Bath Board of Supervisors pays honor

 

The first part of Tuesday’s night’s Bath Board of Supervisors meeting had a proclamation and two resolutions honoring the county, its anniversary, and two men who served it so well for a long time. Bath County Historical Society, executive director, Rick Armstrong shared the document presented to the County from the General Assembly.

“The Senate of Virginia, along with the House of Delegates issued a resolution, #195 commending Bath County on its 225th anniversary. The patrons were Deeds and Delegate Cline.” The resolution went on to specifically describe how Bath was formed from parts of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier Counties, and mentioned the first court date held in Warm Springs. It listed the defining social, recreational and economic aspects of the county, with the protected forestland, and state park making up more than half of the county. For the complete resolution visit the county’s website, and the meeting’s notes.

Both the families of Johnny Hodge, of Millboro and Mac Bird, of Hot Springs were present to receive resolutions from the board. Ashton Harrison, County administrator read both of the statements, which memorialize these extraordinary men.

The following are exceprts:

“And whereas, in addition to being a founding member of the Millboro Rescue Squad, and Fam Team?, Johnny Hodge was also a volunteer firefighter for the Millboro Volunteer Fire Department; whereas Johnny Hodge was a volunteer who could be relied upon to answer every call no matter the hour or weather, “

The resolution continued and was received with heartfelt applause. Mr. Harrison read again.

“And whereas Douglas Mac Bird was a consummate volunteer and joined the Hot Springs fire Department, and the Hot Springs Rescue Squad in 1974, and was a charter member of the Millboro Rescue Squad in 1998, and helped support the organization so our citizens could be better served, and whereas Mac Bird served as the President of the Hot Springs Fire and Rescue Association from 1995-2001 and from 2007 to 2015; and whereas Mac Bird thinks the best volunteerism, by going above and beyond the call of duty.”

Later, when the public was invited to speak again, Harold King, President of Bath Fire and Rescue Association reminded the board how very much the public appreciates their support of local emergency services.

When Andy Seaboldt,, Building official and E&S administrator, asked for a public hearing so that County Code, Chapter 10, of Erosion and Sediment Control can be amended, the supervisors all agreed to set the hearing. Emily Plecker, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce updated the board on the Business innovation team. She explained, this will be a twelve-member team of volunteers from a wide range of business backgrounds. They will be able to offer their expertise to younger residents, and new businesses seeking support, and information. The team would also be available to assist in implementation of the county’s economic development plan. Despite Plecker’s assurance that the team is in no way part of the Economic Development Authority, and is simply service offered through the Chamber, later in the meeting, Richard Bird, Valley Springs District, expressed great concern that such a group seems like an increase in government to him. To learn more, or to offer your experience and perspective, Emily Plecker is available at the Bath County Chamber of Commerce. For Part two in this pair of reports about the Board of Supervisors monthly meeting, please stay tuned to Allegheny Mountain Radio.

 

Story By

Bonnie Ralston

Bonnie Ralston is the Assistant Station Coordinator at WVLS and a Highland County news reporter. She began volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in the fall of 2005. In 2006 she became an AMR employee and worked in Bath County for eight years as the WCHG Station Coordinator and then as the news reporter there. She began working in radio while in college and has stayed connected to radio, in one way or another, for more than thirty years. She grew up in Staunton, Virginia, while spending a lot of time on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Virginia. She enjoys spending time outside, watching old TV shows and movies and tending to her chickens.

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