Mayor says community partnerships keep Vinton strong
“Vinton remains strong. We still provide big city services in a small town atmosphere,” said Vinton’s Mayor Brad Grose in his annual State of the Town address. Grose spoke to business leaders and local officials November 9 at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Vinton War Memorial.
“Our key to enhanced services is that we continue to develop new and efficient ways to deliver services, and we rely on our partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to help us. These groups are important to maintain our quality of life in Vinton as budgets shrink,” added Grose, as he focused on “Community Partnerships.”
In his State of the Town address, Vinton Mayor Brad Grose focused on public, private, and non-profit partnerships, such as the Vinton Vision Committee, who worked with the town to make the Vinton High Ground Monument a reality.
He lauded Roanoke County as a partner for the Town in its delivery of school, court, and emergency services. Grose is especially proud of the collaboration with the County and with private citizens as they work to bring to reality the vision of a new library. He cited Mike Altizer, Vinton’s representative on the Board of Supervisors, realtor Galen Connor, and the Dunman and Peters families for helping secure the purchase of a site. The Town hopes that moving the library directly into the downtown area will benefit area businesses.
Members of the Town’s staff echoed his theme of partnerships within the community as they described particular groups and organizations that they collaborate with.
Town Manager Chris Lawrence mentioned the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center, which partners Vinton with the rest of the County in emergency and dispatch services.
“This partnership has drastically improved services to area citizens, in addition to saving over $100,000 in taxpayer’s money for the current budget year,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence also mentioned the special relationship that has formed between the Town, the Greenway Commission for the Roanoke Valley, Pathfinders for Greenways, and private citizens, Tommy and Karen Woods, in the pending construction of the Gladetown Loop Trail. The Woods donated an easement along their Woodland Place property, which will eventually connect with the rest of the Roanoke Valley Greenway system.
“These community partnerships maximize taxpayer dollars and private dollars for the betterment of the entire community,” Lawrence said.
Interim Police Chief Ben Cook spoke about Business Blitz, a police partnership with area businesses. Each Vinton police officer is assigned several businesses to work with, to identify issues that may concern the specific owners, as well as to gather emergency contact information.
Assistant Town Manager Consuella Caudill discussed the BuyVinton holiday shopping program which encourages citizens to help local businesses and the Town by keeping their shopping dollars in Vinton during the week of November 27-December 3.
Planning and Zoning director, Anita McMillan, described a new partnership between the County and the Town, Over the Counter permits, which makes it easier for contractors and property owners to complete small jobs. Her office is now allowed to issue permits locally, which previously had to be obtained through a more time-consuming process from the County.
Assistant Public Works director Joey Hiner talked about the new Recycle and Win program, sponsored by the Town, Roanoke County, Coca Cola, and Kroger. Residents recently received “Recycle and Win” stickers to place on their recycling bins. Randomly chosen winners displaying the decals will receive $50 Kroger gift cards.
Special events director, Mary Beth Layman, talked about one of Vinton’s most popular partnerships, “Come to the Water”. Faced with the prospect of closing the Town pool, several area churches successfully partnered with the Town to keep the pool open.
Mayor Grose expressed his appreciation to citizens on the Vinton Vision committee whose leadership led to the construction of the High Ground Monument, dedicated last spring.
He also saluted Manna Ministries for making Vinton a kinder and gentler place to live.
“Fifteen churches, 8 youth groups, and scores of individuals contribute and distribute items of food and clothing,” said the Mayor, “providing for over 964 families each month. “
In conclusion, Grose thanked the Chamber of Commerce for many years of joint ventures to boost the town’s economy and image, and the 85 full time employees of the Town who provide daily services to the citizens of Vinton.
By Debbie Adams
