By Angela H. Hill
At Monday’s meeting, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support the Virginia Department of Transportation’s plan to pave Belcher Mountain Road. The project could begin as early as spring.
Although several residents came to the meeting to speak in favor of paving the dirt road, only two addressed the board after Blue Ridge District Supervisor Karl Weiss shared that most of the residents along the road have contacted him.
“It’s overwhelming that the majority want Belcher Mountain Road paved,” Weiss said. He shared that he received emails and phone calls from 39 people in favor of the project, plus an endorsement from Edgeview Mountain Estates.
Mayo District Supervisor Lock Boyce agreed that the “majority should win,” and said paving what’s called a “rural rustic road” costs about half as much as paving other types of roads; plus, this project involves little loss of right-of-way.
VDOT owns and is responsible for Belcher Mountain Road, and the paving project is already on the department’s Six-Year Improvement Plan, a document that outlines planned spending for transportation projects for the next six years.
Travis Joyce, a resident from the Blue Ridge District, said that while “one or two” people are opposed to paving the road, he struggles with the dust, the washout, and how to get heavy equipment up the dirt road.
“There’s too much traffic now,” Joyce said of Belcher Mountain Road, “it’s too long a road not to keep attention to it … we need to stop interfering with VDOT’s work.”
Basketball goals
The most spirited discussion at the board meeting revolved around returning two basketball goals to DeHart Park in Stuart. Opinions differed on whether these goals were taken down as recently as two or as long as 25 years ago.
Boyce said that he’s seen 40 to 50 children waiting to use the two existing goals, and he feels the concrete pad is not regularly used, therefore, the county should put the two old goals up to give the players more space.Boyce also questioned why the old goals were removed, saying that he was told the removal was rooted in racial discrimination.
“People shoot basketball regardless of race or ethnicity,” Boyce said, “and these basketball players are part of Patrick County. They deserve to play basketball.”
On the other hand, Frank Pettway, a recreation committee member who served as director of the DeHart Pool this summer, said he sees no need to bring back the two goals because he has not seen children waiting to use the courts.
“I was there every day, multiple times per day; morning, evening, afternoon. I never saw 40 to 50 kids playing basketball,” Pettway said. He added that the goals were taken down because the committee said the goals “attracted elements we didn’t want in the park: pick-up trucks were backing into the court, there was loud music, alcohol and profanity.”
Weiss—along with Peters Creek Supervisor Rickie Fulcher, Smith River District Supervisor Crystal Harris, and Dan River District Supervisor and Board Chairman Roger Hayden—said that the underlying issue is whether the board of supervisors should dictate to the county parks and recreation how to manage county parks.
All but Boyce voted not to get involved in the goals decision. Hayden said that while the recreation department may look into re-installing the goals—and it may choose to put back the old goals—he will not mandate that action.
Weiss agreed: “This should be [parks and rec’s] decision, and not this board’s decision.” Harris also agreed, saying that“What works out for the best is to govern yourself. I don’t have an issue as long as no one is having problems.”
Meals referendum
On Nov. 8, county voters will decide whether to allow Patrick County to add a 4-percent tax to meals served at dining establishments throughout the county. The Town of Stuart already levies such a tax, but the county cannot do so without voter approval.
The meals tax has been widely debated in the past, and voters have defeated the proposal at least six times.
Bill Moore, a resident of the Smith River District, addressed the board during the public comment period. Moore said that according to county budget for fiscal year 2016, Patrick has exceeded its tax revenue projections by $1.3 million.
“Are we expecting some sort of financial decline in the county?” Moore asked board members. “Why do we need a four-percent tax?”
Boyce pointed out that yes, the board wanted to follow county voters’ wishes regarding the tax—but, he feels many are misinformed about the issue. For example, he said, it does not apply to food purchased at the grocery store.
Also, because several county restaurants are in town, the meals tax would affect only outlying establishments, Boyce continued.One of the largest of those, however, is the luxury resort Primland.
“We’re really glad they’re here,” Boyce said, “and they’re a major asset to this county—but we should tax their patrons … I would like to tax the millionaires that come to Patrick County and use that to pay for EMS.”
Weiss agreed, noting that “This is a tax paid by people who are flying here from California to enjoy our beautiful area.”
