[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING, FOLKS. WE WILL CALL THE MARCH 25,
[Call to Order]
2025 MEETING IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ORDER.WE HAVE A QUORUM TONIGHT, AND WE CAN DO BUSINESS.
I MUST SAY IT'S GOOD TO SEE SO MANY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT PARTICIPATING IN YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
YOU CAN DO IT HERE, BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT IN RICHMOND OR WASHINGTON.
FIRST ON THE AGENDA IS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> CAN WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER FOR INVOCATION? THANKS, ASH.
>> YOU VOLUNTEERED ME, DR. EDWARDS.
LET US PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU TONIGHT WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS.
WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS LOVELY DAY, OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTY, THE CITIZENS BEHIND ME WHO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE OPERATION OF THE COUNTY AND OUR LEADERS WHO SIT BEFORE US, AND WE ASK YOU TO GRANT THEM WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS.
THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.
[1. Closed Session]
WE NEED TO GO IN A CLOSED SESSION.WE WILL BE BACK IN A FEW MINUTES, I HOPE.
EVERYBODY JUST STAY, AND MR. THROWER?
>> YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WE DO NEED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES.
MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2-3711 A5 DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED, CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY OR THE EXPANSION OF A BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY'S INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
TWO IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2-3711 A8 CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU. WE NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
>> WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED SESSION.
TO GO BACK TO THE OPEN SESSION.
>> SECOND? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> WE'RE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE RESOLUTION?
>> YES, SIR. NUMBER 2, A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION BELOW, THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION MUST BE VOTED ON INDIVIDUALLY BY EACH BOARD MEMBER, VIA ROLL CALL, AND IT STATES WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENE A CLOSED 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 2.2-3712 D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD THAT SUCH CLOSED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW.
NOW, THEREFORE TO BE RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE.
ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND TWO, ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING, THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED BY THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
>> WE HAVE A VOTE. SUPERVISOR CORNWELL?
>> I SAY YES. SUPERVISOR GILLETTE?
>> UNANIMOUSLY WE ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION.
CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD IS NEXT.
[2. Citizens Comment Period]
LET'S START IN NOVEMBER OF 2013.WE SET ASIDE TIME THAT YOU CAN SPEAK.
YOU WON'T BE CENSORED AND WE JUST ASK YOU TO APPROACH THE PODIUM, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND TRY TO LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.
WE WILL OPEN THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[00:05:01]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MY NAME IS ASH CUTCHIN, AND I LIVE AT 29018 DARDEN POINT ROAD, AND I PREPARED THIS TALK FOR LAST MONTH, BUT I HAD A LAST MINUTE CONFLICT.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ IT TONIGHT.
IT MIGHT NOT BE AS APPROPRIATE AS IT WAS LAST MONTH, BUT MOST OF THE CONTENT IS.
I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A MAN NAMED RUSH DOSHI, D-O-S-H-I, ALTHOUGH HE'S NOT HERE.
DR. RUSH IS AN AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST CURRENTLY SERVING AS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SECURITY STUDIES AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE.
HE IS ALSO SENIOR FELLOW FOR CHINA AND DIRECTOR OF THE INITIATIVE ON CHINA STRATEGY AT THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN RELATIONS.
HE SERVED THE LAST WHITE HOUSE, AS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AS DIRECTOR AND LATER SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR CHINA AND TAIWAN FROM 2021 TO MARCH 2024.
NOW, BECAUSE HE WORKED FOR BIDEN, HE JUST MIGHT BE A DEMOCRAT, BUT NEVERTHELESS, HERE'S A VERY BRIEF PORTION OF 210 WORDS, IN FACT, OF HIS RECENT TESTIMONY TO THE US HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY ABOUT THE DANGERS IMPOSED BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST.
I QUOTE, DR. DOSHI, THESE NEXT FEW WORDS.
"THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY IS A NATIONALIST POLITICAL PARTY DEDICATED TO THE GOAL OF NATIONAL REJUVENATION AFTER WHAT IT PERCEIVES AS A CENTURY OF HUMILIATION AT THE HANDS OF IMPERIAL POWERS.
RELATED TO THAT OBJECTIVE, THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAS A GRAND STRATEGY TO DISPLACE THE US LED ORDER." THIS GENTLEMAN IS AN EXPERT.
"IT SEEKS TO CATCH AND SURPASS THE US TECHNOLOGICALLY TO MAKE THE WORLD DEPENDENT ON CHINA'S SUPPLY CHAINS ECONOMICALLY AND TO ACQUIRE THE CAPABILITY TO DEFEAT THE US FORCES MILITARILY AS THE WORLD'S LEADING INDUSTRIAL POWER WITH OVER 30% OF THE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING, AND THE FIRST US COMPETITOR TO SURPASS 70% OF US GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN A CENTURY.
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IS A FORMIDABLE RIVAL.
THE PRC ALSO SEEKS MILITARY BASES WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
BEIJING'S PREFERRED GLOBAL ORDER WOULD SEE IT PROJECT LEADERSHIP OVER INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SPLIT WESTERN ALLIANCES, AND ADVANCED AUTOCRATIC NORMS. IT WOULD WEAKEN THE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGES AND SEIZE THE COMMANDING HEIGHTS OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND CONTROL EVERYTHING FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO QUANTUM COMPUTING.
CHINAS WOULD FIELD A WORLD CLASS MILITARY FORCE WITH GLOBAL BASES TO DEFEND CHINA'S INTERESTS IN MOST REGIONS, AND EVEN DOMINATE DOMAINS LIKE SPACE, BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLE AND THE DEEP SEA.
THE PREVALENCE OF THIS VISION IN MANY HIGH LEVEL SPEECHES BY CHINESE OFFICIALS, INDICATES THAT CHINA'S AMBITIONS ARE NOT LIMITED TO TAIWAN OR THE INDO-PACIFIC." THAT'S THE END OF THE QUOTE FROM DR.
RUSH. NOW, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT DURING HIS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, JOE BIDEN SAID, CHINA'S NOT A RIVAL, THEY'RE OUR FRIEND.
NOW, THE NEXT FEW COMMENTS ARE MINE, AND THEY MAY NOT BE AS PERTINENT AS THEY WERE LAST MONTH.
BUT I MENTIONED TO YOU THE REMARKS OF THIS EXPERT BECAUSE UNTIL THEY SELL THE LAND, WE HAVE THE CHINESE RIGHT HERE IN OUR COUNTY, YOUR COUNTY, MY COUNTY, YOUR COUNTY, AND WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE CUTCHINS FARM NEXT TO RIVERVIEW SCHOOL ON CAMP PARKWAY, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CUTCHINS FARM, AND EVEN BEFORE THAT, KNOWN AS CECIL VON DAIRY FARM WHEN I WAS A CHILD.
NOW, I SUSPECT THAT THE SALE OF THAT PROPERTY TO A CHINESE OWNED COMPANY, SOMEWHAT OUR OFFICIALS DID NOT PERFORM ADEQUATE DUE DILIGENCE IN THAT TRANSACTION.
NOW, I WAS TOLD MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM, THAT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT WAS INVESTIGATING AND ANALYZING THE SALE OF THAT PARCEL.
NOW ABOUT 15 MONTHS HAVE GONE BY, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD ABOUT IT.
I SUSPECT THAT THE MAN WHO WAS IN THE DOD AT THAT POINT,
[00:10:02]
PROBABLY ISN'T EVEN STILL IN THE DOD BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIONS.TONIGHT, IF NECESSARY, I RESPECTFULLY, BUT URGENTLY REQUEST THAT YOU, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEMAND A NEW INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS.
IF YOU DO SO, COPY OR SEND A LETTER TO OUR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, AND COPY BOTH OUR SENATORS, CONGRESSWOMAN JEN KIGGANS, AND OUR GOVERNOR.
I ALSO NOTICED THIS MORNING AS I WAS CHANNEL SURFING, THERE WAS A HEARING OF THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE ON TELEVISION THIS MORNING.
I WATCHED ABOUT AN HOUR OF IT.
A CERTAIN SENATOR, I DON'T REMEMBER HIS NAME.
HE GAVE TULSI GABBARD, THE NEW DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, HOLY HELL, BECAUSE SHE HAD TURNED IN A REPORT LISTED CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN, AND NORTH KOREA, AS WELL AS THE MEXICAN CARTELS AS THE GREATEST THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.
HE CHEWED HER OUT BECAUSE SHE EXCLUDED CLIMATE CHANGE AS BEING ONE OF THE TOP THREATS TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING THE PUBLIC SPEAK.
>> FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION, THE CAMP PARKWAY IS BACK ON THE MARKET SO SOMETHING HAPPENED.
>> MAYBE BECAUSE I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S POSSIBLE. WHO'S NEXT? GOT PLENTY OF TIME IF YOU HAD ANY ISSUES CONCERNING THE COUNTY.
>> HOW IS EVERYBODY TONIGHT? MY NAME IS WARREN SIMMONS.
I LIVE AT 27511 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
I CAME FORTH JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT ASH SAID.
I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO SINCE THE LAST MEETING, AND THERE WAS A MAN ON THERE BEING INTERVIEWED BY NAME OF MITCH LITTLE.
HE'S A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.
HE HAD INTRODUCED INTO HIS TEXAS LEGISLATURE, A BILL CALLED PROTECT TEXAS LAND ACT.
WHAT THIS LAND ACT DID WAS, IT WAS PASSED, DENIED CHINESE THE RIGHT TO BUY REAL ESTATE IN THEIR STATE.
I LISTENED TO HIM TALK THAT THEY WERE WORKING TO GET THIS PASSED, BUT HE DID SAY THAT ARKANSAS HAD PASSED THEIR BILL OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THEIR GOVERNOR WAS GOING TO SIGN IT.
WE NEED TO PROBABLY GET OUR LEGISLATURE ON BOARD TO ACT LIKEWISE, AND MAKE IT AGAINST THE LAW TO SELL LANDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA TO THE CHINESE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LEE ROY HARDY JUNIOR.
I LIVE AT 13321 AVA ROAD, AND I'M HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THAT, WHO REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT THAT I LIVE IN THE BURLING, THAT AREA? MR. CHRIS, GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR, I'VE SEEN YOUR NAME.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE NOTTOWAY INDIAN TRIBE OF VIRGINIA, CHIEF LYNETTE LEWIS ALLSTON.
I'M ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AN ORIGINAL CHARTER MEMBER, ACTUALLY AND I CHAIR THE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE.
WE DEAL WITH FUNERARY OBJECTS, ARTIFACTS, AND REMAINS.
I'M ALSO ONE OF THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS.
WE HAVE OVER 100 MEMBERS, AND I THINK THAT MR. HART GILLETTE, A LOT OF US ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS, SIR, NOT TO CALL YOU OUT, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE.
WE'RE BASED ACTUALLY IN YOUR AREA.
ONE THING I'M GOING TO DO LATER, AGENDA ITEM 11 IS I'M GOING TO PRESENT SOME INFORMATION ON THE BEHALF OF SOME CITIZENS THAT A LOT OF THEM ARE HERE THAT HAVE GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH US TO TRY TO SHARE ABOUT THE MINERAL MINING SUBPROJECT THAT'S GOING ON WITH THE GRAY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
I THINK THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT AWARE OF.
WE SUCCESSFULLY HAVE DONE THIS TYPE OF THING IN SUSSEX COUNTY, WORKING WITH TITAN, ORONO CONCRETE, AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME INTO A REAL GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
WE ALSO HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN SUSSEX COUNTY.
[00:15:02]
WE WERE TOO LATE FOR SURREY WITH THE SOLAR, AND I COMMEND THE BOARD AND THE PLANNING PEOPLE.SOME OF THE LEGISLATION AND THINGS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE TO TRY TO SLOW THAT GROWTH DOWN, IT IS A GREAT THREAT AND WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THAT.
WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING SOME THINGS DONE TO TRY TO GET COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE DOING WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING AND THOSE OF US THAT ARE THE ORIGINAL STEWARDS AND INHABITANTS OF THE LAND.
MY FATHER WAS LEE ROY HARDY SENIOR.
HIS MOTHER WAS VIRGIN, CLAUDE HARDY, AND HER MOTHER WAS SUSANNA TURNER CLAUDE AND HER MOTHER WAS MILLY BOSEMAN WOODSON TURNER.
WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER, SHE WAS CERTIFIED TO BE A PERSON OF MIXED BLOOD, NOT NEGRO AMALATO, WHICH INDEED MADE HER A NOTTOWAY INDIAN.
SHE WAS GIVEN A PORTION OF THE RESERVATION AS AN ALLOTMENT.
THAT ALLOTMENT, ACTUALLY, MAY NOT KNOW AS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL LANDMARK AND IT'S RIGHT DOWN ON INDIAN TOWN ROAD.
I WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU DURING THIS TIME AND INTRODUCE MYSELF TO YOU SO THAT WHEN I COME BACK, YOU'LL HAVE A FRAME OF REFERENCE OF WHERE I'M COMING FROM AND WHO I'M REPRESENTING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? STILL GOT SOME TIME.
>> SHE'S STANDING UP RIGHT HERE. SHE'S COMING RIGHT NOW.
>> GOOD EVENING. MR. CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS.
ON FOREST JOHNSON, LIVE AT 21102 BETH ROAD CORTLAND.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF GRAY'S CONSTRUCTION TO PUT A BURRELL PIT OFF SMITH FERRY ROAD.
I'D LIKE TO START MY PRESENTATION AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN IN THE COMMUNITY OF SMITH FERRY ROAD, FOX RIVER ROAD, DELAWARE ROAD, FREELY EXPRESSED OUR INTEREST AGAINST ANY SANDPIT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS COMMUNITY IS SURROUNDED BY THE NOLAWAY RIVER ON THREE SIDES.
DURING A CONSTANT HEAVY RAIN, STORM OR HURRICANE, THIS AREA FLOW VERY EASILY.
BACK UP AND STANDING WATER FLOW IN EVERY LOW SPOT AND IN YARDS.
THERE IS NO DEEP TRENCH DITCHES ON EITHER SIDE OF SMITH FERRY ROAD TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THIS CONSTRUCTION WILL IMPACT THE PROPERTY VALUE, WATER QUALITY, AND CREATE NOISE POLLUTION, AIR POLLUTION, AND TRAFFIC INFRACTION.
ALSO, OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH COMPLICATION WILL BE COMPROMISED BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY IS LOCATED IN 100 YEAR FLOODING ZONE.
PUT THIS COMMUNITY UNDER CONSTANT STRESS ALL YEAR ROUND.
WHEN THESE MINES AND PITS ARE PUMPED OUT, SURFACE WATER WILL FLOW RIGHT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY, BEING THE LOWEST AREA, SINKHOLE, ROSING, SEEPING GROUNDWATER CAN CONTAMINATE WELL WATER.
THIS IS A DEVASTATING EFFECT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT TOTALLY DEPEND ON WELL FOR THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF WATER, MAKING IT NOT SUITABLE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
WE ASK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR TO CONSIDER THE WELL-BEING OF THE CITIZEN OVER THE DOLLAR PROFIT OF A COMPANY.
I HAVE A MAP THAT SHOWS THE AREA THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT CONCERNING THE FLOOD ZONE.
[00:20:01]
>> YOU KNOW THIS COMES UP NUMBER 11 ON TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING.
IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY COMMENTS ALONG THIS LINE, THEY'RE NUMBER 11 ON YOUR AGENDA, THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK.
>> LIGHT BLUE AREA UP THERE ARE 100 YEAR FLOOD ZONE, PROBABLY ROUGH THAN A 1,000 YEARS.
>> WHAT WAS YOUR NAME AGAIN, SIR?
>> FOREST JOHNSON. THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.
>> I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AGAIN.
I'D JUST LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU-ALL.
THIS IS WHAT OUR COPY WOULD BE ON. THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. LIKE I SAID, IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS SUBJECT NUMBER 11, THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS THAT YOU'RE WELCOME SPEAKER AT THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU CAN SPEAK AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? PLEASE HEAR NONE. LAST CALL? THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[3. Approval of Minutes]
THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025, ANY CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS OR CHANGES IN THOSE MINUTES?>> IS THERE A SECOND TO APPROVE THEM?
[4. VDOT Matters ]
ANYBODY HAVE ANY ROAD MATTERS IN THEIR DISTRICT?>> ON HIGHWAY 35, ABOUT TWO MILES OUT OF TOWARD BOGENS, TWO MILES FROM THE OVERPASS, THERE'S A PLACE IN THE ROAD THAT NEEDS ATTENTION.
IF SOMEONE COME BACK AND HIT IT, IT COULD, MAYBE CAUSE THEM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
IT'S ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE OF THE ROAD, ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE OVERPASS HERE AT 58.
>> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY PROBLEMS? NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS.
[5. Monthly Reports]
MR. THROWER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT?>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS.
JUST A FEW QUICK HIGHLIGHTS HERE.
AS YOU'RE ALL AWARE, AND THE PUBLIC IS, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF BUDGET SEASON.
STAFF BEEN WORKING ON THE BUDGET VERY DILIGENTLY HERE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS HERE.
JUST AS REMINDER OF YOUR FIRST BUDGET WORK SESSIONS APRIL NIGHT THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT SIX O'CLOCK.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE RADIO PROJECT WITH THE CITY OF FRANKLIN.
AS WE GO, WE HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS AS YOU KNOW, VIRTUALLY WITH OUR CONSULTANTS AND CITY AND COUNTY STAFF, AND THAT'S MOVING ALONG AS PLANNED AT THIS POINT.
PERSONNEL. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF POSITIONS OPEN AT THIS TIME THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR.
IF ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC IS INTERESTED IN APPLYING OR SEEING US ABOUT THOSE, PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
THAT'S IN OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER IS PUBLIC SERVICE WORKER 2 IN OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
BILL FARM RELATED, AS YOU KNOW WE DID GET A GRANT THROUGH VETP FOR $223,000.
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE'RE CONDUCTING ENGINEERING STUDIES NOW WITH TIMMINS GROUP.
WE DID SOLICIT BIDS TO FARM THE PROPERTY THIS PAST MONTH.
WE HAD MANY PROPOSALS FORTUNATELY, SENT IN.
THE HIGH BIDDER WAS ROSE VALLEY FARMS, LLC.
THEY SUBMITTED A BID OF 23,737, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THIS TIME ON PUTTING A LEASE TOGETHER FOR ROSE VALLEY BETWEEN ROSE VALLEY AND THE IDA TO LEASE THAT PROPERTY.
WE'RE WORKING WITH A PROSPECTIVE BUYER FOR THE BILL FARM PROPERTY AT THIS TIME.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE FAIR BOARD ON THAT, SINCE LAST FALL.
AGAIN, THAT REBUILT BETWEEN THE FAIR BOARD, OUR INSURANCE CARRIER, AND COUNTY STAFF.
THEY FINISHED PRETTY MUCH MOST OF THE FOOD COURT BUILDING, AS YOU CAN SEE IN YOUR REPORT.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ON SHAPE TO HAVE A GOOD COUNTY FAIR THIS AUGUST, AND WE'RE ON TRACK FOR THAT.
I KNOW ALL TALKED ABOUT THAT AT THE LAST MEETING.
[00:25:02]
WE'VE ACTUALLY HELD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WITH THE SITE ATTENDANTS THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.WE GOT SOME GOOD INPUT FROM THE WORKERS.
I GOT TO MEET A LOT OF THEM, AND I'LL BE BRINGING SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THAT IN FUTURE MEETINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE REQUESTED IN THE FUTURE.
LET'S SEE. I THINK I MENTIONED THIS ONCE OR TWICE BEFORE, WE DID GET A GRANT FOR VOTING MACHINES.
THE VOTER REGISTRAR AND I, LYNN BURGES, WENT TO THE AHA COMMITTEE OVER AT CHESAPEAKE AND SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED FOR 40,000 THE FIRST TIME, AND GOT ANOTHER 14,000 THE SECOND TIME.
I APPRECIATE LYNN AND THE ELECTORAL BOARD'S EFFORTS ON THAT.
ERIC, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND I TALK ALMOST DAILY, AND YOU CAN SEE A LIST OF SOME OF THE MEETINGS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH LAST MONTH. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? WE'LL MOVE ON DOWN THE LIST THEN. FINANCIAL REPORT.
>> YES, SIR. YOU HAVE A REPORT IN YOUR PACKET COMPARING FEBRUARY OF 2024 WITH FEBRUARY OF 2025.
IT SHOWS FEBRUARY OF 2024, TOTAL REVENUES WERE COLLECTED IN THE PERCENTAGE OF 85.17% YEAR TO DATE IN FEBRUARY OF 2025, WE HAVE COLLECTED 1.4% OF ALL THE REVENUE FOR THE YEAR.
AS FAR AS THE EXPENDITURES GO, WE ARE IN LINE WITH PRIOR YEARS, WELL, ACTUALLY MAYBE A LITTLE LESS.
IN FEBRUARY OF 2024, WE HAD SPENT 70.4% OF OUR MONEY, AND AS OF FEBRUARY, 2025, WE HAVE SPENT 64.81% OF OUR BUDGETED MONEY.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, MS. LOWE? WE ON DOWN THERE.
TREASURER'S REPORT. JUDGE WORKS, WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR COLLECTION PERCENTAGES.
REAL ESTATE FEBRUARY, WE WENT 99.56%.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $764,311.91.
IN FEBRUARY, WE WE AT 95.41% COLLECTED.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY OF $2,477,400.52.
A SOLID WASTE. IN FEBRUARY, OUR COLLECTION RATE WAS 82.53%.
WE HAVE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $632,292.56.
>> IT'S BETTER IN PREVIOUS YEARS, ISN'T IT?
>> IT IS. ANY QUESTIONS, MS. EDWARDS? THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO RUN DOWN TO THE ADDRESS THE LIST.
IF I CALL YOUR NAME, YOU JUMP IN.
ANIMAL CONTROL, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, BEAUTY DEVELOPMENT, BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY, SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES? WE'LL MOVE ON NUMBER 6,
[6. Financial Matters]
WHICH IS THE FINANCIAL MATTERS.DO ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE BILLS LIST? NO QUESTIONS, MS. LOWE? WE'LL MOVE ON TO B, WHICH IS THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION FOR THE SCHOOL FUND.
THIS IS A TOTAL OF $457,311.13 IN REVENUE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
WE NEED A MOTION TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> C, ON THERE IS THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION SCHOOL FUND.
ALSO $1,824,930.28 IN REVENUES FROM SA3 FUNDS.
WE NEED A MOTION TO MOVE THAT ALONG AND APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE?
[7. Appointments]
>> NUMBER 7 IS AN APPOINTMENT.
TIDEWATER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COUNCIL.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MR. CLAYTON GASKINS?
[00:30:01]
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> MR. GASKINS, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.
NUMBER 8, THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NINTH.
[8. General Assembly Legislative Session Updates - Senator Emily Jordan]
I BELIEVE WE HAVE OUR STATE SENATOR, EMILY JORDAN HERE.WELCOME. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
JUST WANTED TO BRING YOU GREETINGS FROM RICHMOND IN A SUCCESSFUL SESSION, AT LEAST SO FAR FOR MYSELF.
WE CONCLUDED WORK JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
TONIGHT, I'M JUST GOING TO GO OVER A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS IN THE BUDGET GENERICALLY THAT MIGHT BE OF IMPORTANCE TO THE COUNTY.
ALSO A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT I WAS ABLE TO WORK ON AND THEN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LAST NIGHT POSTED VETOES.
I'LL GET RIGHT INTO THAT IF THAT'S OKAY.
REALLY QUICKLY, FOR ANY MINOR ROAD REPAIRS, FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A LINE FROM THE PUBLIC, I'D RECOMMEND USING MY.V.VIRGINIA.GOV, AND THEY CAN ALSO UPLOAD PHOTOS OF POTHOLES, AND THAT'S A REALLY GREAT RESOURCE I WAS ADDED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
THE 2025 SESSION, THERE WERE 3,107 BILLS THAT WERE INTRODUCED.
AS OF MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT, THE GOVERNOR OFFERED ANY VETOES AND/OR AMENDMENTS TO THOSE BILLS AS HE SAW FIT.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL RETURN ON APRIL 2ND, AND WE WILL TAKE UP THE RECONVENE SESSION, WHICH WILL MEAN THAT WE WILL DECIDE EITHER TO SUSTAIN A VETO OR DEFEAT A VETO, AND WE WILL BE VOTING ON ANY OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT HE HAS SENT DOWN TO ANY OF THE FINALIZED BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, AND THAT'LL JUST BE A ONE DAY SESSION.
THIS YEAR, I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TOPICS.
I'LL START WITH EDUCATION FIRST.
782.4 MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR EDUCATION.
I THINK OF KEYNOTE THERE IS, 70% WILL GO BACK TO LOCAL SCHOOL DIVISIONS IN REGARD TO THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
ALSO, THERE IS $310 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE GRANTS, WHICH I KNOW ARE PROBABLY OF INTEREST FOR HERE.
A LITTLE BIT OF SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S BEEN QUITE A TOPIC BECAUSE I KNOW ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, AND WE HAVE SOME AGING BUILDINGS.
THERE WAS A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE FUNDED A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES FOR THE FAIRFAX CASINO STATEWIDE AND A FORMULA VERY SIMILAR TO SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION AND HIGHER NEED AREAS, WHICH WOULD HAVE DIRECTLY BENEFITED SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AT A HIGH RATE.
THAT BILL WAS LAID ON THE TABLE IN THE HOUSE AT THIS TIME.
I BELIEVE IT WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR.
I DID SUPPORT THAT THIS YEAR, AND I WILL AGAIN, NEXT YEAR, AS LONG AS THAT INCLUDES SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FUNDING AT A HIGH LEVEL FOR LOCALITIES LIKE SOUTHAMPTON.
I BELIEVE THAT, IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE FORWARD THINKING THE WAYS THAT WE ARE CREATIVE, AND FUNDING SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE NEED A LOT OF REVENUE PRETTY QUICKLY TO BE ABLE TO GET OURSELVES CAUGHT UP.
FOR MANY MOONS, I'M SURE YOU GUYS HAVE ALL EMPATHIZED THAT NORTHERN VIRGINIA SEEMS TO TAKE PLENTY OF THINGS FOR OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, SO I'D BE GLAD TO TAKE A COUPLE OF DOLLAR OUT OF THEIR POCKET TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS.
WITH THAT, HOPEFULLY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A ONE TIME BONUS THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A LOCAL MATCH OF $1,000 FOR SOQ FUNDED POSITIONS IN SCHOOLS, INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE IS NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED, THAT IS ONE-TIME MONEY IN THE BUDGET.
IN REGARDS TO HEALTH HEALTHCARE, HUMAN SERVICES, THERE WAS $8.7 MILLION ADDITIONALLY FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARDS TO ADD STAFF OR INCREASED CASE LOADS THAT THEY'VE BEEN SEEING, ESPECIALLY IN THE POST COVID ERA, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS GREAT.
ALSO, IT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST, THERE IS A ONE TIME FUND PUT TOGETHER THIS YEAR OF $25 MILLION FOR DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, GRANT FUNDING.
IF THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL UPGRADES OR REPLACEMENT THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE ON SMALLER PROJECTS, THAT IS A FUND THAT THE COUNTY COULD APPLY FOR IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED.
>> ALSO, WE'VE SEEN MAJOR CASE LOAD INCREASES IN SOCIAL SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE FOSTER CARE ARENA.
THERE WAS ADDITIONAL FUNDING THIS YEAR TO ENCOURAGE KINSHIP CARE, WHICH IS A DIVERSION PROGRAM.
IF CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE POSSIBLY FOR FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP CARE WILL ALLOW DIVERSION TO A NEXT-OF-KIN FAMILY MEMBER.
IT'LL PROVIDE A ONE-TIME PAYMENT ABOUT 80% OF THAT RATE.
IT'S A BILL I CARRIED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, THE KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE ACT.
IT ENDS UP SAVING TAXPAYERS, AND LONG TERM IT REALLY HELPS LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHILDREN BY SAVING THEIR NEXT OF KIN, SOMEONE THAT THEY KNOW BY BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM.
THERE'S ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR FOSTER CARE DIVERSION IN THAT PROGRAM AND ENCOURAGEMENT THIS SHARE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
IN REGARDS TO TAX POLICY, I'M SURE EVERYONE TALKED OR HEARD ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR TAX BEING CUT.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR.
[00:35:01]
BUT WHAT THOSE REVENUES WILL DO IS THIS YEAR IN VIRGINIA, THERE WILL BE A REBATE TO VIRGINIA TAXPAYERS BECAUSE IT'S THEIR MONEY FIRST, $200 GOING TO SINGLE FILERS, $400 GOING TO MARRIED FILERS IN THIS TAX YEAR.WE THOUGHT THAT TO BE A BEST USE OF RETURNING THOSE FUNDS BACK TO THE TAXPAYER WITH SOME OF THAT SURPLUS.
IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE LEGISLATION I WORKED ON, I CARRIED SENATE BILL 1275.
IT WAS A BUSINESS PAD-READY SITE BILL, AND THIS ACTUALLY WOULD BENEFIT SOME OF THE INCORPORATED TOWNS IN SOUTHAMPTON, NOT THE COUNTY ABROAD.
BUT THIS IS ABOUT GETTING MORE CREATIVE WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS THE VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP HAS A SEPARATE FUND FOR BUSINESS PAD-READY SITE DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMONWEALTH.
CURRENTLY, UNTIL JULY 1 OF THIS YEAR, A LOCALITY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE 100 CONTINUOUS ACRES OR MORE TO EVEN APPLY FOR ANY OF THAT GRANT FUNDING.
I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE FOR SOME OF OUR SMALLER LOCALITIES IN OUR INCORPORATED TOWNS, THAT WAS QUITE FAIR.
I WROTE A BILL THAT ALLOWED AN EXEMPTION FOR ANY LOCALITIES THAT ARE UNDER 35 SQUARE MILES TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THAT GRANT FUNDING WITH 25 ACRES OR MORE.
WHAT THIS REALLY IS DESIGNED TO DO IS REALLY TO HELP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SMALLER SPACES, LIKE TOWNS IN SOUTHAMPTON OR ALIVERI, OR EVEN THE CITY OF EMPORIA, THAT ARE MUCH SMALLER IN SQUARE MILEAGE.
IF THERE'S ANY EXISTING MANUFACTURING OR INFRASTRUCTURE, THIS ALLOWS A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX FOR COUNTIES TO ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING SITTING THERE, THOUGH THAT WE DO IN SOME OF THESE TOWNS, THIS WILL ALLOW FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER FOR SOME OF THAT PAD-READY GRANT SIGNED FUNDING TO BE USED FOR REPURPOSING OR RESTRUCTURING.
ALSO, I LIKE TO THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT DEVOURING AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR THOSE USES AND USING EXISTING SEWER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT BACK IN OUR TOWNS.
THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THAT INTO LAW LAST WEEK.
ALSO, $27,000,000 HAS BEEN ADDED FOR AGRICULTURAL BPMS OR BEST PRACTICE MANAGEMENT ON TOP OF THE 201 MILLION THAT IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FARMERS AND THOSE THAT HAVE AGRICULTURAL LAND ARE ABLE TO MEET THOSE OBLIGATIONS FOR BPMS, WHICH I WAS VERY EXCITED TO SEE THAT FUNDING AS WELL.
THERE IS A $2,000,000 ONE-TIME GRANT FUND FOR THIS YEAR THAT I THINK THE COUNTY MAY BE INTERESTED IN, PARTICULARLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
IT IS A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRANSPORTATION FOR ANYTHING REGARDING ECOS AND TDOS, AS WE KNOW, OFTENTIMES, OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICES AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CARAMEL HAS SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON THOSE CALLS.
THIS WILL HELP AT LEAST WITH REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION IN REGARDS TO THAT, WHICH I THINK MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO THE COUNTY CONSIDERING HOW LONG SOMETIMES THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE MAY HAVE TO TRAVEL FOR THAT.
THERE WAS ALSO AMENDMENT TO EXTEND WORKERS' COMPENSATION TO TWO YEARS FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE ANXIETY, DEPRESSIVE ORDER, AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, WHICH I WAS PLEASED TO SEE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
ALSO, THERE WAS $1,000,000 ONE-TIME GRANT FUNDING FOR DRONE REPLACEMENT FOR ANY PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATION.
THIS IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024.
OFTENTIMES DRONES HAVE BEEN MADE BY FOREIGN ENTITIES.
IT IS THE POSITION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT.
THEY DID NOT WANT TO SEE THAT.
THIS IS FOR ONE-TIME REPLACEMENT MONIES AND APPLICATION TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS ARE USING THINGS THAT ARE OF SECURE AND SAFE MANNER.
ALSO, I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH, I HEARD IT EARLIER IN PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGISLATION IN VIRGINIA IN REGARDS TO LAND BEING OWNED OR PURCHASED BY FOREIGN ENTITIES, AND I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT QUICKLY.
JULY 1ST OF 2023, THERE WAS A BILL TO BAN CERTAIN FOREIGN ADVERSARIES AS DEFINED IN THAT LEGISLATION FROM PURCHASING AGRICULTURAL BASED LAND IN THE COMMONWEALTH THAT WENT INTO EFFECT.
THAT WOULD APPLY TO CHINA, CUBA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA, RUSSIA, AND VENEZUELA, AS CURRENTLY CONSTITUTES THE FOREIGN ADVERSARIES DEFINED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON THAT QUICKLY FOR YOU ALL.
ALSO, THERE WAS A NEW OPPORTUNITY, A 6.2 MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL GRANTS FOR LOCALITIES TO APPLY FOR DIGITAL MAPPING RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
THERE'S ANY INTEREST IN ANYTHING FROM BASICALLY GIS CAPABILITY OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO THE COUNTY TO LOOK INTO FOR APPLICATION.
A LITTLE BIT OF GOOD NEWS REAL QUICK.
I CARRIED A BILL THIS YEAR IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING TO ALLOW A NEW TERMINOLOGY IN REGARDS TO BED CAPACITY, SPECIFICALLY PSYCHIATRIC EDS.
OFTENTIMES WE KNOW THAT OUR HOSPITALS ARE STRETCHED ON CAPACITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE, AND THIS WILL ALLOW FLEXIBILITY FOR THOSE ERS, TO ALLOW OTHER SPACES IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BED SPACE FLEXIBILITY,
[00:40:04]
ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO A PSYCHIATRIC CARE.THIS IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CUTTING DOWN ON THE TIME AND THE WAITING PERIOD IN REGARDS TO ECOS AND TDOS, AND THE TIME SPENT AT HOSPITALS.
THAT DID PASS THE GOVERNOR'S RAY SENT THAT I TOLD OF FOR ME. THANK YOU.
THIS YEAR, I HAVE CONTINUED TO SERVE AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE RURAL CENTER FOR VIRGINIA AT VIRGINIA TECH, WHICH IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OPPORTUNITY, AND IDEA SHARING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH SPECIFICALLY WITH RURAL LOCALITIES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE UPLIFTING OUR OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES.
I WAS HONORED TO SERVE ON THE SUB-COMMITTEE THAT HAS DEVELOPED THE RURAL OPPORTUNITY DASHBOARD THAT WE'LL DEBUT THIS SUMMER.
WHAT THAT WILL DO, WE PARTNER WITH VIRGINIA TECH AND SEVERAL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THERE TO COME UP WITH THIS DASHBOARD.
BASICALLY, IMAGINE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO MARKET SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IN THE SAME LIGHT AS A LARGER CITY, SAY VIRGINIA BEACH.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FEDERAL DATA AND STANDARDS, THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO EXACTLY LOOK THE SAME.
BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT VIRGINIA BEACH DOESN'T.
WE HAVE ACCESS, SAY TO TRANSPORTATION, RAIL ACCESS, LAND, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO, AND SOMETIMES EVEN LESS RESTRICTIONS BECAUSE OF OUR PROXIMITY AWAY FROM SAY, MAJOR WATERWAYS.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER EVERYTHING FROM THE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAPS THAT UNDERLAY ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN EACH COUNTY.
THAT WAY, IF ANYBODY IS LOOKING TO SAY, OPEN A BUSINESS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY OR ACROSS THE STATE, THEY CAN CLICK AND LOOK THROUGH ALL THE RURAL COUNTIES, WHETHER IT COULD BE MAYBE WHAT THEIR COTTON OR COTTON PRODUCTION IS, AND IT COULD BE A SUBSIDIARY AGENCY THAT'S INTERESTED IN THAT.
IT COULD BE ANYTHING THAT IS OFFERED HERE UNIQUELY AS OPPOSED TO OTHER PLACES THAT COULD BE A PARTNER ORGANIZATION, SAY TO SOMETHING IN PEANUT PRODUCTION OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE THAT MIGHT BE A SUBSIDIARY AGENCY.
THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN TAKE COUNTIES LIKE SOUTHAMPTON AND OTHERS THAT ARE RURAL IN NATURE AND ELEVATE THEM OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE ARE NARROWLY DECIDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF WHAT OUR ASSETS ARE.
THAT WILL COME ONLINE, I BELIEVE IN JUNE OF 2025 IN BETA TESTING, WHICH I'LL BE VERY EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU GUYS HERE SHORTLY.
AS ALWAYS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.
THIS WILL BE MY HOPEFULLY FIRST YEAR VISITING YOU ALL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS AT THE BOARD'S ALLOWANCE NEXT YEAR AFTER EACH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION TO PROVIDE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE.
WHEN WE GO INTO FALL AND WE'RE IN BILL FILING SESSION, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA MAY BE.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
>> I'VE GOT ONE. IN THE PAST, THERE WAS REVENUE ALLOTTED FOR COUNTIES THAT HAD DOC UNITS, PRISONS TO TAKE UP THE SLACK FROM PROPERTY TAXES, LAND, REAL ESTATE TAXES.
AS A COST-CUTTING MOVE, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE YEAR, BUT IT WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
WAS THERE ANY DISCUSSION UP THERE ABOUT TRYING TO GET SOME OF THAT BACK TO US?
>> THAT WAS NOT A DISCUSSION THIS YEAR.
WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM OF THE BUDGET SO ANYTHING YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE MOSTLY ONE-TIME FUNDING BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BUDGET.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THOUGH THAT IF THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT TO THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO NEXT YEAR, WE'RE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM BUDGET.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR SENATOR JORDAN? WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS AN EASY CROWD.
>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
[9. Public Hearing - Land Use Taxation Ordinance Amendment]
>> WE GOT FOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
LAND USE TAXATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.
NOW YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP EVERY SIX YEARS, BUT I THINK WE HAVE SOMEBODY ON THE BOOK TO TRY TO MAKE IT AUTOMATIC.
MISS KARR, OUR COMMISSIONER REVENUE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY TO THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> JUST TO GIVE EVERYBODY A BRIEF RECAP ON THAT.
THIS BASICALLY CAME AS A REQUEST FROM THE VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU.
THIS REQUEST, BASICALLY, AND THIS AMENDMENT TO THIS ORDINANCE, BASICALLY DOES AWAY WITH THE SIX-YEAR REVALIDATION REQUIREMENT, AND ALSO WOULD UP THE INITIAL FEE THAT YOU PAY TO APPLY FROM $50-100.
[00:45:05]
AS WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE LAST MEETING, THE REVALIDATION REQUIREMENT IS OPTIONAL BY STATE CODE.ISLA WHITE COUNTY DOES NOT REQUIRE PROPERTY OWNERS TO REVALIDATE.
IT ALSO SUPPORTS YOUR ADOPTED VISION AND PRIORITIES DOCUMENT.
WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
AMY CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK? LACROSSE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. IT WAS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. THROWER, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES.
I'M GARY CROSS, AND I LIVE ON MISSION CHURCH ROAD IN THE BURLING IVO DISTRICT, AND I DO STAND, OF COURSE, IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE.
I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A BIG LONG SPEECH TONIGHT, WHICH I'M GOOD AT DOING.
BUT WE FEEL AS THIS UNNECESSARY REVALIDATION HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE.
MISS KARR HAS ADMITTED THIS WOULD HELP HER WORKLOAD IN THE OFFICE A LOT.
YOU MAY WONDER WHY I'M AS INTERESTED IN IT AS I AM AND THE OTHER LANDOWNERS IN THE ROOM.
AS A FARMER, I HAVE MANY LAND OWNERS, AND MANY OF THEM ARE GETTING ALONG IN YEARS, AND THEY JUST PASSED THIS PAPERWORK OFF TO ME.
IT'S NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO DO MY OWN, I HAVE TO DO THEIRS, TOO, WHICH I DON'T MIND.
THE FSA OFFICE RIGHT NEXT DOOR IS ALSO BURDENED WITH TRAFFIC AT REVALIDATION TIME.
BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK WE NEED TO FOREGO THIS AND MAKE IT AN OPT-OUT PROGRAM.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING LAND USE FOR WHAT IT IS, AND FOR WHAT IT DOES IN THE COUNTY.
LAND USE, I COMPARE IT TO A MAINTENANCE ON YOUR VEHICLES.
YOU CAN CHOOSE NOT TO DO MAINTENANCE ON YOUR VEHICLES, GET YOUR CAR LOOKED AFTER YOUR TIRES ROTATED.
AFTER A WHILE, IT'S GOING TO BREAK DOWN ON YOU.
I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT THERE'S NO WAY FOR US TO SEE WHAT LAND USE HAS DONE FOR THIS COUNTY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD IT.
BUT HAD WE NOT HAD IT, IT'S HARD TO ENVISION WHAT MIGHT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
THAT'S WHY I COMPARE IT TO MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLES.
WE REALLY FEEL AS IF IT HAS HELPED SECURE A LOT OF FARMS IN KEMPER COUNTY AS IT IS NOW, BUT I WON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.
BUT ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I'LL BE GLAD TO TAKE THEM.
>> HEARING NONE, I THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? A PUBLIC HEARING.
IF THAT'S ALL DISCUSSION, THEN WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I THINK IT'S FARES TAX THAT EVER CAME OUT.
>> I THINK IT'S A COMMON SENSE MOVE FOR THE COUNTY AND I RECOMMEND WE ACCEPT THE SECOND ORDINANCE.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THAT'S ACCEPTED. AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.
[10. Public Hearing - Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit - Request by Christine Sullivan]
IS A REZONING CONDITION USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY CHRISTINE SULLIVAN.I'LL LET OUR PLANNER, J. RANDOLPH, GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THIS FOR US. GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
YOU DO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED THIS EVENING TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION BY CHRISTINE SULLIVAN WITH SERENITY ACRES.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE IN ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM THE CURRENT R2 RESIDENTIAL TO CONDITIONAL GENERAL INDUSTRIAL.
IT ALSO REQUESTS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 0.75 ACRES OF THE 4.78 ACRE PARCEL.
THE PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION IS FOR A MICRO PROCESSING FACILITY.
THE PARCELS ON THE WEST SIDE OF SMITH FERRY ROAD, US ROUTE 258, APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET NORTH OF THE VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE.
THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2025, YOU DO HAVE A COPY OF THE APPROVED MINUTES FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING INCLUDED IN YOUR PLANNING REPORT.
[00:50:01]
THE PLANNING COMMISSION MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ZONING CHANGE REQUEST AND TO ALSO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH THE AMENDED CONDITIONS AS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT.SHOULD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, MR. RANDOLPH.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL THEREFORE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ISSUE.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK PRO-CON OR ASK MORE QUESTIONS? WELL, THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING IS ON THE REZONING R2 RESIDENTIAL TO CONDITIONAL M2.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M VERONICA PREVOST, 23406 JERUSALEM ROAD, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA, AND I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF SERENITY ACRES.
>> I'M CHRISTINE SULLIVAN FROM 34574 SMITH FERRY ROAD IN FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA, AND I'M ALSO REPRESENTING SERENITY ACRES.
>> WE'RE JUST HERE TO TRY AND GET APPROVAL FOR A MICRO PROCESSING FACILITY THAT WILL DO WILD GAME AS WELL AS USDA.
I'M NOT GOOD AT PUBLIC SPEAKING. I GET VERY NERVOUS.
I APOLOGIZE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK.
>> YOU MIGHT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I'VE GOT ONE. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH WASTE FROM THE ANIMALS, LIKE THE TRAILS AND STUFF.
>> THE WAFFLES. WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE DOG RESCUES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN PROCESS THEM TO USE THEM, WE'RE FINDING OTHER HOMESTEADS THAT TAN HEIGHTS.
THEY CAN TAKE THAT AND PROCESS THEM AND TURN THEM INTO PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE REUSED? FAT AND LARDS CAN BE PURCHASED OR RECEIVED BY THEM AS WELL, SO THEY CAN TURN THOSE INTO SOAPS AND OTHER BYPRODUCTS.
OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE NO WASTE, SO THERE'S MINIMAL PRODUCT THAT IS BEING THROWN AWAY, AND THAT'S OUR GOAL IS SO EVERYTHING IS BEING USED.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO COMMENT DURING THE COMMENT PERIOD HERE?
>> GOOD EVENING CHAIRMAN BOARD.
I LIVE AT 29004 DARDEN POINT ROAD IN CORTLAND, VIRGINIA, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FOOD BANK.
I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE MANAGER OF THE WESTERN TIDEWATER BRANCH OF THE FOOD BANK LOCATED AT 618 SOUTH STREET IN FRANKLIN.
PROUD TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU TONIGHT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF SERENITY ACRES AND THEIR EFFORTS TO OPEN THIS MICRO-PROCESSING FACILITY.
I HAVE WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VERONICA AND CHRISTINE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.
IT'S PROBABLY MORE THAN THAT NOW.
I'VE SEEN THEIR DRIVE AND COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY MEATS IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY FOR THE WESTERN TIDEWATER AREA AND BEYOND.
THEIR METHODS ARE ABOVE REPROACH, AND THEY ARE CONSTANTLY FINDING NEW WAYS TO EXPAND THEIR OWN KNOWLEDGE, AS WELL AS THEIR SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT THEY ARE NOT DRIVEN BY FINANCIAL GAIN, WHAT THEY DO TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.
THAT WORD COMMUNITY MEANS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SHARE A SET OF COMMON VALUES.
VERONICA AND CHRISTINE SHARE THAT VALUE OF WORKING TOGETHER, SERVING OTHERS AND COMING TOGETHER AS A PEOPLE.
THAT COMMUNITY IS EMBEDDED IN EVERYTHING THEY DO.
THEY PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN TO MY FOOD BANK MARKETPLACE WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AND THEY ALWAYS ARE INFORMING AND EDUCATING PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN DONATE THEIR ANIMALS ONCE PROCESS TO OUR LOCATION.
OPENING A PATHWAY TO SMALL SCALE NON-FACTORY FARMING PROCESSING NOT ONLY PAVES THE WAY TO FEED THOUSANDS MORE OF OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT IT ALSO UTILIZES THE MEAT SO DEER POPULATIONS CAN BE CONTROLLED WITH NO FEAR OF WASTE.
IT HELPS FARMERS, AND IT PROVIDES A REVENUE STREAM FOR LOCAL PROCESSORS.
HELPING ALL OF THESE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HELPS THEM BE MORE SELF SUFFICIENT AND FOOD SECURE.
ALL OF THEIR EFFORT THAT THEY WORK ON BENEFITS THIS AREA AND MAKES US A COUNTY UNIQUE IN OUR INNOVATIVE VISION FOR STABLE FARMING, REGION, AND HEALTHY RESIDENTS.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT SERENITY ACRES WILL ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL SHARE.
I AM PROUD TO SAY, I LIVE RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND SAFE FOOD IS WHAT I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
[00:55:06]
WE SERVED OVER 200 HOUSEHOLDS TODAY BETWEEN 10 AND THREE O'CLOCK.I SEE THIS EVERY DAY, AND I SEE THE IMPACT OF BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE SERVICES THAT SERENITY ACRES PROVIDES.
IT IS ALSO AT THE HEART OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
I KNOW THEY WILL BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE RIGHTS THEY ARE ASKING FOR TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND SAFE PROCESSING SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS.
I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THEIR PAST EFFORTS TO COMPLY TO EVERY REQUEST THE COUNTY HAS ASKED OF THEM SO FAR SO THAT THEY MAY MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE FOR THE FAMILIES AND PARTNERS LIKE ME THAT THEY ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO SERVE.
BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER, AND SERENITY ACRES BEST MAKES US ALL BETTER. I THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. HOW Y'ALL DOING TODAY? MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN LEETS, 508 CALEB DRIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT SERENITY ACRES AND THEIR DRIVE TO GET THE REZONING.
WHAT I CAN SPEAK TO NOW IS MORE THAN EVER, FOOD BANKS AROUND THE STATE, AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEY'RE CHALLENGED.
TODAY, MANY OF US WOKE UP TO EMAILS OF USDA LOADS BEING CANCELED.
TODAY OVER 200,000 POUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE COME IN TO THIS PART OF THE COMMUNITY TO 4,200 SQUARE MILES OF THE AREA AROUND US, 200,000 POUNDS WAS CANCELED.
THAT HURTS. WHAT I'D ALSO SAY IS, WATCHING THE PROCESS HERE.
I CAN APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL OF THE PLANNING ZONE, EVERYBODY ASKING THEM TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PROTECT THE COUNTY.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING THAT YOU'RE DOING.
I APPRECIATE YOU PUSHING BACK AND WANTING EVERYTHING RIGHT.
BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THE SUPPORT FOR THIS PROCESSOR, AND FOR YOUR COMMUNITY IS HUGE TO FEED THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
WE KNOW THE FOOD WAS COMING HERE.
WE WANT TO BE IN SUPPORT OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND WATCH YOU LEAD THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE FEEDING PRACTICES AND FIGHTING THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE REZONING BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REZONING FROM R2 TO CM2, ADDITIONAL M2.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? IS THERE A MOTION TO GO ALONG WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A COMMENT OR TWO.
COUNTY IS VERY MUCH ASSOCIATED WITH HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY.
I'M SURE THESE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THOSE.
I DO SERVE ON THAT BOARD, AND WE STARTED A NONPROFIT IN THIS COUNTY ALONG WITH SUSSEX COUNTY, AND WE'VE INCLUDED ISLE OF WIGHT AND GREENVILLE.
SINCE 2016, THERE'S BEEN WELL OVER 1,000 DEER DONATED IN THAT TIME FRAME.
WE HAVE THE COOLERS THAT ARE TENABLE THAT CAN RUN OFF OF 110 CURRENT TO KEEP THE CARCASSES COOLED UNTIL THEY CAN GET TO.
I REALIZE THEY CAN'T TAKE ALL THAT WOULD BE DONATED THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, BUT WE CERTAINLY WON'T LET THEM FAIL FOR LACK OF PRODUCT BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE IT, AND IT WILL BE DONATED RIGHT HERE IN THIS COUNTY.
ALONG WITH THAT, OUR ORGANIZATION IS DONATED PROBABLY $80,000 TO IT IN CASH AND EQUIPMENT SINCE 2016, NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS, BUT IT GOES ON EVERY HUNTING SEASON ALL SEVEN WEEKS RIGHT HERE AS WELL AS 0460 IN SUSSEX, AND OCCASIONALLY, ILA WHITE, AND WE'VE EVEN LOANED OUT SOME EQUIPMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES TO HELP OUT WITH LANGLEY AIRPORT AND A LOT OF MILITARY FAMILIES WERE BENEFICIAL.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DONATIONS AND THEY'RE BEING PUT TO GOOD USE.
[01:00:01]
ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS PROCESSING.THAT'S WHAT'S NEEDED, AND I THANK YOU PEOPLE FOR STEPPING UP, AND THAT'S I SUPPORT THIS.
>> DO WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION TO GO ALONG WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION? DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR FOR THE REZONING, SAY AYE.
[11. Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit - Request by Mitchell B. Gray and Alex J. Gray]
>> THE SECOND PART OF IT IS A CONDITION USE PERMIT.
AS YOU KNOW, IN ALL THESE DISTRICTS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE PERMITTED, BUT THE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED, IT'S CALLED A CONDITION USE PERMIT SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT SAFE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE ARE SAFE.
MR. MANDO, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK SHORTLY ON THIS.
AS YOU NOTED, THIS IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION AS WELL.
YOU DO HAVE A COPY OF THE 10 CONDITIONS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THEY RANGE FROM THE FACILITY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH USDA STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS, NO MORE THAN FIVE EMPLOYEES, PROCESSING HOURS FROM 7:00 AM TO 7:00 PM MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
HOWEVER, WITH EXTENDED HOURS FROM 7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM DURING DEER HUNTING SEASON, WHICH IS THE SECOND WEEK IN NOVEMBER TO THE FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY.
NO PROCESSING ON SUNDAY, NO TRACTOR TRAILER DELIVERIES, SAME DAY PROCESSING OF ANIMALS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] PLAN TO FREEZE.
>> NO OVERNIGHT KEEPING OF CUSTOMERS ANIMALS, AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS ADDRESSED DURING THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS IF THERE WAS AN ANIMAL THAT HAD POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH IT, THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO QUARANTINE THAT ANIMAL.
THAT WAS PUT IN THERE TO ADDRESS THAT.
SUBMIDLE OF THE SITE PLAN TO INCLUDE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO ADDRESS THE WATER, THE A FOLES, THE WASTEWATER, SECURITY, TRANSPORTATION, THE ENTRANCE, PARKING, AND INTERNAL CIRCULATION.
ALL THE BUILDINGS, TO ME, UNIFORM STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS, ANNUAL INSPECTION BY THE COUNTY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THESE CONDITIONS, AND THAT THE INCINERATOR SIZE IS LIMITED TO 10 BY 10 FOOTPRINT WITH NO INDUSTRIAL OR PUBLIC USE.
NOSE WERE THE CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, MR. RAYA.
THANK YOU, SIR. WE'LL THEREFORE OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS CONDITION USE PERMIT.
THERE ARE 10 CONDITIONS THAT HE WROTE THAT HE WENT THROUGH, AND THESE ALL HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WITH THE BUSINESS AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND THERE.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS WITH OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING HERE? IF NOT, THEN WE'LL CLOSE THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
AS A RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE REZONING AND THE CONDITION USE PERMIT HAVE BOTH BEEN ACCEPTABLE.
YOU GUYS WELCOME TO OUR BUSINESS.
>> NUMBER 11. PUBLIC HEARING, A CONDITION USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY MICHAEL GRAY, ALEX J.
GRAY. WE'LL LET MR. RANDOLPH GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
YOU DO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED THIS EVENING TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF MITCHELL B.
GRAY. THEY ARE REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A 155 ACRE PARCEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF A BORROW PIT FOR SAND EXTRACTION.
THE AREA REQUESTED TO BE MINED IS APPROXIMATELY 65 ACRES OF THE 155 ACRE PARCEL.
THIS PARCEL IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF SMITH FERRY ROAD, US ROUTE 258, APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION WITH SMITH FERRY ROAD WHICH ROUTE 687.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2025, A COPY OF THE APPROVED MINUTES FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PLANNING REPORT.
AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER, THE PLANNING COMMISSION MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH THE AMENDED CONDITIONS AS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT.
SHOULD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE INFORMATION I'LL BE AVAILABLE.
HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE STRONG OUTPOURING AND PEOPLE WISHING TO SPEAK, YOU MAY WISH TO WITHHOLD ANY QUESTIONS TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE FOR MYSELF
[01:05:03]
UNTIL YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.>> ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL THEREFORE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS SUBJECT AND GET YOUR NEWS PERMIT.
>> IS ANY WAY YOU CAN PUT [INAUDIBLE]?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CHAIRMAN, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I'M ALEX J.
GRAY. ME AND MY BROTHER, OF COURSE, PUT IN AN APPLICATION FORCIAL USE PERMIT TOO SAND FOR OUR BUSINESS PURPOSES.
WE ARE LOCAL CORPORATION BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
YOU GUYS ALREADY KNOW MUCH OF THE BACK STORY FROM THE VIDEOS AND IN THE MINUTES FROM THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED? I'M JUST GOING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF IT DUE TO, IT IS OUR BUSINESS, AND IT IS OUR LIVELIHOOD, AS WELL AS 25 OTHER INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES THAT WORK FOR US.
I DO ASK DO YOU CONSIDER APPROVING IT AT THIS TIME? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME PERSONALLY?
>> ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, SIR.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? PUBLIC HEARING IS STILL OPEN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE BOARD.
ADDRESS, 21102 BETHEL ROAD, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
I'M HERE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO OPPOSE THE GRAY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY GETTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A BORROW PIT [NOISE] ON SMITHS FERRY ROAD.
AS I STATED THE BEFORE THE BOARD OF PLANNING LAST MONTH THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS A HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD FOR MY RACE.
WE HAD BEEN IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OVER 100 PLUS YEARS, GOING ONTO THE FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATION.
THAT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD CONSISTS OF HOMES, NEW HOMES, RENOVATED HOMES.
THERE'S NO TRAILERS, THERE'S FARM AREA, AND THERE'S A PIECE OF SERENITY IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE FEEL THAT A BORROW PIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WILL IMPACT THE LIVELIHOOD, DECREASE PROPERTY VALUE, RUN THE RISK OF WELL CONTAMINATION BECAUSE IT IS SURROUNDED BY THE NOTTOWAY RIVER ON THREE SIDES.
IN 1999, WE EXPERIENCED A TERRIBLE FLOOD.
PEOPLE HAD TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES.
THEY WASN'T ABLE TO COME BACK UNTIL THE WATER HAD RECEDED.
WE'VE BEEN IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR ALL THESE YEARS.
WE DON'T HAVE NO HIGH RATE OF CRIME, WE'VE BEEN GOOD CITIZEN.
WE FEEL THAT ANY INTRUDER, ANY DISTURBANCE ON THE LAND, THEY HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON OUR CITIZEN.
WE OBJECT TO THIS IN MANY WAYS.
I HAVE A MAP BEFORE YOU THAT I HAD PASSED OUT THAT SHOW THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD SIT DIRECTLY IN A FLOOD ZONE.
WE FEEL LIKE ANY DREDGING OR DIGGING WILL IMPACT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WHENEVER WE HAVE A STORM.
THERE'S STILL FLOOD IN THERE RIGHT NOW.
[01:10:04]
WE HAVE A SWAMP THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE LANDSCAPE, SO IT MAKE IT EASY TO FLOOD.WE FEEL THAT A BORROW PIT WILL ONLY INCREASE THE CHANCES OF FLOODING, WELL CONTAMINATION, DUST POLLUTION, NOISE POLLUTION.
IT WILL IMPACT NOT ONLY THE HEALTH, BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, THERE'S A WILDLIFE CONSERVATORY.
THAT WOULD DISTURB THE WILDLIFE, SO WE ARE STRONGLY AGAINST PUTTING A PIT IN THIS AREA.
WE HAVE INVESTED IN THIS AREA WITH OUR HARD-EARNED MONEY.
WE HAVE BUILT IT UP, WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT.
A BORROW PIT WILL ONLY BRING THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOWN, ESPECIALLY DURING TIMES OF HEAVY RAIN, HURRICANE, AND OTHER NATIONAL DISASTERS.
WE ASK THAT THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE COMMUNITY OVER A COMPANY JUST TO MAKE A PROFIT.
WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WILL COME FORWARD AND EXPRESS THE WAY THEY FEEL, EXPRESS THEIR CONDITION AND THEIR CONCERNS.
NOT ONLY WOULD THE BORROW PIT DISTURB OUR SERENITY, BUT IT WILL HAVE A TERRIBLE INFRACTION ON THE TRAFFIC.
THIS COMMUNITY IS PLAGUED WITH INCREASE IN HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS, 18 WHEELER MAINLY, COMING FROM NORTH CAROLINA INTO FRANKLIN.
WITH THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC, SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY DUMP TRUCKS, CREATE A POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTS.
IT'S ALREADY A CONGESTED AREA IN THAT CORRIDOR BETWEEN SMITHS FERRY ROAD AND FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD ALL WAY UP TO 189.
I APPRECIATE Y'ALL HEARING MY CONCERN.
WE WILL HAVE OTHERS TO COME FORWARD AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN. THANK YOU.
>> DOES ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? PUBLIC HEARING IS STILL OPEN.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS.
MY ADDRESS IS 4670 WHITE MARSH ROAD IN WAKEFIELD, VIRGINIA.
I'M NOT A CITIZEN OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
MY CHURCH IS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND MR. FORREST, WHO JUST SPOKE, VOLUNTOLD ME TO BE HERE TODAY FOR MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.
I'VE HAD A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE NOW SINCE 1995.
I HAVE A FIVE PLUS ON MY DRIVING RECORD, SO I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A PRETTY SAFE DRIVER.
I'VE DRIVEN DUMP TRUCKS, I'VE DRIVEN TRACT AND TRAILERS, I'VE DRIVEN SCHOOL BUSES.
I CURRENTLY PART-TIME DRIVE A CHARTER BUS.
LET ME SAY THIS, I'M NEITHER FOR OR AGAINST.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THIS AS A DRIVER.
THIS AREA RIGHT HERE THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING A SANDPIT, YOU HAVE THIS FORK OF THE RIVER ROAD.
MRS. BOONE LIVES IN THIS HOUSE RIGHT HERE AT THE BOTTOM.
IF MRS. BOONE IS COMING OUT OF HER HOUSE, AND SHE MAKES A RIGHT ONTO SMITHS FERRY ROAD AT THE TIME A DUMP TRUCK IS COMING OUT OF THAT PIT, A DUMP TRUCK CARRYING A LOAD OF SAND OR WHATEVER THEY'RE CARRYING, AND I'LL SPEAK IN TERMS OF FOOTBALL FIELDS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE HIM ABOUT 2 1/2-3 FOOTBALL FIELDS TO GET UP TO THE SPEED OF 55 MILES PER HOUR.
SHE'S NOW STUCK BEHIND THIS DUMP TRUCK THAT'S PULLING OUT.
MEANWHILE, WE HAVE MR. TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING IN A TRACT AND TRAILER, COMING DOWN THIS ROAD, TRYING TO GET A LOAD, TRYING TO GET HIS PAY.
MOST OF THE TRACT AND TRAILER DRIVERS IN THE AREA, ABOUT 70% OF THEM, THEY GET PAID BY THE LOAD, NOT BY THE HOUR.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE FASTER YOU DRIVE, YOU CAN GET WHERE YOU'RE GOING, COME BACK AND GET THAT NEXT LOAD SO YOU CAN EARN A LIVING.
[01:15:01]
SOMEONE COMES OUT OF THIS ROAD, YOU HAVE THE RISK OF THIS TRUCK AND TRAILER RUNNING IN THE BACK OF THAT VEHICLE.MY ONLY CONCERN IS TO CONSIDER THE SAFETINESS OF THIS SANDPIT BEING RIGHT THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM?
>> HOLD ON A MINUTE, SIR. JUST A SECOND, WE HAVE ONE QUESTION.
>> YOU SHOWED US WHERE THE TRACTOR TRAILER WOULD BE COMING FROM NORTH CAROLINA?
>> WHAT'S THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THERE AND THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE TO THE SANDPIT?
>> THE DISTANCE FROM THIS INTERSECTION AND THAT SANDPIT ENTRANCE? FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT SANDPIT ENTRANCE IS, THAT'S ABOUT 400 FEET.
IF THAT DUMP TRUCK IS COMING OUT OF THERE, TRYING TO GET UP TO 55 MILES AN HOUR, SHIFTING GEARS, HE WILL NOT CLEAR 400 FEET BY THE TIME THIS CAR GETS IN HIS AREA OR THIS TRUCK AND TRAILER.
THIS TRUCK AND TRAILER, ONCE HE SEES THAT VEHICLE AND THAT DUMP TRUCK, IT'S GOING TO TAKE HIM ABOUT THREE FOOTBALL FIELDS.
WITH REACTION TIME, SPEED, WEIGHT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE HIM ABOUT THREE FOOTBALL FIELDS BEFORE HE CAN SAFELY BRING THAT TRACTOR TO A HAUL.
>> WELL, I'VE BEEN OVER THERE AND BEEN TO THAT SITE AND SEEN THAT INTERSECTION.
IF YOU'VE MEASURED IT AND YOU KNOW IT'S 400 FEET, I'LL ACCEPT THAT, BUT IT'S A CLEAR SITE EITHER WAY, RIGHT OR LEFT, WHEN YOU COME OUT.
IT APPEARED TO ME TO BE MORE THAN AMPLE FOR AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, CAR OR TRUCK, TO HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE TO SLOW DOWN.
YOU WANT TO HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY'VE GOT, FROM WHAT I OBSERVED, GOOD SIGHT, EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, AND WOULD AVOID THE CASUALTY BECAUSE THE VIEW IS VERY CLEAR EITHER WAY, WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TOWARD FRANKLIN OR BACK TOWARD THE BRIDGE.
>> THAT WILL BE SOMETHING FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER, SIR.
>> I SAID, THAT WILL BE SOMETHING FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER, I'M JUST POINTING THAT OUT.
>> HE'S ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE RESIDENCE, MRS. BOONE'S, THAT STAYS 400 FEET FROM THE INTERSECTION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AS YOU LOOK AT HER HOUSE, IT IS A BLIND SIGHT TO YOUR LEFT.
SHE CAN SEE TO THE RIGHT, BUT IT IS A BLIND SIGHT TO YOUR LEFT.
>> THE MAJORITY OF THAT TRAFFIC COMING OUT OF THAT SANDPIT IS GOING TO BE GOING THE OTHER WAY?
>> THE LEFT TURN WOULD VERY RARELY COME INTO PLAY.
>> THEY'LL BE MAKING A RIGHT, BUT SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THEM ON HER LEFT. THAT'S WHAT HE'S SAYING.
>> WELL, THEY WON'T BE ON THE LEFT.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ON HER LEFT.
>> THEY'LL BE ON HER LEFT, MAKING A RIGHT FLOOR IN THE FRONT.
>> YES. IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HER VIEW BEING BLOCKED TO THE LEFT, SHE WON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCKS COMING OUT OF THE SANDPIT.
>> DID YOU LOOK AT HER HOUSE? HAVE YOU BEEN TO HER HOUSE?
>> HAVE YOU BEEN TO HER HOUSE THOUGH?
>> PLEASE GO BY HER HOUSE AND COME OUT THE DRIVEWAY AND EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT YOU SEE.
>> WELL, I WENT DOWN THE ROAD AND CAME BACK OUT OF THE ROAD.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT HER HOUSE, HER RESIDENCE. I WROTE HER RESIDENCE.
>> CAN I ASK YOU WHAT RESIDENCE? I'M JUST ASKING BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU GOT THERE.
[OVERLAPPING] WHAT RESIDENCE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
>> SIR, IF YOU GO TO TALK, YOU NEED TO COME UP HERE, SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR YOU.
>> WE JUST CAN'T SEE THE BOARD.
>> WE COULDN'T SEE THE BOARD RIGHT THERE.
WE CAN'T SEE WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT, AND SO I'M ASKING.
WELL, WHAT RESIDENCE IS MS. BOONE'S? I DON'T KNOW THE RESIDENCE.
>> TURN AROUND SO EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE CAN SEE YOU.
>> WHERE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS RESIDENCE RIGHT HERE.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S BRUSHED RIGHT HERE TO HER LEFT.
YOU GUYS WILL BE COMING OUT, MAKING A RIGHT.
SHE CAN'T SEE ANYTHING COMING FROM HER LEFT.
HER HOUSE IS RIGHT ACTUALLY IN A CURVE.
>> WELL, HAVE THEY HAD ANY PROBLEMS GETTING IN AND OUT SINCE THEY'VE LIVED THERE, LIKE A TRAFFIC?
>> I'M SORRY, BUT I'M JUST ASKING BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEE.
>> THAT'S FINE. WE WAS JUST SHOWING THE BOARD, BUT IF YOU LOOK, PRETTY MUCH THIS IS THE HOUSE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT,
[01:20:02]
BUT HER HOUSE IS RIGHT UP HERE IN THE CURVE.>> HERS IS THE BRICK HOUSE ON THE FAR END?
>> NO, IT'S NOT A BRICK HOUSE.
>> IT HAS A FENCE AROUND, BUT IF YOU LOOK, IT'S A BLIND SPOT ON HER LEFT-HAND SIDE.
YOUR TRUCKS WILL BE MAKING A RIGHT, SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOU GUYS TILL YOU GET UP ON THERE.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR THIS GENTLEMAN? THANK YOU, SIR.
>> GOOD EVENING. RANDY GRAY, I'M LIVING ON NO HEAD LANE.
MR. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD, I JUST WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE GRAY CONSTRUCTION.
THEY ARE MY KIN FOLKS, BROTHER AND MY NEPHEWS.
I WORKED AT UNION CAMP AND RETIRED FROM THERE WHEN THEY CLOSED THE MILL DOWN.
I LIVE ON THE BLACKWATER RIVER.
MOST FOLKS KNOW IF YOU GOT FINE SAND, IT'S GOING TO BE ON A RIPPLE, SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THAT.
FLOODS, THEY WILL HAPPEN REGARDLESS, WHETHER THERE'S A PIT THERE OR NOT.
I DRIVE TRUCKS FOR THEM EVERYDAY, AND WE RUN INTO BLIND SPOTS EVERYDAY.
THAT HIGHWAY IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY, LOG TRUCKS, DUMP TRUCKS COMING OUT OF CAROLINA.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION WE CAN TO BE SAFE.
WE ALL KNOW THAT A COMPANY LIKE THEY RUN IN ORDER TO GROW, THEY NEED A PLACE TO HAVE SAND.
THEY'VE TAKEN THAT COMPANY AND DONE WELL WITH IT, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM CONTINUE TO GROW WITH IT. THANK YOU.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS STILL OPEN.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS NATHANIEL LEON SMITH, 32521 FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
I'M THE SON OF LEE ROY SMITH, WHO IS THE PATRIARCH OF OUR FAMILY.
WE HAVE THE OLDEST BLACK OWNED FARM IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
WE HAD OVER 200 YEARS PLUS OF OUR FAMILY BEING THERE.
HE COULDN'T MAKE IT A NIGHT BECAUSE HE'S SICK.
HE HAS AN ILLNESS, AND HE WANTED ME TO COME AND REPRESENT.
I WILL HOPE THAT ALL THE EVIDENCE THAT IS PRODUCED, AND YOU GUYS ARE NEUTRAL.
I'M STARTING TO HEARING AND SEEING FRIENDS, AND I COULD VOUCH FOR A GREAT FAMILY, WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
I UNDERSTAND LAST TIME I WAS HERE, RIGHT OFF FOR HIP SURGERY, AND I HAD A CANE.
ONE OF THE STATEMENTS WERE MADE, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A SAND PIT IN YOUR BACKYARD.
THAT QUESTION WASN'T ANSWERED BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT BUSINESS.
WE'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT HISTORIC FAMILIES WHO'VE BEEN ON FOLKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
MATTER OF FACT, FOLKS OF THE RIVER ROAD DIDN'T USE TO BE FOLKS AT THE READ.
IT WAS SMITH FERRY ROAD BECAUSE OUR FAMILY HAD A FERRY SENDING PEOPLE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE NORWAY AND THE BLACKWATER ON BOTH SIDES.
IT'S A HISTORICAL LAND COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OUR HOME AND WE REALLY DON'T WANT THAT SAND PIN THERE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JOACHIM SMITH. I LIVE ON 32 FORT NINE SMITH RAY ROAD.
ACTUALLY, THE BURIAL PITS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE BEHIND MY YARD.
I RECENTLY MOVED HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON IN 2022.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO GET A PEACEFUL QUIET LIFE FOR MY FAMILY.
I HAVE A FAMILY OF, TWO KIDS, WIFE.
I'M JUST REPRESENTING MY FAMILY COMMUNITY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HIGHLY OPPOSE THIS.
ONE OF THESE REASONS WHY I LOUD NOISES FOR MY MINING PIT, WE WILL BE RUNNING AT LEAST 18 HOURS A DAY.
THAT'S WHEN FROM MY KNOWLEDGE, SIX DAYS A WEEK, WITH POTENTIAL LONG HOURS IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY.
DURING THOSE HOURS, MY FAMILY AND I WILL HAVE TO ENDURE NOSES OF HIGHER THAN NORMAL DECIBELS, WHICH CAN INTERRUPT OUR SLEEPING HABITS AND OUR PEACE.
I BELIEVE NO ONE WANTS TO COME HOME FROM FROM WORK AND HEAR LOUD NOISES, AND I WORK WITH MANY ENERGY.
I HAVE ROTATING HOURS, OVERNIGHTS, DAY HOURS, IT JUST DEPENDS.
RECENTLY, WE EXPERIENCED, LIKE POSSIBLE NOISE FOR POTENTIAL CONTRACTORS GOING THERE.
ACTUALLY, YESTERDAY I HAD THAT WHEN I GOT HOME, WHERE I CAN HEAR TRUCKS BACKING IN DUMPING OFF EQUIPMENT.
I HAVE IT ON MY PHONE A VIDEO THAT I'VE NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE THE DOOR,
[01:25:01]
BUT YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR THE LOUD NOISES THAT COMES FROM THAT AND MY CONCERN IS THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO BE HEARING FOR THE DURATION I'LL BE LIVING HERE FOR THE REST OF HOW LONG I LIVE HERE.NOISES THAT WE I HEARD HELICOPTERS DROPPING CHEMICALS, WHICH ACTUALLY TRIGGERED MY KIDS ASTHMA BECAUSE I HAVE TWO KIDS THAT HAVE ASTHMA PROBLEMS, BREATHING ISSUES.
ACTUALLY, OFTEN HOSPITAL ALLOWS FOR THOSE ISSUES.
ACTUALLY, RECENTLY, THE LAST YEAR WHEN THEY HAD DROPPED THE CHEMICALS, I GUESS THE GREEN CHEMICAL, WHATEVER IT WAS, FROM THE HELICOPTER, TO DROPPED DOWN TO CLEAR THE BRUSH, THAT ACTUALLY TRIGGERED MY SIGNS ALLERGIES, AND I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR THAT.
ANOTHER REASON WHY I HAVE ISSUES IS POOR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
SMITH RAY ROAD, ROUTE 258 RECEIVES A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC RANGE FROM PEDESTRIAN VEHICLES TO LARGE COMMERCIAL TRUCKS.
I WITNESSED MYSELF ACCIDENT THAT SOMEBODY ACTUALLY GOT KILLED AND PLENTY OF TIMES WE'RE ACTUALLY WENT TO HELP OTHERS WITH THE HEAD DEER OR WHATEVER OR HELP PEOPLE IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THEY BREAK DOWN.
I KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THAT ROAD CAN ACTUALLY BE.
IN FACT, THERE'S A PASSING LANE IN FRONT OF MY YARD.
IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE IS A PASSING LANE, WHERE ME WALK IN TO THE MAILBOX.
TWO DAYS AGO, I LITERALLY WAS WALKING DOWN TO CHECK MY MAILBOX, AND AS A DODGE CHALLENGER, LITERALLY CAME RIPPING ACROSS THE LANE IN FRONT OF A TRUCK, AND HOMES HIT ME WHILE I'M CHECKING MY MAIL.
MY PROBABLY SITS ALONG DANIELS DRIVE, WHICH IS ENTRANCE, WHICH IS THE PROPOSED SITE, WHICH I'VE NOTICED.
THE TRAFFIC IN THIS ROAD TENDS TO BE LIKE 55 MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE THAT'S THE ACTUAL SPEED LIMIT.
I KNOW FOR CERTAIN TRUCKS VEHICLES GO A LOT FASTER THAN THAT, TRUCK PATROLS AND EVERYTHING.
THE NATURE STREET HAS BLOND SPOTS IN COMING TRAFFIC ON BOTH DIRECTIONS DUE TO WINDING ROADS AND BLOCKAGES OF TREES.
ACTUALLY, FROM MY YARD, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THERE'S A CURVE WHERE MISS BOONE LIVES.
THERE'S A CURVE ON ONE SIDE, WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE INCOMING TRAFFIC AT CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY, OR AT NIGHT, WHERE WE HAVE A POWER OUTAGE WHERE EVERYTHING IS IN THE DARK.
YOU WON'T NOTICE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY DARK OUT THERE.
VEHICLES HAVE DOWN VEHICLES NOT PAYING ATTENTION, AND AT CERTAIN SPEED CAN CREATE ACCIDENT THAT CAN POTENTIALLY TO DEATH, AND THAT IS THE TRUTH.
AIR QUALITY, CURRENTLY, AND HISTORY, MY FAMILY DEALS WITH BREATHING TROUBLES, EXCEPT FROM ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, ALLERGIES, THEY CAUSE HOSPITALIZATIONS OF THE YEAR, WHICH I WAS TELLING YOU EARLIER.
MY WIFE DEALS WITH ALLERGIES BECOME SEVERE FROM VARIOUS DUSTS AND TYPES OF POLLEN.
BOTH MY KIDS HAVE ASTHMA, AND ONE OF THEM BORN WITH CONGENIAL STRODA, WHICH MEANS, LIKE, HEAVY WHEEZING AND STUFF WHEN, LIKE THINGS IN AILMENT.
THEY LITERALLY HAD TO SIT IN HOSPITALS FOR WEEKS TO GET THEIR LUNGS RIGHT.
THIS ACTUALLY SCARES ME BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SAND PARTICLES AND MINDS FROM MY EXPERIENCE, MININGS AND STUFF, THEY CREATE DUST THAT YOU CAN SEE, AND CAN'T SEE AIRBORNE, THINGS THAT YOU CAN SEE, YOU CAN'T SEE AND THAT MAJORITY OF TIME TRIGGERS MY KID'S ALLERGIES.
I KNOW THAT SOME OF THAT STUFF CAN CAUSE CANCER. WATER QUALITY.
I'M FULLY AWARE THAT MINING PITS REQUIRE A LOT OF WATER, WHICH CAN RUN WELLS DRY, CAN CAUSE BACTERIA IN THE WATER, I CAN CREATE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF SWAMPS AND FLOODING.
THE WAY THEY HAVE THE PIT BROW, YOU GOT TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF RUNOFF, AND IF YOU'RE RUNNING OFF TO THE STREAMS OR RIVERS, EVENTUALLY, ALL THAT SUB ITS GOING TO SINK DOWN INTO THE WATER TABLE.
AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE GOING FROM POTABLE WATER TO NON-POTABLE WATER.
MY OPPOSITION, THE SAN PROPOSAL IS SINCERELY BASED ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE FROM ME AND MY FAMILY.
WE HONESTLY CAME OUT HERE THINKING THAT WERE GOING TO HAVE A PEACEFUL QUIET LIVING, A SMALL TOWN LIVING, BEING ABLE TO JOIN THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, COMING FROM LIVING IN NEWPORT NEWS.
GEOGRAPHICALLY, MY FAMILY, JUST WISH THERE WAS A MAP OR SOMETHING WE HAD UP THERE.
MY HOUSE IS LITERALLY GOING TO BE A FRONT OF THE MINING PIT, SO THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST.
WE'RE GOING TO BE WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENDURE THE NOISE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE NOISE, SLEEPING.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BACTERIA, SAND STOP BEING IN THE AIR.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH WATER.
WE GO TO LOOK AT EVERY DAY WE GO IN OUR BACK YARD, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY SEE WORKERS AND MINING PITS GOING ON AND BACK YARD EVERY DAY.
EVEN IF THEY HAD A PROPOSED EVEN IF IT WAS PROPOSED TO BE A BARRIER OR SOMETHING, WE STILL HAVE TO LOOK IN OUR BACK YARD AND SEE THAT EVERY DAY.
I KNOW NO ONE WANTS TO HAVE THAT IN THEIR BACK YARD EVERY SINGLE DAY WHEN THEY COME HOME FROM WORK.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE A BUSINESS OR SOMETHING RUNNING BEHIND THE YARD.
I MEAN, EVERYBODY, USUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A LONG DAYS OF WORK, OR ESPECIALLY LIKE A LONG NIGHT LIKE THIS, A DAY LIKE THIS, WHERE YOU WANT TO GO HOME, AND BE AT PEACE, SIT OUTSIDE, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY, PLAY AROUND.
YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT W THE ALLERGIES, GOOD REASON IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OUT THE TRUCK AND SIGHTS OR HAD TO WORRY ABOUT NONE OF THOSE.
I WISH I COULD USE MY PHONE JUST TO GIVE YOU A PITCH A VISUAL OF WHAT I HAVE TO ENDURE JUST ON A DAILY BASIS.
IF I COULD, I CAN SHOW YOU, BUT I VIDEO A TRUCK JUST GOING IN THERE,
[01:30:03]
AND I WAS WATCHING I HAD TO NOTICE.I JUST TURNED IT UP, ZOOM MY CAMERA, AND YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR ALL THE EQUIPMENT JUST RUNNING.
THIS IS REALLY PASSIONATE BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW DAD IS GOING TO DEAL WITH ME.
I MEAN, LDO WOULD NOT WANT I KNOW NO ONE WITH GOD'S INTEGRITY WOULD WANT THAT IN THEIR BACK YARD.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME M TO PIECE.
I REALIZE, AND IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU MOVE FROM THE AREA AND YOU MOVE TO A NEW AREA, TOO, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO JUST HAVE YOUR SERENITY AND PEACE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO AN AREA WHERE YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THESE THINGS THAT'S GOING ON.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WANT THE BEST FOR THE ECONOMY, AND FOR THE COUNTY, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER BE OVER THE EXPENSE OF LIVELY PEOPLE.
LIKE IT SHOULD NEVER PUT A BUSINESS IN AN AREA WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS AROUND, LIKE I MEAN, BECAUSE NO ONE WANT THAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF AREAS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY I DID RESEARCH HAS 602 MILES OF LAND.
OUT OF THIS 602 MILES OF LAND, I'M SURE THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH SPACE IN THIS COUNTY WHERE YOU CAN PUT ZONING AND PUT PLACES WHERE YOU HAVE, YOU COULD PUT TYPE THESE TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT DESCENDED FROM EVERYBODY THAT SURROUND THEM.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? JUST BEING OUT HERE FOR THREE YEARS, I'VE NOTICED JUST TRAVELING THROUGH THE COUNTY IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR A BUSINESS.
THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR EXPANSION, BUT IT JUST SHOULD NEVER JUST BE SOMEBODY'S BACKYARD AND THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN.
IT'S JUST MY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL.
BY ME BEING THAT ONE HOUSE THAT ONE SLIP LAND, HAVING TO ENDURE JUST TO ENDURE THAT, I JUST FEEL LIKE THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE SAFE FOR ME.
IT'S GOING TO MAKE ME WANT TO LEAVE THE AREA.
IT'S NOT GOING TO ME WANTING TO RAISE MY FAMILY IN THIS AREA, JUST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A BUSINESS GOING ON BEHIND MY HOUSEHOLD.
I JUST WANT YOU TO JUST JUST HEAR ME OUT AND UNDERSTAND MY PAIN AND MY FRUSTRATION TO KNOW THAT SOMEBODY WOULD THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO BUILD A BUSINESS THAT TYPE OF BUSINESS BEHIND SOMEBODY'S HOUSE.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING, I'M OPEN.
>> I JUST QUESTIONS FOR THE GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU ALL HEARING ME.
>> PUBLIC HEARING STILL OPEN. ANYBODY ELSE?
>> MITCHELL GRAY, 18341 AVE ROAD.
I'M ONE OF THE ADVOCANTS ON THIS PERMIT.
WE PROPOSED 65 ACRES FOR THE MINING AREA, BUT WE'RE NOT REALLY TRYING TO START RIGHT THERE IN HIS YARD, WE GOT PLENTY OF ROOM TO MOVE AND GET TO THE BACK AND BE AWAY.
THE PIT WE HAVE HERE IN CORTLAND, WE HAVE TO CONTROL THE DUST AND ALL, ANYWAY.
THAT'S THAT'S DUST CONTROL IS A GIVEN.
I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M NOT A REAL GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER AT ALL.
BUT I KNOW THE LAST PUBLIC HEARING WE HAD FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT WAS CONTACT INFORMATION GIVEN TO ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT WERE HERE.
WE DIDN'T GET A PHONE CALL OR A QUESTION OR ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY.
I MEAN, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THAT IT WAS NOTED IN THE MINUTES TO CONTACT TO BE AVAILABLE IF WE COULD WALK AT THE SITE AND SHOW THEM WHAT WE WERE DEALING WITH AND WHAT WE HAD.
ADDRESS CONCERNS FROM THEIR SIDE.
I DON'T KNOW, I JUST FEEL LIKE BEING BOMBARDED ON THIS ONE.
>> I GOT A QUESTION. AS FAR AS USING WATER, DO YOU ALL PLAN ON USING LIKE, A LOT OF WATER?
>> WELL, THE WATER WE USE WILL BE ON SITE.
IT WILL COME FROM THE BAR PIT ITSELF.
ALL WATER RETURNS BACK TO THE GROUND.
WE DON'T NO WATER LEAVES THE SITE. YEAH, EVERYTHING.
>> YOU'RE NOT PULLING ANY WATER OUT OF A WE ALL OR.
> NO REAL WATER. IT SURFACE WATER ONLY.
>> NONE OF THE WATER USED TO DO THE ACTUAL SCREENING PROCESS WILL BE PULLED FROM THE GROUND OR PLACED IN THE GROUND.
IT'S RECIPROCATED FROM SURFACE WATER PONDS THAT WE DIG WHEN WE EXTRACT THE SAND.
THEN AS FAR AS CONTAMINANTS GO, WE'RE NOT ADDING ANY PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, OR ADDING ANYTHING TO OUR SAND WE'RE JUST DIGGING THE RAW MATERIAL.
THERE'S NO EXTRACTION OF ANY MATERIAL.
THEN THERE'S NO LEACHING BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A BARRIER BETWEEN
[01:35:02]
US WHERE WE'RE MINING AT AND ANY TYPE OF WATERWAYS.WE DON'T WE HAVE GUIDELINES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MISA MINERAL ENERGY THAT PROHIBITS US FROM DOING ANY OF THAT.
WE KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF DOING THAT WOULD BE A REJECTION OR REVOKING OF OUR PERMIT.
WE HOLD THAT TO A STANDARD, AS WELL AS TO OUR STANDARD AS WELL TO NOT DO ANY OF THAT.
BUT ON HIS POINT, I DID GIVE CARDS OUT TO EVERYONE.
I GAVE ONE TO A LOT OF THE FOLKS HERE AND THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, NOT EVERYONE.
NOBODY REACHED OUT TO ME PERSONALLY OR THROUGH THE BUSINESS TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD PLANNED.
I DON'T KNOW. DID ANYONE REACH OUT TO YOU GUYS TO MEET OUT ON THE SITE TO LOOK AT ANY OF THEIR CONCERNS? DURING THE SESSION BETWEEN THE PLANNING AND BOARD SUPERVISOR.
IF THE MEAN, IF THEY HAD ANY REAL CONCERNS, THEY SHOULD HAVE CALLED ONE OF YOU GUYS AND MET JOEL OUT THERE AND SHOWED YOU THESE CONCERNS SO YOU COULD SEE IN PERSON OR CONTACTED ME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN GLAD TO SHOW THEM ANYTHING THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE.
WE WOULD HAVE TRAVERSED THE SITE.
I WOULD LOVE TO REACH WITH THEM.
I EXTENDED OLIVE BRANCH LAST TIME WE WERE IN HERE TO TRY TO MEDIATE ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY HAD SO THAT WE COULD BOTH COEXIST, AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANYTHING IN RESPONSE BACK FROM ANY ONE OF THEM.
>> I'VE GOT A QUESTION ON YOUR ENTRANCE.
I KNOW THERE'S A CONCERN ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TRUCKS COMING IN AND OUT.
WHAT ENTRANCE, YOU ALL ARE NOT GOING TO USE THE DANIELS DRIVE.
>> NO, SIR. WE WON'T NOT BE USING DANIELS DRIVE.
WE'LL BE INSERTING OUR INSTALLING OUR ENTRANCE.
THAT GOES BY V.CODE AND JASON FOWLER WITH VD HAS ALREADY SEEN OUR SUBMITTED PROCESS AND OUR PERMIT.
HE'S ALREADY DONE HIS CALCULATIONS AS FAR AS LINE OF SIGHT, AND IT'S 100 FEET PLUS LINE OF SIGHT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, WHICH IS OPTIMAL FOR CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE OR A PROPERTY.
>> HIGH WIDE IS THE ENTRANCE GOING TO BE?
>> THE ENTRANCE WILL BE A MINIMUM 70 FEET.
>> IT WILL BE A PAVED ENTRANCE, IT'LL BE A CONCRETE ENTRANCE TO MITIGATE ANY TRACKING, IF ANY.
>> AS FURTHER QUESTIONS, GENTLEMEN.
>> YEAH, I HAD A FEW FOR ALL SENDING UP HERE.
AS IT PERTAIN TO THE DRY HYDRANT.
I MEAN, WHAT PHASE OF THE PROJECT, DO YOU ALL ANTICIPATE THAT?
>> AS SOON AS WE HAVE A DEPTH OF EIGHT FEET OF WATER, THAT WILL BE SUSTAINABLE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY INSTALL THE HYDRANT AND MAINTAIN IT.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THAT INSTALLED.
WE'LL BE DISTRIBUTING OUT ACCESS KEYS OR CODES TO THE GATE TO ALLOW THE EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ACCESS THE SITE TO GET WATER IN CASE THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE NEIGHBOR NEIGHBORING VICINITY OF THE PIT, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE WATER AND CLEAN WATER THAT.
>> THAT'LL BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DESIGN CRITERIA IS OUTLINED IN YOUR PACKET?
>> A LETTER OF CONSENT AUTHORIZING IT'S USED BY EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOULD SOMETHING ARISE.
>> IF ANY OF THESE HOUSES ALONG THAT CORRIDOR IT WERE TO NEED THE WATER FROM THAT HYDRANT EMERGENCY AT THEIR RESIDENT BE AVAILABLE TO THEM FOR SUPPRESSION PURPOSES?
>> DEFINITELY. THAT'S ONE OF ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'D LIKE TO TRY TO DO IS TO EXTEND THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH ANY FIRES IN THE AREA, BECAUSE THAT IS A RURAL AREA.
THERE ARE NO HYDRANT SYSTEMS. THERE'S NO WATER SYSTEMS IN THAT AREA.
YOU'RE DEPENDING ON THE RIVER OR ANY OF THESE DRY HYDRANT SYSTEMS. NOW DON'T, DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE'S ANY DRY HYDRANTS IN THE AREA.
THE CLOSEST FACILITY WOULD PROBABLY BE THE BOAT LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THAT IS CONTINGENT UPON TIDAL FLOOD OR NOT TITLE, BUT THE FLUCTUATION OF THE RIVER ITSELF.
>> I GOT ONE MORE. AS FAR AS BACKUP ALARMS, I'VE HAD PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THEM.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT?
>> WHAT WE HAVE ON OUR EQUIPMENT, WE'RE INSTALLING WHAT THEY CALL A WHITEWASH OR BACKUP ALARM.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO PRODUCE A LOWER DECIBEL, BUT STILL BE DISTINGUISHABLE WITHIN 60 FEET OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE OR THE [OVERLAPPING] PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
>> IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE THE BEEP?
>> IT WILL NOT HAVE THE LOUD DISTENDING BEEP OF A TYPICAL BACKUP ALARM.
AS FAR AS THE RANGE CARRYING, I THINK THE MAX RANGE IS 300 FEET ON IT, SO 60-300.
[01:40:05]
OF COURSE, AS PER THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WE DO HAVE IT SCHEDULED TO BE REFORESTED ON SECOND WEEK IN APRIL, ROCK SPRINGS FORESTRY, MATTHEW GILLETTE, AND THEN WE'LL BE DOING THE PLANNING OF THE LOBOLLY PINES IN THAT AREA.THIS SHOULD BE MINE, AS WELL AS IN THE BUFFER AREA.
I HEARD THE COMMENT ABOUT THE HELICOPTER AND THE SPRAYING.
THAT WAS ALL DONE PREVIOUS TO US ACQUIRING THE PROPERTY.
THAT WAS DONE BY FORESTRY MANAGER OF BLACKWATER LAND AND TIMBER.
WE ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY IN DECEMBER.
THEY SPRAYED IT. WHEN DID THEY SPRAY OR DO THAT?
>> WE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY DECEMBER 31ST.
THERE'S NO WAY WE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT, OR WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.
WE WOULDN'T PERSONALLY HAVE JEOPARDIZED ANYBODY BY DOING THAT.
THAT WAS ON THE COMMERCIAL FOREST WITH THE LANDOWNER.
>> I KNOW, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO BEHIND [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> LET'S KEEP THE DISCUSSION UP HERE, SO IF YOU WANT TO TALK, YOU NEED TO COME UP HERE.
>> I KNOW HE SAID EARLIER ABOUT, LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE SPOTS.
DUE TO GEOLOGY, YOU HAVE TO GO TO WHERE THE SAND IS, AND THIS AREA HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF SAND.
THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE THE QUALITY OF SAND FOR THE JOBS THAT WE DO.
IN THE OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY, THERE'S CLAY, AND THERE'S OTHER CONTENTS THAT'S NOT SUITABLE FOR BUILDING MATERIAL.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY THIS SITE IS CHOSEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT TASK.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WHEN Y'ALL DID THAT, DID Y'ALL TAKE ANY CONSIDERATION TO ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AREA?
>> WE BOUGHT 300 AND SOMETHING ACRES TO TRY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THAT'S A LOT OF ACRES TO TRY TO MITIGATE AND TO LIMIT THE DISTURBANCE ON NEIGHBORS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS BE SOMEBODY IMPACTED IF IT'S NOT.
>> IF IT'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT OF PEOPLE, THAT MAKES IT BETTER?
>> WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO A DISCUSSION ON HOW MANY PEOPLE WAS AFFECTED AND WHERE WE'RE AT AS FAR AS THAT GOES, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WE HAVE TO ALSO BE ABLE TO PERFORM AND DO OUR DUTY.
>> I'M ALL FOR BETTERING OURSELVES, I'M ALL FOR THAT. [INAUDIBLE]
>> WELL, I WAS OUT THERE YESTERDAY.
YOU COULD HAVE WALKED OVER AND TALKED TO ME.
>> WELL, I'LL BE GLAD TO TALK TO YOU.
>> ON TOP OF THAT, FROM MY HOUSE, I CAN SEE EXACTLY WHERE YOUR POSTING MARKS AT.
>> THAT'S MY CARD, YOU'RE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME ANY TIME.
WELL, I STILL OWN THE PROPERTY, SO I'M STILL GOING TO BE YOUR NEIGHBOR, WHATEVER THIS BE AT.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU IN PERSON AFTER THIS, AND I'D BE GLAD TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU, HAVE A BEER AT YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU'RE WILLING OR ON OUR PROPERTY AND TALK ABOUT IT.
BUT LET'S GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS PART OF IT.
>> I'M ALL FOR IT. LIKE I SAID, IT JUST THE FACT OF I'M GOING TO BE THE ONE DIRECTLY AFFECTED [INAUDIBLE]
>> I UNDERSTAND. I'M GOING TO BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED AS WELL.
>> YOU GOT THINGS THAT [INAUDIBLE]
>> DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING FOR ME?
>> WE NEED TO HAVE THIS SOMEWHERE ELSE.
ON THE FRONT I SEE YOUR BUFFER STRIP IS 100-200 FEET.
COULD YOU MAKE IT A SOLID 200 FEET?
>> YES. IF YOU RECOMMEND IT AND YOU PUT IT IN, WE'LL BE GLAD TO DO 200 FEET.
>> THAT'S BEHIND HIS PROPERTY?
>> THAT'S BEHIND MR. SMITH'S HOUSE.
>> IF YOU DO IF EVERYTHING PASSES, AND YOU START MINING, YOU COULD START MINING TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MINING AREA, SO YOU'RE NOT RIGHT BEHIND HIM?
>> IT WAS ORIGINALLY NOTED THAT CLOSER TO HIS RESIDENCE WAS GOING TO BE RESERVED.
THAT WAS AFTER WE GOT DONE, THAT LAST EFFORT.
BY THEN THE TREES WILL BE PLENTY TALL.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION TONIGHT DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> I JUST GOT A BRIEF COMMENT.
I OWN A FARM NEXT TO THE VULCAN MATERIALS OVER BY THE FRANKLIN AIRPORT.
FAMILY'S OWNED IT FOR SIX GENERATIONS.
[01:45:03]
WHEN THEY HAVE THOSE 10 OR 12 GRAVEL CARS THERE, THEY HAVE TO SHAKE THOSE CARS TO EMPTY THE GRAVEL OUT OF THE HOPPERS.IT MADE SO MUCH NOISE THAT MY BROTHER, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, SAID, I GOT TO MOVE.
MY SISTER AND I BOUGHT HIM OUT.
NOW NOBODY LIVES ON OUR FARM BECAUSE OF THE NOISE THAT WAS GENERATED.
BUT THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S NOT IN MY BACKYARD, AND YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY.
I'M SITTING OUT HERE AND I DON'T HAVE TO SIT UP THERE WHERE YOU-ALL GOT TO MAKE THIS DECISION, BUT YOU GOT TO BALANCE IT BETWEEN THE GRAY'S NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS AND THESE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE AND ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THE NOISE, AND IT IS GOING TO BE NOISY. THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?
>> I LIVE AT 32191 FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
WHEN THE LAST HURRICANE FLOOD FLOYD IN 1999, WATER CAME IN MY BACKYARD, ALMOST TO MY BACK ENTRANCE TO MY HOUSE.
WITH THE DISRUPTION OF THE SOIL AND THE MOVEMENT AND AND ALIGNED THE SAND PIT TO PROGRESS COMPLETION, IT WILL BE A BIG POND BACK THERE.
IN THE EVENT WE HAVE ANOTHER FLOOD, WHERE IS THE WATER GOING OTHER THAN ON MY PROPERTY? IF OUR PROPERTIES ARE DAMAGED DUE TO ANOTHER FLOOD, WE ARE POTENTIALLY LEFT WITH BEARING THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING, REBUILDING, IF WE ARE FORTUNATE.
SADLY, SOME COULD BECOME HOMELESS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO REBUILD.
AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, AND I, AS A 91-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, I WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE THE SANDPIT.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS YOLANDA SCOTT, AND I RESIDE AT 98 BURNETT AVENUE, MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, BUT I AM THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AT 32191 FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
I WAS ONLY MADE AWARE OF THIS AND WHAT WAS GOING ON JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, BECAUSE HAD I BEEN MADE AWARE OF IT, I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CERTAINLY MEET WITH THE GRAYS, SO WE COULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.
BUT HERE WE ARE VOICING OUR OPINIONS TODAY, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.
I HAVE THREE THINGS THAT JUST IN JUST LIFE AND JUST UNDERSTANDING HOW THESE THINGS WORK THAT CONCERN ME.
THE FIRST ONE IS ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS.
SAND MINING SIGNIFICANTLY DISTURBS THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
IT LEADS TO THE DESTRUCTION OF HABITANTS AND THE DESTABILIZATION OF ECOSYSTEMS. THE EXTRACTION PROCESS INVOLVES HEAVY MACHINERY, WHICH CAUSES DEFORESTRATION.
IN PARTICULAR, THE REMOVAL OF SAND DESTABILIZE RIVER BANKS, LEADING TO EROSION, LOSS OF VEGETATION, WHICH IN TURN IMPACTS THE HABITANT SUSTAINABILITY FOR PLANTS AND ANIMALS, ALSO, THE AIR QUALITY, AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IS NOISE, RESULTING IN BOTH NOISE POLLUTION AND AIR POLLUTION.
THE RESULTANT BARREN LANDSCAPES ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EROSION LEADING TO SEDIMENTATION IN RIVERS AND STREAMS, WHICH FURTHER EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM.
MY SECOND ISSUE WHICH MR. FORREST JOHNSON SPOKE TO WAS WATER QUALITY AND POLLUTION.
SAND MINING HAS SEVERE IMPLICATIONS TO WATER QUALITY.
THE EXTRACTION PROCESS ENTAILS DISCHARGE OF SEDIMENT LADEN WATER AND POLLUTANTS INTO THE RIVERS AND ADJACENT WATER BODIES.
SEDIMENTATION, IT JUST CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH OUR WELL WATER WATER SURROUNDING IT, AND ANYTIME THAT YOU'RE GOING DEEP INTO THE EARTH TO EXTRACT ANYTHING, YOU ARE MOVING THE EARTH.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SUBSIDENCE GOING ON.
BASED ON SOME RESEARCH I'VE DONE, IT GENERALLY DOES HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE WATER QUALITY.
MOREOVER, THE USE OF HEAVY MACHINES AND CHEMICALS AND SAND EXTRACTION CAN INTRODUCE CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS HEAVY METALS, HYDROCARBONS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, POSING RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH, AQUATIC LIFE, AND OUR ECOSYSTEM INTEGRITY.
THE THIRD THING I'LL SPEAK ON IS THE SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS.
[01:50:05]
THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS TO SAND MINING ARE EQUALLY CONCERNING.THE DEGRADATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES AND WATER BODIES DIMINISHES THE AESTHETIC VALUE OF THE PROPERTY, AS WELL AS DECREASING THE LAND VALUES.
BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF NOISE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AND JUST THE DISTURBANCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHO'S GOING TO WANT TO BUY YOUR PROPERTY EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO SELL IT? FURTHERMORE, THE LOSS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND DUE TO EROSION, CAN IMPACT THE FOOD PRODUCTION AND LIVELIHOODS.
THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS CAN BE COMPROMISED BY WATER POLLUTION LEADING TO THE INCREASED MEDICAL COSTS AND REDUCED QUALITY OF LIFE.
REALLY, FOR ME, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ALL OF THESE FOLKS THAT I GREW UP WITH AND BEEN AROUND GENERATIONS IS THEIR HEALTH.
IT'S CLEAR THAT SAND MINING IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE OR WELCOME ACTIVITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE ECOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY, GEOLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS ARE TOO SIGNIFICANT TO IGNORE.
WE MUST PRIORITIZE THE PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS AND THE HEALTH OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PROPERTY VALUES.
THE HEALTH OF OUR RESIDENTS, LIKE I SAID, IS MOST CONCERNING.
WHILE IN MOST CASES IT COULD TAKE YEARS, LIKE ANY OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF SAND MINING ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AS WITH, WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH ASBESTOS, LEAD PAINT, AND MOST RECENTLY, PFOS, WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS A FOREVER CHEMICAL, A COMMON PRODUCT THAT'S USED IN EVERYTHING IS NOW BEING LINKED TO CAUSE CANCER IN THE KIDNEY, PROSTATE, TESTICULAR CANCER, AND I CAN GO ON.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LONG TERM CAUSE AND EFFECT, ONE CAN DRAW A COMPARISON TO SAND MINING AND JUST THE AIR PARTICLES AND THE POTENTIAL POLLUTION, THAT THERE COULD DEFINITELY BE POTENTIAL LONG TERM EFFECTS.
AS A PROPERTY OWNER THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED SAND MINING PIT, WE WILL HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL, IMMEDIATE IMPACT WITH REGARD TO POTENTIAL LAND SUBSIDENCE, AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND NOISE POLLUTION AND PROPERTY VALUE DECREASES.
I STAND HERE TODAY TO STRONGLY URGE THE BOARD TO TAKE A DECISIVE ACTION TO PROHIBIT THE MINING IN OUR AREA AND TO IMPLEMENT A MEASURE THAT PROTECTS AND RESTORES THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.
BY DOING SO, WE CAN ENSURE A HEALTHIER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? YES, SIR.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON.
I LIVE AT 5588 STONEHAVEN DRIVE, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA.
I WAS BORN RIGHT ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS THERE.
I LIVED ALL MY CHILDHOOD IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I'M HERE BECAUSE OF VESTED INTERESTS.
I WANT THE BOARD TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THE PEOPLES OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL IMPACT FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY? DO THE BOARD HAVE A FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT, HOW THE COUNTY WOULD PROFIT FROM THE SANDPIT? NEXT IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THEIR HEALTH, ABOUT THE AIR, ABOUT THE WATER.
IS THERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT? NOT JUST SOMEBODY COMING UP SAYING THIS IS IT.
YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION FROM A STUDY OF THE AREA.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYONE IN HERE WHO WANT FOR A SANDPIT TO BE IN THEIR BACK YARD, BUT I UNDERSTAND COMMERCE AT THE SAME TIME.
JUST FOR THE BOARD TO MAKE A CONCRETE DECISION, THERE SHOULD BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO SAY, HEY, YES, THESE ARE THE PITFALLS.
BECAUSE ONCE YOUR DECISION IS MADE, IT HAVE TO BE LIVE BY.
IT AFFECTS GENERATIONS TO COME.
NOT JUST THE GENERATIONS HERE.
I'D PROBABLY BE DEAD AND GONE, BUT THE EFFECT IS EVERLASTING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO ADD TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?
[01:55:09]
>> OKAY, I'M BACK AGAIN. YOU KNOW WHO I AM.
WE ARE THE ORIGINAL STEWARDS OF THE LAND.
JUST LIKE ADA MINE, WERE PLACED IN THE GARDEN TO KEEP IT.
SO WE'RE THE FIRST PEOPLE OF THIS LAND.
MY CONCERN IS EVERYWHERE THAT WE LIVED, THERE'S ALSO WHERE THERE'S MINERAL MINING BECAUSE WE LIVED ALONG THE RIVERS.
THE RIVERS WE OUR HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS, AND THAT'S A CONCERN.
SO IN MY EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THIS MINERAL MINING INDUSTRY, I'VE LEARNED THAT MOST OF THE TIME, WHERE PEOPLE LIVED, THEY ALSO BURIED PEOPLE, AND THERE WERE REMAINS.
JUST LIKE SOME OF US IN THE COUNTRY HAVE FAMILY CEMETERIES.
WE HAVE A HISTORY WITH GRAY CONSTRUCTION, AND THEY DON'T KNOW THAT.
BUT THE PIT THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT THERE BESIDE INDIAN TOWN ROAD AND 35, THERE USED TO BE A SIGN THERE TO SAY OH INDIAN RESERVATION.
I NOTICED IT WAS MOVED, AND THEN OUR CHIEF, LINETTE LEWIS AUSTIN, CAME DOWN HERE WITH A HUSBAND ALE, AND THEY CALLED DHR STATE ARCHAEOLOGISTS CAME AND LOOKED.
HE MISSED SOME THINGS BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE RESEARCH NOW WE'VE FOUND; WE'VE LOST A POSSIBLE HOMESTEAD THAT WAS ALLOTMENT ON OUR RESERVATION.
IT'S PROBABLY UNDERWATER OR BEING DUBBED.
IT'S NOT CHARLES' FAULT, BUT THAT'S MY JOB.
IT IS TO STAND HERE AND TELL YOU THAT.
I'M BASING THAT ON NEW FINDINGS AND RESEARCH FROM DR. BUCK WOODARD, AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES CENTER DIRECTOR, WILLIAM AND MURRAY.
I HAVE AN EMAIL I'M GOING TO READ TO YOU THAT POSSIBLY, I THINK, WAS CIRCULATED TO YOU ALL BY TINA.
IF YOU'VE HAD CHANCE, IF NOT, I'M GOING TO READ THROUGH IT IN A MINUTE.
BUT WHEN WE LOSE HISTORY, IT'S EVIDENCE DESTROYED.
OUR PEOPLE DIDN'T EXIST, ACCORDING TO THAT SIGN, USED TO BE NO LONGER.
SO IF YOU CAN DESTROY THE EVIDENCE OF US EVER BEING HERE, GRAVES, BURIALS, THEN THAT'S THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE IS ALSO.
SO THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROBLEM.
IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR US, EVEN AT THE HAND SITE THAT YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH.
RESEARCH NOW HAS SHOWN THAT PEOPLE WERE COMING THERE, LIVING, HAVING CEREMONY, AND BURYING PEOPLE FROM THE YEAR 1,100, NOT 1,500, LIKE WE THOUGHT.
IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO GO BACK MORE BECAUSE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, WE'RE LEARNING THESE THINGS.
DOCTOR BUCK WOODARD WROTE A LETTER, AND YOU ALL HAVE IT, AND IT SAYS, COUNCILMAN AND CHAIRMAN HARDY.
I'M WRITING TO PROVIDE KEY POINTS REGARDING THE PROPERTY PROPOSED FOR THE SAND AND GRAVEL MINING IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THE PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY BOUNDED BY SMITHS BURCH ROAD, FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD, DANIELS DRIVE, AND THE BLACKWATER RIVER.
THE PROPOSED MINING APPLICATION IS BY BRANDON AND ALEX GRAY, AND IS HERE TO REFERRED TO AS THE GRAY TRACK.
THIS PROPERTY IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOCATED IN A SIGNIFICANT LOCATION FOR THE STATE AND FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION, INCLUDING DESCENDANTS OF THE NANCY MONE, THE NODAWAY.
WAIT A MINUTE. NOD AWAY, MAHARN AND WYNOKE.
I GOT SOME OF THAT IN ME TOO, ALSO.
THE CONFLUENCE OF THE BLACKWATER AND NAWA RIVERS WAS HEAVILY SETTLED DURING THE LATE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES BY MULTIPLE NATIVE TOWNS AND WAS A TRADITIONALLY INHABITED LOCATION FOR ALGONQUIN AND IROQUOIS PEOPLE.
HAND SITE PROVES THAT NAME, TOO, NEW RESEARCH.
A FEW KEY POINTS FOR YOUR AND SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY'S CONSIDERATION.
THE GRAY TRACK IN BARON WAS THE SITE OF THE NANCYMON AND MAHARN RESERVATION SURVEYS IN THE EARLY 1700S.
WHICH WERE PART OF THE DIVIDING LINE SURVEYS OF VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA COLONIES, AND THE LIFTING OF THE BLACKWATER LINE FOR COLONIAL SETTLEMENT.
THE NANCY MAN AND WAYNE TOWN SEE, CIRCULAR 1700, 1740.
E5 WAS ADJACENT TO THE GREAT TRACT, A PORTION OF WHICH WAS PATENTED AND SOLD BY THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY BEFORE MOVING TO THE NOAWAY TOWN AND RESERVATION.
COLONIAL ERA TO INDIAN TOWNS WERE SETTLED ACROSS THEIR TERRITORY AND COULD INCLUDE A FORT, A COUNCIL HOUSE, AND MULTIPLE FAMILY CLUSTERS FOR SEVERAL MILES ALONG THE ADJACENT CREEKS AND RIVERS.
[02:00:01]
THIS WAS THE FORMAT OF THE ASAMOI SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTED BY WIM BIRD SECOND, WHO ALSO VISITED THE TOWNS AT THE FORKS OF THE RIVERS.ARCHAEOLOGICAL SAMPLING AND SURVEY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE IF ANY CULTURAL RESOURCES OR POTENTIAL BURIAL SITES ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE GRAY TRACT.
ANY 17TH OR 18TH CENTURY ARTIFACTS SHOULD BE GIVEN EXTREME ATTENTION AS THESE REMAINS MAY REFLECT THE OCCUPATION OF NATIVE HOMES.
MULTIPLE CONSERVATION GROUPS WITH OVERLAPPING INTERESTED PARTIES ARE MONITORING THIS LAND IN THE FORKS AT THE TRIBAL AND STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS.
ATTACHED AS A PREVIOUS LETTER OF SUPPORT WHEN I WAS WITH THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY FOR THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DCR, THE NRH, EXCUSE ME.
PROPOSAL FOR THE BIPARTISAN INTERSTRUCTURAL LAWS, CLIMATE READY, CAUSED COAST FUNDING THROUGH THE VIRGINIA COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROJECT PROGRAM, EXCUSE ME, TO ACQUIRE LAND ALONG THE SOMERTON CREEK, WHICH WAS REWARDED, AWARDED IN PART BECAUSE OF THE TRIBAL INTEREST, THIS LETTER HIT SOME OF THE SAME POINTS, AND IT'S AN ATTACHMENT.
THIS EMAIL EMBEDS THE CROP, A CROP IMAGE FROM 17 33 MAP OF NORTH CAROLINA COLLOQUIALLY WOO JESUS, CALLED THE MOSLEY MAP, WHICH GENERALIZED AT SCALE, THE NANCO MAN INDIAN TOWN IS CLEARLY MARK ADJACENT TO THE GEOGRAPHY UNDER QUESTION.
NOW, ANOTHER POINT, THERE WAS A LAW.
WE KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THERE.
I HAVE TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.
ON THAT HAS BEEN BEFORE YOU, MR. TUCKER.
HE HAS BEEN ON THE PROPERTY AND SEEN GRAVES.
HE CAN TESTIFY TO THAT. THAT'S WHY HE'S HERE.
ANOTHER ONE, MR. VERNON DARDEN HUNTED THE L LAND, FROG HUNTING CLUB, HAS SEEN GRAVE SITES THERE.
NOW, WHETHER THEY'RE AFRICAN AMERICAN, ENSLAVED AFRICAN, FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR, NATIVE, I DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S NOT MY JOB, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN LOOK AND FIND OUT.
REASONABLY BETTER WE SHOULD HAVE AT THE SITE THERE ON INDIAN TOWN ROAD AND 35, WE FELL.
BUT THIS TIME, MR. JOHNSON AND THEM CAME TO US AND ASKED US, CAN YOU ALL HELP US WITH THIS? THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. I DO THIS AROUND THE REGION.
I'M NOT PICKING ON SOUTHAMPTON BUT THIS IS MY HOME, AND YOU ALL KNOW ME.
THE LAST THING THAT'S IMPORTANT, MY BLOOD SUGAR IS DROPPING, SO BEAR WITH ME.
THERE WAS A BILL THAT WAS PUT IN HB 11 57. WHO'S THE ATTORNEY? YOU ARE. HB 11 57.
BRAS? OKAY. IF YOU COULD GET IT TO HIM, AND YOU ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND, THE LAW REQUIRES THE BILL SUMMARY, CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE COMMONWEALTH PERMITS AND REVIEWS WITH POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENTAL CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES, REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, DEQ, DHR, AND THE VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCE COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSULTING WITH FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE NATIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
WHEN EVALUATING CERTAIN PERMITS AND REVIEWS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, OR HISTORIC RESOURCES THAT POTENTIALLY IMPACT THOSE FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
SO, IN OTHER WORDS, THIS BILL THAT BECAME A LAW THAT'S IN PLACE NOW FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, SAID THAT YOU ALL TO OPPOSED TO CONSULT WITH THE NEAREST FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE, WHICH IS THE NANSEN.
IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THAT, YOU ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE AND POTENTIALLY BREAKING THE LAW.
PART OF WHAT WE DID, HISTORICALLY, WE'RE BUFFERS PEACEMAKERS.
BUT I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR MY PEOPLE.
IF I DON'T SPEAK FOR MY PEOPLE, THERE'S NO ONE ELSE CAN.
I CAN'T EXPECT NO ONE ELSE TO DO THAT.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE BEFORE YOU.
I ASKED THAT, IF YOU ALL COULD JUST PUMP THE BRAKES AND STOP, LET'S DO SOME DUE DILIGENCE AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NOTHING THERE.
ESPECIALLY HUMAN REMAINS THAT WE CAN THAT WE WILL BE LOST AND DESTROYED FOREVER.
I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY,
[02:05:03]
YOU ALL, THE CRAIG BROTHERS? ONE OF THEM IS MY NEIGHBOR.I DIDN'T KNOW THAT, SO I AIN'T GONNA MAKE HIM BUT SO MAD.
THAT'S A JOKE, Y'ALL. BUT WE'RE HERE, WE'RE A COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE TO LIVE AND GET ALONG TOGETHER.
I THINK THAT'S IT LET ME LOOK BACK THROUGH MY NOTES.
THIS IS A NEW TIME AND A NEW ERA.
IT'S NOT LIKE IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO, EVEN 10 YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE A LOT MORE TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE NOW THAN WE DID.
PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE AND THINGS THAT DID GO ON.
THIS IS A NEW TIME. THANK GOD.
I THINK I SAID EVERYTHING. THANK YOU.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR THIS GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE WHILE WE STILL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN?
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. MY NAME IS RAY TUCKER.
I RESIDE AT 32447 FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
JUST TO TOUCH OFF A LITTLE BASIS OF THE HEALTH CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH MR. SMITH BEING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THAT.
I'M PRETTY SURE WE ALL HEARD OF SILICA DUST.
SILICA DUST IS A DUST THAT COMES FROM SAND.
IT IS A BIG THING WITH OSHA TO WHERE IT CAUSES CANCER.
THERE'S NO WAY THAT YOU CAN CONTROL SILICA DUST.
SILICA DUST IS ONE OF THE MAIN RESOURCES IN SAND, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THEY CAN ADMIT TO THAT.
THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CONCERN.
ANOTHER ISSUE IS BEING THAT MR. LEE ROY HARDY SPOKE.
IT IS A NATURAL SPRING FROM AN OLD INDIAN RESERVATION THAT ACTUALLY SUPPLIES THE COMMUNITY ON FORKS OF THE RIVER ROAD.
THE BIGGEST THING THAT SUPPLIES THE WATER TABLE IS THAT SPRING THAT RUNS FROM WHERE THE GRAYS PROPERTY IS TRYING TO BUILD A SANDPIT OVER INTO OUR LAND.
IF YOU GUYS WANT TO, I CAN WALK THE PROPERTY FOR YOU.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS ACQUIRED IT, BUT WE KNOW THAT PROPERTY IN AND OUT.
I CAN SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHERE THE GRAVE SITES WERE IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DESTROYED SINCE THE LAST TIMBER EXTRACTION OUT OF THAT.
I JUST WANT THE BOARD TO TAKE REAL CONSIDERATION INTO THE HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE THE ONES THAT PUT YOU GUYS IN OFFICE.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT YOU GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE.
YOU ARE THE ONES THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS.
THE MAIN THING ABOUT THAT IS, ARE WE GOING TO PUT LIFE, LONG-TERM LIFE EFFECTS OVER A QUICK PROFIT? BE GUARANTEED I READ IN SOME OF THE NOTES FROM LAST MEETING, AND I WASN'T HERE.
THEY SAID IT'S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS TO DIG OUT THE SAND PIT.
IT'S NOT THAT MUCH SAND OVER THERE LIKE THEY THINK IT IS.
I WILL GIVE IT AT LEAST FOUR YEARS BEFORE THEY RUN OUT OF SAND.
I HEAR THEM SAY IT TAKES ABOUT EIGHT FEET BEFORE THEY DIG BEFORE THEY GET TO THE NATURAL WATER.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY GET INTO THAT NATURAL SPRING THAT SUPPLIES OUR WATER TABLE. WHAT THEN? SO THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS WILL WANT IN YOUR BACK YARD THAT COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT YOUR FUTURE? THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE?
>> CAN I JUST MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT?
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA BEN, 32226 SECOCK CHAPEL ROAD.
I WORK IN THE OFFICE FOR GRAYNSONS CONSTRUCTION.
THE REASON I HAVE DECIDED TO GET UP AND SPEAK BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY.
THAT PHONE CALL WAS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
HE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THIS SANDPIT AND WHAT WAS GOING ON.
WHEN WE GOT THROUGH WITH OUR CONVERSATION, THEY WERE JUST BASIC QUESTIONS, MAKING SURE THAT WE WOULD BE FOLLOWING UP WITH THE STATE, MAKING SURE THAT WE WOULD BE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE MINING REGULATIONS.
HE STATED THAT THEY HAD NO CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTALLY WITH THE SANDPIT.
IF ALL NEEDED HIS INFORMATION, I CAN PROVIDE THAT TO YOU TOMORROW.
I DO HAVE HIS NAME AND NUMBER ON MY DESK AT WORK.
I ALSO NEED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW.
I'M VERY NERVOUS. I KNOW I SOUND NERVOUS.
THE GRAYS ARE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
[02:10:01]
THEY ARE GIVING PEOPLE.THEY GIVE UP THEIR TIME, THEY GIVE UP THEIR MONEY.
THEY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE THAT I HAVE EVER WORKED FOR, AND I HOPE THAT HAS SOME VALUE.
>> I'M SORRY, I WON'T TAKE IT ANOTHER MINUTE OR SO, BUT I HEARD MR. LEE ROY HARDY SAY THAT THE PIECE OVER AN INDIAN TOWN ROAD, THEY DIDN'T DO ANY RESEARCH.
BUT I CAN REMEMBER BEING AT THIS MEETING WHEN THE LAND OWNER FOR THAT PROPERTY ASK GOLF FOR PERMISSION TO PUT A GRAVEL BARROW PIT THERE.
THEY WERE TOLD HERE THAT SOMEBODY FROM RICHMOND CAME DOWN AND RESEARCHED THAT PROPERTY, AND THERE WERE NO INDIAN ARTIFACTS ON IT.
THERE WERE NO NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS ON IT BEFORE ONE BUCKET OF SAND WAS ABLE TO BE EXTRACTED THERE.
IF THEY COULD DO IT THERE, THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT HERE TOO AND MAKE SURE THERE'S NO INDIAN BONES OR ARROWHEADS OR WHATEVER THAT TOMAHAWKS, THEY'RE NOT THERE.
BUT IT WAS DONE ON ANY TOWN ROAD.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. MY NAME IS VERNON DODD.
I'M FROM 833 TOWNSHIP PLACE IN NORFOLK.
I'M A NATIVE OF COURT, VIRGINIA.
I WAS BORN RIGHT ON BRAD STREET ACROSS RAILROAD TRACK, BUT THE DIED IS ON MOST OF ALL THAT LAND FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
BUT I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M A MEMBER OF FROG HUNTING CLUB.
I'VE BEEN THERE FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
THE CLUB WAS ESTABLISHED BACK IN 1933.
THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR 100 YEARS.
NOW, THE LAND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT, IT WAS FIRST OWNED BY CAMPS.
THERE WAS EVEN EVERGREEN PLANTS THAT WERE PLANTED THERE.
I CAN CONTEST THAT THERE ARE GRAVES OUT THERE.
NOW THAT LAND BEEN CUT AT LEAST FOUR TIMES SINCE I'VE BEEN HUNTING.
THEY DID NOT LEAVE ANY TREES ON THAT SWAMP LAND WHERE THERE'S BEAVERS, OTTERS, AND OTHER WILDLIFE IN THAT CREEK.
MATTER OF FACT, YEARS AGO, I COULD WALK FROM THE SAND PIT TO THE SMITH LAND.
BUT OVER THE TIME THE BEAVER HAD BUILT A DAM AND THEY HAD BUILT UP.
THE SECOND POINT, IN 1999, I WAS HUMMING WITH THE FROG HUNTING CLUB, AND A STORM CAME THROUGH.
THAT'S THE YEAR THAT FRANKLIN FLOODED.
I HAD TO GET DOWN TO THE HUNT CLUB BECAUSE WE HAD OVER 30 DOGS.
WHEN I GOT TO THE HUNT CLUB, THE DOGS HAD TO STAND WITH THEIR POLES UP ON THE FENCE TO KEEP FROM DROWNING.
I HAD TO GO AND GET ON TOP OF THE DOG PEN TO LET THEM OUT TO LET THEM FREE.
THE WATER GOING DOWN TO THE BLACKWATER RIVER.
WHEN IT RECEDED, THE PINES THAT WERE GOING TO THE FIELDS IN THE BACK WAS OVER 10 FEET DEEP.
NOT ONLY DID IT COME THAT HIGH, IT BREACHED THE SAND PIT ROAD TO THE PARTIAL LAND THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND IT CONTAMINATED ALL THE LITTLE CREEKS AND INLETS.
THE ONLY WAY THAT WATER COULD GET OUT, IT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE NODAWAY RIVER.
AFTER THAT, THE POWER WENT OUT.
I HAD TO COME TO CORTLAND, FOR THE SV VAMP, AND I HAD TO GET A ELEVATION PERMIT SO WE CAN PUT THE POWER BACK ON.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY DID A ELEVATION STUDY OR NOT, BUT I KNOW WE HAD TO PAY IT.
I PAID OVER $400 SOME AT THAT TIME.
I DON'T WALK EVERY PIECE OF THE LAND.
MATTER OF FACT, I HAD WALKED THAT LAND, WHICH WAS IN THE SMITH FAMILY FROM THE NODAWAY RIVER AND THE BLACKWATER RIVER TO THE MAHARN RIVER.
I KNOW EVERY PIECE OF THAT PROPERTY.
NOW, THERE ARE GRAVES OUT THERE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY STILL DO IT, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET SOME CALLED GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO FIND THESE GRAVES.
THE REASON I KNOW, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BOARD OF THE HELPING HAND CEMETERY WHERE WE FOUND OVER 200 GRAVES BECAUSE A GENTLEMAN THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CAME DOWN WITH HIS RADAR, AND HE COULD FIND THE IMPRESSION OF GRAVEYARDS.
PEOPLE USED TO COME ON THE LAND JUST TO GET THE ARROWHEADS AT THE TIMIT HALL.
I HAVE HUNTED ALL THAT LAND WHERE THE THREE RIVERS COME TOGETHER, WHICH ARE ON THE BACK SIDE OF DOCK SIDE.
I KNOW MOST OF THE LAND THAT BUST THE DARDEN RESIDENT, SHERIFF STUTZ, BEFORE HE BECAME IN POSSESSION THAT
[02:15:02]
LEE ROY SMITH FATHER SOLD 22 ACRES OF HIS LAND TO THEM, BECAUSE I USED TO HUNT IT.I KNOW EVERY PIECE OF THAT LAND, I'D BE WILLING TO GO BACK WITH THE OTHER FOLKS TO CONFIRM WHAT I'M SAYING IS TRUE. THANK YOU FOR MY TIME.
A POINT I LEFT OUT EARLIER WAS WHEN GRAY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WERE ASKED TO REPRESENT THEIR POINT OF VIEW DURING THE FIRST MEET WITH THE BOARD OF PLANNING AND ZONING.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT SOME MISLEADING EVIDENCE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BUFFER ZONE.
THEY PROPOSE A 200 FOOT BUFFER ZONE AROUND THE AREA THAT THEY WANT TO MINE, 100 FEET OF THAT BUFFER ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE IS SWAMP.
AT LEAST 100 FEET IS NOT MORE THE SWAMP.
>> THE BUFFER ZONE IS IN THE YELLOW MARK.
>> THE BUFFER ZONE IS IN THE BLUE MARK.
>> YOU HAVE A 200 FOOT BUFFER ZONE WITH 100 FOOT FEET OF SWAMP.
THEIR PROPOSAL WAS TO PLANT LOBLOLLY PINE.
NOW THE PINES ARE SUPPOSED, NOT TO GET THE DUST AND THE SOUND FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
DON'T BE MISLED BY TERMINOLOGY.
WE'RE GOING TO PLANT PINE TREES.
YOU CAN PLANT A CEILING, WHICH IS ABOUT 8-10 INCHES TALL.
THEN IN THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO BECOME A SETTLING.
IT TAKE 15-20 YEARS BEFORE BECOME A TREE.
IF THEY GET THIS PERMISSION TO GO IN THERE AND MINE, THEY WILL BE MINING WITHOUT A BUFFER.
PINE TREE DO NOT MAKE GOOD BUFFER.
BECAUSE THE TALLER IT GET'S IS A STEM.
A PINE TREE IS A STEM TO IT BECOME A TREE.
THEY'LL BE MINING FOR 15-20 YEARS WITHOUT A BUFFER ON THE SOUTH SIDE.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. THANK YOU.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I'M THE BOARD'S LIAISON ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND ONE OF THE THREE THAT VOTED AGAINST IT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
THERE WAS A LOT OF SPIRITED DISCUSSION LIKE WE HAD TONIGHT.
I THINK THE THREE OF US THAT VOTED AGAINST THEIR CONSIDERATION WAS THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE FIRST AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT THEM BECAUSE WE WEREN'T SURE HOW THAT AFFECT THEM.
I'M ALSO WONDERING ABOUT THE ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT OUT TONIGHT,
[02:20:05]
AND I WONDER IF THERE COULDN'T BE SOME COMPROMISE, SOME DELAY IN THIS SITUATION UNTIL THAT'S INVESTIGATED, SO EVERYBODY'S SATISFIED WITH THAT.I MIGHT BE IN A MINORITY UP HERE.
GRAYS ARE A GOOD COMPANY, THEY HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION.
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
I WOULDN'T WANT THIS IN MY BACKYARD.
I'VE NEVER VOTED FOR ANYTHING THAT I COULDN'T STAND IN MY OWN BACKYARD.
I WONDER IF THERE ISN'T SOME COMPROMISE WE CAN COME THROUGH HERE AND TABLE THIS AND GET THIS STUFF WORKED OUT SO THAT THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE HERE THAT HAVE GOOD IDEAS.
THE GRAYS HAD GOOD IDEAS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COUNTY, BUT I'M LIKE MR. CUTCHINS OUT THERE.
I WISH I WAS SITTING OUT THERE RATHER THAN UP HERE.
BUT I JUST FEEL THAT IT'D BE IN THE BEST INTEREST TO EVERYBODY IF WE TABLED THIS AND GOT THESE QUESTIONS WORKED OUT SOMEHOW.
>> WELL, I'VE GOT SEVERAL COMMENTS.
FAR AS THE FLOOD YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, THEY WERE STABBING CARP OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF 35 AND INDIAN TOWN ROAD WITH PITCHFORKS.
THAT HAPPENED FAIRLY REGULARLY UNTIL I GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL.
I HAVEN'T SEEN IT SINCE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GRAY FAMILY STARTED TAKING OVER THE SAND PIT OUT THERE.
THEY ARE HOUSES THAT ARE BUILT REASONABLY CLOSE TO IT ON BOTH SIDES, BEHIND AND IN FRONT.
TO THE SIDE, THERE'S TRAFFIC ON 35 AND 58 THAT COMES FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL TO CORTLAND.
THERE'S TRAFFIC DOWN, WE CALL IT THE ROLLER COASTER ROAD.
I CAN'T THINK OF THE NAME OF IT NOW.
BUT I THINK ANYBODY'S LIVED HERE IF ANY AMOUNT OF TIME KNOWS WHAT THE ROAD IS.
IT'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THAT 35 AND 58 CORRIDOR.
THE SIGHT LINE IS NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS IT IS OVER ON THIS LOCATION. I'VE BEEN TO BOTH.
IT'S FAR BETTER OVER THIS LOCATION.
I WAS RIGHT THERE WHEN THE SURVEYOR WAS PUTTING UP THE WAY POINTS FOR THE BUFFER AND THE BERM.
NOT ONLY THAT, THE SWAMP AND THE BEAVER POND THAT THE MAN REFERRED TO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY FEET IT IS ACROSS THAT BEAVER POND BEFORE YOU GET OVER THAT TO THE SMITH PROPERTY, BUT IT'S A LONG WAYS.
THAT'S A BUFFER, AND THAT'S PROTECTION.
THAT IS A PROTECTOR WHEN YOU HAVE HIGH WATER.
IT CATCHES IT, IT FILTERS IT, AND IT HELPS THE ECOSYSTEM.
IT'S ON THE FRONT OUT THERE ON THE ROAD.
THEY'RE GOING TO CONSTRUCT A PERPENDICULAR ENTRANCE TO INGRESS AND EGRESS, WHICH MAKES IT FAR BETTER THAN EITHER ROAD THAT YOU CAN TRAVERSE TO FROG HUNT CLUB.
I'VE BEEN THERE AT A FROG HUNT CLUB AND WALKED TO THE RIVER BEYOND THE MAN'S HUNT CLUB TO THE RIVER.
THE LOW GRINDS BACK THERE ARE GOING TO BE LEFT AS WELL AS PINES THAT ARE REACHING ALMOST MATURITY ON THE BACK SIDE OF THAT PROPERTY AND ONLY 65 ACRES OF THAT WHOLE PIECE OF PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE MINE FOR SAND.
I HAD HERE IS A GOOD TEST TO JUDGE THE OPERATION THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT OVER THERE.
THE BUFFER IS FAR LESS THAN THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE WHEN THEY GET IN OPERATION OVER OFF OF 258.
THAT'S MY DISTRICT WAS THIS YEAR.
[02:25:07]
THEY CUT PART OF IT OFF.I'VE NOT HAD ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT THAT SAND PIT OVER HERE NEXT TO HUNT CLUB, FROM THAT TO THE JUNIOR HIGH ON INDIAN TOWN ROAD OR THAT ROLLER COASTER ROAD, EITHER ONE.
FROM ANY OF THE RESIDENTS IN CORTLAND THAT GO BY THERE ALL THE TIME OR THE HOUSES, SOME OF THEM FAIRLY NEW THAT ARE UP THERE, ADJACENT TO THE VDOT RESIDENCY AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.
I THINK IF IT WAS GOING TO BE AN ILL RUN OPERATION, WE WOULD HAVE HEARD SOMETHING.
I HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD FOR YEARS.
WHEN THE HIGH WATER COMES, THAT SANDPIT ACTUALLY ACTS AS A PROTECTOR.
>> HOLD ON. YOU CAN'T TALK FROM BACK THERE.
>> THIS ONE, IT ACTS AS A PROTECTOR.
THE ROAD IN THE LAST 40 YEARS HADN'T BEEN ACROSS 58 AND 35.
IT'S BEEN ACROSS INDIAN TOWN ROAD THAT WAS A MAYBE A WEEK OR SO AGO, BUT IT'S RECEDED.
>> AS FOR THE NOISE FACTOR, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AROUND IT.
I'VE NOT SEEN DUST COME OUT OF THERE.
I'M NOT SAYING THERE ISN'T ANY DUST.
BUT MOST OF THE PATHS AND DRIVEWAYS AROUND IT DO STIR UP DUST AS WELL.
BUT IF I HAD TO LOOK AT BOTH, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD EXAMPLE THAT HAS SHOWN ME THAT THE PUBLIC HAS ACCEPTED IT.
BEFORE IT WAS APPROVED AND EVEN AFTER.
THIS COMPANY HAS BENEFITED THIS COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT MOST PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM DON'T EVEN KNOW.
THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY PUT INTO THIS COMMUNITY.
WITH YOUR YOUTH SPORTS, WITH ASSISTING THE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'VE EVEN OFFERED, HADN'T BEEN ANY RESPONSE TO IT, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO AS A BOARD, I FIGURE WE'LL CHECK INTO THIS PRETTY SOON.
THEY HAVE ALREADY OFFERED AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO TAKE ON INTERNS TO RUN A BUSINESS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE METAL FABRICATION TO MAKE THEIR OWN CONTAINER UNITS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE WELDING.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION, EARTH MOVING MACHINES, JOBS THAT WE NEED IN THIS AREA.
THEY ARE THE TYPE OF JOBS THAT THIS AREA NEEDS.
THEY ARE OFFERING TO DO THAT AT NO COST TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT'S LOCATED THERE ADJACENT TO IT.
IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME OF OUR CHILDREN IF THEY SO DESIRE THOSE VOCATIONS TO LEARN AND BE HIGHLY EMPLOYABLE BY THE TIME THEY GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, OR IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE AT PAUL DE TO EVEN CONTINUE.
ALL THE WHILE THAT THEY'RE IN BUSINESS, THEY ARE HELPING THIS COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN, AS WELL AS PAYING TAXES FOR MACHINERY AND REAL ESTATE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M IN FAVOR OF IT.
>> THERE'S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT GREAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS A GOOD COMPANY.
IT'S OBVIOUS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE I THINK SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IS BLESSED TO HAVE THIS COMPANY HERE, AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE A COMMUNITY HERE.
>> OF CITIZENS WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED.
I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT CONCERN.
IT BRINGS TO MY MIND, SOMETHING THAT PASTOR DAVID JEREMIAH USED TO SAY.
[02:30:02]
P-A-M-I-T-T. PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS WHO ARE CONCERNED.
I HEAR DR. KNIGHT WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT DELAYING IT SO THAT SOME TESTS CAN BE DONE.
BUT I DON'T SEE THESE TESTS RELIEVING THE FEARS THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
I RESPECT WHAT THEY SAY. I LIKE ALL OF YOU.
I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY SAY THAT THEY WANT A BORROW PIT IN THEIR BACK YARD.
I'M ONE WHO FEELS THE SAME WAY.
I WOULD WANT MY COMMUNITY TO BE PROTECTED.
CERTAINLY, I APPRECIATE WHAT THE GRAY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DOES FOR THE COUNTY.
BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE [BACKGROUND] AND HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOUR BUSINESS IS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I'D HATE TO SEE YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
IF MY VOTE IS THAT WE NOT APPROVE THIS, BECAUSE I DO THINK PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.
LIKE I SAID ON, I WAS ONE OF THE DESCENDING VOTES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THERE WERE THREE. I WAS 3-4.
NEWS THAT PLANNING COMMISSION HAS PRETTY MUCH WEIGHTED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, VERY POSITIVE, VERY NEGATIVE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF EMOTION, A LOT OF FEELING THERE, AND I AGREE WITH SUPERVISOR FAISON.
I'VE GOT TO THINK OF THE CITIZENS MORE.
LIKE I SAID, I WISH THEY COULD GET TOGETHER AND WORK THIS OUT AND GET ALL THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
THEY SHOULD BE ANSWERED BEFORE ANYBODY MAKES A DECISION ON THIS.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT THESE PEOPLE LIVE THERE.
THEY HAVE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED.
THOSE QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED AND EVERYTHING'S OKAY, SO BE IT.
I GO ALONG WITH SUPERVISOR FAISON THERE.
I HAVE TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE FIRST TIME.
I THINK, IF WE DON'T DO THAT, THERE'S A LINE.
PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE FIRST DESERVE THE BIGGEST CONSIDERATION.
SOMETIMES YOU SPECULATE ON A PIECE OF LAND AND YOU BUY IT, AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT.
I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS TABLE, AND THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
I THINK THESE PEOPLE DESERVE AND THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY DESERVE TO HAVE THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
>> I CAN'T TALK FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
>> YEAH. I UNDERSTAND Y'ALL CONCERNS.
BUT I THINK AS LONG AS THEY ADHERE TO THE BUFFER STRIPS AND I'VE BEEN OUT THERE AND LOOKED AT IT.
I WENT OUT THERE WITH ALEX AND BRANDON.
THEY OFFERED TO SHOW US WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO DO ALL THEY CAN DO TO NOT AFFECT THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM.
THE PROPERTY LINE, IT'S GOT A CREEK RUNNING THROUGH IT.
IT'S GOT ABOUT 100 YARDS OF TIMBER THAT'S GROWING ON BOTH SIDES OF IT.
WELL, I WALKED OUT DOWN AND LOOKED AT IT. I'M NOT HERE.
I UNDERSTAND IT MIGHT NOT BE 100 YARDS ON EACH EVERY SPOT, BUT THEY'VE GOT GOOD GRIND THERE.
THEY CAN PLANT THE PINE TREES, AND THEY WILL GET UP 10 FEET TALL IN TWO OR THREE YEARS.
I'VE DONE I'VE GROWN TIMBER ALL MY LIFE.
I KNOW ALL ABOUT GROWING TIMBER.
[LAUGHTER] BUT ANYWAY, I THINK THERE'S A WAY THEY CAN WORK WITH THE INDIAN TOWN IF THEY RUN ACROSS SOME ARTIFACTS.
>> YOU ALL I'VE GOT ONE QUESTION.
HAVE YOU ALL BEEN OUT THERE EXCAVATING THE ARTIFACTS BEFORE?
[02:35:02]
HAVE YOU BEEN OUT THERE LOOKING FOR ARTIFACTS.
>> I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN ON THAT LAND.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, SIR? IT'S CALLED AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
THE APPLICANT HAS TO CONTRACT WITH THE FIRM AND THEY TAKE A GRIP AND THEY DID 12 BY 12 POLES.
IF THEY HIT SOMETHING, THEY KEEP CALLED ARCHAEOLOGICAL.
AS A SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR DETERMINING IF THERE IS ANYTHING BURIED IN THE GROUND.
>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THEY JUST DID SOME OF IN SUSSEX.
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY, DR. BUCKWOLD, THAT'S WHAT HE RECOMMENDED THAT YOU ALL DO.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT.
PLEASE, IF YOU COULD. PLEASE AT LEAST DO THAT.
>> I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HADN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE NOW.
HOW LONG HAS THAT LAND BEEN FOR SALE?
>> WE AS OWNERS WERE NOT AWARE OF.
>> BUT HOW LONG HAD IT BEEN ON THE MARKET? WAIT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
>> WELL, I GOT A QUESTION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> LISTEN. WE COULDN'T ALLOW THE OTHER GUY TO TALK.
>> I'VE TALKED TO ANY OF THEM.
>> I KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE FAIR.
>> I KNOW THE LAND HAS BEEN FOR SALE ON THE MARKET FOR A LONG TIME.
ANYWAY, I'M JUST GETTING TO THE POINT.
EVERYBODY HAD A CHANCE TO GO OUT THERE AND CHECK IT OUT.
THESE GUYS BOUGHT IT ON THE FAIR MARKET.
THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO GO OUT AND RUIN ANYBODY'S LIFE.
I DID TAKE THE INVITATION TO GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.
THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THE PROPER ENTRANCES THERE.
THEY'VE GOT THE BUFFER STRIPS.
THEY'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HELP SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE POLITY CAMP TRAINED HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS AND WELDERS.
THEY'RE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
THEY MAKE YOU CONTROL DUST AND SAND PITS.
I'M FOR IT. THAT'S ALL I GO TO SAY.
>> I SHOULDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS NO GOOD OR BAD IN THIS.
I THINK EACH PERSON WHO HAS SPOKEN HAS A LEGITIMATE SPEECH.
BUT IT'S A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN'T I DON'T SEE WHERE WE CAN HAVE BOTH.
WE CAN'T HAVE THE SANDPIT AND WE CAN'T HAVE THE COMMUNITY SATISFIED.
NOW, THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THIS COMMUNITY HERE.
NOW, I WOULD IMAGINE IF WE WENT BACK 150 YEARS, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SETTLED IN THIS COMMUNITY COULD SETTLE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THEY WANTED TO.
THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE SETTLED THERE BECAUSE WETLANDS THERE.
THEY'D HAVE FOUND A BETTER PLACE.
BUT KNOWING THE PEOPLE WHO SETTLED THERE, THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE OF WHERE THEY SETTLE.
BUT THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE AND WE'RE DEALING WITH THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
WE HAVE A VERY GOOD COMMUNITY HERE THAT SEES THIS AS A THREAT.
NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO SAY IT IS OR ISN'T, BUT I SEE THE FEELINGS OF THESE PEOPLE.
EVEN IF IT COMES IN AND BE A NICE THING, NOT HURTING ANYBODY OR WHATEVER, IT'S NOT GOING TO RELIEVE THE FEELINGS OF THESE PEOPLE.
THEIR LIVES ARE GOING TO BE DISRUPTED BY THE FEELINGS THAT THEY HAVE, THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE OF THE SITUATION.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS, THIS COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED.
THEY'RE GOING TO SEE IT AS A THREAT.
AS I SAID, I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS, BUT I WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY THEY DO.
I WOULD SEE IT AS A THREAT TOO.
THAT'S WHY I'M OPPOSED TO THAT?
>> IF I MAY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE THAT YOU DON'T DISTURB SOMEBODY IN THIS COUNTY.
THIS COUNTY HAS TOO MUCH HISTORY LOCATED WHERE WE ARE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS COUNTRY AND EVEN BEFORE.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE AND DISTURB ANY DIRT THAT YOU AREN'T DISTURBING SOMEBODY'S FOLKS.
NOW, AS FOR THE SPRAYING, I HEARD IT WAS A FARM.
I ASSUME THERE'S SPRAYING THAT GOES ON THE CROPS.
[02:40:01]
THE SPRAYING IS GOING TO BE MINIMIZED OVER AT THE SAND PIT.THE SPRAYING THAT WAS DONE LAST SEPTEMBER IS NO MORE THAN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE FARMERS SPRAY HERE IN A FEW DAYS TO KILL TO COVER CROP SO THEY CAN PLANT THE NEXT YEAR'S CROP.
THOSE THINGS WAY THEMSELVES OFFSET IN MY OPINION, AND I LIKE MR. WHITE, HAVE BEEN OVER THERE AND BEEN ALL THE WAY AROUND THAT PROPERTY, SEEN THE SWAMP, SEEN THE BEAVE POND, SEEN WALK TO THE RIVER, SEEN THE LOW GROUNDS, SEEN THE AREAS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE FOR RECREATION, AND REGARDING FROG HUNT CLUB, THEY'VE ALREADY HAD YOUTH HUNTS ON THAT PROPERTY.
THEY'VE ALREADY HAD JOINT HUNTS OVER THERE, FOR CHILDREN, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE ACTIVITIES LIKE THAT AND OFF OF THEIR LAND TO BE USED.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO A LONG WAYS TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT ACCOMMODATING.
LIKE MR. WHITE SAID, THE LAND HAD BEEN FOR SALE FOR A LONG TIME.
AGAIN, I THINK THE GOOD THAT, AS A LADY SAID UP HERE, LET'S DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE COUNTY.
I BELIEVE THE BEST THING FOR THIS COUNTY IS TO APPROVE.
>> I HAVE ONLY ONE THING TO ADD TO THAT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF SAND IN THIS COUNTY.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GET SAND AND NOT DISTURB A COMMUNITY.
>> GO AHEAD. TAKE A RECESS. I THINK YOU.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF PLACES IN THIS COUNTY, A LOT OF SAND SO YOU CAN THERE'S A LOT OF PLACES YOU CAN GET SAND AND NOT DISTURB THE COMMUNITY.
>> YEAH, LET'S TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS.
>> TAKE A RECESS FOR MISS UPDIKE [OVERLAPPING].
ON THE ADVICE OF OUR ATTORNEY.
I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION THAT WE TABLE THE REST OF TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.
BECAUSE THIS VOTE MIGHT BE VERY CLOSE.
I THINK IF WE TAKE THAT WITHOUT HAVING THIS MEMBER PRESENT, THERE IS NOT FAIR.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY COMMENTS IF I COULD TONIGHT, WHILE WE HAD TO CRY HERE TO HERE, IF I MAY.
>> THAT'S NOT THE ADVICE OF OUR ATTORNEY. I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE.
>> WE CAN STILL TAKE THE ACTION.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY COMMENTS PRIOR TO DOING SO.
>> NO, I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE MY COMMENTS TO.
> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULDN'T ADVISE AGAINST THE MEMBER SHARING HIS COMMENTS.
IT IS UP TO THE BOARD WHETHER YOU WANT TO CONTINUE THE PENDING MATTERS ON THE AGENDA.
THE CHAIRMAN HAS THE PREROGATIVE TO TABLE ANY MATTER ON THE AGENDA, SUBJECT TO THE OBJECTION OF ANY MEMBER.
IF A MEMBER OBJECTS, THEN THE TABLING OF THAT MATTER GOES TO A VOTE OF THE FULL BOARD.
GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE BOARD MAY OPT TO CONTINUE ALL MATTERS ON THE BOARD ON THE AGENDA TO THE NEXT MEETING.
IF YOU WISH, IT'S UP TO YOUR JUDGMENT OR NOT.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TABLING ALL MATTERS ON THE AGENDA, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALLOW MR. COLLINS ITEM NUMBER 15, MR. COLLINS FROM BROADBAND TO PROVIDE HIS REPORT BEFORE YOU ADJOURN TO THE NEXT MEETING, WHERE YOU CAN TAKE UP THE MATTERS AGAIN.
BUT THAT'S ALL STRICTLY UP TO THE BOARD, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TONIGHT.
>> BASED ON THE DEVELOPMENTS HERE, AND THE FACT THAT I CONSIDER MISS UPDIKE'S VOTE VERY IMPORTANT, AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE HER DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
I MOVE THAT WE TABLE THIS MATTER UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING.
>> THERE'S AN OBJECTION. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TONIGHT.
YOU ALL CAN GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
I'LL BE DAMNED IF I'M GOING TO VOTE. IT'S NOT RIGHT.
SHE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND VOTE.
YOU'RE DENYING HER A VOTE BY PROCEEDING WITH THIS TONIGHT.
NOW, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, GO AHEAD.
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE A PART OF IT.
[02:45:01]
>> WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND YOU SECONDED TO TABLE IT.
>> TO TABLE IT UNTIL NEXT MEETING.
>> WE'VE GOT AN OBJECTION. DO WE NEED TO VOTE?
>> WE GOT A SECONDARY MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
>> YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON THE FIRST MOTION.
>> THAT MOTION IS SECOND TO TABLE, WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT ACTION.
THERE'S ONE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, IF YOU WILL, ALLOWED UNDER YOUR RULES, WHICH IS ROBERT'S.
UNDER YOUR RULES, THE OBJECTION NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE TABLING CAN BE CONSIDERED.
>> YOU WOULD VOTE ON WHETHER THE MATTER IS THE SAME.
WHETHER YOU WILL CHOOSE TO TABLE THIS MATTER, BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE MOTION ONLY CONCERNED THIS PARTICULAR MATTER, WHETHER YOU WILL TABLE THIS MATTER OR NOT. THE CHAIR CAN CALL.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLOSE, CONTROVERSIAL VOTE, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S FAIR FOR MISS UPDIKE.
>> EVERYBODY ELSE HAS GOT OPINIONS.
YOU GOT TO LET US HAVE OUR OPINION, MAN.
>> I'M JUST SAYING WHAT I'M SAYING.
IF YOU WANT TO BE CHAIRMAN HERE.
>> I'LL TAKE IT. THAT MIGHT COME.
BUT LOOK, WE GOT TO DO THIS BY THE BOOK.
WE'VE GOT AN OBJECTION TO TABLING IT.
DO YOU HAVE A VOTE IN IT TO TABLE IT? I MEAN, TO NOT TABLE IT.
NO. YOU DIDN'T GOT ME MIXED UP.
WE'VE GOT AN OBJECTION TO TABLE IT.
>> I DON'T EITHER. YOUR MOTION IS TO VOTE.
I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE MY COMMENTS. WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION.
>> YOU WANT TO TAKE ACTION ON THE APPLICATION?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. IS THAT RIGHT? I MEAN, WE DID IT RIGHT.
>> AS LONG AS THE RECORD REFLECTS THAT THERE WAS A VOTE ON THE OBJECTION TO SUPPORT THE OBJECTION, THEN THE MOTION TO TABLE BASICALLY FAILS, AND SO THE MATTER STANDS ON THE AGENDA.
>> WELL, IT'S A THREE, TWO VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VOTE ON THE APPLICATION. THAT'S WHAT THE VOTE IS.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU DO A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> WELL, AGAIN, I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM TABLING IT THE NEXT MEETING.
I THINK MISS UPDIKE HAD ENOUGH INPUT TO THIS THAT SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE COULD VOTE.
SHE MIGHT VOTE FOR OR AGAINST IT. I HAVE NO IDEA.
>> BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE VOTE EITHER WAY, MORE THAN LIKELY.
>> I THINK WE'RE SHOWING A LITTLE DISRESPECT TO HER FOR TRYING TO VOTE WITHOUT HER HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
WE'RE GOING TO RUN INTO THIS PROBABLY ANOTHER NIGHT.
SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE SICK AND NOT HERE, AND IN ANOTHER YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOWN TO FIVE PEOPLE ANYWAY.
>> WE HAVE TO VOTE ACCORDING TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, WE HAVE VOTED ON THE OBJECTION, AND THE OBJECTION CARRIED THREE TO TWO.
NOW WE CONTINUE WITH DEALING WITH ISSUE NUMBER 11. MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> I BELIEVE MR. GILLETTE'S CHARACTERIZATION OF THE VOTE IS CORRECT BY MY UNDERSTANDING.
I HEARD THREE MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF HIS OBJECTION TO TABLING, AND TWO MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF TABLING.
THREE TO TWO, I THINK IS AN ACCURATE COUNT.
I SUGGESTED YOU DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
ANY MEMBER CAN CALL FOR A DECISION ON A MOTION.
IF A MEMBER WANTS TO DO THAT, YOU COULD DO THAT.
AGAIN, I THINK IT'S CLEAR WHAT THE VOTE IS ON THE RECORD.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT MORE CLEAR, YOU CAN DO THAT.
>> TO MR. HARPS OBJECTION, YES.
[02:50:02]
>> YOU UPHOLD THE OBJECTION AND VOTE ON THIS?
>> YES IS TO WHETHER TO VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT OR NOT.
YOU WANT TO VOTE TONIGHT? YES. YOU VOTE, YES.
>> THAT JUST HAVE IT, THREE TO TWO.
>> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS ON IT?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO, THANK YOU.
I'M SORRY, IT TOOK ALL THAT TO GET TO THIS FOLKS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR HANGING IN THERE WITH US TONIGHT.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY HAD TO SAY TONIGHT.
I KNOW THAT NIGHT IS DRAWING LONG, SO I'M GOING TO ATTEMPT TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF EVERYBODY'S TIME BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYBODY'S TIRED, BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT HERE AND PROVIDING YOUR COMMENTS.
I'M SYMPATHETIC TO WHAT EVERYBODY HAD TO SAY.
EVERYBODY'S NAME, EVERYBODY'S COMMENT.
I SHARED WITH THE SHERIFF EARLIER THAT A MAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE.
I GET IT, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU LIVE THERE.
THESE ARE YOUR HOMES. I'M ALL ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL LAND OWNER.
IT'S ALSO THE GRAYS' PROPERTY.
THEY BOUGHT IT, THEY OWNED IT.
IT'S THEIRS, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP IT AS LONG AS IT ISN'T SO OBTRUSIVE TO ANYBODY ELSE.
I LOOKED AT ALL THE DOCUMENTS IN THE PACKAGE.
I HAVE TO WONDER WHY SOME OF THIS WASN'T PRESENTED ALREADY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THEIR REVIEW PRIOR TO EVEN COMING TO US AS A RECOMMENDATION OR NOT.
I LOOKED AT WHAT VDO HAD TO SAY, AND THEY'VE SPELLED OUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE TO MAKE IT SAFE.
THEY'VE EXPRESSED NO ADDITIONAL CONCERNS.
THEY SPELLED OUT THE HYDRANT THAT'S GOING TO BE PUT THERE AND WHAT PHASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO BE PUT THERE, THE LETTER OF APPROVAL FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION, TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT WATER SOURCE FOR SUPPRESSION EFFORTS, WHICH IS GOING TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC SAFETY TO THE RESIDENTS OF THAT CORRIDOR TO HAVE THAT WATER THERE FOR THEM TO USE, AS WELL AS THE ACCESS ROAD TO GET TO IT, SO THAT IF YOU HAD AN INCIDENT AT YOUR HOME THERE, THE WATER IS AVAILABLE FOR SUPPRESSION TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT TO USE AT YOUR HOME IF IT WERE ON FIRE.
THE 200 FOOT BUFFER IS THERE, THERE ARE NO DEQ CONCERN IS THERE.
THEY'RE SCHEDULED TO REFOREST IT.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERY EFFORTS BEING MADE TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON THOSE THAT IMMEDIATELY SURROUND IT.
BACK ON WHAT CARL WAS SAYING EARLIER, WE HEAR A LOT THAT NOBODY WANTS THIS IN THEIR BACK YARD.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT'S GOT TO GO IN SOMEBODY'S.
IF IT DIDN'T GO HERE IT'S GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHICH THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE IS GOING TO BE IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S BACKYARD.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT ENDS UP GOING, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT SOMEBODY.
SOMEBODY ELSE IS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH WHERE IT ULTIMATELY ENDS UP GOING.
IT'S A DIFFICULT SPOT TO BE IN WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE A DECISION THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS, THEIR HOMES IN A NEGATIVE WAY.
REGARDLESS AT THE END OF THE DAY, SOMEBODY'S NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY, AND THAT'S THE FACT OF THE MATTER.
I WANTED YOU ALL TO HEAR THAT FROM ME, AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME COMING OUT HERE TONIGHT SO THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CEP.
WITH THAT MOTION BEING MADE IN DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY, PUBLIC TESTIMONY, PUBLIC NECESSITY, CONVENIENCE, AND IN THE EXERCISE OF GOOD ZONING PRACTICE AND PURSUANT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STATUTORY AUTHORITY, I MAKE THE AFORESAID MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE AGAINST, RAISE YOUR HAND.
SOMEBODY STILL HERE? NUMBER 15,
[15. Broadband Updates - Eric Collins, Director of Government Affairs, Charter Communications]
WE'RE GOING TO TABLE THE REST OF IT TO THE NEXT MEETING.>> HONORABLE CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.
I THINK IT'S BEEN PROBABLY JULY SINCE I WAS WITH YOU LAST.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A QUICK UPDATE.
IT'S ONLY GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE THREE MINUTES TO DO THIS.
OUR VATI AND RDOF BUILD IS WRAPPING UP.
WE HAVE A FEW EXTENSIONS THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLETE OFF OF OUR FIBER BUILD.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ACTIVATED APPROXIMATELY 4,800 HOMES,
[02:55:05]
AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING SOME OF THE RESIDENTS THAT WE DID THE APPLICATION THAT WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE HOUSEHOLDS, TECHNICALLY, THEY WERE ABANDONED HOMES AND RESIDENCES.THAT DOES NOT A COUNT THEM, BUT SOME OF THEM WERE COUNTED IN THE ORIGINAL COST AND COUNT.
ALSO, A PART OF THIS IS THAT THERE ARE SECTIONS IN EVERY BUILD THAT WE DO THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE, EASEMENT AGREEMENTS FROM LAND OWNERS IN ORDER TO GET BACK TO ANOTHER HOME.
THOSE LANDOWNERS AND THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD NOT GIVE US AN EASEMENT TO SERVE RESIDENTS DOWN THE ROAD.
THOSE ARE NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE WE CAN'T BUILD THOSE WITHOUT EASEMENTS IF THOSE HOMEOWNERS DON'T GIVE THEM TO US.
WE'VE BUILT 789 MILES HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I SEE A LOT FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM WHO DID THIS, THE HARD WORK.
WE STILL HAVE SOME FEW EXTENSIONS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.
ONCE WE DO THAT, WE'LL BE COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT DATE FOR THE VALLEY AND BUILD IS JULY 7TH.
BY JULY 7TH, WE WILL TECHNICALLY BE COMPLETE OF THE BUILD.
CURRENTLY WE'RE GOING THROUGH WHAT WE CALL PASSING RECONCILIATION.
THAT'S WHERE OUR RECONCILIATION TEAM, OUR COMPLIANCE TEAM GOES, AND WE COMPARE EVERY ADDRESS THAT WE HAD ON THE BILL TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE MATCHING THE ADDRESSES THAT WAS IN NEVADA GRANTS.
ONCE WE GO THROUGH THAT RECONCILIATION, WE'LL MATCH EVERY HOUSEHOLD UP TO WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BUILD, BAR EXCEPT FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS, OF COURSE, THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE EASEMENT.
OTHER THAN THAT, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. CARL HECK, AGAIN, HE SITS ON OUR VATI STEERING COMMITTEE, WE MEET BIWEEKLY AND HE HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT IF ANY COMPLAINTS COME IN, OR IF THERE'S ANY HOME OWNER THAT IS COMPLAINING ABOUT SERVICE, HE GETS THEM TO US, OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM THEY'RE ON THAT CALL AS WELL.
ANYTIME THERE'S A COMPLAINT, THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF WITHIN A DAY OR TWO.
I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR SERVING ON THAT COMMITTEE AND SERVING SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY ALONG WITH CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS TO MAKE SURE WE GET BROADBAND DEPLOYED HERE IN THE COUNTY.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, MAN.
>> YOU SAID YOU DID EASEMENTS FOR SOME LOCALITY?
>> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE ACCOUNTING?
>> THAT IS WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE RECONCILIATION OF IN DETERMINING WHAT NUMBER THAT IS OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE COULDN'T GET SERVICE BACK TO THE HOME BECAUSE IT REQUIRED AN EASEMENT FROM THE LANDOWNER.
THAT'S PART OF THE PASSING RECONCILIATION.
ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTNERING WITH CHARTER.
YOU GUYS PUT A MILLION DOLLARS YOU PUT TOWARDS THIS.
I REALLY THINK WE MAY END UP HAVING A SHORTFALL.
WE MAY HAVE MONEY LEFT OVER FROM THE BUILD.
I'LL LET BRIAN AND CARL KNOW ABOUT THAT.
IF THERE IS, WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
HOPEFULLY, HAVE SOME OF YOUR MONEY LEFT.
YOU HAVE TILL DECEMBER, I THINK, TO SPEND THAT.
> WE APPRECIATE ERIC AND HIS WORK AND CARL'S ON THIS. THANK YOU. ERIC.
>> THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE TABLED HAD TO BE RE-ADVERTISED.
ANY FURTHER EXCITEMENT BEFORE WE ADJOURN? MOTION TO ADJOURN?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.