* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [1. ROLL CALL] [00:00:03] GOOD AFTERNOON. WELCOME TO THE DIM WITTY, UH, BOARD MEETING THIS AFTERNOON. UM, AT THIS TIME, CAN WE HAVE A ROLL CALL MR. LEE? HERE, MR. DOOLEY? HERE. DR. MOORE. HERE. MR. CHAVIS? HERE. MS. EBRA BONNER. HERE. FIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT. THANK YOU. AND AT THIS TIME, WE WILL STAND FOR INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I FAR FATHER HEAVEN, HOW THY NAMED THY KINGDOM COME. THOU WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE, GIVE US THE DAY, OUR DAY BREAD, AND TO FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASSED AGAINST US. AND LEAD US, NOT THE TEMPTATION FOR DELIVER US FROM EVIL. TH HIS KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY FROM REVEREND NOW. AMEN. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. AT THIS TIME, UH, [4. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA] DO WE HAVE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA? NO AMENDMENTS FROM STAFF. MADAM CHAIR, ANY BOARD MEMBERS? I MA'AM. OKAY. CAN I GET A MOTION? SO MOVE A MOTION. WE APPROVE THE AGENDA. I'LL SECOND ROLL CALL. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MR. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING AYE. [5. CONSENT AGENDA] AND WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA, DO WE HAVE ANY CONCERNS? IF NOT A MOTION PLEASE. MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION. WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SECOND ROLL CALL. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY, THANK YOU. AND [6.A. Virginia Department Of Transportation] AT THIS TIME WE HAVE REPORTS, UM, AND WE HAVE THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. UM, MR. PAUL HENSON, ASSISTANT ENGINEER. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, CHAIR. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS, UH, JASON YARI, AND I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE PETERBURG, UH, RESIDENCY OF VO. UH, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME MEETING WITH EACH OF YOU AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON, UH, FOR, UH, DUNWOODY COUNTY AND, UH, WHAT'S AHEAD. UM, OVER THE PAST MONTH, OUR TEAM HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON RESPONDING TO RECENT SNOW EVENTS. UH, OUR CREWS HAVE WORKED HARD TO KEEP ROADS CLEAR AND SAFE DURING THE STORMS, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE, UH, FOR THEIR PATIENCE DURING THAT TIME. UH, WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN MOBILITY, THE SNOW DID DELAY SOME OF OUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS, UH, WORK ORDERS. UH, NOW THAT THE WEATHER HAS IMPROVED, WE'RE SHIFTING GEARS TO RECOVERY EFFORTS. RIGHT NOW OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE ADDRESSING PAVEMENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE SNOW, UM, CLEARING DOWN LIMBS AND CATCHING UP ON MAINTENANCE TASKS THAT WAS POSTPONED, UH, DURING THE SNOW RESPONSE. UH, WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET EVERYTHING BACK ON TRACK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. UH, I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON SOME KEY PROJECTS IN YOUR COUNTY. UH, UPC 1, 2 6. 1 2 2, WHICH IS THE REPLACEMENT OF BOX GUTTERS. UM, THAT'S, UH, CLOSER TO, UM, IT'S GOING, UH, COVER, UM, UH, UH, UH, DUNWOOD COUNTY AND ALSO, UH, PRINCE GEORGE, UM, AREA. BUT IT'S, IT IS AND IT'S GONNA AFFECT BOTH. UH, WE'RE COORDINATING DESIGN SCHEDULE, TRAFFIC CONTROL AND CONSTRUCTION WITH THE PRO, WITH THE PROPOSED FORT LEE SUPERSTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT TO MINIMIZE AS MUCH IMPACTS, UH, WHEN YOUR MOTORIST AND THE COUNTY. UH, WE HAVE LATEX AND CAPE SEAL WORK THAT'S GOING THROUGHOUT YOUR COUNTY THAT'S SCHEDULED TO START EARLY SPRING AND FINISH LATE SUMMER. AND THEN, UM, UPC 1 1 12 7 1 8, WHICH IS THE REESE ROAD RU RUSTIC. UM, THAT'S CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START LATE SPRING. I WAS WORKING ON THAT THIS MORNING ON THE SCOPING PRO UH, PROCESS. UM, THESE PROJECTS ARE REFLECTING OUR ONGOING COMMITTEE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING SAFETY AND MOBILITY FOR THE RESIDENTS AND, UH, YOUR VISITORS. AND BEFORE I WRAP UP, I WANNA MENTION THAT THE SECONDARY SIX YEAR PLAN CYCLE WILL START ROUGHLY ABOUT 30 TO 60 DAYS. UH, WE'LL BE WORKING WITH YOUR COUNTY STAFF, UH, TO GET THAT PROCESS STARTED. UH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS? [00:05:03] OKAY, MADAM CHAIR, JUST, JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS, JASON. ONE, CONGRATULATIONS BEING HERE. AND YOU DID WHAT A WONDERFUL JOB YOU'VE DONE. UM, TODAY I JUST GOT A MAINTENANCE REQUEST ITEM. SO THIS IS, UH, I THINK IN MR. DOOLEY'S DISTRICT MAINLY. UH, BUT THIS IS 40 HIGHWAY SEVEN MILES OUTSIDE OF MCKINNEY AS YOU'RE GOING TOWARDS FORT PICKETT. UM, A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT POTHOLES IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA, RATHER LARGE IN SIZE. YES, SIR. SO, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT JUST ONE, IT WAS MULTIPLE ONES. YES, SIR. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO, TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. AND THEN, UM, THINKING ABOUT THE SECONDARY SIX YEAR PLAN, JASON, IS IT, IS IT A POSSIBILITY TO START THAT AT THE MARCH WORKSHOP, OR IS THAT TOO SOON? SO MY, UH, CHRIS AND I SPOKE ABOUT IT, UM, JUST NOT TOO LONG AGO. SO WE, SHE DID MENTION MARCH 1ST, BUT WE, BUT WE WANTED TO, UH, SEE WHAT PROJECTS YOU ALL HAD ON YOUR DOCKET. OKAY. UH, BEFORE WE MADE A COMMITMENT. BUT IT, IT IS A POSSIBILITY FOR US TO START, UH, AROUND THAT TIME AND I'LL MAKE SURE I PUT A NOTE AND, AND, UH, GET WHICH, UH, SO OUR, OUR WORKSHOP, I BELIEVE IS MARCH 3RD. UM, IF, IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY, AND IT COULD BE JUST A CONVERSATION AT THAT MEETING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING, UH, ANY DIFFERENT ROADS OR WHATNOT THAT THE BOARD WANTS TO, TO PUT ON, UM, THE PLAN BECAUSE IT CAN BE JUST MORE OF A CONVERSATION. SURE. AND THEN AS WE FORMALIZE THE PLAN, WE CAN KIND OF PUSH THOSE DATES BACK. SURE. BUT I THINK MAYBE THAT INITIAL CONVERSATION ON MARCH 3RD WOULD, WOULD BE HELPFUL PROBABLY ON OUR END. YES, SIR. YEAH. OKAY. IT SHOULD BE, I'LL BE THERE. ALRIGHT. SOUNDS GOOD. THAT'S IT, MAN. THAT'S ALL I HAD. OKAY. ALRIGHT. WELL THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEP. UM, NOW [6.B. Dinwiddie Future Farmers Of America (FFA) Chapter] WE HAVE THE, UM, , FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA FFA CHAPTER. REBECCA SHELL, DENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL FFA CHAPTER PRESIDENT. GOOD MORNING. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS, THIS IS OUR DEWITT HIGH SCHOOL FFA CHAPTER FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR. I'M REBECCA SHELL AND I'M SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT THIS YEAR. AND BEFORE WE START OUR PRESENTATION, ALL THE OFFICERS ARE GONNA INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND THEIR STATIONS THIS YEAR. COOL. HELLO, MY NAME IS HADLEY EDWARDS AND I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT. HELLO EVERYONE. MY NAME IS VERNON GRECO AND I'M THE SENTINEL FOR THIS YEAR. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CORA WIL AND I AM YOUR 25, UH, 20 25, 20 26 REPORTER. HI, MY NAME IS KAYLEE MEYER AND I'M THE SECRETARY FOR THIS YEAR. HI, MY NAME IS ADDISON GIBBS AND I'M THE HISTORIAN FOR THIS YEAR. HI, MY NAME IS MARISSA TOMBS AND I'M THE TREASURER FOR THIS YEAR. HI, MY NAME'S JAKE EVERETT AND I'M THE STUDENT ADVISOR. THIS YEAR WE WANTED TO MAKE OUR PRESENTATION THIS YEAR TO BE MORE LOCALLY FOCUSED. SO BACK IN DECEMBER WE HAD A FARMER FORUM DINNER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. UM, WE DISCUSSED THE GOALS OF THE EVENT WERE TO GATHER FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK FROM FARMERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE LOCAL, FOR THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE. WE DISCUSSED AGRICULTURE TOPICS THEY HAD CONCERNS AND OPINIONS ON, AND WE HAD ABOUT 25 FARMERS THAT ATTENDED THE FARMER FORUM DINNER. A VERY RELEVANT TOPIC DURING THE DINNER WAS SOLAR PERCEPTIONS. MANY BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONLY IN CERTAIN AREAS SO THAT WE CAN CONSERVE THE FARMLAND. UM, WE CONTINUE TO BE MANY FARMERS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A CASE BY CASE BASIS AS IT IS RIGHT NOW. AND DEFINITELY SHOWED AN APPRECIATION FOR THAT. MANY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON TAXPAYER DOLLARS AS WELL. AMEN. SOME IN BENEFITS THAT WERE INCLUDED AND BROUGHT UP WERE THE LOWERED ELECTRICITY COSTS AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE TAX RATE. ANOTHER TOPIC WE DISCUSSED AT THE FARMER FORUM DINNER WAS, UH, REAL ESTATE TAX FARMERS SAID LAND USE NEEDS TO BE KEPT IN DIM, WITTY BECAUSE IT HELPS KEEP FARMLAND STAY FARM FARMLAND, AND IT ALSO DISCOURAGES DEVELOPMENT ON THE LAND. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN MORE FAVORABLE TO RENT LAND SINCE IT KEEPS LAND UNDEVELOPED. THIS IS ALSO A STRATEGY THAT [00:10:01] HELPS PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR FARMING. LANDOWNERS USUALLY USE A STRATEGY STRATEGY TO MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP, BUT STILL KEEP THEIR LAND UNDEVELOPED. THIS APPROACH ALSO PROVIDES A LONG-TERM INCOME FOR LANDOWNERS AND WHILE PROVIDING, WHILE AVOIDING THE LAND BECOMING DEVELOPED AND AVOIDING TAXES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SELLING LAND. UM, JUST ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED WAS THAT, UM, A LOT OF DRIVERS AREN'T EDUCATED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MAYBE PULLING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN MEETING AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT, VERY LARGE EQUIPMENT I MIGHT ADD. UM, PEOPLE AREN'T, IF THEY DO KNOW THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GET OVER, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY RESPECTING THOSE MOVING VEHICLES AND KIND OF TRYING TO SPEED ON THROUGH THEIR DAY. AND THEN, UM, DRIVER'S ED CLASSES NEED TO TOUCH A LITTLE BIT MORE ON AGRICULTURE MACHINERY AND SAFETY ON THE ROADWAYS. SOME ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT FROM THE FARMERS THAT ATTENDED THE DINNER WAS THAT ROADWAY MAINTENANCE NEEDS SOME ATTENTION, SUCH AS LOW HANGING CABLES, LIMBS, AND THE SHOULDERS NEED TO BE MADE A LITTLE BIT LONGER ON THE BACK ROADS. AND, UM, THEY ALSO REQUESTED THAT MORE SIGNS, UH, SHOULD BE DISPLAYED ON AREAS THAT HAVE MORE ACTIVE FARMLAND. THE LAST TOPIC, WE HAD ONE MORE TOPIC THAT WAS BROUGHT FORTH TOWARDS THE END OF THE NIGHT THAT WAS THAT RURAL AREAS NEED MORE INTERNET ACCESS. AND A LOT OF TIMES WE THINK ABOUT THIS FOR EDUCATION SIDE, BUT THE FARMERS BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THE NEWER PRECISION AG TOOLS REQUIRE INTERNET ACCESS AND THEY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THAT NEWER TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT IT. WE ALSO JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FFA AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION EXTENSION, OUR SOIL AND WATER CONTROL, AND JUST AGRICULTURE IN GENERAL. SO THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY. AND THAT'S ALL WE HAVE. GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. GREAT JOB EVERYONE. THANK YOU. AND KEEP STAYING WITH THAT . THANK YOU. ADAM CHA. YES, YES, YES. I'M NOT GONNA MISS THE OPPORTUNITY . OH YEAH, GO AHEAD. UM, EXACTLY. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT THEY'VE COME AND I'VE ENJOYED, UM, THE FACT THAT THEY'RE COMING, UM, FORMER FFA, UM, SENTINEL AND SECRETARY, AND I WON'T TELL YOU HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS, BUT , IT'S BEEN A WHILE. UM, BUT, UM, I'M GLAD THAT THE HIGHWAY FOLKS WERE HERE TO HEAR THEIR LITTLE COMMENT ABOUT, UM, UH, SAFETY FOR FARM VEHI VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT. UM, IT REALLY, IT IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM, THESE BACK ROADS THAT DETERIORATING THE SIDES. SO, AND IT ALMOST NEEDS TO BE ALMOST, UM, LIKE THE OLD, UM, TTVA, UM, TYPE INITIATIVE TO GET BACK ROADS BACK WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. UM, THE FUTURE OF FARMING IS VERY BLEAK RIGHT NOW. AND IF YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE PODCASTS NOW, WHO'S GONNA FARM? WHEN YOU GOT A FARM MEETING NOW ALL YOU SEE IS OLD FARMERS AND, UM, THE FUTURE TO FARM LIKE PEOPLE ARE FARMING NOW. UM, IT'S A GRIND AND, AND, UM, YOU COULD MAKE A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY DOING A WHOLE LOT LESS AND, UM, THAN FARMING RIGHT NOW. AND SO IT IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND WHEN THAT TIME COMES THAT THE, THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY WILL STEP UP. BUT THEY ALSO, WHEN YOU THROW SOLA IN THE CROWD, UM, TWO WEEKS AGO WE WENT TO, UM, THE STATE DELEGATES AND TALKED TO 'EM OUTTA WATCHMAN, WHOSE DISTRICT IS THE LOWER PART OF DENWOODY. AND I DON'T HOLD ME TO ALL THESE COUNTIES, BUT SUSSEX, BRUNSWICK, UM, I GUESS IT'S PART OF, UH, SIRS. BUT HE SAID JUST IN HIS DISTRICT, 30,000 ACRES OF SOIL, I'M GONNA SAY THAT AGAIN. 30,000 ACRES OF LAND THAT WILL NEVER BE FOOD OR FIBER AGAIN IN, IN NOBODY'S LIFETIME. IT'LL NEVER COME BACK. AND FOR A SOCIETY TO TAKE SOLAR AND PUT IT ON YOUR FOOD AND FIBER IS JUST, IT, IT BAFFLES ME. AND SO I THINK WHEN, WHEN WE GET DOWN THE [00:15:01] ROAD FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO WANT TO GO INTO FARMING, WE NEED FARM LAND HERE. AND UH, THAT'S WHY I STAND, LIKE I STAND ON THIS BOARD FOR, FOR THE FARMERS IN, IN THIS COUNTY. SO. AMEN. I'M SORRY TO GET ON MY SOAPBOX, BUT . NO, THAT WAS GOOD. ANYBODY ELSE? ADAM? I, UH, I HAD A LITTLE SHOCK WHEN YOU SHOWED COTTON. IT'S NIGHTMARES. WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT I HAD TO DO WHEN I WAS COMING UP, WE DIDN'T HAVE COTTON PICKERS. WE WERE THE COTTON PICKERS. SO TO SEE HOW THE FARMING HAS COME ALONG, IT'S LIKE DAN SAID, THE KIDS COMING UP TODAY IS SELLING THE LAND. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT'S BUYING UP EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN GET FROM KIDS THAT DON'T WANNA FARM. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. KEEP IT ALIVE. THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR COMING AGAIN. THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. UH, [7.A. Blackstone Area Bus System (BABS)] NOW WE HAVE, UM, OUTSIDE AGENCY REPORTS. UH, WE HAVE BLACKSTONE AREA BUS STATION, UH, SYSTEM. ALEXANDRIA WILKERSON, TRANSIT DIRECTOR. HELLO. HI, BLUE MA'AM. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HERE TODAY BEHALF ON BEHALF OF THE BLACKSTONE AREA BUS SYSTEM TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST CONTINUED FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY OF DENWITTY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. THESE FUNDS WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE DAILY OPERATION EXPENSES OF OUR DENWOODY EXPRESS ROUTE, WHICH RUNS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND PROVIDES ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO THE COUNTY RESIDENTS. YOU WILL NOTICE THERE IS A 5% INCREASE IN OUR LOCAL MATCH REQUEST. WE WORKED HARD TO TRY TO KEEP THE INCREASE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AS WE COULD. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE RISING COST OF GOODS AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES, THIS MODEST ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE DENWOODY EXPRESS PROUDLY PROVIDED 3,268 TRIPS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, WORK ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND BACK HOME, MANY OF WHOM DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. FOR THEM. THIS SERVICE IS SIMPLY CONVENIENT, NOT CONVENIENT. IT IS VITAL. WE ARE ALSO EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THE DENWOODY EXPRESS WILL BE RECEIVING A BRAND NEW BUS AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THAT BUS IS GONNA COME IN NEXT MONTH. AND WITH THE BUS, IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE THE SIGN THAT WILL SHOW CASE THAT IT IS THE DIM WITTY EXPRESS AND IT'S UPDATED, WHICH IS ALWAYS NICE. OH, GREAT. GOOD. THIS INVESTMENT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE DELIVERING SAFE, RELIABLE, AND EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF DENWITTY COUNTY. WHILE I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED AND GENEROUS SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS. YOUR COMMITMENT HAS MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE, NOT ONLY TO OUR ORGANIZATION, BUT TO THE CITIZENS OF DENWITTY COUNTY WHO RELY ON THE SERVICE EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF OUR FUNDING REQUEST. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR AND FOR MANY MORE TO COME. AND IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET KNOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MAD THANK YOU. OH WAIT, UH, WE HAVE ONE. JUST, JUST, JUST TO, UM, NOT A COMMENT, BUT, UH, REFRESH THOSE OF US IN THE ROOM AND THOSE OF US THAT ARE WATCHING THE STOPS THAT WE HAVE IN DENWOODY COUNTY. CAN YOU, WHERE DOES IT STOP IN THE COUNTY? SO WE GO THROUGH MCKINNEY, WE STOP AT, UH, WALLACE SAYS WE STOP OVER AT THE COURTHOUSE. WE DO, UM, GO TO THE PETERSBURG TRANSFER STATION. MM-HMM . AND CHRISY. EAST SIDE. EAST SIDE. EAST SIDE. I'M SO SORRY. . YES. YEAH. I JUST, JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF THE NUMBER OF STOPS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE COUNTY. THAT'S THE AVAILABILITY. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO GET. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. WE ARE HOPING TO APPLY FOR A GRANT THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LOCALITIES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN IT WITH THE NEW BUS STOP SIGNS. 'CAUSE I'VE NOTICED THE STOPS THAT WE DO HAVE THAT ACTUALLY HAVE THE SIGNS, THEY ARE OLD, WORN DOWN AND YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE ANYTHING. YEAH. SO WE'RE HOPING TO GET NEW SIGNS FOR THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. GOOD DEAL. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK, THANK YOU. OH, WITH THAT SYSTEM IN PLACE, YOU CAN GO FROM MCKINNEY TO RICHMOND, UH, LOSSES. 'CAUSE IT GOES TO PETERSBURG. AND THEN YES, WE DO HAVE A RIDER WHO RIDES MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY. AND SHE GOES TO THE PETERSBURG TRANSFER STATION FROM MCKENNEY AND THEN SHE GOES TO ALL OF HER APPOINTMENTS AND EVERYTHING RIGHT FROM THERE. THAT'S WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL. IT IS A VALUED SERVICE. OKAY, GREAT. GREAT. THANK YOU FOR [00:20:01] YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. UH, NOW WE HAVE THE CRATER REACH COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD. UM, WE DO HAVE MS UH, CHRISTINE CLARK. NO, UH, NO. I'M SORRY. DIRECT. NO, NOPE. SORRY. WRONG ONE. PUT THAT DOWN. NO, WE DIDN'T. IT'S TERRELL, STEWART. TERRELL. STEWART TERRELL. HE'S NOT NOT HERE. HE'S NOT HERE. SO WE OKAY. ALRIGHT. SO WE DON'T, NO. OKAY. WE GONNA MOVE ON. OKAY. RICHARD B. ALRIGHT, [7.C. Richard Bland College] SO NOW WE HAVE, UM, RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE. OH. AND THIS IS MS. KRISTY CLARK. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. MS. DIRECTOR OF DUAL ENROLLMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR COMING. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. AFTERNOON MA'AM. ALRIGHT. AND MR. TERRELL ROBINSON MAY BE WALKING IN THE DOOR IN A MINUTE. HE IS ON THE WAY FROM RICHMOND, SO IF HE JOINS US, THAT'LL BE FABULOUS. BUT IF NOT, I HAVE OUR PRESENTATION FOR US TODAY. SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TO TALK ABOUT RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE TODAY. OKAY. SO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, UM, FOR THE FY 25 SUPPORT OF $10,000 FROM DENWOODY COUNTY BEFORE AND HOW IT HAS IMPACTED THE STUDENTS HERE FROM DENWOODY AS WELL. AND THROUGHOUT THE PRESENTATION, YOU'RE GONNA SEE JUST THE NUMBERS THAT IT HAS AND THAT IT HELPS TO STRENGTHEN ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY. ALL RIGHT, SO THIS IS WHAT WE WANTED THAT I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT TODAY. LEADERSHIP TRANSITION. THAT'S HOW ON THE LIST HERE, AFFORDABILITY, THE NUMBERS FROM DENWITTY, DEMOGRAPHICS, HOUSING WORKFORCE, SOME OF OUR TRANSFER OUTCOMES. AND THEN I'M GONNA FINISH IT UP WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT. SO, AS YOU KNOW, UM, DR. SATO IS RETIRING JUNE 30TH AND WE ARE TRANSITIONING IN LEADERSHIP. AND LAST MONTH IN JANUARY, THE BOARD APPOINTED DR. KENNETH ALEXANDER AS THE NEXT, UM, AS OUR INTERIM PRESIDENT. THE TRANSITION FOR THIS WILL BEGIN ON MAY 11TH. UM, HE WILL COME IN AND HE WILL ASSUME THE ROLE ON JULY ONE, BUT FROM MAY TO JULY, UM, MAY TO THE END OF JUNE, HE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH DR. SATO. UM, FOR THAT HE'S GOT EXPERIENCE 14 YEARS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HE'S CURRENTLY THE MAYOR OF NORFOLK AND HE HAS EXPERIENCE IN AVIATION EDUCATION AND IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. SO HE'S GONNA BRING THAT TO RICHARD BLAND. AND WE, UM, EXPECT THE TRANSITION TO BE STRUCTURED, THOUGHTFUL AND TO ENSURE CON CONTINUITY OF THE COLLEGE. UM, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO DR. ALEXANDER IN THE LAST WEEK. UM, HE'S EXCITED TO GET GOING. UM, SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD, UM, TO THIS NEXT CHAPTER. GOOD. SO JUST SOME POINTS ABOUT RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE. SO THE AVERAGE TUITION IN FEES IS AROUND $9,330 FOR THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR. AND COMPARED AS A TWO YEAR JUNIOR COLLEGE COMPARED TO THE FOUR YEAR AVERAGE COST IS 15,455. SO THE COST SAVINGS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR AREA IS GREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO THE GAP FUNDING. SO THANKS TO SOME GREAT, UM, DONATIONS AND SUPPORT. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS GAP FUNDING FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO WHAT YOU SEE IS STUDENTS, THE AVERAGE TUITION IS AROUND 93 30 AND MANY STUDENTS DO QUALIFY FOR THE PE AND THEY CAN RECEIVE THAT. SO IT LEAVES SOMETIMES THE 1935 AND THE GAP FUNDING. SO THAT'S WHAT WE, THE FOUNDATION REALLY TRIES TO PROVIDE, UM, THAT FOR MANY OF THE STUDENTS. AND YOU CAN SEE THE INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FUND THAT, NOT ONLY FROM THE FOUNDATION, BUT STUDENTS GETTING A HEAD START WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT. OUR PROMISE SCHOLARS PROGRAM, THE HONORS PROGRAM, THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS THAT THEY HAVE AVAILABLE. ANYTHING FROM CHEV THAT WE HAVE. UM, AND THEN INSTITUTIONAL WORK STUDY AS WELL THAT STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR. UM, BUT WE, THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO FUND, UM, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED MORE THAN $300,000 AND HELPED OVER 180 STUDENTS. SO BY THE NUMBERS. SO YOU CAN SEE THIS IS DEN WITTY ONLY. SO WE PULL THE NUMBERS JUST FOR DEN WITTY. SO THE TOTAL ENROLLMENT FROM DEN WITTY IS 156. THAT'S OUR TRADITIONAL STUDENTS. MM-HMM . UM, SO OF THAT DUAL ENROLLMENT, THAT'S JUST THIS YEAR IN DUAL ENROLLMENT COMMUTER, 58 OF THOSE ARE COMMUTER STUDENTS. SEVEN DO LIVE ON CAMPUS FROM DENWOODY. EIGHT OF THE STUDENTS ARE FOUNDATION RECIPIENTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS. SO THE TOTAL AID FOR DEM WITTY STUDENTS FROM THE FOUNDATION ALONE IS OVER $23,000. OUR TOTAL NUMBERS FOR THE COLLEGE AS A WHOLE, 3034 STUDENTS, 40% OF THOSE ARE OUR FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS. FIRST TIME. THAT MEANS, SO OUR [00:25:01] DEFINITION OF FIRST GENERATION IS THAT A PARENT OR THE GUARDIAN IN THE HOUSEHOLD HAS NO MORE THAN TWO YEARS OKAY. OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. 58% ARE STUDENTS OF COLOR. OUR GRADUATION RATE IS 32%. AND WE LIKE TO JOKE ON THIS NUMBER THAT MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE LOW, BUT SOMETIMES WHAT HURTS OUR GRADUATION RATE IS OUR DUAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS. MM-HMM . BECAUSE QUITE A FEW, BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT FITS INTO THE FORMULA. THIS MAY LOOK LIKE 32, BUT IF YOU FACTORED IN OUR DUAL ENROLLMENT KIDS, THIS NUMBER WOULD BE HIGHER. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 475 STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS AND WE HAVE THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT IS CAPACITY. SO WE'RE OVER, WELL WE'RE AT CAPACITY AND HOUSING, BUT WE HAVE HAD OVER 100 STUDENTS TWO YEARS IN A ROW ON THE WAITING LIST FOR HOUSING. SO HOUSING IS DEFINITELY A NEED FOR US. UM, SO WHILE ENROLLMENT MIGHT BE CONCERNS FOR SOME SCHOOLS, WE ARE THRIVING AND KIDS WANNA LIVE THERE. IF YOU'VE SEEN OUR RESIDENCE HALLS, WE DON'T CALL 'EM DORMS, WE CALL 'EM RESIDENCE HALLS. THEY'RE MUCH LIKE APARTMENT STYLE LIVING. THAT'S RIGHT. MM-HMM . YES. IT'S NOT LIKE THE LITTLE SMALL DORMS WE STAYED IN. ALRIGHT. THE FUTURE OF RBC. ALRIGHT. SO WE ARE TRYING TO ALIGN OUR EDUCATION WITH REAL CAREERS. SO IN ADDITION TO OUR, WE ARE DEFINITELY, UM, OUR FOUNDATION IS THE LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO ALSO, WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN OUR REGION. SO WE HAVE THE INNOVATION PARK THAT IS 70 PLUS ACRES THAT WE ARE STILL CONTINUING TO TRY TO, UM, ANCHOR SOME THINGS THERE. SO WHAT THAT COULD HELP US WITH COULD BE INTERNSHIPS, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND THINGS FOR OUR STUDENTS. UM, PHARMACEUTICAL. SO THAT IS ANOTHER PHARMACEUTICAL CLUSTER IS SOMETHING WE ARE EXPLORING BECAUSE THAT IS A GREAT NEED, UM, FOR EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THIS NEED IN OUR REGION UAS CERTIFICATION. SO WE, WE DO HAVE INSTRUCTORS THAT CAN STILL PROVIDE THE UAS CERTIFICATION, UM, FOR COMMERCIAL DRONE CREDENTIALS FOR THE AREA, THE LIVE CASINO. SO WE ARE THE TRAINING FACILITY FOR THE PETERSBURG LIVE CASINO. AND THAT, UH, THE DEALER INSTITUTE THAT'S OUT ON CRATER ROAD IN THE SHOPPING CENTER WHERE CLAY HOME MEDICAL AND OLLIE'S IS. SO THAT'S OUR, I GUESS OUR LITTLE STOREFRONT FOR THAT. AND THEY MUST, PEOPLE THAT WANT TO WORK AT THE CASINO HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED. UM, SO WE ARE DOING THAT AND ONE IS STARTING UP AGAIN RIGHT NOW, GRANTS AND RESEARCH. SO TO DATE WE HAVE OVER $10 MILLION IN ACTIVE GRANTS. UM, GRANT FUNDING THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COLLEGE THAT'S BEING USED FOR PROGRAMMING, UM, INTERNSHIPS. UM, RIGHT NOW STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE BOTH PAID AND UNPAID FOR THAT, FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE. AND THEN JOB FAIRS, UM, RICHARD BLAND HOSTED A JOB FAIR THIS FALL AND FOR THE CRATER REGION THAT WE HAD, UM, FOR OVER 60 EMPLOYERS THAT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED. SO THESE ARE OUR TRANSFER PARTNERS FOR THE FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS. AND YOU SEE A SCREEN FULL HERE OF, UM, BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ONES. AND TERRELL, YOU CAN CATCH ON ANYTHING I'VE MISSED. UM, BUT STUDENTS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE THROUGH THE GUARANTEED ADMISSIONS AGREEMENTS, UM, THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE. AND THEN THEIR CREDITS ARE GONNA TRANSFER TO THOSE PLACES. AND WE HAVE STUDENTS GOING TO A LOT OF THESE. UM, SO WHAT YOU'LL SEE THE TRANSFER DESTINATIONS AND YOU, WE HAVE SOME PERCENTAGES HERE. UM, OUR MOST RECENT ONES OF THE MAIN ONES THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO, YOU SEE 12% ARE GOING TO M AND MARY, 13% TO VIRGINIA STATE. VCU OF COURSE IS OUR HIGHEST ONE WITH 32% ODU 13% AND JAMES MADISON SIX. SO THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE ONES, UM, IN STATE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO. BUT WE ALSO HAVE SOME ELITE TRANSFER DESTINATIONS, UM, THAT WE HAVE STUDENTS GOING TO WILLIAM AND MARY PRINCETON, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL AND AMHERST COLLEGE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE SOME STUDENTS. AND I WAS TELLING MR. ROBINSON THAT WE DO HAVE A DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENT. AND I TOLD A GROUP EARLIER TODAY, ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, UM, IN A NEIGHBORING DIVISION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED TO HARVARD. WOW. SO THAT'S ONE ON HIS LIST. HE HASN'T DECIDED YET. THAT'S JUST ONE ON HIS LIST. SO WE'LL SEE WHERE SOME OF THEM END UP. BUT ONCE AGAIN, THESE TEND TO REPEAT THEMSELVES, UM, OF WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING WHEN THEY LEAVE US. ALRIGHT. DUAL ENROLLMENT. SO I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT JUST DUAL ENROLLMENT AS IT PERTAINS TO DEN WITTY SINCE WE STARTED THE PROGRAM. UM, WE ESTABLISHED THIS IN 2324 SCHOOL YEAR. SO I'M GONNA HIGHLIGHT WHERE WE'VE GONE, UM, SINCE [00:30:01] WE STARTED. SO TO DATE, WE HAVE 315 STUDENTS ENROLLED AND HAVE TAKEN COURSES UP SINCE 2324. THROUGH LAST MAY 16 STUDENTS HAD EARNED THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND WE HAVE 18 THAT ARE ON TRACK FOR THIS SPRING ALONE. THAT'S RIGHT. OKAY. SO WE'RE GONNA DOUBLE THAT THIS YEAR. MORE THAN DOUBLE OF THESE STUDENTS, 15 DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE CONTINUED TO RICHER, BLAND, THEY STARTED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL TAKING COURSES. THEY WEREN'T ON TRACK, THEY WEREN'T READY FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM, BUT THEY HAVE TAKEN ENOUGH AND THEY'RE CONTINUING, THEY'VE CONTINUED TO RICHER BLAND TO COMPLETE THAT PROGRAM. OUTSIDE OF DUAL ENROLLMENT. WE'VE HAD A HUNDRED STUDENTS THE LAST TWO YEARS FROM DENWITTY COUNTY WHO HAVE GONE THAT ARE NOT DUAL ENROLLMENT RELATED. UM, STUDENTS TO GO TO RBC, FIRST YEAR FRESHMAN TO TAKE COURSES ABOUT 50 EACH YEAR. UM, AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN ABLE TO OFFER 86 COURSES FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT. AND OF THOSE 86, ONLY 19 WERE ONLINE. SO THEIR IN-HOUSE TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE CREDENTIALED NINE THAT ARE CURRENTLY TEACHING THIS SCHOOL YEAR. NINE OF THEM ARE TEACHING A LOT OF CLASSES TO A LOT OF KIDS THROUGH THE FALL. I CALCULATED THE NUMBER OF CREDITS THAT HAVE BEEN EARNED BY STUDENTS THROUGH THE FALL OF 25. AND THAT'S 4,073 CREDIT HOURS. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE ENROLLED IN CURRENTLY FOR THE SPRING, THEY'RE GONNA TOP 5,000. SO THERE'LL BE OVER 5,000 BY THE END OF MAY. IF YOU PUT A DOLLAR FIGURE ON THE CREDIT HOURS, IF WE WERE TO CHARGE FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT, THAT'S WELL OVER A MILLION DOLLARS OF CREDITS THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE EARNING, THAT THEY'RE SAVING AND DEBT THAT THEY WILL NOT INCUR LATER. SO WHERE DO WE STAND? WE HAVE 26 ACTIVE HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE. WE HAVE 80 MORE THAN 80 STUDENTS THAT COME ONTO CAMPUS FULL-TIME FROM THE AREA. UM, AS JUNIORS AND SENIORS TO TAKE THEIR CLASSES FULL-TIME. THERE ARE TWO STUDENTS FROM DENWOODY THAT COME FULL-TIME EVERY DAY. AND OVERALL, WE'VE NOW REACHED OVER 2,400 ACROSS THE STATE IN DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR THIS YEAR ALONE. SO THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES ARE INCREASING. SO BACK IN 23, WE ONLY HAD 21 THAT AT ATTAINED THAT IN HIGH SCHOOL. IN 24 WE HAD 60. UM, IN 24 THERE WERE TWO GRADUATES FROM DEITY HIGH SCHOOL. OKAY. AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR, UM, THAT FIRST YEAR, THOSE WERE TWO SENIORS WHO WERE VERY CLOSE FROM WHAT THEY HAD STARTED WITH THE OTHER PARTNER. AND THEY, THOSE TWO KIDS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO GET SOME EXTRA CLASSES THEY NEEDED IN THE SUMMER AND PICKED UP SOME EXTRA ONLINE TO GET THAT DEGREE. AND THEN IN 25 WE HAD 82 TOTAL DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS FROM THE STATE. AND 14 OF THOSE WERE FROM DENWOODY. AND THEN THIS YEAR WE ARE ON TRACK FOR 18 FROM DIM WITTY AND ON TRACK WE HAVE MORE THAN A HUNDRED. UM, IT COULD TOP 120, BUT WE'LL SEE. SENIORITIS IS SET. NO FIRST ALL , WHICH IS TO BE, THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. IT DOES. IT DOES. IT HAPPENS. SO THESE ARE SOME OF OUR STUDENTS. SO ON THE LEFT YOU'LL SEE EMERSON, CRIKEY. AND ON THE RIGHT THERE'S BRYCE JTS. AND THIS WAS, UM, THEM, THEY WERE DOING A PRESENTATION WHEN THEY TOOK ENGLISH 1 0 1 AND 1 0 2. SO SOME EXPERIENCES THEY WERE GETTING AND THEY HAD SOME REALLY GREAT, UM, PRESENTATIONS THEY WERE SHARING THAT THE TEACHER SHARED WITH ME. AND THESE ARE THE GRADUATES THAT WERE FROM LAST YEAR. SO YOU'LL SEE THESE WERE THE ONES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY. AND SO FAR ALL THE ONES I MET WITH TODAY SAY THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN THE CEREMONY IN MAY. COOL. AND OUR GRADUATION WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH. SO MARK CALENDARS FOR THAT. AND WE WILL HAVE 18 FROM DENWOODY AND I'M CONFIDENT ALL 18 WILL WALK ACROSS THAT STAGE. THEY'RE GREAT STUDENTS. THEY'RE REALLY GREAT STUDENTS. I MET WITH THEM TODAY AND WE TALKED ABOUT GRADUATION AND ALL THE THINGS THEY NEED TO DO. OKAY. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MYSELF OR TERRELL THAT MAYBE I CAN'T ANSWER. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS. WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN ANY, BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? JUST THANK Y'ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO. YEAH. IT'S MADAM CHAIR. YEAH. UH, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. UM, BOTH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITIES AROUND US. I'VE SAID THIS A LOT OF TIMES THAT THE BEST VALUE IN DOLLARS WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION IS RIGHT AT RBC. UM, OF COURSE MOST OF US KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE ACADEMIC CAMPUS IS IN DENWITTY COUNTY. AND, UM, I HOPE THAT IT WILL STAY RBC AS WE GO FORWARD. I THINK IT FILLS A PARTICULAR NICHE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL, UH, NEEDS FOR OUR GREATER TRI-CITY COMMUNITY. AND, UM, THE DUAL ENROLLMENT IS, IS SOMETHING THAT I HOPE FAMILIES WILL JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF. [00:35:01] IT'S A FAMILY SITUATION. UM, 'CAUSE IT TAKES EVERYBODY TO GET THE STUDENT THERE, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR NOT. BUT IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST VALUES THAT THERE IS OUT THERE. AND, UM, SO JUST THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU WELCOME, UH, AS WE GO FORWARD. APPRECIATE IT BUDDY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. MADAM CHAIR, JUST I GOTTA TALK NOW, SO YEAH. YEAH. YOU CAN TALK NOW. SO, TERRELL, THE STYLISHLY LATE SIR. APPRECIATE IT. . YOU KNOW, I THINK CHRISTIE COULD DO SOME GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORK NOW AND THAT YOU'VE GOT THIS UNDER YOU BELT. YOU KNOW, WE ARE HUNGRY. RIGHT. OKAY. THANK YOU. UM, SO YOU, THE BOARD, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU AFFORD ME A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO, TO WORK WITH RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE AND BEING ON THE, THE FOUNDATION BOARD. UM, BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION AND WHAT WE'RE DOING, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF THAT GAP AREA, TO, TO GET PEOPLE, YOUNG, YOUNG ADULTS, THIS LIFE CHANGING OPPORTUNITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT NORMALLY WOULDN'T HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY. JUST, JUST VERY HUMBLING WORK. UM, DR. MOORE MENTIONED RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE, WHERE IT'S, UM, GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IS HALF IN DENWOODY AND THAT OTHER PART'S IN PRINCE GEORGE . BUT THE INNOVATION PARK THAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER WHEN CHRISTIE WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT, THAT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT IN DIMITY COUNTY, NOT IN THAT OTHER JURISDICTION. SO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY THERE. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT THIS THIS LAND POTENTIALLY COULD BECOME ONE DAY, UH, A LOT FOR US AS A BOARD TO, TO THINK THROUGH CHRISTIE. YOU KNOW, WHEN, SO I SAY CHRISTIE WAS TAKEN FROM DENWOODY TO GO TO RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE. AND, AND THE THOUGHT THERE WAS, AS THE DIRECTOR OF DUAL EN ENROLLMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS WAS, HEY, YOU KNOW, OTHER JURISDICTIONS WERE TAKEN THE BENEFIT OF RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT AND OUR STUDENTS NECESSARILY DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. RIGHT. AND SO WHAT, WHAT CHRISTIE'S DONE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, YOU WILL SEE A, A, A FUNDING REQUEST THIS YEAR. THEY'RE TYPICALLY, WE FUND ABOUT $10,000. RICHARD BLAND'S ASKING FOR 15,000 THIS YEAR. AND AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO PUT THAT A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS THE DUAL ENROLLMENT PIECE. BUT WHEN YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, I'M LOOKING AT THE, AT THE, THE YOUNG ADULTS IN THE ROOM NOW, UM, I, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS GONNA DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. UM, THE MAJOR LEAGUES DIDN'T CALL JAKE. THEY MAY CALL YOU, BUT THEY DIDN'T CALL ME. AND, AND SO I HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WAS GONNA DO. I WENT TO RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE AND I, IT, IT TRANSFORMED MY LIFE. AND DON'T EVER THINK ABOUT THE BIGGER UNIVERSITIES IS WHERE YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO GO. UH, RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE WAS A PERFECT FIT FOR ME, AND IT'S A GREAT STEPPING STONE TO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN LIFE. AND IT'S IN OUR, AND AGAIN, IN OUR BACKYARD. SO, UM, THANK YOU FOR WHAT Y'ALL DO. I I TRULY APPRECIATE IT. AND TERRELL, YOU MAY BE OUT OF A JOB NOW, , SHE BROUGHT IT HOME, MAN. SHE DID. I CALL MYSELF CHRIS IS THE BEST. THAT'S GOOD. YEAH. SHE SAID THAT YOU WERE COMING. SHE SAID YOU WERE DRIVING WAS A LITTLE THING CALLED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES IN SESSIONS. OH, THAT'S ALL. YEAH. BUT YEAH. BUT THANK YOU BOTH. APPRECIATE WE APPRECIATE YEAH, THANK YOU BOTH. MY, MY NIECE, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN THERE, SO YEAH. YEAH. SO SHE WANTED TO GO THERE. SO I, I SAID YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT PLACE. WE HELPED HER MOVE IN AND EVERYTHING. AND, AND THE DORMS ARE, I MEAN, RESIDENT AREAS ARE VERY NICE. THEY'RE VERY NICE. THEY'RE VERY NICE. SO YEAH. I'M JEALOUS. YEAH, I KNOW. YEAH. IT'S NICE. MADAM CHAIR, JUST TO COMMENT, I, I SAW A SLIDE IN THERE THAT HAD A, A, A, THESE ELITE SCHOOLS AND I SAW CAROLINA ON THERE, BUT I'M GONNA PUT A PLUG IN FOR VIRGINIA TECH. I'LL TELL YOU, WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS. OKAY. SO I THINK THAT'S AN ELITE UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF A KID YET WHO HASN'T A DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENT THAT APPLIED TO TECH THAT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY ISSUE. THAT'S AMAZING. SO A LOT OF KIDS ARE APPLYING TO TECH. THAT'S THAT'S LIKE A BIG ONE THIS YEAR. IS IT? THAT'S SOMETHING NO, I, I SAW MR. CHAVIS BIG ONES THIS YEAR. SO CHRISTY, MR. CHAVIS HAS THIS, UH, LANYARD THAT, THAT ACTUALLY HAD SOME CAROLINA BLUE ON THAT FOR FOR UNC. YEAH. YEAH. HE'S GONNA, HE'S GONNA DO THAT. I'M HOPING THEY WIN TONIGHT. SO PULL FOR THEM WILL AND UH, TEEN EXPO. SO JUST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS WITH YOU ALL. ABSOLUTELY. UM, MS. COLLINS, WHAT, HOW MANY YEARS? WE BEEN OVER 10 YEARS. OVER 10 YEARS NOW. THAT'S GREAT. IT IS APRIL 18TH. APRIL, 1818. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. AND VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY. YAY. GOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. APPRECIATE, THANK YOU. MM-HMM . NOW WE HAVE [7.D. Virginia Cooperative Extension] THE, UM, VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, MS. HANNAH BISHOP UHHUH EXTENSION AGENT. ALL GOOD STUFF IS HERE. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. UM, I KNOW THE LAST TIME SOME OF Y'ALL SAW [00:40:01] ME WAS, I WAS CRYING OUT IN THE SUMMER, HAD A, UM, CHILDCARE CRISIS. SO THINGS ARE MUCH BETTER NOW. WE'RE GOOD. MM-HMM . UM, BUT, SO I'M HERE WITH VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO GIVE Y'ALL AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE, UM, AND KIND OF WHERE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND SOME BUDGETARY ITEMS. UM, SO I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY SEE ME IN THEY THINK FOUR H IMMEDIATELY. WELL, I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE WE ARE THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE AND FOUR H FALLS UNDER THAT UMBRELLA. WE'RE NOT JUST THE FOUR H OFFICE AS MUCH AS THAT MAKES ME HAPPY TO HEAR WE ARE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. SO I HAVE WITH US OUR OTHER EXTENSION AGENTS TO SHARE UPDATES AS WELL. SO SINCE I STARTED, IT'S BEEN 11 YEARS, WHICH IS CRAZY TO SAY. MM-HMM . SOMETHING ABOUT, I KNOW LAST YEAR I GAVE AN UPDATE ABOUT A DECADE, SOMETHING ABOUT HITTING 11 FEELS SO MUCH LONGER THAN SAYING A DECADE. BUT, UM, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S CONSTANT MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT WHAT VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS AND KIND OF WHERE WE FALL UNDER. AND, AND HONESTLY I UNDERSTAND WHY, BECAUSE IT'S VERY CONFUSING EVEN FOR US IN THE SYSTEM. UM, BUT JUST TO GIVE EVERYBODY WHO MIGHT NOT BE AWARE, WHETHER THEY'RE LISTENING HERE TODAY, UM, I WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS AND HOW IT STARTED. SO WE ARE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES. SO THAT INCLUDES VIRGINIA TECH AND VIRGINIA STATE RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD. AND ALSO A PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. UM, SO WE, HALF OF OUR SALARIES COME FROM VIRGINIA TECH ON STATE SIDE AND HALF COME FROM THE COUNTY IN SUPPORT. UM, IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE SMITH LEVER ACT IN 1914. SO THIS ISN'T ANYTHING NEW. AND IF WE WERE TO PUT KIND OF A HIERARCHY OF ESTABLISHMENTS TO GET TO VIRGINIA CROP OF EXTENSION, USDA WOULD BE UP AT THE TOP. SO I'M NOT GONNA GO INTO ALL THE NITTY GRITTY OF ALL OF THAT MM-HMM . UM, BUT THE GOAL OF VIRGINIA CORPORATE EXTENSION IN OUR OFFICE IS TO DISSEMINATE RESEARCH BASED INFORMATION FROM OUR COLLEGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY. SO IT'S A VERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE REALLY IN EVERY COUNTY, IN ALMOST EVERY CITY IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. UM, SO OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE SEEN A MAP OF VIRGINIA BEFORE, BUT THIS SHOWS EXACTLY WHERE ALL OF OUR OFFICES LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES ARE, AS WELL AS THE, UM, I THINK IT'S 12 OR 13 RESEARCH EDUCATIONAL CENTERS AND WE HAVE SIX FOUR H EDUCATIONAL CENTERS. UM, SO DENWITTY IS NOW LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST DISTRICT. UH, WE'RE KIND OF ON THE TAIL END, BUT IT FITS WELL IN TERMS OF FOUR H. WE CAMP AT AIRFIELD, WHICH IS IN THE SOUTHEAST DISTRICT. AND A LOT OF OUR AG AGRICULTURAL CROPS ALSO FIT IN, UM, WITH THE SOUTHEAST. UM, SO OUR CORE PROGRAM AREAS IN DENWITTY, WE HAVE THREE AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE AND FOUR H POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. SO JUST TO PUT A FACE TO ALL OF THOSE AREAS, WE HAVE MIKE PARRISH, JESSICA JONES, AND MYSELF. UM, I KNOW MIKE AND I CRINGE AT THOSE PICTURES EVERY TIME. , , THAT'S ALL I HAVE. YOURS IS GREAT JESSICA. OKAY. UM, SO JUST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY SEE US IN OUR OWN SILOS AND NOT ALWAYS TOGETHER. SO I TRY TO GIVE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS TOGETHER, WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM. WE'RE HERE TO REALLY SERVE THE COMMUNITY. SO I'LL JUMP INTO THE FOUR H SIDE OF THINGS AND I'LL LET MY PEERS GO INTO THEIR AREAS. UM, BUT I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HEARD OF FOUR H. IF YOU HADN'T AT THIS POINT, I'D BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY JOB . UM, BUT I JUST WANNA ALSO EMPHASIZE WHERE WE ARE WITH FOUR H. AND WHILE DENWITTY WAS THE HOME OF THE VERY FIRST CORN CLUB IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND THAT'S HOW WE STARTED WITH THE AGRICULTURE ROOTS AND WE'RE STILL VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN AG EDUCATION, WE HAVE ALSO KIND OF EXPANDED OUR PROGRAMMING TO REACH YOUTH WHO MAYBE ARE IN MORE URBAN SETTINGS. UM, WITH NORTH AND WITTY. WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FARMS OVER THERE, SO WE WANNA HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL. SO WE KIND OF BREAK IT INTO FOUR CORE FOCUS AREAS. WE HAVE AG, STEM, HEALTHY LIVING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. SO THE PROGRAMS THAT I'M OFFERING GENERALLY ARE COVERING, UM, ONE OR MORE OF OUR CORE FOCUS AREAS. SO THE WAY WE DISSEMINATE OUR PROGRAMMING IS THROUGH BASICALLY THESE THREE OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE CLUBS, WE DO DAY AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS, AND WE ALSO DO SCHOOL ENRICHMENT. H MEANT OH AND A, I HAD TO INCLUDE THAT PICTURE OF ALVIN. THAT'S A GREAT PICTURE. LANGLEY , UM, HE WAS MR. FOUR H AT CAMP LAST YEAR. SO I WAS SO GRATEFUL THAT HE CAME [00:45:01] AND HAD THE BEST TIME. HE WAS THE BEST LIKE CAMPER THAT WE HAD. UM, HE HAD A BLAST. SO REALLY EXCITED THAT HE'S THRILLED TO COME BACK AGAIN. AND HE'S PROBABLY A LIFER AT THIS POINT. UM, SO I'M A ANALYTICAL PERSON. I LIKE NUMBERS. SO YOU'RE GONNA SEE A LOT OF NUMBERS UP HERE. UM, AND WE JUST STARTED USING A NEW SYSTEM IN THE LAST YEAR TO CAPTURE OUR DATA, UM, WHICH I LOVE BECAUSE IT DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB OF REALLY SUMMING IT ALL UP. I WON'T PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT CALCULATES THESE NUMBERS BECAUSE WHEN I SAW 38,000, I DON'T, I HAVE NO IDEA. BUT LOCAL TO DENWITTY, WE, UH, WITH FOUR H REACHED 2,414 PARTICIPANTS IN THE YEAR 2025. UM, SO THAT'S ABOUT HALF OF THE, ACTUALLY MORE THAN HALF OF THE YOUTH POPULATION IN DENWOODY. UM, WHEN YOU TAG ME ACROSS AS A COLLABORATOR IN THE STATE, WHETHER IT WAS ME JUST HELPING PLAN A PROGRAM, UM, I GOT TAGGED ON IT AND THAT'S HOW THAT 38,000 GOT ADDED. SO AT SOME POINT, SOMETHING I DID TOUCHED 38,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE. AND I AGAIN, DON'T PRETEND TO KNOW HOW THAT GOT CALCULATED, BUT IT, THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE. SO, UM, I HAVE MY HAND IN A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT JUST IN DENWITTY, BUT OUTSIDE DENWITTY AS WELL, UM, THROUGH VIRGINIA TECH AND VIRGINIA STATE. SO JUST TO KIND OF BREAK IT DOWN BY OUR PROGRAMMING MODELS. SO CLUB WISE, WE UM, MAINTAINED A STEADY NUMBER OF CLUBS THIS PAST YEAR. WE HAVE 22 VOLUNTEER CLUB LEADERS, ABOUT 250 CLUB MEMBERS. AND THESE CLUBS ARE MEETING MOSTLY YEAR ROUND. UM, SOME OF THEM MEET DURING JUST THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT QUITE A FEW NOW MEET THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. A LOT OF OUR CLUBS ORIGINALLY WHEN I FIRST STARTED WOULD MEET ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS. NOW SOME OF THEM ARE MEETING EVERY WEEK. SO IT'S REALLY, REALLY PICKED UP QUITE A BIT, UM, TO WHERE I'M HEAVILY RELYING ON VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T BE IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AT ONE TIME. UM, BUT IT'S REALLY, REALLY GREAT TO SEE THAT WE HAVE SUCH STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THESE CLUBS HAPPEN. UM, SO WE HAVE ABOUT 10 CLUBS TOTAL. WE'VE ALSO STARTED SOME NEW CLUBS IN THIS PAST YEAR. WE HAVE A NEW, WHAT WE CALL OUR CLOVERBUD CLUB, THAT'S OUR FIVE TO EIGHT YEAR OLDS, GROUNDED AND WELL-ROUNDED. JUST STARTED. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS. WE JUST HAD AN INTEREST MEETING THE OTHER WEEK FOR A ROBOTICS CLUB THAT I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. UM, BUT I HAVE A VERY PASSIONATE PARENT WHO HAS BEEN TRAVELING TO HENRICO AND RICHMOND FOR A ROBOTICS LEAGUE AND WANTS TO BRING IT TO DENWITTY. SO I SAID, HOW CAN I HELP? SO HERE WE ARE TRYING TO GET THAT GOING. UM, HAD A LOT OF INTEREST WITH THAT. WE HAVE, UM, WE'RE IN THE INTEREST PHASE OF A SCHOOL-BASED AG CLUB AND WE ALSO HAVE, UM, COTILLION AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON RIGHT NOW. HMM. FOR JUNIOR CAMP. THIS IS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS, FOUR H TWO B, UM, AND REALLY I FEEL LIKE IT'S SUCH A SMALL PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING DAY TO DAY NOW. UM, BUT WE HAD THE LARGEST CAMP AT AIRFIELD IN 2025 WITH 112 CAMPERS, 64 TRAINED TEEN COUNSELORS AND CITS AND 13 ADULTS FROM DENWITTY. WE ARE THE ONLY CAMP THAT OFFERED HORSEMANSHIP. I THINK THERE MIGHT'VE BEEN TWO, UH, CAMPS THAT DID FUN WITH FOODS. BUT THOSE ARE COMPLETELY VOLUNTEER LED THINGS THAT WE BRING IN. AND GRANTED, I, IF WE DIDN'T BRING THE HORSES, I THINK WE WOULD LOSE A LOT OF PEOPLE. SO DUAL, I'M HOPING CAN BRING THIS BACK. UM, AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MISS JESSICA, WE CREATED, UM, A TEEN BREAK ROOM THAT HAS NOW BEEN REPLICATED IN OTHER PLACES TO HELP TEENS COPE WITH STRESS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL JOB CARING FOR LITTLE CHILDREN AS YOU ALL KNOW. UM, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, I KNOW, UM, PART OF THE BUDGET INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR AIRFIELD. THEY'VE BEEN UNDERGOING A LOT OF REALLY GREAT RENOVATIONS. DR. KATHY GWEN THERE, SHE'S THE CENTER DIRECTOR AND SHE HAS JUST TURNED THINGS AROUND FOR THE BETTER. JUST A REALLY STRONG LEADER. UM, REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT SHE'S DOING. UM, SO IF I SHOULD HAVE PUT PICTURES IN HERE, BUT I WILL INVITE YOU TO THEIR EVENT. APRIL 11TH IS, UM, THEIR REBUILD AND RECONNECT EVENT. IT'S A NICE DINNER WHERE THEY SERVE PRIME [00:50:01] RIB. UM, AND IT'S JUST A, A NIGHT OF FUN AND A CELEBRATION OF THE CENTER AND WHAT THAT, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. SO I'LL BE SURE TO EMAIL YOU UM, ABOUT THAT WHEN IT OPENS UP FOR SCHOOL ENRICHMENT. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF OUR BIGGEST GROWING PROGRAMS. UM, AND IT IS WHAT KEEPS ME THE BUSIEST. WE DO TWO ROUNDS OF THE EMBRYOLOGY PROJECT. SO HATCHING CHICKS IN THE CLASSROOM. OBVIOUSLY ALL THE KIDS LOVE THAT. TEACHERS LOVE THAT. WE'VE CREATED WHAT I CALL EGG EGG EDUCATION KITS AND THE TEACHERS PICK THOSE UP. WE HAVE LOCAL DONORS WITH EGGS, UM, AND I RUN AROUND ALL THE SCHOOLS AND DROP THOSE OFF AND THE TEACHERS DO THE REST. UM, SO THAT PROGRAM HAS REALLY KICKED OFF. A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE STARTED, WE GOT A GRANT TO START THE BUTTERFLY PROGRAM. WE'VE ALSO TO CONTINUE THAT, BEEN USING SOME OF THAT IN THE BUDGET PROGRAMMING MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER TRIED TO PURCHASE BUTTERFLY EGGS. UH, THEY'RE VERY EXPENSIVE . SO WE'VE BEEN USING A LOT OF THAT MONEY, UM, TO HELP SUPPORT THAT. UH, WE DO 12, WE HAVE 12 KITS, SO WE'VE BEEN DOING SECOND GRADE CLASSES WITH THAT AS WELL AS SOME PRE-K. WE ALSO DO FINANCIAL PROGRAMS. WE HAVE REALITY STORE, WHICH IS ALWAYS A BIG HIT AND JESSICA HELPS WITH THAT AS WELL. UM, THAT'S WHERE THE KIDS ARE GIVEN THEIR LIFE CAREER AND THEY HAVE TO SPEND THEIR MONTHLY BUDGET. UM, IT'S A WHOLE SIMULATION THAT IS CURRENTLY ACTUALLY BEING UPDATED, THANK GOODNESS, UM, TO BE A LITTLE MORE REALISTIC TO THE NUMBERS WE SEE TODAY VERSUS LIKE 2012. SO, UM, THAT'LL BE REALLY EXCITING TO CHANGE AND, AND MAKE BETTER. WE ALSO FOR THE FIRST YEAR, LAST YEAR DID REAL MONEY REAL WORLD, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROGRAM, BUT IT'S GEARED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL. SO THAT WAS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH UM, SIXTH GRADE, UH, I GUESS CIVIC OR WHATEVER. CIVICS. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THAT'S THE CLASS THAT DID REAL MONEY, REAL WORLD. ALSO DOING YOGA OF COURSE THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES. AND DESPITE IT BEING YOGA, IT IS NOT RELAXING FOR ME AT ALL. IT'S WITH PRE-K . SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW, UM, FUN. I MEAN IT IS FUN, IT'S VERY FUN BUT IT'S ALSO CHALLENGING. UM, BUT THEY SURPRISE ME EVERY TIME WITH HOW WELL THEY DO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BY THE END OF IT AND THE GOAL'S ALWAYS TO GET THEM TO FALL ASLEEP. SO YOU'D THINK THEY WOULD WANT TO FALL ASLEEP, BUT IT'S LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO WANNA SLEEP DON'T GET TO SLEEP. UM, THEY FIGHT IT. BUT I AM DOING THAT BASICALLY THAT TAKES ALL DAY. I GO TO ALL THE SCHOOLS IN ONE DAY DOING YOGA. UM, SO IT'S A LOT OF FUN. UM, AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAVE OUR DRONE PROGRAM, WHICH I HAVE NOT SCHEDULED FOR THIS YEAR BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY COMPETING THINGS, ESPECIALLY WITH THAT FIFTH GRADE LEVEL WITH SOLS AND WHATNOT. THEY'RE SO KEPT SO BUSY THAT WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT THAT IN THIS YEAR. BUT WE DID IT IN 2025. SO IN 2025 WE REACHED OVER 1200 STUDENTS. UM, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THAT DOES TAKE UP A LOT OF OUR TIME. UM, I DON'T QUITE KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT THEY ACTUALLY DO PROGRAMMING IN EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY. UM, SO I FEEL REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU WHERE SOME OF OUR LOCAL FOUR ACRES ARE TAKING WHAT THEY LEARN LOCALLY AND GOING BEYOND OUR BORDERS. UM, SO WE HAD FOUR DO OUR DISTRICT CONTESTS LAST YEAR WE HAD FOUR ATTEND THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT LIVESTOCK SHOW AND BLACKSTONE, THAT'S WHERE THEY DO UM, GOATS AND COWS. IT'S JUST, AND PIGS. WE ONLY HAD GOATS AND COWS IN THAT SHOW. UH, WE HAD FIVE SELECTED TO AIRFIELDS TEAM LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SIX ATTENDED THE STATE FOUR H CONGRESS AT VIRGINIA TECH. TWO TEENS THAT ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY. AND WE'LL BE SPEAKING ELECTED TO THE STATE FOUR H CABINET, WHICH IS A VERY BIG HONOR. AND IT WAS IN YEARS PAST, IT HAS NOT BEEN VERY COMPETITIVE. BUT THIS LAST YEAR WAS A VERY COMPETITIVE, SO REALLY PROUD THAT UM, BOTH OF OURS WHO HAD APPLIED FOR IT WERE UM, ELECTED TO THE POSITION 'CAUSE IT'S AN ELECTION PROCESS. UM, WE HAD 15 COMPETE AT THE STATE FOUR H HORSE SHOW. SO WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT HORSE CLUBS. THEY HAVE SEVERAL QUALIFYING EVENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH BEFORE THEY CAN GO TO THE STATE HORSE SHOW. UM, ANOTHER 16 COMPETED AT THE STATE SHOOTING SPORTS. FOUR TEENS WENT TO [00:55:01] TENNESSEE FOR THAT TEEN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. TWO HAVE GONE TO WASHINGTON DC TO THE NATIONAL FOUR H IGNITE EVENTS. WE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HAD WON GO TO THE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION, UM, LAST YEAR AND ANOTHER FIRST TIME TO MY KNOWLEDGE AT LEAST. WELL THAT'S NOT TRUE. PATSY BARNES HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE DO THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM YEARS AND YEARS AGO. AND THE ONLY REASON I WAS ABLE TO GET SOMEBODY TO DO IT THIS PAST YEAR WAS BECAUSE SHE DID IT WHEN HER KIDS WERE, UM, FOUR H AGE. SO WE HAD TWO FAMILIES HOST ONE ADULT CHAPERONE FROM JAPAN. UM, SO HER NAME WAS AKIKO. SHE CAME, SHE WAS HERE FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS. UM, SHE ACTUALLY CAME TO OUR HOUSE AND HAD DINNER. SO IT WAS A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE. SHE DID SEND US A PACKAGE OF SOME GOODIES THAT I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS 'CAUSE IT'S ALL WRITTEN IN JAPANESE . UM, BUT THAT WAS A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE AND WE'RE HOPING WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN. AND THEN WE ALSO SENT ONE TEEN LEADER TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. SO OUR FOUR HS ARE REACHING BEYOND, UM, D WHITTY. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND I KNOW THAT'S, IT'S A LOT OF NUMBERS AND UM, I, I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT HERE IS THE DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE IN DENWOODY. UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT MANY OTHER FOUR H PROGRAMS REALLY. I KNOW I FEEL LIKE IN THE SOUTHEAST DISTRICT, MAYBE EVEN THE STATE HAVE QUITE THE LEVEL OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR KIDS, UM, TO PARTICIPATE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE REMOTE OR ME. ALL RIGHT. SO I COULD SPEAK ALL DAY ON OUR TEAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, BUT IT'S PROBABLY BETTER HEARING IT FROM THE TEENS THEMSELVES. SO I'LL HAVE COLBY AND LEXI COME ON UP. HEY Y'ALL, MY NAME IS COLBY HAWKINS AND I AM ONE OF FOUR SOUTHEAST DISTRICT AMBASSADORS ON VIRGINIA FOUR H STATE CABINET. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME'S LEXI SHU AND I AM ALSO A SOUTHEAST DISTRICT AMBASSADOR FOR VIRGINIA STATE CABINET. FIRST OFF, I WANT TO KIND OF TELL MY STORY ABOUT HOW, UM, OUR TEAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS IN DENWITTY HAVE, UM, IMPROVED ME AS A PERSON AND INCREASED MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS. UM, AS A KID AND CAMPER AT FOUR H CAMP, I NEVER WON ANY AWARDS. I NEVER REALLY TALKED TO ANYBODY BESIDES MY FRIEND GROUP. I NEVER WANTED TO DO ANYTHING BESIDES JUST, YOU KNOW, GO TO CAMP, HAVE FUN. UM, I NEVER PUT MYSELF OUT THERE AND I WAS NEVER WILLING TO DO ANYTHING THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE. UM, BUT WHEN I BECAME A COUNSELOR AT THE AGE OF 15, YES, 15, UM, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP WITH ANOTHER WEEK WHERE I DIDN'T KNOW ANYBODY, BUT I ENDED UP THROWING MYSELF OUT THERE IN THAT UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION JUST TO IMPROVE MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND UM, JUST BE MORE PERSONABLE IN GENERAL. AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY, I'VE, UM, MADE IT MY GOAL TO PUT MYSELF IN THOSE UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS IN ORDER TO MAKE MYSELF A BETTER LEADER AND TO MAKE MYSELF A BETTER PERSON IN GENERAL. AND WHAT I'VE TAKEN FROM THAT IS, UM, THAT IT'S NOT HARD TO TALK TO PEOPLE. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. YOU'RE A PERSON AND IT'S INSANELY EASY TO JUST GO UP TO SOMEONE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. UM, AND EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE SERVED THREE TERMS AS PRESIDENT OF DIMITY FOUR H FLEX CLUB, WHERE WE FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES AND JUST COMMUNITY SERVICE IN GENERAL. I'VE SERVED TWO TERMS AS AIRFIELDS, TEAM LEADERSHIP COUNCILS, UM, BOARD LIAISON, AND THEN I HAVE INVOLVED MYSELF WITH THREE, UM, FOUR H COUNTIES AS WELL WHERE I JUST GO OUT THERE AND HELP HELP OTHER PEOPLE, UM, INCREASE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS I DID AS WELL. SO MY FOUR H EXPERIENCE ALSO STARTS AS AT A CAMP AS A CAMPER. AND I WAS REALLY SHY AT FIRST JUST LIKE KOLBY. BUT THEN ONCE I BECAME, I STARTED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH CAMP. SO I, UM, JOINED CLUBS AND I'M STILL IN THOSE CLUBS TO THIS DAY AND I REALLY STARTED TO BECOME A LEADER ONCE I WAS A CIT, WHICH THIS WAS LAST YEAR. AND THIS LAST LIKE LAST YEAR, I REALLY STARTED TO GROW. SO I AM PRESIDENT IN, UM, TANGLE MAINES IN FLORIDAS MOORE. AND IF Y'ALL REMEMBER FORD IS MOORE. WE HAVE COME UP HERE AND SPOKE BEFORE ABOUT BUILDING A TRAIL FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER. UM, ENTANGLED MAINES. I HAVE GONE TO THE VIRGINIA STATE HORSE SHOW. I HAVE GONE TO STATE CONGRESS, I HAVE GONE TO IGNITE AND I'M GOING THIS YEAR AS WELL. AND THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE REALLY HELPED ME BECOME A LEADER BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SPEAK TO SO MANY PEOPLE AND JUST LIKE COLBY SAID, PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE AND IT BECOMES [01:00:01] EASIER. I'VE GONE TO SO MANY EVENTS, MET SO MANY PEOPLE, I'VE MET THE DEAN OF VIRGINIA TECH AT THE AGRI BUSINESS MEAL, UM, DINNER. AND REALLY MY EXPERIENCE HAS JUST GROWN SO MUCH OVER FOUR H AND I'VE BEEN IN SO MANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND IT JUST GETS EASIER AS I GO ON. AND FOUR H HAS REALLY HELPED ME BECOME THE LEADER I AM TODAY. GOOD JOB. GREAT, GREAT JOB. YES. SO WITHOUT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, UM, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO STAND UP HERE AND DELIVER THAT MESSAGE, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO BECAUSE THEY DO SUCH A BETTER JOB OF, OF TELLING THE STORY. UM, I'M DOING ALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF, , AS YOU CAN TELL WITH ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE GOING ON. UM, SO BEFORE I, I KIND OF MOVE ON TO THE SLIDE. I KNOW, UM, MS. CLARK LEFT, BUT SHE HAD, UM, A SLIDE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RBC AND IT KIND OF GOT ME THINKING, UM, I DIDN'T PUT ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FOUR H. UM, AND I THINK PART OF THAT KIND OF TIES INTO THE BUDGET REQUESTS, UM, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP AFLOAT . WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON, UM, LOCALLY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START A LOT OF NEW THINGS. UM, WE HAVE BROUGHT MADDIE ON, UM, WHO I WANTED TO BE BRING TODAY, BUT SHE IS LEADING THE COTILLION PROGRAM TODAY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. UM, SO THAT'S WHERE KIND OF I'M HOPING WE CAN ONCE AGAIN MAKE THAT POSITION FULL-TIME. UM, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENSE OF FOUR H. IT'S A CONTINUOUS PROGRAM AND EVEN, YOU KNOW, WHILE I WAS OUT ON MATERNITY LEAVE CAMP. STILL HAD TO HAPPEN. CLUBS ARE STILL MEETING. UM, IT'S JUST, IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOME CONTINUATION THERE WITH ANOTHER FULL-TIME PERSON TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE HAVE BUILT THIS UP. UM, MAYBE TOO MUCH , UM, BUT BUILT IT UP TO SUCH A GREAT POINT AND REALLY GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THESE OPPORTUNITIES. UM, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT WITH WE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. SO, UM, JUST SOME OF THOSE BUDGET REQUESTS THAT ARE ON THERE. UM, THE PROGRAMMATIC EXPENSES, JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, NOTHING HAS CHANGED THERE. UM, REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT IS WHAT MADE THE BUTTERFLY PROGRAM HAPPEN. 'CAUSE WE DON'T RECEIVE ANY PROGRAMMING DOLLARS FROM THE STATE, SO WE RELY ON, UM, GRANTS AND DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS. AND THEN I TOUCHED A LITTLE BIT ON THAT AIRFIELD SUPPORT, BUT I, I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT OUR COUNTY HAS SUPPORTED THAT CENTER BECAUSE IT'S A HUGE PART OF HOW OUR CLUBS HAVE BEEN BUILT UP. HOW OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS HAVE BUILT UP THAT IT ALL STARTED WITH CAMP. UM, SO YEAH, I'LL PASS IT ON TO JESSICA. GOOD AFTERNOON, MOST HONORABLE CHAIR AND HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL ON TODAY. I AM COMING UP ON YEAR FIVE IN DECEMBER IN THIS CREATED POSITION. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT AWARE, I SERVE, UM, GREENSVILLE, EMPORIA AND DENWITTY. AND SO I'M EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF DEN WITTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. AS YOU KNOW, OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME, AND THAT IS TO STRENGTHEN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH PRACTICAL RESEARCH BASED EDUCATION THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR DAILY DECISIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE LONG-TERM STABILITY. SO WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO DENWITTY RESIDENTS? I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ASKED. IT MATTERS BECAUSE IT RESULTS IN HEALTHIER RESIDENTS, STRONGER FAMILIES, WORKFORCE, YOUTH AND ADULTS THAT ARE READY FOR THE WORKFORCE. REDUCED STRAIN ON PUBLIC SYSTEMS AND ALSO STRATEGIC PREVENTION AND STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO CRITICAL ISSUES. SO DOESN'T THIS LOOK ODD? MM-HMM . WHY WOULD I HAVE A PICTURE OF A FISH? BECAUSE OUR GRAY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR LOVES STORIES. AND I FIGURED I'D TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES. SO OUR RESPONSE IS AN UPSTREAM RESPONSE. I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE, IMAGINE THAT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT DENWOODY, WHICH IS ALL OF US, HEAR THAT THERE'S A CRITICAL CRISIS GOING ON AT A RIVER DOWNSTREAM. SO EVERYBODY'S THERE TO CHIP IN. COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS THERE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, POLICE OFFICERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, EVEN SOME EDUCATORS ARE THERE AND THEY ARE WORKING TO RESCUE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THIS RIVER. FIRST THEY PULL OUT A LADY WHO IS A GRIEVING WIDOW. THEY HELP GET HER TO SAFETY. THEN THEY REACH IN AND THEY PULL OUT A DISENGAGED TEENAGER WHO ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO STARTED TO DISCONNECT FROM SCHOOL, GAVE UP ON HIS DREAMS, THEY BEGIN TO TEND TO HIM. NEXT, THEY PULL OUT AN ENTIRE FAMILY THAT APPEARS TO BE OVERWHELMED. AND THAT'S GREAT, RIGHT? ALL, EVERYBODY IS WORKING SO HARD, RIGHT? BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION, [01:05:01] 'CAUSE YES, WE RESPOND AND WE SHOULD, BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION IS WHAT'S HAPPENING UPSTREAM THAT'S CAUSING ALL OF THESE PEOPLE TO BE IN THIS RIVER? WHAT'S HAPPENING UPSTREAM THAT MAYBE WE CAN PREVENT, RIGHT? SEE, UPSTREAM IS WHERE I WORK WITH FAMILIES TO LEARN COMMUNICATION SKILLS SO THAT WHEN CONFLICTS ESCALATE, THEY'RE ABLE TO MANAGE THEM WITHOUT CRISIS. UPSTREAM IS WHERE I HELP RESIDENTS LEARN HOW TO COOK, UH, HEALTHIER MEALS SO THAT CHRONIC DISEASE CAN BE PREVENTED. UPSTREAM IS WHERE I HELP TEENS PREPARE FOR THE WORKFORCE AND BETTER DECISION MAKING. SO I COULD COME HERE TODAY AND I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH LAST YEAR, LIKE BEING ON A NATIONAL PANEL FOR BEST PRACTICES FOR DIABETES PREVENTION COACHES, OR HOW I EARNED A, UM, AWARD WITH THE STATE OF VIRGINIA FOR OUR VACCINE EDUCATION EFFORTS. BUT I FIGURED THAT TODAY I WOULD SHOW YOU SOME OF THE UPSTREAM PREVENTION EFFORTS OF DENWITTY COUNTY. FOR EXAMPLE, UPSTREAM IS WHERE WE SOUGHT AN APPLE BUTTER CANNING WORKSHOP WHERE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLASS HAD NEVER MADE HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER BEFORE, OR HAD NO EXPERIENCE CANNING FOOD OR WITH THIS YOUNG LADY TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN CAME IN AND TALKED ABOUT HOW HER HUSBAND HAD ENJOYED HIS APPLE BUTTER FOR THE FIRST TIME AND NO LONGER WANTED CRACKER BARRELS . AND SO, AGAIN, THE PUBLIC VALUE OF MY PROGRAMMING IS THAT THERE'S PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, AND FOOD SAFETY, WHICH COSTS AMERICA BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR. AND ALSO STRATEGIC PARENTING, WHICH WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, HAVING CHILDREN COME OUT OF, UM, FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION TO BE REUNITED, WELL, FOSTER CARE, IT'S BE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES, CAN SAVE THE COUNTY AND EXCESS 7,000 TO $10,000 A YEAR. AND WHAT ABOUT HEALTHY SHEET PAN SUPPERS, BEING ABLE TO COOK FOOD THAT'S HEALTHY LEARNING KNIFE SAFETY SKILLS, LEARNING FOOD SAFETY SKILLS. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT WAS ONE OF OUR LARGEST CLASSES AND THEY ALL HAD A GREAT TIME. AND THEN THERE WAS THE EMPOWER WELLNESS PROGRAM. THIS WAS A PROGRAM THAT, UM, I CREATED AFTER THE HEALTHY SHEEP PAN SUPPER BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON WEIGHT LOSS AND STRATEGIZE. AND I SAID, WELL, THE BIGGEST THING THAT YOU NEED TO DO IS USE THINGS THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO. IT'S NO NEED TO GO OUT HERE AND DO EXTREME THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MASTER AND CONTINUE. AND I'M SO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS GROUP, THERE WERE NINE CONSISTENT INDIVIDUALS WHERE OVER A SPAN OF FOUR WEEKS, THEY LOST 22 POUNDS. AND YOU'RE GONNA SEE A DENWITTY COMMENT, UM, LATER ON THE SCREEN OF A YOUNG LADY WHO HAS CONTINUED AND AS A RESULT, HAS LOST 20 POUNDS AND HAS KEPT IT OFF AND SENT ME HER UPDATE ON YESTERDAY WHEN SHE HEARD THAT I WAS COMING TO SPEAK HERE TODAY. SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT, AND I HOPE TO GROW THIS PROGRAM, UM, NEXT YEAR. NOW, WHEN YOU HEAR THE NUMBER 22 POUNDS, YOU MAY THINK, WELL, THAT'S NOT A LOT. BUT A FIVE TO 10% REDUCTION IN WEIGHT LOSS CAN TRULY SHIFT A LIFETIME OUTCOME FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NAVIGATING AVOIDING CHRONIC CONDITIONS. SO AGAIN, HEALTH AND WELLNESS IMPACT IS PUBLIC VALUE FOR THIS COUNTY. AND ALSO OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IMPACT. I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WITH FOUNDATIONS FIRST, WHICH WAS A CAMP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. I WORKED WITH MS. NICHOLAS AND WE WERE ABLE TO, NUMBER ONE, TEACH THEM HOW TO CREATE RESUMES, CRITIQUE THE SO WHAT THEY COULD APPLY TO CHANGE TO BE READY. I ALSO CONDUCTED A WORKSHOP ON COMPLETING JOB APPLICATIONS AND PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD WHEN YOU'RE GOING INTO INTERVIEWS. THEN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, WORK WITH THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP HERE AND TO PRESENT AT THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP ADVANCE. AND IT WAS QUITE A EVENTFUL TIME. UM, I REALLY ENJOYED TALKING ABOUT NAVIGATING, WORKING WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES. AND I'VE ALSO HAD A REALLY STRONG RELATIONSHIP FOR CONDUCTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE AS WELL. ONE OF OUR PHENOMENAL PROGRAMS THAT SOMETIMES, UM, IT HAS ACTUALLY GROWN, IT'S COPING WITH GRIEF. AND SO YOU'LL SEE A CITIZEN'S COMMENT LATER ON, BUT THAT IS A WORKSHOP WHERE PEOPLE COME AT THE HOLIDAYS AND WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE EVIDENCE BASED, THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHAT GRIEF DOES TO THE BODY, HOW TO NAVIGATE GRIEF. AND MY KEY CONCEPT IS FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE THAT PROGRAM KNOWING THAT YOU'RE NOT CRAZY, YOU'RE JUST GRIEVING. AND I KNOW THAT THAT SOUNDS HARSH, BUT THE REALITY IS, SOMETIMES GRIEF WILL MAKE YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE CRAZY. BUT WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE, YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR YOURSELF. YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO TEACH OTHERS HOW TO CARE FOR YOU. AND YOU CAN NAVIGATE EVEN DIFFICUL SEASONS. SEASONS. SO AGAIN, IT'S AN UPSTREAM RESPONSE. 'CAUSE THE GOAL IS PREVENTION. AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UPSTREAM RESPONSE, AGAIN, I NAVIGATE OVER TWO COUNTIES. WELL, YOU KNOW, TECHNICALLY GREENSVILLE, EMPORIA, AND [01:10:01] DENWITTY. SO ACCORDING TO THE NUMBERS, THERE WERE 597 PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAMMING LAST YEAR OVER 42 SESSIONS. AND I HAD AN IMPACT OF 7,492 PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IN THE COUNTY OR THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY LAST YEAR. SO WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF UPSTREAM INVESTMENT? I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ASKED. I WOULDN'T CLOSE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT IT. SO THE FIRST THING IS, THERE'S HEALTHCARE AVOIDANCE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS YOU SHOULD THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MY POSITION. SO THERE'S A POTENTIAL REDUCTION OF $85,000 BEING PREVENTED. HOW DO WE GET TO THAT NUMBER? BECAUSE IF YOU COME TO MY CLASSES AND YOU LEARN HOW TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOU'RE ABLE TO AVOID DEVELOPING TYPE TWO DIABETES, OR YOU'RE ABLE TO REDUCE HEART DISEASE OVER THE LIFETIME OF SOMEONE WHO'S NAVIGATING THE CHRONIC CONDITION, IT COSTS ABOUT $85,000. THERE'S ALSO FOSTER CARE AVOIDANCE, AGAIN, TEACHING THIS PARENTING CLASS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTY. IT HAS ACTUALLY BECOME A PART OF MY BIG P PROGRAM, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT ONE DAY. BUT, UM, IT HAS JUST GROWN PHENOMENALLY. AND YOU'LL SEE A COMMENT, UM, LATER ON FROM THE DIRECTOR, NOT THE DIRECTOR, THE SU SUPERVISOR OF THE SERVICES UNIT OF DSS AND HOW FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE REUNITED BECAUSE OF THAT PROGRAM. AND SO, AGAIN, UPSTREAM SAVES DOWNSTREAM. WE ARE LOOKING AT SAVING MONEY. ULTIMATELY IN THE END. IT IT'S THE PREVENTION AND THE PROTECTION OF TAX DOLLARS, WHICH SAVES IN THE END AS WELL. RIGHT? AND ALSO EXTENSION KNOWS THAT PREVENTION STRENGTHENS DEN WOODY'S FUTURE. THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING THAT I WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY, IS THAT BY US PROVIDING LOCAL EDUCATION, WE'RE CREATING A LASTING IMPACT. SO HERE'S SOME COMMENTS FOR DENWOODY SPEAKS. AGAIN, THERE WAS A, A YOUNG LADY WHO CAME TO THE COPING WITH GRIEF PROGRAM AND SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT JUST CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE AND GAVE HER TOOLS AND STRATEGIES THAT SHE WANTED TO GO HOME AND SHARE WITH HER SISTER. AND SO THEN THERE WAS ALSO, I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL ARE READING IT, IF I NEED TO SLOW DOWN, LET ME KNOW. , UM, AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT THE YOUNG LADY WHO MADE THE APPLE BUTTER AND HOW SHE CAME TO THE CLASS. AND THE BIGGEST THING THAT I, THAT EXCITED ME ABOUT THAT CLASS WAS THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME I WAS SCARED TO CAN, LIKE I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS, IT WAS DANGEROUS AND THERE IS A LEVEL OF DANGER TO IT. BUT WHEN YOU COME TO EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION AND YOU WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND YOU'RE LEARNING HOW TO DO IT AGAIN, TO SEE THEIR FACES AND TO SEE HOW PROUD THEY WERE TO TAKE THIS APPLE BUTTER THAT THEY MADE TO THEIR FAMILY WAS JUST PHENOMENAL. ALSO, WITH DEN WITTY SPEAKS, AGAIN, THIS IS FROM THE RESIDENT. SHE SAID, I ATTENDED THE EMPOWER WELLNESS SERIES AND WAS ABLE TO TAKE AWAY MANY MEANINGFUL LASTING TIPS AND TOOLS. THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY HELPED ME LOSE 20 POUNDS AND KEEP IT OFF, BUT IT ALSO EQUIPPED ME WITH THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE I NEEDED TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE HABITS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS. AND SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS LOST WEIGHT AND KEPT IT OFF. HER DAUGHTER HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE SO TOO. AND I, AS OF WEDNESDAY, WENT TO MY DOCTOR AFTER STARTING IN JULY OF LAST YEAR AT THE END OF EMPOWER. 'CAUSE I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T WANNA BE A HYPOCRITE. I'M NOT GONNA TEACH YOU SOMETHING I'M NOT GONNA DO MYSELF. I'VE LOST 36 POUNDS SINCE JULY OF LAST YEAR. SO AGAIN, THIS, AGAIN, WHAT I'M TEACHING IS NOT JUST SOMETHING I'M TELLING THEM. THIS IS SOMETHING I WANT. I WANT A HEALTHY DENWITTY. I WANT A DENWITTY THAT'S THRIVING. AND LASTLY, WE HAVE DENWITTY SPEAKS. A PARTICIPANT REGAINED CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN WHO WERE INITIALLY PLACED IN FOSTER CARE. DURING THE FINAL REUNIFICATION MEETING, THE DSS SUPERVISOR NOTED THAT THE DENWITTY VCE STRATEGIC PARENTING CLASS WAS A DRIVING FACTOR AND PARENTAL IMPROVEMENT TO REGAIN CUSTODY. SO, AS ALWAYS, I JUST WANNA SAY NUMBER ONE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO OUR PROGRAMMING. UM, YOU MAY HEAR ME COME AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE EMPOWER WELLNESS SERIES BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WAS SO PHENOMENAL THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT GROW THIS YEAR. UM, WHAT I DID LAST YEAR TO SUPPORT THE FUNDING, I CANNOT THANK THE APPOMATTOX REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM ENOUGH. THEY WERE SPONSORING, UM, ALL OF OUR, MOST OF OUR INITIATIVES, BUT ALSO THE PRIZE OR THE REWARD THAT I GOT FOR THAT POSTER CONTEST I USED TOWARDS BUYING SUPPORT TOOLS FOR THAT EMPOWER WELLNESS SERIES. SO THEY, THEY RECEIVED, UH, WORKOUT STRETCH BANDS WHEN THEY CAME AND ALL THESE RESOURCES, THIS CLASS WAS DONE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE COUNTY. SO IT WAS NO EXPENSE TO THE RESIDENTS. UM, AND AGAIN, THEY RECEIVED ALL THESE TOOLS AND SUPPORT. SO AGAIN, I WANT A HEALTHY DENWITTY. I WANT PREVENTION THAT LOOKS UPSTREAM AND NOT JUST RESPONDS DOWNSTREAM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD JOB. MM-HMM . GOOD AFTERNOON. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND MADAM CHAIR, GOOD AFTERNOON, GIVE YOU, UH, A BRIEF AGRICULTURAL UPDATE, UH, FROM, UH, 2025 AND KIND OF WHAT WE DO IN MY OFFICE AS FAR AS AGRICULTURAL [01:15:01] GOES. YOU CAN SEE HERE ON THE TOP WHERE WE DO A LOT OF SOIL TESTING AND ANALYSIS FOR THE RESIDENTS. UH, THE FARMERS HAVE A GRANT FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HAVE THEIR SOIL SAMPLES DONE FREE. UH, THE RESIDENTS HAVE A LOWER PRICE BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. AT $10, A PRIVATE LAB WOULD COST ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO $30, UH, PER SAMPLE. UM, IT'S A DETAILED, UH, ANALYSIS OF THEIR SOIL. AND I SIT DOWN A LOT OF TIMES ON ONE-ON-ONE WITH PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING TO IMPROVE THEIR SOILS WITH, WITH IT BEING FARMERS IN THEIR FIELDS OR HOMEOWNERS WITH THEIR GARDENS AND GRASS. WE ALSO DO PEST MANAGEMENT. YOU CAN ASK MY STAFF. WE HAVE A LOT OF CREEPY CRAWLERS AND THINGS THAT ARE BROUGHT INTO THE OFFICE. AND I LIKE TO COLLECT THOSE FOR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH CLIENTELE. SO THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING ACTIVE, UH, IN OUR LAB THAT WE HAVE, BECAUSE NOW WE DO A LOT OF THE DIAGNOSTICS AT MY OFFICE, AND WE HAVE A CAMERA COMPUTER TO DO A LOT OF ID. I CAN REACH OUT TO SPECIALISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD TO IDENTIFY WHAT I NEED TO. SO IT'S, UH, PRETTY INNOVATIVE WHAT WE'VE GOT THERE TO, WE UTILIZE IT EVERY DAY. DIDN'T, UH, DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS, SAME WAY. UH, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGER THINGS WITH THE FARMERS AND HOMEOWNERS. LAST YEAR WE HAD A VERY WET COOLS, UH, GOING INTO THE SPRING. OUR CROPS WERE DELAYED, SO WE HAD A LOT OF DISEASE CONCERNS. WE HAD A LOT OF LATE PLANTING. THEN WE HAD PLANTS THAT WERE PLANTED IN SOGGY GROUND WHERE THE ROOT SYSTEMS DIDN'T DEVELOP QUITE WELL. THAT GOES FOR HOMEOWNERS AND FARMERS. UH, THE YARDS DIDN'T MAKE IT LAST YEAR, AND WE HAD TO DO SOME PROBLEM SOLVING TO GET THAT FIXED. THE SITUATION WITH THE FARMERS GOES ALONG WITH THIS. IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR OUR FARMING COMMUNITY. UH, WE STARTED OFF WET, DELAYED PLANTING. SOME THINGS DIDN'T GET PLANTED AT ALL. SOME PEOPLE HAD TO SWITCH GEARS ON WHAT THEY COULD PLANT DUE TO THE TIMEFRAME THAT WERE PUSHED IN. AND THEN WE WENT INTO A DROUGHT. SO WE KNEW THE PLANTED CROP GOING INTO A DROUGHT CAUSED A LOT OF YIELD LOSSES AND REDUCTION. THEN WE WENT INTO ANOTHER DROUGHT PRIOR TO THE, UH, UM, FALL THAT ACTUALLY HELPED US BE ABLE TO HARVEST, UM, WHAT WE DID PRODUCE. SO WE DID HAVE A GOOD LONG HARVEST WHERE WE GOT THE CROP OUT, WHAT WE HAD, AND THEN WE WENT BACK INTO A COLD WET WINTER. AND SOME OF THE COVER CROPS ARE A LITTLE QUESTIONABLE. DAN, UH, HAD TALKED ABOUT THAT TOO. UH, BUT THERE IS COVER CROP OUT THERE, BUT IT'S, IT NEEDS A LITTLE MORE SUNSHINE, A LITTLE HIGHER TEMPERATURES. WE ALSO DO THE WELL TESTING PROGRAM. WE'VE CONDUCTED THAT, UM, ALMOST EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. UH, WE TOOK A BREAK LAST YEAR BECAUSE, UM, WE HAD SATURATED, I THINK THE COMMUNITY WITH DOING WELL TESTING THAT WE WERE, UM, PROVIDING. SO WE'LL GO BACK IN THE SYSTEM THIS YEAR, PARTNERING WITH BRUNSWICK GREENSVILLE AND, UH, PRINCE GEORGE. UH, FARM PLANNING. I HAVE A LOT OF FARMERS THAT DO COME TO ME AND TALK ABOUT PLANNING AND ESTATE PLANNING. IS SOME OF IT THAT THEY DO IN NEXT GENERATION PLANNING. WHAT IS A FARMER GONNA DO WITH THAT FARM? PASSING IT ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. AND THEN THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM, UH, THAT WE HAVE THAT Y'ALL FAMILIAR WITH, WITH, THAT'S OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR MOST CITIZENS. UM, THE PLASTIC CONTAINER RECYCLING, UH, PROGRAM, WE AVERAGE ABOUT 6,000 PLASTIC CONTAINERS. AND THEN THE WASTE OIL COLLECTION, WE COLLECT ABOUT 3,500 GALLONS A YEAR. TAKE THAT OUT OF THE COMMUNITY AND RECYCLING. AND THEN URBAN HORTICULTURE, AGAIN, GOES BACK TO ALL THE WORK WE DO WITH THE, THE RESIDENTIAL, UH, PART OF DENWOODY COUNTY PROBLEM SOLVING. UM, DID WANNA SAY, I DO HAVE OUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR HERE TONIGHT, UH, JANET SPENCER. UH, SOME OF Y'ALL HAVE ASKED ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE NEXT PHASE AFTER I RETIRE. UM, MAYBE JENNY COULD ASK HER, ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS IF Y'ALL HAVE 'EM ABOUT THAT. BUT, YOU KNOW, MY LAST DAY IS MARCH THE FIRST. AND, UH, I DON'T WANT ANY TEARS TO COME OUT IN FRONT OF THE BOARD TONIGHT, . UM, IT'S, IT'S BEEN A GOOD RIDE. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. SORRY. IT'S BEEN A GREAT CAREER AND I'VE ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT. SORRY, THIS ISN'T VERY PROFESSIONAL TO GET CHOKE UP. OKAY. BUT YOU'RE LIKE FAMILY TO ME TO SEE THE NEXT GENERATION COMING ON WITH FOUR H AND FFA. THAT'S RIGHT. Y'ALL GOT IT INTO GOOD HANDS COMING ON. ABSOLUTELY. IT IS TO A POINT WHERE, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU DO NEED NEW BLOOD, NEW IDEAS, NEW THOUGHTS AND THINGS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. AND I'M HOPING THAT WILL HAPPEN. UM, I'VE GOT THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT, UM, TAKING CARE OF MY DAD. UM, GONNA BE A GRANDDADDY IN MAY. WOW. THERE YOU GO. SO THERE'S SOME CHANGE COMING ON IN MY LIFE THAT I NEED TO ADDRESS, AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD TIME TO, TO TAKE CARE OF IT IN RETIREMENT. UM, WE'VE GOT A GREAT STAFF THAT'S GONNA BE BEHIND. YOU HEARD JESSICA AND ANGELA AND [01:20:01] HANNAH AND ANGELA AND, UH, MADDIE AND OUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR'S BEEN GREAT TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, BRING SERVICES TO THE COUNTY SO WE CAN GET THE, UH, POSITION FILLED. AND I THINK THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE 33 YEARS. UM, I'VE BEEN IN EXTENSION, ESPECIALLY THE LAST 30, SO I THINK I'M ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING EXTENSION AGENTS. UM, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL THAT HAVE BEEN HERE LIKE 15, 18 YEARS, BUT I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE LONGEST FOR THE LAST, SHOULD I SAY, 80 YEARS? . UH, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU WANNA KIND OF LET HIM KNOW WHAT YOUR PROCESS IS WITH WE FILLING THE POSITION? NO, THANK YOU, MIKE. MIKE IS ONE TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT SOMETIMES . SO, UM, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON. AND, AND FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK MIKE FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. UM, HE HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL EXTENSION AGENT WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION. I ACTUALLY, UH, GOT TO MEET MIKE MYSELF WHEN I WAS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT THE RESEARCH STATION THERE IN SUFFOLK. UM, I WAS WORKING WITH AN ENTOMOLOGIST THERE ON MY PROJECT, AND MIKE FOUND US SOME FARMS THAT WE COULD GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE INSECTS OUT THERE. SO I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW MIKE, TO LEARN UNDER MIKE. AND, UM, THE ORGANIZATION WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT MIKE PARRISH IN IT. SO, UM, WE WILL MISS HIM, BUT WE CERTAINLY WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN HIS RETIREMENT. UM, TO FOLLOW UP WITH WHERE WE GO FROM HERE, UM, WE ARE COMMITTED TO FILLING THE AG AGENT POSITION HERE IN DENWITTY, JUST TO REASSURE ANY FEARS ABOUT THAT. UM, I DO HAVE COMMITMENT, MY SUPERVISORS, THAT WE WILL HAVE STATE FUNDING TO PUT FORWARD TO THAT POSITION. SO JUST AS SOON AS WE'RE ABLE, WE WILL BE LOOKING, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PLEASE DO. SO, ANY QUESTIONS OF ME BEFORE WE WRAP IT UP? YES. JUST A COMMENT. YEAH. JUST TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR, I KNOW WHEN I MOVED HERE AND, UH, WHEN WE MOVED OUR FARM, YOU WERE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO, TO FIX OUR POND AND, AND GET WATER RIGHT FOR US. AND YOU'VE JUST BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND I APPRECIATE, I KNOW THAT I, I HAVE A VERY SMALL EXPERIENCE WITH YOU, UM, YOU KNOW, CAMP EXPERIENCE, YOU SHOWING UP AND BEING THERE FOR KIDS. AND I LOVE HOW, YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOK OUT, I SEE KIDS THAT I WATCH PLAY UNDER THE, UH, UNDER THE DESK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AS CORA AS SHE WAS WAITING FOR HER MOM AND HER GRANDMOTHER, . AND, YOU KNOW, WATCHING ALL THESE KIDS GROW UP AND, AND KNOWING THAT BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF DID. AND IT, AND IT JUST, EVERYTHING IN THIS COMMUNITY IS INTERTWINED, WHETHER IT'S FFA AND FOUR H AND IT'S JUST WHAT A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU INVESTING 33 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE HERE AND, AND DOING MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO BECAUSE IT IS LIKE FAMILY AND, AND JUST SHOWING UP MEANS A LOT. THANK YOU. YEAH. WHEN I INTERVIEWED, UH, WHEN MS. MS. EVERETT WAS HERE MM-HMM . UM, SHE SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN DWI TO HELP YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL. AND THAT'S BEEN SPOT ON. THAT'S AMEN. MIKE, YOU'RE LIVING A GREAT REPUTATION. YOU'VE, UH, BEEN GOOD TO ALL OF US. WE, I HATE TO SEE YOU GO, BUT I'M GLAD YOU'RE MOVING ALONG AND BEING WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU POP. YEP. THEY DON'T, THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS HERE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DO. YEP. APPRECIATE THAT. YEAH. AND I'LL JUST SAY THANK YOU. UM, OUR COMMUNITY IS BETTER TODAY THAN IT WAS 33 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU CAME. AND THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. MM-HMM . I THINK WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRESENTATION THAT WE'VE HAD FOR THE LAST 30 MINUTES, UM, YOU SEE A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS THAT AFFECT A LOT OF LIVES IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY. YOU'VE TOUCHED A LOT OF LIVES. THOSE OF YOU IN THIS ROOM, TAKE NOTE BECAUSE THAT'S THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP THAT YOU WANT TO DO GOING FORWARD. SO THANK YOU, MIKE. YOU'RE WELCOME. YES, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE IN 30 YEARS. WENT FROM SEVEN DAIRIES TO ONE, WENT FROM ABOUT 70 TOBACCO FARMERS TO SEVEN OR EIGHT NOW. UM, BUT YOU HAVE TO EVOLVE AND ADAPT. AND I THINK OUR PROGRAMS THAT MY COWORKERS ARE SHOWING AND THE THINGS THAT I'VE ADDED TO OUR CURRICULUM AND WHAT WE DO DAY TO DAY HAS SHOWN THAT WE TRY TO MEET THOSE CHALLENGES AS MUCH AS WE CAN EACH YEAR. AND THANK Y'ALL AGAIN. OKAY. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING A PRODUCER AND WORKING WITH YOU, UM, WHEN I WAS FINALLY, UM, OH GOSH, AFTER I GOT THE JOB WITH SOIL AND WATER, YOU ARE A BIG PART OF EVERY PRESENTATION WE DID. YOU ARE A PART OF, OF THOSE PRESENTATIONS. AND EXTENSION HAS BEEN A GOOD PARTNER, UM, WITH SOIL AND WATER ALL ALONG. AND JESSICA AND HANNAH, Y'ALL HAVE, UH, ALWAYS, UM, PUT UP WITH ME, UM, AND WHEN I COME VISIT AND, UH, Y'ALL ARE DOING GREAT [01:25:01] WORK, UM, JUST IN THE SHEER VOLUME, THE NUMBERS, UM, I LIKE NUMBERS TOO. AND, AND THE NUMBERS THAT Y'ALL WERE PUTTING OUT, UH, UH, SIMPLY AMAZING. SO THANK Y'ALL AND THANK YOU, MIKE, FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. YEAH, I, YEAH, MIKE, I, I GUESS I HAD A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT APPROACH IN THE SENSE THAT NOT FROM BEING ON THE BOARD, BUT YOU KNOW, I GOT HERE IN 2002. THINK YOU ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I MET WHEN I, WHEN I GOT HERE MM-HMM . AND I LIKE, I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU THINK OF A CAREER, AND DR. MOORE SAID IT, WELL, BUT DID IT, DID IT MATTER? DID IT, DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? AND FOR THE, THE YOUNGER ADULTS HERE, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU WANT TO GET INTO A JOB AND YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, RIGHT? YOU WANT TO DO GOOD WORK, BUT YOU WANTED THE VERY END OF IT. YOU WANNA BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK ON IT AND SAY, DID WHAT I DID EVERY DAY, DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU CAN LOOK BACK ON YOUR CAREER AND KNOW THAT YOU MADE A HECK OF A DIFFERENCE. NOT, NOT JUST HERE IN IN DEWINE COUNTY, BUT A LITTLE BIT LARGER FOOTPRINT THAN THAT. I KNOW WE GET A, A CELEBRATION DAY WITH YOU ON THE 27TH, I BELIEVE IT IS. YES, SIR. UM, AND THEN THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE YOU AT ITS MARCH MEETING. OKAY. IF YOUR SCHEDULE ALLOWS FOR THAT, UM, WHERE WE CAN DO MORE FORMAL AND THEN WE CAN TELL YOU SOME OTHER STORIES. THE GOOD AND THE BAD. I, I WILL SAY YET, YOU KNOW, LAST NIGHT, A LITTLE BIT BORED. SO I GO THROUGH MY, MY CAMERA ROLL, WHICH I DON'T KNOW ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE ROOM, JESSICA, I'M TELLING THE STORY. SO IT'S, I GO THROUGH AND I'M, I'M LOOKING THROUGH AND I'M LIKE, I SEE ALL THESE PICTURES OF BUGS THAT I'VE SENT YOU OVER THE YEARS. AND THERE, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SOME OF THE FREAKIEST BUGS I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE PAM BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET WHERE I DON'T THINK I'M LIKE, I DON'T THINK THIS IS REAL. LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS REALLY IS. AND SO HE ALWAYS WOULD QUICKLY RESEARCH ALL THAT TYPE OF STUFF TOO, ALONG, ALONG THE WAY. BUT I, I DELETED SOME OF THOSE. 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT I NEED 'EM ANYMORE. BUT YOU CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT GIVING ME YOUR CELL PHONE BECAUSE I, I STILL NEED TO CATCH UP WITH YOU FROM, FROM TIME TO TIME. AND MADAM CHAIR, UH, JESSICA DID A PHENOMENAL JOB. MM-HMM . UM, AND SO DID HANNAH. HANNAH, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO SWIM IN THE SAME DIRECTION. SO KAISHA, CAN YOU OR AT LEAST PADDLE IN THE SAME DIRECTION? OH MY GOODNESS. UH, OH, MY, I KNEW IT. SO THIS, THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN 2016 AND H WHEN HANNAH'S, I GUESS FIRST CAMPS, NOT FIRST, BUT EARLY ON CAMPS, AND, UH, MR. CHAVIS AND MS. EBRA BONNER SAID, WELL TAKE THE PICTURE. SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE IN THE LAKE. 'CAUSE THEY WEREN'T TECHNICALLY IN THE LAKE YET AT, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, BUT IT, IT DID SHOW THAT, THAT THEY KNEW HOW TO DO IT. SO SEE, WE'VE GOT EVIDENCE OF THAT. AND THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK IN IT. THEY HAVEN'T I KNOW. . NO, WE HAVEN'T . I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO DOWN HANNAH, BECAUSE YOU MADE ME WALK 10 MILES. WHEN I GO NEXT, NEXT YEAR, I'LL SHOW YOU THE PICTURE OF MR. LEE IN A BOW AND ARROW. . I, I'VE GOT THAT ONE TOO. DO YOU FIND THE ARROW? I DON'T HAVE, WE KNOW ARROW, . BUT MIKE, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THANK, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MIKE. UM, OF COURSE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BUGS NOW, YOU KNOW, THAT'S MY FREAKY THING. I JUST THAT'S RIGHT. CAN'T STAND BUGS. BUT, UM, BUT IF I DO FIND, YOU DON'T NOT HAVE TO CALL SNAKES EITHER. YEAH, NOT EITHER. NO. IF I FIND SOMETHING KINDA WEIRD AND I MAY HAVE TO CALL YOU UP AND SAY, YOU KNOW, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS, WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE? BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CREEPY CRAWLERS OUT THERE. UH, BUT THANK YOU. AND I DO WANNA SAY, WHEN WE GO TO VACO, YOUR NAME IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS, YEAH. YOUR NAME IS ALWAYS MENTIONED. THEY'LL SAY, DO YOU KNOW MIKE PARISH? DO YOU KNOW? I SAID, NAH, WE JUST FROM DEN WIT WE DON'T KNOW HIM. , OF COURSE WE KNOW HIM. AND THEY JUST GIVE YOU, UH, JUST HIGH MARKS. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DO. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THEY, THEY ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT. WE, UH, THAT WAS IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, JUST RECENTLY. BUT EVERY YEAR WE GO, THEY, THEY SAY SOMETHING. IT'S SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS YOU. I SAY, OH, YOU KNOW, AND WHEN WE GO TO VACO, YOU KNOW, IT'S PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE THAT COME. SO DIFFERENT AREAS. SO THEY TALK ABOUT HOW, UM, HOW A WONDERFUL PERSON YOU ARE AND THE JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING. SO I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. YES, MA'AM. AND I'M GONNA JUST SAY HANNAH AND JESSICA, I MEAN, YOU ALL HAVE A WELCOME INFORMATION. I, I TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU KEEP UP WITH ALL THAT, BUT IT IS JUST GREAT. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DO. AND UH, THE TWO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAME UP AND TALKED ABOUT THEIR LEADERSHIP, IT WAS JUST GREAT, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU ALL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU LATER ON. I KNOW SOMETHING'S GOING ON, SO WE'LL SEE. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, SO [8.A. Ratification Of Declaration Of Local Emergency] [01:30:01] NOW, UM, WE HAVE ACTION ITEMS AND RATIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY. AND OUR CHIEF, DAVID KISSNER IS COMING UP WITH THAT FIRE AND EMS. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MADAM CHAIR. AFTERNOON DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. MASSENGILL, MS. HAMILTON, UM, A LOT OF GREAT GROUPS THAT CAME UP HERE TODAY. I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SPEAK MM-HMM . SO ESPECIALLY THAT YOUNG LADY RIGHT THERE. SHE AIN'T GOT SO MUCH ENERGY. I THINK I'M GONNA BRING HER TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO TEACH US SOME STUFF. I THINK I TOLD HER THAT LAST TIME TOO. YEAH. AND I KNEW SHE'D BE GAME FOR IT TOO. YES. SHE WILL BE MY MIND. THE FIRST THING, I HAVE A FEW IN A ROW HERE, BUT THE FIRST ONE IS THE DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY WINTER STORM FERN, JANUARY 23RD THROUGH 27TH. UM, STORM WAS SLATED TO BE CATASTROPHIC. LUCKILY WE WERE QUITE BLESSED IN THAT. AND THAT EVERYTHING THEY SAID WAS GOING TO HAPPEN DIDN'T MM-HMM . WE KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM. THE LORD BLESSED US IN THAT ONE AND KEPT US FROM HAVING THAT. THAT'S RIGHT. GOOD LORD. CATASTROPHIC OCCURRENCE. AND DENWOOD COUNTY SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, YOU NAME IT, IT WAS COMING OUR WAY. AMEN. AND IT, UH, THE SKY'S PARTED AND DEFINITELY CAME OUT ON THE GOOD SIDE OF THAT. UH, A GREAT TEAM EFFORT. ALL DEPARTMENTS CAME TOGETHER AND PREPARE AND RESPOND. THE EOC WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT 24, 36 HOURS, WAS STAFFED FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, COMMUNICATIONS FIRE DEPARTMENT, WORKING NIGHT AND DAY TO MAKE SURE WE WERE SAFE. AND AT THE END OF IT, WE ALL CAME OUT AND GOOD. UM, IT DID AFFECT THE CITIZENS IN A LOT OF WAYS. IT AFFECTED OUR DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A LOT OF WAYS. WE HAD A LOT OF FALLS. WE HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT CALLS. UM, AND THE ICE NUMBER WENT AWAY FOR A LONG TIME, AS WE KNOW. AND IT'S STILL OUT THERE NOW TO DROP YOU DOWN IF YOU AIN'T CAREFUL. UM, WE HAD TO WORK WITH CITIZENS JUST TO GET THEM TO APPOINTMENTS. MM-HMM . ONE OF THE SPECIAL CASES WE HAD WAS A GENTLEMAN THAT LIVED IN ONE, ONE A NEARBY ROAD, HAD A DRIVEWAY THAT HE COULDN'T GET UP. SO WE WOULD ACTUALLY GO GET HIM IN ONE OF OUR COMMAND VEHICLES, BRING HIM BACK HERE, MEET HIS DAUGHTER. HIS DAUGHTER WOULD LOAD HIM UP, TAKE HIM TO HIS, UM, CHEMO TREATMENT, MEET US BACK HERE IN A COUPLE HOURS, AND WE'D TAKE HIM BACK HOME. AND AFTER YOU DRIVE THAT DRIVEWAY, YOU WERE KIND OF AMAZED, LIKE, WOW. BECAUSE IT WAS A JOB FOR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE TO GET UP. BUT THAT WAS A SERVICE WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE AND, UM, REACH OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY AT A TIME OF NEED. SO TODAY IS THE OFFICIAL RATIFICATION OF THE LOCAL EMERGENCY IN FRONT OF US. MADAM CHAIR, IF I COULD JUST JUST ADD TO, TO CHIEF KIRON. SO YOU'LL SEE IT AS AN, THE ACTION ITEM IS TO RATIFY, UM, THE, OR I MEAN THE, THE LOCAL DECLARATION THAT WE PUT IN PLACE, BUT ALSO WOULD, UM, IN, IN ADDITION TO ADOPTING THE DECLARATION JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE MINUTES THAT WE'RE ALSO, UM, CLOSING THIS EMERGENCY AS WELL. SO IT'S A RATIFICATION AND CLOSURE. OKAY. BUT WE JUST SIMPLY NEED A, A, UH, A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED. AND AGAIN, ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT THIS IS A CLOSURE TOO. OKAY. SO SECOND ROLL CALL MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. THE, THE GROUNDHOG SAYS THERE'S MORE WINTER WEATHER, SO IF, IF THAT HAPPENS 26 INCHES, WE CAN ALWAYS DO THIS AGAIN, BUT JUST HOPE THAT DON'T HAPPEN. HOPE NOT. LET'S, THAT'S RIGHT. OKAY. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. [8.B. Contract Award: Fire Engine - Pumper] NOW WE'RE GOING TO THE CONTRACT AWARD. UM, FIRE ENGINE. OOH. UPPER MONEY . MR. CHAVIS IS ALWAYS MESSING WITH HIM WHEN I SHOW UP HERE. HE SAYS, I'M ALWAYS THE GUY, HE ALWAYS SEES UP HERE ASKING FOR MONEY LATELY. I HAVE TO AGREE. IT'S, I JUST WISH I DIDN'T GET A PERCENTAGE. YEAH. REALLY . I WISH I WASN'T HERE FOR THIS ONE. OKAY. FIRE ENGINE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IS THE CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE A RESERVE STOCK FIRE ENGINE TO REPLACE ONE OF OUR FRONTLINE APPARATUS. CURRENTLY, OUR FIRE APPARATUS FLEETS CURRENTLY AT A CRITICAL POINT. WE HAVE NO RESERVE FIRE ENGINES PUMPERS LEFT TO BACK UP FRONTLINE APPARATUS, NEW CUSTOM BUILT FIRE APPARATUS TAKING FOUR YEARS TO ARRIVE FROM TIME OF ORDER. I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE ORDERED TWO OF 'EM IN 2022. AND, UM, RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT TAKES FOUR YEARS FOR A TRUCK TO ARRIVE. UM, A LITTLE HISTORY ON ENGINE ONE THAT HAS FAILED ON US. THAT TRUCK, BACK WHEN WE FIRST GOT PAID STAFF WAS RUNNING THE ENTIRE COUNTY FOR A LONG TIME AND IT WOULD RUN THE WHOLE 507 MILES FROM THE CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTY TO BACK UP COMPANIES THAT DIDN'T ANSWER UP TO GET THE, GET THE TRUCKS OUT. SO THAT HAS PUT A BEATING ON IT. IT HAS BEEN A WORKHORSE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT LIKE ANYTHING THE COUNTRY MILES AND THE COUNTRY ROADS, IT'S, IT'S TAKEN ITS TOLL ON IT. SO THE LAST, UM, ESTIMATE WE GOT TO FIX THE FRONT END AND DO SOME DIESEL WORK ON IT OR MOTOR WORK ON IT WAS GOING TO BE CLOSE TO $50,000. THE TRUCK IS NOT [01:35:01] WORTH THAT ANYMORE. STRAIGHT UP. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THAT I PROVIDED IN 20 23, 30 $7,409 JUST TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD FOR ONE YEAR, 2024, 13,900 2216. AND I BELIEVE SOME OF THAT ACTUALLY WENT INTO 2025 WHERE WE HAD $45,605 OF EXPENSES TO KEEP THE TRUCK MAINTAINED. AND I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST CAME IN THE DOOR HERE AS FIRE CHIEF, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE HAD TO DO WAS WE HAD A $29,000 FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAME APART AND IT SHOT METAL ALL THROUGH THE FUEL LINES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE INJECTORS, WHICH MEANT EVERYTHING FROM THE FUEL TANK BACK HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. AND THAT WAS A $29,000 REPAIR. SO WHAT THAT THOUGHT PROCESS CAME, THE POINT OF US MOVING TRUCKS AROUND TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. UH, THE FIRE COMPANIES FOR A WHILE HAD LEFT TRUCKS JUST PREDOMINANTLY WHERE THEY WERE HOUSED AT. IF OVER HICKORY HAD A TRUCK, DIDN'T HAVE ANY MILES ON IT, IT JUST STAYED THERE. WELL, WE HAD TO MOVE SOME TRUCKS AROUND TO MAKE THE FLEET MORE SUSTAINABLE AND GET TRUCKS WHERE WE NEEDED IT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE TODAY. WE'VE ACTUALLY TAKEN THE, THE OLDEST RESERVE ENGINE WE HAVE IS NOW AN OLD HICKORY AND WE'VE TAKEN THE OLD HICKORY ENGINE, WHICH IS NEWER AND PUT IT AT, AT COMPANY ONE BECAUSE THAT IS A TRUCK THAT IS OBVIOUSLY MORE RELIABLE. AND IF WE PUT THE AMOUNT OF CALLS THAT, THAT THE, UM, STATION ONE ENGINE WOULD NORMALLY RUN ON THAT 33 TO 34-YEAR-OLD RESERVE, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE IN SERVICE VERY LONG. IT NORMALLY WILL RUN A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME FOR MAINTENANCE OR SOMETHING BREAKING DOWN AND THEN WE TAKE IT BACK OUTTA SERVICE AND PUT IT IN ONE OF THE FIRE STATIONS WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO BREAK. NOW IT'S ON A FRONTLINE BASIS AT OLD HICKORY, SO WE HAVE NO RESERVE. SO TECHNICALLY IF WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND DO A BASIC OIL CHANGE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE TO BROWN OUT A COMPANY TEMPORARILY WHILE THAT HAPPENS. AND SADLY, SOME OF THOSE MAINTENANCE THINGS TAKE TWO TO THREE DAYS TO DO BECAUSE THEY GO FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE DO HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF TANKERS, BUT TANKERS CAN'T, CAN'T DO WHAT AN ENGINE COULD DO. AN ENGINE'S, A VERSATILE TRUCK THAT GOES UP DRIVEWAYS AND GETS IN PLACES AND LAYS FIRE HOSES UP AND TANKERS COME DOWN AND DROP TANKS AND PUMP WATER OR DRAFT WATER UP TO 'EM. THEY, THE TANKERS ARE TOO HEAVY TO GET IN CERTAIN SPOTS. IF I THOUGHT A TANKER COULD WORK AND WE CAN GET BY FOR FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS, THEN I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA WORK. SO THE TRUCK I'M REQUESTING IS A STOCK PUMPER. IT'S A PUMPER WITH VERY LITTLE OPTIONS ON IT THAT A MANUFACTURER AND SEVERAL OF 'EM MAKE 'EM, THEY BUILD THEM WITH JUST VERY LIMITED OPTIONS TO GET 'EM OUT QUICK. THEY HAVE THE STANDARD PUMP, THEY HAVE THE STANDARD DIESEL ENGINE, THEY HAVE STANDARD COMPONENTS, BUT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FRILLS AND WHISTLES ON THEM AND THEY'RE CUT DOWN TO GET OUT THE DOOR QUICK. UM, YOU'LL NOTICE BY THE COST OF THE TRUCK IT'S A LITTLE BIT CHEAPER THAN UM, WHAT WE WOULD PAY. I BELIEVE THE LAST ENGINE WAS 1.2 MILLION THAT I CAME UP HERE FOR FORD'S ENGINE WITH A DISCOUNT. THIS IS 749,000 I BELIEVE WITH SOME, UM, LEMME GET TO THE RIGHT PAGE HERE. 7 65 4 40 TOTAL, BUT IT WAS SEVEN 40 SOMETHING BEFORE WE 7 65 4 4 OH WITH THE UPFITTING THAT WE'RE GETTING DONE FROM METHENY TO MAKE IT, UM, USABLE IN THE COUNTY. AND THAT'S SMALL THINGS FROM A ERROR BAR ON THE BACK FROM, WE GO OUT ON THE INTERSTATE, OUR MOST DANGEROUS AREAS. MAKE SURE WE GOT SIGNAGE ON THE BACK. SO LIGHTS ARE ON THE BACK. UH, SOME MORE SIDE LIGHTS, MAKE SURE WE HAVE SIDE LIGHTS AND IMPORTANT STUFF. SO THIS TRUCK WILL BE, WHEN OUR TWO NEW TRUCKS ARRIVE, THIS TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO BE A RESERVE IN OUR FLEET. IT'LL BE FRONTLINE SOMETIMES, BUT WE'LL GET TO MOST LIFE OUT OF IT, LETTING IT BE THAT RESERVE PIECE. SO TECHNICALLY WE'RE BUYING A RESERVE PIECE BECAUSE WE TECHNICALLY NOW HAVE THREE ENGINES, FRONTLINE ENGINES ON ORDER THAT ARE WAITING TO COME IN NOW. SO WE HAD HOPED AT ONE TIME TO GET ENGINE ONE TO BE A RESERVE, BUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF ME BEING HERE, I QUICKLY FIGURED OUT THAT ENGINE JUST NEEDED TO BE TOWED AWAY SURPLUS AND NOT BE PART OF OUR FLEET BECAUSE IT'S JUST PAST THIS SERVICE. SO WHEN WE GET THE TWO NEW ENGINES, WE WILL HAVE THE NEW ENGINE GOING TO COMPANY ONE TO BE THE, UM, NEW DIMWIT ENGINE. ONE WE WILL HAVE INE WILL GET A NEW ENGINE AND THEN MAGAZINE'S CURRENT ENGINE, WHICH IS A 2014, WILL BE A RESERVE ALONG WITH THIS ENGINE IF YOU APPROVE TO BUY IT. SO THAT'LL GIVE US TWO RESERVES IN PLACE TO HANDLE OUR FLEET. SO SOME OF THE BIG GEOGRAPHICAL THINGS WE HAVE, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE LONG RESPONSE AREAS AND A LONG TIME. SO IT TAKES A BEATING ON THE TRUCKS. IF ONE COMPANY DOESN'T GET OUT, THEN THAT TRUCK DRIVES A LONG MILE, A LONG WAY IN ORDER TO, UM, GET THAT CALL ANSWERED. WE'RE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE THE OTHER APPARATUS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE IN NEWER CONDITION AND, AND WELL MAINTAINED. WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF 'EM. THIS IS JUST A COMPLETE PRODUCT OF WAITING FOUR YEARS TO GET AN ENGINE. OH YEAH. IT'S JUST, IT'S IN ALL THE CHIEFS MEETINGS I GO TO AND TALK TO 'EM ABOUT PROBLEMS. THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IS FIRE TRUCKS. NOBODY HAS A RESERVED TRUCK. NOBODY HAS ONE TO LOAN US. MM-HMM . IF WE THOUGHT I HAD ONE TO LOAN AND BRING IT FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE FROM LOCALITIES. THEY DON'T HAVE THEM. [01:40:01] SO THAT IS WHY I'M HERE IN FRONT OF YOU. THEY ASK FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO TRY TO, UM, INCREASE OUR FLEET AND TO GET IT BACK TO WHERE IT CAN BE MAINTAINABLE AND WE CAN ANSWER THE COST FOR THE CITIZENS MAD. JUST A QUESTION. OKAY. UM, WHERE IS THE TRUCK LOCATED? UH, CURRENTLY? YES. IT'S CURRENTLY IN CHESAPEAKE. IS THAT SO IT'S IN VIRGINIA? MM-HMM . YEP. WE DROVE TO CHESAPEAKE AND LOOKED AT IT. IT IS ACTUALLY THE SAME DEALERSHIP WE BROUGHT THE TWO TANKERS FROM. RIGHT. ATHENE TRUCK COMPANY. OKAY, GOOD. THAT SOLD US THE TWO TANKERS. AND THEN IF WE HAVE WARRANTY WORK THAT'S ON IT FOR THE FIRST YEAR, IT'LL GO BACK TO CHESAPEAKE AND GET THAT DONE. YOU GOT, AND THE TURNAROUND LOOKS TO BE 45 DAYS WITH A MAX OF 60 THAT WE PUT ON THE CONTRACT. SO ABOUT 45 DAYS FOR THEM TO GET THESE, THE SMALL AMOUNT OF, UM, SPOTLIGHTS ON IT TO GET THE, THE AMBER DIRECTIONAL BAR ON THE BACK BACK. MOST IMPORTANT ON THE INTERSTATE, LET PEOPLE KNOW WE'RE OUT THERE AND TO GET, UM, IT, THE GRAPHICS AND ALL THE DECALS PUT ON IT TOO. OKAY. THANK YOU. MM-HMM . MR. MASS, HOW DOES THAT FIT THAT ICIP BUDGET? SO WE'RE TRANSFERRING THIS MONEY OUT OF THE UN UM, DESIGNATED RESERVE FUND TO THE CIP. SO THIS, THIS IS, WE FINISHED THE YEAR A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WE ANTICIPATED. UM, I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY TIMES IN MY CAREER WE'VE ACTUALLY BROUGHT SOMETHING MID-YEAR TO YOU. IT'S NOT BEEN MANY, BUT I WOULD SAY WHEN MS. HOWERTON, MYSELF AND CHIEF KISSINGER MET ON THIS AND CHIEF BLAKE THAT, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, THOSE TYPE OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, YOU, YOU REALLY, THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE GOOD RESERVES. SO THE, THE, THE COUNTY BEING IN THE OVERALL NET POSITION THAT IT'S IN REALLY AFFORDS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. SURE. SO BEING ABLE TO PUT IT INTO, UM, THIS ADDITIONAL FUND, WHAT WILL ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT, THAT EXPENDITURE. UM, ANN YOU WANT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT? NO. THAT, THAT'S WHAT THE SITUATION IS AT THIS POINT? YEAH. AND AGAIN, I THINK CHIEF KISSINGER MENTIONED IT'S, IT'S JUST THE, THE LAG TIME TO REALLY GET A AN ENGINE IS JUST DIFFERENT. JUST DIFFERENT. I, I MET WITH THREE OTHER ADMINISTRATORS, MANAGERS TODAY AND THAT STILL WAS ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS. ONE JURISDICTION NOT TOO FAR AWAY WAS FIVE YEARS TO, TO GET AN INJURY. I'M JUST GLAD IT'S AVAILABLE. AMEN. THAT'S THE IMPORTANT YES. YES. GO GET IT WHEN YOU GET IT. I JUST WANT THANK CHIEF KESNER TO, TO BE ABLE TO GET IT TO THIS POINT WHERE HE'S THINKING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF THING AHEAD OF TIME. IT'S, UH, I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE. SO MADAM CHAIR, WE JUST SIMPLY NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED. SO MOVED. I SECOND ROLL CALL MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY. AND THEN WE [8.C. Contract Award: Fire Equipment –Airbags & Combi Tools ] HAVE ONE MORE, ONE MORE, ONE MORE. CONTRACT BOARD. FIRE, FIRE EQUIPMENT, AIRBAGS AND COMBI TOOLS. YEP. COMBI TOOLS. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. OKAY. IN FRONT OF YOU IS THE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF TO GO IN CONTRACT WITH, GOTTA FIND THE NAME OF THE COMPANY HERE. AIRCARE INCORPORATED FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING NEW AIRBAGS AND COMBI TOOLS. COMBI TOOLS OR HYDRAULIC RESCUE TOOLS THAT WE USE ON VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION. THEY CALL IT COMBI TOOL BECAUSE IT CAN BE A SPREADER OR IT CAN BE A CUTTER. SO WE PUT 'EM ON A LOT OF OUR FIRE APPARATUS. LIGHT RESCUE TRUCKS IN ORDER TO QUICKLY BE ABLE TO COME OUT THE OLDER TOOLS THAT YOU USED TO BE CALLED HEARST TOOLS, RIGHT. OR JAWS OF LIFE USED TO HAVE LONG HOSES AND HYDRAULIC PUMPS AND ALL THAT. WELL WE STILL HAVE THAT ON SOME OF OUR TRUCKS. WE'RE WORKING TO TRANSITION NOW OVER TO BATTERY OPERATED TOOLS. THE BATTERY OPERATED TOOLS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ARE STRONGER THAN SOME OF THE ACTUAL HYDRAULIC TOOLS WITH HOSES. UM, SOME OF OUR EQUIPMENT IS STARTING TO GET AGED AND AS YOU SEE IN THE UPCOMING CIP AS WE MOVE FORWARD A COUPLE YEARS, WE HAVE SOME MONEY IN THAT TO REPLACE SOME OF OUR OTHER EXISTING TOOLS. AND MOST RECENTLY, YOU, YOU, UM, APPROVED THE, THE PURCHASE OF TOOLS FOR RESCUE ONE, ABOUT $253,000 FOR US TO STOCK THAT RESCUE TRUCK THAT WE JUST BOUGHT WITH THE PROPER TOOLS. SO WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THAT ON THE ROAD, HOPEFULLY BY APRIL 1ST TO BE SERVING THE CITIZENS AND, AND, UM, TAKING CARE OF VEHICLE EXTRICATIONS AND UNIQUE RESCUE INCIDENTS. SO THE THE STUFF JUST LIKE THE FIRE TRUCK AND OTHER THINGS IS NOT CHEAP. IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY AND COSTS MONEY TO MAINTAIN IT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT DOES A GREAT JOB FOR THE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEM AND UM, I KNOW MR. MASSON CAN SAY FROM THE PICTURES I SENT HIM OF ACCIDENTS WE RUN IN CERTAIN PLACES. IT'S AMAZING THE STUFF WE HAVE TO GO AND, AND, AND GET INVOLVED IN AND, AND GET CITIZENS OUT OF OR VISITORS OUT OF ON THESE BAD WRECKS. AND THESE TOOLS WILL [01:45:01] BE A GREAT ASSET TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS. SO THIS WOULD TAKE THE FUNDING FROM A TL FUNDS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE AND PUT A CONTRACT SO WE CAN GET THE AIRBAGS REPLACED THAT ARE EXPIRING ON SOME OF THE, THE CURRENT TRUCKS WE HAVE, BUT ALSO ALLOW US TO GET SOME OF THE COMBI TOOLS WE NEED FOR THE ENGINES AND STUFF TO START REPLACING THAT AND START WORKING TOWARD EACH YEAR KNOCKING THAT AMOUNT DOWN SO WE DON'T HAVE SO MUCH IN THE CIP. OKAY. AND, AND, AND THE COMBI TOOLS ARE FOR ALL THE ENGINES OR ALL THE, IT WILL GO ON ALL THE FRONTLINE ENGINES AND EVENTUALLY WE'LL GET 'EM ON THE RESERVE ENGINES TOO. OKAY. WE TRY TO SET OUR TRUCKS UP SO WHEN YOU GET READY TO SWITCH TO A RESERVE YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE SO MUCH OFF AND THAT TAKES TIME FROM A TRUCK BEING OUTTA SERVICE. SO WE TRY TO SET IT UP TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EQUIPMENT ON IT SO YOU CAN JUST SWITCH THE PEOPLE OVER AND GO TO WORK. SO SADLY, SOME OF THE REAL HIGH-END EXPENSIVE TOOLS OR STUFF LIKE THAT YOU HAVE TO MOVE BECAUSE THEY'RE SO EXPENSIVE. SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE PLAN ON GETTING THAT ON THE RESERVES TOO. YES MA'AM. OKAY. ALRIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO DO WE ANYTHING JUST A, A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED A SECOND. OKAY. ROLL CALL PLEASE. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. AYE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. FIRST THANK, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO BROTHER. THANK YOU. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. [8.D. Dancy Estates Street Addition] UM, NEXT WE HAVE D THE ESTATES STREET EDITION, UH, PAUL HENSON. YEP. GOOD AFTERNOON. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MADAM CHAIRMAN. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HERE TODAY TO, UH, PRESENT BASICALLY THAT D THE ESTATES HAS COMPLETED ALL THE STEPS NEEDED FOR THE STATE OF VIRGINIA TO ACCEPT IT FOR MAINTENANCE. UH, VDOT HAS WORKED WITH THE DEVELOPER, THEY'VE PAID, PAID ALL THEIR FEES, THEY'VE POSTED THEIR SER ALL WE NEED FROM YOU TODAY IS A RESOLUTION OF ACCEPTANCE AND BE IN THE STATE SYSTEM IN A MONTH OR SO. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS? YOU GOT? ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ATTACHMENTS TO DOCUMENTS OR ANYTHING? I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER EM FOR. OKAY. I'M GOOD. DOES ANYONE I'M GOOD. MM-HMM . YOU GOOD? MR. HENSON? IT, UM, THE WAY I READ THIS AND INTERPRET IT'S TWO ACTION ITEMS, RIGHT? ONE IS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, THE SECOND IS TO ADOPT THE, THE ACTUAL SKETCH. IS THAT CORRECT? UM, ACTUALLY THE SECOND ONE WOULD BE FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. OKAY. YES SIR. THE SKETCH IS, IS IS TIED TO PART, PART OF THE RESOLUTION. OKAY. SO WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE ACTIONS. YES SIR. THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY. SO THE, UM, THE FIRST ONE IS FOR THE, UM, THE RESOLUTION. THE RESOLUTION. WE'LL START WITH THE STORM WATER. YEAH. START STORM WATER. OKAY? YES, PLEASE. MR. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. MA'AM, CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENT FOR THE STORMWATER. SO MOVE. SECOND. ROLL CALL. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MR. E. BROWN, BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY. AND THE NEXT UH, PART OF THIS IS THE RESOLUTION THAT'S CORRECT. FOR THE ACTION ROAD ABANDONMENT. OKAY SIR. OH, THE RESOLUTION PLEASE. I MAKE MOTION WE ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION. SECOND ROLL CALL MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA, BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT, PAUL. MM-HMM . OKAY. AT THIS TIME, UH, CITIZEN COMMENTS? MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS TODAY. OKAY. UM, WELL, [10. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS] WE'LL GO TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. STATE OF COMMENTS, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. UM, JUST A, A FEW ITEMS. ONE, WE'RE, WE'RE TRANSITIONING NOW THIS THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND SO YOU'RE STARTING TO GET YOUR OUTSIDE AGENCIES, UH, COMING TO THESE BOARD MEETINGS TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THEY DO IN CONJUNCTION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US. UH, FIRST ROUND OF THAT WAS TODAY, I'D HATE TO SEE THE ONES COMING IN THE, THE MONTHS TO COME. 'CAUSE THIS WAS A, A REALLY GOOD, UH, FIRST GO OF SOME OF THESE OUTSIDE AGENCIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I I REFER TO OUR, OUR OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH, AND I THINK IT'S OVER 30 SOME THAT WE SUPPORT AT THIS POINT, THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU EVER HEARD THE PHRASE THAT YOU PUNCH ABOVE YOUR WEIGHT? SO, YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO ANYTHING, EVERYTHING BY ITSELF. AND SO BY PARTNERING WITH THESE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, YOU, YOU GET A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAN WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY, UM, FOR THE, THE BLUE JACKETS IN THE ROOM. YOU KNOW, I, YOU KNOW, GRADUATE THEN WHEN HIGH SCHOOL, I DIDN'T WEAR THE BLUE JACKET. I, I WAS CALLED A CITY BOY, NOT A COUNTRY BOY FOR SOME REASON I GREW UP ON FIVE ACRES. SO I GUESS THAT WAS, THAT WAS A PROBLEM. BUT IN A, I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO THE, FOR THE BLUE JACKETS, UM, YOU KNOW, I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FFA IN, IN VIRGINIA, DI WOODY QUICKLY COMES TO PEOPLE'S MINDS MM-HMM . AND [01:50:01] THAT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF PEOPLE THAT CAME BEFORE YOU THAT REALLY WERE THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT FFA IS SUPPOSED TO BE. AND NOW THAT YOU'RE DOING IT, I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT YEARS FROM NOW IN THESE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS THAT YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS BEHIND YOU THAT ARE GONNA THINK ABOUT WHAT, WHAT YOU ALL WERE DOING. SO JUST AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK ABOUT F WHEN I THINK ABOUT FFA, I THINK ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP THAT IT BUILDS. NOT EVERYBODY GETS INTO THE PROFESSION, BUT MAN, IT MAKES YOU A TREMENDOUS LEADER AND WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO IN, IN LIFE. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND THE GREEN JACKETS TOO. , UM, WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT. I KNOW WE, WE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR THE WINTER EVENT. UM, THIS WASN'T YOUR TRADITIONAL WINTER EVENT. I MEAN, I'VE NEVER SEEN AS MUCH ICE IN LASHONDA COVER YEARS. HOW MANY STAFF WE HAD FALL THERE IN THE, DURING THIS THIS EVENT. UM, WELL WE HAD OF COURSE ICE EVERYWHERE, THICK ICE AND IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. AND SO FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, UM, THINK ABOUT FIRE AND EMS ANIMAL CONTROL DISPATCHERS, UH, EVERYONE WHO, WHO STAFFED UP THIS EVENT AND JUST A TREMENDOUS GOOD JOB. UM, OUR GENERAL SERVICES STAFF, UH, TIMMY CLYBURN, I KEPT TELLING ANN, YOU KNOW, HE'S ONLY FOUR MONTHS ON THE JOB AND I, YOU KNOW, I HOPE HE KEEPS COMING BACK TO WORK EVERY DAY, UH, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT ANIMAL THAN WHAT WE'RE USED TO. SO I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK, UM, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S MY OVERALL APPROACH WHEN WE HAVE THESE TYPES OF WEATHER EVENTS? AND, AND CHIEF KISSNER SAID IT, YOU KNOW, REALLY THE EVENT STARTS BEFORE THE, THE PLANNING OF IT BEFORE THE EVENT EVEN BEGINS, RIGHT? SO WE, I FELT LIKE WE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB THIS TIME AROUND WITH WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND TRYING TO PULL THE STAFF TOGETHER, UM, MAKE SURE WE HAD APPROPRIATE STAFFING RESOURCES AND, AND OTHERWISE, SO THAT, THAT WENT REALLY WELL. UM, DURING A WINTER EVENT, THE, THE MAIN PURPOSE IS PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY WELFARE, SO OUR GENERAL SERVICES STAFF OR, OR CLEANING FIRE STATIONS AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDINGS. AND, YOU KNOW, THE MAIN GOAL IS TO GET, GET, YOU KNOW, THOSE ENTITIES TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE, UH, QUICKLY DURING THOSE EVENTS. UM, AFTER THE EVENT, WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FIRE AND EMS, BUT THEN WE TRY TO TRANSITION TO GOVERNMENT FACILITIES. AND SO YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, UM, AS WELL AS THE COURTS. AND SO THE JUDGES' DOCKETS ARE BUILT AND SO THERE'S A, A GOAL TO GET THE COURTS OPEN AS, AS SOON AS WE CAN. UM, OUTSIDE OF THAT WE START LOOKING AT PARKS AND RECREATION AND MAN SITES TO TRY TO GET THOSE UP AND RUNNING. THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE, THE THICKNESS OF THE ICE. WE HAD A SHORT WINDOW TO TRY TO GET ALL THAT CLEANED UP. UM, WE FOCUSED ON MAIN, SOME OF THE ASSETS HERE IN SOME OF THE FIRE AND EMS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE. UM, AND THEN THE, IF YOU DROVE THROUGH DENWOOD, HE LOOKED ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE IT WAS JUST INCHES OF WHAT LOOKED TO BE CLEAR ICE EVERYWHERE WITH NO POWER OUTAGES TO SPEAK OF. SO THAT, THAT WAS PHENOMENAL. THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I THINK I'VE EVER LIKE, WALKED ON AND DIDN'T SINK IN THE PROCESS. SO, UM, JUST, JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT. AND THEN SO WHEN DO WE OPEN SO WE DON'T OPEN UNTIL THINGS ARE SAFE FOR THE PUBLIC TO TRANSACT BUSINESS, RIGHT? SO IF THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE IS TELLING PEOPLE STAY OFF THE ROADS, WE'RE NOT GONNA ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME HERE, ESPECIALLY IF OUR SIDEWALKS AREN'T READY TO PARKING LOT'S NOT READY AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S ALWAYS THE APPROACH TO, TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. UM, WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE PUBLIC TOO. 'CAUSE THIS WAS, THIS WAS A LONGER EVENT. I KNOW WE, WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR PEOPLE WANTED TO DUMP THE TRASH A WHOLE LOT MORE FREQUENTLY. WE TRIED TO GET THE, THE, THE GENERAL LANDFILL OPEN SO THAT PEOPLE COULD GO THERE. AND I THINK WE SAW QUITE A FEW INDIVIDUALS TAKING US UP ON THAT. A LOT OF PEOPLE, MISS E BONNER'S DISTRICT WOULD SAY, WHERE'S THE LANDFILL? LIKE, WE DON'T, WHERE'S THAT AT? SO THEY'RE NOT USED TO GOING TO, TO THAT DIRECTION. BUT, UM, AGAIN, AND, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THEIR PATIENTS. IN THAT JANUARY 29TH, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, ATTEND A MEETING WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE REGION TO THE PENTAGON, UH, AND TO TRY TO SECURE FUNDING, UH, WITH THE, ONE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARIES OF THE ARMY AS IT RELATES TO FORT LEE. AND SO MANY OF US WERE ABLE TO ATTEND A COMMUNITY EVENT AT FORT LEE. BUT FORT LEE IS A TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THIS REGION. AND WITH FORT LEE ON ONE SIDE, FORT PICKETT ON THE OTHER, AND DEFENSE SUPPLY CENTER, RICHMOND. YOU KNOW, THIS AREA HAS A LOT OF MILITARY ASSETS. WHAT FORT LEE IS TRYING TO DO IS DO WHAT THEY CALL THE MUSEUM ENCLAVE DISTRICT, WHERE THEY'RE ACTUALLY OPENING A NEW SECTION THAT WAS BEHIND THE GATE [01:55:01] THAT'S GONNA BE USED FOR LIKE A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT. THEY'RE LOOKING AT DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS, UM, SOME, AGAIN, ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND IN INDUSTRY TYPE OF, OF, OF OPPORTUNITY. SO THIS IS A REAL BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REGION. UM, LATER JANUARY 31ST, SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR, UH, DELEGATE, UH, KIMBERLY POPE ADAMS, THE CHAIR, VICE CHAIR. AND I WERE ABLE TO, TO GO TO THAT. UM, AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE 19 MONKS DECIDED TO WALK FROM TEXAS TO DC. I'M TALKING TO LITTLE DC NOT THE BIG DC BUT THEY CAME THROUGH THIS AREA. AND I JUST WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK, UH, OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, OUR LAW, ENFOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS THE WHOLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FIRE AND EMS, UM, EVERYONE WHO HAD A, A PART IN IT. SOME OF OUR COUNTY STAFF IN DOING THIS. YOU, YOU KNOW, WILLIAM NOT JOKINGLY SAID, IT'S LIKE BEING ON A CHRISTMAS PARADE THAT STRETCHES THE WHOLE LENGTH OF DENWOODY COUNTY. THAT'S RIGHT. THIS IS JUST PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. FOR, FOR THAT, UH, PROBABLY THE BEST CALL ALL DAY ON JANUARY 31ST WAS WHEN WE SAFELY GOT THE MONKS TO PETERSBURG, AND I CALLED THE CITY MANAGER AND SAID, GOOD LUCK THAT YOU GOT 'EM NOW TO GET, GET 'EM THE REST OF THE WAY. UM, WANTED TO ALSO RECOGNIZE, UH, FRANK HOLTON, WHO IS THE FIRST EVER, UH, COUNTY ENGINEER. FRANK, IF YOU COULD JUST STAND UP. SO FRANK, UM, VERY IMPRESSIVE BACKGROUND. MM-HMM . UM, HE GRAD, GRADUATED OF EMI, UH, AND CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. AND MOST RECENTLY WAS WITH, UH, THE COUNTY OF PRINCE GEORGE, WHERE HE'S BEEN THE, WAS THE COUNTY ENGINEER THERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, RIGHT, FRANK. AND THEN PREVIOUS TO THAT WAS IN ALL WHITE AREA, AND THEN YOU WERE THERE SIX OR SEVEN YEARS. SIX YEARS. SIX YEARS. SIX YEARS THERE. UM, AND, UH, DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT. A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK OVER THERE TOO. PUBLIC UTILITIES. UM, I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING FRANK, UM, FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AS HE'S BEEN THE PRIMARY, UM, REPRESENTATIVE FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY AT THE APPOMATTOX RIVER WATER AUTHORITY AND SOUTH CENTRAL WASTEWATER AUTHORITY. SO, FRANK BRINGS A, ANY TYPE OF LAND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING BRINGS A, A WEALTH OF OF KNOWLEDGE TOO. UM, SO WE, YOU KNOW, TWO WEEKS ON THE JOB, SO AGAIN, WE'RE LIKE, YEAH, KEEP COMING BACK. SO WE DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU EITHER, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT BRINGS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF, UM, OF KNOWLEDGE AND BACKGROUND TO THIS. SO, FRANK, JUST WANTED TO, TO RECOGNIZE YOU. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU HAD ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO SAY OR DON'T PUT YOU ON THE SPOT. SURE. UH, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO SERVE YOU, THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. AND I'M, UH, LOOKING FORWARD, UH, TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU BETTER. I'M ALREADY DIVING IN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF DENWITTY AND, UH, AND, AND, AND EXACTLY WHAT, WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO HERE. SO I'M TAKING A LOT OF TIME RIGHT NOW JUST TO FIGURE THAT PART OUT, BUT, UH, BEING BRAND NEW TO THE COUNTY, SO, UH, BE A LITTLE BIT PATIENT, BUT, UH, ONCE I LEARN THAT, I WILL DIVE IN AND DO MY BEST TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET ALL THE GOALS FOR, FOR, FOR YOU AND FOR ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU. GOOD TO HAVE YOU AGAIN, I HAVE YOU ON BOARD. YOU KNOW, I, AND I, I'VE SAID IT TO HIM PERSONALLY. I'VE SAID IT TO PUBLICLY THAT, YOU KNOW, HE IS, HE IS TRULY JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE, ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUAL THAT, UM, AND A GREAT PUBLIC SERVANT. I, I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM IN THE OTHER CAPACITY, BUT EVEN MORE EXCITED. I FEEL LIKE THAT THAT BASEBALL COACH HAD JUST GOT LIKE, THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK OR SOMETHING TO, TO COME HERE. SO FRANK, THANK YOU. SO WHAT DO WE DO? WE THROW HIM TO, YOU KNOW, FIRST TWO WEEKS HAS BEEN BUDGET. AND, UM, SO WE THREW HIM INTO THAT ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE SAID, WHAT A BETTER WAY TO LEARN IS TO, TO GET TO KNOW EVERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER THROUGH THAT. BUT, BUT FRANK, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO LET ME JUMP ON THAT BUDGET AGAIN. SO JUST SO YOU KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT, AGAIN, THAT FIRST TWO WEEKS THAT FRANK'S BEEN HERE, WE MET WITH ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. WE'VE MET WITH ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. AGAIN, STARTING WITH, UM, SOME OTHER OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET WITH THEM TO GO OVER THEIR FY 27 BUDGET SUBMITTALS. UM, I KNOW IT'S DAN'S FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU SLEEP GOOD IN THIS, THE TWO WEEK PERIOD. IT WAS JUST A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF, UM, OPPORTUNITY HERE. OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY. WE, WE'VE STARTED THAT PROCESS AS WELL. WE HAVE SEVERAL INTERNAL MEETINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED BETWEEN NOW AND, AND REALLY GETTING TO A, A FINAL ADOPTION, YOU KNOW, WHICH WE, YOU'LL, YOU'LL SEE THAT LATER IN APRIL AND MAY FOR THE FINAL ADOPTION. UM, SO, YOU KNOW, NEXT STEPS WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET. UH, FY 27 BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS DUE THE END OF THE MONTH. SO WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT NUMBER YET. UM, I DO [02:00:01] KNOW THE CHAIR, VICE CHAIR PLAN TO, TO, UM, HAVE A MEETING WITH THEIR CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND KIND OF TALK THROUGH THE BUDGET AND ON MARCH 2ND, SO WE'RE GONNA DO THAT THEN. AND THEN ON MARCH 3RD, YOU HAVE THAT WORKSHOP, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE SECONDARY SIX YEAR PLAN FOR THAT. AND WE HAD A COUPLE OTHER THINGS PROPOSED. AND THEN, UH, FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH ALL DAY ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO, TO HEAR FROM THOSE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. UM, AND THAT'LL BE IN THE TRAINING ROOM HERE AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. AND THEN, UM, STILL NOT OVER MARCH 10TH, WE HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO IT'LL BE THE FULL SCHOOL BOARD AND BOARD WILL COME TOGETHER AND, AND TALK ABOUT THEIR BUDGET REQUEST AT EAST SIDE AT SIX O'CLOCK, UM, FOR THAT, THAT PIECE. UM, AND THEN MARCH 17TH. SO 30 DAYS FROM NOW, YOUR, UH, CALENDAR YEAR TAX RATE WILL NEED TO BE DETERMINED. SO WE'LL, WE'LL ASK YOU AFTER THAT WHOLE PROCESS, WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR TAX RATE TO BE? AND THAT WILL BE AT YOUR MARCH MEETING FOR THAT, UH, GENERAL ASSEMBLY. YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE FOLLOWING SOME, SOME BILLS REAL CLOSE. UM, WE'RE GLAD THAT SOME BILLS DIDN'T GET APPROVED, UH, SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY BEING ONE OF THEM, UM, THE EROSION OF THAT. BUT, BUT SEVERAL OTHERS. UH, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY, JUST LET COUNTY STAFF KNOW. MARIE'S DOING A MARIE GRANT, DOING A FANTASTIC JOB IN TRYING TO JUGGLE NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS THINGS AT ONE TIME. UM, BUT, UH, OUR CLUTTER BILL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE, UM, SUBCOMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE SHOULD BE GOING TO FULL VOTE. UM, AND THEN ON THE SENATE SIDE, IT, IT, IT SEEMED TO HAVE ALMOST A UNANIMOUS VOTE THERE. SO JUST SOME OTHER QUICK DATES. UM, TODAY IS ACTUALLY THE LAST DAY FOR A BILL TO BE ACTED UPON, UM, EE EITHER THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE, AND THEN IT GOES CROSSOVER. SO CROSSOVER DAY, UH, FEBRUARY 22ND. THIS SUNDAY IS BUDGET SUNDAY, WHERE THE FINANCE COMMITTEES WILL COME TOGETHER AND, AND TALK ABOUT, UH, THE, THE, THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE, WHICH IS THE BUDGET. UM, AND THEN FEBRUARY 26TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR EACH CHAMBER TO ACT ON THEIR RESPECTIVE BUDGETS AFTER CROSSOVER. AND THEN THE FOURTH AND THE DEADLINE FOR EACH CHAMBER TO ACT ON THE BUDGET REVIEWED FROM THE OTHER SIDE. UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO GET TO WHAT THEY CALL SIGNY DIE, WHICH IS THE END OF THE SESSION, WHICH IS MARCH 14TH. SO AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF BILLS THIS YEAR GOING THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. UH, A LOT OF THAT IMPACTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN, IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. UH, HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH A CLASS ON, UH, FEBRUARY 7TH OF SATURDAY AT THE VACO CHAIRPERSONS INSTITUTE. AND SO THEY ASKED ME TO SPEAK ON WHAT ARE THE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES THAT A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NEEDS TO POSSESS IN ORDER TO BE PRODUCTIVE. AND SO THEY TOLD ME, KEVIN, JUST TELL THE DI WOODY STORY. AND SO THEY'RE LIKE, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TO GET TOO DEEP IN IT, IT'S JUST THAT THIS, THIS, THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN ONE THAT'S BEEN, UM, ONE EXAMPLE FOR FOR MANY YEARS WITH THEIR BOARD. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I DID, I JUST TOLD THE, THE DI WOODY STORY, UM, I'M GONNA MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THIS LATER, BUT VIRGINIA TECH AND DIMITY WILL PARTNER AND DO AN ECONOMIC BASE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIC PLAN WHERE I'VE HAD A, A, A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION WITH THEM. UM, THERE, THERE IS A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THAT SCOPE OUT AT THIS MOMENT. BUT, UM, I CAN TELL YOU THE, THE CREDIBILITY OF HAVING VIRGINIA TECH, UH, AND DR. BAILEY AND, AND HER GROUP HELP US WITH THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTELY TREMENDOUS TO, TO THINK OF REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE DIMITY ECONOMY AND WHAT YOUR STRATEGIC PLANS SHOULD LOOK LIKE AS WHAT, WHAT'S REALISTIC FOR OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK IS, WOULD BE REVOLUTIONARY FOR US. JUST AS A REMINDER, I'M GOING OUT, UM, THE REMAINDER OF THIS WEEK TO THE VIRGINIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. AND SO I'LL, I'LL BE IN STANTON FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. UM, AND THEN LAST THING, I'M GONNA PUT EO BOFA ON THE SPOT. I'M NOT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET UP AND TALK LIO, BUT JUST IF YOU JUST RAISE YOUR HAND. SO LIO BOFA IS DE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AND IS SERVING AS AN INTERN IN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, BETWEEN HIM AND FRANK, I DON'T KNOW, THERE'S MAYBE SOME STORIES THAT CAN BE GOING BACK AND FORTH, BUT ELLIOT, WE'RE SO GLAD THAT, THAT YOU'RE GONNA BE WORKING WITH US. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO HIM AND MADAM CHAIR, THAT'S ALL I HAVE AT THIS POINT, SO, OH, THANK YOU. OKAY. THAT'S, THAT'S GOOD. [11. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS] OKAY. MR. LEE, YOU WANNA START? I CAN. ALRIGHT, SIR. UM, YEAH, I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, I ENJOY THESE MEETINGS, UM, TONIGHT OR THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE, UM, HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK THE FFA FOR COMING. AND, UH, Y'ALL GO AHEAD AND [02:05:01] SCHEDULE THIS FOR NEXT YEAR, UM, TOO, BECAUSE WE REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMING. UM, EXTENSION, UH, WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO. UM, AND I'M GONNA GO A MEETING WHEN THEY TALKING BAD ABOUT HANNAH . UM, UH, I KNOW SHE'LL APPRECIATE THAT. UM, FRANK, GLAD TO HAVE YOU, UM, ABOARD AND, UM, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. UM, I'M, UM, FORTUNATE THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE GROUND DURING THE ICE STORM. MM-HMM . UM, IT, IT'S CRAZY HOW MANY PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THAT ACTUALLY BROKE BONES DOING THIS. AND SO, UM, IT CERTAINLY WAS AN EVENT THAT, UM, EVERYBODY NEEDED TO TAKE SERIOUSLY. AND, AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO DO, UM, YOU WERE PROBABLY BETTER OFF NOT DOING THEM. SO, AMEN. ANYWAY, UM, THAT'S TRUE. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE, DR. MOORE. ALRIGHT. UM, WELCOME TO TEAM DINWITTY, FRANK. WE, UM, THIS BOARD IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY GOING FORWARD. AND YOUR EXPERTISE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS GONNA HELP US TREMENDOUSLY AS WE GO FORWARD. SO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON BOARD WITH US. UH, MR. LEE AND MYSELF HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO, UM, SENATOR JORDAN'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS DELEGATE WAXMAN'S OFFICE. WE DID KIND OF A TEAM COMBINATION HERE, UM, SPLIT AND DIVIDE. I GUESS THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD WAY OF PUTTING IT. BUT WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT OUR, UM, THOSE BILLS THAT WE, WE FELT WERE IMPORTANT FOR DE WITTY COUNTY, THE RESIDENTS AS WE GO FORWARD. UM, THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAD AND THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAD FOR OTHER BILLS, UM, UH, BEFORE THEIR, THEIR, UM, OFFICES. SO, HAD A GOOD DAY. UM, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO, UM, VACO. UM, THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE PRESENTATION AND OUR ABILITY TO BE BE THERE. UH, DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AT A RECEPTION LATER THAT AFTERNOON WHERE THE GOVERNOR CAME IN AND SPOKE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. UM, BUT THAT BEING SAID, IT WAS, IT WAS A GOOD DAY. UM, SO, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO, AS WE GO FORWARD, THOSE BILLS THAT OUR BILL IN PARTICULAR, THE CLUTTER BILL WILL MAKE IT THROUGH. UM, THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU THAT ARE HERE, THE LIVE, WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIMES ABOUT HOW LIVES ARE TOUCHED AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WHETHER IT'S FFA OR EXTENSION, UM, WHETHER IT'S ADULTS, CHILDREN, OR EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, UH, MAKES US A BETTER COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF YOU MIGHT BE SITTING ON THIS BOARD ONE DAY, , YOU JUST NEVER KNOW. UM, BUT THANK YOU THAT, BUT I ALSO WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO OUR LEADERS THAT ARE SEATED BEHIND YOU, UM, FOR WHAT THEY DO. AND I THINK WE'VE GOT A, A FATHER TO BE VERY, VERY SOON SITTING BACK THERE, THOMAS DAVIS. SO, UM, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WHAT YOU, THE VALUE THAT YOU SHARE WITH THEIR LIVES GOING FORWARD. UM, RBC, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE THAT I HAVE REALLY TRIED TO BE TRIUMPHANT ABOUT, THAT DUAL ENROLLMENT. WHEN YOU'VE GOT A HUNDRED STUDENTS THAT CAN GO THROUGH THERE, YOU THINK ABOUT THE DOLLARS THAT WE ARE, THAT THOSE FAMILIES ARE SAVING, UM, BEING ABLE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROGRAM AND THAT, THAT, I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE IT HAPPENING. AND, UH, THERE'S NOT A PERSON IN HERE THAT SUPPORTS RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE MORE THAN I DO. UM, ONE OF MY CHILDREN IS A GRADUATE FROM THERE THROUGH THAT DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM. SO, UM, THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES AROUND US HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR THE DAYS THAT THEY WERE OUT OF SCHOOL. AND THIS IS TO MY FRIENDS AT RIVER STREET, UH, AS WE GO FORWARD. UM, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE OF THEIR CAPABILITIES OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS IN THE HOMES AS OF FEBRUARY THE 23RD. WE WILL BE ADDING 15 MINUTES TO EVERY SCHOOL DAY FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE ROOM, UH, TILL THE END OF SCHOOL. AND IT'S, UH, MY PRAYER IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MOVEMENT SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS NEXT YEAR THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN LEARN VIRTUALLY JUST LIKE OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE AROUND US. SO, UH, I'LL END WITH THAT. THANK YOU. MARK ALWAYS COVERS EVERYTHING THAT I WANT TO SAY BEFORE IT GETS TO ME, . BUT FRANK, WE WELCOME YOU AND HOPE WE HAVE MANY YEARS. THOMAS, I HOPE YOU TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD DAD. AND, AND ALL YOU FFA PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, I THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO. AND, UH, I WAS, UH, LIKE I SAY, I WAS RAISED UP ON A FARM AND I, I APPRECIATE Y'ALL KEEPING IT GOING. UH, I LEFT A FARM MY DAD OWNED. AND, UH, [02:10:01] SO I HAVE A, A GREAT NEPHEW AND HE'S REALLY TAKEN, HE HAS EVERYTHING ON IT. CHICKENS, GOATS, DUCKS, EVERYTHING. SO, BUT HE'S HAVING A GOOD TIME ON THE FARM. AND IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD WORKOUT, UH, KEVIN WILL TELL YOU, GO DOWN TO FOUR H , MISS HANNAH. NOPE. OR BRIAN. SHE WILL NOT. IF, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WALK, YOU BETTER TAKE YOU ON BECAUSE SHE'S GOING COVER THE WHOLE, YOU KNOW, PREMISES. I DO REMEMBER A GOLF CART LAST, WASN'T THERE A GOLF CART BUDGET GOT CUT. . OH MAN. I REMEMBER THERE BEING A HORSE. SO I'VE, I'VE DONE THINGS THAT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE DOING AT MY AGE LAST YEAR. LAST TIME I WENT, I DECIDED I WEREN'T GOING BACK THIS PAST YEAR, THEY HAD ME ON A HORSE. HOW I GOT ON THAT HORSE, I GOT PICTURES. YEAH. IT TOOK FIVE PEOPLE TO GET ME ON THE HORSE. BUT MR. DOOLEY, MR. DOOLEY TAKES HIS TIME AND I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT HE DOES. HE TAKES HIS TIME TO TAKE HIS WHOLE FAMILY YEAH. DOWN AND TO GIVE LESSONS ON HOW TO RIDE A HORSE. I REALLY APPRECIATE, AND I KNOW HANNAH DOES TOO. AND, UH, BUT IT'S SUCH A GOOD, WE HAVE SUCH A GOOD GROUP OF FOLKS THAT MAKES THIS JOB SOMETIMES FUN TO BE WITH. YOU KNOW, MIKE WILL TELL YOU THAT. SO JESSICA, YOU CAN READ ABOUT AS FAST AS KAISHA. I MEAN, I, I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU, SO I JUST TURNED MY HEAD . BUT HAVING ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE WORKING WITH MAKES IT REALLY FUN TO BE ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRESENTATION TONIGHT. YOU DID A GREAT JOB. AND FFA, LIKE I SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU'RE JUST STARTING BEEN WITH THOMAS SINCE HE WAS WAY BACK, STARTING ON FFAA LONG TIME AGO. AS A STUDENT. AS A STUDENT ALL THE WAY UP. SO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO TOO. I'VE SAID ENOUGH , I'LL BE, I'LL BE BRIEF. UM, HOW MANY SENIORS WITH YEAH, BETWEEN FOUR H AND IT'S A BUNCH. WE'RE A LOT. A BUNCH OF EM. MOST OF THEM. YEAH. THAT'S ALRIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THOSE OF THE, THEY COULDN'T SEE WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE OF THE 15 EXTRA MINUTES. THERE WAS JUST JOY ON EVERY FACE OF EVERY SENIOR. I DIDN'T SEE A BIT OF SENIORITIS THAT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE. . IT WAS LIKE PURE, PURE DREAD. UM, BUT ENJOY THIS TIME, YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW ADULTS ARE TELLING YOU THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. UH, IT WON'T COME AGAIN. AMEN. ENJOY THE TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS. UM, MS. YOU HASS BEEN AN HONOR TO WATCH YOU GROW UP AND SO MANY OF THESE KIDS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH IN FOUR H CAMP AND WITH TANGLED MAINS OR HORSE ERS OR JUST SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH OUR COMMUNITY GROW. AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THE FUTURE. UH, HANNAH AND MIKE, JJ THANK YOU. UH, THANK YOU FOR BEING PEOPLE THAT MY KIDS KNOW YOUR NAMES BECAUSE YOU INVESTED IN 'EM, UM, AND JUST SUCH, SUCH GREAT COMMUNITY. FRANK, WELCOME. UH, I DON'T THINK YOU'LL FIND A PLACE LIKE IT. I'M GONNA COME HERE. UH, I CAN'T THANK GOD ENOUGH FOR BRINGING ME HERE AND, AND PUTTING ME IN THIS COMMUNITY. UH, MR. DAVIS, HAVE YOU MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE NAME OF YOUR CHILD YET? CAN CAN YOU, CAN YOU SHARE THAT WITH EVERYBODY? YEAH. , I KNOW IT WASN'T AFTER ME, BUT I'LL BE HONORED TO, TO HAVE YOUR CHILD SHARE THE NAME, SO. OH, I KNOW, RIGHT? YEAH. YEAH. WE, WE DO HAVE A PICTURE OF LIEUTENANT LEE ON A HORSE ALSO FROM THIS PAST YEAR. SO, UH, ANYBODY ELSE THAT WANTS TO COME DOWN AND A HORSEMANSHIP CLASS COME ON. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO OUR STAFF. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. THANK YOU. UH, I'M STILL GETTING PAST LIEUTENANT LEE ON THE HORSE OVER THERE. OKAY. IT'S AI . OKAY. OH, IT'S AI. OKAY. NO, IT'S NOT. OKAY. ALRIGHT. UM, WELL, UM, JUST A FEW THINGS. UM, OF COURSE THE MONTHS, UH, WHEN THEY CAME THROUGH , UM, ON THAT FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH, I MEAN, IT WAS PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. MM-HMM . I MEAN, I'VE JUST NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT. UM, THEY HAD A WATER STOP, STOP AT WALTON, UH, SUPERMARKET AND MCKINNEY. THEY SPENT THE NIGHT AT MOUNT, UM, LEVEL BAPTIST CHURCH. AND THEY ALSO ENJOYED LUNCH AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNEX. THEY HAD A WATER STOP AT EAST SIDE WHERE I MET THEM THERE. AND I ALSO TOOK PICTURES WITH THEM THERE. AND IT WAS JUST MOVING BECAUSE, UM, IT WAS A LADY THAT WAS THERE FROM VERMONT WITH HER CHILDREN. AND JUST TO SEE THE EXPRESSIONS ON PEOPLE'S FACES AND WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT PEACE, UM, IT DOESN'T MATTER BASICALLY WHAT YOU BELIEVE, PEACE [02:15:01] IS SOMETHING THAT RESONATES WITH EVERYBODY ACROSS, 'CAUSE EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FOR PEACE. AND, UM, I THINK THAT, UH, IT WAS JUST A MOVING EXPERIENCE TO SEE THEM COMING IN. AND, AND THAT'S THE MAIN THING THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, WAS PEACE. I THINK IT WAS JUST OVERWHELMING. AND THEY CROSSED OVER TO PETERSBURG THAT, THAT AFTERNOON IT WAS SNOWING. AND, UM, WE DID HAVE SOME PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM SOCKS AND EVERYTHING. THEY HAD THEIR OWN FOOD AND DRINK AND EVERYTHING. IT WAS JUST AMAZING. THEY REST, USED THE BATHROOM. UM, AND, UM, NOT TAKING THINGS FROM, UH, FROM WOMEN. YOU KNOW, THEY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU, IF YOU GAVE THEM A FLOWER, THEY KIND OF, THEY TOOK IT FROM THE BOTTOM, THAT KIND OF THING, WHICH IS FINE, I MEAN, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY DO AND WHATNOT. BUT THEY WERE VERY RESPECTFUL WHEN THEY, UM, AS THEY CAME THROUGH. AND THEY ALSO DID, UM, UH, LITTLE BRACELETS FOR PEOPLE AS WELL. UM, AND WE WANNA THANK AGAIN, I KNOW KEVIN MENTIONED THAT THE, UM, ITY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THANK YOU. ITY FIRE, EMS, UH, TY, ANIMAL CONTROL, DENVER WITTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, PARKS AND REC STAFF, AND COUNTLESS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE YOU ALL MADE THEIR, THEIR STAY AS THEY WENT THROUGH DEN, WITTY, UH, WONDERFUL. AND THEY, THEY APPEAR TO BE VERY HAPPY AS THEY WENT THROUGH DENWITTY COUNTY. AND, UM, THEY ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON DC ON FEBRUARY 11TH, ENDING THEIR 2,300 MILE JOURNEY FROM TEXAS. THAT'S A LONG WAY TO WALK. AND, UM, I KNOW, UM, THE GENTLEMAN I TALKED TO, UM, MOST OF THE MONKS COULD NOT SPEAK. THEY DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. SO HE, UM, HE SPOKE ON THEIR BEHALF AND HE TOLD ME, SOME PEOPLE LEFT TEXAS WALKING. THE WEATHER WAS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. THEY WERE BAREFOOT AND SANDALS THAT CHANGED FAST BECAUSE THEY HAD SNEAKERS AND SOCKS AS THEY, UH, AS THEY WERE WALKING UP BECAUSE IT WAS JUST TOO COLD. BUT AS THEY LEFT, THAT'S WHAT THEY, UM, UH, THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT THEY WERE, THEY HAD, UM, ALSO, I'M PIGGY BACK FROM KEVIN HERE. HE, UM, WE ATTENDED THE SWAYING IN CEREMONY OF DELEGATE KIMBERLY POPE ADAMS. AND SHE WAS, UM, ALSO RECOGNIZED, UM, UM, ON THE, ON THE, ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. AND AS SHE REFERRED TO AS THE DELEGATE FROM DEN WITTY. AND SHE JUST SPOKE ABOUT DENWITTY AND SPOKE ABOUT HOW SHE LOVES DENWITTY AND SHE'S FROM, SHE LIVES IN DENWITTY AND, UM, SHE'S GLAD TO REPRESENT US, UM, ON HER JOURNEY. SO IT WAS A, IT WAS A MOVING EXPERIENCE FOR THAT. AND THEY HAD SEVERAL, UM, DELEGATES THAT WERE SWORN IN ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY. SO THAT WAS, THAT WAS ALSO WONDERFUL. AND, UM, THE VACO LOCAL GOVERNMENT DAY, WE MET WITH, UM, SENATOR A'S LEGISLATIVE CHIEF OF STAFF. UM, SHE WAS IN THE SENATE, SO THAT WAS STILL IN SESSION. SO WE DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO, UH, PHYSICALLY TALK WITH HER. BUT THAT WAS FINE. UM, SENATOR JORDAN'S CHIEF OF STAFF SENATE WAS ALSO IN SESSION DELEGATE, UH, POPE ADAMS, SHE WAS IN SESSION, BUT WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH HER. SHE CAME OUT AND, UM, WE TALKED WITH HER, TALKED ABOUT THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HER DOING, AND SHE WAS VERY ACCEPTABLE, UM, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING WHAT SHE CAN DO TO HELP US. AND, UH, DELEGATE WASHAM. WE, UM, SAW HIM. HE WAS IN HIS OFFICE, SO WE, UH, WE STAYED AND TALKED WITH HIM FOR A WHILE AS, AS, UM, UH, ALSO BECAUSE HE REPRESENTS FURTHER PART IN DENWITTY, UM, NOT CLOSER TO THIS AREA. AND, UM, SO IT WAS, UM, IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO, UH, TO TALK WITH PEOPLE AND GET THEIR SUPPORT AND, UM, MOVING FORWARD FOR THIS YEAR. AND ALSO THE FUNERAL OF DR. GLADYS WEST WAS LAST WEEK. UM, WE DID, UM, YOU KNOW, SEND A LETTER, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN, UM, DEVELOPING THE GPS. SO THAT WAS, UH, HER FUNERAL WAS AT ROCKY BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH BECAUSE SHE WAS ALSO FROM DENWITTY COUNTY. UH, SO, UH, THAT WAS, UM, ALSO A VERY MOVING, UM, UH, THING THAT SHE HAS DONE. SHE WAS, UH, RECOGNIZED ON, UM, WILLIE GEIS ON CHANNEL 12, ONE SUNDAY MORNING. AND HE, HE OFTEN SPOT SPOTLIGHTS DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND TALKED ABOUT HER AND HER JOURNEY FOR GPS. SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL. SO, NATIONAL NEWS, UM, WE ALSO, THE VACO SUPERVISOR'S CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IS GOING ON, AND, UM, UH, BILL CHA AND MYSELF, WE ARE TAKING THIS CLASS AND IT ENDS IN OCTOBER FOR VACO. SO WE ARE DOING THAT NOW AND, [02:20:01] UM, DOING SOME, UH, LITTLE HOMEWORK AND EVERYTHING AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COUNTY. SO IT'S, IT IS VERY LONG. SO WE ARE DOING THAT AT, AT THIS TIME. UM, I DO, WE TALKED ABOUT THE STORM AND THE ICE AND EVERYTHING. I LIVE IN THE NORTHERN AREA. IF THE WIND BLOWS, MY POWER GOES OUT. AND THAT'S, AND MY SISTER HAS MOVED THERE, SHE SAID, AND SHE'S NOT USED TO THAT. AND SHE SAID, UH, ARE WE GONNA LOSE POWER? BECAUSE SHE SAID, I KNOW YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT, BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU, I I TRULY AND TRULY BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOD JUST SHOWED US FAVOR BECAUSE I MEAN, WHEN YOU TALKING ABOUT GOING DOWN TO NINE DEGREES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I MEAN, IT WAS COLD. IT WAS VERY, VERY COLD. AND I BELIEVE PEOPLE WERE PRAYING, I BELIEVE PEOPLE WERE PRAYING IN, IN OUR AREA AND EVEN IN DENWITTY BECAUSE, UH, USUALLY YOU, UM, YOU WILL LOSE POWER WITH NINE DEGREES AT NIGHT AND THE ICE COMING DOWN AND EVERYTHING. BUT WE DID NOT. AND I, AND I JUST, UH, CONSIDER A BLESSING THAT WE DID NOT LOSE POWER DURING THAT TIME. SO AGAIN, I BELIEVE PEOPLE WERE REALLY PRAYING. AND, UM, LET'S SEE. I ALSO, UM, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERYBODY HAS SAID THIS, THANKING THE YOUTH FOR, UM, BEING HERE AND, UM, UH, THANKING FOUR H FOR BEING HERE AND JUST, UH, LETTING US KNOW, UH, TREMENDOUS JOB THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING. AND, UM, OF COURSE, THE YOUNG PEOPLE, SENIORS, OH, THAT IS GREAT. YOU'RE GETTING READY TO GRADUATE, GO INTO THE NEW WORLD AND DO ALL KIND OF FUN STUFF, . SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE AND YOU DO WANNA COME BACK HOME, IF YOU WANNA COME BACK HOME AND, AND DO SOMETHING, WE WILL, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE COUNTY. UM, AND, UM, WE, WE TALK ABOUT OUR COUNTY, BUT VACO HAS RECOGNIZED US THREE TIMES AS THE BEST, UM, SMALL COUNTY IN THE STATE. SO THREE TIMES WE HAVE WON THAT AWARD FOR, AND VACO IS THE, UH, VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND WE HAVE WON THREE TIMES. SO WE FEEL REALLY BLESSED WITH THAT, THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE, UM, SOMEONE HAS TO VOTE ON THAT. GOTCHA. SO WE, WE HAVE, UH, WON THAT. SO WE ARE REAL PROUD ABOUT THAT BILL. UH, CHAVIS, WHEN HE GOES SOMEWHERE, HE'LL TELL PEOPLE, UH, WE ARE HERE, WE'RE THE BEST COUNTY. AND THEN WITH HIM, SO NOBODY ELSE VIRGINIA NEED TO SAY ANYTHING. VIRGINIA. OH, I'M SORRY. VIRGINIA. WHAT IM SAYING, VIRGINIA. SO HE SAYS THAT. SO PEOPLE LIKE LOOK AT US, SAID, OKAY. SO, BUT, BUT HE, UM, THE TRUTH, HE DOES THAT. SO, AND WE FEEL THAT AS WELL. AND, AND AGAIN, WE JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO MISS, UM, FRANK, THANK YOU. UM, I HAVE A LIST. DO YOU WANT IT NOW? NO, NO, NO. I'M JUST KIDDING. JUST KIDDING. UM, AND, UM, BUT WELCOME AND, UM, MR. PARIS. THANK YOU. AND WE ARE GONNA LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AS WE, UM, COVER EVERYTHING THAT, THAT YOU'VE DONE. SO WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE SHEDDING TEARS NOW, BUT YOU WAIT TILL WE FINISH DOING THIS. YOU GONNA REALLY SHED SOME TEARS. . SO, BUT, UM, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AS WELL. SO, UM, WITH ALL THAT SAID, UM, WE ARE, NOW WE OH YES. GOT ONE MORE THING. I'M SORRY. UH, TONIGHT IS SEVEN O'CLOCK. WE, UH, WE ARE RECOGNIZING OUR HOMETOWN HEROES RECOGNITION, AND THAT'S AT 7:00 PM AND WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE THAT WE ARE DOING. SO WE ARE, UM, AND WE DO THIS EVERY, EVERY, UH, FEBRUARY. SO, UM, IF YOU WANNA COME BACK THOUGH, THAT'S, THAT'S A GOOD THING TO COME BACK FOR SEVEN O'CLOCK. AND WE ARE NOT GONNA BE HERE LONG, SO, BUT WE'RE GONNA RECOGNIZE TWO PEOPLE TONIGHT. MM-HMM. OKAY. UM, [12. CLOSED SESSION] AND AT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO A CLOSED SESSION. THE BOARD WILL CONVENE INTO A CLOSED SESSION UNDER 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 A ONE, PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS DI AIRPORT AND INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY, DI COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY, DI COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 A FIVE, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION CONCERNING PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY OF THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS UPDATE 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 A THREE, DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE OR OF THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLICLY HELD REAL PROPERTY, WHERE DISCUSSION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR GOVERNMENT COMPLEX. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO GO AND CLOSE PLEASE? MOVED. MOVED. SECOND. OKAY. UM, ROLL. WE WERE RAISING FOR THAT MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY, MADAM CH MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE WE GO, CAN, CAN WE GET A PICTURE OF ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS? AND MAY WE START WITH FFA AND THEN FOUR H. OKAY. ALRIGHT. [02:25:03] GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. UM, AT THIS TIME WE NEED A MOTION TO COME OUTTA CLOSED SESSION. SO MOVE. SECOND ROLL CALL MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING AYE. WHEREAS THIS BOARD CONVENED IN A CLOSED MEETING UNDER 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 A ONE. PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS DENWOODY AIRPORT AND INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY, DENWOODY COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY, DENWOODY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 A FIVE, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION CONCERNING PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, OR THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS UPDATE 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 A THREE DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE OR OF THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLICLY HELD REAL PROPERTY WHERE DISCUSSION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR, OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR GOVERNMENT COMPLEX. AND WHEREAS NO MEMBER HAS MADE A STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS A DEPARTURE FROM THE LAWFUL PURPOSE OF SUCH CLOSED MEETING OR OF THE MATTERS IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION DISCUSSED NOW BE IT CERTIFIED, THAT ONLY THOSE MATTERS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION, WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED IN THE MEETING. I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT. PLEASE SHALL I MOVED? SECOND. ROLL CALL. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. OKAY. THANK YOU AND WELCOME [13.A. Hometown Heroes] TO OUR HOMETOWN HEROES. CAN WE GIVE THEM A HAND IN ADVANCE? I I BELIEVE THIS IS OUT 10. YEP. A LITTLE 10 YEARS, 10TH YEAR DOING IT. SO WE HAVE TWO, UM, INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE, UH, RECOGNIZED AND WE ARE HAPPY FOR THEM TONIGHT. UM, AT THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO, UH, GO DOWN TO THE PODIUM AND YEAH, GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. SO I, I, UM, I GET THE PRIVILEGE TO, TO KIND OF KICK US OFF TONIGHT. UM, SO MY NAME IS KEVIN MASSENGILL. I'M THE, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HERE IN IN DENWOODY COUNTY. AND I, THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT FOR, FOR TODAY. I MEAN, I WOULD SAY IT'S, IT'S REALLY BIGGER THAN JUST TODAY. IT'S, IT'S REALLY THE BIG EVENT FOR THE WHOLE MONTH. SO I, I WILL TELL YOU, UM, MS. EBRA BONNER, AND IT'S JUST FITTING THAT, THAT SHE'S THE CHAIR THIS YEAR. UM, WHEN SHE CAME ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WE GOT TO TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT MONTHS AND SHE SAID, WELL, WHAT DO WE DO IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH? AND SO I SAID, WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE SPECIFICALLY DONE SOMETHING BEFORE. AND SHE SAID, KEVIN, WE GOTTA CHANGE THAT. AND SO WE, WE STARTED LOOKING AT JUST TREMENDOUS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHEN WE STARTED THIS A DECADE AGO, UM, AND I'M GONNA CLAIM IT, RIGHT? SO I'M DOING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PROGRESS INDEX. AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS FIRST EVER EVENT. AND I SAID, WELL, THE WAY WE LOOK AT IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. YOU KNOW, WE, WE CALL 'EM OUR HEROES. AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE KIND OF OUR HOMETOWN HEROES. WELL, IT, IT STUCK MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF THE PROGRESS INDEX. AND SO I DON'T GET TO CLAIM MUCH, BUT I AM GONNA CLAIM THE FACT THAT I CALLED IT HOMETOWN HEROES . AND IF ANYBODY REMEMBERS, AT LEAST I REMEMBER IT, THAT WE GET TO DO THAT. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? SO IT IT, IT MEANS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT FOR DENWITTY COUNTY. UM, WE'VE GOT TREMENDOUS INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'VE RECOGNIZED OVER THE YEARS AS CATEGORIES. UM, IT'S COMPETITIVE TO, TO BE NAMED. UM, I'VE NEVER BEEN PART OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF WORK THAT THAT GOES IN FOR IT. [02:30:01] BUT BEFORE WE GO INTO TONIGHT, I WANNA RECOGNIZE, 'CAUSE I I SEE SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN SELECTED AS A HOMETOWN HERO, CAN YOU STAND? I KNOW I SEE MR. HOVER. WE GOT SOME ROOM, YOU GOT SOME IN THE ROOM. SO AGAIN, WE, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY EVERY YEAR TO TO RECOGNIZE, UM, WHAT A FEMALE AND A MALE, AND AGAIN, THESE, THESE INDIVIDUALS WE LIKE TO SAY ARE THE BEST AMONG US. AND YOU KNOW IT, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THIS IS JUST A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE FOR US AND WE'RE SO EXCITED THAT ALL OF YOU ALL WERE, WERE ABLE TO COME. UH, TONIGHT WE'RE GONNA DO LADIES FIRST. SO WE'RE GONNA FIRST RECOGNIZE MS. BRANCH AND I'M GONNA HAVE, UM, OUR CLERK READ THE WRITEUP ON MS. BRANCH, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING. KAISHA MS. TRESSIE BRANCH WAS BORN ON AUGUST 26TH, 1933 TO HENRY AND ETHEL YATES BOWLING. SHE IS ONE OF SEVEN CHILDREN AND A PROUD NATIVE OF DIMWIT COUNTY. MS. BRANCH MATRICULATED THROUGH THE DENWITTY NORMAL SCHOOLS AND GRADUATED AS SALUTATORIAN IN 1951, DEMONSTRATING EARLY THE DETERMINATION AND EXCELLENCE THAT WOULD CHARACTERIZE HER LIFE'S WORK. MS. BRANCH BEGAN HER CAREER AS A NURSE'S AIDE DEDICATING HERSELF TO CARING FOR OTHERS. IN HER EARLY FIFTIES. SHE RETURNED TO COLLEGE AN INSPIRING TESTAMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING, ATTENDING JOHN TYLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, NOW BRIGHTPOINT AND VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE SHE EARNED HER CREDENTIALS AS A REGISTERED NURSE. AFTER RETIRING FROM NURSING, SHE EMBARKED ON A SECOND SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT BEAUTY CONSULTANT WITH MARY KAY COSMETICS, TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BUILDING A THRIVING BUSINESS. A HIGHLIGHT OF HER CAREER WAS MEETING THE COMPANY'S FOUNDER MARY KAY ASH. MS. BRANCH ATTENDED A TEA AT MS. ASHE'S HOME WHERE SHE RECEIVED PERSONAL INSTRUCTION AND BUSINESS PRACTICES FROM THE FOUNDER HERSELF. FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, MS. BRANCH SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF TRESSES TWINKLING STARS, INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING COUNTLESS WOMEN TO PURSUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION AND SERVED AS CO-OWNER AND BOOKKEEPER OF HER FAMILY'S TRUCKING AND HAULING BUSINESS. A LIFELONG MEMBER OF MOUNT LEVEL BAPTIST CHURCH. MS. BRANCH HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED IN NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP ROLES AND INCLUDING 20 YEARS AS CHURCH CLERK AND PRESIDENT OF THE MISSIONARY MINISTRY. SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE DENWITY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP AND FOUNDED THE UNITED NURSE MINISTRY OF DENWITTY IN VICINITY. HER UNYIELDING FAITH IS REFLECTED IN HER MISSION WORK, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING A LOCAL PROGRAM THAT ADOPTED CHILDREN FROM AFRICA THROUGH DONATIONS THAT SUPPORTED THEIR EDUCATION FROM CHILDHOOD THROUGH GRADUATION. ABOVE ALL, MS. BRANCH TREASURES HER FAMILY. SHE IS THE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN, SHERRY, GAIL, AND RONALD DECEASED. A GRANDMOTHER OF SIX, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OF 13 AND GREAT-GREAT-GRANDMOTHER TO SEVEN. HER FAVORITE PASTIME IS GATHERING WITH LOVED ONES TO COOK AND SHARE MEALS. SHE ENJOYS GOSPEL MUSIC, WESTERNS READING THE SUNDAY PAPER AND CARING FOR HER BELOVED PETS, A CHICKEN NAMED HENNY PENNY AND AND HER DOGS PROMISE AND SHARE, AS MS. BRANCH HUMBLY REFLECTS, SHE HAS TRULY LIVED A FULL LIFE. HER LIFE IS ONE THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE OTHERS. MS. TRESSIE BRANCH HAS LIVED A LIFE DEFINED BY FAITH, SERVICE, PERSEVERANCE, AND LOVE OF FAMILY, MAKING HER A FITTING CHOICE AS ONE OF DENWITTY COUNTY'S 2026 HOMETOWN HEROES. WOO. HERE WE'VE GOT A COUPLE THINGS WE'RE GOING GIVE YOU AND THEN, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA LET YOU TALK. SO LET ME, LET ME READ THIS. THE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION. SO IT'S BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. IN THE DIMITY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THERE IS HEREBY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED TRESSIE BOLAND BRANCH AS A 2026 HOMETOWN HERO FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF DIM WOODY COUNTY IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS AND FAITH. [02:35:01] AND IT'S SIGNED BY THE CHAIR BRENDA E. BONNER, AND ME AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. AND YOU'RE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. THANK YOU. AND THEN I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA PRESENT THIS PLAQUE. OKAY. AND IT'S THE 2026 DEWINE COUNTY HOMETOWN HEROES, TRESSIE B BRANCH AND RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUSINESS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES. SO YOU'RE I LOVE ME ROOM. YOU CAN PUT THIS IN AND THEN WE, SO IT'S OFFICIAL NOW. SO YOU GET TO BE AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE DILIN COUNTY. SO YOU GET YOUR LAPEL PEN HERE AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE YOU HAVE THAT AS WELL. OKAY. AND IF YOU WANT SHARE ANYTHING WITH THE OWNERS, NOTHING. NOTHING. IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO. THANK YOU. OKAY, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU. IT'S ALL I ORDERED TO SAY. THAT'S FINE. YOU NOW SHE, NOW THIS LADY, I WORKED WITH THIS LADY FOR A LONG TIME AND SHE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT MARY KAY DON'T LOOK, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS WANTED ME TO SELL AND DO THIS AND DO THAT. BUT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LEAVE STUFF AT HOME AND SHE'D ASK ME, DID YOU SELL ANYTHING? I WOULD SAY NO. AND, UM, BUT SHE WOULD ALWAYS, UM, PUSHING PEOPLE FOR BUSINESS BECAUSE SHE REALLY LIKED MARY KAY. AND SHE WANTED PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED BECAUSE IT WAS A BUSINESS THAT SHE THRIVED ON AND DID WONDERFUL WITH, YOU KNOW, AND SHE WAS AT CENTRAL STATE, UM, AS A RN GREAT TO HER, HER PATIENTS, AND JUST DOING A GREAT JOB. SHE WAS JUST A WONDERFUL PERSON. AND I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU WERE, WERE, WERE COMING TONIGHT TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD NOW, BUT YOU YOU'RE NOT GONNA SAY ANYTHING ELSE THOUGH. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY. OKAY. I WANT YOU OUT. I WANT YOU TO COME UP HERE AND SAY SOMETHING TO THIS AFFAIR. AND OF COURSE, I AM NERVOUS, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT, BUT I'M STILL HERE AND STILL TRYING TO DO THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS ORDAINED ME TO DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OH WAIT, , SHE SAID SHE WAS NERVOUS. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE'LL GET SOME PICTURES OFF. DON'T OFF. SO IT'S, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT WITH THE NEXT PERSON. 'CAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY KNOWS HIM. . SO I, I DID FOR KEVIN NORTHAM. UM, I, I TELL YOU, YEAH, I I I'VE BEEN DENWOODY WORKING HERE SINCE 2002. WHAT YEAR DID YOU START? 2003. 2003. AND I MEAN, I, I KNEW IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE. I I KNEW IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE SAME TIME. UM, WHEN I WAS TALKING TO MS. EBRA BONNER AND I SAID, ALL RIGHT, WE MAY HAVE TO, 'CAUSE SHE, SHE HAS SOME DEFINITE THINGS THAT SHE WANTED TO SAY ABOUT YOU. AND I SAID, WELL, I'VE GOT SOME DEFINITE THINGS I NEED TO SAY ABOUT CATHERINE . UM, DI WHATY IS SO BLESSED TO HAVE THIS INDIVIDUAL, UH, AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IN SUCH A, A, A BIG WAY. AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE, THE PURPLE SHIRT BRIGADE . WELL, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT WE CALL IT. BECAUSE YEAH, Y'ALL, WHEN IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP, THE, THE PURPLE SHIRT BRIGADE SHOWS UP. UM, DIY COUNTY IN THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS SO SPECIAL IN THE SENSE THAT IN 2020, DIMITY WAS RECOGNIZED FOR OUR FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE. AND THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD TODAY, IF Y'ALL HAVEN'T NOTICED, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE SOMETIMES MORE DIVIDED IT. AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO, TO COME TOGETHER. AND IN 2020, UM, OF ALL THE JURISDICTIONS IN, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, THEN WHAT HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS BEST SMALL COUNTY FOR OUR FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE. AND IN ESSENCE, WHAT THAT INITIATIVE IS ABOUT IS THAT THERE ARE CLEAR SEPARATIONS BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE. AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT. BUT GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T HIDE FROM THAT. AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SO MANY PLACES OF WORSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND, YOU KNOW, THE CHURCH IS HERE TO [02:40:01] SERVE AND GOVERNMENTS HERE TO PROVIDE SERVICES. WHEN WE'VE HAD THIS KIND OF RADICAL IDEA, WE HAD A MEETING AT EAST SIDE AND WE, WE CALLED ALL THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES TOGETHER. AND ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I REMEMBER SHOWING UP TO THAT WAS KEVIN NORTHAM. AND HE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVERYTHING DI WOODY HAS DONE, UM, SINCE, SINCE I CAN REMEMBER. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, HE DON'T LIVE HERE, YOU KNOW, IT WAS LIKE, HOW, HOW'S HE GOING TO BE THE, THE HOMETOWN HERO? AND HE DON'T LIVE HERE? AND WE'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE SO GLAD OF THE COMMITTEE THAT, THAT WORKED ON THIS. IT DOESN'T MATTER. WE KNOW. 'CAUSE WHAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE, IT'S INSPIRATION. IT'S FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO IF COMMITTED TO THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE THAT LIVING TESTAMENT OF WHAT'S GOOD, WHAT'S RIGHT, WHAT'S JUST, UM, WE JUST SAW THAT A FEW MINUTES AGO. AND IT'S DEFINITELY THE SAME HERE WITH KEVIN NORMAN. UM, SO I CALL HIM A FRIEND. I CALL HIM A COLLEAGUE. UM, HE TEACHES ME EVERY TIME I'M AROUND HIM WHAT HUMILITY IS REALLY ABOUT. IF I DARE TO COMPLIMENT HIM, HE'LL BE THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL ME, YOU KNOW, GET BEHIND THESE SATAN. YOU DON'T, DON'T TALK TO, DON'T, DON'T TRY TO, DON'T TRY TO GIVE HIM A COMPLIMENT. DON'T TRY TO GIVE HIM A COMPLIMENT. BUT THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT MAKE ME WANNA BE A BETTER PERSON. AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT REALLY MATTERS MOST. AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAPPEN TO BE A, A BOARD THAT DOESN'T HIDE BEHIND OUR FAITH. AND WE'RE JUST SO GLAD THAT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO BE THAT BEACON OF LIGHT IN SOMEWHAT DARK PLACES SOMETIMES. UM, SO AT THIS MOMENT, WE'RE GONNA HAVE MS. BROWN REED. WHY KEVIN NORAM IS DESERVING OF THIS. BORN ON APRIL 22ND, 1967 IN A C**K VIRGINIA TO WILLIE SR. AND MIN MIN NORTHERN, HE WAS THE FIRST IN HIS FAMILY TO BE BORN IN A HOSPITAL. A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR ON HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE RESULTED IN THE FAMILY NAME BEING RECORDED WITH AN M RATHER THAN AN NA SMALL DETAIL THAT HAS BECOME PART OF HIS UNIQUE PERSONAL STORY. FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION IN 1985, REVEREND NORTHAM ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, INITIALLY PLANNING TO SERVE TWO YEARS BEFORE ATTENDING COLLEGE. THAT COMMITMENT EVOLVED INTO A DISTINGUISHED 20 YEAR MILITARY CAREER, CULMINATING IN HIS RETIREMENT. IN 2005. DURING HIS SERVICE, HE PURSUED HIGHER EDUCATION, EARNING AN ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FROM HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, AND A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE FROM BAKER COLLEGE. REVEREND NOAM'S CONNECTION TO DEM WITTY COUNTY BEGAN IN HIGH SCHOOL WHEN HE MET MS. CHERYL LYNETTE WILLIAMS OF SUTHERLAND, WHILE PART PARTICIPATING IN A STATEWIDE STUDENT GOVERNMENT MOCK CONGRESS. THEIR ENDURING CONNECTION LED TO MARRIAGE IN 1995, AFTER DELIVERING A POWERFUL EULOGY AT THE FUNERAL OF HIS WIFE'S UNCLE, REVEREND NORTHERN WAS INVITED TO SERVE AS PASTOR OF OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH. FOR ALMOST 23 YEARS, REVEREND HAM HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED THE CONGREGATION, GUIDING BOTH SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY IMPACT IN PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY. REVEREND NORTHERN EARNED A MASTER OF DIVINITY FROM THE VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN 2006, FOLLOWED BY A MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FROM THE SAME INSTITUTION IN 2010. IN JUNE, 2015, HE WAS AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE FROM RICHMOND, VIRGINIA SEMINARY. REVEREND DR. NORTHERN'S LEADERSHIP EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE PULPIT. HE SERVED AS SECRETARY OF THE DIMITY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP, PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BAPTIST TRAINING UNION CONGRESS OF VIRGINIA, MODERATOR OF THE UNIFIED SHILOH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH SIDE VIRGINIA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED CHURCHES OF DENWOODY COUNTY IN VICINITY AND STATE DIRECTOR OF YOUNG ADULTS FOR THE BAPTIST TRAINING UNION CONGRESS. HE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A MAN OF DISTINCTION BY THE PETERSBURG DELTA COMMUNITY AND RECEIVED THE 2024 UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND KEEPER OF THE FLAME AWARD. REVEREND REVEREND NORTHAM HAS REMAINED DEEPLY ENGAGED IN LOCAL CIVIC LIFE, SERVING ON THE DIMITY COUNTY EQUITY AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION TASK FORCE, THE DENWITY COUNTY PASTOR'S ROUND TABLE, AND THE DIMITY COUNTY FAITH-BASED BASED INITIATIVE. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE INITIATIVE [02:45:01] THAT LED TO DIMITY COUNTY'S NEWLY OPENED BASKETBALL AND PICKLEBALL COURTS. HE COORDINATED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 4.3 MILLION EDIFICE AT OLIVE BA BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH, AND JOYFULLY CEREMONIALLY BURNED THE NOTE IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS. WOW. A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER OF DIMITY YOUTH. HE VOLUNTEERS AT SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A SUPPORTER OF ALL THINGS GENERALS. HE INITIATED THE CHURCH'S ANNUAL FEEDING OF THE DIMITY GENERALS FOOTBALL TEAM AND SERVED AS THE 2024 DIM WITTY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER. HE ALSO PROVIDES ANNUAL SUPPORT TO THE DENWITTY CHRISTMAS SHARING PROGRAM, NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, AND ONE FAMILY COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICES AND HIS FREE TIME. REVEREND DR. NORTHAM ENJOYS READING FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT PLANNING AND MAINTAINING PHYSICAL FITNESS. GUIDED BY HIS BELIEF THAT HE CAN FULFILL HIS WORKMANSHIP AND BE PLEASING TO GOD BY LIVING WHAT HE LEARNS, PREACHES, AND TEACHES. HE STANDS FIRMLY ON THE SCRIPTURE I AM, MADE ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN THAT I MIGHT BE ALL MEANS SAVED. SOME REVEREND DR. KEVIN NORTHAM IS A DEVOTED PASTOR, VETERAN, AND COMMUNITY LEADER WHOSE LIFE OF SERVICE HAS LEFT A LASTING IMPRINT ON DIM WIDY COUNTY, MAKING HIM A DESERVING 2026 HOMETOWN HERO. LADIES. ALL RIGHT, KEVIN, I'M GONNA READ. YOU SAW THAT WENT DOWN, RIGHT? YES, SIR. OKAY. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA AND THE DENWOODY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THERE IS HEREBY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED REVEREND DR. KEVIN M HAM AS A 2026 HOMETOWN HERO FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF DENWOODY COUNTY IN THE AREAS OF FAITH AND EDUCATION SIGNED BY CHAIRWOMAN BRENDA EBER BONNER, AND ME AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. AND AGAIN, THIS PLAQUE 2026 DEWINE COUNTY HOMETOWN HEROES, REVEREND KEVIN M NORTHERN, AND RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH AND EDUCATION COMMUNITIES. WE'RE GONNA HOLD THIS FOR YOU. YEAH. UM, THE OFFICIAL PEN ON YOUR BEHALF. YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? I SAY? YEAH, BECAUSE YEAH, HE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING HE WANTED. YEAH. NO, NO. HE GONNA, YEAH. UM, REVEREND , YOU KNOW, WHEN I TALK WITH HIM, HE'S ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP HIS YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE GOING WHEREVER. UM, THEY DO PROMS GRADUATION AND EVERYTHING. AND TONIGHT HE TOLD ME, HE SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE ARE DOING, DOING SOMETHING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT FOR THE SENIORS. SO I SAID, OKAY. HE SAID, I MAY HAVE TO LEAVE. I SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T LEAVE UNTIL WE RECOGNIZE YOU. AND UM, AND I SAW HIM OUT IN THE HALLWAY. HE SAID, WELL, I MAY HAVE TO LEAVE. I SAID, NO, YOU GONNA HAVE TO STAY UNTIL WE FINISH. WE HAVE TO DO PICTURES AND EVERYTHING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, UM, I TALKED TO SOME OF THE CHURCH MEMBERS AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW WHAT HE DOES FOR HIS, HIS CHURCH AND FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND EVERYTHING. SO I WANTED PEOPLE TO REALLY, UM, KNOW THAT BECAUSE HE'S ALWAYS THERE RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO ENCOURAGE. AND, UM, AND ALSO YOUR, YOUR MEMBERS SAID THAT YOU ARE A, A GREAT PASTOR. THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID. UH, CAN I GET A HAND ON THAT? 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ALL TOLD ME. NOW YOU HAVE HIM BLUSHING, BUT YEAH, I'M GONNA LET HIM SPEAK. NO, YOU, NO, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE, UM, TO THE COUNTY, COUNTY LEADERSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR, UH, EDMOND BONNER. AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK ALONGSIDE AND WITH EACH OF THEM, AND IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY FIRST OF ALL, THAT I AM GRATEFUL. I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD BECAUSE EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM ABOVE. AMEN. AND I, I RECEIVE THIS, UH, WITH HUMILITY, BUT I ALSO RECEIVE IT WITH APPRECIATION. I WANNA TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. BRANCH. UM, I PROMISED SOME INDIVIDUALS SEE WHAT MS. EDWARD BONNA DOESN'T KNOW IS THAT I'VE BEEN TO THE SCHOOL ALREADY, , AND I TOLD 'EM I'LL BE BACK. SO , BUT THERE ARE A FEW OF YOUR FAMILY THAT ARE THERE, AND THEY ASKED [02:50:01] ME TO EXTEND THEIR REGARDS. SO I CONGRATULATE YOU WELL DESERVED. CAN WE SHOW HER SOME LOVE? THANK YOU. UM, I WANT TO SAY, UH, THIS IS, UH, AND ALL OF THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES, UH, THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THIS RANKS AS ONE OF THE HIGHEST. UM, BECAUSE, UH, I REALLY DON'T, UH, BELIEVE THAT, UH, I WAS ELIGIBLE TO BE A RECIPIENT. AND AS, UH, KEVIN SAID, UM, I'M TRULY HONORED AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT DENWITTY. YES. UM, AND I SAY THIS OFTEN, ESPECIALLY AT GAMES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. UH, I MAY SLEEP IN VERINA, BUT I SERVE IN DENWITTY AND, UH, DENWITTY FOR ALMOST 23 YEARS. UH, DENWITTY BY GOD'S PLACEMENT, GOD'S PLACEMENT, UM, HAS NOW BECOME MY PURPOSE, MY PRIORITY AND MY PASSION. AND I LOVE SERVING DWI COUNTY. AND IN INCLUSIVE OF THAT, UM, ARE SO MANY INDIVIDUALS, I HONOR THE PAST AWARDEES. AND I, I KNEW WHEN I WAS BEING INTERVIEWED, UM, AND, UH, MS. MARIE GRANT, WE WERE SITTING DOWN AND I SAID, I'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED ALL THE PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS. I SAID, A LOT OF 'EM ARE ALL THE BRANCHES. ANYWAY. AND WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH IT, I EVEN AT THAT MOMENT, I SAID, I AM NOT DESERVING TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE REALMS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS. BUT THEN I'M REMINDED THE APOSTLE PAUL, APOSTLE PAUL IN ONE CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 15, I AM A PREACHER, Y'ALL . HE SAYS IN THE NINTH VERSE AT THE BEGINNING, HE SAYS, I AM THAT I AM ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD PRIOR TO SAYING THAT HE STATES I AM THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES. AND HE IDENTIFIES THAT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT I'M THE LEAST OF ALL RECIPIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED AND GIVEN AND HONORED WITH THIS AWARD HOMETOWN HERO. BUT HE GOES ON TO SAY THIS. HE SAYS, I AM THAT I AM ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD. HE SAYS, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THAT HE REALIZES THIS IS THE APOSTLE PAUL, THAT HE REALIZES THAT THE GRACE THAT WAS BESTOWED UPON HIM WAS NOT IN VAIN. HE SAYS, BUT I LABORED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ARE. BUT YET NOT, I ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I AM THAT I AM. AND I STAND BEFORE YOU HONORED TO BE A RECIPIENT AND SAY THAT IT'S ONLY BY GOD'S GRACE. AMEN. AND I LOVE SERVING DENWOODY COUNTY. IN CLOSING, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CAME IN SUPPORT. AND YES, WE HAVE PAINTED DENVER COUNTY PURPLE , THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT CAME. AND THIS IS ONE PREACHER'S PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE, BUT IT'S MINE AND I STAND ON IT. OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH IS THE GREATEST CHURCH THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN. LASTLY, LET ME SAY THIS, UM, BECAUSE, AND YOU HEARD IN THE BIO WHAT BROUGHT ME, UH, TO DENWITTY, BUT PRIOR TO ME MEETING A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG LADY. BUT I WANT TO SAY IT'S GOOD TO HAVE, UH, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HERE, BUT ALSO THERE'S TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SPECIFICALLY. AND THAT IS THE ONE WHO IS THE JOY FOR MY EARTHLY JOURNEY. AND THAT IS MY 29-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CHRISTIAN FOR 29 YEARS. SHE HAS SHARED HER FATHER WITH THE WORLD FOR 29 YEARS. SHE HAS SHARED, AND I WANT HER TO KNOW TONIGHT THAT IN ALL THE WORK THAT I DO AND ALL THE TIME I SPEND WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, SHE'S THE GREATEST GIFT THAT GOD HAS EVER GIVEN ME. I WANTED THE BOARD, THAT'S MY DAUGHTER, THAT'S MY BABY GIRL. AND THEN KEVIN SAID, I DON'T BRAG ABOUT ANYTHING. I DON'T LIKE RECOGNITION. THERE IS ONE THING THAT'S REMAINED CONSTANT. THERE'S ONE THING THAT I BRAGGED ON FOR OVER 23 YEARS, AND THAT IS THAT I MARRIED THE MOST NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN TO COME OUTTA DENWITTY COUNTY. SO I THANK GOD FOR MY WIFE, WHO ALSO WHO ALSO SHARES IN SUPPORTING ME, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY SHE SUPPORTS ME WHEN SHE KNOWS ABOUT IT AND WHEN SHE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY TO HER, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR. I WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE DENWITTY COUNTY FOR AS LONG AS GOD GIVES ME STRENGTH. AMEN. [02:55:04] AND I'LL BE READY TO TAKE THE PICTURES SO I CAN GET BACK DOWN TO THE SCHOOL . OKAY. YEAH. UM, ALSO, UM, I KNOW, UM, MOUNT LEVEL IS IN THE HOUSE, SO CAN I GET A HAND FOR MOUNT LEVEL THAT'S HERE? YEAH. SO, UM, ALL THE, ALTHOUGH THE PASTORS SAYING OLIVE BRANCH, AND YOU KNOW, WE GOT TWO GREAT CHURCHES HERE. SO, UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK, UM, THREE. OKAY. THREE. YEAH. OKAY. THREE. I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING FOR THE HOMETOWN HEROES. AND, UM, IT'S BEEN OUR PLEASURE TO, UM, HAVE EVERYONE HERE. AND AT THIS TIME WE ARE GONNA DO SOME PICTURES AND, UM, WITH, YOU KNOW, THE FAMILIES AND ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO GET INTO PICTURES, SO WE CAN HAVE THEM. AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THEM ON FACEBOOK AND EVERYTHING. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. THANK YOU. ALL THE PAST HONOREES, AND WE WILL DO THIS AGAIN. AND IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT YOU WANT TO NOMINATE, IT COMES OUT LATER IN THE FALL AND JUST SEND IT IN SO WE CAN, UH, SO THE GROUP CAN TRY TO LOOK AT IT. OKAY. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND WE GOING TO, UM, WE'RE GONNA START WITH MS. BRANCH DOING PICTURES. MM-HMM . IN HER FAMILY, AND ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO GET THE PICTURE. OKAY. DO WE HAVE SOME, UM, MALE LEVEL PEOPLE WANNA COME UP? GOOD. MAY I, CAN YOU PASS PLEASE? CAN YOU PASS THIS BOX PLEASE? I NEED TO GET, I NEED STAND RIGHT HERE. [03:00:04] WHERE DID YOU GET RIGHT UNDER THE, SHOULD WE GO UP OR WE GOOD? NOW? WE KNOW WE'RE RIGHT. TIP TOES. I CAN SEE THE CAMERA. 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. YOU SOMEWHERE. NO, SIR. SHE BY CAN YOU, CAN YOU NEXT? OKAY. OKAY. CAN WE GET THE REVEREND NORTHERN GROUP UP? IT'S GONNA TAKE A SINGLE WITH HIM FIRST. OKAY. OKAY. ONE BY, OKAY. GOOD TO SEE. OH, I KNOW, I KNOW. LOOK, I WAS WAVING AT THE OTHER PASTOR OVER THERE. WHO? WHOEVER YOU WANT TO COME UP CALLING. YEAH, I KNOW, RIGHT? DO YOU WANNA DO FAMILY FIRST? JUST DO. OKAY. THAT'S GOOD. BRENDA, GET YOU THE SEAL. OH, OKAY. ARE YOU IN ? YOU GOTTA MOVE TO YOUR LEFT A LITTLE BIT. OKAY. SEAT, YOU'RE GOOD. NO, YOU'RE FINE. ALL RIGHT, OLIVE. ALRIGHT. [03:05:08] WE, WE GONNA MAKE IT WORK. IT IT'LL WORK. OH GOD. IT'S GREAT. WE GOT SOME PEOPLE UP HERE TOO. CAN YOU COME UP HERE WITH YOUR FAMILY? ALRIGHT, EVERYBODY LOOK UP, UP. TIGHTEN UP. I DO APOLOGIZE. THE, YOU NEED, CAN YOU SEE, UH, ONE, TWO? CAN, CAN YOU SEE ONE? CAN YOU CAN? YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. OH, SHE GONNA STAND UP. DON'T, DON'T FALL. DON'T FALL. DON'T FALL. GET ON HIS SHOULDER. GOOD. IT'S A GOOD NIGHT. NIGHT. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING. YEAH. THANK YOU. YOU WELCOME. YOU. [03:10:13] OKAY. SO YOU WENT WITH THE WALKER AND SECURITY? UNDERNEATH? UNDERNEATH. UNDERNEATH. PUSH UP. UM, OKAY. OH YEAH. OH YEAH. GOOD TO SEE. UM, YEAH. WE STILL GOTTA DO CITIZEN. OH YEAH. YEAH. OH YEAH. OH, OKAY. I WAS AT THE DOOR AND THEN HALF THEM WAS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. SO KIND GLAD THAT WE HAD TO SPLIT UP. WE WOULDN'T HAD NO ROOM FOR THAT'S WHAT THE WAS TELLING ME. THAT PLAN ON E. YOU SEE WHAT IS, ANYWAY, QNC PLAYING ON PN HEY GIRLFRIEND. GOOD NIGHT. PROUD. I'M GONNA PICK UP ONE DAY. WE'RE GONNA GO PUT THE TOP DOWN. YOU READY? ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT. YOU GOING BACK TO THE HIGH SCHOOL? YEAH, SHE'S OKAY. THE DATE IS GOOD. YEAH. UM, I DON'T HAVE, THE APP STATE IS UP 35 TO 20. WHO? OH YEAH. NC STATE IS UP 35 TO 20 WITH 3 42 TO GO IN THE FIRST. OKAY, GOOD. ABOUT 15. WELL WE COME BACK. WE'LL COME BACK. LOOK WHAT? AT THIS TIME. AT THIS TIME WE ARE GONNA DO, WE'RE GONNA DO APPOINTMENTS AT THIS TIME. WE'RE GONNA DO APPOINTMENTS. . THEY'RE GETTING THERE. ALRIGHT, DO IT. OKAY. WAIT, WHO IS THE APPOINTMENT? BYE. SEE YOU. GOOD SEEING YOU, BILL. YOU DO THAT. THAT'S WHY GIVE IT, I'LL GIVE YOU YOURS TOMORROW. THAT'S FINE. WHAT WE CAN SHARE. OKAY. ALRIGHT. YOURS TOMORROW. Y'ALL SHARE? OH, OKAY. YEAH, THAT'S FINE. YEAH, THAT'S GOOD. GOOD JOB. YOU HAVE I'LL BE GOOD. [03:15:01] I'VE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES. YES. I NEED TO GO THERE. I AIN'T NEVER BEEN ONE TIME. GO. I'M IN CLASS TO GOLF CART. I IN TYSON'S CORNER. OKAY. OH, OKAY. OH YEAH. WHAT DAY AT THIS TIME [14.A. Appointments] WE WILL BE DOING UM, APPOINTMENTS. APPOINTMENTS. IF THEY CAN JUST GO TO THE HALLWAY. THAT'S FINE. COULD WE JUST ASK THAT EVERYONE MOVE INTO THE HALLWAY PLEASE? NO, YOU'RE GOOD. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE A REALLY IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT TO MAKE. . WE HAVE A NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IN DEY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. MADAM CHAIR, MAKE A MOTION TO RE REAPPOINT SHARON YATES FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE. 3 16 20 30. SECOND ROLL CALL. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER. AYE. ALL VOTING? AYE. THANK YOU FOR SERVING MA'AM. FOUR MORE YEARS. MADAM CHAIR. THAT'S ALL THE APPOINTMENTS WE HAVE TONIGHT. OH, OKAY. ALRIGHT. UM, [15. CITIZEN COMMENTS] DO WE HAVE, UH, CITIZEN'S COMMENT? YES. MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE SHARON YATES. ALL RIGHT. WE DIDN'T DO IT. . GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. EVENING. I AM VERY HONORED AND DELIGHTED TO STAND BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING. UM, SO, UM, TO MR. MASSEN GEAR CHAIR EBRA BONNER AND MEMBERS OF THE DOMINICAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION OF MOUNT LEVEL BAPTIST CHURCH AND THE WIDER GEN WI COMMUNITY, I'VE ASKED TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR THE OUTSTANDING SUPPORT SHOWN DURING OUR RECENT HISTORICAL MARKER UNVEILING CEREMONY. HONORING THE HISTORIC VISIT OF REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WE EXTEND SPECIAL THANKS TO SHERIFF ADAMS FOR HIS PRESENCE AND FOR THE PROFESSIONALISM OF HIS DEPUTIES WHOSE ASSISTANCE WITH PARKING, TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SECURITY HELPED ENSURE THAT THE OCCASION WAS SAFE, ORDERLY, AND WELCOMING FOR ALL. THEIR SERVICE ALLOWED THE DAY TO UNFOLD WITH DIGNITY AND PEACE, REFLECTING THE VERY SPIRIT OF UNITY THE EVENT WAS MEANT TO CELEBRATE. WE ARE ALSO DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE PRESENCE OF SHERIFF ADAMS, MR. DOOLEY, MRS. COLLINS, MRS. GRANT, AND MR. MASSENGILL. SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. MASSENGILL FOR HIS MEANINGFUL AND THOUGHTFUL REMARKS. HIS WORDS BEAUTIFULLY CONNECTED. DR. KING'S ENDURING LEGACY TO OUR PRESENT RESPONSIBILITY AS CITIZENS TO PURSUE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR DAILY LIVES. HIS MESSAGE REMINDED US THAT HISTORY IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING WE REMEMBER, BUT SOMETHING WE MUST ACTIVELY CARRY FORWARD. BECAUSE OF LEADERS LIKE YOU. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLY A CEREMONY BECAME A POWERFUL MOMENT OF REFLECTION, UNITY, AND RENEWED COMMITMENT FOR OUR CHURCH AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAND WITH US DEMONSTRATES THAT WHEN FAITH COMMUNITIES AND CIVIC LEADERS WORK TOGETHER, WE STRENGTHEN THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR COUNTY. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR PARTNERSHIP, AND YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO PRESERVING HISTORY WHILE INSPIRING PROGRESS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT OF SUCH A MEANINGFUL AND HISTORIC OCCASION OF MOUNTING A HISTORICAL MARKER ON THE GROUNDS OF MOUNT LEVEL BAPTIST CHURCH. WE THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND I ESPECIALLY THANK YOU ALL. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE NO ONE ELSE SIGNED UP. OKAY. UM, SO BOARD [16. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS] MEMBER COMMENTS. UM, IT'S JUST BEEN A GOOD DAY. OKAY. IT HAS. ALL RIGHT BILL. ENJOY IT EVERY MINUTE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE BODY OF CHRIST SHOW UP AND CELEBRATE. UH, REVEREND IN, IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH MISS, MS. BRANCH. MM-HMM . OKAY. AND THEN YOU DIDN'T THINK WE COULD GO THROUGH ALL FOUR OR FIVE WITHOUT SOMEBODY MAKING SOME COMMENTS? ? NO, I JUST, UM, HOMETOWN HEROES. UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT FROM THE FIRST ONE TO THE ONES, UM, THAT WE DID TONIGHT, UM, THINK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS AND WHAT THEY'VE DONE REALLY FOR THE WORLD. MM-HMM . IT CHANGED THE WORLD, BUT I FOCUS MORE BACK ON [03:20:02] WHAT THEY'VE DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND TO ME DENWOODY IS, IS LIKE NO OTHER PLACE. UM, I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD DON'T COME TO DENWOODY AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. AND I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, YOUR NEIGHBOR IS YOUR NEIGHBOR. UM, AND I HEARD THIS SAYING ONE TIME AND I THINK IT'S TRUE WELL SO MANY PEOPLE IN DEWINE COUNTY IS YOU, YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE. MM-HMM . AND I THINK I CALL IT COUNTRY FOLKS 'CAUSE I'M JUST A COUNTRY PERSON. UM, AND I THINK IN THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. AND, UH, I, I APPRECIATED THE CROWD. UM, JUST THE WHOLE ATMOSPHERE OF NIGHT IS WHAT'S JUST AMAZING, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM. WITHY COUNTY. AMEN. AMEN. OKAY, GOOD SAID. YES. OKAY. UM, YES, AGAIN, WE'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO, UM, WHO CAME AND TOOK THE TIME OUT TO CELEBRATE THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS. SO, AND IT WAS GOOD SEEING PEOPLE AND WE KNOW GOD WAS IN THE, UH, MIDST OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DID. SO WE ARE GONNA GO CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND CONTINUE TO GET PEOPLE TO COME AND UPLIFT IN WHITTY COUNTY. AND AT THIS TIME, UH, CAN I GET A, A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT? SO MOVE SECOND ROLL CALL PLEASE. MR. LEE. AYE. MR. DOOLEY? AYE. DR. MOORE? AYE. MR. CHAVIS? AYE. MS. EBRA BONNER AYE. ALL VOTING AYE. MEETING IS ADJOURNED. ALL RIGHT. GOOD MEETING. WE NEED TO. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.