Big Rock Woman Dies In Single Car Wreck

by JoBeth Wampler
Staff Reporter
  A Big Rock woman died Friday in a single vehicle accident at Poetown.
  According to Grundy Police Chief Mike Cox, Mary Riley, 62, was traveling eastbound on Route 460 when witnesses observed her driving erratically.
  At approximately 8:46 a.m., she crossed the double line into westbound traffic and lost control of her 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, impacting a retaining wall head on.
  Upon impact, the vehicle spun around and came to rest in the right lane of westbound traffic.
  Witnesses alleged Riley "slumped over" prior to impact, Cox said.
  Riley, who was on her way to a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment in Vansant, was transported to Buchanan General Hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.
  "There is reason to believe something happened before she got there," he said, suggesting a possible medical emergency.
  Additionally, her emergency lights were on when police arrived at the scene, Cox said.
  Further details are pending an autopsy.

DSS Board Hires Director

by Scotty Wampler
Staff Reporter
  Riverview Elementary/Middle School teacher Judy Holland was named director of the Buchanan County Department of Social Services Monday, ending months of uncertainty regarding the long-vacant position.
  Holland was approved by the DSS Administrative Board on a 5-1-1 vote, with South Grundy Board Member Henry Farmer casting the lone vote of dissent. Prater District Board Member Paul Hayes abstained.
  Tazewell attorney Shea Cook, citing several concerns about the process, asked to address the board about the vacancy prior to the closed session discussion to choose a director, but was denied the opportunity by Knox District Board Chairman Tolbert Prater (see related story, this issue). Cook managed to get in a few comments before the doors were shut.
  In a list of ranked candidates for the vacant position compiled by a DSS interview panel last fall, Tammy Fields, an existing employee of the county DSS office, who the current board interviewed on January 15, along with Holland and DSS Employee Brenda Jackson, was reportedly ranked in the number one slot. Holland was reportedly ranked fifth out of the five candidates on that list. The initial round of interviews were conducted by two neighboring county social service department directors, the regional director and Buchanan County's administrator.
  When asked why the board leapfrogged over who the initial interview panel considered to be the most qualified candidate in favor of Holland, Prater responded by saying, "I voted for who I thought was qualified. I have no more comment on that."
  During the new administrative board's organizational meeting in January, interim DSS director Sherina Justus gave the incoming board members a memo stating officials with the Virginia Department of Social Services were recommending the new board re-advertise the vacant position of director due to the six months that had passed without filling the position.
  "Due to the length of time it is taking to fill this position and with the change to the board, it is recommended that the position be re-advertised," Daphne Reid wrote to fellow VDSS official Tony Fritz in an e-mail dated January 11. "This will give the new board the opportunity to hire the most qualified applicant for the director position."
  The board instead opted to ignore the recommendation, moving ahead with the process of hiring a director without re-advertising the position.
  Though two additional candidates were expected to be interviewed for the position Monday, neither attended the meeting.
  Following an approximately 40-minute closed session, Garden District Board Member Laura Elkins made the motion to appoint Holland to the position at an annual salary of $60,000, with benefits. Hurricane District Board Member Ruby Ratliff Hale seconded the motion.
  The vote saw Elkins, Hale, Prater, Rocklick Board Member Emogene Elswick and North Grundy Board Member Harold Thornbury vote "yes;" Farmer vote "no;" and Hayes abstain.
  Holland will assume the position March 1.
  Monday's meeting was the second for the newly organized board, recently appointed when the board of supervisors dissolved the old DSS advisory board and re-initiated the administrative board form of governance.
  The board will meet again February 12 at 5 p.m.