Infrastructure Big Concern For Coffey

A former member of Buena Vista City Council who was defeated in his bid for reelection last year, Stanley Coffey is seeking to return to Council later this year. He is a candidate in this November’s special election to fill the final year of an unexpired term.

There is unfinished business he’d like to see through to completion. “My main issue is that we get the Buena Vista wastewater plant upgrade started and finished,” he said. “As a previous Council member, I worked with RK&K engineering firm [on plans for] the upgrade.”

He continued: “There are many infrastructure problems that need to be addressed – such as replacing old water lines and either replacing or relining the sewer lines. These things cost and the city doesn’t have that kind of money handy.” He believes his experience will be beneficial to resolving the city’s problems.

Another issue he’d like to address is home occupations – an issue that has come up at recent Council meetings. This issue, he said, “needs to be investigated. Are they a burden on the other homeowners around them? Do they have [a] business license and are they paying sales tax[es]?”

On the issue of Buena Vista remaining an independent city, he said, “there [are] a lot of problems with this. Can Buena Vista keep their schools and can they afford that?” If the city were to revert to a town, “Will we be paying a town tax and a county tax? Can we afford this? There is a lot to think about.”

During the six years he served on City Council, he said, “I worked hard in chambers and outside [of chambers]. People came [to me] and called me all the time. I worked for the citizens and this city. It’s more to being a Council member than coming to two meetings a month. I still have people calling and coming by. I either call the city manager for what I need or direct the people to where they need to go and who to speak with.”

A life-long resident of Buena Vista, Coffey attended the city schools and also New River and Virginia Western community colleges. He worked at the city’s wastewater treatment plant as a Class 2 operator for 16 years. He worked at Mohawk Industries for four years and retired from the Lexington wastewater treatment plant after working there seven years.

He was an active member of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad for 25 years, serving in several offices, including captain. He is a charter member of Rockbridge Community Church of the Nazarine, having attended the church for more than 15 years and serving on the board for eight years.

He is the father of two children and has four grandchildren and a great granddaughter.