Bath Board of Supervisors holds 1st 2019 meeting

The Bath County Board of Supervisors held its first meeting of 2019 on Tuesday evening.  The bulk of the meeting was focused on organizing new year positions and procedure.  When Mr. Purdue moved to continue using Robert’s Rules of Order as regular meeting procedure, Mr. Bird suggested one amendment be- not to require a second on motions to bring an item forward for discussion. 

“Discussion please. . . . Bart, I’d like to ask because of the fact that we represent all people at all times, that we should do away with the need to have a second to be able to have discussion.  I think your constituents and mine is all evaded? if we bring up a subject, or it’s on the agenda for discussion by the people.  We should discuss it even though it’s voted down.  I go along with Robert Rules of Orders, but remove the demand that it has to have a second.”

While Mr. Lockaby, the board attorney, was still facilitating the meeting, he took the vote for this amended motion.

“To adopt the bylaws, with the amendment. That a second is no longer required in order to bring an item up for discussion.  All those in favor? ‘Aye’ All those opposed?  ‘Nay’. Motion carries 4-1, Hicklin dissenting.”

Once procedure was reestablished, the board went on to elect officers.

Richard Bird, Valley Springs district was reelected Board Chair, and Bart Purdue of Warm Springs, Vice Chair.  Stuart Hall, Williamsville will serve again as Emergency Services Director.  Eddie Hicklin of Millboro, will serve on the recently formed management team for a grant from the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

Another organizational item the board addressed was meeting time.  For the rest of 2019, their regular monthly meetings, will be held at six o’clock.  Mr Bird explained why.

“All committees, groups, appointed authorities in the county have went to 6:00 meetings, and so therefore we were the only one that was out on the limb at 7:00 so therefore to make it more of a look-alike,  that we are one, and we’re all working together, instead of people remembering one time, and remembering another time, and forgetting this time, this board has just decided to go with the time that everybody else has.  So, beginning February meeting, our meeting will be 6pm in this room.”

***During his list of what the board had accomplished in 2018, Chairman Bird mentioned the ongoing process of planning for a visitor’s/community center.

“The Visitor’s Center, we have worked very diligently over this year.  And we have scaled it down to a new version.  The board of supervisors will take that up at their February 12th work session on the budget.  At that work session, please understand that it is a budget work session.  It’s an opportunity for the board to meet with the county administration and staff, and get information in regard to our budget process.  It is not a public hearing.” 

In the second of this pair of stories, County Administrator Ashton Harrison explains updates in recycling availability, and the need for residents to continue to be diligent with proper solid waste disposal.  This report concludes with words from Pastor Zach  Royer, who offered the benediction at the beginning of the meeting.

“Tonight I pray that we would operate with the understanding that complete power and authority does not rest upon elected officials, nor the constituency but from your throne which is eternal.  I pray tonight that you would watch over us protecting our minds and hearts even from roots of bitterness pride and selfishness.  Help us to meet together in the spirit of Unity and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Let us rejoice together on areas of accomplishment and agreement, and help us in times of disagreement to operate in civility, honor and humility.”