AdvanceChristiansburg

Brad - These folks are invaluable to our community! Thanks for acknowledging their efforts ... they, along with their families who gave them up for the weekend, deserve a big THANK YOU from all of us!

Please be sure to tell Christiansburg taxpayers what this weather event cost in overtime or comp time, just in time for Christmas bonuses on top of any others you doled out. It is not like this was done on a volunteer basis even if it meant mandatory hours and I'm concerned these expenses are included in the town's budget.

I'm all for saying 'good job' but let us remember it is their job even if it's a bad weather day or just a bad day. Personally I would not want to deal with anyone who had been working over 12 hours, whether this is a surgeon or officer. They don't want to be bored with the mundane things in your life at that moment either.

But thanks for blogging. Is it getting closer to when you're running for office again?

If you really want to tip your hat, at least mention the supervisors name. He does have one.

Townie2 - I purposely didn't mention the names of the Supervisor or the Police Officer, both of whom I am aware of, because I wanted the spotlight to be on their units/departments as a whole. This online journal is really just that - I know it doesn't rise to many folks expectation of a blog, but that's okay too. Much of the input received from it is never posted, and it has proven to be very helpful in sharing information, getting feedback, and making decisions.

As you know, I am and should be one of the first to praise efforts of snow removal. I am thankful for all who are involved. Afterall, I (and many others) had to carry on with Christmas prep and celebration while my husband was out in the winter weather all night and consumed by phone calls.

However, I feel compelled to bring a complaint to such a listening ear as yours. Each year the town clears Main Street and only the parking places on the north side (i.e. closest to College), but leaves mounds of snow on the south side (i.e. closest to First St.). Why is this?

As a business owner I called the town hall about this last year, with no response. So, I thought I'd try to address the topic on this blog this time.

I've had several customers mention this, and one even said it looked like they shoved all the snow from the other side of the street to ours. I don't believe this is true, but the remark certainly highlights how much snow and ice was blocking the parking on our side, all while the spaces across the street were completely clear.

Please, I am looking for a logical explanation and fair resolution for future snow events.

A business tenant but not property owner? Someone who rents cheap because there is no parking whatsoever except the streets? Doesn't your landlord have the responsibility to clear it? Just like people get their streets plowed but have to do their own sidewalks and reopen their driveways themselves. In other towns the crews clear downtown sidewalks. Here it appears occupied buildings dont matter and little thought is given for parking or pedestrians. But when it snowed last year I had an eye appointment. After parking facing the interstate I couldn't get over the icy mess that was blocking the sidewalk and curb to the doorway so I think the problem is more than just one store or one side of the road.

Linda - Thanks.
We reviewed your concern last evening with town administration during our regular Street Committee meeting (7:00p on first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Town Manager's office). Please note the following:
1. The town public works department plows the snow from the streets to the sides of the streets.
2. Sidewalks/walkways are normally the responsibility of adjacent property owners.
3. Due to the volume of this last snowfall, town forces not only plowed Main Street, but intended to carry off the plowed snow (and sidewalk snow) in the Central Business District. Apparently during this "carrying off" process, the south side of West Main Street was (unintentionally) not completed. Upon this being brought to their attention, work resumed and the task was completed.
So your insight is valid, but rest assured there is no standard process for clearing only one side of Main Street, or any street for that matter. I understand that the sheer volume of demands during the days following the storm consumed available capacity and tested everyone's mettle. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and for taking time to speak up. If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to call/email/post. Regards,

Brad: I want you to know the town mgr's. contract can be mulled over from now til Sept. There is absolutely no reason to push this forward; I expect you to do the right thing and vote for waiting until the newly elected folks come on board. Frankly in my opinion the man should be fired; there has been enough back door and poss. illegal manuveuring done on sev. projects; his leadership skills leave much to be desired. I'm living in one of the developements (Slate Crk.) with major problems. It is becoming a legal nightmare. Incidently, rumor has it C'bg. has never met a developor they didn't like; you don't have to look far.
Also, you won't get any input from anyone employed by the town as Lance has a rep. for firing anyone who disagrees with him.
This man needs to be put on a probationary contract to be reviewed in Mar.2011.
Incidently, think about this; if he dropped over tomorrow what would council do; no one is irreplaceable.
He probably would be a good town mgr. for a town of about 15000. Take a look at the infrastructure in this town; pathetic and it didn't happen because of economic downturn in the past 2-3 yrs. You people should have seen this economic prob. coming 2-3 yrs. ago when most intelligent people did and taken action. If you want to look at the one prob. we have - think aquatic ctr.