Steve Frey
Contributing writer
The Radford City Council had a busy agenda for its May 14 meeting. It ranged from the introduction of a new economic development director to proclamations honoring the Radford City Police and EMS Departments.
Blair Hoke has been chosen for the post of Radford City Economic Development Director. She started on May 14.
Hoke was born in Radford and grew up in the New River Valley. She graduated from Radford University in 2010 as an English Education major and later studied business administration. She has been the General Manager of the Pulaski Yankees for the last four seasons.
A city press release mentioned that Hoke was named the 2017 Appalachian League Executive of the Year, was a member of the Appalachian League Executive Committee, served as a board member for the Pulaski Tourism Committee and was active in many local chambers. Other recent honors include the 2017 Women Taking Care of Businesses Award, Pulaski Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award and the 2016 Appalachian League Woman of the Year Award.
City Manager David Ridpath said, “She’s got a plan for us that’s going to be very beneficial for our community and economic development.”
Councilman Robert Gropman mentioned that they were unanimous in choosing Hoke, and added, “She performed extremely well in all of our interviews. She maintains the skill sets that council was looking for in our new director.”
When introduced to the council, Hoke said, “I’d just like to extend my appreciation and gratitude for this opportunity to serve such a wonderful community.”
She added, “I’m also really eager to get started and (in) being a part of the next chapter in the City of Radford. I was born here, graduated from Radford University, and I feel a huge energy in this city…I’m proud to be part of it.”
In the city press release, Hoke also said, “I am eager to begin working to increase new business, focus on current business retention, and continue to foster growth in the local economy. With current positive economic trends, I look forward to working diligently to develop and market Radford’s assets and execute a strategic vision to ensure a healthy economy.”
In other activity, the city council approved two proclamations Monday night. One honored the law enforcement officers throughout the United States who have been killed in the line of duty, as well as current officers, and especially those with the Radford City Police Department, who have “committed their lives to protecting and serving Radford’s families, businesses, neighborhoods, schools and community.”
In the proclamation, the city council designated the week of May 13-19, 2018, as “National Police Week” in Radford.
The Radford City Council has proclaimed the week of May 20-26, 2018 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Councilman Keith Marshall is pictured with the Radford EMS team presenting the proclamation that read in part, “emergency services are a vital public service…and the members of Radford’s emergency medical services team are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Additionally, council honored the men and women working with emergency medical services in the city by proclaiming the week of May 20-26, 2018, as “Emergency Medical Services Week,” with the theme, “EMS Strong: Stronger Together.”
In part, the proclamation honors the EMS team that is “ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Lawrence Rice, the Director of Water Treatment, and Bailey West, a lab technician, shared with the board that Radford City has been awarded the state’s Gold Award, the highest honor for water quality. Rice mentioned that Radford is now number one in the commonwealth for water quality.
Nathan Taylor, Zakk Matthews, Bella Calfee, Mason Brown, and Kora Epperly, sixth-grade students at Belle Heth Elementary, made a presentation to the council about data from their study of Connelly’s Run. They looked at everything from turbidity to PH levels, and their math-science teacher, Georgeanne Lavery, said that this project was part of the regular curriculum, but it was the first year for the hands-on study with Connelly’s Run.
The council held a public hearing on two small parcels of city-owned land, one in the industrial center and the second next to the Memorial Bridge, slated for transfer to the Economic Development Authority. Later in the meeting, under new business, the council approved the transfer of the two parcels to the EDA, which has flexibility in marketing them through lease or sale.
During the citizen comments section of the meeting, Laurie Buchwald shared that the bicycle “Ride of Silence” would take place on May 16. The annual event honors those who have been injured or killed on the road in bicycle accidents.
She also discussed Radford’s Memorial Day program, now in its 20th annual year, coming up on May 28 at Bisset Park beginning at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will include city council members, elected officials on the state level, veterans organizations and the high school band and choir.
A second citizen, Kathryn Daily, asked questions concerning the embezzlement case involving Radford City Schools, to which Mayor Brown responded that it was currently a school board matter.
Mayor Brown also touched on the school system embezzlement case at the end of the open portion of the meeting, before the council moved to closed session to discuss personnel matters. After briefly addressing the situation, he said, “Folks will get to the bottom of what took place, when it took place.” (Note: For a complete summary of the school embezzlement issue, please see Sam Wall’s article in the May 16 edition of the Radford News Journal.)
The council unanimously approved the Community Development Block Grant which is required for submittal to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The plan includes funds for the demolition of blighted buildings ($25,125), beautification enhancements ($15,000), support for the Women’s Resource Center’s transitional housing ($7,500), support for the New River Community Action’s Homeless Intervention Program ($7,500), investing in the Beans and Rice After School Program ($4,000), funding for the Radford Clothing Bank-August Kids ($1,575) and supporting the Bobcat Backpack Program ($1,575).
The plan also completes repayment of a Section 108 Loan that helped with mixed-use development along the city’s downtown corridor ($123,742.35).
The council discussed a possible public/private matching grant project being proposed by a Radford citizen, Jack Ratcliffe, to create a “historical garden” area near Glencoe Museum. The area would recognize local people who have had historical significance to the city with “small monuments, with bronze plaques, noting the history and importance of each person.” Ratcliffe is seeking pledges for the project and, if approved, the council would match the contributions by helping with the work.
Ratcliffe suggested the first ten people to be honored: General Gabrial C. Wharton (Confederate General/State Senate/Railroad Development), J. Hoge Tyler (Governor), Ted Dalton (State Senate/Judge), Charlotte “Pinky” Giesen (General Assembly), Margaret Duncan (Mayor), Charles Charlton (Mayor), Richard H. Poff (Congress/Judge), James C. Turk (State Senate/Judge), John N. Dalton (Delegate/Senator/Governor) and Charlie Farmer (Police Chief).
Councilman Dick Harshberger said that he supported the idea in concept but felt a Foundation should be developed for this kind of project to accept contributions more efficiently.
He also said, “We don’t have a process for vetting who goes on…we really should have a process, so that we have a committee, perhaps, a task force, that would meet periodically and decide (who would be chosen to be recognized).” He stated that the process should be clarified at the next meeting.
The city council approved the location and concept, with specific details to be discussed at a future meeting.
The council approved a Grant Fund Rollover Appropriation Ordinance so that $155,600 in grant funds can be moved into the new fiscal year. The funds involve activities such as the Neighbor to Neighbor program with the electric department, litter control, professional services, maintenance and repair, construction contracts and engineering services.
A public hearing for an appropriation ordinance for carryover of encumbrances was discussed. The public hearing will take place at the next meeting.
In city manager comments, David Ridpath complimented the police department and EMS team on their excellent work. “We do appreciate them as we have the two recognitions coming up; we appreciate them all the time,” he said.
He also complimented the city water department on the Gold Award for water quality. He mentioned that this was the sixth year in a row for an award, with the department receiving a Gold Award for the last three years.
He also stated that the brush pickup from the storm was moving along with 230-250 truckloads so far. Work will now be shifting into the west end of the city.
Finally, he mentioned that reassessment is coming, and the process will be ramping up gradually into 2019.
In Council Member Comments, Dick Harshberger complimented the excellent water quality in Radford and the fact that other communities will be running out of water in various parts of the country. He added that the new economic director, Blair Hoke, has a lot of great things to “sell” with the city such as the fine police department, excellent water, quality electricity, and other city services.
Councilman Robert Gropman shared a portion of a Teddy Roosevelt speech in connection to the recent city election called,”The Man in the Arena.” He also called for a work session on downtown parking at the next meeting or two.
Radford citizens were reminded that there are openings on several boards and commissions for which they can apply to serve. Mayor Brown suggested getting information and current member testimonials about their work on various boards out on Facebook and in other ways so that citizens can get informed and involved.
