[00:00:01]
[Call to Order]
FEBRUARY 28, THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH, [NOISE] SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.WE DO HAVE A QUORUM SO WE CAN CONDUCT BUSINESS TONIGHT.
THE FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS TO CONDUCT A CLOSED SESSION. MR. TROY?
[1. Conduct Closed Session]
>> HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MEMBERS, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD TO NOW CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS SET IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA 1950 AS AMENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES.
ONE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711A PERSONNEL MATTER REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND TWO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711 A5, DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCORPORATED CONCERN IN CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS OR THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE.
THE PROSPECTS OR BUSINESSES' INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
>> WE NEED THE MOTION TO DO SO.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE WIN. WE'RE IN CLOSE SESSION.
WE SHOULD GO BACK TO THE OPEN SESSION.
[2. Return to Open Session]
>> I MOVE THAT WE RETURN TO THE OPEN SESSION.
>> I HAVE THE MOTION TO GO BACK TO THE OPEN SESSION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> WE'RE BACK IN THE OPEN SESSION.
SUPERVISOR, I WANT YOU TO READ THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION, PLEASE.
[3. Certification Resolution]
>> YES SIR. [NOISE] WHEREAS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HAS CONVENED A CLOSE MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE, RECORDED VOTE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, AND WHEREAS SECTION 2.2-3712D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD THAT SUCH CLOSED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT, TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS ARE LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM THE OPEN MEETING.
REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED BY THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THAT THIS MOTION CERTIFIED.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CERTIFICATION SAY AYE.
WE MOVE ON TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
EVERYBODY STAND AND FACE THE FLAG, PLEASE.
>> JUST A WORD ABOUT THE PLEDGE, THAT WAS UNDER GOD WAS ADDED BY PRESIDENT DR. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER IN 1954.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, I THINK NORTH OF HERE, [LAUGHTER] THAT HAVE TAKEN GOD OUT OF IT.
WE'RE LEAVING GOD IN IT. INVOCATION. DO WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER FROM THE AUDIENCE FOR A SHORT INVOCATION? THANK YOU.
>> DEAR OUR GOD AND HEAVENLY FATHER, AS WE COME TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON [INAUDIBLE] BLESS US INDIVIDUALLY AND BLESS US COLLECTIVELY [INAUDIBLE] BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, GIVE US AN OPEN MIND THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE YOUR PROTECTION AND GIVE US [INAUDIBLE] THESE THINGS WE ASK IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST, IN NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, WE SURELY PRAY. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU. NUMBER 4, ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE CLOSED MEETING, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY BOARD TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ON ANYTHING TONIGHT.
IF WE DO IT IN THE BACK, THEN WE HAVE TO COME BACK OUT HERE AND DO IT IN PUBLIC.
NUMBER 5, CITIZEN'S COMMENT PERIOD.
[5. Citizens Comment Period]
THIS WAS STARTED ON NOVEMBER 25, 2013.WE SET ASIDE THIS TIME THAT YOU CAN COME, APPROACH THE PODIUM, JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD [BACKGROUND], AND TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUE CONCERNING THE COUNTY.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN UP. YOU'RE WELCOME TO TALK.
I'LL SAY WE'VE TRIED TO LIMIT PEOPLE TO THREE MINUTES,
[00:05:02]
BUT IF WE LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, MAYBE WE'LL GIVE YOU MORE THAN THREE MINUTES.[LAUGHTER] WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT [NOISE] SECTION.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS FRANKLIN PARKER JUNIOR.
I LIVE IN 3465 JOHN MAHONEY BOULEVARDS, NOW VIRGINIA, [NOISE] WHICH IS THE NEW NORTHEAST DISTRICT, ABOUT HALF OF PRECINT.
[NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL PEARSON, CHRISTOPHER COMMONWEALTH.
GREETINGS CHAIRMAN EDWARDS, THE BOARD, [INAUDIBLE] ATTORNEY REILINS, AND SHERIFF WHITE.
I WOULD LIKE TO WISH MY DAUGHTER, SHERRY, FEBRUARY 28, AND SHEILA, WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS TODAY A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. DADDY LOVES YOU.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY WHO CAME OUT TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023, FOR THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR ONE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, DELIVERANCE, WHO ALLOWED US TO USE THEIR FACILITY AS A NEW POLLING STATION [NOISE] WITH A NEW CAKE AND GERBIL PRECINCT OF THE NEW NORTHWEST DISTRICT, SITUATED IN THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK MS. LINDBERGH, REGISTRAR, AND MS. DALE HALL, ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING TIRELESS EFFORTS AND HARD WORK WHILE FACILITATING THE EARLY VOTE IN MAIL AND BALLOT ACTIVITIES.
THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY CAN REST ASSURED THAT WE HAVE SECURE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
I WANT TO THANK OUR OFFICERS OF ELECTIONS AND THEIR POLL WORKERS STAFF WHO WERE TRANSITIONING TO THE NEW PRECINCT ASSIGNMENTS.
I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF WHITE AND HIS STAFF OF OFFICERS WHO PROVIDED US WITH NOT ONLY SECURITY DETAILS BUT ALSO OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC CONTROLS THAT PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE VOTERS.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHO HAD TO PORTRAY GOOD FAITH TO FACILITATE THE REDISTRICT LEGISLATION NEEDED FOR THIS AND THE UPCOMING ELECTION.
AS A FINAL NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN REMIND EVERYONE THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IMPLEMENTING THE LANGUAGE NECESSARY BY ORDINANCE, AS WE TRANSITION TO THE NEWLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OFFICERS AND THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ABOUT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA ELECTION LAWS THAT MUST BE MET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO'S NEXT?
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD.
I'M ERNEST FLOYD 18312 OF SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY, CAPITOL VIRGINIA.
I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS CONCERNING ITEM, WAIT A MINUTE, 13. I KNOW WHAT HASN'T BEEN DONE AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE.
YOU CAN'T PUT EVERYTHING IN THE RESOLUTION SO I JUST HAD SOME CONCERNS WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S GOING TO BE IN PLACE.
SAYS AN AT-LARGE AND THEN THE YEARS THAT TWO PEOPLE CAN BE ELECTED AND FIVE PEOPLE RUN.
WILL IT BE THE TWO WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES? SOME PLACES YOU GOT TO GET 50%, WILL IT BE THE HIGHEST TWO VOTE GETTERS? IF THAT BE THE CASE, IT MAY NOT HAPPEN.
BUT SAY NUMBER 1, ONE PERSON GOT QUITE A FEW.
BUT THEN THE NEXT TWO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF VOTES.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT TIE? THOSE WERE JUST SOME COUPLE OF CONCERNS THAT I HAVE.
HOPEFULLY, [NOISE] THE RESOLUTION WILL ADDRESS THAT.
>> IT SHOULD. I KNOW IN SOME COUNTIES, SAY FOR A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THEY MAY BE 20 PEOPLE RUNNING.
THEY HAVE FOUR SEATS, THE FIRST FOUR.
>> THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. PROPER VOTE. THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> MR. RILEY, DO YOU HAVE COMMENT ON THAT?
>> WELL, I LISTENED TO MR. FLOYD'S COMMENT AND I THINK IT'S A LEGITIMATE QUESTION.
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BUT IF YOU RUN IT AT-LARGE AND YOU HAVE MULTIPLE CANDIDATES, WHAT HE SAID MAY OCCUR IS A MATHEMATICAL POSSIBILITY.THE ODDS ARE GREAT AGAINST IT, BUT IT'S A POSSIBILITY.
I THINK IN THAT EVENT, YOU COULD DO ONE OF TWO THINGS.
ONE IS YOU COULD HAVE A RUN-OFF ELECTION OR TWO, THE PARTIES COULD AGREE TO GO STROLLS OR SOMETHING.
NOW, I DIDN'T SAY ALL THAT I'VE ORDERED BECAUSE IT ORDINANCE WAS GIVEN OUR STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT WOULD HAPPEN ARE GOING THROUGH THE REGISTER KIT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THE ORDINATES, I FELT IT'S COMPLICATED ENOUGH AND WE CAN FINE TUNE IT IN TIME IF WE NEED TO.
>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. CHIEF.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS MARK BROWN, I RESIDE AT 33334 SANTA RIDGE ROAD.
I ONLY HAVE TWO ISSUES AND CONCERNS I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS.
[NOISE] IT'S ALL CENTERED AROUND WITH THE BOARD TAKING MORE OF A HARDCORE PROACTIVE VIEW TOWARDS CERTAIN THINGS FOR THE COUNTY.
ONE OF THEM IS BRINGING IN BUSINESSES.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, THERE ARE ACTUALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING LEFT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CYBERSECURITY AS IT APPLIES TO MAKING COMPUTER CHIPS.
I'D JUST LIKE TO RECOMMEND IF IT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN DONE TO WORK WITH CAMP COLLEGE.
IN REFERENCE TO HAVING CLASSES TO TEACH 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS THAT HAVE GONE INTO HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AREA HOW TO MAKE COMPUTER CHIPS.
BECAUSE NORMALLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO LET A COMPUTER CHIP MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN THE COUNTY ONE OF THE FIRST THING YOU GOING TO LOOK AT IS SOME PARTICULAR EDUCATIONAL ASPECT, WHETHER OR NOT KIDS ARE INVOLVED IN ACTUALLY LEARNING HOW TO MAKE COMPUTER CHIPS.
THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY BEING LET OUT THERE.
CYBERSECURITY IS A HIGH DOLLAR THING.
THE OTHER THING IS, AND I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING REAL HARD ON BROADBAND, BUT IT IS HARD FOR ME TO RAISE A FOURTH AND A FIFTH GRADER IN SUNBEAM.
EVERY TIME I GET ON THE INTERNET, EVERYTHING BUFFERS OUT.
THE SAME THING DID WHEN WE WERE DOING IN-SCHOOL LEARNING. IT'S REALLY HARD.
I'M HOPING THAT THE TIMELINE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT TO BRING BROADBAND OUT TO THE SUNBEAM AREA AND THE RIVERDALE AREA IS REALLY BEING TAKEN A HARDCORE LOOK.
THE OTHER THING IS YOU GOT CHURCHES NOW THAT AS A RESULT OF COVID, A LOT OF CHURCHES DON'T HAVE THE IN-HOUSE POPULATION.
THEY ARE DOING ELECTRONICALLY E-SERMONS.
YOUR CHURCHES AND MINISTERS ARE TRYING TO PREACH THE WORD TO SAVE SOULS AND EVERYTHING BUFFERS OUT SO BROADBAND IS REAL CRITICAL AND I'M HOPING THAT YOU MOVE UP THOSE TIMELINES THAT WE CAN BRING THOSE IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE OTHER THING IS IT GETTING BACK TO CYBERSECURITY AND BROADBAND? I'M TRYING TO RUN A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS.
I DEAL WITH ENTITIES WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EVERY WEEK, WASHINGTON DC, MARYLAND, WISCONSIN, AND TAXES.
YOU GET ONLINE AND TRY TO HAVE A MEETING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU GET BUFFED OUT.
IT'S HARD FOR ME AS A RESIDENT OF THIS COUNTY THAT'S TRYING TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY.
I'M JUST BESEECHINGLY REQUESTING THAT IF YOU CAN MOVE UP THE TIMELINE FOR BROADBAND, PLEASE DO SO.
IF YOU CAN BRING BUSINESSES INTO THE TURNER TRACK, IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 10 YEARS NOW.
THINK THE LAST BUSINESS THAT WAS LET DOWN IN THE TURNER TRACK WAS DONE IN 2012.
AGAIN, I CANNOT OVEREMPHASIZE CYBERSECURITY IS A HIGH DOLLAR AREA.
A LOT OF MONEY'S BEING LET TO BRING THAT ABOUT.
BEING ABLE TO MAKE COMPUTER CHIPS AND BRINGING IN COMPUTER CHIP BUSINESS IS WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE SOLVER FOR THAT, FOR THE BRING ADDITIONAL MONEY HERE IN THE COUNTY.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DEBORAH GOODWYN AND I LIVE AT 34467 JOYNER ROAD IN BRANCHVILLE.
A STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT THE WAY THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS PROPOSING TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.
THIS IS ITEM 13 ON YOUR AGENDA TONIGHT.
AS WE'RE ALL AWARE, IN THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION, THE CITIZENS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY VOTED TO CHANGE THE METHOD BY WHICH MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ARE ELECTED.
THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY VOTED TO USE THE METHOD USED BY MOST OF THE OTHER LOCALITIES IN VIRGINIA AND HAVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DIRECTLY ELECTED BY VOTERS.
WHILE I SUPPORT AND APPLAUD THE VOTER'S DECISION TO DIRECTLY ELECT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE METHOD THAT YOU PROPOSE TO ELECT THESE MEMBERS.
[00:15:04]
THE CODE OF VIRGINIA SPECIFIES THAT WHEN CHANGING FROM AN APPOINTED BOARD TO AN ELECTED BOARD, THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD MUST REMAIN THE SAME FOR THE FIRST ELECTION.I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL BOARD WILL REMAIN AT NINE.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS PROPOSED AND CAN HAVE ALL NINE MEMBERS ELECTED AT LARGE.
HAVING ALL NINE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED AT LARGE WILL NOT ENSURE THAT EACH OF THE CURRENT FIVE DISTRICTS WILL HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.
HAVING ALL NINE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTED AT LARGE, WILL NOT ACHIEVE FAIR AND EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION FOR EACH DISTRICT.
USING THE AT-LARGE VOTING METHOD, 50% OF THE VOTERS CAN IF THEY MOSTLY SUPPORT THE SAME CANDIDATE WIN ALL THE SEATS.
IN AN AT-LARGE FIELD IT IS POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE THAT THE COUNTY IS LARGEST, THE MOST COHESIVE VOTING BLOCK WOULD OUTPACE ALL OTHERS AND CLAIM ALL THE SEATS.
ALL THAT'S NEEDED IS FOR ONE LARGE NEIGHBORHOOD OR ONE LARGE BLOCK TO BUILD UP AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEAD OVER THE REST OF THE FIELD.
AS A RESULT, THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS CAN SEE ALL THEIR FAVORITE CANDIDATES LOSE ELECTION AFTER ELECTION.
WE DO NOT HAVE AT-LARGE VOTING AT FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
WE DO NOT HAVE AT-LARGE VOTING IN STATE ELECTIONS.
WE DO NOT HAVE AT-LARGE VOTING FOR YOU THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THEREFORE, I IMPLORE YOU, PLEASE DO NOT HAVE ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTED BY AN AT-LARGE VOTING SYSTEM.
PLEASE PROVIDE A METHOD OF ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD THAT WILL ENSURE, THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THAT EACH DISTRICT HAS REPRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
MY ADDRESS IS 29488 HUNTER POINT ROAD.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THIS WEEK.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SCHOOLS.
I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN THAT ARE THERE.
MY GRANDSON WAS BEAT UP PRETTY BADLY BY A STUDENT WHO WAS OVER SIX FOOT TALL.
WE HAVE HAD TO PLACE OUT TO OUR HOME.
HE SPOKE TO A POLICE OFFICER ABOUT BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL.
IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AT SCHOOL.
THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS WITH VIOLENCE AT THE SCHOOL.
THERE ARE CONTINUED CONCERNS THIS LAST WEEK, THERE WAS A LOCK DOWN BECAUSE THERE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A GUN AT THE SCHOOL.
IT HAS BEEN REPORTED ONLINE BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE INVESTIGATED IT, THAT CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BRING KNIVES THROUGH THE METAL DETECTORS AT SCHOOL.
THERE ARE FOUR VIDEOS POSTED ONLINE ON MANDY HALL'S WEBSITE, WHICH SHE IS MUCH MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN I AM ABOUT WHAT REGULATIONS ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED.
BUT AS A GRANDMOTHER, I'M PLEADING.
WE ARE GETTING NOWHERE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I CANNOT CALL AND TALK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
I'M VERY HAPPY THAT YOU-ALL HAVE TAKEN STEPS ABOUT PUSHING FORWARD TO AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE AT THE MOMENT ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS.
I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THEIR FUNDING PULLED.
IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS COMMITTEE AND YOUR RIGHT TO QUESTION THINGS AND ANSWER THEM, PLEASE.
PULL THEIR FUNDING. THEY NEED THEIR PLANNED FUNDING PULLED, MAYBE THE COUNTY WILL START SPEAKING UP MORE WITH FUNDING PULLED. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS LINDA SIMMONS AND I LIVE IN SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
I HAVEN'T BEEN UP HERE FOR AWHILE, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, I DON'T HAVE A CHILD IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT OUR PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTY IS MUCH BIGGER THAN JUST WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE SCHOOL AND THE BIG ISSUE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION, WE'RE GETTING READY IF WE DON'T REAL THIS PROBLEM IN WITH OUR SCHOOLS IN THIS COUNTY,
[00:20:04]
TO LOSE OUR COUNTY.NO ONE WANTS TO COME HERE FOR BUSINESS.
THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED WHEN THEY ARE BUYING A HOME, WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOLS LIKE? I SPOKE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHO RUNS A LARGE BUSINESS IN THE AREA AND HE TOLD ME LAST NIGHT, THE FIRST THING THAT THEY ASK WHEN SOMEONE'S LOOKING TO INVEST IN A BUSINESS HERE, WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOLS LIKE? BECAUSE THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO MOVE HERE.
THE SCENES ON THE VIDEOS THAT I'M SEEING ON FACEBOOK AND THE THINGS THAT I'M HEARING FROM THE TEACHERS THAT WORK THERE, THE THINGS I'M HEARING ABOUT THE INCONSISTENCIES AND THE BEHAVIOR OF SCHOOL BOARD THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY AND ADMINISTRATION.
I WILL SAY AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME.
I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRAINING IN CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION, NEGOTIATING.
WE HAVE AN INACCESSIBLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND IT'S AT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WITH HER RESPONSIBILITIES, THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES COMES IN ACCOUNTABILITY TO THIS COUNTY.
INACCESSIBILITY IS NOT IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
THESE PARENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS.
I KNOW FOR FACT THAT INACCESSIBILITY STARTED IN 2015 WHEN A BUS RAN THE STOPLIGHT UP THERE TO SAVE THE LIVES OF A BUS LOAD OF CHILDREN AT FOODLAND TO TRACTOR TRAILERS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR BEHIND HER.
SHE SAVED THEIR LIVES BECAUSE SHE RAN A RED LIGHT AND I REQUESTED THREE TIMES TO MEET WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOLS.
I WAS PROMISED I WOULD HAVE A TIME WITH HER.
TO THIS DAY, THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.
I HEAR PARENTS THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.
I KNOW THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS HIGHLY COMPETENT OF DOING THEIR JOB.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE MISSING THAT WERE UNACCOUNTED FOR BASED ON REPORTS WITH THE BUDGET LAST YEAR. WHERE'S THE MONEY? I KNOW YOU'RE PREPARING YOUR BUDGETS NOW.
[NOISE] I COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON AND PEOPLE ARE ASSIGNED TO DO THEIR OWN JOBS.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T MANAGE AND YOU CAN'T REPORT OUT AND BE, WHAT IS THE WORD I'M LOOKING FOR RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
IF YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHERE YOU SPENT YOUR MONEY LAST YEAR, WHY AM I GOING TO GIVE YOU MORE MONEY THIS YEAR? IF YOU ARE IN THAT BUDGET PROCESS AND WILLIAM HARD, I'VE HEARD YOU SAY MANY TIMES, MR. GILLETTE, THAT YOUR BUDGET HAVE ONE CUT, HAVE ONE CURRENT OF A CONTINGENCY.
WE DID THE SAME THING IN INTERNATIONAL PAPER BECAUSE I DIDN'T MANAGE.
BUT EACH MONTH LOOKED OVER A $47.5 MILLION REPAIR BUDGET.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND WE HELP PREPARE IT EVERY YEAR.
TO FIND OUT WHERE THE INCONSISTENCIES WERE AND IF IT WAS VALIDATED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN INCREASE.
I CAN TELL YOU IF $800,000 WAS MISSING FROM ONE OF THE REPAIR BUDGET CATEGORIES IN INTERNATIONAL PAPER, NOBODY WOULD BE GETTING ANOTHER INCREASE.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT IF THEY CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR WHAT THEY'VE HAD, I WOULD CUT THE BUDGET.
I'M UP HERE AND I'M JUST SPEAKING FROM MY HEART.
YOU DON'T REWARD POOR PERFORMANCE.
I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S ABOUT THOSE LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS THAT GET UP EVERY MORNING AND GO TO SCHOOL.
AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WRONG.
THEY JUST HAVE THE WRONG LOOK ON THEIR FACE, THEY'RE PUNISHED.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON EVERY OTHER FRIDAY, AND I'M NOT CLOSE ENOUGH AND IF I'M WRONG, GOD, FORGIVE ME.
THEY HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY.
WELL, IF ALL OF THAT WAS GOING ON IN MY LIFE, I NEED A MENTAL HEALTH TODAY TOO.
BUT WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF IT? WE'VE GOT SOME DEEP QUESTIONS THAT NEEDS SOME ANSWERS AND WHERE WE PICK THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FROM DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.
WHAT MATTERS IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR JOB AND NOT HAVE AN ABOUT ME SYNDROME.
WHEN THEY FINISHED GETTING ELECTED, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS TO SOLVE OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO EVEN NEED TO HAVE A MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THIS COUNTY, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUR BUSINESSES.
WE ARE GOING TO LOSE OUR CITIZENS WERE GOING TO LOSE OUR TAX BASE.
NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
THAT'S WHAT I SEE. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND WE'VE GOT TO GET THE PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL SOLVED.
I THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK MY PIECE.
[00:25:03]
>> WHO'S NEXT? WE GOT PLENTY OF TIME.
>> MY NAME IS WARREN SIMMONS AND I LIVE AT 27-511 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY, CORTLAND.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TOO COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO TO WATCH THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ONLINE AND ONE OF THE PLANNERS IN THEIR DISCUSSION, SAID WE NEED TO THINK 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T DO ANY TALKING ABOUT 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I STARTED THINKING, WHAT DO THINGS LOOK LIKE 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD? FIRST THING I NOTICE IS ONE THING YOU EVIDENTLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, IS THE SUBSET OF LANDFILL OVER AND SUFFER, WE USUALLY GET A REPORT YEARLY ON THAT.
IT'S GOING TO FILL UP IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
WE HAPPEN TO BE CONNECTED WITH HAMPTON ROADS SOLELY BECAUSE WHEN THEY NEED US, WE'RE CONNECTED WHEN THEY DON'T NEED US WE'RE NOT.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT WHY ROOM SPACES OUT HERE AND SAY WE AIN'T GOING TO SUFFER, WE ALREADY DID OURS.
OTHERWISE FILLING UP WITH BUSINESS AND PEOPLE CAN PUT IT THERE.
THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE TO PUT IT, AND THAT'S RIGHT HERE IN OUR HOME.
I DON'T KNOW HOW BIG THAT LANDFILL IS.
PROBABLY A COUPLE HUNDRED ACRES.
IT'S GOING TO BE 800 ACRES IF IT'S AN ACRE WHEN IT COMES BACK NEXT TIME BECAUSE POPULATIONS DOUBLE.
TRASH IS DOUBLED AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO GO FURTHER OUT BECAUSE THE NEXT AVOCADOS RATHER WON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR IT.
YOU TAKE 800 ACRES SPOT, THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CONDEMN SOME OF THAT LAND TO GET IT.
THEN NOBODY IS GOING TO BE ANYWHERE, LET'S SAY FOUR MILES OF IT IN ANY DIRECTION.
NOW YOU TAKE ABOUT 65 SQUARE MILES OF A 600 SQUARE MILE [INAUDIBLE] NOW YOU USING UP A TENTH OR MORE OF YOUR LAND JUST TO ACCOMMODATE THAT LAND FOR YOUR PLUS ALL THE TRUCKS BACK-AND-FORTH WITH YOU ALREADY GOT HIGHWAY FULL.
THAT'S AN ISSUE WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT IT.
IF IT COMES WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT IT? ARE WE GOING TO PICK, ARE THEY GOING TO PICK? SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE THINKING ABOUT IT.
NOTHING WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT AS ANOTHER ITEM ON YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WE'VE GOT PLACES SET ASIDE FOR LIGHT INDUSTRY, [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] WANTS TO PUT A NEW BANK.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE SET ASIDE FOR THEM TO PUT IT.
THEY'LL HAVE TO PUT IT BETWEEN JUNK YARDS AND STORAGE BILLS.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE THERE. WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GO? THEY GO TO FRANKLIN. WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT A DRUGSTORE WHEN ONE MOVES TO COME TO THE COUNTY? WE DON'T HAVE ONE, WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PUT IT.
ANOTHER GROCERY STORE. A NICE MOTEL, A RESTAURANT.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE SET ASIDE TO PUT IT.
WE LET ANYBODY PUT ANYTHING THEY WANT TO PUT ANYWHERE THEY WANT TO PUT IT.
WE NEED TO TAKE JUNK YARDS AND ALL UNATTRACTIVE BUSINESS ALL 58 AND 460.
WHY? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SUPPORT CHAIN RESTAURANTS, OR THOSE BUSINESSES, SO WE HAVE TO USE TRAVELERS WHO COME IN AT NIGHT TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE BUSINESSES SO OUR PEOPLE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT TOO.
THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO COMPREHENSIVE FILE.
THEN [NOISE] WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT ONE OTHER THING [NOISE] THAT I SEE HAPPENING.
OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, OUR RESCUE AND FIRE, THEY SPEND MORE AND MORE TIME ON WRECKS.
ONE OF THE FIVE CHIEFS TOLD ME THEY SPENT OVER 80% OF THE TIME ON WRECKS.
VERY FEW FIRES. THEIR USES UP ALL THE TIME, USES UP THE MATRIX.
NINETY PERCENT OF PEOPLE LAID DOWN A BUSY ROADS ARE NOT OUR RESIDENTS.
WE'RE USING OUR PEOPLE TO LOOK AFTER THE PEOPLE TRAVELING THROUGH AND THEY CAN'T KEEP UP AND IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE.
THEN WE GOT TO HIRE MORE FIREMEN, [INAUDIBLE] HIRE MORE E&TS, HIRE MORE DEPUTIES BECAUSE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING BACK AND FORTH.
BECAUSE TRAFFIC'S NOT GETTING LESS, TRUCK'S NOT GETTING LESS.
THEN THAT BECOMES A LOT POSSIBLE.
WE'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO EXPAND OUR TAX BASE.
[00:30:05]
BECAUSE THE CITIZENS WE GOT RIGHT NOW AND THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE, WHICH IS MOSTLY AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RELATED BUSINESSES CAN'T SUPPORT AUDIT AND REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, MAX AND ADAM ON CITIZENS, WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS.I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOW GOING TO HAVE MR. HANK, IS THAT HIS NAME? REPORT A LEASE OR AN ADD IN ON WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE APPRECIATE THAT. WELL, WE'VE GOT TO PUT SOME EFFORT INTO IT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IF FRANKLIN GETS ALL THE BUSINESS.
>> SURE. I HAD ONE MORE PROJECT THAT I HAD GOT ON THE BACK BURNER BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH CONTROVERSY IN THE AIR ABOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
BUT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I WENT AROUND THIS AREA AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE TRASH.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU WILL HAVE NOTICED AN ODD NAME, ONE OF THEM OR TWO THIS IS A NO-GO STATION, HAD A WRECK IN NOVEMBER AT THE INTERSECTION.
BESIDE THIS A NO-GO STATION, THERE'S A CONE THERE THAT GOT MASHED ON THE CORNER AND IT'S A NO-GO STATION, THERE'S BROKEN GLASS, THERE'S A DRUM IN THE BACK THAT'S MASHED THERE'S GARBAGE EVERYWHERE.
I'LL STOP NOW WITH THE DETAILS AND ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE NO-GO STATION STATION WHEN YOU GO BY THERE STOPLIGHT HEADED TOWARDS CORTLAND IT'S HIDEOUS.
I STARTED TO GO IN AND SAY SOMETHING TO OWN AND I FIGURED I MIGHT NOT BE WELL RECEIVED BUT I HAVE PICTURES IN FACT, I HAVE ABOUT 20 PICTURES I WAS GOING TO SEND ALL OF YOU AND I RAN OUT OF TIME BECAUSE OF OTHER THINGS I HAD TO DO.
BUT THERE'S A LOT NOW BEHIND FOOD LINE THAT'S BEEN SOLD THAT IS LOADED WITH TRASH HIGHWAY 58 IS LOADED WITH TRASH EVERY SINGLE DAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND AND I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS, BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL BUDGET, I DON'T THINK THEY NEED MORE MONEY.
I THINK YOU NEED TO PUT SOMETHING IN AN APPROPRIATE FOR SOME TRASH CLEANUP, LIKE THESE OTHER COUNTIES HAVE PEOPLE ON DUTY THAT ROUTINELY CLEAN UP GARBAGE BECAUSE WE HAVE BECOME NOTABLY FAMOUS FOR OUR TRASH IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
IT IS THE LITTER CONTROL ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT, BUT IT'S NOT WORKING THAT I SEE.
IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS GROWING AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING FOR YOU ALL TO PUT IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE EVERYBODY PASSES THROUGH HERE, WE'RE HAVING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE GARBAGE THAT'S IN VIEW FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? [NOISE] LAST CALL. IF NOT, THEN WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
NUMBER 6, APPROVAL OF MINUTES THESE ARE THE REGULAR MEETING
[6. Approval of Minutes]
MINUTES FROM JANUARY 24, 2023 [NOISE].ANYBODY HAVE A QUESTION, CHANGES, DELETIONS? ANYBODY SEE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF MOTION TO APPROVE THEM AND SAY AYE.
>> MONTHLY REPORTS, I'M GOING TO GO DOWN THESE AND JUST STOP ME IF YOU
[8. Monthly Reports]
WANT TO GET UP AND FINANCIAL REPORT, TREASURER'S REPORT.>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE COLLECTIONS. [OVERLAPPING].
>> IN JANUARY LAST MONTH WITH REAL ESTATE, WE WERE AT 99.50 PERCENT AND THIS MONTH, WE'RE AT 99.61 PERCENT WE HAVE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $766,359.54.
[00:35:01]
WE WERE AT 94.28 PERCENT THIS MONTH WE'RE AT 95.09 PERCENT WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $2,645,250.42.THE SOLID WASTE FEE LAST MONTH, WE WERE AT 76.29 PERCENT WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 76.71 PERCENT BUT AN SDN ABOUT $952,951.67.
LAST MONTH WHICH YOU HAD ASKED ME HOW WE COMPARED IN JANUARY OF 23 TO JANUARY OF 22.
I WENT BACK AND IN JANUARY OF 22 WITH REAL ESTATE, WE WERE 99.48 PERCENT AND THIS YEAR OF JANUARY, WE WERE AT 99.50 PERCENT WE WERE JUST A HAIR UP.
AS FAR AS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR, WE WERE AT 95.62 PERCENT AND THIS YEAR 94.28 PERCENT SO WE WERE DOWN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT.
SOLID WASTE IN 22, WE WERE AT A COLLECTION RATE OF 84.97 PERCENT AND IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WE WERE DOWN 76.29 PERCENT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM SEPARATES? [NOISE] THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL GO DOWN THE LIST. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, BLOCK, WATER LEADS THE LIBRARY SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES, PERSONNEL?
>> YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS [NOISE] WE DID HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO SHARE.
WE HAD TWO EMPLOYEES HIRED, ONE RIANA GRIFFITH IN THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND ALSO SHARONA EPPS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TWO EMPLOY RECLASSIFICATIONS, ALAJA HARTMAN AND MELVIN SYKES, BOTH IN UTILITIES EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE RETIRED TERRY ROWS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE DID FOUR EMPLOYEES THAT SEPARATED PATRICIA SAWYER AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, DEXTER SMITH, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, RIANA GRIFFITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND JALISA THOMAS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ONE COMP BOARD ADJUSTMENT ANITA SWEETNEY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD GO BACK TO HIGHWAY MATTERS.
[7. Highway Matters ]
EVERYBODY HAVING THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR DISTRICTS OR ANYWHERE.>>I NOTICED THAT THAT WAS BOTHERING AND A VERY GOOD JOB THAT THEY DID I WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR THAT.
BUT I DID HAVE ONE PERSON TO NOTE THAT AT THE BRIA DON'T CYPRESS BRIDGE ROAD, WHEN THEY CLEAN UP IT, GETS IT PUT, DRAINAGE HIM TO OWN HIS PROPERTY.
BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW BIG A PROBLEM THAT IS, BUT I TOLD HIM I WAS MENTION IT BUT ALL LONG THE TEAM DID A VERY GOOD JOB.
>> ON FONTS CHURCH CIRCLE IN FRONT OF WESTLEY VICKS HOUSE THE ROAD IS CRUSHED THE EDGE.
>> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY CONCERNS? THEN WE'LL GO ON TO NUMBER 9, FINANCIAL MATTERS.
[9. Financial Matters]
ANYBODY HAD TIME TO LOOK AT THE BILLS LIST.ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE BILLS?
THE SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF PAYING THE BILLS SAY AYE.
>> WILL PAY THE BILLS. NUMBER 10, APPOINTMENTS, CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, DO WE HAVE ANYBODY COME UP WITH ANYBODY FOR THAT?
>> ANY DISTRICT? I JUST BEAT THE BUSHES AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GET SOMEBODY ABOUT IT NEXT TIME.
[NOISE] WE MOVE ON TO NUMBER 11 WHICH IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM ASSESSMENT.
[11. Public Safety Radio System Assessment]
I BELIEVE WE HAVE MAYOR MS. CHERYL GIGGETTS,[00:40:03]
WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT WITH CTA CONSULTANTS WHO WILL BRIEF US ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
BEEN WORKING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE COUNTY AS WELL AS IN THE CITY OF FRANKLIN FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS NOW LOOKING AT WHAT YOU HAVE WITHIN YOUR COUNTY AND THE CITY.
WE WERE ACTUALLY CONTRACTED TO LOOK AT A COUNTY-WIDE RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SOMETHING THAT ALL THE USERS WITHIN BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY COULD USE, AS WELL AS ADDRESSING THE INTEROPERABILITY WITH ALL OF THOSE AROUND YOU.
I'M JUST GOING TO STEP YOU THROUGH.
HOPEFULLY, YOU'VE SEEN THE REPORT.
WE DID A NICE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHICH IS AN EASY READ.
I THINK THE REPORT IS ABOUT 195 PAGES OR SO.
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE REALLY SMALLER VERSION.
IT JUST WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT THE REPORT TELLS YOU.
WHAT WE DID HERE WAS WE CAME ON IT DID AN INITIALIZATION MEETING WHERE WE MET WITH EVERYBODY TOGETHER JUST TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH WHAT THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT WORK.
THEN WE DID SOME SITE SURVEYS, LOOKED AT ALL THE DIFFERENT TOWERS, NOT ONLY THAT YOU'RE USING NOW BUT WHAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY USE IN THE FUTURE.
THEN WE DID AGENCY INTERVIEWS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO ACTUALLY TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON SYSTEMS BUT ALSO TALK TO THE AGENCIES THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO JOIN A SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEMS THAT GET BUILT ARE VERY ROBUST AND YOU COULD HAVE MORE THAN JUST PUBLIC SAFETY.
CERTAINLY, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, EMS BUT WE CAN ALSO HAVE SCHOOLS, PUBLIC WORKS, A LOT OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES CAN JOIN US ON THESE SYSTEMS. THEN WHAT WE DID IS WE WERE ABLE TO FIND THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT EACH AGENT FELT WAS IMPORTANT FOR A SYSTEM AND WE ASK THEM TO RANK THOSE.
TELL US HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO YOU ON A SCALE OF 1-5.
WHAT THAT HELPS US TO DO IS THAT HELPS US TO MATCH THOSE NEEDS WITH THE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US.
NOW THE NEXT ONE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.
THAT'S OUR FCC LICENSE ANALYSIS.
IN OUR INDUSTRY, FCC LICENSES ARE FREQUENCIES ARE A BIT LIKE REAL ESTATE FOR US.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE ON THE AIRWAVES.
WE REALLY LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT BANDS THAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU.
THAT VHF, WHICH IS WHAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY USING, UHF, AS WELL AS 7800.
THAT'S REALLY A UNIQUE AREA FOR US, ESPECIALLY IN THE 7800 BECAUSE THE STATE HAS ALLOCATED A SET OF LICENSES FOR BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY FOR YOUR USE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
THEN WE LOOKED AT TRAFFIC LOADING.
THAT'S WHERE GOING BACK AND FINDING OUT NOT JUST WHO'S OPERATING UNDER SYSTEMS TODAY BUT WHO COULD OPERATE ON THEM TOMORROW.
BECAUSE WHEN WE DESIGN THE SYSTEM FOR YOU, WE WANT IT TO LAST FOR THE NEXT 15-20 YEARS.
WE DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO RIDE BACK HERE IN 5-7 YEARS SAYING, MY GOODNESS, WE'VE USED UP ALL THE CAPACITY OF THIS SYSTEM, NOW WE'VE GOT TO START OVER.
THAT'S WHERE THAT TRAFFIC ANALYSIS COMES IN.
IT TELLS US HOW MANY OF THOSE FCC FREQUENCIES WE NEED TO GET FOR YOU TO HOLD YOU FOR THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEARS.
THEN WE DO THE ALL-IMPORTANT COVERAGE ANALYSIS.
THAT'S WHERE WE FIGURE OUT WHERE CAN WE PLACE TOWER SITES WITHIN YOUR COUNTY.
BECAUSE THIS IS A COUNTYWIDE SYSTEM SERVING BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND WHERE CAN WE GET YOU THE COVERAGE THAT YOU NEED? [NOISE] WE KNOW OUR PEOPLE GO ALL OVER THE COUNTY BUT ALSO THEY GO INSIDE BUILDINGS.
THAT WAS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO US TOO.
WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME COVERAGE MAPS.
THEN WE DID A COST-BENEFIT BECAUSE THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
I COME TO YOU TODAY, BEING ABLE TO TELL YOU WE'VE DONE A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND HERE'S WHAT WE BELIEVE IT WILL COST YOU.
YOU'LL GO THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT HOPEFULLY AND THEN WE'LL ASSIST YOU GET AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO THAT BUDGET.
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE TO HAVE TO DO IS EVER COME BACK TO YOU AND SAY, WE MISS THE MARK, WE NEED MORE MONEY.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOU A GOOD SOLID BUDGET.
THEN WE DID AN ALTERNATIVES WORKSHOP.
WE CAME BACK HERE, MET WITH ALL THOSE SAME AGENCIES AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING WE HAD DONE.
WE WALKED THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES AND THEY HELPED US SELECT WHAT WAS THE BEST FIT FOR BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
THEN WE DID A DRAFT REPORT AND A FINAL REPORT.
NOT GOING TO READ ALL THIS TO YOU BUT WE LOOKED AT A LOT OF SITES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY, JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT THOSE SITES IS GOING BACK TO THAT COST ANALYSIS THAT WE DID FOR YOU.
[NOISE] JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE ON A SITE TODAY DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S [NOISE] EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED TO BE TOMORROW.
FOR INSTANCE, WHAT IF YOUR TOWER NEEDS REINFORCING? WE LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS.
WE LOOK AT YOUR TOWERS, WE LOOK AT YOUR SHELTERS.
WE LOOK AT YOUR GROUNDING BECAUSE THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO US THAN PUBLIC SAFETY WORLD.
WE ESTIMATE WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO BRING THAT PARTICULAR SITE UP TO A PUBLIC SAFETY GREAT SITE.
THAT'S REALLY THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THOSE SITE SURVEYS.
THEN AS YOU COULD SEE, WE INTERVIEWED A LOT OF AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF FRANKLIN.
WHAT WE FOUND HERE IS WE REALLY HAVE THREE OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY.
FIRST IS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IS A VHF SIMULCAST ANALOG, YOU'RE OPERATING A FOUR CHANNELS.
HOW'S YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND YOUR PUBLIC WORKS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY? CITY OF FRANKLIN HAS TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT SYSTEMS. THEY HAVE A VHF LTR ANALOG WITH
[00:45:03]
FIVE CHANNELS AND THAT'S REALLY RIGHT NOW BEING USED BY THEIR FIRE RESCUE, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, POWER LIGHT AND PUBLIC WORKS.THEN THEY ALSO HAVE A SYSTEM FOR THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS A KENWOOD DIGITAL VHF NEXEDGE SYSTEM WHICH HAS TWO CHANNELS ON IT.
THE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE SYSTEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN OPERATION AND WE TALKED WITH THESE AGENCIES, WE WANT TO SAY, WELL, WHAT'S GOING RIGHT WITH THEM? BECAUSE WHAT WE NEVER WANT TO DO IS BREAK ANYTHING THAT'S WORKING WELL FOR US TODAY.
WE WANT TO BUILD THAT INTO OUR NEW SYSTEM.
BUT WHAT'S NOT WORKING WELL FOR YOU? WHAT DO WE NEED TO LOOK REALLY HARD AT AND MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE PUT THIS SYSTEM IN TOMORROW, YOU'RE BETTER OFF THAN YOU ARE TODAY? THE BIG THING WE'RE HEARD REALLY IS COVERAGE.
USUALLY, YOU CAN SEE ON THESE MAPS WE HAVE THEM CIRCLE AREAS THAT THEY HAVE REALLY, PARTICULARLY FOR COVERAGE AND AS YOU CAN WELL IMAGINE IS THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NORMALLY HOW IT GOES.
YOU PUT SIZE IN AREAS WHERE YOU CAN GET THE BEST COVERAGE YOU CAN WITH THE FEWEST NUMBER OF SITES.
THAT GENERALLY MEANS THE OUTSKIRTS OF YOUR SERVICE AREA TEND TO HAVE POOR COVERAGE THAN THE INNER PART OF YOUR COVERAGE AREA.
WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT PORTABLE COVERAGE AND THAT'S PREDOMINANTLY BECAUSE IN THE PAST, WE'VE DESIGNED TO MOBILE.
WE HAVE THESE GREAT MOBILE RADIOS, GOOD POWER ON THEM IN OUR VEHICLES.
BUT GUESS WHAT? OUR PEOPLE DON'T STAY IN THEIR VEHICLES.
OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLES, OUR FIRE CERTAINLY GET OUT OF VEHICLES AND OUR EMS, THEY'RE CONSTANTLY GOING INTO A STRUCTURE.
WE'RE FINDING THAT WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE PORTABLE.
THAT'S WHEN I'VE JUST OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, JUST OUTSIDE BUT ALSO IN BUILDINGS.
WE'VE GOTTEN SOME PROBLEMS WITHIN BUILDINGS.
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT THE PARTS OF THE COUNTY AND CERTAINLY THE PARTS OF THE CITY THAT NEED THAT MORE STRINGENT COVERAGE IN BUILDING COVERS.
SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE, THE ANALOG EQUIPMENT IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED.
WE'RE GETTING TO THE END OF THE LIFE OF OUR ANALOG SYSTEMS, THOSE FIRST TWO SYSTEMS THAT I MENTIONED, WE JUST CAN'T FIX THINGS ANYMORE AND EBAY IS GETTING A BIT DEPLETED FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR OUR SYSTEM.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF IF WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN NO LONGER REPAIR OUR SYSTEMS, WE'VE GOT TO REPLACE THEM.
THAT'S REALLY DIFFERENT AGENCIES BEING ABLE TO HONESTLY TALK TO EACH OTHER JUST HERE WITHIN YOUR OWN [NOISE] SERVICE AREA, THAT BEING THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
THAT'S REALLY NEVER A GOOD THING.
IF YOU HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE THAT NEEDS TO BE AT A SCENE TALKING TOGETHER AND THEY CAN'T, THAT REALLY INHIBITS THEM FROM DOING THEIR JOB PROPERLY AND ALSO COMPROMISES THEIR SAFETY.
THEN WE GO TO INTEROPERABILITY.
THAT'S REALLY TALKING MORE RIGHT NOW, BEING YEAR-OLD SEPARATE SYSTEMS THAT COULD BE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY BUT ALSO BETWEEN ALL THE COUNTIES AROUND YOU.
YOU DO A LOT OF VISUAL AIDS, ESPECIALLY WITH FIRE AND EMS, THEY COME IN AND HELP YOU.
YOU GO OUT AND HELP THEM AND YOU'LL SEE ON THE NEXT SLIDE WHY THAT'S BECOMING EVEN MORE PROBLEMATIC FOR YOU.
BUT THAT INTEROPERABILITY PIECE WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT.
INTERFERENCE. WELL, YOU'RE IN THE VHF BAND.
THE GREAT THING ABOUT THE VHF BAND IS A SIGNAL TRAVELS FAR, THEN THAT'S A GREAT THING ABOUT THE VHF BAND IS THE SIGNAL TRAVELS FAR.
THAT MEANS YOU INTERFERE WITH OTHER PEOPLE BUT OTHER PEOPLE INTERFERE WITH YOU.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE IN THE VHF TO GET THE COVERAGE THAT [NOISE] WE NEED, GET IT BALANCED AND NOT HAVE THAT LEVEL OF INTERFERENCE.
THEN THE WHOLE CROWDING AND CAPACITY THAT JUST COMES FROM NOT HAVING ENOUGH OF THE FREQUENCIES, NOT HAVING ENOUGH CHANNELS TO TALK ON.
IF YOU RECALL, WHEN WE GO BACK, YOU HAVE FOUR CHANNELS OR YOU HAVE THREE CHANNELS OR FRANKLIN POLICE ONLY HAVE TWO.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT THIRD INCIDENT OCCURS? YOU ARE ALREADY USING THE TWO CHANNELS THAT YOU HAVE.
WE HAVE SOME NEWER AND MORE CREATIVE WAYS IN TECHNOLOGY TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT FOR US.
INTEROPERABILITY. WE HAVE A REALLY NICE MAP HERE.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS WHAT'S IN BLUE ARE THE SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE MOVED TO AN 800 MEGAHERTZ.
RIGHT NOW, THAT'S WHERE YOU LIVE. THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
BUT THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE REALLY DOING A LOT OF INTEROPERABILITY WITH LIKE SUSSEX AND ISLE OF WIGHT AND SUFFOLK HAVE ALREADY MIGRATED TO 800.
SURRY IS UP IN YOUR NORTH, THEY ARE CURRENTLY MIGRATING TO 7/800.
EVERYBODY REALLY TO YOUR NORTH AND EAST ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT NEW BAND.
NOW WE DO KNOW THAT OUR SHERIFF DOES INTEROPERATE A LOT WITH GAINESVILLE, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF IF WE WERE TO MIGRATE OUT OF VHF.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THAT IS CERTAINLY MOVING TO A MORE STANDARDS-BASED TECHNOLOGY WHICH I'LL DISCUSS IN A MOMENT.
BUT ALSO OUR VENDOR COMMUNITY IS PROVIDING US NOW REALLY GOOD PRICING ON DUAL-BAND RADIOS.
WHAT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO IS HAVE ONE RADIO UNIT, WHEREAS IN THE PAST WE USED TO HAVE TWO, I USED TO HAVE A VHF RADIO IN MY VEHICLE AND IF MY NEIGHBORS WERE UHF, I'D HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE OR 800 BUY ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE.
WE CAN HAVE A RADIO THAT CAN BE PROGRAMMED TO WORK IN MULTIPLE BANDS.
THAT'S REALLY GOOD FOR US MOVING FORWARD ON THE INTEROPERABILITY FRONT.
[00:50:03]
WE LOOKED AT A BUNCH OF ALTERNATIVES, SO WE NARROWED THEM DOWN TO FOUR.THERE ARE TWO BUCKETS, THE FIRST TWO ON THE LEFT ARE IN THE BUCKET OF YOUR OWN INDEPENDENT SYSTEM.
THE TWO ON THE RIGHT ARE THINKING ABOUT, WELL, YOU SAW THOSE NEW SYSTEMS THAT WERE IN BLUE, WHAT IF I JOIN ONE OF THOSE? THEY'RE RIGHT NOW IN TWO DIFFERENT FLAVORS, ONE IS A P25 PHASE 1 AND ONE IS THE P25 PHASE 2.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE CLIFF NOTES ON WHAT ALL OF THAT MEANS.
APCO CREATED SOME STANDARDS A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO CALLED PROJECT 25, AND WHAT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO IS HAVE MORE OF A STANDARD SPACE.
A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE THE CUTS EQUIPMENT, WE CAN GO INTO SAY, BEST BUY OR ANY ELECTRONIC STORE AND GET.
COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF IS GOING TO WORK WITH WHATEVER TV YOU NEED IT TO WORK WITH OR WHATEVER REMOTE THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS THAT STANDARDS-BASED IN OUR WORLD AS WELL.
IT COMES IN TWO FLAVORS RIGHT NOW.
PHASE 1 WHICH IS WHERE WE BEGAN, AND WHAT PHASE 1 DOES FOR US IS EVERY CHANNEL THAT WE HAVE ON IT, BEYOND OUR ONE CONTROL CHANNEL, WE CAN HAVE ONE CONVERSATION ON IT.
IF WE FELT LIKE YOU NEEDED A FOUR OR FIVE-CHANNEL SYSTEM, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CONTROL CHANNEL PLUS FOUR OR FIVE WORKING CHANNELS.
BUT IN PHASE 2, WE'VE GOTTEN REALLY CREATIVE WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY., EACH ONE OF THOSE WORKING CHANNELS CAN NOW HAVE TWO CONVERSATIONS.
SO THAT MEANS LESS EQUIPMENT, LESS COST, AND LESS FREQUENCIES.
WE CAN GET AWAY WITH HAVING FEWER ACTUAL CHANNELS, BUT STILL HAVING ALMOST DOUBLE THE CAPACITY.
THAT'S REALLY A NICE THING THAT PHASE 2 IS DOING FOR US.
HOWEVER, SOME OF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOT DOING THAT.
THEY MOVED TO 800 A BIT AGO AND THEY WERE IN PHASE 1 AND THEY HAVE NOT YET MIGRATED TO PHASE 2.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THAT TWO DIFFERENT FLAVORS THAT ARE ON THE RIGHT OF JOINING ANOTHER SYSTEM.
BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, THE THIRD ONE OVER ARE YOU SEEING 14 CHANNELS NEEDED, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S PHASE 1 VERSUS ONLY NEEDING EIGHT IN THAT PHASE 2 ENVIRONMENT.
NOW THE TWO ON THE LEFT, WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IS WELL, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE STAY IN VHF, OR WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO MIGRATE TO THE 7/800? WE KNOW WE HAVE 700 FREQUENCIES ALLOCATED TO US SO THAT'S A WIN, THEY'RE RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING. VHF, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT'S HARD TO GET NEW FREQUENCIES AND IF WE THINK OF A COUNTY-WIDE SYSTEM, JUST BECAUSE I HAVE SOMETHING LICENSED OVER ON ONE TOWER, DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE FCC WILL ALLOW ME TO LICENSE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTY, SO THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.
WE'RE JUST A LITTLE UNSURE IF WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE NUMBER OF VHF FREQUENCIES TO WORK AT ALL OF OUR SITES, TO GIVE YOU THE CAPACITY YOU NEED FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
ALSO THE COST GO UP WHEN IT COMES TO THAT BECAUSE IN VHF WE CAN'T BALANCE OUR COVERAGE.
IT'S REALLY A BIT OF A DISPARITY BECAUSE WE CAN'T USE WHAT WE CALL TOWER TOP AMPLIFIERS ON OUR TOWER SITES.
THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING IN A VEHICLE CALLED A DIGITAL VEHICULAR REPEATER.
THEY'RE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND THEY GET A LITTLE BIT COMPLEX FOR OUR USERS ON THE STREET.
THAT'S A BIT OF CONCERN FOR US IN THE VHF BAND.
BUT WHAT YOU SEE IN GREEN ARE JUST THE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT THAT PARTICULAR ALTERNATIVE ROSE TO THE TOP IN THAT AREA.
WE LOOKED AT IT FOR FUNCTIONALITY, COVERAGE, CAPACITY, OPERABILITY, OPERATIONAL CONTROL AND FEATURES.
COUPLE MORE SLIDES TO JUST TALK ABOUT HOW WE WENT THROUGH ALL OUR ALTERNATIVES PROCESS, I WILL NOT READ THIS TO YOU, THERE WILL NOT BE A QUIZ, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS.
WHAT WE WANTED TO SHOW YOU IS LINK IT BACK TO THAT MAP WE SHOWED TO SHOW YOU HOW WE WOULD GIVE YOU INTEROPERABILITY WITH EACH OF THOSE SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S CRITICAL TO YOU.
REALLY WE'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT QUITE WELL FOR ALL OF OUR ALTERNATIVES, EXCEPT FOR THAT VERY FIRST ONE IN VHF.
INSIDE THIS COUNTY AND THE CITY GETS A LITTLE BIT TRICKIER WHEN WE BRING SOME OF OUR 800 PARTNERS INTO THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
NOT THAT IT CAN'T BE DONE, IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLEX.
THIS WRAPS UP THE ALTERNATIVES PORTION.
WHAT WE DO IS WE LIKE TO LOOK AT IT, NOT FROM AN EMOTIONAL VANTAGE POINT, NOT IF I JUST REALLY LIKE VHF OR I REALLY LIKE 700 OR ANY OF THE DIFFERENT FEATURES.
I WANT MY OWN STAND-ALONE SYSTEM OR I'D REALLY LIKE TO JOIN A NEIGHBOR, WE LIKE IT TO BE VERY STATISTICAL.
WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THOSE RANKINGS WHERE YOUR AGENCIES TOLD US HOW CRITICAL DIFFERENT FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITIES WERE, WE THEN MARRIED THAT UP WITH HOW WELL EACH OF THESE ALTERNATIVES SATISFIED THAT PARTICULAR ITEM THAT THEY SAID WAS CRITICAL TO THEM, AND WE GET AN AUTOMATIC SCORE.
IT'S NICE AND STATISTICAL FOR US.
YOU CAN SEE ON THAT SECOND ROW IS THE DIFFERENT SCORING.
WHAT YOU SEE ON THE FIRST ROW IS ROM COSTS, THOSE ARE ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.
THAT COST DID FACTOR INTO THE SCORING.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PRICES RANGE ANYWHERE FROM ABOUT 169 TO 11 MILLION.
AGAIN, THE REASON FOR THAT REALLY HIGH ONE ON THE VHF, WE HAVE TO ADD THOSE DIGITAL VEHICULAR REPEATERS THAT REALLY DRIVES OUR COSTS UP.
[00:55:03]
ONE OF THE REASONS, THE JOINING THE NEIGHBOR, EVEN THOUGH IT'S 7/800 AGAIN, REMEMBER I SAID IT WAS PHASE 1 WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE EQUIPMENT BECAUSE WE NEED MORE CHANNELS IN PHASE 1.THAT'S JUST HOW THAT SHAKES OUT FOR US.
THESE ARE ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE, WHICH MEANS ITS LIST.
IF YOU WERE ABLE TO GO GET A VENDOR'S CATALOG AND FIGURE OUT ALL THE DIFFERENT PIECES AND PARTS YOU NEED TO PUT THIS SYSTEM IN, THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT YOU WOULD GET.
TAKING ALL THIS INTO ACCOUNT THE 700, 800, P25 PHASE 2 STAND-ALONE SYSTEM DID RANK THE HIGHEST OUT OF THE FOUR ALTERNATIVES THAT WE LOOKED AT.
AGAIN, WE WENT OVER THAT WITH ALL OF THE AGENCIES OF BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, AND WE WERE IN AGREEMENT THAT THE RECOMMENDED BEST-FIT ALTERNATIVE IS A STAND-ALONE 700 P25 PHASE 2 TRUNKED SIMULCAST RADIO SYSTEM.
REALLY WHY THAT IS, IS BECAUSE IT'S GIVING US THE OPERABILITY WE NEED WITHIN OUR AGENCIES, WITHIN OUR COUNTY, BUT IT'S ALSO GIVING THE COVERAGE WE NEED.
INTEROPERABILITY IS MEETING THAT WITH ALL OF OUR NEIGHBOR.
THE LONG-TERM COSTS ARE BETTER FOR US AS WELL AS THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR SUBSCRIBERS, AND WE CAN HAVE A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT WHICH WE THINK IS PARTICULARLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO YOU.
BECAUSE REMEMBER THAT ROM COST THAT I SHOWED YOU I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME OTHER COSTS, SHOWING YOU HOW IT COMES DOWN IF YOU MOVE INTO A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
THEN THAT DISPATCH OPERATIONAL CONCEPT.
WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU IS BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO JOIN A NEIGHBORING SYSTEM, YOU REALLY BEHOLD INTO HOW THEY'VE CHOSEN TO OPERATE THEIR SYSTEM.
YOU CAN'T REALLY PICK AND CHOOSE EVERYTHING THAT FITS YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.
YOU HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT THEY'VE DESIGNED INTO THEIR SYSTEM.
A STAND ALONE REALLY DOES GIVE YOU THAT EXTRA ABILITY TO GOVERN HOW YOU WANT YOUR SYSTEM TO WORK.
IT ALSO GIVES YOU FLEXIBILITY IN BOTH YOUR CHANNELS AND YOUR TOP GROUP STRUCTURE.
BASED UPON THIS RECOMMENDATION, WE THEN DID A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.
THE REASON WE DO THAT IS BECAUSE I CAN'T GIVE YOU A COST UNLESS I KNOW HOW MANY SITES, HOW MANY CHANNELS, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AT EACH SITE, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AT YOUR DISPATCH CENTERS? WE WENT TO THAT EFFORT OF DOING THAT DESIGN FOR YOU.
OUR DESIGN SHOWS THAT WE WOULD NEED FOUR SITES AND WE WOULD NEED TO LINK INTO BOTH OUR DISPATCH CENTERS, THE COUNTIES, AS WELL AS THE CITY.
LET ME REMIND YOU HERE THAT AS I SAID BEFORE, THIS IS JUST A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SO WHEN WE WRITE COMPETITIVE RFP FOR YOU, WE MAY HAVE ANYWHERE FROM 2-4 VENDORS PROPOSAL ON THIS.
THEY COULD COME UP WITH DIFFERENT SITES.
DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES OPERATE JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY EVEN THOUGH IT'S STANDARDS-BASED.
WHAT WE DO AS A CONSULT, WE AGGREGATE HOW EVERYBODY DESIGNS THEIR SYSTEMS AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WE BELIEVE IS SOLID AND RELIABLE AND I CAN COST FOR YOU.
WE BELIEVE FOUR SITES IS WHAT YOU WOULD NEED FOR YOUR SYSTEM.
THIS IS WHAT THE COVERAGE WILL LOOK LIKE BECAUSE REMEMBER I SAID HOW IMPORTANT COVERAGE WAS TO EVERYBODY.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE LEFT, THIS IS GOING TO BE BALANCED COVERAGE FOR BOTH TALK-IN AND TALK-OUT, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE CURRENTLY IN VHF IT'S VERY UNBALANCED.
ON THE LEFT IS THE 700 MEGAHERTZ MOBILE, SO YOU SEE THAT GIVES US GREAT COVERAGE THROUGHOUT ALL OF YOUR COUNTY AND BEYOND.
SO THAT ALSO HELPS WITH INTEROPERABILITY A BIT FOR US.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING OVER ON THE RIGHT IS OUR PORTABLE OUTDOOR.
NOW WHERE YOU DO SEE SOME WHITE AREAS, I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO HOME AND THINK, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY COVERAGE THERE.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THIS IS A COMPUTER MODEL, SO IT'S ONES AND ZEROS, ALL STATISTICS.
YOU WILL NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOUR COVERAGE IS IN A PARTICULAR GRID UNTIL WE TEST IT.
THE EQUIPMENT HAS TO BE UP ON THE TOWERS, IT HAS TO BE OPERATIONAL BEFORE WE COULD TELL YOU EXACTLY.
BUT WE BELIEVE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR BEST COVERAGE, AND WE ALSO, WHEN WE DO OUR DESIGN, WE DESIGNED WHAT'S CALLED A DELIVERED AUDIO QUALITY OR DAQ OF 3.4.
THAT'S A PRETTY HIGH STANDARD.
THAT IS WHAT IS IN OUR APCO STANDARDS, IS A PARTICULAR STANDARD CALLED TSV88 AND HONESTLY, IF YOU'RE A PERSON ON THE STREET, 3.4 AND 3.0, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE, BUT STATISTICALLY FOR A COMPUTER, IT KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE.
IF IT COMES EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT SHY OF NOT MAKING 3.4 IT WILL GIVE YOU A WHITE AREA INSTEAD OF A GREEN AREA.
SHOW YOU A FEW MORE MAPS HERE.
THIS WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THIS COUNTYWIDE SO BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
THE CITY, WE BLEW UP THE FRANKLIN AREA, BUT WE ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO SHOW JUST A LITTLE BIT BEYOND THE CITY BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT CHIEF FRANCIS, WHO WORKS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, HE ALSO HAS OBLIGATIONS IN THE CITY TO GO BEYOND THE CITY BORDERS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SOUTHERN PORT OF THE COUNTY.
THIS IS WHAT OUR MOBILE AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR WILL LOOK IN THE CITY OF FRANKLIN.
THEN WHAT WE DID IS WE WENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE LEFT IS OUR PORTABLE LIGHT BUILDING.
YOU LOOK AT THIS SAY, MY GOODNESS, I'M SEEING A LOT MORE WHITE, BUT THE REALITY IS YOU DO NOT HAVE LIGHT BUILDINGS IN THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR COUNTY.
[01:00:03]
AS WE HEARD EARLIER, A LOT OF AGRICULTURE.AS WE DROVE IN LOT OF BEAUTIFUL OPEN FIELDS, SO WHAT WE DO IS WE DESIGN THIS AROUND THE AREAS WHERE YOU DO HAVE YOUR BUILDINGS SO THAT WE CAN ELEVATE THE COVERAGE AND GIVE YOU THE IN BUILDING COVERAGE WHERE YOU NEED IT.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING OVER ON THE RIGHT IS THE CITY OF FRANKLIN ASKED FOR EVEN MORE DENSE COVERAGE IN THEIR CITY SO WE DESIGNED THAT TO A PORTABLE MEDIUM BUILDING, WHICH WE FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO GET THEM INTO ALL OF THEIR BUILDINGS AS WELL AS THE HOSPITAL, WHICH IS A MAJOR CONCERN NOT ONLY FOR THEM BUT FOR ALL OF OUR EMS THAT NEED TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL.
JUST A FEW MORE. THIS IS IMPORTANT, THIS IS THE MONEY SLIDE.
REMEMBER THOSE NUMBERS I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE REALLY BIG NUMBERS THAT MATCHES WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THAT LIST ESTIMATE, THE 11.8, GO GET THE CATALOG, AND THIS IS WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE.
BUT WE ALSO GO TO THE EFFORT OF LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT WE THINK YOU COULD POSSIBLY PAY IN A NEGOTIATED ENVIRONMENT.
THAT'S IF YOU PICK A VENDOR, LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A VENDOR THAT YOU PARTICULARLY WANT, AND YOU SAY, OKAY, WRITE US A REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT.
WE'LL JUST GO TO THAT ONE VENDOR AND THEN WE'LL NEGOTIATE AS HARD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR YOU AND WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN GET A FEW MILLION OFF, BUT WE FEEL LIKE WE COULD DO THE BEST JOB FOR YOU IF YOU WRITE A COMPETITIVE RFP, PUT IT OUT ON THE STREET AND REALLY LET COMPETITION DICTATE WHERE OUR PRICING GOES AND THAT'S WHERE WE COME UP WITH A 7.6 MILLION.
I WILL SAY THAT IT'S CONSERVATIVE, OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO COME IN UNDER THAT.
AGAIN, MY GOAL IS NOT TO COME BACK HERE EVER AND SAY, HEY, WE NEED MORE MONEY, SO WE WORK REALLY HARD TO KEEP WITHIN THAT BUDGET OR BRING IT DOWN AS MUCH AS WE CAN, BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT CONTINGENCY NUMBER IN THERE AND THINGS CHANGE AS WE GO THROUGHOUT IMPLEMENTATION.
THE OTHER NUMBERS WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOU ON THE BOTTOM THERE ARE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE.
THESE ARE COMPLEX SYSTEMS. THEY'RE [NOISE] USING A LOT MORE IT, ROUTERS AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS WE USE NOW, SOFTWARE.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NEED TO BE UPDATED WITH REGARD TO SECURITY, WHICH WE HEARD ABOUT EARLIER.
CYBERSECURITY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SYSTEM STAYS SAFE, A HACKER DOESN'T GET IN AND TAKE IT DOWN, SO THERE ARE SOME ONGOING COSTS THAT WE WANT YOU TO BE VERY AWARE OF MOVING FORWARD.
OUR RECOMMENDATION TO YOU IS TO ADOPT A 700 MEGAHERTZ P25 PHASE 2 TRUNKED SIMULCAST RADIO SYSTEM.
IT'S GOING TO SIMPLIFY YOUR COMMUNICATIONS BY REMOVING BARRIERS, GIVE YOU EQUIPMENT CONSISTENCY.
IT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TODAY, BOTH BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO YOUR SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS, AND IT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU DEPENDABLE COMMUNICATIONS.
THE REALITY IS WE ASK OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TO GO OUT EVERY DAY AND SERVE US, AND OFTENTIMES PUT THEIR OWN LIVES IN PARALLEL TO SERVE US.
I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE MINDFUL THAT WE GIVE THEM THE BEST TOOL THAT THEY CAN POSSIBLY HAVE, SO WHEN THEY NEED HELP OR WHEN THEY NEED TO CALL OUT TO BRING MORE HELP AND TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS, THAT THAT PARTICULAR TOOL IS GOING TO BE DEPENDABLE AND RELIABLE FOR THEM.
WHAT SHOULD GO FORWARD PLAN? REVIEW AND APPROVE THIS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.
AGAIN, THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IS JUST THAT CONCEPTUAL.
YOU WOULD THEN NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT AN MOU BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
YOU GUYS WORK WELL TOGETHER ON A LOT OF PROJECTS, SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT'S GOING TO GO WELL FOR YOU.
THEN WE NEED TO PREPARE THAT FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION FOR A COMPETITIVE RFP.
LET'S PUT THAT OUT ON THE STREET, LET'S WORK WITH OUR VENDORS INTERNET COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU.
I ALSO DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT GRANTS.
WE'VE BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL WITH A NUMBER OF CLIENTS GETTING THAT ONLY STATE GRANTS, BUT FEDERAL GRANTS.
WE'RE FINDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THROUGH THEIR COPS PROGRAM, THAT MONEY IS FLOWING A LOT MORE FREELY THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.
THEREFORE, A WHILE WE HAD A LOT OF GRANT MONEY THAT CAME OUT, THEN IT DRIED UP FOR US, BUT IT'S REALLY STARTING TO FLOW A LITTLE BIT MORE, SO WE CAN WORK WITH YOU TO REALLY PUT IN SOME APPLICATIONS, OBVIOUSLY CAN'T GUARANTEE SUCCESS, BUT WE CERTAINLY DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO SUPPORT YOU ON WRITING GRANTS.
THEN OF COURSE, THINK ABOUT AS YOU'RE REPLACING SUBSCRIBERS, THIS ISN'T A QUICK PROCESS.
IF YOU WERE TO TELL US TOMORROW, START WRITING AN RFP. TO WRITE AN RFP TO PUT IT OUT, AND IT TAKES ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR VENDORS TO BRING THEIR PROPOSALS BACK TO US, THEN IT TAKES SEVERAL MONTHS TO EVALUATE THEM SO THAT I COULD COME BACK AND CREDIBLY TELL YOU, THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED VENDOR WE BELIEVE FOR YOU, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT, YOU PROBABLY TAKE IN CLOSE TO A YEAR.
IT COULD BE A LITTLE LESS IF WE GET THINGS MOVING, SO THAT'S ONE YEAR.
THEN IT GENERALLY TAKES ABOUT TWO YEARS TO IMPLEMENT A COUNTY-WIDE SYSTEM.
FORESIGHTS, THAT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE, BUT THEY'RE SPREAD OUT AND IT'S JUST A LOT OF EQUIPMENT, A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT'S A LOT OF USERS TO GET EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES AND GET THEM TRAINED.
THAT'S A CRITICAL PIECE OF THIS.
THEY HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO USE THE SYSTEM, SO THAT IT WILL BE A GOOD TOOL FOR THEM.
WE'RE TALKING MAYBE THREE YEARS ALL IN,
[01:05:02]
SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SUBSCRIBERS MOVING FORWARD.[NOISE] WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT.
WE DO RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU BUY NEW UNITS, MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT IS A DUAL BAND, THAT IS P25-CAPABLE.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS MAYBE UPGRADE A MODULE TO MAKE IT WORK IN OUR NEW SYSTEM.
BUT ALSO WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, ACTUALLY JUST RECENTLY WITH A CLIENT.
SOME OF OUR OTHER CLIENTS HAVE ALREADY MIGRATED OUT OF UHF AND VHF, SO WE'RE GRABBING SOME OF THEIR OLD RADIOS AND MOVING THEM OVER TO SOME OF OUR CLIENTS WHO NEED THEM TO HOLD THEM OVER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, SO THAT'S SOMETHING NEW THAT WE'RE STARTING TO BRING TO THE TABLE FOR OUR CLIENTS.
THEN OF COURSE, WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE RFP PROCESS AND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OVERSIGHT. QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? [NOISE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO QUESTIONS?
>> GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. WE WERE AT NUMBER 12,
[12. SPSA Landfill in Southampton County]
WHICH IS THE SPSA LANDFILL IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, REQUEST TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AND OPPOSITION THAT WE HAVE ON EARTH LIKE DELIGHT.WE HAVE MR. DENNIS BAGLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPSA TO TENDONS TO BRIEF US ON THE MATTER. SIR.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. VICE CHAIRMAN, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE THIS EVENING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE REGIONAL LANDFILL.
THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THERE AND HOPEFULLY THIS UPDATE WILL BRING THINGS INTO FOCUS FOR YOU AND LET YOU KNOW SOME OF OUR CONCERNS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH, WITH SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY STAFF ON OVER THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF OR SO.
TODAY, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO, TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE AS THE ALARM EVEN COMING TO YOU THIS EVENING.
WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROJECT, THE ALTERNATIVE SH-30, SPECIFICALLY, WHICH IS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SITE, AND THEN THE NEXT STEPS, AND THEN WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP IN THE PROCESS, AND THEN I'LL CERTAINLY OPEN UP FOR DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
FIRST OF ALL, THE SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY [NOISE] IS PUBLIC AUTHORITY AND WILL AUTHORIZE UNDER THE STATE CODE 15.2-5102.2.
THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GIVES US SOME LATITUDE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS PROCESS OF EXPANSION IN LANDFILL.
SIMPSON SOLE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA.
THERE'S MORE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO, BUT IN GENERAL, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TASKED WITH.
AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S EIGHT MEMBER COMMUNITIES THAT MAKES US UP.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THE ARM, YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
WHAT WE DO, WE OPERATE A COMPREHENSIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE REGION.
WHAT I MEAN BY A COMPREHENSIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS THAT WE NOT ONLY HAVE A LANDFILL, WE HAVE TRANSFER STATIONS, CONVENIENT SITES, WE HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION UNIT, WE HAVE PARENT DISPOSAL SYSTEM, WE HAVE WHITE GOODS, WE HAVE HAZARDOUS WASTE, LEAKS OUT, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE.
THERE'S A TRANSFER STATIONS IN ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP ABOUT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS EARLIER, THE REGIONAL LANDFILL IS 833 ACRES OF LAND.
CURRENTLY, ABOUT 300 ACRES OF THAT IS PERMITTED.
THE ENTIRE PROCESS, I'M SILLY, WE DO OVER A MILLION TIRES A YEAR NOW.
THOSE TIRES WILL BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
IF WE WERE NOT PROVIDING THAT SERVICE, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION AND SCRAP METAL RECYCLING.
BUT THE KEY PIECE HERE IS THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR 40 YEARS OF A DISPOSAL CAPACITY FOR THE REGION.
EVERY YEAR, I HAVE TO VERIFY THAT WE HAVE 40 TONS OF DISPOSAL CAPACITY.
YES, SIR, I DO GET UP EVERY MORNING THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.
NOT JUST 20 YEARS, BUT 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
THAT'S A BIG BURDEN WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT MAKING SURE THE REGION HAS DISPOSE CAPACITY FOR 40 YEARS.
THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE REGIONAL LANDFILL, WE CURRENTLY HAVE CAPACITY THROUGH 2026.
ORIGINALLY ON 830 ACRES OF LAND, THERE WAS 12 CELLS THAT WERE PLANNED.
CELLS ONE THROUGH FOUR, I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S A ZERO POINT ON THIS.
>> PRESS [NOISE] ON THE TOP BUTTON.
>> THIS SECTION HERE IS CELLS I-IV.
[01:10:04]
CELLS V AND VI IS THIS SECTION HERE, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY WILL BE AT CAPACITY IN THOSE TWO CELLS ABOUT MID-YEAR OF 2026.IT IS BEING USED CURRENTLY AS A BORROW AREA, THAT WILL GIVE US THE CAPACITY TO 2036.
IT WILL BE PERMITTED FOR PART B IN ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS.
BUT PART A PERMIT IS ALREADY SECURED.
WETLANDS HAVE BEEN MITIGATED FOR THAT AND WE'RE READY TO START CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLETION OF THAT CELL PHASE 1 IN 2026, ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT CELLS V AND VI COUNTY CAPACITY.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, THAT GETS US TO 2036, SO WE HAVE TO BEGIN NOW THE PROCESS FOR MANY SPACE FOR LATER USE.
THIS SECTION IS NOT A STORM WATER FEATURE.
CELLS VIII, IX GIVES US THAT 40 YEARS OF CAPACITY.
WE'VE GONE TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BECAUSE THERE'S 109 ACRES OF WETLANDS IMPACT ON THIS PROPERTY.
THAT 109 ACRES OF WETLANDS HAS CERTAINLY RAISED SOME EYEBROWS AND WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH A EIS PROCESS FOR ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS NOW, [NOISE] WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF THAT PROCESS.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT TONIGHT'S MEETING WITH YOU ALL IS ABOUT, IS TO CLEAN WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND WITH THIS PROJECT.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.
FIRST OF ALL, SPSA CURRENTLY SPENDS ABOUT 80% OF OUR WASTE TO THE WASTE ENERGY PLANT WHICH IS LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE THE NAVY YARD.
THAT WASTE IS BURNED AND TURNED INTO ELECTRICITY AND STEAM THAT SERVES THE SHIPYARD.
WIN WASTE HAS NOTIFIED US THAT IN JUNE 30TH 2024 THAT THEY INTEND TO CEASE OPERATION, AND THE REASON THEY'RE GOING TO CEASE OPERATION IS BECAUSE THE NAVY IS BUILDING THEIR OWN COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PLANT AND WILL NO LONGER REPURCHASES STEAM, WHICH IS $10 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR THAT PLANT AND THEY CANNOT OPERATE IN THE BLACK WITHOUT THAT TWO MILLION DOLLARS STEAM REVENUE.
THE CURRENT AVAILABLE LANDFILL SPACE, AS I'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU, WILL TAKE US THROUGH 2027, AND CELL VII HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND IT WILL SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2026.
CELLS VII CAPACITY TAKES US THROUGH 2037 AND THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IS NEEDED FOR THE 40 YEARS OF DISPOSED CAPACITY, SPSA IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TO THE REGION BY CUTTING.
NOW CELLS VIII AND IX HAVE BEEN PART OF THE MASTER PLAN ALONG WITH 10, 11, AND 12 SINCE THE 1980S, THE FOUNDERS OF SPSA BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY WITH THE INTENTION OF DEVELOPING A MASTER PLAN.
THEY DID THAT AND IT SHOWS 12 CELLS ON THAT PROPERTY.
THAT'S SO CERTAIN THAT EVEN THE STATE CODE HAS GRANDFATHERED IN THAT SITE SO THAT CAN BE CONSTRUCTED ON WETLANDS.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT EXPANSION, AGAIN, CODE SECTION 10.1-1408.5 ALL BUT SAYS THAT SOUTHEAST AND PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY LANDFILL.
IT SAYS A LANDFILL LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE AND OPERATED BY A STATE AUTHORIZED AUTHORITY, CAN GO INTO WETLANDS AND CONTINUE TO CONSTRUCT LANDFILL CELLS.
NO OTHER LANDFILL AND STATE CAN BUILD A CELL, THEN YOU HAVE MORE THAN TWO ACRES OF WETLAND IMPACTS EXCEPT FOR THIS SITE AND ONE BAMBOO, IT CLEARLY SPELLED OUT IN THAT CODE SECTION.
SUBSTANCE BEEN ENGAGED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO FORM AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IF YOU'VE EVER DONE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OR YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT, IT IS A VERY THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF ALL THE ALTERNATIVES, EITHER BENIGN, ON-SITE ALTERNATIVES THAT WE LOOKED AT.
THAT MEANS BUILDING THE MSE WALLS TO EXTEND THE SIDES UP AND TRY TO ADD ADDITIONAL SPACE.
BUT THE GEOMETRY, IT IS INCLUDED REMOVAL OF A GAS LINE, MAIN GAS TRANSMISSION LINE THAT COMES THROUGH THE MIDDLE.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVES THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT AND WE HAVE DONE ONE THAT BROUGHT IT DOWN FROM 129 ACRES OF IMPACTS TO 109 ACRES OF IMPACTS.
[01:15:06]
THE ALTERNATIVES THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ARE THE ONES THAT WERE DONE OFF-SITE.WHAT THE ARMY CORPS DID WAS THEY WENT THROUGH THAT, THE SERVICE REGION AND THEY LOOKED FOR ANY SITE THAT WAS 250 ACRES LARGER.
ONCE THEY'VE IDENTIFIED ALL THE SITES FROM CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA BEACH, NORFOLK, PORTSMOUTH, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND ALAN WAKE COUNTY, THEY MAPPED THEM OUT [NOISE] AND THEN LOOKED AT WHICH ONES WERE CLOSE TO [NOISE] ROADWAYS, WHICH ONES HAD INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO OPERATE A LANDFILL.
THEN THEY LOOKED AT THE [NOISE] ABILITY TO PURCHASE THE LAND, WHETHER THERE HAD A ROOM IN CELLS OR NOT, AND THEN THEY CAME UP WITH THE ALTERNATIVE SITES.
OUT OF THAT, THERE WERE ONLY FOUR ALTERNATIVE SITES THAT CAME UP, I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND.
SITE SH-30 IS THE ONLY OFF-SITE ALTERNATIVE THAT ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS PLANNING ON TAKING FORWARD TO FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.
THE OTHERS THEY'VE DETERMINED ARE EITHER NOT DOABLE OR FOR SOME OTHER REASON, THEY'VE ELIMINATED.
SITE SH-30 AND I'M GOING TO REFER TO IT AS SH-30 BECAUSE THAT'S THE COURSE DESIGNATION.
SPSA HAD NO CONTROL OVER WHICH SITES THEY CHOSE, THEY CAME BACK WITH PROBABLY ORIGINALLY ABOUT 40 SITES, I WOULD SAY ON THE MAP.
I NARROWED IT DOWN TO JUST AS FEW AS FIVE ORIGINALLY.
SH-30 WAS NOT PART OF THE FIRST FIVE, BUT NONE OF THE FIRST FIVE PANNED OUT.
THE EPA AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD GO TO THE NEXT SITE.
THIS SITE ON SH-30, WHICH IS LOCATED ON 460, ABOUT A MILE WEST OF THE TOWN OF [INAUDIBLE], DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM CURTIS CONTRACT, AND HONESTLY, A STONE'S THROW FROM SUSSEX COUNTY WAS A SITE THAT THEY SELECTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE SITE.
FROM SPSA'S STANDPOINT, THIS IS AN AWFUL SITE.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, ABOUT 80% OF OUR WASTE IS COMING FROM VIRGINIA BEACH AND CHESAPEAKE, AND WE'RE HAVING TO HAUL IT TO THE FURTHEST REACHES OF OUR SERVICE AREA.
IT'S NOT GOOD OPERATIONAL SITUATION FOR SPSA, NOR DO WE AGREE THIS LOCATION IS A GOOD IDEA SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
>> OUR CONCERNS ARE FIRST OF ALL, THE SITE IS AT THE OUTERMOST LIMITS OF OUR SERVICE AREA, WHICH MEANS OUR VEHICLES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE DRIVING THAT MUCH FURTHER TO TAKE WASTE TO LANDFILL.
EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE WASTE IS PRODUCED AT THE FURTHEST DISTANCE AWAY FROM THIS SITE.
THE COST FOR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR THE REGION COULD INCREASE AS MUCH AS $50 PER TON IF WE HAVE TO HAUL ALL OF OUR WASTE FOR OUR TRANSFER STATIONS TO THAT SITE.
SPSA WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MANAGE TWO DIFFERENT LANDFILL SITES, AND MANAGING ONE LANDFILL SITE IS A HANDFUL, BELIEVE ME.
I LOSE A LOT OF SLEEP OVER THAT.
BUT TO DO IT RIGHT, IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF ENERGY, AND HAVING TWO DIFFERENT SITES WOULD BE TOUGH FOR SPSA IN OUR CURRENT SITUATION.
ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS TRAFFIC ON US 460, AS YOU KNOW, IT'S A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY, LOW TURN LANE.
THIS IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED A PROBLEM FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, IT'S A PROBLEM FROM SPSA.
SPSA'S GREENHOUSE GAS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE, BECAUSE OF THE FUEL THAT WE WILL USE TO HAUL FROM OUR TRANSFER STATIONS TO THE SITE, AND [NOISE] THEN STATE CODE 10.1-1408.5 CLEARLY ELIMINATES SITE SH-30 AS A VIABLE SITE BECAUSE OF THE TWO ACRES OF THE WETLANDS.
HOWEVER, THE CORE IS MOVING IT FORWARD BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT CAN BE OVERRULED BY DEQ, AND DEQ SAYS THEY'VE NEVER DONE IT, WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT, SO THERE'S STILL SOME DISCUSSION GOING ON THERE TRYING TO GET A FINAL ANSWER FOR THAT.
I WANTED TO GO BACK TO LOOKING AT SPECIFICALLY SOME OF THE CORRESPONDENCE I'VE HAD WITH SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS GOES BACK AS FAR AS JANUARY 13TH OF 2021, WHEN THEN COUNTY MANAGER MICHAEL JOHNSON SENT LETTERS TO THE ARMY CORPS OF
[01:20:01]
ENGINEERS EXPLAINING WHY THESE SITES DO NOT FIT WELL IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH THE STAFF HERE TO GET INFORMATION AS WE NEEDED IT, IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME THINGS THAT CAME UP WHERE IT MOST RECENTLY BACK FROM YOUR PLANNING DIRECTOR BERTH LOIUIS, SHE OUTLINED THESE AS ISSUES, AND THIS LETTER ALSO WITHIN THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER, SHE OUTLINED SIX DIFFERENT ISSUES.
THE FIRST ONE, THE ADOPTED SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATES THIS AREA SH-30, AS INDUSTRIAL PROCLAIM, THE INDUSTRIAL PLANT DESIGNATED PROVIDES A PART.
THESE USES PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
B, THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF MAJOR HIGHWAYS, RAILROADS, AND AIRPORTS, AS WELL AS ADEQUATE PUBLIC UTILITIES INCLUDING NATURAL GAS.
THEN C, CONSIDERATION FOR THE LOCATION OF FURTHER COUNTY AND PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL PARKS AS APPROPRIATE TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THEN SHE GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PLACES A STRONG EMPHASIS ON JOB CREATION IN AREAS NOTED AS INDUSTRIAL.
THAT HAS PROBABLY CREATED ABOUT 15 JOBS, PERIOD.
THAT'S IT, 300 OVER 200, IT'S ABOUT 300 ACRES ACTUALLY.
THEN SHE DID NUMBER 2, THE PROPERTY IS ZONED FOR A1 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, GOES ON TO NUMBER 3, CONSIDERATIONS MADE THE DISCUSSIONS OF THE CONDITIONER USED FROM IT.
SHE SPELLS OUT MANY OF THE THINGS I'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT.
YEAR TRAFFIC BEING ONE OF THE MAJOR ONES, THAT ANY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE THOSE CONDITIONS IN THEM.
THEN NEXT, THERE ARE SIX ADDRESSES WITHIN 0.25 MILES OF THE PROPERTY, AND 29 ADDRESSES INCLUDING A PLACE OF WORSHIP WITHIN A HALF-MILE OF THE PROJECT.
THE TOWN LIMITS, SO THE TOWN OF IVOR, WHERE THERE'S A TENANT, RESIDENCES, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND BALL FIELDS, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE FACILITY, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE, ARE LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM THE PROPOSED SITE.
I'LL ADD TO THAT, THAT ALL THE TRAFFIC THAT WILL BE COMING FROM THE EAST TO THAT LANDFILL WOULD GO RIGHT THROUGH THAT COMMUNITY, AND TO ME, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.
THEN THE LAST ITEM WAS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND THAT AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY, WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END, AS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY.
FOUR SAYS IT'S NOT, SO THAT DOESN'T APPLY HERE. BUT WE WE'VE PROVEN THAT IT HAS.
WE'VE HAD OUR CONSULTANTS LOOK AT IT, AND THEY SAY IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY, AND THEREFORE, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT WOULD APPLY TO THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON THAT ROAD EVEN THOUGH THE COURT IS TELLING US THAT IT'S NOT.
IN THAT STYLE, YOU GET BACK HERE.
NEXT STEPS. FIRST OF ALL, LETTERS WOULD BE GOING OUT FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO EVERY RESIDENT IN THE TOWN OF IVOR NOTIFYING THEM OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT.
IF WE PUSH THAT OFF AND WE PUSH THAT OFF, AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT TO MAKE SURE TO KNOW BEFORE THESE LETTERS GO OUT, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GO OUT.
RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A MOVING TARGET AS THE WINNER IS GOING TO GO OUT.
BUT I WILL CERTAINLY MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SPSA BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS, WHICH ARE ALL AT EVERY REGULAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING EVERY MONTH, I KNOW WHEN THAT DATE IS WELL IN ADVANCE SO THAT THE COUNTY CAN GET OUT IN FRONT OF THAT.
THEY ARE GOING TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC MEETING, PROBABLY JUNE, JULY TIME-FRAME, SO I'M GUESSING AT THIS POINT, THAT'S ALL I CAN DO BECAUSE THEY WON'T GIVE ME A FINAL TIME-FRAME THAT THOSE LETTERS WOULD PROBABLY GO OUT DURING MAY.
BE NOTIFIED THAT THE MAYOR OF IVOR HAVE SECURED THAT IVOR COMMUNITIES SOMEHOW BELIEVE IN THOSE, WHAT TOWN CENTER THERE AND IVOR FOR THIS PUBLIC MEETING, WE JUST DON'T HAVE A DATE FOR IT YET.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL FOLLOW THAT FOR 45 DAYS.
I'M MAKING THIS 45-DAY PERIOD AS PUBLIC COMMENT FROM BOTH CITIZENS AND FROM ANY OF YOU ALL WHO MIGHT WANT TO MAKE COMMENT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER FOR OR AGAINST THE PROJECT.
[NOISE] NOW WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION WHERE YOU STAND ON THE PROJECT.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW YOU FEEL, BUT IF YOU FEEL SO INCLINED, IF YOU WOULD ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED REGIONAL LANDFILL EXPANSION OF ITS CURRENT SITE, FIRST OF ALL, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
SECOND, IF YOU FEEL AN OPPOSITION, ADOPT RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ALTERNATIVE SH-30 SITE.
REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL, ATTEND TO PUBLIC MEETINGS IN IVOR AND PROVIDE COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE EVERY COMMENT THAT'S MADE AT THAT MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO
[01:25:03]
GO INTO THE ULTIMATE FINAL EIS.THEN AFTER THAT, PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENTS DURING THE 45-DAY COMMENT PERIOD, AND I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH STAFF ABOUT THAT AND I THINK WE'VE GOT A GOOD PLAN TO MANAGE THIS MOVING FORWARD.
WITH THAT, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PROJECT, THAT CERTAINLY WOULD BE GLAD TO TRY TO ANSWER IF I CAN.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR [NOISE] COMING TO SEE ME EXPLAIN TO YOU WHERE WERE IN THE PROJECT.
>> THE LETTERS THAT ARE GOING OUT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF IVOR, THEY'RE BEING SENT BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS OR BY SPSA?
>> YES. THEY'LL BE SENT BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
>> THEY'RE BEING SENT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE TIME RESIDENTS ONLY?
>> THAT'S WHAT I MEANT TO SIR.
>> THERE'S NOTHING BEING DONE TO NOTIFY THE 35 OR SO ADDRESSES AS YOU INDICATED THAT ARE AT THE BACK DOOR OF THE ACTUAL LANDFILL SITE.
>> NO, THEY'RE INCLUDED [OVERLAPPING] THEY'RE INCLUDED.
>> THAT'S NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE ACTUAL TIME LIMIT, WHEN YOU MENTIONED TIME.
>> OKAY. LET'S BE NOTIFIED AS WELL.
>> THERE'LL ALSO BE A PUBLIC MEETING, AND THOSE FOLKS AROUND THE SUFFOLK LANDFILL WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THAT.
>> YOU WILL SEND THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS, THEY'RE VERY POSITIVE BALANCES AND WANTS THIS.
>> WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT IT'S GOING INTO THE DRAFT EIS.
THEY HAVE TO BE OBJECTIVE IN THEIR APPROACH.
NOW, THEY'RE NOT THE ONES THAT ARE MAKING A DECISION AT THIS POINT.
THIS IS STRICTLY AN INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENT AT THIS POINT, A RECORD OF DECISION WILL COME SOMETIME IN JANUARY, HOPEFULLY OF 2024.
THAT'S WHEN THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS TO SIGN OFF ON THIS ARE NOT SIGNED OFF WHAT.
THEY'RE REQUIRED TO CHOOSE THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGED AND PRACTICAL, I'LL TURN OFF THE LIGHT BULB, AS REFERRED TO OFTEN AS, WE BELIEVE THAT THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE EXPANSION OF THE REGIONAL LANDFILL, ITS CURRENT SITE, IS THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGED AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE, BOTH FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT AND FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, BECAUSE ANY OF THE OTHER ALTERNATIVES WILL INCREASE [NOISE] THE PRICE OF DISPOSAL.
CERTAINLY, THE REGIONAL LANDFILL PROVIDES THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION TO LANDFILL.
I KEEP IN MIND TOO THAT I'D GET UP EVERY MORNING THINKING ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT TRASH FROM GOING INTO THE LANDFILL.
I'M IN TRASH BUSINESS, BUT MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE LANDFILL AND HAVE THE LANDFILL SETTING OVER HERE TO THE SIDE IN CASE WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING THERE.
BUT ALL OF THESE OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE, ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL MECHANISMS, ALL HAVE RESIDUAL, AND THOSE RESIDUALS HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE.
EVEN RECYCLING THE WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT, 30% OF THE WASTE THAT WE TOOK THE WASTE ENERGY PLANT CAME BACK TO US IN TERMS OF ASH AND WE PUT THEM IN A LANDFILL, SO YOU STILL NEED LANDFILL SPACE.
BUT OUR GOAL IS TO MINIMIZE THAT.
WE'RE NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION, WE'RE NOT A WASTE MANAGEMENT OR A PUBLIC LANDFILL, AS FOR PROFIT WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT IT AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AND GET OUT OF TOWN AND GOODWILL AND NOT ONLY THROUGH SOMEPLACE ELSE.
OUR GOAL IS TO UTILIZE THIS LAND AND BUILD LANDFILL SPACE AND UTILIZE IT AS BEST AS WE CAN TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE MECHANISMS FOR DISPOSAL.
>> SOUTHAMPTON ISN'T THE ONLY SITE AVAILABLE.
>> IT'S THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE SITE THAT WILL BE CARRIED THROUGH THE EIS, BUT I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A SOUTHEAST PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY, THERE'S NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT I WOULD, WITH GOOD CONSCIENCE, GO BEFORE MY BOARD AND SUGGEST THAT WE BUILT ON LANDFILL IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
IT'S THE WORST DECISION WE CAN MAKE.
>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN? [LAUGHTER]
>> THERE'S NO WAY THAT I COULD GO BEFORE MY BOARD AND SUGGESTED THEY BUILD THIS LANDFILL IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU LET ME KNOW WHEN THE TIME IS APPROPRIATE FOR MOTION.
>> NO WAY I WOULD SUGGEST THAT EITHER.
I KNOW REALLY, YOU'VE GOT ROOM TO EXPAND THERE ACCORDING TO THIS IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR. WE GOT 880 ACRES.
>> WHILE WE CONSIDER I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE FOR RENTING OUT UP HERE.
>> WE ARE NOT CONSIDERING SUBSIDIES, NOT CONSIDERING IT BECAUSE IT'S 109 ACRES A WETLAND IMPACTS AT THE SITE.
THE CURRENT SIDE, IT'S REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.
PART OF EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT INCLUDES ALTERNATIVES ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE.
[01:30:03]
SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SH 30 SITE HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THOSE OFF-SITE ALTERNATIVES.THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS, IS ONE THAT SHOULD BE CARRIED FORWARD.
NOW ULTIMATELY WILL BE THE ANSWER.
IT WON'T BE BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THAT I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO MY BOARD THAT THEY DO THAT.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOUR REPRESENTATION CAN TELL YOU THAT I AM STAYING STRONG ON THAT.
I'VE SAID THIS TO MY WARD IN THE PAST AND I THINK I CAN SAY WITH SOME LEVEL OF CERTAINTY THAT I HAD THEIR SUPPORT ON THAT.
>> THEY EVER USED EMINENT DOMAIN.
>> THEY EVER USED EMINENT DOMAIN?
>> THE COURT TOLD US WE COULD USE THEM AT DOMAIN.
DOMAIN DOES NOT GIVE US THE AUTHORITY TO BUILD A LANDFILL ON THAT SITE.
WE STILL HAVE TO COME BEFORE THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE EXPLAINED TO THEM AND WE WOULD NOT DO THAT.
AGAIN, I WOULD NOT GO TO MY BOARD AND SUGGEST TO MY BOARD WE COULDN'T DO THAT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NOT YOU.
>> THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT AT THIS POINT.
THEIR ROLE IN THIS IS TO COME UP WITH THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGED AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE.
IF THEY SAY TO A SOUTH, THEY SAY CHAPLAINS BOB AND SERVE 30.
THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE IS TO BUILD A LANDFILL IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY THAT'S EACH DIRTY.
MY RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD WOULD BE NOT TO BUILD THAT LANDFILL THERE TO TRUCK ARE TRIES TO ANOTHER LANDFILL OUTSIDE OF THE REGION.
BECAUSE THAT'S LEAST IT'S LESS ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING IN OUR OPINION, BEFORE WE EVER WENT OUT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT LONG TIME.
I KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF THIS PROJECT.
I KNOW THE CURRENTLY LANDFILL IS THE BEST SITE AND BELIEVE ME IF I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE BEST SITE, I THOUGHT THERE WAS A BETTER SITE.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE PUSHING.
BUT I KNOW THAT THE REGIONAL LANDFILL IS THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGED IN PRACTICAL TERMS BECAUSE I'VE DONE ENGINEERING, I'VE DONE THE WORK AND THAT IS THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE ALTERNATIVE.
>> I WROTE HERE WITH COMING TO THE COUNT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS A TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.
I'VE SAID THIS TO A MANAGER THAT EVERY TOOL THAT I CAN PULL OUT WHEN WE'RE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WHERE THE CORE IS A BENEFIT TO ME AND CERTAINLY I COULDN'T SEE NO PROBABLY NO WAY IS THIS AWARD WOULD GIVE A FEW CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THAT PROPERTY, EVEN IF WE DID TRY TO BUILD ONE THERE. THERE'S A LOT OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> I CAN NOT DOUBT GOOD GET THAT.
>> IF IT GETS DARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, MS. LEWIS CAN BACK ME UP OR COMBAT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL STAND UP IN COURT JUST ABOUT ANY CASE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
>> INFORMATION FOR US AND WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE [INAUDIBLE].
THIS IS JUST AN EXERCISE THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH PURE AND SIMPLE.
>> SOUNDS LIKE HE'S HERE TO HELP US, WE JUST NEED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE TO GET ONE NOW. [BACKGROUND]
>> MR. TORO, WOULD YOU MIND READING THIS ORDINANCE?
>> I'LL BE HAPPY TO READ THIS LENGTHY ORDINANCE THAT IT'S PUT THEM PREPARE FOR YOU ALL TONIGHT.
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND REGULAR SESSION ON THE 28TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023, ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND OPPOSITION TO ANY EXPANSION OF THE SOUTHEAST AND PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY SPSA, REGIONAL LANDFILL OR OTHER SPSA, A LANDFILL CAPACITY WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, WHEREAS SPSA POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, IT'S CONTEMPLATING THE EXPANSION OF ITS REGIONAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, WHICH IS CALLED THE REGIONAL LANDFILL.
TO [NOISE] ADD ADDITIONAL LANDFILL CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE PROJECTED FUTURE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL NEEDS FOR THE SPSA SERVICE AREA AND WHEREAS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IS WITHIN BUT LOCATED AT THE FAR WESTERN END OF THE GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA OF SPSA AND HAS MEMBERSHIP ON THE GOVERNING BODY OF SPSA AND WHEREAS IT APPEARS THAT ONE OR MORE POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE SITES UNDER CONSIDERATION AS PART OF REGULATORY AGENCY PERMITTING AND OR EVALUATION OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL SPSA LANDFILL CAPACITY IS OR
[01:35:02]
COULD BE LOCATED WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.WHEREAS, ANY PLACEMENT OF ONE OR MORE SUCH ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL LANDFILL CAPACITY WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
ONE WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THE ESTABLISHED PLAN FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
TWO WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ITS HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND INITIATIVES.
THREE WOULD BE UNREASONABLY EXPECTED TO CREATE UNDUE WEAR AND TEAR AND TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERNS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TRANSPORTATION ROUTES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY TO BE USED FOR HOLLOW AND SOLID WASTE TWO AND RETURN TRAFFIC.
ANY SUCH ALTERNATIVE SITE AND FOUR WOULD OTHERWISE CREATE AN ILLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF LANDFILL FACILITIES AT A LOCATION THAT IS NOT CENTRAL TO THE SPSA SERVICE AREA AND NOT CONSISTENT WITH SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION.
FIVE WOULD BE REASONABLY EXPECTED TO CAUSE GREATER HEAVY-DUTY, VEHICLE TRAFFIC EMISSIONS AND GENERALLY, GREATER RISK TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ACROSS THE REGION THAT WOULD IN TURN ADVERSELY AFFECT THE RESONANCE.
BUSINESSES OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
NOW THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY ONE, ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED FOR AND SUPPORTS NECESSARY ADDITIONAL LANDFILL CAPACITY AT THE REGIONAL LANDFILL TO ENSURE CONTINUED RELIABLE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR THE SPSA SERVICE AREA AND KEEPING WITH ESTABLISHED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR THE REGION, BUT TWO DECLARES ITS OPPOSITION TO ANY CONSIDERATION EFFORTS, PLANS, AGENCY ACTIONS, OR OTHER PROCEEDINGS TO PLACE WITHIN THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, ANY PORTION OF ANY ADDITIONAL SPSA, LANDFILL CAPACITY INSTEAD OF OR SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE REGIONAL LANDFILL SITE.
THREE AUTHORIZES AND DIRECTS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY AND PROPER ON BEHALF OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND PURSUE IT TO APPLICABLE LAW, A TO EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO ANY PROPOSED PLACEMENT WITHIN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY OF ANY PORTION OF ANY SPSA LANDFILL CAPACITY INSTEAD OF OR SUPPLEMENTAL TO THAT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE LOCATED AT THE REGIONAL LANDFILL SITE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PREPARATION OF FILING COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS WITH SPSA AND IRRELEVANT, RELOOK DILATORY AGENCIES AND EXECUTION OF OTHER SUCH LAWFUL DOCUMENTS HAS MADE ME DEEMED NECESSARY TO LARGE SUCH OPPOSITION.
THIS OPPOSITION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON ADOPTION. THAT'S A LONG RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. EVERYBODY HAD HEARD IT.
THE RESOLUTION IS JUST MET, READ BY MR. THROWOR IN OPPOSITION TO ANY EXPANSION OF THE SIZE EASTERN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY SPSA REGIONAL LANDFILL OR OTHER SPSA, LANDFILL CAPACITY WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS INSIDE EMPTY COUNTY.
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> OKAY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALSO, VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
>> MR. BAGGER. I'LL SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.
I GOT TO SAY THIS THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING THAT SAID DON'T DENSE, I DON'T BUY IT.
MOVE ON. NUMBER 13, SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION ORDINANCE.
[13. School Board Election Ordinance]
WE HAVE THE UPDATE THAT YOU WERE GIVEN TONIGHT.WHAT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT? A LITTLE HISTORY.
THIS CAME FROM THE REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER 8, 2022, WITH 80% OF THE COUNTY VOTED TOO, HAVEN'T ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THIS BASICALLY, THE SCHOOL BOARD CONSIST OF NON-MEMBERS ALL TO BE ELECTED AT LARGE AND TONIGHT WE'RE JUST PRESENTING THIS AND IT WILL GO TO PUBLIC HEARING AT NEXT MEETING.
ESSENTIALLY, I CAN GET HANDOUT SOME COPIES AS IT SAYS THAT THE FIRST STEP, DECEMBER 31, 2023, THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE LIKED IT.
THEN IT GETS A LITTLE COMPLICATED THE SECOND TIME AROUND THOSE, IT LOOKS LIKE A REPEAT AND TWO PEOPLE, AND THEN THE THIRD TIME TOO.
THEN FINALLY END UP IN DECEMBER OF 31, 2026 WITH THREE, MAKING THAT A TOTAL OF NINE AND SOME PEOPLE SAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FIVE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HERE WHEN THE REDISTRICTING SKINS AND WE TRIED TO GET A COUPLE OF AT-LARGE,
[01:40:06]
BUT THE STATE WOULDN'T GO ALONG WITH IT.BUT ANYWAY, THE LAW SAYS THAT IF YOU GO FROM A APPOINTED BOARD TO ELECTED BOARD, YOU KEEP THE SAME NUMBER OF MEMBERS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE'RE FOLLOWING THE LAW TO THE T.
>> AS FAR AS YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.
BUT WE HAVE THE CONCERN THAT IF THE WHOLE AT-LARGE SOME DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY COULD POTENTIALLY END UP WITH NO REPRESENTATION, THOUGH. WE'VE ATTAINED THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE DISTRICT HAVING A MEMBER AND FOR AT-LARGE MEMBER.
>> I SEE YOUR POINT, BUT I DON'T SEE THAT IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
I DON'T THE JERUSALEM DISTRICT STUDENTS DON'T TAKE MATH TEST TOMORROW AND THEN THE BOYKINS, THEY'RE ALL THE SAME.
I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S THE FAIREST WAY TO GO AROUND.
I CAN'T SEE. SOMEBODY GETS ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
THE BEST PEOPLE GO BE ELECTED.
THEY GO TO REPRESENT EVERY STUDENT IN THAT SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THERE'S NOT A MATTER OF A DISTRICT.
SOMETHING COMES UP IN YOUR DISTRICT, YOU ARE GOING TO REPRESENT IT.
BUT IF YOU'RE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, YOU REPRESENT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT?
>> I THINK THAT'S TRUE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
I THINK EVERY MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS REPRESENTED EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL OPERATION OF IT.
I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN DISTRICTS THAT ARE SPARSELY POPULATED RUN THE RISK OF HAVING NO REPRESENTATIVE FROM THAT DISTRICT WITH AN AT-LARGER.
>> HIS DISTRICT IS GOING TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE, ABOUT 23 - 2400 DONE THAT CORRECT, SIR?
>> HIS DISTRICT HAS ALMOST ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF CITIZENS, 23, 2400.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A DISTRICT HAS GOT MORE THAN OTHERS.
>> THAT'S WHY THEY REDREW THE DISTRICT.
>> IF I COULD MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO ASK ERICA A QUESTION.
>> [BACKGROUND] BEEN RUNNING? DONE BY YOUR [NOISE] COMMENTS, PERIOD.
DON'T PUT YOU OUT OF THE NODE.
30 DAYS WOULD BE 60 DAYS FROM TODAY.
WE CAN THEN START GIVING YOU ALL COMPLICATIONS AS FAR AS YOUR CANDIDATE GETTING THEIR FILINGS AND ON TIME AT ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
MAY THEN WHAT'S THE COUNTY INTO GREATER EXPENSES TO RUN SPECIALTY NEXT? [NOISE]
>> TONIGHT, I SEE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THERE WILL BE ON THERE WILL BE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
IT WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THIS AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> FOLLOWING THAT THE RESOLUTION WILL BE ADOPTED?
>> TO, MISS PHASORS' POINT AND TO DR. GOODMAN'S POINT? THEY ARE ALL, I DIDN'T PRINT THEM OFF, BUT I HAD ONE CONSTITUENT AT OFFERED A PLAN TO CONSIDER HAVING REPRESENTATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT TONIGHT.
IF MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU WOULD ALLOW THAT? I WOULD LIKE FOR HIM TO.
BECAUSE THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DISCUSSION.
>> LET WHOEVER IT IS, WHO IS THAT?
>> [BACKGROUND] SHARING I'M SORRY, I'M LOOKING AT THIS JOB BACK FROM CAITLIN DISTRICT.
STARTED LOOKING AT THIS BACK AFTER THE ELECTION AND WHAT'S UNIQUE TO THE SITUATION, AS I THINK MR. RAY POINTED OUT, IS WE DON'T JUST HAVE A CHANGE FROM APPOINTED TO ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS GOING ON.
WE HAVE REDISTRICTING GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.
THERE ARE SEPARATE LAWS, SEPARATE STATUTES THAT GOVERN BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.
NOW, WHAT MR. RAVI HAS GIVEN US HERE SHOWS SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR HOW YOU CAN END THE STATUTE THAT HE HAS IN YOUR PACKET THERE TONIGHT AS SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR REPLACING CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS,
[01:45:05]
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THAT RESOLUTION, THAT STATUTE.BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE'RE NOT REPLACING ANY OF YOU.
NONE OF YOU WERE BEING REPLACED AND TECHNICALLY NONE OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE BEING REPLACED.
NONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS EXIST ANYMORE.
MS. UPDATE, YOUR DISTRICT NO LONGER EXIST.
THERE'S NO WAY TO REPLACE YOU.
THAT'S THE SAME FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS.
THOSE DISTRICTS DO NOT EXIST ANYMORE.
THE STATUTE WHERE SAYS REPLACING PEOPLE DOES NOT APPLY THERE.
YOU HAVE TO THEN LOOK TO THE REDISTRICTING STATUE, TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
THAT STATUTE ALLOWANCE, A LITTLE MORE LEEWAY.
OF COURSE, THAT'S PART OF EVERY DISTRICT.
YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS TO FIVE AND YOU CAN HAVE FIVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND THAT'S IT.
ONE THING YOU CAN'T DO IS IN VIOLENT AS FAR AS I CAN READ AND ALL OF THE CODE.
IS YOUR TERMS AS COOL AS SUPERVISORS AND THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, NONE OF THEIR TERMS CAN BE MESSED WITH.
THEY FINISH OUT THEIR TERMS JUST LIKE YOU.
WHETHER YOUR CURRENT DISTRICT EXIST OR NOT, YOU WILL FINISH OUT, YOUR, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WILL REMAIN THERE.
THERE'S NO WAY TO GET RID OF THEM OR TAKE THEM ALL OFF EXCEPT THROUGH THE REFERENDUM PORTION THAT DOES ALLOW YOU TO ACTUALLY SHORTEN THE TERM OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER THAT YOU'RE REPLACING.
EVERYBODY WHO'S IN OFFICE NOW WILL REMAIN UNTIL THEY'RE IN THEIR TERMS. THAT MEANS THAT YOU CAN ELECT NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
HOWEVER, YOU SET UP YOUR DISTRICTS AND YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MIGHT FLUCTUATE IN MEMBERSHIP UNTIL YOU CAN GET THAT TRANSITION DONE AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE WHATEVER YOU SET FORWARD.
I LOOKED AT THIS, I GRAPHED IT OUT, THE VISUAL AND YOU CAN HAVE FIVE MEMBERS TO ELECTED THIS YEAR ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL OF THE SCHOOL BOARD STATUTES AND ALL THE TITLES THAT HOW YOU SET UP YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AFTER REDISTRICTING ARE DETERMINED ON HOW YOUR SUPERVISORS ARE SET UP.
I DON'T THINK YOU'VE DONE THAT YET.
I DON'T THINK WE KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE ELECTED.
WHICH DISTRICTS THIS FALL? AM I CORRECT IN THAT WE SET UP HOW SUPERVISORS WILL BE ELECTED?
>> WE HAVE FOUR SUPERVISORS RUN.
>> YOU HAVE FOUR SUPERVISORS WHO DISTRICTS ARE SPENDING? DISTRICTS DISAPPEARED JANUARY 31ST. WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> THERE WAS ONLY TWO DISAPPEAR.
>> THERE FOR SUPERVISORS' DISTRICTS, THERE'S NO MORE TAPERED DISTRICT.
THERE'S NO MORE I4 DISTRICT AND THERE'S NO MORE DURABLE DISTRICT, THERE'S NO MORE BOYKINS DISTRICT.
THOSE TERMS ARE GONE AND THOSE DISTRICTS DON'T EXIST.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE BOYKINS DISTRICT ELECTIONS ANYMORE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOUTHWEST DISTRICT ELECTIONS.
DO YOU HAVE CENTRAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS THIS YEAR? THAT'S BASICALLY YOUR AREA, DR. EDWARDS.
SEE THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DISCUSS IN REDISTRICTING TO GET YOUR SUPERVISORS STRAIGHT, APPARENTLY, BEFORE YOU CAN GET YOUR SCHOOL BOARD BECAUSE THE STATUTE SAYS YOUR SCHOOL BOARD HAS TO MATCH YOUR SUPERVISORS.
YOUR SCHOOL BOARD HAS TO BE ELECTED AS A YEAR AS YOUR SUPERVISOR.
>> YES, IT DOES. VERY FIRST IN THE STATUTE YOU HAVE THERE TONIGHT, THE VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH.
>> FOR THEM OFF FROM DISTRICTS ANYMORE.
>> BUT THE NUCLEUS, UNLESS YOU HAVE AT LARGE, JUST ABSOLUTELY.
ELECTIONS HAVE TO BE HELD IN THE SAME YEAR.
>> WHICH IS TRYING TO SPEAK? GO AHEAD, RICHARD.
>> FOUR POINTS THAT YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER, NUMBER 1, A FEUD APART FROM AT-LARGE, THEN VEHICLES STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER.
THAT'S ALL THE SCOPE FOR RIGHT NOW.
YOU'D HAVE FIVE FOR DESTRUCTION.
AT LARGE, TWO, THIS AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE, IF PEOPLE GET THE SURVEY, THAT TERM AND CONSEQUENTLY SCHOOL BOARDS' TERMS OF STAGGERED IS YOURS ALL AND EQUAL SERVE AS A TERM.
IT'S NOT CALLED MATCH AND A GUIDING PRINCIPLE IS THAT IF YOU USE IT, PETITION TRICKS, SUPERVISOR DESCRIPTION, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE ELECTION AT
[01:50:06]
THE SAME TIME AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A COUPLE OF SITUATIONS THAT I'VE GONE BACK TO EVOLVE.WHERE YOU HAVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHOSE TERMS ARE TWO DIFFERENTLY FROM YOU WOULD ESTIMATE FROM THE SUPERVISOR DISTRICTS.
THAT CREATES CROP. CONSEQUENTLY BUT ALL SAID AND DONE.
I'VE TRIED TO PUT THEM IN THIS, BUT I COULD MAKE IT WORK.
I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH FIVE OR JACK, ( - ), TALK OR WRITE ABOUT THE POLITICAL FILES.
BUT SOME OF THE SPEAKERS HAVE SAID TONIGHT, BUT THE FACT THAT THE BODY IS AWARE, WE ARE, WE CAN GO BACK TO THE OLD DISTRICTS BECAUSE I DIDN'T COMBINATION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE, AT LEAST FOR THE DAY OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
>> MR. RAY, EVERYTHING YOU SAID WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I WOULD STATE WITH THE AT-LARGE DISTRICTS IS THAT STATUTE SAYS THAT THOSE AT-LARGE DISTRICTS IN THE STAGGERED ELECTIONS ARE FOR REPLACING SUPERVISOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
SINCE WE'RE NOT REPLACING ANY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HERE, I THINK THAT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESET OUR DISTRICTS AND GET EVERYBODY IN SYNC.
NOW THE WAY I WOULD SOLVE FOR THAT WAS BY HAVING NEXT YEAR, ON THE EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS, HAVE YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, THE FIRST SET ONLY ELECTED TO A THREE-YEAR TERM FOR ONCE, JUST LIKE YOU DID TO STAGGER AND THEN EVERY OTHER TERM AFTER THAT FOUR YEARS.
>> WELL, THE STAT SAYS IT GOT TO BE FOUR YEARS.
>> WELL, YOU HAVE IT FOR THREE YEARS FOR THE FIRST TERM AND THEN FOUR YEARS EVER AFTER.
THEN WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS ON ODD-NUMBERED YEARS.
THAT'S THE WAY [OVERLAPPING] AND YOU KEEP NINE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD THE WHOLE TIME TOO.
>> I THINK YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTABLE FOUR YEARS.
ULTIMATELY I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO RESPECT THAT TERM GERMANE.
IT'S NOT THE BEST WORD IT OFF FOOTBALL SHATTERED THE AD LEVEL READ BY ANYBODY.
IT TALKS IN SOME PLACES ABOUT THE INITIAL ELECTION.
I'M NOT SAYING FOR ONE MAN THAT AFTER YOU GO THROUGH THE FIRST CYCLE WILL, IT COULDN'T GO TO THE DISTRICT AGAIN.
THAT MAY BE THE SAME, THE TWO, IN MY MIND, WE'LL JUST TRY TO GET STARTED.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT, 60 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION IS THE DEADLINE WHEN ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE DONE, WHICH WOULD BE SEPTEMBER. WHICH WOULD BE THE LATEST.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO GET IT DONE NOW, MS. SHE'S NOT HERE TONIGHT, BUT YOUR REGISTRAR MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT DATE, BUT I THINK ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE, ALL OF IT HAS TO BE DONE BY 60 DAYS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
THAT DOES GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, BUT NOT A LOT.
>> ALSO, I THINK POTENTIAL CANDIDATES ALL AFFORDED AN EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY TO FILE THEIR PETITIONS.
THAT MIGHT BE CUT SHORT TOO BECAUSE THEY ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THERE.
BUT NO, I'M NOT TELLING YOU THAT MY STATUTE THAT I HAVEN'T ROARED IS PERFECT BY ANY MEANS.
I'M OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS, BUT AT THE END AFTER THROUGH A LOT OF PAPERS IN THE TRASH AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE ONE THAT GETS US STARTED AND WORK.
IF WE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE OR WHATEVER, THAT'S FINE.
I RECKON I SOUND LIKE WILL ROGERS.
LET'S DO SOMETHING IF IT'S ROSS.
>> WHAT, I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT AND THAT'S ALL I WAS.
I KNOW WE'RE DEALING WITH TWO DIFFERENT STATUTES HERE.
WE'RE DEALING WITH REDISTRICTING AT THE SAME TIME AS TRANSITION.
>> WE DISTRICT CASE, TO ME IS MORE OF A MATTER OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AS OPPOSED TO TEST FOR A LAW.
[01:55:06]
TO BE EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE AG'S OFFICE ON SCHOOL BOARD, BUT WE STILL IT'S ONLY ONES.IT'S ONLY REASONABLE TO CONFORM AS MUCH AS WE CAN SHOW WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM RETEST.
>> WELL, I'VE PROVIDED A COUPLE OF THINGS TO MR. GILLETTE AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ON WITH THEM, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE LEGAL OR NOT, BUT MY READING OF THE CODE, THEY SEEM TO BE LEGAL, BUT AS I SAID, I'M NO EXPERT HERE.
BUT I HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON IT.
I'M TRYING TO READ IT SINCE NOVEMBER.
>> I THINK THIS TEAM HAS BEEN I'VE TALKED WITH MS. BURGESS AND I THINK THE ELECTORAL BOARD HAS FELT THAT THIS WAS A VERY GOOD WAY TO DO IT.
>> WELL, MY QUESTION ALSO WOULD BE HOW YOUR ELECTION IS GOING TO GO.
THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT TECHNIQUE TO FOR NEXT YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THAT OR NOT, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO, BUT IF YOU RUN INTO QUESTIONS FOR ME OR FOR YOU TO SHARE MY STUFF, MR. GILLETTE?
>> WELL, WE HAVE TO DO WHAT THE LAW SAYS.
>> WELL, YES. YOUR CITIZENS WONDERING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I ALSO HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT TOO.
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT [INAUDIBLE].
>> IN FOR OUR DISCUSSION, I THINK WE'VE GOT TIME CONSTRAINTS HERE.
WE'VE LOOKED AT THIS AND I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE ON AND PUT IT ON A PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEXT MEETING.
>> YOU WANT A MOTION FOR THAT?
>> MOVE, THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> QUESTION? WE CAN REVISIT THIS THOUGH.
>> WE CAN REVISIT THIS IN THE FUTURE.
>> THERE'S GOING BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS, THE NEXT MEETING.
>> I KNOW ABOUT THAT, BUT I MEAN, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS, RESOLUTION CAN BE REVIEWED IN THE FUTURE.
>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
>> MR. RILEY, ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU SAID?
>> THAT IT CAN BE REVIEWED IN THE FUTURE AND THE BOARD HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE IT TO BE MORE-
>> [OVERLAPPING] AGAIN AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, YOU TWEAK IT AND MAKE MINOR CHANGES AND KELP.
DISTURB THE FACT THAT YOU'VE ADVERTISED THAT YOU COULD DO THAT.
IF YOU FIND AFTER I MISSPELLED A WORD, YOU COULD CERTAINLY DO THAT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO PASS THIS ON THIS TO THE SCHEDULE ON TO THE NEXT MEETING.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, BUT RIGHT THERE.
SUPERVISOR-WIDE, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED. OKAY. THIS WILL BE PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU'LL COME UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
TODD BOEHLY IT'LL BE ON THE AGENDA.
>> [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] NUMBER 14, SO CALLED WASTE COMMERCIAL HALL OR PERMIT APPLICATION.
[14. Solid Waste Commercial Hauler Permit Application]
MR. HUNTER BEAUVAIS. BEAUVAIS HERE TONIGHT?>> HE WAS COMING BUT HE'S SICK.
>> WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT THIS OFF UNTIL NEXT MEETING AND HAVE HIM?
>> I JUST LIKED TO CAP, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM AND STAFF FOR THE LAST MONTH OR TWO ON THIS AND HE HAS BEEN VERY DILIGENT.
DO YOU HAVE THE COUNTY CODE SECTION THERE? IT'S A LITTLE AMBIGUOUS IN SPORTS, BUT AS THE CODE WE'VE GOT NOW, SO HE SEEMS TO HAVE MET ALL THE CRITERIA.
WE'VE TALKED TO SOUTHAMPTON STAFF ABOUT THIS ARRANGEMENT.
WHAT'S REQUIRED IS A MOTION TO APPROVE SINCE HE WOULD BE CONSIDERED A COMMERCIAL HAULER BY COUNTY CODE.
Y'ALL HAVE TO APPROVE HIS PERMIT, SO WE WOULD RECOMMEND YOU DO SO.
>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DO.
>> MOTION SECONDED FOR DISCUSSION ON FAVOR? THEY PERMIT APPLICATION SAY AY.
>> NUMBER 15. WE HAVE MR. PAUL MADDOX TONIGHT,
[15. Introduction of Paul Matticks, VDOT Residency Administrator]
[02:00:01]
WHO'S THE VDOT RESIDENCY ADMINISTRATOR. WELCOME.MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS, I APPRECIATE HAVING SOME TIME TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE MYSELF AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHAT'S GOING ON IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
COMING UP NOW WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD WEATHER, SO WE'RE GETTING AN EARLY JUMP ON SOME THINGS.
I'VE BEEN DOWN HERE IN FRANKLIN SINCE SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
I STARTED MY VDOT CAREER IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, FAIRFAX.
SPENT THE LAST FEW YEARS IN BRISTOL DISTRICT OUT AND LIES OUT IN THAT CORNER OF THE STATE.
CAME OVER HERE IN SEPTEMBER TO GET STARTED.
TOMMY CATLIN, WHO WAS THE RESIDENT ENGINEER, MOVED ON TO A POSITION AT THE DISTRICT, SO HE'S STILL AROUND, STILL COMMUNICATING AND SHARING SOME GOOD INFORMATION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE FANTASTIC RELATIONSHIP THAT VDOT HAS.
NOT ONLY WOULD SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, BUT WITH OUR OTHER THREE COUNTIES THAT MAKE UP THE FRANKLIN RESIDENCY.
LIKE I SAID, GOOD THINGS COME AND WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS ON OUR LIST THAT WE WANT TO GET TO.
THE WEATHER IS HELPING AND IF I CAN TAKE A MINUTE I CAN JUST SHARE AND HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON NOW.
SOME PROJECTS IN YOUR COUNTY AND SOME THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN FEBRUARY JUST TO KIND OF KEEP YOU POSTED.
WE'VE GOT OUR CREWS, WHICH IS THE FRANKLIN AREA HEADQUARTERS AND THE CAPRIN AREA HEADQUARTERS THAT COVER ALL SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THEY'VE BEEN GOING OUT AND STARTING TO DO WORK IN ANTICIPATION OF THE PAVING SCHEDULE THAT'S GOING TO BE STARTING IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
AT PAVING SCHEDULE THIS YEAR IS $2.1 MILLION.
WE'RE GOING OUT WHEN MAKING SURE THAT ANY PIPES THAT ARE OUT, THAT ARE COLLAPSED OR IN BAD SHAPE OR GETTING REPLACED.
YOU'VE SEEN US PULLING SHOULDERS ON DIFFERENT ROADS TO GET READY FOR THE OVERLAYS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
THEY'VE REALLY BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB IN GETTING THAT READY.
THERE'S EVEN TALK IN THE PAVING COMMUNITY WITH THE WEATHER IF IT CONTINUES THAT THEY MAY GET OUT AND GET STARTED EARLIER AS WELL, WHICH WOULD BE FANTASTIC FOR US.
THE GUARD RAIL CONTRACT IS IN PLACE FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY, SO THE CONTRACTOR IS OUT NOW TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THESE GUARDRAIL HITS THAT HAVE BEEN PILING UP.
THEY'RE STARTING IN GREENVILLE COUNTY, THEY'LL BE COMING TO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY WHEN THEY FINISH THERE.
WE'VE HAD A BACKLOG WHILE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE CONTRACT TO START, SO WE'RE EXCITED FOR THAT.
THE BRIDGE PROJECT ON 743 IS CONTINUING.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING SOME EXTRA TREE CUTTING DOWN THERE WHILE THEY HAVE THOSE SERVICES IN THERE TO HELP WITH SITE VISIBILITY AND WHEN THEY BRING THE CRANIUM WHICH WILL BE COMING IN NEXT AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE COFFER DAM CONSTRUCTION.
THE CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE FOR THAT PROJECT IS OCTOBER 27TH OF THIS YEAR.
AGAIN THE GOOD WEATHER WILL HELP THERE.
>> EXCUSE ME, IS THAT BURT READ ROAD?
>> YES IT IS. LIKE I SAID, WITH OUR AREA HEADQUARTERS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, THEY CLOSED 48 WORK ORDERS WHENEVER THERE'S AN ISSUE OF A CITIZEN, HAS A COMPLAINT THERE SHE SEES A PROBLEM.
WE RECOMMEND THAT THEY CALL THE 800 FOR ROADS NUMBER THAT GOES THROUGH A CALL CENTER IN SALEM.
THAT CALL CENTER REDIRECTS THAT COMPLAINT TO THE SPECIFIC AREA HEADQUARTERS THAT COVERS THAT PARTICULAR STREET, ROUTE, BRIDGE WHATEVER THE CASE IS.
IT GETS TO THEM THAT DAY OR THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT'S CALLED IN, THEY CAN PUT THOSE WORK ORDERS TOGETHER AND SEND PEOPLE OUT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, THEY CLOSED OUT 48 WORK ORDERS IN THE COUNTY.
THEY REPLACED SIX CROSS PIPES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE PAVING AND THEN JUST A FEW THAT WE HAD THAT NEEDED REPAIR.
THEY'VE BEEN GRADING DIRT ROADS, PUTTING STONE DOWN ON DIRT ROADS, FILLING POTHOLES AND PICKING UP, THEY PICKED UP 34 LARGE DEAD ANIMALS THAT THEY'VE HAD AS WELL.
THEY CONTINUE TO [NOISE] BE OUT THERE.
LIKE I SAID, WE JUST FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING OR WHAT OUR PLANS ARE.
WE'RE WORKING UP TOWARDS THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR.
WE'RE STARTING WITH THIS GOOD WEATHER TO PUT SOME CONTRACTS OUT AND KEEP OUR FOCUS OUT ON THE ROAD WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE REALLY GETTING THE WORK DONE AHEAD OF PAVING SCHEDULE.
WE'RE EXCITED, CONTINUE TO BE GOOD WORKING NEIGHBORS WITH YOU ALL AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I'VE GOT SOME BUSINESS CARDS I CAN LEAVE THAT HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION, PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAILS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEW THOUGHTS ON PICKING UP LITTER?
[02:05:02]
>> WELL, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE DO WITH LITTER PICKUP IS WHEN OUR MOWING CONTRACTORS START.
WHEN THEY GO OUT BEFORE THEY START, THEY'RE USUALLY OUT THERE A WEEK OR TWO AHEAD OF TIME PICKING UP LITTER.
OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S IF WE TRY AND PUSH THE ADOPT A HIGHWAY PLAYING PROGRAM TO GET COMMUNITIES AND DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS OUT TO ADOPT SECTIONS OF ROAD.
THEN WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S LEFT IN OUR NORMAL ROUTINE, WORK MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT GETS FIT IN THERE AS BEST AS WE CAN.
>> WE DO HAVE AN ORGANIZED LITTER COMMITTEE, SEVERAL OF THEM AND I'M SURE THEY'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU.
>> THAT WOULD BE UP STANDING. [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT'S ALL. BE DONE PICKING UP TRASH ON 671 THIS PAST WEEK, AS THEY SEE IT TOO, AS THEIR AREAS SEE THINGS, OR IF THERE'S A PARTICULAR CALL THAT COMES IN FOR A SECTION OR AN AREA ROAD, LIKE I SAID, WITH THE WORK ORDER PLAN, THEY DO GO OUT AND TRY AND ADDRESS IT.
>> COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, SIR.
>> DON'T BE A STRANGER. WE EXPECT TO SEE YOU AT EVERY MEETING.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 16 IS THE JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION.
[16. Juneteenth Cultural Celebration]
WE HAVE A GUEST TONIGHT TO GREG MCLEMORE WHO IS ON FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL.HE'S NOT REPRESENTING THE CITY COUNCIL, I DON'T THINK, HE'S REPRESENTING WHAT HE'S GOING TO PRESENT TONIGHT. IS THAT CORRECT, SIR?
I'M ALWAYS COUNCILMAN LIKE YOU'RE ALWAYS A SUPERVISOR.
I LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MR. CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN AND BOARD FOR RECEIVING ME TONIGHT.
TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION, IT'S ALSO DUBBED THE VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS.
>> I'M A SENIOR COUNCILMAN ON FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL SIMPLY MEANING I'VE BEEN ON HERE 12 YEARS.
SOME OF YOU BEEN UP HERE A LITTLE LONGER.
BUT IT'S INTERESTING BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE.
WATCHING YOU GUYS MEETING TONIGHT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
I LIKED THAT YOU HAVE PADDING ON YOUR SEATS.
ESPECIALLY I KNOW HOW IT IS WHEN SIMPSON MAKES PRESENTATIONS, THE PRESENTATION YOU SAW EARLIER TONIGHT ON THE RADIOS, WE HAD THAT LAST NIGHT.
I KNOW THAT IT CAN BE VERY DAUNTING ON YOU GUYS SITTING THROUGH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FIND, I THINK YOU MAY FIND JUST LIKE MYSELF, IS THAT PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS COMING BEFORE US ASKING US TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS THEY WANT US TO SPEND MONEY, BUT WE HAVE A PROBLEM MAKING MONEY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SPEND MONEY.
YOU GOT TO MAKE MONEY TO SPEND MONEY.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND WHEN WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE.
FRANKLIN ORIGINALLY WAS ONCE PART OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE STORY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY.
YOU MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUT IT, BUT IT IS.
SOUTHAMPTON WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF MORE FAMOUS SLAVES THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY OR STATE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
RICH IN HISTORY, THE BIRTHPLACE OF DRED SCOTT, JOHN BROWN, ANTHONY GARDENER, AND THE SLAVE KNOWN WORLDWIDE NATHANIEL TURNER.
MY PURPOSE FOR COMING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS TO SOLICIT YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AMUN-RA AND THE CITY OF FRANKLIN AS WE CAPITALIZE ON HISTORICAL APPEAL, THAT IS FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON, BY ATTEMPTING TO CREATE A NATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION THAT WILL ATTRACT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER AMERICA TO VISIT, SHOP, AND EXPERIENCE OUR HOME FOR THE JUNETEENTH FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
NO STATE IN THE 50 STATES HAS MORE TO DO WITH SLAVERY IN AMERICA THAN OUR HOME OF VIRGINIA.
SLAVERY STARTED IN 1619 WITH THE FIRST AFRICAN SLAVES BEING DELIVERED TO JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA.
JUNETEENTH IS A CELEBRATION OF EMANCIPATION FROM SLAVERY.
WHY NOT CELEBRATE THE ENDING OF SLAVERY WHERE IT ALL STARTED? SOUTHAMPTON WAS THE COUNTY THAT HOSTED THE LARGEST REVOLT IN AMERICAN HISTORY WITH NAT TURNER'S FIGHT FOR LIBERATION AND EMANCIPATION.
WHY NOT MAKE OUR STATE, THE STATE AND OUR COUNTY, THE COUNTY FOR ALL AMERICANS TO VISIT AND CELEBRATE THE GREATNESS OF OUR NATION TO CREATE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY TO COMMEMORATE SLAVERY ABOLITION?
[02:10:05]
OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A TOURIST DESTINATION OUT OF NOTHING, BUT OUR FACTUAL HISTORY.NO STATE IN THE COUNTRY CAN MAKE THE CLAIMS WE CAN REGARDING SLAVERY OR EMANCIPATION.
WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON THIS CURSED GIFT TO GENERATE MUCH-NEEDED REVENUE AND INDUSTRY FOR BOTH OUR CITY AND COUNTY.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS INTERESTING TO PEOPLE, AND THEY'RE WILLING TO SPEND MONEY TO EXPERIENCE A PART OF THEIR HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE.
A BRIEF TIMELINE. 1619, FIRST SLAVES ARRIVED IN VIRGINIA, BROUGHT TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES.
SECOND EVENT, 1799 DRED SCOTT WAS BORN IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THIRD, IN OCTOBER 1ST, 1800 THE BIRTH OF NATHANIEL TURNER IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
FOURTH EVENT, ANTHONY WILLIAM GARDENER WAS BORN IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IN VIRGINIA.
HE WENT ON TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA IN AFRICA.
ON AUGUST 12TH, 1831 NAT TURNER'S INSURRECTION, REBELLION WAS THE LARGEST REVOLT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
FINALLY, IN JUNE 19TH OF 1865, THE LAST SLAVES WERE NOTIFIED OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION IN GALVESTON, TEXAS AND JUNETEENTH WAS CREATED.
IN 1749 SOUTHAMPTON BECOMES A COUNTY SEPARATING FROM ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY.
IN 1876, THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN WAS INCORPORATED INTO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
IN 1961, THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN BECAME A CITY, AND IN 2023, FRANKLIN AND SOUTHAMPTON CAN BECOME THE CAPITAL OF JUNETEENTH IN THE UNITED STATES CELEBRATING MODERN DAY EMANCIPATION WITH A JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION.
FIRST, I WANT TO SAY I'LL SHARE FROM THIS EVENT TO PUT ON THIS EVENT WILL COME FROM SPONSORS, CORPORATE SPONSORS.
THE VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS IS THE SECOND NAME OF THIS EVENT.
IT'S WHATEVER WE WANT IT TO BE.
PEOPLE WILL SAY, WHAT IS THE VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS? IT'S WHAT WE WANT IT TO BE, AND WHAT I FORESEE IS US HAVING THE LARGEST MARCHING BAND PARADE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
WITH MARCHING BANDS FROM ALL OVER NORTHERN VIRGINIA, [NOISE] THE BIGGEST MARCHING BAND AND BAND COMPETITION PROBABLY IN THE COUNTRY, BUT DEFINITELY IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
POPULATION OF SOUTHAMPTON HAS 18,021.
THE POPULATION OF THE CITY OF FRANKLIN IS 8,221.
SIZE OF FRANKLIN IS 8.3 MILES.
THE SIZE OF SOUTHAMPTON IS 602 MILES.
>> SIX HUNDRED AND FIVE, A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.
THE REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY IS APPROXIMATELY $71 MILLION.
THE REVENUE FOR FRANKLIN IS APPROXIMATELY $26 MILLION AND GRANTS, AGAIN, IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR MOST OF THE REVENUE TO PAY FOR THIS EVENT OF JUNETEENTH.
THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FRANKLIN FOR JUNETEENTH IS $15,000 AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT REQUESTED FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY FOR JUNETEENTH WOULD BE $15,000.
THE JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION, VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS, IS A FIVE-YEAR PLAN DESIGNED TO GET BIGGER EACH YEAR.
WHEN WE'RE THROUGH JUNETEENTH WILL BE TO FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON, WHAT NEW ORLEANS IS TO MARDI GRAS.
IN OUR LIFETIME, HOW MANY MORE FEDERAL HOLIDAY'S WILL WE SEE CREATED THAT WE ARE SO POISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.
JUNETEENTH IS A GIFT HORSE FOR OUR CITY AND COUNTY.
THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT CAN TRANSLATE INTO MILLIONS OVER YEARS TO COME.
TOGETHER WE CAN, AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT, THE ONLY THING THE COUNTY HAS AS MUCH AS AGRICULTURE IN HISTORY.
IF YOU CAN GROW SOYBEANS, CORN, PEANUTS, AND ENERGY FOR DOMINION FROM YOUR SOIL, YOU CAN GROW REVENUE AND TOURISM FROM YOUR HISTORY.
THE CITY OF FRANKLIN HAS DECIDED TO TAKE A CHANCE TO CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING.
INSTEAD OF ALLOWING ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO PASS THROUGH OUR HANDS, LEAVING OUR CITIZENS WITHOUT VISION.
THE COUNTY OF SOUTHAMPTON HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROFIT FROM ITS HISTORY AND A MUCH MORE HUMANE METHOD OF CELEBRATING NAT TURNER AS A FREEDOM FIGHTER FOR EMANCIPATION WITH TOURISTS.
[02:15:03]
AMUN-RA IS DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION OF ALL AMERICANS, THE GREATNESS OF OUR NATION BY TEACHING THE TRUE FACTS ABOUT JUNETEENTH, INCREASING SELF-ESTEEM AMONG ALL AMERICANS WITH NATIONAL PRIDE.SOME OF THE PLANNED EVENTS FOR THE JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION, VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS, LARGEST MARCHING BAND AND PARADE AND BAND COMPETITION IN VIRGINIA AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WERTH LAYING CEREMONY.
WE'LL HAVE A NATIONAL RECORDING ARTISTS, A PROFESSIONAL RUNWAY FASHION SHOW, CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD IN HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, A CHOIR COMPETITION, THE BLACK HISTORY PLAYS AND POETRY, CORN HOLE COMPETITION, CELEBRITY IMPERSONATORS, AND A BLOOD TOAST.
A BLOOD TOAST IS AT THE END OF THE CELEBRATION, LIKE THEY DID IN THE FIRST JUNETEENTH.
THEY WOULD HAVE STRAWBERRY OR CHERRY DRINK TO SYMBOLIZE ALL THE BLOOD WAS SPILLED FOR ALL THE SLAVES THROUGHOUT THE HUNDREDS OF YEARS THAT WE PRACTICED SLAVERY.
FINALLY ENDING ON JUNE 19TH, JUNETEENTH WITH A FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
CREATING A NATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION OF IT ISN'T EASY.
YOU'VE GOT TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY INSTEAD OF HIDING UNDER A ROCK.
WE HAVE TO BE MORE AND WE HAVE TO BE BIGGER THAN ANY ONE AROUND US.
SHOW YOU CAN BE COMMITTED TO STAYING AROUND, ATTRACTING NATIONAL SPONSORS AND PROMOTING YOUR EVENT, LIKE IT'S BARNUM BAILY CIRCUS.
COMMIT TO A LONG HAUL OF FIVE YEARS GROWING EACH YEAR.
IN CONCLUSION, WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL A NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO BUILD REVENUE FOR BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY BASED ON FACTUAL [NOISE] UNCHALLENGED HISTORY.
THE INVESTMENT IS LESS THAN ONE AUTOMOBILE AND CAN YIELD RETURNS IN THE MILLIONS OVER YEARS TO COME.
NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY OUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RICH HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
BUT, ANOTHER STATE CAN GET THE JUMP ON US, CLAIMING TO BE THE JUNETEENTH CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
RIGHT NOW THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY IS NEW AND RIPE FOR THE TAKING.
AFTER GEORGE FLOYD PEOPLE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE ACKNOWLEDGING THE RACIAL DISPARITY THAT STILL EXIST IN OUR NATION AND ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT NAT TURNER WAS MORE FREEDOM FIGHTER.
LET'S TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE RICH HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON AND SUPPORT THE JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION.
I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY, YOU STARTED OFF BY SAYING THIS WAS GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BY BUSINESSES.
>> PREDOMINANTLY BY BUSINESSES AND OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS, WALMART, IN DIFFERENT RESPONSES.
>> IS THERE ANY REASON YOU CAN'T PULL IT OFF WITH THAT INSTEAD OF THE TAXPAYER?
>> I MENTIONED, BUT I DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES BEING FRANKLIN AND SOUTHAMPTON IS USED GRANT MONEY.
I DON'T WANT THIS WHICH ALL MONEY IS TAXED ME, FUNNY, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
BUT GRANT MONEY THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THROUGH YOUR OPERA GRANT FOR TOURISM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
BECAUSE I WANT IT TO BE AN AVENUE TO RAISE REVENUE FOR THE MUNICIPALITY.
I'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED WITH THE FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL THAT WE WANT TO EVENTUALLY STARTING NEXT YEAR, MERGE IT INTO THE COUNTY BECAUSE YOUR FAIRGROUNDS ARE LARGER AND WE WANT TO START TO BRING SOME OF THAT TOURISM ACTUALLY ENTER THE COUNTY SO THAT YOUR MERCHANTS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
YOU WILL TALKING ABOUT THE STOREFRONT PLACES.
WE HAVE ROOM TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS HOLIDAY.
IN OUR LIFETIME I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE HOLIDAYS WE WILL HAVE.
THAT WE ARE SO CLOSELY LINKED TO JUNETEENTH IS ABOUT EMANCIPATION AND OUR HEROES OR OUR FAMOUS PEOPLE WERE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR EMANCIPATION.
THEY HAPPEN TO BE THROUGH SLAVERY.
BUT THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY.
PEOPLE REMEMBER ROSWELL FOR SHIPS LAND.
TOURISM IS A LASTING LONG-TERM BUSINESS THAT WE CAN GET IN.
IF WE CAN TEACH THROUGH TOURISM, WE CAN BRING REVENUES IN.
JUNETEENTH IS THE PERFECT TIME RATHER THAN LET SOMEBODY ELSE TAKE IT FROM US.
[02:20:01]
AS I SAID, NOBODY IN THE COUNTRY HAD AS MANY FAMOUS SLAVES.EVERYBODY'S HEARD OF HARRIET TUBMAN.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, HE CAME FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTY.
SIR JOIN A TRUTH ANOTHER COUNTY.
ONLY SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, HAD THREE FAMOUS PEOPLE AT LEAST, AND I CAN COUNT FOUR THAT CAME FROM THIS COUNTY.
WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SO THAT WE CAN GENERATE REVENUE INSTEAD OF HAVING TO TAKE SO MUCH FROM US CITIZENS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
BUT AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE FOR IT IF YOU CAME ABOARD.
I WOULD PREFER IF IT CAME FROM GRANT MONEY BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT YOU TO TAX YOUR CITIZENS TO MAKE MONEY.
BUT AS I SAID ALSO, IT TAKES LESS THAN AN AUTOMOBILE.
WE WOULD LIKE SPEND A LITTLE BIT.
>> I GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT STARTING A NON-PROFIT WHICH WAS STARTED IN THIS COUNTY IN 2016; VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT, [NOISE] BUT IT HAS LEFT $152,000 RIGHT HERE WITHIN THIS AREA IN SUSSEX AND THE STATE-AT-LARGE.
VERY FEW PEOPLE EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.
WE STARTED AND FORMED A NON-PROFIT TO PROMOTE A SPORT.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS EXCEPT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE IN HERE.
ONE IS MARDI GRAS, THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT TOO WELL THIS YEAR ON A NATIONAL SCALE AND I'M NOT INTERESTED IN CONNECTING MARDI GRAS [INAUDIBLE].
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN CONNECTING A BLOOD SACRIFICE WITH IT AS WELL.
THE ONLY BLOOD SACRIFICE THAT I PARTICIPATE IN IS COMMUNION AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY RELATE TO THAT.
>> COMMUNION IS AN AWFUL THAT JESUS CHRIST MADE FOR MY SOUL.
WHEN I TAKE THE CUP, WHEN IT COMES DOWN AND THE CUP IS PASSED OR YOU TAKE THE LOAD, THAT IS YOUR ANSWER TO THAT.
THE ANSWER IS, I ACCEPT YOUR OFFER.
IN ANY WAY THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT'S OTHERWISE.
MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO GO THE NON-PROFIT, GENERATE REVENUE AND GET ON WITH IT.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.
I THINK THAT IF THIS IS GOING TO WORK, I SEE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN IT IS SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY.
THE BEST WAY FOR US TO SHOW SOME SUPPORT FOR THIS WOULD BE FOR US TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO IT.
NOW WHAT'S $15,000 OR WHATEVER? IF WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A STAKE IN IT. I SUPPORT IT.
>> HAVE YOU ALREADY APPLIED FOR THE GRANTS?
>> WE'VE APPLIED FOR GRANTS AS WELL AS WE ARE SENDING OUT SOLICITATION LETTERS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MAJOR CORPORATIONS.
>> WELL, WE'VE GOTTEN PLEDGES.
T-MOBILE WANTS TO SIGN ON WITH US, BUT IT'S A MATTER OF DONATIONS VERSUS SPONSORSHIPS AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS SET UP SPONSORSHIPS.
INSTEAD OF SAYING WE HAVE A PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER SPONSORSHIP WHICH ARE TRADITIONAL, THEY'LL SAY YOU'LL HAVE THESE BANNERS AND THESE TABLES.
WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE SPONSOR TO SEE WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO HAVE IN YOUR SPONSORSHIP SO THAT IT WORKS FOR THEM SO THAT THEY WILL RETURN FOR US NEXT YEAR? BECAUSE NEXT YEAR WE'D LIKE TO HAVE MAYBE TWO NATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST.
THESE NATIONAL RECORDING ARTISTS COST INTO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR PROGRAMS. WE ARE SOLICITING AND WE WILL BE SOLICITING THROUGHOUT.
NOW ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE WILL RAISE MONEY IS THROUGH THE VENDORS THAT WILL PARTICIPATE IN PURCHASING TABLES, THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY, I APPRECIATE MR. GILLETTE YOUR THOUGHTS.
THE REASON I SAID IN THE PRESENTATION MARDI GRAS WHATEVER WE WANT TO MAKE IT, SOME PEOPLE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH JUNETEENTH THEY LOOK AT IT AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY AND I SEE IT AND WANT TO PUSH IT AS AN AMERICAN HOLIDAY.
[02:25:01]
THEREFORE THOSE WHO WOULD BE A LITTLE SHY, THEY MIGHT LIKE THE CONCEPT OF THE PARTY.WE CHOSE NOT TO NAME THIS THE JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL BECAUSE IT'S MORE ABOUT CULTURAL CELEBRATION THAN IT IS A FESTIVAL.
BUT PEOPLE THAT WON'T LIKE THE PARTY, THE MARDI GRAS IS SOMETHING THEY THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK PARTY.
A VIRGINIA MARDI GRAS IS NOTHING LIKE THE NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS AND SINCE IT'S THAT THEIR WHOLE MARDI GRAS IN HISTORY IS BUILT AROUND LENT AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS.
GOING BACK TO THE NEW ORLEANS TRADITIONS, WE WANTED TO MAKE OUR SIMPLY A HUGE PARADE.
PEOPLE DON'T HAVE HUGE PARADES.
THAT WAS A NAME AND IT'S CERTAINLY NEGOTIABLE.
THE BLOOD TOAST; THE WINE, IS WHAT YOU CELEBRATE WITH BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND DRINKING OF THE WINE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE SCRIPTURES REFER TO.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TOAST.
IT WAS CHERRY JUICE OR STRAWBERRY.
IT GOES BACK TO 1865 TRYING TO KEEP THE ONE OF THE CULTURES AND SOMEBODY BROUGHT THAT UP.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE HOW I FELT ON THOSE THINGS AND HOPE THAT THAT WOULD SIT A LITTLE BIT BETTER WITH.
>> WHAT TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT HAS OR IS PLANNED FOR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE IN THIS PARTICULAR EVENT AND WHAT TYPE OF FUNDS MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THIS PURPOSE THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS?
>> THE MAIN THING RIGHT NOW TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK AND HONEST WITH YOU, WE WILL BE GIVING SOUTHAMPTON A LOT OF THE PROMOTION AS.
FAR AS ALL OF OUR MEDIA PROMOTION, WHEN WE SAY FRANKLIN WE'RE GOING TO SAY [NOISE] SOUTHAMPTON AS WELL.
WE'RE GOING TO BE PUT AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING TELEVISION COMMERCIALS AS WELL AS INTERNET CAMPAIGN AND EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE BRINGING ATTENTION TO SOUTHAMPTON.
NOW, WE ALSO ARE WORKING AND TRYING TO WORK WITH FSCDI.
IN FACT, YOU GUYS LIKE WE DO, WE FUND THEM.
WE'RE LIKE, THIS IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THING TO BRING TOURISTS INTO OUR COUNTY AND OUR CITY.
FSCDI, YOU GETTING FUNDING FROM THE BOTH OF US. YOU CAN HELP.
>> THAT WAS EXACTLY MY QUESTION.
WOULD IT BE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FSCDI FOLKS, AND DO THEY HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT FUNCTIONS?
>> I HAVEN'T SPOKE TO THE FSCDI BOARD YET.
I TOLD MR. HECK THAT I WAS GOING TO BE SPEAKING TO THEIR BOARD TO GET THEM ON BOARD.
WHEN I FIRST PRESENTED THIS TO THE FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL, I ASKED FOR THREE THINGS.
I ASKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT, AND FSCDI.
THOSE THREE TO WORK WITH WORTH CONJUNCTION WITH MY COMPANY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY WAS LOOKED AFTER BECAUSE THEY'RE SITTING EMPLOYEES.
THEY DON'T WORK FOR THE PRIVATE COMPANY, THEY WORK FOR THE CITY TO REPORT.
NOW, AS SUPPORTERS, YOU WOULD HAVE A STAKE.
I WOULD WELCOME ANY MEMBER OR TWO MEMBERS [NOISE] BECAUSE YOU-ALL ARE LIKE, OH, WE CAN'T HAVE TWO.
WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS FROM FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL ON THE JUNETEENTH PLANNING COMMITTEE.
I WOULD HAPPILY WELCOME TWO MEMBERS OF YOUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE ON THE PLANNING COMMITTEE SO THAT YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON.
WE MEET TWICE A MONTH BY ZOOM MEETING AND THEY ARE NEVER LONGER THAN AN HOUR.
THAT WAY YOU CAN COME BACK OR YOU CAN ASSIGN SOMEONE FROM YOUR CITY TO SIT ON A COMMITTEE THAT THEY CAN COME BACK AND GIVE YOU AN UNBIASED REPORT ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE JUNETEENTH EVENT, WHAT HAVE THEY GOTTEN TAKEN CARE, WHAT'S LEFT THEY PLAN ON DOING AND HOW YOUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT.
I CAN'T EXPRESS WHY I DON'T LIKE SELLING.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL PARTNER WITH US ON THIS EVENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 17,
[17. Southside-Emporia RAM]
SOUTHAMPTON EMPLOYEE AROUND REQUEST BY GENE BLACKBURN, THE STAMP FOR REMOTE AREA OF MEDICAL CLINIC. WELCOME.[02:30:03]
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO REPRESENT THE REMOTE AREA OF MEDICAL CLINIC.
YOU ALL HAVE SUPPORTED THAT IN THE PAST.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION OF LAST YEAR'S CLINIC.
WE SKIPPED TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF COVID AND EVERYBODY'S SAFETY.
LAST YEAR WE DID HAVE THE CLINIC.
RAHM HAD A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS BECAUSE OF COVID IN PLACE, AND ONE OF THOSE WOULD BE THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE.
THE NUMBERS YOU SAW IN THE INFORMATION I GAVE YOU, THE 157 PATIENTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SEE, THEY HAD PROJECTED NO MORE THAN 200.
WE DID HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS WHERE THE PATIENTS WAITING IN THE PARKING LOT.
THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED IN BUILDING UNTIL TIME FOR THEM TO BE SEEN.
THAT WILL ALSO BE DONE THIS YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE RESTRICTIONS LAST YEAR ON THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS, JUST BECAUSE OF THE FLOW OF PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING.
ALSO LAST YEAR, BECAUSE WE MISSED TWO YEARS IN A ROW, WE LIKE TO HAVE IT IN JUNE RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL AT THE EMPORIA HIGH SCHOOL.
WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SECURE THAT DATE LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE MISS TWO YEARS, AND ONCE THEY HAVE ANOTHER CLINIC ASKED FOR THAT DAY, WE COULDN'T GO BACK AND ASK FOR IT AGAIN UNLESS THAT CLINIC DROPPED OUT.
THEY HAD AT ONE YEAR AND THEN THEY DROPPED OUT, SO WE HAVE SECURED THE JUNE DATE AGAIN.
HAVING SAID THAT, LAST YEAR WE DID NOT HAVE VISION BECAUSE OUR BIGGEST VISION DOCTOR GROUP WHO CAME WAS OBLIGATED TO AN INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIP.
NOW THAT WE'VE GOT OUR JUNE DATE BACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE PUT IT IN THEIR PLANNINGS THAT EACH JUNE THEY WOULD TRY TO COME AND HELP US.
THEY HAVE ALREADY CONFIRMED THAT THEY WILL BE BACK WITH US, SO WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE A FULL VISION CLINIC AGAIN THIS YEAR.
OUR NUMBERS INSTEAD OF THE 157, WE HOPE TO BE BACK TO SEEING BETWEEN SIX AND 700 PATIENTS FOR THE TWO-DAY CLINIC.
THAT IS THE MEDICAL, THE DENTAL, AND THE VISION.
SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE VISION, AS A REMINDER, YOU HAVE YOUR EYE EXAM.
IF YOU NEED GLASSES, WE HAVE A ROOM THAT IS FULL OF YOUR FRAMES, YOU PICK OUT YOUR FRAME.
RAHM BRINGS THEIR MOBILE VISION UNIT WHERE THEY MAKE THE GLASSES ON SITE.
YOU LEAVE THAT DAY WITH YOUR GLASSES.
ALSO, TO REITERATE, WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR GLASSES, THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN SEEN, BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE GLASSES.
I'VE SEEN IT MYSELF. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT EXAM, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD $300, $400 OR MORE FOR A PAIR OF GLASSES.
IF YOU HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR GLASSES THAT'S LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, SO WE KNOW YOU ASKED, MOST LIKELY HAVE NOT CHANGED, YOU CAN BRING THAT PRESCRIPTION. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE EXAM AGAIN, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROCESS YOUR GLASSES AND YOU'LL GET YOUR GLASSES FREE TO GO ON THAT DAY WITH THE DENTAL, THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS THAT RAHM PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF COVID THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY WILL CONTINUE NOT JUST AFTER COVID HAS GONE, GO BACK.
THEY LIKED THE IDEA OF HAVING A LITTLE TENT THAT THE PATIENT AND THE DENTIST, AND THAT'S [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] CONSTANTLY CLEANING THE AIR AS THE PATIENT IS BEING SEEN.
I THINK IT WAS 40 DENTAL CHAIRS, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT IN THE GYM IS WHERE WE HAVE OUR DENTAL CLINIC, THAT WILL CUT US BACK TO 20.
BUT HONESTLY WE DIDN'T HAVE 40 DENTISTS COME ANYWAY.
WE HAVE HYGIENIST TO COME ALSO, BUT WE NEVER HAD MORE THAN I'D SAY 15, SO HAVING 20 IS GOOD FOR US.
WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEVERE ISSUES.
I KNOW EACH YEAR I TRIED TO REMEMBER ONE THING THAT HAS STUCK OUT WITH ME BECAUSE EVERYBODY WHO COMES, THEY'RE HELPED WHETHER THEY FIND OUT THAT WHAT THEY THINK IS WRONG WITH THEM IS NOT AND IT'S SOMETHING SIMPLE.
OR IF IT'S SOMEBODY THAT WE IMMEDIATELY SEND OVER TO THE HOSPITAL LIKE WE HAVE IN THE PAST, THAT'S IN THE BEGINNING OF HAVING A STROKE, OR THAT PERSON WHO HAS FELT A LUMP IN THEIR BREAST AND HE HAS PUT IT OFF FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS BECAUSE WE DO THE MAMMOGRAMS WITH THE HOSPITAL.
THEN THEY'VE GONE TO THE HOSPITAL AND FIND THAT THEY HAVE STAGE 2 OR 3 CANCER.
IT IS BENEFICIAL TO EVERYBODY.
BUT ONE PATIENT THAT STUCK OUT WITH ME LAST YEAR WAS SHE AND HER DAUGHTER HAD BEEN IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, BOTH SEVERELY INJURED.
[02:35:04]
IT HAD BEEN LIKE A MONTH, MOM WAS STILL ON CRUTCHES, DAUGHTER STILL HAD A NECK BRACE.BUT THEY DROVE TWO HOURS TO COME TO OUR [NOISE] CLINIC BECAUSE MOM HAD A LOT OF HEAD INJURIES.
SHE HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE TO HER MOUTH.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY INSURANCE, DIDN'T HAVE ANY WAY OF GETTING YOUR TEETH FIXED.
WE WERE ABLE TO HELP HER TAKE CARE OF THAT BEFORE INFECTION SET IN.
BEFORE SHE HAD LARGER ISSUES TO DEAL WITH THAN JUST PULLING BROKEN TEETH.
WE ALSO WILL CONTINUE OUR DENTURES.
WE'VE AFFORDABLE DENTURES IN LAWRENCEVILLE.
I DIDN'T NOTICE TO BEGIN WITH, BUT IF YOU HAVE TEETH IN YOUR MOUTH, YOU CAN COME IN.
WE HAD ONE LADY THAT CAME IN AND SHE HAD EIGHT TEETH IN HER MOUTH.
WELL, THAT DOESN'T SOUND A LOT.
BUT SHE WANTED ALL EIGHT TEETH PULLED SO SHE COULD GET DENTURES.
THE DENTIST SAID, "YOU HAVE TWO TEETH THAT NEED PULLING.
YOU HAVE SIX HEALTHY TEETH." IF THEY HAVE HEALTHY TEETH, THE DENTIST DOESN'T WANT TO PULL THEM.
WE HAD TO GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE WITH HER.
WE DON'T DO PARTIALS. WE DO FULL DENTURES, BUT IF YOU HAVE A NEED THAT WE CAN HELP YOU MEET THAT DAY, WE TRY TO REFER YOU SOMEWHERE ELSE WHERE YOU CAN GET SOME HELP.
PEOPLE WALK IN THE STREETS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I'VE SEEN TWO IN THE LAST MONTH THAT WERE THERE AND GOT DENTURES, AND ARE JUST SO HAPPY BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN GETTING TWO OR THREE TEETH PULLED EACH YEAR AS THEY GET BAD, AND THEN FINALLY THEY WERE ABLE TO COME TO THE CLINIC, GET THEM ALL PULLED AND WE PAY FOR THE DENTURES PULLING.
OUR FUNDING THIS YEAR IS APPROXIMATELY $69,000.
THE GLASSES AND EVERYTHING ARE NO COST TO US.
THE COST THAT WE HAVE A LOT ARE RAHM RINGS APPROXIMATELY 30 FOR THEIR PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE TO PAY HOTEL FOR ALL OF THEM.
WE HAVE TO FEED THE VOLUNTEERS.
IF WE'RE BACK TO OUR NORMAL NUMBERS, THIS YEAR I'M ASSUMING WILL BE 500 VOLUNTEERS A DAY.
WE HAVE TO FEED THOSE VOLUNTEERS BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER.
THAT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST COST.
WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES.
I'VE VOLUNTEERED AT A CLINIC MYSELF COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THAT'S WHAT THEY GAVE THE VOLUNTEERS WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES AND BOWL SOUP.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL TO KEEP THESE VOLUNTEERS NOT THINKING ABOUT A PAIN IN THEIR STOMACH BECAUSE THEY'RE HUNGRY.
THESE DOCTORS, NURSES, AND YOUR GENERAL VOLUNTEERS WHO COME, THEY'RE NOT PAID.
THEIR OFFICES ARE NOT PAYING FOR THEM TO COME EITHER GO INTO A MEETING, THEY VOLUNTEER BECAUSE IT'S IN THEIR HEART TO HELP PEOPLE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, FRANKLIN, OLIVER, SUSSEX, AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD.
WE HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED PEOPLE THIS YEAR, AGAIN FROM CALIFORNIA, MAIN, CONNECTICUT.
I BELIEVE ONE FROM FLORIDA IS ALREADY COMMITTED.
SOMETIMES WE'LL TAKE THEIR VACATION TIME AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DO IS THEY GO ON ONE OF THESE MISSION TRIPS.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE AFFILIATED WITH THEM BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY NEED.
[NOISE] JUST TO GIVE YOU A FEW MORE EXAMPLES OF WHAT OUR COST ARE TO MAKE UP THAT BUDGET IS WE DO HAVE TO PAY LAW ENFORCEMENT SECURITY.
WE STILL HAVE PATIENTS WHO COME AND SPEND THE NIGHT TO TRY TO BE SEEN FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING.
LAST YEAR, OUR SETUP IS ON FRIDAY.
LAST YEAR I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE SET UP AT FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON AND OUR FIRST PATIENT WAS IN THE PARKING LOT.
THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO GET A NUMBER UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
WE GIVE NUMBERS SO THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE SEEING AS YOU COME IN SO NOBODY'S BREAK AND AHEAD OF ANYBODY.
BUT SHE WAS WILLING TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT, WAIT, GET A NUMBER AT MIDNIGHT, AND HOPEFULLY WHEN OUR DOORS OPEN AT SIX O'CLOCK SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO IN.
NOW THAT TO ME IS PEOPLE IN NEED. I MIGHT HAVE A TOOTHACHE, IF I DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE I DON'T KNOW THAT I DON'T WANT TO GO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT AND WAIT TO SEE A DENTIST THE NEXT MORNING.
WE ALSO HAVE BIO-HAZARD WASTE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE LABCORP PICKUP.
THERE IS A CHARGE FOR THAT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE PEOPLE SPENDING THE NIGHT AND BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO ALL COME IN THE BUILDING AT ONE TIME, WE DO HAVE TO HAVE PORTA JOHNS OUTSIDE.
[02:40:01]
WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE JANITORIAL SERVICES AT THE SCHOOL.THE SCHOOL DOES NOT CHARGE US ANYTHING, BUT WE DO HAVE TO PAY THEIR JANITORIAL SERVICES.
WE DO OFFER PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PEOPLE.
IF THE DOCTOR SAYS IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT NARCOTIC, WE DO NOT PAY FOR NARCOTICS.
BUT IF THEY NEED WHAT I CONSIDER A REGULAR PRESCRIPTION, WE DO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH WALMART AND EMPORIUM THAT WE PAID FOR THE PRESCRIPTION FOR THAT PERSON.
BECAUSE THE WORST THING TO ME YOU CAN DO IS BE SEEN BY A DOCTOR AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE AND THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED, BYE BYE.
IF YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION, WE WANT YOU TO LEAVE THERE WITH THAT PRESCRIPTION AND IT DEPENDS ON WHAT IT IS THAT THE DOCTOR HAS DIAGNOSED YOU WELL.
IF WE FEEL YOU NEED A THREE-MONTH SUPPLY BEFORE YOU CAN GET SOME ADDITIONAL HELP FOR WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS WELL.
WALMART DOES GIVE US AT ACROSS THE BOARD MEDICARE RATE, SO WE DO GET A BREAK ON PRESCRIPTIONS.
DENTURES, LIKE I SAID, WE WORK WITH AFFORDABLE DENTURES IN LAWRENCEVILLE.
THE PATIENT HAS SEEN THEY'LL HAVE THEIR TEETH PULLED AND THEN THEY MAKE THE APPOINTMENT WITH AFFORDABLE DENTURES AND THEN AFFORDABLE DENTURE SENDS US THE BILL AND THEN WE PAY FOR THE DENTURES.
I DID PULL UP THE 2022 COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING.
AS FAR AS WHERE SOUTHAMPTON STANDS, AND THIS IS 133 RANK COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA.
OUT OF 133, SOUTHAMPTON RANKS AT 76.
I THOUGHT IT INTERESTING TOO THAT WE THINK 76, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
EMPORIA OUT OF 133, RANKED 132, SO THERE'S DEFINITE ISSUES THERE.
THE OTHER NEIGHBORING AREAS THAT WE TARGET SUSSEX RATED 114.
THIS IS NOT A TARGET AREA, BUT YOU SEE WHO IS 132 BUT WHO'S 133, SO I HAD TO LOOK.
PETERSBURG CITY IS ACTUALLY 133.
EMPORIA CITY, LIKE I SAID, 132.
WE GET A LOT OF PATIENTS FROM BRUNSWICK.
WHAT WE'VE DONE IS, SINCE THINGS HAVE INCREASED, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN GRACIOUS AND SUPPORTED US WITH $1,000 EACH CLINIC THAT WE'VE HAD, AND WE'VE ASKED FOR YOU TO CONSIDER INCREASING THAT TO 2,000 JUST BECAUSE OF OUR INCREASE IN COSTS.
WE'VE HAD A STRUGGLE EACH YEAR MEETING OUR BUDGET BECAUSE WE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO ASK PEOPLE FOR A LOT, AND I KNOW 1,000 OR 2,000 AS FAR AS YOUR BUDGET IS NOT MUCH.
BUT AS FAR AS ME ASKING YOU FOR THAT, I KNOW WHAT YOU ALL ARE DEALING WITH, WITH THE COUNTY ISSUES AND I DIDN'T WANT TO COME IN HERE AND ASK YOU FOR A LOT OF MONEY AND THEN YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS LIKE THE COURTHOUSE AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO DEAL WITH.
OUR REQUEST IS IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER GIVING US $2,000 FOR THIS CLINIC, IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO MORE, THAT WOULD BE NICE TO, BUT 2,000, WOULD HELP US MEET OUR BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR.
IF ANY OF YOU BOARD MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO COME, I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEBODY TO SEE IN ACTION, AND NOT JUST HERE WHAT WE DO.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT ON SATURDAY WOULD BE THE BUSIER DAY.
THE DATES ARE THE 24TH AND 25TH OF JUNE.
IF YOU'LL LET ME KNOW, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE PARKING ATTENDANTS LET YOU IN AND DON'T TRY TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER TO BE SEEN.
THEN WE CAN ARRANGE FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE YOUR AROUND TO EACH OF THE CLINICS AND LET'S JUST SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON AND HOW THE PATIENTS ARE DOING.
>> DIDN'T WE BUDGET FOR THIS? WASN'T THIS IN OUR BUDGET?
>> IT'S NOT. SHE HAS BEEN ASKING EACH YEAR SINCE THEY STARTED UP, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY PUT IT IN THERE EACH YEAR AS OPPOSED TO HER COMING TO ASK FOR MONEY.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> QUESTIONS. WHEN THEY DO THE FOOD BANK ON THE FOUR TUESDAYS, DO THEY GIVE OUT INFORMATION ABOUT RAM OR STUFF? DO YOU KNOW?
[02:45:02]
>> I USED TO MAKE A FLYER AND GIVE OUT.
WE JUST GOT THE FLYER BECAUSE ANYTHING WE BUILD, WE CANNOT REALLY DO IT LOCALLY.
IT HAS TO GO TO RAM FOR APPROVAL AND THEY JUST APPROVED IT AND SEND US A COPY OF IT BEFORE I SENT YOU ALL THE LATERAL REQUESTS SO I CAN MAKE COPIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE GIVEN OUT WITH TAGS.
LET ME KNOW THE DATE AND I'LL COME UP THERE.
I'VE WRITTEN ON THIS AND I'LL SEND YOU A FLYER FOR YOU TO KEEP.
LIKE I SAID, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE FOOD BANK GETS [INAUDIBLE].
>> I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THIS BEING DONE.
FOR ALL THAT YOU DO I THINK THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SHOULD GIVE AT LEAST $2,000 TOWARD THIS. I MAKE THE MOTION.
>> I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT [INAUDIBLE]
[18. Franklin-Southampton Economic Development, Inc. Updated]
WE HAVE CARL HECK, PRESIDENT CL FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON.>> I'M GLAD TO HEAR HER PRESENTATION.
IT'S LIKE I HAVE A BROKEN TOOTH MYSELF HAS TAKEN THREE MONTHS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, SO IF THE BAN WAS OUT FRONT, I PROBABLY WOULD WAIT TO GET A CALL IF I COULD GET IT RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN AND EVERYONE FOR GIVING US A FEW MINUTES.
OUR BIGGEST THING RIGHT NOW GOING ON [NOISE] THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IS THAT OUR STARTUP PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING.
WE'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR OUR AWARD-WINNING STARTUP FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS BUSINESS PLANNING ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS PRIZE MONEY FOR BUSINESSES.
THE LAST TIME WE RAN THE PROGRAM IN THE FALL OF 2021, WE STARTED WITH 32 PEOPLE, 10 MADE TO PITCH NIGHT AND FOUR BUSINESSES WERE OPENED AS A RESULT OF THAT PROGRAM.
WE HAVE 11 SIGNED UP SO FAR AND WE'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS STILL MARCH 10TH.
IF THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING A BUSINESS AND BEING PART OF THE STARTUP PROGRAM, WE'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS THE FIRST CLASS, IS ON MARCH 29TH, AND THEY WILL BE FOR SEVEN WEDNESDAYS AT THE MAIN EVENT, IN FRANKLIN, TAUGHT BY CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROFESSORS.
AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, ASHLEY COVINGTON IS LEAVING US, SO WE'RE HIRING HER REPLACEMENT.
THAT'S ALSO OUT IN THE STREET, SO OUR MARKETING EXISTING BUSINESS MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY.
IF ANYBODY OUT THERE THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THAT WE ARE MOVING AHEAD.
WE'RE GOING TO MISS ASHLEY A GREAT DEAL.
SHE'S DONE A LOT WITH ALL OF US. SHE'S GOT A JOB AT BRONCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AS THE MARKETING AND TRAINING COORDINATOR, SO SHE'LL STILL BE IN THE COMMUNITY.
[NOISE] THAT'S GOING ON AS WELL.
WE ARE HOSTING BREWING UP BUSINESS WITH THE CHAMBER AND THE HAMPTON WORKFORCE COUNCIL ON FRIDAY.
THE WORKFORCE COUNCIL APPROACHED US, JUST TALK ABOUT BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE ISSUES SO WE WANTED TO OPEN IT UP TO BUSINESSES, SO IF THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE, YOU ALL ARE INVITED TO COME SEE THE EVENT AND TALK TO PEOPLE EVERY PRESENTATION FROM THE WORKFORCE FOLKS AS WELL AS WE'RE TRYING TO CONNECT THEM TO LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
I'LL MENTION BROADBAND HERE TOO.
I WILL BE TAKING ASHLEY'S PLACED ON THE BODY CALLS AND THE BROADBAND UNTIL WE HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE IN.
THEY ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH OUR WHITE CHARTER WILL BE HERE ON APRIL WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING TO GET THE SOUTHAMPTON SOMETIME IN THE SUMMER.
AT LEAST THAT'S THE CURRENT GUIDELINES.
THEY ARE WORKING THEIR WAY FROM WINSOR AND WILL BECOMING WEST.
THERE IS A MAP THAT SHOWS HAMPTON ROADS PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION SITE THAT SHOWS WHERE THEY ARE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHIN A WEEK OR SO OF HOW THEY ACTUALLY ARE, BUT THAT IS COMING ALONG. RELATED TO WHAT YOU JUST HEARD, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OLD DOMINION PROJECT THAT CITY OF FRANKLIN HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH.
THEY'VE GOTTEN A GRANT OF FOUR MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES IN FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SITES AND LOCATIONS AND A PLACE TO SET UP THEIR OPERATIONS.
THEY ARE GOING TO BE STARTING IN LATE APRIL,
[02:50:01]
AND THEY SHOULD BE SERVING THE COMMUNITY THREE TIMES A WEEK AT LOCATIONS THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON.IF ANYBODY HAS ANY COUNTY LOCATIONS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE THEM TO LOOK AT, SEND THEM OUR WAY BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AS PLACES THAT THEY COULD LINK WITH SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICES THAT WE HEARD ABOUT TONIGHT TOO.
THEIR PLANNING IT TO BE A PERMANENT OPERATION, THEY HAVE FUNDING FOR FOUR YEARS.
THEY WON'T BE TAKING INSURANCE IS AT FIRST, IT'LL BE ALL A FREE SERVICE AND THEN AS TIME GOES ON, THEY'LL START TAKING INSURANCES AND RAISING MONEY FROM OTHER FIRMS. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS THAT'S BEEN AVAILABLE THROUGH COVID THAT THEY'RE BRINGING TO OUR COMMUNITIES ALLY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS.
THEY'LL HAVE SOME DENTAL, THEY'LL HAVE OTHER MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL AND THIS CUSTOM 40 FOOT VEHICLE THAT THEY HAVE.
I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY SEEN IT YET.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IT.
THEY SAID IT'LL BE AVAILABLE ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
OBVIOUSLY, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH BUSINESS RETENTION, EXPANSION AND OUR PLAN TO HAVE SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT FAIRLY SOON, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
>> OF THOSE FOUR THAT SUCCEEDED AND OPENED THE BUSINESS, ARE THEY ALL STILL IN BUSINESS?
>> THEY'RE ALL STILL IN BUSINESS.
WE HAD 10 BUSINESSES IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR ROUNDS THAT WERE FUNDED IN THE PITCH COMPETITION, ALL OF THOSE ARE IN BUSINESS LIKE RETROFLEX OUT IN PORTLAND, THEN FARM FED AND STUDIO SO CALLED, STARTED IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
GRACEVILLE BAKER IS SIMPLY PREPARED IN FRANKLIN WERE THE FOUR AND THE LAST ROUND.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO PROJECT UPDATES.
[19. Project Updates]
[NOISE]>> YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, JUST SOME VERY QUICK UPDATES ON A FEW PROJECTS HERE, THE COURTHOUSE RENOVATION THAT'S TICKING ALONG.
THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, INCLUDING CHANGE ORDERS WORTH $22,021,483.74.
I DO HAVE THE LATEST PAY APPLICATION.
WE PROCESSED THE CONTRACTORS' FIRST 15 PAY [NOISE] APPLICATIONS AND PAID THEM A LITTLE OVER 10 MILLION UP TO THIS POINT.
THE FINAL COMPLETION DATE IS STILL SLATED AT THIS TIME FOR JANUARY OF '24.
HOPEFULLY, BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, YOU WILL HAVE A COMPLETED COURTHOUSE.
[NOISE] INSURRECTION TRAIL PROJECT, WE'RE WORKING AGAIN WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND SURPLUS SEE COMMUNICATIONS.
14 OF THE 19 SIGNS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND AS YOU'RE AWARE, THE FIVE REMAINING SIGNS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE END OF THE COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT BY HEARTLAND.
THE [NOISE] HOUSING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WE'RE WORKING ON 23-200 AND 22-42 THOMASON ROAD.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS PUT TOGETHER THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT EASEMENT DOCUMENTS.
WE'RE MOVING FORWARD ON THAT AND TRYING TO WORK TO OBTAIN THE EASEMENTS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE'RE STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALL LOCALITIES FOR THESE [NOISE] TYPE OF PROJECTS, GETTING CONTRACTORS TO BID ON THIS TYPE OF WORK.
THAT CONTINUES TO BE A STRUGGLE, BUT [INAUDIBLE] BEST POSSIBLE.
THE BROADBAND PROJECT, MISS UPDIKE ASKED THAT I MENTION THIS TONIGHT.
AS CARL MENTIONED, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ALAWITE AND SUFFOLK ON THIS PROJECT USING OUR APRA FUNDS.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE DID HAVE A MEETING IN RICHMOND AT THE DACD OFFICES ON JANUARY 25TH TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT AND PERMITTING ISSUES BETWEEN CHARTER SPECTRUM AND COMMUNITY AND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE.
THE PURPOSE WAS FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED TO DISCUSS HOW EVERYBODY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO HOPEFULLY COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIMELINE AND BUDGET.
AGAIN, THE CRITICAL PATH OF ACTIVITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS PROJECT BASICALLY INVOLVES THE PERMITTING PROCESSES BETWEEN COMMUNITY ELECTRIC AND CHARTER.
THE TWO PARTIES RIGHT NOW ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THOSE PERMITTING ISSUES SINCE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE INVOLVED DIRECTLY WITH THESE PERMITTING ISSUES.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH SOME OF THESE PERMITTING ISSUES.
WE'VE SEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS BACK-AND-FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO SINCE THAT MEETING AND LIKE CARL SAID THAT ERIC COLLIN'S WITH CHARTER, HE'S THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS [INAUDIBLE].
[02:55:01]
HE'LL BE AT OUR APRIL MEETING TO HOPEFULLY PROVIDE YOU SOME MORE UPDATES ON THAT PROJECT AND ANSWER ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ON THAT AND HOW THAT'S WORKING AND MOVING FORWARD.HOPEFULLY, WE'LL MOVE THEM FORWARD ON THAT PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HAVE SOME BETTER NEWS IN APRIL. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS? WE'RE MOVING TO NUMBER 20,
[20. School System Disciplinary Policy]
SCHOOL SYSTEM DISCIPLINARY POLICY.WE HAD A NUMBER OF CALLS FROM CONCERNED PARENTS ABOUT THE VIOLENCE GOING ON IN SCHOOL.
I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN FIVE VIDEOS OF FIGHTS, PIVOTING A GANG FIGHT, AND WAITING FOR THE BUSES, A TEACHER KNOCKED INTO A DESK AND ON THE FLOOR, AND THEY SAW ANOTHER ONE THIS AFTERNOON.
THESE PEOPLE ASKED ME TO BRING THAT UP AND TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT THE POLICY OF THE SCHOOLS ARE.
I THINK THIS BOARD IS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
>> I GOT A REPORT OF A CHILD WITH A BROKEN LEG. I DON'T KNOW.
>> I CAN SPEAK PERSONALLY FOR THE POLICY OF A PARENT OF CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE SPECIFICS OF IT OR THAT IF ANYBODY LAYS A HAND ON MY CHILD, THEN IN ONE OF THE THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT POLICY IS GOING TO BE THAT THIS CAN BE HANDLED BY ME.
IT'S GOING TO BE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY AND IT'LL BE HANDLED SWIFTLY AND I WON'T BE DEPENDENT UPON THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
[BACKGROUND] I'VE WATCHED THE VIDEOS, THEY'RE DEPLORABLE AND NOBODY IS GOING TO LAY A HAND ON MY CHILD AND EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH IT ANYWHERE.
MOST CERTAINLY NOT WHERE THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BE SAFE AND SECURE AND BEING PROVIDED AN EDUCATION.
>> WE HAD A SPEAKER EARLIER COMPLAINING ABOUT HER GRANDSON BEING BULLIED.
>> THE THING THAT DISAPPOINTS ME, AND I'M GOING TO BE QUITE HONEST, [NOISE] IS THAT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THIS UNTIL SOCIAL PRESSURE WAS BROUGHT ON BY SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOME OF US TALKING TO THE SCHOOL PEOPLE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS GOING ON AND GOING ON AND GOING ON AND NOBODY WAS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL SOCIALLY IT STARTED SHOWING UP ON FACEBOOK, SOCIAL MEDIA GOT A HOLD OF IT, A BUNCH OF US STARTED GETTING CALLS ABOUT IT, SAW ALL THE VIDEOS.
I THINK THE PARENTS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND ALSO TAXPAYERS NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEIR DISCIPLINARY POLICY IS AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING ABOUT IT.
>> I KNOW HOW DISCIPLINE IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION RIGHT NOW.
[NOISE] I BELIEVE THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TRYING TO WORK WITH IT.
BUT IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL OF THAT, SOMETIMES PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS ARE EXACERBATED BY SOCIAL MEDIA.
BECAUSE I'M AWARE OF SITUATIONS WHERE FIGHTS WERE PLANNED, [NOISE] THE PERSON WITH THE CAMERA'S ALREADY CHOSEN, AND THAT FIGHT STARTS OUT AS A FAKE BEING FILMED.
WHETHER IT'S FAKE OR NOT, IF THERE'S A FIGHT GOING DOWN A HALL, GUESS WHERE EVERYBODY'S COMING? RIGHT TO THAT FIGHT.
I'M NOT TRYING TO JUSTIFY ANYTHING, BUT I AM SAYING THAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT BE OF HELP.
IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN HELP THIS, I THINK WE CERTAINLY NEED TO.
>> WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST THAT WE DO? [NOISE]
>> WELL, I SUGGEST WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND CONSIDER EVERY POSSIBILITY.
NOT EVERY SITUATION THAT [OVERLAPPING] FIGHT AT SCHOOL.
>> HOW CAN WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING IF YOU'RE TUNED OUT? YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, PARENTS TRY TO GO DOWN THERE AND THEY GET STONEWALL.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WHEN I SAY LOOK AT EVERYTHING, I MEAN LOOK AT IT WITH AN OPEN MIND.
[03:00:01]
LET'S EXAMINE OURSELVES.WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE OF ASSISTANCE? AS I SAID, I DON'T OFFER ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR LACK OF TRYING, BUT THE TEACHERS THAT I KNOW AND THE ADMINISTRATOR THAT I KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN DOING THE BEST THEY KNOW HOW TO DO.
BUT IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION, AND OBVIOUSLY, NOBODY HAS A SOLUTION.
BUT A LOT OF THE PROBLEM, I THINK, CAN BEGIN AT HOME.
I THINK PARENTS NEED [NOISE] TO TEACH THEIR KIDS THAT THIS IS THE SITUATION.
TEACH OUR KIDS HOW TO AVOID THOSE SITUATIONS.
LET IT BE A SITUATION WHERE IT'S NOT A PROBLEM FOR A [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] IT'S A PROBLEM FOR EVERYBODY.
I SAY EVERYBODY HAS TO TAKE A PROPOSITION THAT I WANT TO DO WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE THE SITUATION BETTER.
I ENCOURAGE YOU, WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON, BE OPEN-MINDED.
>> WELL, [NOISE] I THINK THERE'S A SOLUTION TO IT.
THE SCHOOL HAS TO HAVE A POLICY AND FILE. NOW, I UNDERSTAND.
I DON'T KNOW IF [NOISE] APPROVED AS THE WHISTLEBLOWERS ALSO GET PUNISHED.
THE KIDS WHO FILM THESE THINGS AND BRING THEM HOME GET PUNISHED.
I PERSONALLY KNOW, IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, GIRLS THAT ARE AFRAID TO GO TO THEIR CARS UNLESS THEY GO IN PAIRS OR THREE.
WHY IS THAT HAPPENING? YOU GOT TO LOOK AT THIS. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS.
>> HONESTLY, I UNDERSTAND. THAT'S HAPPENING.
WHERE DOES THE PROBLEM BEGIN? I'M CERTAIN THAT THE SCHOOL IS NOT PROMOTING THAT.
>> WELL, THEY'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF IT.
>> AS I SAID, I CAN'T JUSTIFY.
>> I'LL COME RIGHT OUT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO GET OFF A DUFF AND START DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
RECOGNIZE THERE'S A PROBLEM AND THE LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND IT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED.
KIDS CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL AND BE AFRAID THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET INVOLVED WITH SOME VIOLENCE AND TEACHER.
>> SOUTHAMPTON, THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST ATTRITION RATE IN TEACHERS IN THIS AREA, 20 PERCENT.
THE STATE AVERAGE IS EIGHT TO NINE PERCENT.
[NOISE] TEACHERS ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE ATMOSPHERE.
>> THERE'S A BIG PROBLEM HERE AND I GUESS MAYBE THAT'S WHY 80 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY VOTED FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BUT AS A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, [NOISE] I JUST CAN'T SIT HERE AND SAY I'M OKAY.
IT'S LIKE YOU SEE A CRIME AND YOU DON'T REPORT IT, YOU'RE JUST AS BAD AS THE CRIME. EXCUSE ME.
>> SURE. WOULD YOU COME UP FRONT?
>> I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL OF THESE MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING AND YOU HEAR COMPLAINTS, ACCUSATIONS, ALL THINGS PUT FORTH AND THE PROBLEM IS SAYING, THIS PERSON SHOULD DO THAT AND THAT PERSON'S SHOULD DO THIS.
IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING, IT ALSO IS YOUR CHARGE TO OFFER WHAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU JUST CAN'T GO AND SAY THE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO DO THIS EVENT AND OTHER.
WELL, MAKE IT CLEAR, WHAT DO YOU WANT THAT SCHOOL BOARD TO DO? YOU CAN REPLACE PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AND THAT'S JUST LIKE TAKING THE TRASH OUT OF ONE BAG, PUT IT INTO ANOTHER, AND NEVER TAKEN IT TO THE DUMP.
>> THE ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IS THIS, I'M NOT AN EDUCATOR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MAKES THEM BUT I CAN TELL THOSE PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE EDUCATORS.
[03:05:05]
THEY NEED TO USE THIS THING UP HERE AND DO SOMETHING.>> IN YOUR COMMON SENSE KNOWLEDGE, WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY ARE TO DO? I MEAN, WE CAN ALL SAY THERE'S A PROBLEM.
THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT COLLECTIVELY WE HAVE ENOUGH COLLECTIVE BRAIN PROBLEMS, THAN HERE TO START OFFERING SOME SOLUTIONS.
THEN ONCE WE START OFF WITH SOME SOLUTIONS, THEN WE CAN COME TO SOME RESOLUTION ON THE THINGS THAT WE TRYING TO SOLVE.
>> BUT CONSTANTLY POINTING FINGERS AND GO BACK AND YOU WILL NEVER SOLVE THE SITUATION.
>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS [NOISE] THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD RUNS A SCHOOL.
>> THEY'VE GOT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO TELL THE SUPERINTENDENT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT AND ALSO THEY NEED TO BE OPENED WITH PARENTS.
WHEN PARENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT THINGS AND TRY TO FIND THEY GET STONEWALL.
THEY DON'T GET ANY RECALLS BACK, THEY DON'T GET ANY SATISFACTION AND THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS NO COMMUNICATION, NO TRANSPARENCY.
IF THAT OCCURS, THEN THESE PROBLEMS MAY BE SOLVED.
>> IF IT'S A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM, HAS ANYONE EVER SAT DOWN AND FACTUALLY IDENTIFIED THE SHORTFALLS IN THE COMMUNICATION?
>> THE FACTS ARE THAT WENT UP AND WHEN A PARENT APPLIES, TRIES TO GET AN AUDIENCE WITH SOMEBODY, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
>> IN A LOT OF THINGS, JUST LIKE POLICE OFFICERS CAN ATTEST TO PROBLEM RESOLUTIONS IN PEOPLE CONFRONTING EACH OTHER.
A LOT OF DEPENDS ON ALL PARTIES ATTITUDES.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN HAVE A COMPLAINT AND GO TO SOMEBODY, SAY IF I HAVE A PLANE AND I CAN COME TO YOU, I HAVE TWO ROUTES.
I CAN COME TO YOU IN A REASONABLE POSTURE AND ASK FOR SOME ADDRESS SOME AGREEMENTS.
OR I CAN COME WITH A WHOLE LOT OF ATTITUDE AND EMOTION, WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY PUT THAT COMMUNICATION CHAIN VERY FAR APART AND THAT MAY BE SUGGESTING MAYBE PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FULLY INTO WHAT'S GOING ON.
BECAUSE A LOT OF RUMOR IS BEING PASSED AROUND BUT ONLY ABOUT I WOULD SAY 65, 70 PERCENT OF IT IS FACTUAL.
>> YOU NEED TO SEE THE VIDEOS, IT WOULD BE SHOCKING. IT WILL SHOCK YOU.
>> IT COULD BE IMAGINED AND TRUST ME, I WAS RAISED UP IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND AND I CAN TRUST UNTIL YOU MOVE ON TO THE SHALLOW OF DOUBT, SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE GOING ON RIGHT NOW DON'T COMPARE AT ALL TO THE VIOLENCE AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT GO ON AS CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THE THING IT IS, WE ARE AT THE CUSP WHERE WE CAN COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS BEFORE WE FALL INTO GENERAL CHAOS.
>> YOU'RE SAYING WE OUGHT TO SETTLE FOR LESS VIOLENCE, BUT WE ALL HAVE SETTLED FOR LESS VIOLENCE.
>> NO. I'M SAYING THAT WHEN YOU ASK FOR POLICY, NO ONE HAS EVER STATED WHAT THE POLICY IS, IT'S GOT TO BE WRITTEN DOWN SO YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN LOOK AT THE POLICY AND SEE THE POLICY [OVERLAPPING].
>> HOW ABOUT IF YOU SOUND LIKE A GOOD ARBITRATOR, IF YOU WOULD CHECK ON THE [NOISE] POLICY AND FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND BRING IT BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING WE'LL PUT YOU ON THE MEETING.
REALLY, IF YOU WERE A PARENT, IF YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE POLICY IS, THE WRITTEN POLICY AND BRING IT BACK HERE, I THINK WE'D APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I WILL TRY TO DO THAT, LIKE I SAID I HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
THINGS BOARD HERE, A LOT OF ARGUMENTS FOR THIS BOARD IS NOT EVEN IN THE PROPER VENUE FOR AIRING.
IN OTHER WORDS, A LOT OF TIMES YOU GUYS ARE ACTUALLY BEING ASKED TO DO THINGS THAT'S NOT IN YOUR AUTHORITY OR YOUR JURISDICTION TO EVEN ACT ON.
OTHER THAN GOING WELL, I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, WILL LOOK FOR YOU NEXT MEETING.
>> I WILL BE HERE EVERY MEETING.
>> THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND YOU CAN LOOK AT MY HEAD AND SEE THAT I'M NOT A PARENT
[03:10:05]
I'M GRANDPARENT AND I GOT SEVEN OF THEM THAT ARE IN SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOLS AND THAT'S WHY I GET INVOLVED AND STAY INVOLVED.BUT YOU CALLED ON IT AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE SECRETARY'S NAME [INAUDIBLE].
ALWAYS SAME ONE ANSWER THE PHONE.
SHE'S THE ONE THAT GETS ME THE LITTLE ANSWERS AND STUFF, SO AND SO SUPPOSED TO CALL YOU DOCTOR SO AND SO GOING TO CALL YOU, NO CALL.
SO MY PROBLEM FINALLY GOT FIXED.
BUT NO ONE CALLED ME JUST AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I FIND THAT IT GOT FIXED FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER SO IT JUST WENT AWAY SO I GUESS I THOUGHT IT'D BE APPRECIABLE, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE OF THAT.
>> WHEN YOU MADE THE CALL AND YOU MADE IT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD OR YOU MADE TO THE SCHOOL?
>> I MADE IT TO THE SETTING OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SECRETARY.
>> IF YOU HAVING A PROBLEM AT THE SCHOOL? [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING AT THE SCHOOL.
>> DO YOU HAVE PROBLEM AT THE SCHOOL? WHY ISN'T THAT YOUR INITIAL CONVERSATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL WHERE THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS GOING TO BE INTERACTIVE, I ALWAYS SAY WHY DID YOU GO [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT THEY'RE NOT. I AGREE WITH YOU, THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD OPERATE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT OPERATES BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY CHANGE OR TO FIX THOSE THINGS, ONLY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THAT IF YOU CALL A PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL, THE PRINCIPAL CANNOT MAKE CHANGES IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
>> I'M SAYING IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE ISSUE WITH ADMINISTRATION IN CORTLAND DOING IT.
I'VE BEEN DOWN TO PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I'VE TALKED TO HIM, THAT DIDN'T WORK THE ONLY THING THAT WILL WORK IS YOU GOT TO TAKE IT OVER THEIR HEAD AND GO UP TO THEM. WHAT DID THEY CALL HIM DOWN? BUT ANYWAY, THE ADMINISTRATORS THEN IN COURT.
GENERALLY, YOU CAN'T GET A PERSON TO A DOCTOR OR WHATEVER.
YOU GET THE SECRETARY BUT THAT PERSON MUST GO TO THE ADMINISTRATOR AND GET IT DONE.
>> THE REASON WHY I ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE AS I SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO TESTIMONY OVER AND OVER I'M TRYING TO GAIN CLARITY IN MY MIND OF WHERE THE TIERS OF THE SITUATION IN A SCENE [OVERLAPPING] AND YOUR DIRECT OPPOSITE AND PEOPLE WILL GO STRAIGHT TO [INAUDIBLE] PROBLEM AND THE RANDOM WORK LIKE THAT.
>> NO, I DON'T WORK LIKE THAT BUT IN THIS CASE, IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY WAY IT WORKS.
IF YOU HAVE A GRANDCHILD, THAT GETS INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT HAS THE ISSUE YOU WILL FIND OUT BUDDY.
>>WHETHER IT IS IN THE SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TRUST ME, I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AGAIN.
I SAT DOWN WITH A FRIEND WHOMEVER, AND HAD A CONVERSATION OF COMMON SENSE IN SOLUTION [NOISE] AND STOP OR CORRECT THE SITUATION RIGHT THERE, WHERE IT'S HAPPENING.
I THINK THAT'S [NOISE] WHERE THE PROBLEM IS, EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO EVERYWHERE ELSE, BUT WHERE THE PROBLEM GOING TO GETS OFF.
YOU DON'T WORK THAT WAY NO MORE, WHY NOT?
>> THAT'S A FIT TO ME NOW THE QUESTION.
>> BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THINGS WHERE THEY PROPERLY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
>> THAT MIGHT BE THE QUESTION OR IT MIGHT BE THAT THE PERSON DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY BECAUSE WHAT'S THE SUPERINTENDENT TELLS YOU YOU CANNOT MR. GARNER, YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN THEN.
>> YOU SAYING THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL TELL A PRINCIPAL THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY [OVERLAPPING] LIGHTS IN THEIR SCHOOL?
>> NO, I DIDN'T SAY THAT. YOU CAN HEAR ME SAYING THAT [OVERLAPPING] THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY.
THAT SOON NEED TO TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS.
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SUPPOSED TO BE TELLING THE SUPERINTENDENT WHAT TO DO AND THE SUPERINTENDENT CARRIES IT OUT, THAT'S HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.
>> WHEN YOU GO TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION?
>> YOU NEVER GOT TO GET HELP FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> I'M JUST SAYING IF IN AN IDEAL SITUATION, IF THE SCHOOL BOARD TAKES THE SITUATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT,
[03:15:01]
WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? THERE IS A NEXT SUPERINTENDENT GOING TO WRITE THE SITUATION TO THE PRINCIPAL IN THE AREA OF JURISDICTION WITH I THINK THE PROBLEM WITH HAPPEN?>> [INAUDIBLE] DISCIPLINE WAS JEALOUS YOU TALKING TO EARLIER [INAUDIBLE]
>> [FOREIGN] I DON'T KNOW, HAS WORKED WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MY TWO KIDS, FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE.
EVERY YEAR, I GET A POLICY BOOK THAT I'D GO OVER WITH THEM.
SO FIRST THING, IN THEIR POLICY BOOK, IT GIVES YOU THE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS THAT WILL BE TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL IF YOU VIOLATE THIS CODE.
THE PROBLEM IS PARENTS DON'T GET INVOLVED, THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED IN HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
THAT'S WHY WE GOT SO MANY KIDS FIGHT IN SCHOOL.
THE THING IS, THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT IF THEY STARTED FIGHTING IN SCHOOL, ITS A VIOLATION OF THE SCHOOL POLICY, AS IT IS WRITTEN AND POSSIBLY HAPPEN, THEY ARE GOING TO BE EXPELLED, THERE'LL BE KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS, ETC.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. BUT CERTAINLY, THE KEY IS TO ENFORCE THAT POLICY.
YOU'VE GOT TO ENFORCE THAT POLICY, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T ENFORCE THAT POLICY, IT'S GOING TO CONTAIN WORDS WANT TO GET OUT.
WELL, IT'S NOT THAT JESUS, THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAPPEN TO MAKE YOU FOLLOW ME.
BUT THE CODE AND THE POLICY IS SET IN CONCRETE.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IF YOU FINALLY ENFORCED.
I BOTH ENFORCED AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING. YOU JUST SAID.
IF THERE'S SOMEBODY HERE WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, PLEASE SPEAK UP FOR YOU TO DO SO.
BECAUSE I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE FACTS OF THE MATTER BECAUSE WE DID GET AN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK BECAUSE I WENT TO THE ORIENTATION AT THE SCHOOL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIT GIVES US THE HANDBOOK AND IT IS THE BIBLE.
WE READ IT ALL WITH THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO INCLUDE DISCIPLINE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
BECAUSE WE WANT TO KNOW AS PARENTS AND CITIZENS, WHAT THE RULES ARE.
THIS IS THE GAME WE'RE PLAYING IS TO PLAYBOOK.
THIS IS WHAT WILL GO BY, BUT WE WON'T TO UNDERSTAND IT.
WE WON'T HAVE KIDS DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DISCIPLINE RULE CHANGED AT SOME POINT, HAS CHANGED AT SOME POINT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THIS IS THE FASHIONABLE PART THAT I DON'T KNOW.
I'M FULL DISCLOSURE DISCLAIMER.
I'VE HEARD THAT THE DISCIPLINARY POLICY MAY HAVE CHANGED AT SOME JUNCTURE.
IT HAS NOT, IT HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL.
WAS PRINTED IN THE HANDBOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS STILL THE POT.
THANK YOU. NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
THAT WAS PRINTED IN THE HANDBOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS STILL THE GOSPEL.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT. NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
WE'RE STILL PLAYING, THE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED AT HALFTIME.
THAT'S HELPFUL TO KNOW BECAUSE THE EXPECTATION WOULD BE THAT IF THE RULES ARE TO CHANGE, IF THERE'S A NEED TO CHANGE THE RULES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
SOMETIMES THAT NEED ARISES IN THE SCHOOL YEAR, MAYBE THERE'S A DISCIPLINARY PROBLEM THAT DOES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN WRITING INTO HANDBOOK INTO SCHOOL SYSTEM, READJUSTED SALES IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND AT THAT TIME, A LADDER, SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION OR REMIND OR NEWSLETTER OF SOME FORM OF CORRESPONDENCE WOULD NEED TO GO OUT AT THAT JUNCTURE, NOTIFYING THE PARENTS OF THIS CHANGE IN THE HANDBOOK, AND THAT'S A REASONABLE EXPECTATION, I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD HAVE AT THAT POINT.
>> IF THEY DON'T SET ENOUGH EXAMPLE THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
YOU GOT TO SET AN EXAMPLE, AND YOU LET KIDS GET AWAY WITH STUFF AND IN VIOLATION OF THE CODE IN THE SCHOOL POLICY AND YOU DON'T SET AN EXAMPLE. IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE.
>> WHAT IF MASTERS ONLY GET BIGGER? I MEAN, LET'S.
>> THEY DID AWAY WITH IT. [NOISE]
>> I REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD A PTA, ONE REASON FOR GETTING RID OF IT, WAS WE DIDN'T HAVE PARENTS COMING.
THE BOARD DIDN'T SAID WE CAN'T HAVE A PTA, BUT HOW CAN WE HAVE A PTA WITH NO PARENTS?
>> THAT MAY BE PART OF YOUR PROBLEM AND ONCE AGAIN, THE RATE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE OWNS SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL POLICY, THEN YOU ALREADY HAVE A PROBLEM OR RISING EVERY DAY ON THE BUS AND UNTIL THE PARENTS, JUST LIKE IN A FAMILY, MOM AND DAD GOT SOME GRIEVANCE AND WHAT THIS WAS GOING TO DO BECAUSE THE CHILD IS ONE WAY [INAUDIBLE] WITH YOUR PARENTS BEAKS THAT WE PROBABLY GOT PROBLEM.
WHEN ARE YOU COLLECT TO BE GOING FROM THE TOP AND GO AND VOTE WHEN YOU WORK OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE FINISHED.
THE PROBLEM CHILD TO SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, YOUR KIDS ARE ALIEN [LAUGHTER] SHALL WITHOUT AND YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS PEERS ARE ALIEN.
[03:20:08]
WHEN ARE YOU AT HOME, ONE, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN AND SAY, HEY, WE DON'T ALLOW THIS.WHAT THIS POLICY IS ENFORCED AT THE HOME, IT BECOMES EASIER TO COURSE POLICY AT THE SCHOOL, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE PARENTS AND THE TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER, THEN THERE'S LIKE MOMMA TOLD YOU ONE THING AND DAD ANOTHER THING.
DO HAVE MOM AND DAD ON BACK-AND-FORTH AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THEY DON'T RAISE THEIR.
>> MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, THEY DO SOLICIT PARENT-TEACHERS ORGANIZATION.
MY HAND AND I LIVE IN THE REST OF THEM.
>> WELL, I'LL TO BRING IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.
I HOPE SOME CHILD DOES NOT GET HURT.
SO IF IT KEEPS GOING ON, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME CHILD SERIOUSLY HURT.
THAT'S I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN THE VIDEOS OR NOT.
>> WHERE ARE THE VIDEOS POSTED?
>> I SAID WHERE ARE THE VIDEO POSTED? I MEAN, YOU SAID ON FACEBOOK BUT WHERE ON FACEBOOK? [NOISE].
>> IS IT HIGH SCHOOL OR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
>> HIGH AND MIDDLE. I MEAN, THERE'S A VIDEO OF A TEACHER GETTING KNOCKED DOWN INTO THE WALL FOR TRYING TO BREAK UP THE FIGHT.
VIDEO, MY SON OUT IN THE HALL FIGHTING OFF ABOUT 15 KIDS FIGHTING AND I TOLD HIM, YOU STAY OUT OF IT, YOU GO BACK INTO THE ROOM AND CLOSE THE DOOR.
I GOT A VIDEO AND SHOWED HIM HE DROVE IT BACK LIKE THIS AND GETTING ASSAULTED AND LIKE I SAID, THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE BIBLE ABOUT BEING LUKEWARM.
REMEMBER THAT? YOU TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, I GO TO SPIT YOU OUT.
SO I HAVE A FEELING, THAT THE GOVERNING BOARD HERE SHOULD NOT BE LUKEWARM.
WE SHOULD TAKE A STAND ON THAT AND JUST SAY WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> ONE THING IS THAT THEY HAVE MORE SECURITY OFFICERS IN SCHOOL.
>> THERE MIGHT BE A GOOD DAMN.
WELL AT THIS SERVE SOME PURPOSE THAT IT GETS BACK TO SCHOOL BOARD AND THEY TALK ABOUT THIS AND I'LL BE VERY HAPPY AND I THINK A LOT OF PARENTS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY WILL BE VERY HAPPY.
I'LL TAKE ONE MORE STEP WHILE UPON MY STUMP, I HAVE A CHILD AT THE SENIOR AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF SHE WASN'T A SENIOR, SHE WOULDN'T BE GOING BACK THERE NEXT YEAR. THAT'S A FACT.
>> ROMAN, DID GET PEOPLE LIKE YOU'VE INVOLVED AND I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD OUGHT TO BE SAYING OKAY, T HAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY PTAS LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ORGANIZE THEM. THAT'S WHERE IT NEEDS TO COME FROM.
>> PUT IT OUT THERE IT GETS SIMPLE, I BET YOU GET PEOPLE TO COME, BUT THEY NEED TO TAKE THAT INITIATIVE. I FEEL THEY DON'T WANT PTA.
>> THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE THEM.
>> WELL, LET'S SEE THE SCHOOL BOARD DOES SOMETHING THEN.
GET ON IT AND START ORGANIZING A PTA [NOISE].
>> [LAUGHTER] ARE WE DONE? I DON'T KNOW. [NOISE] DO WE HAVE ANY MORE BUSINESS?
>> [INAUDIBLE] WE'VE GOT A FEW QUESTION.
>> SORRY TO SAY ABOUT SCHOOL PTA [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HITTING A PTA TO FORM AT THE SCHOOL ASKING I'M I ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON THAT?
>> YEAH. GO AHEAD [INAUDIBLE].
>> I'M A RETIRED TEACHER FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PARENTS ALWAYS EMBARKED FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FROM THERE IT GETS THE MOST GONE HARD, THEY FALL OUT.
>> YOU CAN'T BLAME THE SCHOOL FOR THE PARENTS FALLING OUT, PLUS I'VE SEEN IT FOR MYSELF.
>> ARE THERE PTAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?
>> YES, THERE'RE ELEMENTARY. MOST OF THE ELEMENTARY HAVE
>> WHICH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE PTAS?
>> [INAUDIBLE] HAVE ONE UNLESS THEY DID AWAY WITH IT.
[03:25:02]
>> THAT SEEMS TO ME PART OF THE SOLUTION [NOISE].
>> THEY DON'T HAVE ANY JUNIOR HIGH OR HIGH SCHOOL?
>> I'M SAYING THAT I KNOW THEY HAVE SOLICITED FOUR PTAS BUT WHEN A CHILD GET TO MIDDLE SCHOOL THE PARENTS SORT OF JUMP OFF OR YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARENTS TO RUN THE PTAS.
>> I RECOMMEND YOU ON ALSO PTO [INAUDIBLE], [BACKGROUND] SO THAT THE PEOPLE EVOLVE IN TASKS THAT THEY COULDN'T PAY THE NATIONAL DUES FOR PTA ORGANIZATIONS.
>> THEY HAD TO PAY MONEY UP AND THERE WAS NO ONE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE INVOLVED.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE PTO IF YOU JUMP OUT YOU HAVE THEIR DUES.
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU CALL YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH I'VE DONE MANY TIMES IN THE PAST YEARS AND TRIED TO GET THAT REPRESENTATIVE TO DO SOMETHING, MANY TIMES THEY WOULD NOT EVEN RETURN MY CALL.
>> [NOISE] MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD START FOR AN INITIATIVE. WHOEVER WINS THE ELECTIONS.
>> I'D SAY YOU CAN GO AND STRAIGHT IT OUT.
IN THE LIFE THAT WE LIVE IN, YOU KNOW, FIND ALL [INAUDIBLE] OFFERED IN THE SCHOOLS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN A MAJOR CITIES.
>> IF YOU WANTS SECURITY OFFICER AND THE SCHOOL CAN'T HANDLE IT, I'M TELLING YOU THAT, AND ON TOP OF THAT, ANYTIME A KID GETS IN TROUBLE OR THOUGHT OF A FIGHTING, PUT HIM IN HANDCUFFS, THAT WILL TEACH HIM SOMETHING.
A TEACHER, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU OUT HANDCUFFS BEHIND THEIR BACK, IT'S OKAY BUT [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE]
>> BUT ONE SECURITY OFFICER IN THE SCHOOL AND THE TRENDS THAT'S GOING ON THERE, IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE THAT IN THE FUTURE FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD ALLOW HIM TO DO THAT [NOISE].
>> I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK THAT WAS CONFIDENT, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD ALLOW HIM TO DO IT, HANDCUFF HIM [BACKGROUND].
YOU GOT 95 PERCENT OF THE KIDS THAT ONE OVER THERE.
I WANT TO GET AN EDUCATION AND LEARN.
YOU GOT 5 PERCENT OF THEM MODIFY IT, DON'T WANT IT.
SO WHY IS THAT 5 PERCENT RUINING WHAT THE OTHER 95 PERCENT WANT TO DO? THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING 5 PERCENT, THAT'S TELLING YOU WHAT THE OTHER 95 PERCENT CAN'T DO.
I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOSE 20 PERCENT OF YOUR TEACHERS, YOU HAVE THE HIGHEST ATTRITION RATE IN THE AREA.
YOU LOOK IT UP. SOUTHAMPTON, RIGHT AT THE TOP, 20 PERCENT.
GINNY BEACH, 8 PERCENT, ISLE OF WIGHT, 9 OR 10 PERCENT, SAY THE AVERAGE IS 8-9 PERCENT, OR 20 PERCENT.
>> I SUPPOSE WITH THE RATE OF TURNOVER IN YOUR SCHOOLS AND I KNOW IT'S NOT PRIVATE MATTER IS ALL THAT IS ANYBODY WON OVER THE EXIT INTERVIEW [INAUDIBLE]?
>> THAT'S A GOOD RECOMMENDATION [NOISE].
>> IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT TEACHERS OR USUALLY BECAUSE IT SAYS ON ITEM A, B, C, AND D, AND YOU'D NEVER READ THEIR GRIEVANCE. THAT WAS ALL WRONG.
>> YOU LAUGHING AT THE PEOPLE AS THEY EXIT TELLING YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR SYSTEM TO WHERE BECAME SO STRIKING TO THEM THAT THEY HAD TO LEAVE OUT, AND THEN YOU'D HAVE THAT RATE INCREASING, AND INCREASING, AND INCREASING SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE, AND YOU LOOK AT IT [INAUDIBLE] BRIEFLY AND YOU GO PROBABLY FIND WAYS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF EMBARRASSMENT ALL THE TIME.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION WE ADJOURNED, BUT I'VE GOT ONE COMMENT.
I HAVE SAT IN THE LIVING ROOM OF TEACHERS THAT HAVE TOLD ME, MR. GILLETTE, IF THEY KNEW I WAS TALKING TO YOU TONIGHT, I WOULDN'T HAVE A JOB IN TWO WEEKS.
WHAT YOU JUST SUGGESTED WAS BROUGHT UP AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING I ATTENDED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THAT WAS A COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO AND EXIT INTERVIEWS AS FAR AS I KNOW, RIGHT NOW, ARE NEVER CONDUCTED IN A NEUTRAL MANNER.
I'LL PUT IT THAT WAY BECAUSE, AND I'M LIMITING MYSELF TO THE ONES THE TEACHERS THAT I'VE TALKED TO, THEY GENERALLY ARE PAID MORE WHEN THEY LEAVE, BUT THE MONEY IS NOT THE REASON THAT THEY LEAVE. IT USUALLY COST THEM MORE SIMPLY
[03:30:01]
BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION, THEY'D RATHER BE HERE.THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT I FIND OUT FOR MYSELF JUST BECAUSE I DON'T GET THAT INFORMATION ANYWHERE ELSE.
I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. BUT SOME BEEN INVITED HERE TONIGHT CAN DO THEIR OWN SURVEY AND SEE WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION THEY GET.
BUT I'VE BEEN SPECIFICALLY TOLD, IN OTHER WORDS, I KNOW OF [LAUGHTER] A REPUTABLE MEMBER OF THE COUNTY THAT WAS TOLD BY AN ADMINISTRATOR IN THE SCHOOL, YOU SAID GO TO THE PRINCIPAL OR VICE PRINCIPAL, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, AND THE STATEMENT WAS, IF I TALK I CANNOT TALK TO YOU ANYMORE. THAT'S PRETTY SAD.
>> IF THEIR STATEMENT IS BEEN GENERATED BECAUSE THE SITUATION HAS GOT TO A POINT THAT YOU MAY HAVE SOME IMPENDING LITIGATION NOW.
>> NO. NO IMPEND, JUST INFORMATIONAL AND WAS TOLD I CAN'T TALK TO YOU ANYMORE.
NOW THAT CAME FROM THE TOP-DOWN.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION LIKE THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE MIGHTY HARD TO HAVE DISCIPLINE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> I SECOND THE MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT. THANK YOU [BACKGROUND].
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.