Town Council also showed its strong community support by donating funds in support of the CART Creative Community Partnership Grant, to Tazewell High School’s Project Graduation and Prom, and to Diamond Dawgs Baseball. Additionally, they gave the approval needed for serving alcoholic beverages at the Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce’s Oktobrewfest event set for October 5, 2024.

At the Special Called Town Council meeting held on February 7, 2024, Town Council voted to hold the Executive Recruitment Services proposals for review until March 31, 2024, and to continue receiving resumes for the Town Manager position through that date, as well. 

At the January meeting, Town Council introduced new Interim Town Manager, Leeanne Regon, who was recently appointed to this temporary position after the departure of former Town Manager Todd Day. Leeanne has served the Town of Tazewell for the past 18 years and steps into the position while currently also serving as Treasurer. Congratulations on this selection Leeanne!

Additionally, Town Council introduced new Town of Tazewell Police Chief, Stan Lampert. Stan was promoted to the position after serving as the Assistant Police Chief and then later as Acting Police Chief. Congratulations Chief Lampert!

At the Special Called Town Council meeting held on December 28, 2023, Town Council voted to appoint Town of Tazewell Treasurer Leeanne Regon as the Interim Town Manager, following the departure of current manager Todd Day. Town Council also voted to request proposals from firms providing executive level recruiting services to assist in searching for a final Town Manager. For more information on how to submit a proposal for this project, please visit our Bid Solicitations page here.

Full video of the Town Council meeting:

At the December meeting, Mayor Hoops and fellow Councilmembers recognized Todd Day for his service to the Town of Tazewell during his tenure as Town Manager for the Town of Tazewell. Former Mayor Donald Buchanan and former Councilmember Danny Willis fondly recalled selecting Manager Day in 2012 for the position and expressed their gratitude for his efforts to better our community. Buchanan commented that with Manager Day’s guidance and full support, Main Street experienced a tremendous revitalization and the Town’s financial standing improved dramatically in those 11 years. Manager Day is departing in early January to serve as Town Manager for the Town of Pulaski. Though we are saddened by this loss, we are sound in the knowledge that he will continue to encourage and promote prosperity for southwest Virginia communities. Town Council has started the search for a candidate to fill the vacancy left by Manager Day’s departure, and more information can be found here.

Full video of the Town Council meeting:

EMS Director Syndee Saleem and Councilmember Jonathan Hankins recognized Chase Roberts for his exemplary actions. Councilmember Hankins stated that Chase is his fellow co-worker at the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, where Chase serves as a 911 Dispatcher. Chase regularly goes above and beyond, having provided emergency medical transport recently when all of the Town of Tazewell EMS crews were responding to another emergency and then, again, when a driver was needed once more to respond to a 911 call. His actions helped to save lives and Councilmember Hankins noted that this is a true testament to what public service should be. EMS Director Saleem thanked Chase for his willingness to help and presented an award to recognize his service. Excellent job Chase!👏👏

Mayor Hoops also presented Chase with several tokens of appreciation.

Additional announcements were made regarding grants received by the Town of Tazewell that totaled around $100,000. Amanda Killen, in cooperation with Appalachian Voices, obtained a grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Cara Spivey, Town of Tazewell I/EDA Chairperson, also obtained a grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The grants will be used for planning the revitalization efforts for the North Tazewell Riverside area and for asbestos abatement for the Old Bowling Alley property. Well done Amanda and Cara! 👏👏

Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Keshia Cole and Beth Clemons thanked Town Council for their support of the recent Oktobrewfest. They gave a special thanks to the Town of Tazewell’s Public Works crews, EMS, and Police Department for their assistance in making 2023 another successful year for the event. The Chamber also recently hosted a luncheon for all of the Town of Tazewell employees, which was greatly appreciated. 🙌

Full video of the Town Council meeting:

Amanda Killen provided Town Council with an update on several grant funding opportunities she is currently seeking for the Sports Complex, along with the Community Development Block Grant being sought for a planning grant to benefit the Riverside Community Revitalization Project.

Cara Spivey, member of the Town of Tazewell’s I/EDA, provided Town Council with an update on the Old Bowling Alley property in North Tazewell. Cara and her fellow I/EDA members have been working diligently with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to procure the abatement and demolition estimates to help determine the course of action needed with the property. They are also working to obtain to funding through the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Development Fund.

Aaron Gillespie, Southern District representative of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, addressed Town Council regarding the Tazewell County Comprehensive Flood Study. Tazewell County Administrator, Eric Young, was also on hand and notified Town Council that he will be applying for grant funding to address the flooding issues related to faulty manhole covers. He discussed the potential impact this project could have on flooding and requested that Town Council consider whether our municipality would also like to participate in the grant application.

Full video of the Town Council meeting:

Mayor Hoops and Town Councilmembers recognized Saprena Noel of Grecian Serenity Spa. Located at 112 Railroad Avenue, the spa offers an assortment of massage therapy services, including Swedish, pregnancy/baby, and pain management massages. A fully licensed massage therapist, Saprena can be reached at (276)701-1556 for appointments and will have a website available soon. 

Mayor Hoops and Town Council also recognized new business Love Ya Babe Florist, which is located at 2835 Fincastle Turnpike. Owners, mother-daughter duo Taffy Clifton and Kayla Turner, shared that they offer fresh and silk arrangements, flowering and green plants, in addition to other offerings such as crafts/arts and wedding planning services. For more information, visit their website at loveyababeflorist.com

Full video of the Town Council meeting: