The monthly Town Council meeting was held on March 10, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Mayor Michael Hoops recognized Tazewell County Career & Technical Center students who were District winners in the SkillsUSA Community Service Project. Their project was based on the partnership the Center has with the Town of Tazewell.
Full video of the March 10, 2020 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on February 11, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
A work session at 6:30 preceded the regular monthly Town Council meeting. During this discussion, Town Manager Todd Day gave a presentation on the feasibility study recently completed for the proposed Indoor Sports Center. Full video of this work session is available below:
Mayor Michael Hoops recognized Kasey Addair and her students at Oh Do Kwon, LLC, for their wonderful accomplishments at world-level competitions.
Mayor Michael Hoops also recognized the Tazewell County School Board for School Board Appreciation month. Chairperson David Woodard, Vice-Chairperson Irene Mullins, Chris Moir, and Superintendent Chris Stacy were on hand.
Police Chief David Mills and Mayor Hoops recognized Officer Lowe for his recent brave actions by presenting him with the Life Saving Award.
Full video of the February 11, 2020 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on January 14, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Vice Mayor Dr. Terry Mullins read a resolution of honor for Coach Lucian “Lou” Peery. Lou, who passed away on October 30, 2019, was passionate about baseball and encouraged countless youths in the area to pursue their dreams. Vice Mayor Mullins presented an honorary plaque to Lou’s wife, Sandra, and recounted his memories of Lou and his many contributions to the community.
Vice Mayor Mullins also recognized Claudine Marshall. It was through Claudine’s dedication and persistence that the antique decorations and lights once again adorned our beautiful Main Street for Christmas.
Marcy Tate, founder and CEO of New Beginnings Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Inc., was on hand and introduce her business. They provide many services and specialize in the treatment of black lung disease. This new branch is an expansion of their clinics into our area and saves their patients, often miners, from driving great distances for pulmonary care. The clinic operates out of the Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital in the outpatient area.
Police Chief David Mills introduced several recent additions to the Town of Tazewell’s Police Department and Town Council welcomed them aboard. From left to right: Craig Menefee, Cody Thomas, Steven Bowman, and Jason Rundlett.
Full video of the January 14, 2020 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on December 10, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Mayor Michael Hoops and Town Council recognized the Tazewell County Career & Technical Center winners from the SKILLS USA Competition at the Virginia State Fair.
Project Graduation committee members approached Town Council for a donation request and were granted $1,000 to assist in their efforts to plan a fun and safe graduation night event for Tazewell High School seniors.
Tazewell Today Executive Director, Amanda Hoops, updated Town Council on their progress made since her hiring by Tazewell Today and the Town of Tazewell in July. She also requested the I/EDA transfer a vacant lot on Main Street to Tazewell Today and presented a business plan for the lot now dubbed “Four Seasons Square.” Potential plans for the lot include hosting Movies on Main, Farmer’s Markets, and small business pop-ups.
Mayor Michael Hoops also introduced Kathy Ingram to Town Council. Kathy is the new owner of the Coal Bucket Deli located in the Tazewell Mall.
Full video of the December 10, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on November 12, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Rick Barton, from Outdoor Adventure Centers (OAC), updated Town Council on their projects regarding recreational infrastructure and potential trails in the Tazewell area. Rick has been working on enhancing access points and planning development and was given the support and acknowledgement of Town Council for his efforts.
Full video of the November 12, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on October 8, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Mayor Hoops recognized Cole Watts and Anthony Ball, who placed first in the Virginia State Fair’s Skills USA Masonry competition, along with their instructor from Tazewell County Career and Technical Center, Spot Steele.
Mayor Hoops also read a proclamation declaring October 6-12, 2019, as Fire Prevention Week. He encouraged families to have a plan of escape in the event of a fire and to support the many public activities and services the local Fire Departments and EMS units will host during that time. Interim Fire Chief Jason Hodge introduced several fire fighters and discussed the programs the Town of Tazewell Fire Department will conduct in area schools as part of the public awareness week. The week wraps up with a Fire Prevention Parade on Saturday, October 12, at 6 pm. The parade starts at Tazewell High School and travels to the Fairgrounds.
Mayor Hoops read an additional proclamation declaring October 7-11, 2019, as Census 2020 Kickoff Week. Preparations for the 2020 census are beginning now. Accurate census information is essential to government operations as it can determine how much of the available federal funding can flow into your community to support everything from hospitals to fire departments and other beneficial programs often taken for granted, along with determining how many seats in Congress each state gets. For more information on the census and on the available jobs, visit their website here.
Full video of the October 8, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on September 10, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Mayor Hoops read a proclamation declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and presented items from the Town of Tazewell to area youths that are battling, or have battled, childhood cancer. Councilmember Emily Davis read a proclamation from the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors that also recognized the month at the County level. Jill Rasnick, of the TJ Rasnick Foundation founded in her son’s memory, was on hand to remind everyone that September 24th is “Go Gold” Day. She also invited the community to a fundraiser at the YMCA on September 28th to help with medical costs for three young men currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Jay Shott, on behalf of Back of the Dragon, thanked Town Council for consideration of their proposal to expand their business location. After meetings with Tazewell Little League representatives and Back of the Dragon owners and investors, the Town of Tazewell reached an agreement that provides for necessary and welcomed expansion of this tourism sector, while also including provisions that protect the Little League’s interests and provide the children with brand new fields and facilities. Tentative arrangements provide for use of Lincolnshire Park while construction is completed. During the meeting, Town Council voted to transfer the property in question to the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) and the agreement was read in full, with terms of the eventual sale to Back of the Dragon outlined. Community members were present to express their many concerns with the plans.
Mayor Hoops released this statement following the meeting:
“I want to hopefully clear up questions that you may have concerning the potential sale of the Little League fields to the Back of the Dragon. We met with representatives from the Tazewell Little League prior to town council voting on this issue. We discussed what they want to see in new facilities & how we can accommodate them in the meantime. The agreement read at the town council meeting last night was designed to ensure the protection of the kids and our Little League program. Prior to any change of possession, the funding and location for new fields must have been identified. A big concern I’ve heard is that the purchase price for the current LL fields will not completely fund building two new facilities with all the necessary items required as replacements for what will be lost at the current fields. That is why the agreement states that if land and complete funding are not available or identified, then the deal does not go to closing. The agreement also ensures that the new fields must be equipped with all the necessary items like press boxes, restrooms, concession stand, and ample parking to ensure an enjoyable experience. We want the kids to have everything they need. The current fields leave a lot to be desired, they flood, lack parking & restroom facilities. New fields would be a great thing for our Little League program, which is very much a vital part of the community. This is an opportunity to make that happen. In the interim as new fields are being built, we will ensure there will be no break in play. The fields at Lincolnshire will be brought up to Little League codes & standards prior to & if the need arises to use them. In turn we are working with the county to find a new home for our recreation soccer program in the spring. All of these stipulations and many more are outlined in the agreement. The Back of the Dragon has agreed to these terms. No closing date will be set until these terms are met. A copy of this agreement may be obtained at Town Hall. You will see dates listed in the agreement, these are just placeholders and are not the actual dates in play here. Let me reiterate, we will not be closing on the sale of this property until these terms are met.
I would like to ask that prior to believing Town related business posted to social media, please ask me. I am here to help wherever I can. We hope to be able to release information soon regarding the expansion of the Back of the Dragon business. We do work diligently to attract new businesses & jobs to the area. Many things go on behind the scenes that you don’t see. I wish we had companies lining up to locate here & create jobs. The fact is that tourism is what we have going for us at this time. We are doing our best to make the most of the situation that our tourism efforts have found us in. Ensuring the kids are well taken care of in this deal is our top priority and a responsibility that I personally do not take lightly. I am a Little League parent too.”
Town Council also opted to implement a burning ban due to the extreme dry conditions. The ban will be in place until lifted by the Town of Tazewell Fire Department.
Full video of the September 10, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on August 13, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Sharon Thomas, owner of Tazewell Cinema & Entertainment, LLC., updated Town Council on the progress with the Tazewell cinema. Plans feature a full range theater that will not only offer a cinema experience, but also offer theatrical productions in conjunction with partners such as the Barter Theater. Sharon is working diligently to secure grants to assist with the renovation.
Full video of the August 13, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on July 9, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Vice Mayor Dr. Terry Mullins with Emily Hinkle, Director of the Attitude Arts Academy, along with students who participated in a national competition on June 20-21, 2019. The Town of Tazewell was among the many local sponsors who helped the students reach the competition. Per their Facebook page, these awards were received at nationals:
Emily Hinkle – 2019- 2020 Young Adult Miss Ultimate Starz title, Interview Award, Photogenic Award, Evening Wear Award, Talent Award and also competed her solo recieved Platinum. She was also on the All Starz Dance Team.
Paige Franke – Honorable mention in Young Miss Ultimate Starz and competed her solo that she choreographed and recieved a high Gold. She compete a trio and recieved high gold. She was on the All Starz Dance Team.
Audrey Miller – competed a trio and recieved high Gold. She was also on the All Starz Dance Team.
Isabella Powers – Honorable Mention in Little Miss Ultimate Starz. She compete her solo and recieved a high Gold. She was also member of the All Starz Dance Team.
Hunter Asbury – 2019-2020 Mini Master Ultimate Starz title, Photogenic Award, Evening Wear Award, Talent Award, Interview Award. He was also a member of the All Starz Dance Team.
Julie Noonan – member of All Starz Dance Team.
Drennon Laney approached Town Council in regard to a request to use Lincolnshire Park for an Airsoft Tournament on November 8th.
Town Council recognized Chris Hurley, who is the Zoning, Building and Property Official for the Town of Tazewell, for achieving his building certification requirements.
Full video of the July 9, 2019 Town Council meeting:
The monthly Town Council meeting was held on June 11, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.
Mayor Michael Hoops recognized the winners from the District 8 Skills USA Contest from the Tazewell County Career & Technical Center. Cynthia Beavers, Principal TCCTC, shared that Tazewell County was well represented by the students.
List of winners (per the TCCTC website):
Automotive Refinishing Technology: 1st Savannah Christian, 1st post secondary Taylor Williby
Automotive Service Tech: 1st Gage Wyatt, 2nd Andrew Arney
Barbering: 1st Marie Spence
Bricklaying: 2nd James Alexander, 3rd Zack Cangiano
Building Management: 1st Calei Curtis, 2nd Michael Ball, 3rd Cody Bogle
Collision Repair: 1st Brian Blankenship
Crime Scene Investigation: 2nd Amelyah Martin, Jakob Remines, Nicole Prater
Diesel: 1st Benjamin Coleman, 2nd Jerimiah Brill, 3rd Nick Smith
Esthetics: 1st Hannah Dillon, Caprea Worth
Fantasy Manikin: 3rd Avarey Baker, 8th Taylor Campbell
Job Skills Demo A: 1st Kayla Hodges. 3rd Tiffany Dunford
Maintenance and Light Repair: 1st Allen Smith, 2nd Byron Rose
Masonry: 1st Anthony Ball, 2nd Thomas Lovell
Marine Service Tech: 1st Jeffery Hagy, 2nd Andrew Honaker, 3rd Keonte Ellison
Motorcycle Repair: 1st Cole Baker, 2nd Andrew Lester, 3rd Justin Matney
Nails: 1st Katlyn Brown, Lakin Crabtree
Power Equipment Tech: 1st Cody Osbourne, 2nd Isaiah Neal
Welding: 1st Grayson Dillow
Charity Hurst, Principal of Tazewell Middle School, thanked the Town of Tazewell for their support. Charity worked diligently to implement a program to reduce school absenteeism. Part of her program featured a reward day at Lincolnshire Aqua Park, courtesy of the Town of Tazewell.
The Town of Tazewell also recognized Vice Mayor Dr. Terry Mullins for his efforts to restore the Tazewell Train Station. The 5-year restoration began in 2014 due to his perseverance and determination to rescue the landmark. Its grand opening was held in May 2019 and it now hosts the newly formed Tazewell County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Full video of the June 11, 2019 Town Council meeting: