Nearly a year after the Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to begin the process of closing a section of Dogwood Road in Critz, more than 20 residents urged the board to reconsider during its July 13 meeting.
The proposed closure involves the section of Dogwood Road directly in front of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School (HRMS).
The Patrick County School Board voted June 17, 2025, to ask the Board of Supervisors to begin the process of abandoning that section of the road. The supervisors approved a resolution to discontinue the roadway in a 3-1-1 vote at their Sept. 8 meeting, and the school board reaffirmed its support for the closure at its June meeting.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been working with the Patrick County Board of Supervisors and Patrick County School Board to discuss the options for Dogwood Road, according to a Salem District VDOT spokesperson.
“Last fall, the required 30-day public hearing advertisement in the newspaper for the proposed discontinuance did not appear. This error was outside of VDOT’s control, but it means that further steps are required prior to any action being taken on Dogwood Road, either by the County or VDOT. We will continue to work with the county during this process and next steps,” according to the spokesperson.
Tara Burgess said closing that portion of Dogwood Road would harm the Critz community by eliminating a central intersection and reducing access to local destinations.
“It would remove the center feeling at that intersection and impede access to the Envision Critz Community Center and Park. I feel that closing Dogwood Road does active harm to new businesses in the area, notably Clay & Twig and Glenn’s Grill (& Go),” she said.
Burgess said the proposal stems from concerns about students crossing the road to reach the school gymnasium, but noted students would also cross the road to access the community center and park.
“Is the school board going to close Abram Penn (Road) next? It also has safety issues with students and communities, such as that blind hill. Where would we be voting? Would we move that voting area because we can’t get to that gymnasium anymore? Where would our recycling bins go?” Burgess asked.
She added that residents and the (VDOT) have suggested several alternatives to closing the road.
Rhonda Pruitt said she, her father and her four children all attended HRMS and she is unaware of any accidents involving students crossing the road.
“You know why? Because of the staff. We have an excellent staff at that school,” she said.
Pruitt said HRMS students are taught to cross safely and later must navigate more challenging traffic situations at Patrick County High School.
“We’re preparing them to go on. We’re not treating them like children; we want them to succeed. That’s what we’re here for. They know the words ‘stop’ and ‘go,’ and they tell you when you come on your third-grade trip you don’t go across that road without somebody with you,” she said.
Pruitt said she’s also the Poll Chief for the Critz/Stella Precinct, located at the HRMS gym. It is the largest precinct in the county, with more than 1,700 assigned registered voters.
“Have any of you thought of where you’re going to put us? Where will we go to vote? You can’t tell us they’re not going to vote. You’ve got to find somewhere for them to go, and that is where they’re all used to,” she said.
Ed Anthony said the board approved the closure without adequately considering local businesses, residents and property owners.
“We the people presented a petition of 466 signatures to keep the road open, with several safety precautions noted to be installed such as stop signs, flashing caution lights, drop bars at the crosswalk and others to keep the children safe,” he said.
Anthony also argued the board’s action should be invalid because, he said, it was not properly advertised and the resolution cited a different reason for the closure than originally presented.
“It stated that the road no longer provides sufficient public convenience to warrant maintenance, instead of the safety reasons that were proposed by the school board at the meeting for the reason to close that section of the road,” he said.
Anthony said that if the road is closed, reopening it would require significant expense to meet VDOT standards.
“Once that road is closed, it will never return,” he said.
Leroy Trent said he has never seen or heard of an accident on that section of Dogwood Road.
“I don’t think the road needs closing because it’s going to create a big hazard. I’ve got tractor-trailers, and we cut through there sometimes, and if we go through that road (Crossover Drive), it’s going to be a disaster,” Trent said.
Vance Agee also argued the vote to close the road is invalid.
“Therefore, start all over again. VDOT offered up many alternatives. You have 25 percent of that community, even a petition, against closing that road,” he said.
Agee said the county should continue discussing alternatives.
“If that road is not worthy of being maintained for what few dollars it is to put a little asphalt, tar, and gravel of it, then I would also challenge the question of the legitimacy of the enrollment and the headcount for the current and the next 10 years for Hardin Reynolds School.
“It’s a business. You’ve got a balance sheet, and the revenues that come in as a result of a legitimate enrollment and headcount need to be considered because the spending for the payroll, maintenance and operation of that facility is part of the expenditures,” Agee said.
Galen Gilbert said he recently drove Crossover Drive, the detour motorists would use if the road is closed.
“You have to pull halfway out into Abram Penn just to see down toward the post office. Now how safe is that? And where are they going to put the people who pick up their kids that line up from the school all the way past Critz Baptist Church?” Gilbert asked.
Gilbert said a nearby building recently was moved to improve visibility and suggested Appalachian Power clear trees near utility poles to further improve sight distance.
In other business
Heard from Stanley Fain, who said some Patrick Springs residents are being billed for Public Service Authority water service despite not being connected.
Heard from Steve Ferring regarding the county budget and operations at the Patrick County Jail.
Heard from Dan Wood about Appalachian Power’s herbicide spraying.
Heard from Galen Gilbert regarding the need for a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 58, South Mayo Drive and Spring Road.
Presented the July Patrick County Partner Award to Dr. Richard Cole.
Recognized Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer Ruth Russell for her service to the county.
Approved a resolution documenting changes to a 0.75-mile section of U.S. 58 that was widened during a 2016 construction project.
Denied Appalachian Power’s Mayo River Station easement request.
Received an update from Department of Social Services Director Carol Craig.
Reappointed Ron Haley to a four-year term on the Economic Development Authority.
Approved the June 8 meeting minutes.
Approved bills, claims and appropriations.
Received the county administrator’s report.
Received supervisors’ reports.
