Hillsville’s successful streak of funding applications continued on June 24 when it unofficially announced success at obtaining another grant, courtesy of the efforts of Governor Glenn Youngkin and State Senator Bill Stanley.
A new Clerk of Council was also chosen during the Town’s regular meeting to take over duties for longtime Hillsville Staffer Vickie Yonce, who has served as the Clerk of Council for 21 years.
Assistant to the Town Manager Valerie Padgett shared congratulations from Town Manager LeAnna Surratt to Yonce for her years of service as council clerk. It was noted that Yonce had requested her service as Clerk of Council not be officially celebrated until her 40th year of service as a town employee recognition, which will occur in August.
“We have great things planned for July Fourth,” said Padgett. “The parade will begin at 4 o’clock with our Independence Day festivities to commence at the VFW thereafter. LeAnna was contacted last week by Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office. Hillsville has been awarded a $50,000 grant. Only three localities in Virginia have been awarded this. It is a Community Business Launch grant. We will have more details on the logistics of this grant shortly.”
Tentative plans for the annual celebration call for children’s activities such as inflatables, face painting and a clown will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with free watermelon given out at 5 p.m. and a 6 p.m. concert. The fireworks show will be held at dark.
Councilman Greg Yonce said he had enjoyed a recent Carroll Wellness Center event and said he was glad to see the center doing well and planning on an addition to continue growing. Councilmen David Young, Barry Jessup and Yonce praised the work of town crews at keeping the town looking well. Jessup and Young both thanked Vickie Yonce for her work. Later in the meeting council appointed Padgett as clerk, effective July 1.
Council honored employee Casey Adams for 10 years of service to the town. Yonce will continue on in her capacity as utilities/payroll coordinator for the town.
“I want to congratulate Vickie for keeping us in line and on time. I want to thank all the town workers. The town looks good. Everybody seems to be real happy with what’s going on,” said Jessup.
Mayor Greg Crowder said in his 13 years on council she had always been “spot on, not one problem, not one copy wrong” in preparing minutes from council meetings.
“Out of three thousand other Virginians....Governor Youngkin picked us. Senator Stanley helped us get that. It is a pretty big deal. It’s a lot of money for us and hopefully the first of a lot of good things to come our way. We have a lot of fish hooks in the water and we are getting bites,” Crowder said. “I want to thank LeAnna and you, Valerie, for doing what it took...the paperwork for grants is unbelievable.”
It is hoped the duo’s efforts will also put Hillsville in line to receive another grant to increase governmental capacity for the benefit of citizens.
The Community Business Launch (CBL) program is designed to stimulate business creation and growth, promoting a thriving local economy. With the $50,000 grant, Hillsville aims to support new and existing businesses, creating a vibrant downtown area that attracts residents and visitors alike. Further details about the Community Business Launch program and its implementation in Hillsville will be shared soon. For more information, please contact the office at 276-728-2128 or leanna@townofhillsville.com.
Council also approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget amendments and approved an appropriation resolution for the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget, documenting it had appropriately advertised and conducted a public hearing on the proposed budget presented by the town manager.
According to the Hillsville Police Department (HPD) activity report for June 1 through June 15, five warrants were served with the department conducting 534 business checks and personal welfare checks. The HPD during this time had nine false/unfounded calls, served 241 uniform summons for speeding and 15 uniform summons for reckless driving. The department issued two uniform summons for hands free violations and observed 29 vehicles carrying trash within town limits.
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
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