Three recipients of the Appalachian School of Law service award and the winner of a special lifetime service award were recognized Friday for their service to their communities and their professions during ASL’s annual Founders Day luncheon.
       Herbert Deskins Jr.; the Honorable Pamela M. Sargent; and the Honorable Steven H. Jones each received the 2006 Appalachian Service award.
      A Special Lifetime Service Award (see related story, this page) was presented posthumously in recognition of the life of the late Judge Frederick H. Combs. His wife, Elene accepted the award.
       The service awards were established to recognize lawyers or judges residing in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee or West Virginia, who have displayed throughout their careers distinctive service to their profession and or humanitarian community service.
        Keynote speaker at the luncheon was U.S. Attorney John Brownlee (see related story, page one).
        In making the presentations, ASL President Lu Ellsworth noted recipients of the service award are chosen from among written nominations submitted for the award. Through their service to their professions and the community, he said, they "provide leadership, direction and wisdom."
       "From its inception, the law school has emphasized the responsibility of lawyers and judges to serve their communities and profession," Ellsworth said. "The distinguished careers of these individuals provide outstanding examples of service to their profession and communities."
 

       The date for the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting has been changed.
       The meeting was originally set for Monday, April 24, however, Chamber Director Mary Belcher said scheduling conflicts resulted in a decision this week to change the meeting date to Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m.
        The Tuesday meeting will be held at the Breaks Interstate Park.
        Featured guests will be Del. Dan Bowling and Sen. Phillip Puckett.
        For additional information, interested persons may call the chamber at 276-935-4147.

         Some thirty people took part in Buchanan County’s third Tri-County Illegal Dump Cleanup event last Thursday on Rt. 642, Elkins Branch Road.
         When it was all said and done, 7.5 tons of trash were cleaned up and according to Cumberland Plateau Regional Waste Management Authority Recycling Coordinator Toby Edwards, volunteer efforts went so well, an additional site was cleaned at the gap on Elkins Branch.
         North Grundy Supervisor Carol Branham stopped by to give his support to the effort.
         Branham commended the volunteers and staff, stating he "appreciated those in attendance for helping make Buchanan County a cleaner place to live."
        Also on hand was Earl Rife-Buchanan County Director of Public Works, who provided staff and equipment for the event.
         "A lot of time and resources went into this cleanup effort," Rife said, adding he hoped citizens will see that Buchanan County is a beautiful place to live and not a place to improperly throw their trash over the hill. Edwards pointed out that citizens should not be illegally dumping.
         "All three of the counties I work with have a great program for its citizens to properly dispose of their household waste," Edwards said. "In most cases, the counties have door-to-door garbage collection and sites for large appliances to be dropped off."
          Rife pointed out that citizens wishing to drop off large appliances may do so at the Hoot Owl site (old landfill) and tires may be dropped off at the Keen Mountain Transfer Station Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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