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Government

  • County thanks administrator for seven years of service

    INDEPENDENCE — Grayson County held a farewell party for outgoing County Administrator Jonathan Sweet last week, in the Boardroom of the Grayson County Courthouse. The celebration consisted of refreshments, reflections and fellowship with the community.
    Sweet has accepted the position of County Administrator in Pulaski County, and will begin his new job on Jan. 16, 2017. He has served his position as County Administrator in Grayson County since June 1, 2009.

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  • County holds organizational meeting

    The Grayson County Board of Supervisors held their Organizational Meeting at the Matthews State Forest Meeting Center in Galax on Jan. 3.
    The meeting is held at the first of each year to elect a chair and vice chair; a clerk and deputy clerk; and review and approve changes to the board’s rules and procedures, and their code of conduct.
    The meeting opened with County Administrator Jonathan Sweet, who called the meeting to order and began with the election of officers.

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  • Treasurer proposes revision for delinquent properties

    INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County Board of Supervisors received a proposal this month to align the county’s policy of putting real estate up for auction with the Code of Virginia.
    Grayson County Treasurer Kelly Haga approached the board at their Jan. 12 meeting to present the proposal, which would shorten the time frame for delinquent taxes to be paid off before homes are sold at auction.

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  • Guide to the 2017 General Assembly

    Professional lobbyists aren’t the only ones who can have a voice at the General Assembly in Richmond. Thanks to the internet, you can see what legislators are up to and share your opinions.
    Here’s a guide to the basics for this year’s session, which begins Jan. 11 and runs through February

    Do Your Homework
    Become familiar with the legislation beyond what you read or hear.

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  • County seeks new administrator

    INDEPENDENCE — Following the announcement that Jonathan Sweet would resign the County Adminstrator position to accept a new job in Pulaski, the Grayson County Board of Supervisors has worked as a team to carefully select the right candidate to fill the empty seat.
    Sweet’s announced last year that he had accepted the position of county administrator in Pulaski. His last day was Jan. 16.

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  • Training Center bills fail in General Assembly

    By BRIAN FUNK
    Staff

    RICHMOND ­— Two bills from local legislators aimed at keeping the Southwestern Virginia Training Center open have failed to advance in the Virginia General Assembly.
    Del. Israel O’Quinn (R–5th District) and Del. Jeff Campbell (R–6th District) both introduced bills in the House of Delegates to stop or delay the training center’s scheduled closing in 2018. Their districts include the area served by the mental health facility in Carroll County.

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  • Fries introduces new town manager

    FRIES — February’s Fries Town Council meeting opened with the introduction of Brian Martin, who will serve as a part-time town manager along with Brian Reed.
    Martin is employed by the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, and serves as a circuit town manager for the Glade Spring and Troutdale communities in addition to his new position in Fries.
    Martin’s day job, he says, is his position as a loan funds administrator.
    Martin has been involved with town management for the past five years, and has been with Mount Rogers for 16 years.

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  • New state laws introduced July 1

    Nearly 1,800 laws were passed during the 2017 General Assembly and many will affect our daily lives after taking effect July 1. Here are a few:

    Left lane fines
    Slower drivers who camp out in the left lane can be fined $100 (House Bill 2201). Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Bristol, told WTOP radio the change would address “a particularly pervasive and ever-growing problem of cars going grossly under the speed limit in the left lane.”

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  • County, school boards hold close-out meetings for end-of-year funding

    Grayson County boards put an end to budget discussions last week, closing out their budget years with positive numbers and a favorable outlook for the year.
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    The Grayson County School Board’s close-out meeting for the FY 2017 year was held at the Independence Middle School Library on June 26.
    Summarizing the totals, Dr. Ted Phillips, Director of Finance, said, “We came up short in some areas, but ahead in others. I am happy to report that we will meet the June and July payroll, and all of the June bills.”

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  • Independence approves town budget

    INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Town Council recently approved their governmental and utility budgets for FY 2017-18.
    This year’s governmental budget totals approximately $1,617,070; and the utility budget total is approximately $2,279,190. There is no tax or water/sewer increase in the budget. Real estate taxes will remain at 14 cents per $100.
    The budget was approved by a unanimous vote by the council during their June meeting.
    The council held a public hearing for the budget in May, but no one signed up to speak.

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