Marshall Ecker Altavista Journal Opinion

Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker/Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors | Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 10:45 am 
      
Three members of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors have been trying to present a resolution to keep the moratorium in place on uranium mining and milling to protect the health, safety and welfare of Pittsylvania County citizens since the Sept. 4 board meeting.

Each time we present a resolution, we have heard every excuse possible to not have a resolution from several members of our board. The excuses range from the timing is not right, we didn’t have any input and we are waiting for another study or report to come out to having a state senator telling some members of the board to not pass a resolution.

My response is those members, especially those who have hardly, if ever, attended any meetings that presented studies or information about uranium issues except maybe those meetings to support mining, is how can you give any creditable input into a resolution without hearing firsthand all of the concerns from citizens and answers from the experts at those meetings.

Three supervisors, Jesse Barksdale, Jerry Hagerman and I, have each presented individual resolutions from our respective districts to keep a permanent moratorium in place to best protect all citizens. The resolutions will be sent to every legislator and the governor. Our chairman and vice-chairman have been quoted as saying a resolution will be soon or by Nov. 1 and the more the merrier. You have to ask the question of why didn’t they support what was presented? Not one who opposed our resolution asked Mr. Barksdale what we can do to help protect the citizens in your district. They will be at ground zero as the mine and milling will be in the Banister District. We all should be helping Mr. Barksdale in this battle and giving all our efforts in preventing any mining and milling of uranium from happening in Pittsylvania County and Virginia as a whole.

As a side note, Supervisor Brenda Bowman, chair of the Legislative Committee, said at the October meeting that on the “Nov. 5 legislative meeting, we will have discussion on having a resolution and input from all board members.” Let’s hope that will become a reality.

Supervisors have changed direction and voted 5-2 to not require James McDaniel (superintendent of schools) to serve on Community Policy and Management Board. He has repeatedly stated that he didn’t want to serve on the board and now has persuaded the School Board to say that they refuse to let him serve on that board. An email dated Oct. 16, 2012, states that according to Mr. McDaniel’s research, he found other counties that didn’t have their superintendent serving on those boards. My response to Mr. Doss was those counties were not charged with having to pay back $9.5 million if Richmond decides we have violated something in the settlement agreement for next 10 years. I go on record that the Pittsylvania County Schools will be responsible for the whole $9.5 million to be paid back. Every school employee should be aware of how it would affect his or her future if that becomes a reality. That is why it was so important to have Mr. McDaniel’s serve on the board to be accountable and have firsthand knowledge, not secondhand opinions from assistants.

The board voted 5-2 to amend Chapter 4-1 of the Pittsylvania County Code about permit and inspection fees to increase all fees by 25 percent. These fees have not increased for many years. Why should all citizens pay for services that only effect those who what to improve or build a new structure? Government shouldn’t make a profit, but it should not take a loss to provide services.
Another fee increase will be the Department of Motor Vehicles’ stop fees requested by our county treasurer. This fee only affects those who neglected to pay property taxes or for other services provided by the county. This fee increased from $20 to $30 on Oct. 16. This also was a 5-2 vote in favor.

To get the board’s packet or other information, go to Pittsylvania County’s home page at www.pittgov.org. This is a tool for all citizens to use and help to keep a watchful eye on county business.

Feel free to contact me by telephone at 434-335-5967. Please, no phone calls after 9 p.m. You can email me at any hour to marshall.ecker@pittgov.org. I want to know your thoughts or ideas on issues.

http://www.wpcva.com/altavista/opinion/article_7b2d0cf6-1de9-11e2-9edd-0019bb2963f4.html