News

Mayor Hoops and Town Council recognized the Tazewell Girls Junior League for their recent victory to become the 2024 Virginia Junior League Softball State Champions. Congratulations!

Mayor Hoops and Town Council also recognized the Tazewell Little League 11/12 Majors Baseball team for placing in the top four at the Virginia State Tournament. Congratulations!

New Executive Director of Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Killen, updated Town Council on upcoming events hosted by the Chamber. Their first initiative in Tazewell will feature Business Bridge Hour sessions on September 19th and January 16th. The sessions will be from 12 pm through noon at the Tazewell Train Station & Visitors Center and will explore strategies for area businesses to find sustainable growth.

Debra Wilson, along with fellow Class of 1973 graduates, shared exciting news with Town Council members that PBS Appalachia will feature their class in a new documentary. Debra spoke of the achievements of each and hopes their story might inspire future generations.

Mayor Hoops recognized new business, Fly Nails, with owner Emily Vance. Located at 693 Main Street, Emily offers a variety of nail tech services, including manicures. Welcome Emily!

Brittany Gilbert, of Feeding Southwest Virginia, introduced their mission to Town Council and indicated they are interested in including Tazewell as a monthly stop for their mobile marketplace. Their program helps prevent food insecurity in the region by providing food at reduced rates and participation. Manager Regon will work with the agency to help determine the logistics of making this service available in Tazewell.

Tazewell County TRIAD submitted a sponsorship request for a hole at their TRIAD Golf Classic. The tournament is a fundraiser that helps Tazewell County TRIAD sponsor their free public “Senior Safety Day” event, which includes presentations about crime prevention, elder abuse, fraud, and other issues affecting senior citizens, along with informational booths from various organizations and lunch for each attendee. 

Town Council made an official announcement regarding the Town Manager position, selecting the Interim Town Manager Leeanne Regon to fill this vacancy. Manager Regon has been employed by the Town of Tazewell for 18 1/2 years in varying positions, most recently as Treasurer and Clerk of Council. She has ensured that key projects have remained in operation and on schedule during her time as Interim Town Manager and thanked Town Council for trusting her to lead our town on its path to progress. Congratulations Manager Regon!

Manny Elswick, on behalf of the Main Street United Methodist Church, requested Town Council’s support for an upcoming fundraiser event being planned, “A Concert for Kenya.” The concert will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. at the Back of the Dragon, and will feature former American Idol winner, Lee DeWyze, with special guest Bristol Lightning.

Jeanette Wilson, on behalf of Friends of Juneteenth in Tazewell County, requested Town Council’s support the upcoming Juneteenth events. Though officially commemorated on June 19th, a celebration of Juneteenth will be held by the community on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16. The June 15th celebration will kick-off at 11:00 a.m. with a program on Main Street at the Altizer Stage area, followed by a walking parade to Carline Avenue, where the celebration continues with food and fellowship. On Sunday, a Juneteenth worship service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Nuckolls Hall at the Tazewell County Fairgrounds, with a dinner afterward. For the Saturday event, the rain location will be Nuckolls Hall. The public is invited to attend the events.

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.