Evangelist Mike Trent Named To Buchanan Hall of Fame
Hecker Earns Volunteer Award

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor  
  Evangelist Mike Trent, of the Little Prater Church of Christ, was inducted into the Buchanan County Hall of Fame last Thursday.
  Despite an ice and snow storm which wreaked havoc on area roads and resulted in several wrecks (see related story, this issue), the show went on and a sizeable crowd was able to make it to Riverview for the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet where Trent was inducted into the Hall of Fame and Sr. Mary Hecker was named the Volunteer of the Year.
  Hecker, who resides at Hurley, was unable to make it across Rockhouse Mountain to attend the banquet due to the winter storm, but was recognized in her absence. She was presented with a plaque denoting the honor, Monday.
  Dr. Clint Sutherland presented the Hall of Fame award to Trent, noting that Trent is a healer, as he said he also tries to be.
  “He heals with his touch, his words, his wisdom, his comfort, and his presence and is a friend to all who know him and those who don’t know him,” Sutherland said of Trent.
  He called him “a man of his word,” raised at a time when one’s word was a contract with no wiggle room around that contract.
  “He is there with you when you are born and is there when you die,” Sutherland added.
  “We live in a world of selfishness, but this gentleman is the epitome of selflessness,” Sutherland continued. “I consider him a part of the greatest generation, and though he did not fight in World War II, he grew up knowing that honesty really matters and he put others first at a sacrifice to himself.”
  Sutherland said there was not enough time Thursday night or in the rest of the month to list all that Trent has done for others. He said Trent had been chosen by God to receive God’s paradox of blessings.
  “God has bestowed upon him the cross of suffering, but for his reward, I have no doubt he will receive his Crown of Glory,” Sutherland added.
  Trent, he added, built his first church on a creekside at age 10 and has been preaching ever since.
  Sutherland quoted from Matthew 25, verses 34-40 in which scripture relates, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
  Sutherland called Trent “an excellent representative for all that is good about Buchanan County, the state of Virginia and this country.”
  Trent accepted the plaque denoting the Hall of Fame honor, telling those gathered he felt humbled having been chosen for the award.
  He said he viewed his life’s work as one of service and added, “I hope to have many years yet to serve you and to be a help to you.”
  Chris Mitchell presented the Volunteer of the Year award naming Sr. Mary Hecker as its recipient.
  Mitchell noted that Hecker, who is a Catholic nun of the order of School Sisters of Notre Dame based in Mankato, Minn., was once quoted as saying, “I serve as the Lord calls. The Lord led me here.”
  “We are thankful to have her in Buchanan County, Mitchell said.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  To subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.  

Ashby Fired from Sheriff's Department
Foster Says Reason 'Not Political'

  Long-time Buchanan County Sheriff's Department employee Randy Ashby was fired last week, just days after Ashby confirmed to Sheriff Ray Foster he would seek the Democrat nomination for sheriff.
  If successful in garnering the nomination, Ashby would oppose Foster, the Republican incumbent -- his boss until last Thursday -- in the November 2007 county election.
  Foster said Thursday that Ashby's firing was not for political reasons.
  Ashby disagreed and said while Foster told him he was not firing him for political reasons, he felt it was his decision to seek the Democrat nomination to potentially oppose Foster in November which resulted in his firing.
  "He said he was not firing me for political reasons, but because I was opposing him," Ashby said.
  Ashby was fired effective the close of business last Thursday.
  When asked about his reasons for firing Ashby, Foster alleged, "he violated my trust and lied to me."
  He alleged Ashby had previously indicated to him he would not run against him for the position of sheriff.
  With Ashby's announcement last week that he would see the Democrat nomination, Foster alleged it was his belief Ashby had "broke my trust."
  He said about a year and a half ago Ashby had indicated to him he would not run against him.
  Asked if Ashby was fired for political reasons, Foster said, "I could care less about his politics. If it had been that I wouldn't have kept him on to begin with."
  He referred to the fact that Ashby had worked for former Democrat Sheriff Paul Crouse and indicated after he (Foster) was elected and took office, he had chosen to keep Ashby on, initially as chief deputy. That changed about a year ago when Ashby was moved to the 29th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force at what Ashby said was a cut in pay.
  Asked if there was any other reason for the firing, Foster said, "no, there's not really any other reasons, but it would be kinda hard to work for somebody you're opposing . . . but it's not a political reason."
  Ashby said Foster approached him last Monday indicating he was hearing rumors Ashby intended to seek election. Ashby said he confirmed he did intend to seek the Democrat nomination. His formal announcement appeared in last Thursday's issue of the Virginia Mountaineer.
  "He asked me if I was going to resign and I said, 'no, I'm not'," Ashby said.
  He said Foster indicated the next day (Tuesday) he was firing Ashby.
  Ashby said he was told he was being fired, not because he was a Democrat or an independent, but because he was opposing Foster.
  Ashby said he asked Tuesday to be allowed to stay on a couple more days in order to show those in the drug task force what his job was as it related to certain aspects of it so those continuing to work would have knowledge of how to fill out some of the paperwork he has been responsible for completing. Foster agreed to allow him to stay until the close of business Thursday.
  He noted that a section of the code of Virginia specifically states no locality will prohibit law enforcement officers from participating in political activities while they are off duty, out of uniform and not on the premises of their employment. Included in the defined list of political activities is "becoming a political candidate."
  "I told him I was not yet a candidate, but only intending to seek the nomination," Ashby said.
  As far as his firing, Ashby said he was checking into his options on what to do next.
  "I would have no problem continuing my employment with the sheriff's department because I have dedicated the past 23 years to the department," Ashby said.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  To subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.