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The panel of guests who spoke to the issue of Social Hosting ordinances had a boxed lunch from Blue Collar Joe's prior to the meeting.

Social Hosting can be defined as a parent or adults hosting parties within the home or property where underage drinkers have ready access to alcohol. Dram shop laws refer to a business's liability where the selling of alcohol to customers implicates the business in liability should an accident or death occurs. Such laws exist in 38 states. Virginia is not one of them. Both were topics in Botetourt County on Thursday.

The Botetourt Prevention Planning team met on Thursday, November 19, 2009 with local and state officials about the possibility of crafting a social hosting ordinance. Those invited officials included Scott Goodman and Will Goodman from the Virginia ABC board, Elizabeth Dillon, County Attorney, Juvenile and Domestic Court Judge Paul Tucker, Bill Cleaveland, newly elected Delegate to the General Assembly, Joel Branscom, Commonwealth's Attorney and Deputy Steve Flint SRO and DARE officer for Botetourt County Elementary schools.

Dillon informed the group that localities can not legally craft such legislation. Laws have to be part of the Code of Virginia. Branscom presented handouts on what the codes already on the books are in conjunction with underage drinking and selling alcohol to minors.

Lynn McDowell of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare gave the panel a brief lesson in the data collected in the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey that indicated a significant alcohol problem among county middle and high school youth.

Will Goodman spoke to the possibilities of such legislation verses tweaking the language of what is already out there on the books. He indicated and was seconded by Dillon that Dram Shop laws placing Civil and criminal liability on restaurants and bars has not been popular in Virginia and any such legislation addressing Social Hosting might hit a strong opposition lobby. As Dillon put it, "It is unlikely if there are no Dram Shop laws there will be more significant penalties placed on families with a social hosting ordinance. Cleaveland, who is a defense attorney by profession, spoke to the implications in enforcement of such laws.

The rights guaranteed homeowners under the 4th Amendment must also be taken under consideration when drafting legislation about entry into homes as well, noted Goodman. Branscom spoke to a lawsuit, which may be going to the US Supreme Court, concerning a Botetourt County deputy and entry into a home where teens were consuming alcohol. The suit is based on the 4th amendment rights of people in their homes.

Tucker said, "Botetourt County has great kids, but they make mistakes like everyone else. Is there an alcohol problem here? Yes. I think so. Anything that brings about thoughtful discussion is good and the debate on social hosting is worthwhile." Branscom went on to say though the forces to oppose Dram Shop laws would likely align to fight the Social Hosting laws as well.

"Public awareness is key," said Branscom.

Kathy Sullivan of RAYSAC introduced are some interesting facts about the so called social hosting laws. she said, "There is a nationwide trend in states to have an ordinance. In states where there are social hosting ordinances, underage drinking goes down. Civil fines are immediately accessed to parents and or hosts."

Dillon reminded the BPPT that the State of Virginia does not have specific liability. A bar can sell to an obviously drunk person who leaves and kills someone with his car and have no liability on the bar. The same rule applies to individuals. As BPPT memebr and crime prevention specialist, Sharon Coleman put it, "I can sue you if my child breaks an ankle on a trampoline at your home, but if you serve my child alcohol and they get killed, I cannot sue you."

The BPPT decide to form a subcommittee to further evaluate the process. In the meantime, Branscom advised them to align themselves with powerful lobbies like MADD and continue to research the possibilities.

Advance Notice
Planning Commission & Board of Supervisors
Board of Zoning Appeals

December 2009

The following applications will be heard at the December 14, 2009 Planning Commission public hearing and the December 22, 2009 Board of Supervisors public hearing. There are currently no requests for the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Planning Commission/Board of Supervisors

Fincastle Magisterial District: Donald L. Meredith (Cingular Wireless/AT&T Wireless, lessees) requests a Special Exception Permit with possible conditions in an Agricultural, (A-1) Use District to construct and maintain a 195-foot telecommunications tower within a 10,000 square foot lease area, plus access road on a on a 97.0 acre parcel located off of West Wind Road (Route 635), approximately 0.27 miles southwest of its intersection with Mary Alice Road (Route 681), identified on the Real Property Identification Maps of Botetourt County as Section 48, Parcel 15.

Buchanan Magisterial District: Larry W. and Rebecca T. Thompson request to rezone 2.334 acres from Forest Conservation (FC) District to Rural Residential (RR) District and 2.265 acres from Agricultural-Rural Residential district to Rural Residential to create one new lot and to re-adjust the boundary lines of an existing lot. This property is located on State Route F054 (Purgatory Mountain Road), approximately 1.0 mile southwest of Interstate 81, Exit 168, identified on the Real Property Identification Maps of Botetourt County as Section 52, Parcels 25 and 32C.

Board of Supervisors

Amsterdam Magisterial District: Timberbrook Associates (Strauss Construction Corp.) requests to vacate an existing 20' waterline easement in Botetourt Commons. This site on Commons Parkway is located approximately 0.08 miles west of its intersection with US Route 220 (Roanoke Road), identified on the Real Property Identification Maps of Botetourt County as Section 101(14) Parcel 7.

VDOT has requested that the Board of Supervisors abandon those areas of Route 605 (Cougar Lane) that are no longer within the right-of-way of the reconstructed Route 605.

Board of Zoning Appeals

There are none.

submitted by Laura Goad, Planning and Zoning

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office has issued the following release on today's bomb threats at James River High School and Eagle Rock Elementary:

Botetourt County authorities have traced nearly simultaneous telephone threats that emptied two Botetourt County schools shortly before noon Wednesday to a southeast Roanoke pay-phone and are seeking assistance from persons in the area in identifying a possible suspect, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle has announced.
Classes were dismissed for the day at James River High School. Students at Eagle Rock Elementary School were sent to Breckenridge Elementary School where they were fed lunch and later were picked up by buses. A bomb was specifically mentioned in the call to the elementary school. A danger was implied in the call to the high school.
Sheriff Sprinkle said that the calls came from a pay-phone at a Unimart at 1219 Jamison Ave. Officers are now in the process of examining security cameras in that area, and are asking the public for any information regarding activity at that telephone between 11 and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Persons with any information are asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office at 473-8230.
Eighteen sheriff's deputies, five Botetourt County fire departments and five rescue were occupied for nearly three hours at the two locations before the schools were cleared at 2 p.m., the sheriff said in discussing the degree of disruption and operational costs that resulted from the two hoaxes. Virginia State Police and Roanoke County provided bomb-sniffing dogs.
--END--

OTHER COVERAGE OF THE BOMB THREATS:
* Eagle Rock students now at Breckinridge; searches underway
* James River students dismissed; Eagle Rock also evacuated
* James River High School evacuated

It hasn't been a good day for utilities in Botetourt County. Right now county workers are trying to repair a leak in front of the Dodge Store described as "major" by the Public Works Department. "Downtown" Botetourt eateries around Exit 150 on Route 11 are having to turn away customers.

According to the McDonald's manager, they have been out of water service most of the day, but she was turning away in store customers after she was told they couldn't serve while the water is off and the leak repaired. However, the drive through is open, though only milkshakes and previous prepared drinks are for sale with meals. Hardees, and other area eateries like Shoneys and even up U.S. 220 toward Pizza Hut, are experiencing the same difficulty.

Public Works hopes to have the water leak fixed as quickly as possible.

Earlier today the power went out at the Fincastle Courthouse closing offices and sending people scurrying for wireless at other sites. For a link to that item, click here.

Santa Buddies showing soon in county libraries.

The Fincastle, Blue Ridge and Buchanan libraries will show the Disney movie Santa Buddies in December.

The irresistible puppies are back in a heartwarming holiday adventure. Take a fantastic journey with your beloved Buddy friends to the magical world of the North Pole in this wonderfully wacky twist on a classic Christmas favorite. This delightful family film is rated PG.

The movie will be shown on Tuesday, December 1 at the Fincastle library, on Thursday, December 3 at the Blue Ridge library and on Thursday, December 10 at the Buchanan branch. All shows will begin at 4:00 P.M.

The movie is free and snacks will be provided.

The Town of Troutville is moving forward with the strategic plan having held another meeting last week with the stake holders. Yet, they stopped to have a Mayor Day on Tuesday November 3, for long time official, resident and current Mayor William Rader, who had a seventy-fifth birthday cake thrown in for good measure! This was a first time event that also honored former mayors Bland Painter, III,  Harold Wilhelm and Jewel Tyndal. Lucille Graybill came in memory of her late husband June Graybill, who was a mayor for a time. 45 people attended the event.

Photos submitted by Lee Minnix

Character Counts, to promote family activities is sponsoring a once per month, on the 4th Monday night, for families to make certain they are together and interacting. Sharon Coleman has sent the one for November:

Character, like family traditions, is often passed from one generation to the other. As we approach the holiday season, we generally spend more time together as a family. Unfortunately, much of that time is spent hustling from one location to another.

The Botetourt County CHARACTER COUNTS! Leadership Council would like to remind everyone to take the time to share the importance of good character by spending time to make a Thanksgiving dessert or celebrate another holiday tradition on November's Family Day, Monday the 23rd.

If you are a member of Facebook, visit our page and become a fan of CHARACTER COUNTS! IN BOTETOURT COUNTY. The page also lists the family theme for each 4th Monday throughout the year.

Power is out at the Courthouse in Fincastle --a line failed under the parking lot.

Part of the Botetourt County Government has come to a screeching halt due to a power failure in the Fincastle Court House. At this time the Clerk's office is still open. "The power line under the parking lot has failed according to AEP," said Susan Fain, secretary to the County Administrator. The Treasurer's Office and the Commissioner of Revenue offices have closed for the day. Circuit Court has moved to General District Court on the corner below. Building and Zoning and the Botetourt County Historical Society have also lost power.

Word is the parking lot is going to be dug up ASAP to fix the problem.

Some of last year's participants on a 4H float.

The Fincastle annual Christmas parade is around the corner on Saturday, December 5 and the town is seeking applicants for the parade!
General Rules of Parade:
1. Get copy of line up and park
2. Line up starts at 1:00 p.m.
3. Register upon arriving: Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle
4. Parade will start promptly at 2:00 p.m.
5. All floats must be "homemade".
6. Floats must not be so high as to hit overhead wires.
7. Floats must not be so long as to not make the corner turns easily.
8. Return to baseball field at the school after the parade.
9. Floats will be judged on ORIGINALITY, THEME, BEAUTY, and EFFORT.
10. Horses will be allowed if they have diapers or some cleaning up behind them .
11. Only the Santa Claus float will be allowed to through candy. You can have someone walking beside and give the candy to children.

ATTENTION CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS, ETC
You are cordially invited to participate in the Fincastle Christmas Parade to be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Rain date , Sunday, December 6, 2009. The Town of Fincastle sponsors this Thirty-sixth annual parade.
Cash awards will be given to the best entries in traditional and religious float categories. Bands will receive honorarium. Bands will not be judged.

The parade will form at 1:00 p.m. at Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle and will begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp! The parade route is as follows: Back Street, Main Street, Academy Street, Roanoke Street, and Main Street ending back at Breckinridge Elementary School. (This year we are having a rain date of Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.)
Contact the Town Office at 473-2200 for a parade application due by November 28.

--submitted by Parade committee

Adrian Crounauer made famous in "Good Morning Viet Nam," now lives in Botetourt and will portray Kris Kringle in Showtimers"Miracle on 34th Street."

Adrian Cronauer of the movie "Good Morning Viet Nam" made famous by actor Robin Williams portrayal of his radio career in the armed forces, now resides in Botetourt County. After serving the Pentagon as a specialist in MIA and remains recovery as a Bush administration appointee, Cronauer and his wife of 40 years, Jeane, have located to the Fincastle area.

He is currently going through his Viet Nam materials and MIA materials and donating the non-classified items to Texas Tech University where they have a Viet Nam War museum, he said. He remains actively involved with his time in the military.  "We are going on a Caribbean cruise as a guests on a Veteran's Cruise  and I will be a  speaker," said Cronauer.

The Cronauers have a beautiful home and love the rustic location full of wildlife, birds and a happy squirrel who seems to have adopted the Cronauers or at least the bird feeder. They also have the most spacious and wonderful smelling cedar lined closet. How appropriate for Kris Kringle and the Mrs!

Cronauer has spent the better part of his life using his deep voice for service and career. He actually moved to Roanoke Valley over forty years ago in 1968. He was part of Showtimers then and well he fell in love with that beautiful costumer, Jeane, while he participated in the theater group. A lawyer by trade, he moved around the Northeast a bit before the stint in Washington, DC.

He is letting his hair and beard grow and well he has a nice size for a Santa as Jeane pointed out with a pat to his belly one night when we met in CVS. "Miracle on 34th Street" will play the following dates at Showtimers on McVitty Road in SW Roanoke County.

December 2 - 13

Wednesday - Saturdays 8 p.m.
Sundays 2 p.m.
Extra performance
Saturday, Dec 5
2 p.m.

Ticket prices:
$12 adults
$5 ages 18 & under

For Box office ticket information To order tickets, call our box office at

(540) 774-2660

(877) 336-9294, toll-free.