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Tim Ward is leaving the Planning and Zoning Department and heading to Maryland.

Anyone who had the pleasure of  meeting Tim Ward and speaking with him at length soon found he is a devoted Christian. May 25th is his last day as the head of Planning and Zoning in Development Services for Botetourt County. He took over after Chuck Supan retired in October of 2010. He is leaving for camp ministry.

Ward and his wife Rene, along with their two daughters, will be moving on to Camp Wabanna in Edgewater, Maryland.  It is located on the mainland side of the Chesapeake Bay. He will serve as Director of Ministry and Programs for the nondenominational camp that fields campers from inner city as well as subdivisions.

Ward worked in the Botetourt Planning Department for six and a half  years.

Uneasy is the Iron Throne occupied by King Joffrey...on his elbow scheming advisers vie for power.-- Publicity Photo courtesy of HBO, "Game of Thrones."

Hey, it’s Terrific Tuesday again! How’s everything  in your neck of the woods? Who besides me is tired of gray skies and rain accompanied by the weird sound of the 17 year cicada? I think I am in the twilight zone.

Off I go to spin a yarn for this bleak day.

I have been watching Game of Thrones again on HBO this season. HBO is my sinful extra cost. While I buy  meat and food with pink stickers,  I use the savings to afford HBO so I can watch Game of Thrones until Nucky Thompson and Boardwalk Empire return.

I absolutely love Game of Thrones. The rebirth of Dragons has driven me wild with visions of my childhood when I wanted so to find a dragon skeleton or even a single dragon tooth or scale. The scheming and politics in such an ancient place– well they remind me of something…Hmmm….

I have noticed a great parallel in Game of Thrones to local, state and national politics. Who has the King’s elbow and whispers sweet nothings into his ear,  is likely to be the one who is influencing policy. Look at the whole sordid John Edwards affair. Certainly those who whispered in his ear influenced him to his demise and of course in his own stupid quest for love in all the wrong places. But, they received a lot out of doing it allegedly in dollar terms.

Here, the King has changed in some respects, to a Queen. Who at her elbow whispers in her ear?  She ought to get out more and discover the truths of Botetourt County on her own. More than one is concerned she isn’t getting a true picture. You see,  I hear the whispers of others elsewhere throughout the county–I drive around here about 500 miles per month. Maybe some people who desire the spot at the elbow, but certainly voices that need to be heard so she can form her own viewpoint.

I Googled “Lewis and Clark” (as in proposed Legacy Trail)  46,900, 000 in .22 seconds and then Googled “Greenfield” 8,930,000 .53 seconds.  Which could matter most? In tourism dollars and the L&CLT, it could be built upon a love story. “William Clark visits Julia Hancock before Thomas Jefferson! News at 6.” Good copy, baby!  Not to mention historical context, which made me laugh when the two were compared.  Greenfield could be part of the L&CLT because they were contemporaries, but it will never have anything more than local historical context on its own. Lewis and Clark helped build a nation with a gritty and determined exploration. It has huge significance in a country beleaguered–  could it become a rallying point– who knows?

On the other hill, I am all for the Sports Complex– its time will continue to build. Diversity will help America expand in the future economy, I feel. This country loves sports and being entertained.  The lack of the new business end worries me after all of those budget meetings this year.  Many whisper to me that to add more smaller businesses at Greenfield would make sense. 40 or less employee companies.

But do the folk whispering at the elbow think so? Who is leading the charge to attract business here? That could be where all the difference is made.  We have “Winter is Coming” (lack of revenue) and what have we done to prepare besides raise some taxes ? Have we sent the  Knight’s Watch beyond the Wall while we fight amongst ourselves like they do in The Game of Thrones? Where will the alliances be made? Ahhh….

And the final part of this yarn. There are those fallen from grace that many, not as attuned to Botetourt County, do not know are no longer in power here (and from where I sit, I am not sure some of those fallen good old boys  have figured that out yet, neither). For example, two Republican chairs from a different viewpoint have now been elected in the party in so many years plus. For the folks who play in Richmond and Washington– that would be a good fact to keep in mind. The King has changed and you can bet there is someone looking for his elbow.

See you next week!

LBHS Drama is presenting “Arsenic and Old Lace” as our Spring Play. Arsenic and Old Lace is a dark comedy written by LBHS Drama is presenting Arsenic and Old Lace as our Spring Play. Arsenic and Old Lace is a dark comedy that will appeal to everyone. We encourage everyone to attend and bring others along to enjoy as well.

The shows are on May 18th AND 19th and will start at 7:00 pm in the school auditorium.

Tickets are five dollars and will be available at the door the night of the performances.

– submitted by Kyle Walker

YOVASO’s Battle of the Bands at Lord Botetourt High School is one of the highlights of the spring. YOVASO stands for Youth of Virginia Speaking Out (for safety.) The event has been taking place for over 6 years. On Friday Night May 11, five  groups filled the stage with everything from gospel, blue grass reggae, alternate rock and ear splitting metal!Several hundred  LBHS students paid the $5 to get  in for the rockin’ entertainment. The funds will go to LB’s YOVASO programs.

Doak Harbison served as MC and YOVASO members Grace Boardwine and Toni Costanza  provided between- the- band quizzes on summer driving safety. For instance more teen accidents happen in the summer than any other  time of the year with July and August particularly dangerous months for teen drivers. 35% of teen accidents  involve drinking and driving. Driving off the road leads the cause of  most teen accidents.

The five groups:

Old Dead Grass: Megan Kingery and Kendal Isbel

Zantesutsuken: Donnie Sowash, Chris Gatens, Gage Freeman,  Dakota Thacker

Project 2013: Kyle Walker, Gripp Lan, Matthew Maynor and Casey Parshall

Funguy: Trey Hall, James O’Neill,

The Alter: Travis Smith, Aaron Crowder, Russell Woody, Dennis King

First place went to The Alter and runner up was Old Dead Grass. Judges were : Frank Smuz, Autumn Quin, Paul Haithcock and Heather Haithcock. Midway Music provided the sound system. Three Li’l Pigs, Lisa Witt and Amanda Beckman also contributed to the evening.

Both of Botetourt County’s Delgates Lacey Putney and Chris Head, opposed the amendment and thankfully Gov. Bob McDonnell has seen the light.

Here’s the press release from the Governors Office:

Governor Bob McDonnell has officially asked for a budget amendment to be withdrawn that would have aligned state funding for Area Agencies for the Aging with recent census numbers. Instead, funding for the agencies will continue to be allocated in the same manner as prior years.

Recent census numbers showed a smaller growth rate of Virginians in certain areas who are eligible for the types of services provided by the agencies. Using the formula that determines funding allocations, the governor’s amendment would have simply shifted a portion of the funding from areas with no or slow elderly population growth, and reallocated those funds to areas with higher growth rates. The governor’s decision to request that the amendment be withdrawn was made following input from a number of groups and care providers that a change to the existing formula to account for population shifts would have a disproportionate effect on the work done by Area Agencies in a number of Virginia communities. The governor believes these agencies do tremendous work and he supports their efforts. He is committed to ensuring they are well funded. He appreciates the information received over the past week and believes that it is in the best interest of Virginia’s seniors to keep the system in-place as it currently exists.

–Governor’s Office

Debra Dietrich will go to Breckinridge Elementary School.

LaVerne Walker will go to Cloverdale Elementary School.

The Botetourt County Public Schools via the Office of the Division Superintendent announced the appointments of Mrs. Debra Deitrich as Principal of Breckinridge Elementary School and Mrs. Laverne Walker as Principal of Cloverdale Elementary School both effective July 1, 2012. This action was a result of School Board approval of administrative appointments at their regular meeting on May 10, 2012.

Deitrich joins the school division from Roanoke City Public Schools where she currently serves as Principal of Highland Park Elementary. Previous to that assignment, she served as Principal at James Madison Middle School for five years. Prior to joining Roanoke City Schools, Mrs. Deitrich served in Danville City Schools as an Assistant Principal at E. A. Gibson Magnet School and as a Staff Development Specialist for the division. She began her teaching career at Spotsylvania Middle School in Spotsylvania County Public Schools.

Walker also joins the school division from Roanoke City Public Schools where she currently serves as Principal of Lincoln Terrace Elementary School. Previous to that assignment, she served as the Assistant Principal of Fairview Elementary. Prior to joining Roanoke City Schools, Mrs. Walker served as both Administrative Intern and Assistant Principal at Marvin M. Ward Elementary, Winston-Salem, NC. She began her teaching career at Clemmons Elementary School, Clemmons, NC.

School Board Chair, Ruth Wallace (Amsterdam District), stated that the School Board was very pleased to have the opportunity to approve these recommendations from the Superintendent. She further stated that it was “a very positive move for the school division to be able to add veteran administrators to leadership positions in the school division”. Division Superintendent Dr. Tony Brads added that he looks forward to working with both Deitrich and Walker and anticipates a smooth transition in leadership at both schools.

The Botetourt View spoke with both principals this morning and they are excited about coming to our Division! they sent the above  photos for publication.

Vote!

OFFICIAL VOTING INFORMATION COUNTY OF BOTETOURT RESIDENTS:

June 12, 2012 Republican Primary Election

~ Registration Deadline: Monday, May 21, 2012 – 5:00 P.M. ~

The Constitution of Virginia requires that you be registered in the precinct in which you live in order to be qualified to vote.

In order to be eligible to vote in the June 12, 2012 Republican Primary Election, you must be registered no later than 5:00 P.M. on Monday, May 21, 2012.

Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. The Voter

Registration Office of the County of Botetourt, located at the address shown below, will be open until 5:00 P.M. on Monday May 21, 2012, for the purpose of registering qualified persons.

The Voter Registration Office will also be open on Saturday, June 9, 2012 for the purpose of accepting applications for absentee ballots in person for this election.

You are encouraged to make application for voter registration. Please call us at one of the telephone numbers shown below if you have questions. All requests for reasonable accommodations due to a disability should be made to the Registrar with at least a 48-hour notice.

Botetourt County Voter Information: http://www.co.Botetourt.va.us

Phyllis Booze, VREO, CERA Office of Voter Registrations and Elections

Phone: 473-8235 or 862-5002 or pbooze@Botetourt.org

The three Botetourt Towns, Fincastle , Buchanan and Troutville sent at least a representative to meet County Administrator Kathleeen Guzi at a meet and greet function in Kyle House in Fincastle on Tuesday, May 8. Guzi who joined the  County as Administrator in March, is still getting to know Botetourt County.

Fincastle Town Manager, Dave Tickner and Mayor Bob Waid  organized the evening. A positive and yet different tenor from County to Town and vice versa, will likely develop after Guzi moves to Botetourt County in the next few months.

Those who came to the meeting included from Fincastle, Mayor Bob Waid, Wendy Jones,  Alan Brenner, Edgar Mayse and Ed Bordette from Fincastle Town Council, Vice Mayor Carson Scaggs, Cletus Newcomb, Mike Burton and Della Hylton from the council in the Town of Buchanan and Mayor Bill Rader of Troutville.

Botetourt Republicans meet under new chairman for first time on May 17.

The Botetourt County Republican Committee will meet on May 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Old General District Courthouse in Fincastle.

–Chairman Wade Anderson

Larry Hall

Larry Hall, just elected as the new mayor of Buchanan, expects to enjoy taking on the challenges of piloting the town’s course toward an even better future. Hall, retired as a principal and then Botetourt County’s Director of Operations for the schools, thinks he’ll be using similar skills in this job. He enjoyed working with the school bus drivers, “a wonderful group of people who love kids.” When he had to make the call about school closings, he discovered that no matter what he did, some people didn’t like it. So he feels that his experience trained him for town leadership where he may have to make new close decisions. But his cheerful nature, love for and appreciation of Buchanan’s many accomplishments give him an excellent start.

– Submitted by Priscilla Richardson