By Wytheville Mayor Beth Taylor
Fellow Citizens,
What a wonderful Holiday Season we are experiencing in the Town of Wytheville. There are so many enjoyable Christmas events scheduled that are sponsored by local businesses, Downtown Wytheville, civic organizations, and the Town of Wytheville. How fortunate we are to live in a community that works together to make such celebrations possible for all! Let’s take a moment to thank our Veterans and those in Active Military Service, our first responders – Police, Fire and Rescue, and Health Care Workers. Individually and collectively, all these folks make a huge impact on our community through their dedication and sacrifice. As we reflect on this year, we have so much to be thankful for and
many things to look forward to in the future.
Events
The Wytheville Museums will be in Withers Park on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2-5 p.m. Weihnachtsmann (German Santa) will be walking around the park and handing out trinkets for those that have been nice. There will also be museum craft activities including making ornaments for children. They will have the 200 th anniversary of the Rock House Christmas Ornaments for sale (buy one get one free).
Other events that same day for family fun include pictures taken with Santa as well as horse and buggy rides. The tree lighting in Withers Park will begin at 5 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m.
Wytheville’s A Christmas To Remember event will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Historic Millwald Theatre Events for December
Here are some of the events being held at the Millwald during December. Visit https://themillwald.org/ for more information.
Dec. 8: Scott Fore with Wayne Henderson and Friends at 7 p.m.
Dec. 9: Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Holiday Brass at 7 p.m.
Dec. 15: The Tree of Forgiveness Band: A John Pride Tribute at 8 p.m.
From the Wytheville Police Department
Holiday travel is always at a peak this time of the year. The Wytheville Police Department wants you to make it to your destination safely.
Tips to remember:
Be flexible in your travel plans, try to avoid peak hours.
Perform a maintenance check on your vehicle before you hit the road.
Make sure you have extra warm clothes, water, food, and gas.
Take rest breaks.
Designate a driver if alcohol is involved.
Do not drive distracted. Put your cell phone down.
From the Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department
Wintertime is holiday time – and that means lots of cooking, lots of entertaining, and unfortunately, lots of opportunities for home fires to occur. Considering many fires occur during the colder months, the Wytheville Fire and Rescue Department urges individuals to pay particular attention to fire safety during the winter and holiday season.
The winter season and holidays create a greater risk of fire. The following are a few safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season:
• Do not overload outlets or misuse extension cords.
• Turn off lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the home.
• Replace old or worn holiday lights.
• Replace worn out electrical cords and do not run extension cords under
carpet or mats.
• Keep a clear space of at least three feet around heating devices.
• Be sure you have working smoke detectors in your home.
Here are some additional fire safety thoughts. Make sure your fire alarm in your home is present and working. If you don’t have one, please contact me (the Mayor) at 276-620-7301 and I’ll try to help you out.
Caution, this is the time of year that the air is dry, the temperature is low and the decorations for the season are going up. Be very diligent and do not start any outdoor fires for burning anything, do not start campfires, or any other fires! If using heaters inside make sure they are meant for indoors, keep them away from anything flammable, do not use extension cords! If you are putting up holiday
decorations, outside or inside – make sure the lights are tested and working, make sure only outside lights are used outside and inside lights are tested and in good condition. I would recommend thinking twice about using a real Christmas tree inside due to the extreme dry air and lack of water, as mother nature has not been able to provide for the trees. If you use a live tree inside, I recommend no
lights.
Let’s Take Care of Our Furry Friends
Remember your pets are part of your family, and it is your responsibility to care for them. There are state laws that our Animal Control Officer follows.
Here are a few cold weather tips to follow. At 32 degrees or less, no owned animal should be left outside unless they have access to a well-insulated structure that is large enough to curl up in and has a wind block at the door; a heated water bowl or access to an unfrozen water source; has a floor; is elevated from the ground; has cedar shavings, dry straw or its equivalent; and has heating or an outdoor heating pad. Blankets are not to be used, because they hold moisture.
Council Actions
November 13, 2023:
Approved the Farmers Market Board to have a mural painted inside the Farmers Market building and for the Board to purchase sun shades to be installed on the porch area.
Approved the request for the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence to provide traffic control on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, to conduct a Sandman Half Marathon and the MLK 5K Run.
Approved the request of Open Door Café to provide traffic control on Thursday, Nov. 23, to conduct the Stuffed Strut 5K Run.
Approved the request of the Kiwanis Club of Wythe County to provide traffic control on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to conduct a 5K Run.
Approved the request of Downtown Wytheville Incorporated to provide traffic control on Saturday, Dec. 2, for the Wytheville Christmas
Parade and Celebration.
Established the Property Tax Reimbursement Rate at 36.48 percent.
Scheduled Meet and Greet sessions for applicants for the Joint Industrial Development Authority and for the Building Code Appeals Board.
Dispensed with the Dec. 25, Town Council Meeting due to the Christmas holiday.
Amended the holiday hours for Friday, Dec. 22, from four holiday hours to eight holiday hours (Christmas Eve observance).
Amended the holiday hours for Wednesday, Nov. 22, from four holiday hours to eight holiday Hours (Thanksgiving holiday observance).
Approved providing the full-time and part -time employees with a Christmas Bonus.
Held a closed session regarding acquisition/disposition of property used for a public purpose.
Authorized the Town Manager to offer the Town owned property on Stafford Umberger Drive to the interested party at an amount authorized by Town Council and subject to the approval of the Town Council after a public hearing, and if unsuccessful, prepare a request for proposal (RFP) for a real estate agent to be selected by the Council.
Set a public hearing for the Jan. 8, 2024, Town Council meeting to consider the proposed acquisition of real property for $200,000 at 1035 North Fourth Street.
November 13, 2023:
Appointed Vicki Parks to the Joint Industrial Development Authority for a four year term, which expires Nov. 10, 2027.
Made the following Appointments to the Wytheville Building Code Appeals Board: Landon Sayers for a five year term which expires July 26, 2028; and Andy Sayers to fill an unexpired term which expires July 26, 2026.
I welcome the opportunity to talk to you regarding your ideas and concerns. I can be reached by phone at (276) 223-3356 or via email at [email protected]. Written correspondence may be sent to the Wytheville Municipal Building, 150 E. Monroe Street, Wytheville, VA, 24382.
