Clifton Forge, VA (Dec. 9, 2025)— It was an eventful night at Clifton Forge's monthly town council meeting. For several months now, there has been talk both at council and the monthly Community Gatherings regarding the branding of Clifton Forge. Following a presentation by Shawn Terpack of Arnett Muldrow & Associates, all that talking is being put into action!
Terpack shared with council and several members of the community how his company has made several visits to Clifton Forge looking for inspiration behind the designs proposed at tonight's meeting. Terpack discussed his many conversations with Town Manager Chuck Unroe, and Director of Planning & Community Development, Dr. Maria Saxton, regarding the town's history, artwork, and regional interests.
Shortly after presenting his company's ideas, council unanimously approved the brand design.
Clifton Forge Fire Department Superintendent, Dustin Wilhelm, also spoke on the November 18th fire on Palace Boulevard and the community concerns regarding fire hydrant pressure. According to Wilhelm, the fire department arrived within four minutes and went straight to work. "The hydrant used was, in fact, a red hydrant that only provides us with 500 gallons per minute. Also, engine two utilized the other hydrant on Clifton Street as the second source of water for our engine. Also a red hydrant." The Selma Volunteer Fire Department, Iron Gate Fire Department, and Sharon Fire and Rescue all assisted with the fire, with the Covington Fire Department on standby.
"This is a normal operating procedure," Wilhelm said of having multiple agencies' assistance on the fire. "Any structure-related fire that we have is a four-company fire response whether we have fire through the roof of a structure or if it's someone simply smelling smoke at a residence."
The tanker, he explained is used because it's just another source of water alongside the hydrants. Wilhelm also explained the context surrounding a photograph posted online of a fire hose lying on the ground with little to no water coming out. Wilhelm stated that two other hoses were running and the system couldn't handle another apparatus in that area.
There seemed to be concern over the issue of water pressure, but there hasn't been an opportunity to get them tested, according to Wilhelm, due to the construction that's been going on. However, there are plans to have that done in the future and have the hydrants painted the appropriate color according to the amount of water pressure each provides.
Councilwoman Laudermilk noted that, due to her job at the Five Sides building, she saw the smoke that morning and, minutes later, flames engulfing the structure on Palace Boulevard. It is her belief that there was no saving the building, though she was grateful no one was injured.
Tonight's meeting was livestreamed on the Alleghany Journal Facebook and can now be viewed in its entirety.
|  | Clifton Forge Fire Department Superintendent Dustin Wilhelm spoke to council about the community concerns regarding November 18th's fire on Palace Boulevard.
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