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News
Supervisors discuss banning 'drag shows'
By CHAD COOPER
ccooper@hdmediallc.com
The Buchanan County Board of Supervisors discussed adopting a resolution that would ban drag shows throughout the county.
According to urbandictionary.com, a drag show is defined as, “a social event, typically at bars, where some males and females dress as the opposite gender.”
Buchanan County resident Danny Lowe addressed the supervisors and referenced a drag show that was held at East Tennessee State University in late March and asked the board to prevent drag shows within the boundaries of Buchanan County.
Rocklick Supervisor Craig Stiltner asked Lowe if there was someone wanting to dress up as a drag queen.
“If you open your eyes, you would see more of that jibber than what a person might believe,” Lowe said.
Knox Supervisor Trey Adkins said he would rather close his eyes if that is what is going on. Adkins made the motion to adopt a resolution which would ban drag shows within Buchanan County which was seconded by Stiltner.
They later withdrew the motion in lieu of a legal consultation.
Buchanan County resident Anita Cooper asked the board if they passed a resolution that banned drag shows, would it include the $1.98 pageants that schools host for fundraisers.
Lowe said he felt like those $1.98 pageants at the schools are a little different.
“It’s drag,” Anita Cooper said.
The board agreed that attorney Lee Moise would be consulted before revisiting the subject.
News
Buchanan Co. recognizes 911 dispatch office with NPSTW
By CHAD COOPER
ccooper@hdmediallc.com
Members of the Buchanan County 911 Dispatch Office includes from
left (front), Tammy Hibbitts, Jeanna Plumley, Megan Stump, Anita
Bowman, Tiny Perry, Amanda Shrader, Josh Stiltner, Jason Goff,
Martaya Herron, Jonathon “Jon Boy” Hurley, Hannah Bostic, Carrie
Owens and Amanda Waters.
Chad Cooper | Virginia Mountaineer
In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week/Dispatcher Appreciation Week, it is time to celebrate Buchanan County’s “first” first responders.
The second week of April is slated as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the United States and dedicated to the men and women who serve the communities to honor them for their commitment, service, and sacrifice in the 911 dispatch office.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office sent out a thank you to the 911 dispatch office in an email to the Mountaineer last Friday.
“In honor of Public Safety Telecommunications Week, Sheriff John McClanahan and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize and extend our appreciation to the Dispatchers at Buchanan County 911 for the job they do. These Dispatchers go above and beyond every day to ensure the safety of first responders and all citizens in Buchanan County. We are blessed to have such a dedicated team of professionals ready to send help during your time of need — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, one of the individuals shown here is always there when the phone rings. If you see one of them out and about this week, let them know their work is appreciated.”
NPSTW was initially started in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California. In 1994, President William J. Clinton signed Presidential Proclamation 6667, declaring the second week of April as NPSTW. In that proclamation, President Clinton said NPSTW is a time to celebrate and thank telecommunications personnel across the nation who serve our communities, citizens, and public safety personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Members of the Buchanan County 911 dispatch includes; Carrie Owens (Chief Dispatcher and 911 Dispatch Coordinator), Tammy Hibbitts, Jeanna Plumley, Megan Stump, Anita Bowman, Tiny Perry, Amanda Shrader, Josh Stiltner, Jason Goff, Martaya Herron, Jonathon “Jon Boy” Hurley, Hannah Bostic and Amanda Waters.
News
GOP set for primary, Sawyers only Democrat who has filed locally
By CHAD COOPER
ccooper@hdmediallc.com
The Buchanan County Republican Committee has its June 20 Republican Primary ballot set.
The following is a list of candidates who have filed for candidacy and will be running for office on the Republican ticket:
Knox District
(contested: 2 candidates)
Trey Adkins
Pamela Tester Wilson
North Grundy District
(contested: 2 candidates)
K. Lee Dotson
W. Ryan Clevinger
Prater District
(contested: 2 candidates)
Mark David Rose
Eddie Sturgill
The following candidates were unopposed as of the filing deadline so they are the nominees of the Republican Party in their districts for the General Election in November, 2023:
South Grundy District
G. Roger Rife
Rocklick District
Craig Stiltner
Hurricane District
Tim Hess
Garden District
Jeff Cooper
According to Buchanan County Democratic Chairman Vern Presley, Danny Sawyers is the only Democrat that has filed for candidacy as Sawyers will be running for Rocklick Supervisor in November.
News
Good Friday added to holiday pay schedule for Buchanan Co. employees
By CHAD COOPER ccooper@hdmediallc.com
There was good news for county employees as the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors voted to count Good Friday as a paid holiday.
The decision did come with some controversy as Rocklick Supervisor Craig Stiltner did not approve.
Stiltner said he did not have an issue with Good Friday, he said he was tired of the employees asking for additional days off. He said the employees requested the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off and if a holiday comes on a Thursday or Friday then they want the following Monday off.
“It’s just always asking for extra days,” Stiltner said. “They (county employees) got the days and they should be thankful of the days they got but they always want more. That’s ridiculous, they get 30 to 40 some days off.”
Garden Supervisor Jeff Cooper made the motion to give the employees Good Friday off which was seconded by Prater Supervisor and vice-chairman Drew Keene seconded it passed in a 6-1 vote with Stiltner voting in opposition to the motion.
Cooper then made a motion to add Good Friday to the list of paid holidays off from now on. Keene seconded the motion and it passed in a 6-1 vote. Stiltner also voted in opposition to the motion.
In other business, Supervisors accepted S&B Sealing and Striping of Slate Creek’s bid of $5,500 to clean and seal the parking lot at the Buchanan County Government Center.
North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham made the motion to accept S&B’s bid which was seconded by Garden Supervisor Jeff Cooper and passed in a 6-1 vote with Rocklick Supervisor Craig Stiltner opposing the motion.
Additionally, the supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Buchanan County IDA executive director and the county’s tourism and marketing director Matt Fields to the People Incorporated Board of Directors.
Supervisors unanimously approved an additional appropriation of $78,157.00 for funding received from the State of Virginia Fire Fund to be divided equally among fire departments located in Buchanan County with the exception of Jewell Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Other additional appropriations approved by the board included the following:
• $8,287.15 to the Buchanan County Public Library.
• $950.00 to William P. Harris Park.
• $500.00 to William P. Harris Park.
• $300.00 to Rocklick Park and Recreations
• $75.65 to Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
• $15,901.65 to Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.
In other business, Cooper resigned from the Cumberland Industries Facilities Authority and the supervisors appointed Hurricane Supervisor and board chairman Tim Hess as Cooper’s replacement.
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