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Clifton Forge Town Council Approves Burcham Contract Extension, $3,000 Pay Hike
Irvine, Umstead Questions Result In Council Formally Voting On The Measure
By Jerry E. Clark
 
Clifton Forge, VA (April 11, 2017) - The Clifton Forge Town Council finally did take up the matter of the Town Manager's contract extension and $3,000 pay raise on Tuesday night, averting a court battle with this newspaper and putting to rest an issue that has been in the local news over the course of the past week.

Councilman Jeff Irvine asked the town attorney, David Davis for his opinion of the previous vote (taken at the last town council meeting) and Davis said he believed that it was done legally. (At the end of this article are video links to provide readers with various comments on the evening).

A crowd of about 30 citizens showed up for the meeting, which represents about five times the normal number of spectators.

Prior to the vote, this writer challenged the town council and the mayor to do what "is right" and vote on the Burcham issues in a proper manner. However, shortly thereafter, local resident Diana Kling-Smith accused this writer of character assassination due to an editorial published on the AlleghanyJournal.com's website and associated Facebook page. She cited her knowledge of Virginia legal codes and other reasons why the previous council action was correct and strongly criticized this writer for being insulting and wrong. A video of her remarks is available at the end of this article.

Other speakers included Bruce Hyler, who criticized the council on a number of items, Rob Caplin, President of the C&O Historical Society, who gave the council and update on the C&O Historical Society's recent progress in dealing with the old turnaround on the former railroad property, local resident Jeffery Moore, who expressed doubts about a presentation he saw on AlleghanyJournal.com about some local wetlands, and more. Millboro's Bruce Hyler made a number of public comments about a range of issues he appears to have with respect to town operations. Alleghany County Sheriff Kevin Hall thanked the council for its previous support for the annual bike rodeo set Saturday, May 6th at the Jackson River Sports Complex.

Other Council Action

• The town approved its minutes of meetings held on March 28th and a special called meeting prior to the regular council session.

• approved a revised lease/purchase agreement for the Houff Corporation with respect to the former railroad property. Among the changes is a provision to hold the town harmless with respect to work being done on the property, assignment of the lease to an entity wholly owned by the Lessee; the manner in which the final determination of the value of the real estate is conducted, and an affirmation that the Town owns the property. The council approved the item unanimously.

• the council held a first reading of a resolution which would appropriate monies into the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget for donations for Con of the Mountain and Washington Park. Also, the town apparently has received a safety grant from the Virginia Municipal League for an equipment purchase for the fire department.

• unanimously approved new health insurance rates for town employee health insurance coverage through the Local Choice (TLC) program. The Town's rates for fiscal year 2017-2018 will increase by 8.5% for the Key Advantage 250 comprehensive plan. The Town currently pays for employee coverage only for the Key Advantage 250 plan. If the employee elects to have Key Advantage Expanded, dual or family coverage, theymust pay the cost difference. The Key Advantage 250 plan will increase from $616 per month to $666. The net increase cost to the town for the next year will be $25,800.

• unanimously approved a request for a "Way of the Cross" parade from the Eastern Alleghany Ministerial Association set for Friday, April 14, beginning at 11:15 a.m.

• unanimously approved a request from the area Chamber of Commerce to close Church Street between Jefferson Streeet and Commercial Street on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. for the Gran Fondo event.

Informational Items

• the Clifton Forge Police Department along with the Greenbrier Veterinary Hospoital will host a rabies clinic on Monday, April 24 from 1-4 p.m. at the Clifton Forge firehouse. Vaccinations for both dodgs and cats will cost $8.5 and other services will be available.

• among the events available soon: David Mallett will be in concert at the CFSOTA on April 28th, the Library will hold a Preschool Story Time on April 19 from 11 a.m.-noon, The Announcers have a concert set for Saturday, April 15th at 7 p.m. at the Historic Masonic Theatre and an Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Scott Hill Retirement Center on Saturday, April 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Town Manager Comments

Town Manager Darlene Burcham reminded everybody about the Easter Bonnett Parade set for Saturday scheduled at 11-noon - people will line up at the Elks Lodge. She indicated that the town is aware that its large town hall clock is not working properly and is figuring out how to repair it, a Corridor Curb Appeal cleanup is set 8 a.m.-til April 22, National Hoor Society students will paint some items on Mathews Park on Saturday, April 22nd, and a gazebo at Washington Park is under construction.

Videos

• Smith Berates Editor Over Editorial

•
Sheriff Hall Thanks Council For Bike Rodeo Support

• Moore Casts Doubt On Wetlands Concept

• CF Town Council Comments & A Contract Extension, Pay Raise For Burcham Approved

• Town Attorney Supports Previous CF Council Vote

• CF Town Council Comments & A Contract Extension, Pay Raise For Burcham Approved

• Burcham Makes Public Comments, April 11, 2017

• Hyler Addresses CF Council On April 11, 2017



 
 
 

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