Town Council 2024

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!