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State Sen. Creigh Deeds applauded Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent proposal to spend $230 million on behavioral health services but said he viewed the gesture as just an initial step in addressing the complexities presented by mental health crises in a far more comprehensive manner.
Deeds made these remarks last week during the chamber of commerce’s annual State of the Community Breakfast in which Rockbridge area government leaders spoke of issues they faced this past year and challenges they hope to meet in the year ahead.
Deeds said the governor is offering “an ambitious plan for mental health” with an emphasis on addressing the “crisis response.” He noted that law enforcement officials are having to spend far too much time in emergency rooms waiting for beds to become available for individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis.
The governor’s proposal, he said, is based on a plan that worked well in Arizona. “I’m hopeful it will work here. We’ll try to make it work but it’s not the whole part of the problem.” Virginia is experiencing a shortage of health care workers, including those who work in psychiatric facilities as well as those employed by community service boards. Deeds said that pay must be greatly increased in order to attract more workers to this field, and Medicaid reimbursements must be substantially raised so health care providers can afford to offer these services.
The one-time infusion of cash proposed by the governor is a good first step, said Deeds, but needs to be followed with dedicated funding on a continuing basis to fully address the myriad issues related to providing comprehensive mental health services.
The $1 billion in tax cuts proposed by the governor, he continued, “will take $1 billion out of our revenue stream. This is dangerous, in my view,” given all of the pressing needs the state has, with mental health services being just one.
“We’ll need to compromise on tax cuts,” said Deeds. “There was a long delay in approving a budget last year [due to disagreements on tax cuts]. I’m afraid we’re setting up for another delay this year.” - During his turn to address the gathering Jan. 9 at the Virginia Horse Center, Lexington Mayor Frank Friedman alluded to the city’s focus “on renewing and improving our infrastructure. This fact is evident in the millions of dollars budgeted and spent, and messy construction [you see] in and around our city. Be prepared – we remain focused on infrastructure – and you will continue to see messy construction.”
Aging water and sewer pipes throughout the city are being dug up and replaced, necessitating road work that leads to numerous traffic detours. These inconveniences to motorists will be offset by the benefits of the enhanced infrastructure, he pointed out. Regional infrastructure improvements are being eyed for the water and wastewater treatment plants, he added, thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Initiatives the city has undertaken, Friedman stated, include adopting a citywide bicycle and pedestrian plan, making improvements to the entrance to Evergreen Cemetery, starting repairs to the U.S. 60 bridge, selecting a developer for a housing project on Spotswood Drive and purchasing the Virginia Department of Transportation property on Waddell Street and working on a plan to develop this land.
Leslie Ayers, vice chair of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, lauded the strides the county is making on economic development that is bringing more “clean jobs” to the area. Among the successes this past year are the opening of Modine Manufacturing’s new plant on Collierstown Road and expansion of UTS Systems, formerly Dynovis, in Fairfield. New businesses that will be opening in the county in the upcoming year include a Tru by Hilton Hotel, Dunkin’ Donuts, Chik-fil-a and Starbucks.
Natural Bridge State Park, Ayers continued, is generating million of dollars for tourism and hospitality. The process that led to the park getting Dark Sky designation is enhancing the experience of visitors and residents alike, she pointed out. BARC Electric Cooperative, she said, is investing millions of dollars to add hundreds of miles of fiber optic lines so that all county residents will have access to high speed internet.
Outdoor recreation continues to be a big draw for the area, said Ayers. More hiking trails are being developed, and the area is benefiting from the lower Maury River achieving Scenic River designation this past year. The Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization is creating more recreational opportunities for all ages, adding adult softball, pickleball and basketball to its offerings.
Speaking on behalf of Buena Vista City Council, Tyson Cooper said the city’s “golf course saga” was finally resolved in 2022, thus ridding the city of millions of dollars of debt that had hampered the city’s finances for many years. The property was sold to an entity controlled by Glade Knight, a benefactor and founder of Southern Virginia University. Knight’s plans for the property are unknown, but city officials are optimistic about the prospects.
A Main Street program in Buena Vista was launched this past year to support revitalization efforts for downtown, Cooper said. City Council has approved funding for a second year for the program which just recently attained designation for the next tier of Main Street communities. Thirty-nine new business licenses were issued in Buena Vista this past year. According to Cooper, 22 of these are “brick and mortar” businesses.
The Advancement Foundation is developing a business accelerator in the old Mundet-Hermetite factory building, Cooper noted. The Wilson Workforce Development Center is going into the old Courtesy Ford building. SVU is seeing significant growth; it has closed on a downtown building where an academic facility is planned.
“Public works has been working tirelessly,” said Cooper. Thirty significant leaks in the water system have been plugged up, saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of water that were being lost each day.
“We’re taking part in a regional housing study,” he continued. “We have plans for a downtown square. We have laid a strong foundation for economic development and improving the quality of life.”
