Citizen discomfort continues over Crooked Run West at September 9th Town Council Meeting

At the regular Town Council meeting on September 9th, Ms. Fern Vasquez addressed the Council on the matter of Crooked Run West. There is still citizen unrest at the idea of the development moving forward. Ms. Vasquez addressed these concerns in a forward way to Council, questioning why the demand for county growth outweighs the concerns of the citizens. “Is there data for the planning on water command broken down by commercial usage? Can the town provide for commercial and residential growth inside the town limits without annexation? Is there an excess of water that can be budgeted for the projected growth inside town limits? Has the Council made plans concerning the return-on-investment for this expensive procedure?” These were just a few of the pointed questions raised by Ms. Vasquez.

Fern Vasquez addresses Town Council on “better idea” for  Crooked Run West. Photos and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

Ms. Vasquez presented an idea that she claimed would better serve the community. Ms. Vasquez pointed out that there is a growing trend in the 55+ age community moving to Front Royal, and there is much to be gained by commercializing to those who are retired in a 55+ development. Sounds like a better plan than Crooked Run West? It’s hard to say as the studies about the Crooked Run development are not yet conclusive.

Council responded with a brief announcement that they are moving forward with research to discuss these questions and concerns about Crooked Run West. In an interview with Interim Mayor Matt Tederick last month, we asked his opinion on the Crooked Run West issue:

Also covered in the Town Council Meeting were a variety of reports including a report from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC). Executive director of NSVRC, Brandon Davis, addressed Council to talk about the issue of recycling. According to his report, based on global changes (remember China?) there have been challenges in local governments on the management of recycling, sometimes causing local governments to have to pay to remove them.

Brandon Davis, Executive Director of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC).

“We have reached the point where there is political will in the commission to move towards a regional study, forwarded by our engineers.” Stated Director Davis. Council supported this study, as it is a good idea to pull local communities together over the issue of recycling. This report will be completed over the next six months, and should provide recommendations on how the town can better handle the recycling issue.

Warren County representative and General Services Director Brand Rosser discussed in-brief, various construction projects in the County.

The report from Warren County representative and General Services Director Brand Rosser discussed in-brief, various constructions, such as the completed construction on a new Taco Bell in Riverton Commons, updates on studies for Crooked Run West and other town projects, as well as an update on the construction of the hospital. The planned study on Crooked Run West comprises of a traffic impact analysis test that will be provided to Council. Ms. Rosser also updated Council on a flood plan in the event of a flooding disaster. Studies were done in which flood simulations were tested to see how a flooding disaster would affect the town so that the Town might be better prepared. Ms. Rosser also reported a variety of re-striping projects on roads where the lines have begun to fade.

Interim Mayor Tederick offered his own report by inviting citizen Kevin Rogers, owner and proprietor of Infotech Cellphone Repair located on Main Street, to speak to Council. Mr. Rogers had conducted a test to bring kids out of their home to play games in a social environment. This “Game Day” proved to be wildly successful, pulling in large groups of kids to play video games together instead of isolated at home. This game day event inspired him to propose a community gaming center to provide a social environment for kids who like video games. Mayor Tederick invited the Town to come for its grand opening Thursday, September 19th,  which also happens to be the “National Day of Gaming.”

Kevin Rogers, owner and proprietor of Infotech Cellphone Repair located on Main Street, speaks to Council about their successful “Game Day” program.

Council also approved several consent agenda items. There was a request for the purchase of a Toro Commercial Grandstand Model Stand-on Mower for the Horticulture Department in the amount of $7,854.70 as well as a request for a purchase of waterline upgrades on Steele Avenue, Highview Street and Parkview Drive in the amount of $422,140. Both items were approved by a unanimous vote.

Council also approved an ordinance to vacate Carter Street, requested by Councilman Holloway, which was approved by roll call. Councilman Latasha Thompson reminded Council and the Town that Holloway was not given any special treatment in regards to his request, as noted that he had abstained from voting in the past and now. Interim Mayor reinforced that idea because “Hollaway is a member of council, but he is also a citizen of this community and has been treated by a citizen of the community.”

Councilman Latasha Thompson reminds Council and the Town that Holloway was not given any special treatment.

Mayor Tederick asked Town Manager Joe Waltz to explain the efforts in the Carter Street area.

Council approved a pair of ordinances for the sake of taking care of the Town’s bad debt. The amended ordinances 134-71 in an effort to decrease the towns bad debts was approved by roll call.

Council also approved the write-off for bad debts for the 3rd Quarter of 2019. This is the bad debt that council is trying to write off from utility accounts in the previous ordinance change. With this ordinance, Council wrote off 15,000, in a perfect world this would be a smaller number but over time Council hopes this number can be improved.

Vice-Mayor Bill Sealock makes the point on Town debt issue.

Vice-Mayor Bill Sealock addressed the Town audience: “We decided to report debt on a quarterly basis just like we do in the business world, in the past we were writing off hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hopefully now we can move forward to improvement.”

See the Regular Town Council Meeting in its entirety in this exclusive Royal Examiner Video: