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Buena Vista
Cemetery Fee Questioned
Vice Mayor Danny Staton said he’d like City Council to consider waiving the $500 placement fees now being charged for placing bronze plaques on the graves of veterans who are buried at Green Hill Cemetery.
Speaking at last week’s City Council meeting, Staton alluded to a veteran whose recent death from cancer was attributed to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. This veteran died in the service of his country, Staton noted, arguing that his family shouldn’t have had to pay a placement fee for the plaque.
On a separate matter, Staton observed that flags were not displayed during Flag Day on the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Maury River along 10th Street. He asked that this apparent oversight not be repeated on future such occasions.
New Officers
Join BVPD
Recent recruits to the Buena Vista police departments are made up of a mixture of law enforcement veterans and young officers who are to be trained at a police academy, Police Chief Wayne Handley reported to City Council last week.
Retired Lexington police officer Mark Riley, who formerly served as interim Lexington police chief, has been hired in Buena Vista to be a school resource officer. Joining Riley in filling out SRO roles in Buena Vista are veteran local officers Morgan Henderson of the Buena Vista sheriff’s office and Stanley Tomlin of the Rockbridge County sheriff’s office.
Handley said five additional newcomers to the police force are beginning their training at a police academy.
Fifty-five students attended a youth police camp held by the Buena Vista police department under the direction of Sgt. John Snider.
Handley said he and other members of the police force are participating in a Blue Lives Fitness program that’s being held at the Ramsey Education Center. Officers are able to interact with students and coaches in an informal setting with this recent initiative, he noted.
He also reported that the exterior of the police station is being refurbished with a power wash and a new sign.
Finance Director
Takes New Job
Charles Clemmer, Buena Vista’s finance director, is leaving his post to accept a position of comptroller for the city of Charlottesville.
City Manager Jason Tyree announced the pending departure at last week’s city Council meeting. Tyree praised the work Clemmer has done here and congratulated him on his new job.
Clemmer has been the city’s finance director for 10 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from James Madison University and is a certified public accountant.
Cabinet Maker
Plans Expansion
A first reading for a requested rezoning was held this past week so Barger’s Custom Cabinets, at 982 Linden Ave., can undergo an expansion by constructing a new building on an adjacent property.
A 5,100-square-foot building is proposed to go behind an existing house at 962 Linden Ave. The house is owned by Barger’s and will continue to be used as a residential rental unit.
Applicant Chris Barger is seeking to rezone 982 Linden Ave. from mixed business to mixed use and to rezone 962 Linden Ave. from residential limited (R3) to mixed use.
City Council member Ron Cash suggested having a water and sewer tap for the new building that is separate from the one used for the house.
Council is expected to take action on the requested rezoning at its next meeting on July 18.
