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October 11, 2016 Vol. 105 • No. 82 16 Pages
www.NothingLikeFreedom.com
FREEDOM FORD Lincoln, Inc.
151 Woodland Drive Wise, Virginia A Progressive Newspaper Serving Mountain AreaSince Since1911 1911 A Progressive Newspaper Serving OurOur Mountain Area
(276) 328-2686
PROGRESS
NORTON, VA 24273 USPS 120-120 $1.00
EDA has hopes for historic home Blight blues
JENAY TATE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER POUND — The town’s Economic Development Authority is hoping to secure the future of a piece of the past it now owns. Meeting Oct. 4, the EDA agreed to further discuss insurance options with the town before selling an old log house it was given that overlooks Pound River and was built by missionaries back in 1934. EDA Chair Martha Jett confessed to authority members that night she’d not posted “For Sale” signs in the yard since the EDA had reluctantly decided to do so at its September meeting. Jett and others see potential in the property in addition to its historic value. Known now as the old Jack Lloyd house, the cabin sits on property downhill of Route 83, just past the bridge and fire department. Methodist missionaries Harry and Ruth Phillips built the home in 1934 after their original house had been destroyed by fire, according to a brief history written by Margaret Sturgill, vice chair of the Historical Society of The Pound. The house also was home to companion missionary Laura Gutshall, who had come to Wise County in the early 1930s. Assisting with the construction was John Henry Jr., also a missionary and the subsequent founder of Camp Bethel in Wise, who had arrived in Wise County that summer. One of Henry’s first assigned tasks was to help the Phillips build the log cabin, which was constructed of logs hewn from trees felled on the so-called Norman Crouse land next door. The Phillips and Gutshall worked with the local Methodist church, preached in schools,
County revisits property concerns KATIE DUNN STAFF WRITER
MARGARET STURGILL PHOTOS
Now owned by the Pound Economic Development Authority, the old Jack Lloyd log house sits near downtown, past the bridge and Pound Fire Department, below Route 83 and next to the Pound River. Kayaks could put in from the back yard, fans of the property say. churches and prison camps, and organized Sunday schools in many sections of Wise and Dickenson counties. The property ultimately landed in the hands of New Peoples Bank, which donated it to Pound EDA in February of this year. In June, the EDA voted to accept proposals from local citizens, businesses or other groups for the use of the log cabin property. It held an open house in July. Proposals were to have been opened in August but the EDA received none, Jett said. So, with no money, no insurance on the property and no prospects for occupancy panning out, the EDA decided in September to put the house on the market but not formally list it. Sturgill spoke to town council in September, asking about the possibility of the town insuring
HISTORIC, PAGE 2
PROPERTY, PAGE 2
Methodist missionaries Harry and Ruth Phillips built the home in 1934 with the help of missionary John Henry Jr., the subsequent founder of Camp Bethel in Wise, who arrived in Wise County that summer. Supporters say the home has historic value.
NEWS EDITOR S U B S C R I B E R I N F O R M AT I O N H E R E
NORTON — City council last week agreed to free up $255,570 in state education carryover funds, several months earlier than usual, to help the school system get through a severe short-term money crunch. But the central topic on council members’ minds as they talked with schools Superintendent Keith Perrigan was the longview perspective of funding for Norton schools — and whether additional bad news regarding money might come before the school
Data center query raised KATIE DUNN
‘The more we open it up, the more opportunity for people to see it.’ Martha Jett, Pound EDA Chair
Cash-poor schools get funds JEFF LESTER
WISE — Calls for more action to rid Wise County of dilapidated buildings resurfaced last Thursday at county supervisors’ meeting. Reba Darter Ramey addressed the board during public expression to request help in removing an abandoned trailer near her home off Pole Bridge Road that she said is a refuge for snakes. The reptiles have also begun appearing on her property and front porch, and she told the board she was “terrified” and had already killed several. She also noted that she initially sought assistance through the county’s litter control and health departments and had been referred to the county’s building
As of last week, city schools had 774 students, but the current-year budget was based on 815 students. year ends. Perrigan came to council Oct. 4 to request appropriation of the state money — a process that typically doesn’t happen until near the end of the school year. The school board had intended to use some of the funds for building and capital projects, but agreed to freeze those items for now. The money is needed to balance the operating budget, Perrigan told council. Perrigan explained that city schools have seen a significant enroll-
ment decrease — with a total of 774 students enrolled at the most recent report. The schools budget was based on having 815 students, Mayor William Mays noted. Perrigan said along with the enrollment drop, state-level budget concerns have caused Gov. Terry McAuliffe to withdraw a planned 2 percent raise for teachers. Actions the school system has already taken include absorbing one vacant teaching
position, reducing discretionary administrative spending and cutting other spending, he said. Mays asked what the city and school system can expect in the 201718 school year. Perrigan said discussions already have included absorbing any additional jobs that become vacant instead of filling the positions. Other coalfieldregion school systems are seeing sharp enrollment decreases, Perrigan noted. The eight school divisions have lost about 675 students since the end of
FUNDS, PAGE 3
PAGE 3: Coalfield schools funding summit is Thursday.
STAFF WRITER WISE — County supervisors last Thursday fielded questions and concerns from one resident about the data center being constructed by D.P. Facilities Inc. near the Lonesome Pine Regional Airport. Jim Cox, who lives on Pole Bridge Road near the data center, told the board he worries the facility poses a risk to county residents. Just last month,
DATA, PAGE 3
INSIDE • Woodbooger Festival starts Friday. • U.S. senators hear coal country woes.
the
October 11, 2016 Vol. 105 • No. 82 16 Pages
www.NothingLikeFreedom.com
FREEDOM FORD Lincoln, Inc.
151 Woodland Drive Wise, Virginia A Progressive Newspaper Serving Mountain AreaSince Since1911 1911 A Progressive Newspaper Serving OurOur Mountain Area
(276) 328-2686
PROGRESS
NORTON, VA 24273 USPS 120-120 $1.00
EDA has hopes for historic home Blight blues
JENAY TATE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER POUND — The town’s Economic Development Authority is hoping to secure the future of a piece of the past it now owns. Meeting Oct. 4, the EDA agreed to further discuss insurance options with the town before selling an old log house it was given that overlooks Pound River and was built by missionaries back in 1934. EDA Chair Martha Jett confessed to authority members that night she’d not posted “For Sale” signs in the yard since the EDA had reluctantly decided to do so at its September meeting. Jett and others see potential in the property in addition to its historic value. Known now as the old Jack Lloyd house, the cabin sits on property downhill of Route 83, just past the bridge and fire department. Methodist missionaries Harry and Ruth Phillips built the home in 1934 after their original house had been destroyed by fire, according to a brief history written by Margaret Sturgill, vice chair of the Historical Society of The Pound. The house also was home to companion missionary Laura Gutshall, who had come to Wise County in the early 1930s. Assisting with the construction was John Henry Jr., also a missionary and the subsequent founder of Camp Bethel in Wise, who had arrived in Wise County that summer. One of Henry’s first assigned tasks was to help the Phillips build the log cabin, which was constructed of logs hewn from trees felled on the so-called Norman Crouse land next door. The Phillips and Gutshall worked with the local Methodist church, preached in schools,
County revisits property concerns KATIE DUNN STAFF WRITER
MARGARET STURGILL PHOTOS
Now owned by the Pound Economic Development Authority, the old Jack Lloyd log house sits near downtown, past the bridge and Pound Fire Department, below Route 83 and next to the Pound River. Kayaks could put in from the back yard, fans of the property say. churches and prison camps, and organized Sunday schools in many sections of Wise and Dickenson counties. The property ultimately landed in the hands of New Peoples Bank, which donated it to Pound EDA in February of this year. In June, the EDA voted to accept proposals from local citizens, businesses or other groups for the use of the log cabin property. It held an open house in July. Proposals were to have been opened in August but the EDA received none, Jett said. So, with no money, no insurance on the property and no prospects for occupancy panning out, the EDA decided in September to put the house on the market but not formally list it. Sturgill spoke to town council in September, asking about the possibility of the town insuring
HISTORIC, PAGE 2
PROPERTY, PAGE 2
Methodist missionaries Harry and Ruth Phillips built the home in 1934 with the help of missionary John Henry Jr., the subsequent founder of Camp Bethel in Wise, who arrived in Wise County that summer. Supporters say the home has historic value.
NEWS EDITOR S U B S C R I B E R I N F O R M AT I O N H E R E
NORTON — City council last week agreed to free up $255,570 in state education carryover funds, several months earlier than usual, to help the school system get through a severe short-term money crunch. But the central topic on council members’ minds as they talked with schools Superintendent Keith Perrigan was the longview perspective of funding for Norton schools — and whether additional bad news regarding money might come before the school
Data center query raised KATIE DUNN
‘The more we open it up, the more opportunity for people to see it.’ Martha Jett, Pound EDA Chair
Cash-poor schools get funds JEFF LESTER
WISE — Calls for more action to rid Wise County of dilapidated buildings resurfaced last Thursday at county supervisors’ meeting. Reba Darter Ramey addressed the board during public expression to request help in removing an abandoned trailer near her home off Pole Bridge Road that she said is a refuge for snakes. The reptiles have also begun appearing on her property and front porch, and she told the board she was “terrified” and had already killed several. She also noted that she initially sought assistance through the county’s litter control and health departments and had been referred to the county’s building
As of last week, city schools had 774 students, but the current-year budget was based on 815 students. year ends. Perrigan came to council Oct. 4 to request appropriation of the state money — a process that typically doesn’t happen until near the end of the school year. The school board had intended to use some of the funds for building and capital projects, but agreed to freeze those items for now. The money is needed to balance the operating budget, Perrigan told council. Perrigan explained that city schools have seen a significant enroll-
ment decrease — with a total of 774 students enrolled at the most recent report. The schools budget was based on having 815 students, Mayor William Mays noted. Perrigan said along with the enrollment drop, state-level budget concerns have caused Gov. Terry McAuliffe to withdraw a planned 2 percent raise for teachers. Actions the school system has already taken include absorbing one vacant teaching
position, reducing discretionary administrative spending and cutting other spending, he said. Mays asked what the city and school system can expect in the 201718 school year. Perrigan said discussions already have included absorbing any additional jobs that become vacant instead of filling the positions. Other coalfieldregion school systems are seeing sharp enrollment decreases, Perrigan noted. The eight school divisions have lost about 675 students since the end of
FUNDS, PAGE 3
PAGE 3: Coalfield schools funding summit is Thursday.
STAFF WRITER WISE — County supervisors last Thursday fielded questions and concerns from one resident about the data center being constructed by D.P. Facilities Inc. near the Lonesome Pine Regional Airport. Jim Cox, who lives on Pole Bridge Road near the data center, told the board he worries the facility poses a risk to county residents. Just last month,
DATA, PAGE 3
INSIDE • Woodbooger Festival starts Friday. • U.S. senators hear coal country woes.
