Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
At the Sept. 5 meeting of the Craig County Board of Supervisors, the Maywood Garden Club received a proclamation in recognition of the trees of Craig County entered into the Virginia Big Tree Program.
“The Virginia Big Tree Program began in 1970 as a 4-H and FFA project. Today the program is coordinated by the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech. They are a passionate community of tree enthusiasts that includes Virginia Tech faculty and staff, Virginia Cooperative Extension staff, and numerous individual and organizational volunteers from around the state. Their mission is to increase the care and appreciation of all trees – big and small – and educate the Commonwealth about the value of trees and forests.” Visit the link to learn more about Virginia Big Tree Program https://ext.vt.edu/natural-resources/big-tree.html.
The trees recently submitted include the Keffer Oak, Norway Maple and Wiley Norway Spruce. Craig County already has two trees listed as Virginia state champions, with the Norway Maple (rated 266), and the White Willow (rated 270). Virginia has consistently ranked among the top-five states for national champion trees.
The Tourism Commission’s work with WSLS10 Blue Ridge Games was recognized by both Board Chair Jesse Spence and Woody Lipes during his update on the Craig Valley Railbed Trail. The spots on tv during the Games competition encouraged participants to experience Craig County and become familiar with the businesses in the community. The effort was a continuation of the mural completion at the farmers market, and the launch of the Craig County branding effort. Lipes shared that the trail committee is continuing work, both on the trail and researching the anticipated use estimates for impact.
In other business, the board passed resolutions for a representative to Blue Ridge Behavioral Health CPMT, a school representative to Blue Ridge Behavioral Health CPMT, and appointing Dr. Dwayne Huff to the Virginia Western Community College Advisory Board.
The ordinance for non-profit food vendors, specifically “Exempt Certain Food Booths from Title 35.1 of the Virginia Code Relating to State Regulations of Restaurants and Providing For Regulation of those Food Booths by the County Health Official” held a public hearing with no comments and was passed.
During the Hear the Public portion of the meeting, Jim Joyce requested an update on the land use policy changes requested by citizens with Craig County Farmers Land Use group. The group held several meetings, and presented the board with research and signed petitions in July. County administrator Dan Collins explained that the board is continuing to research the issue. The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
Photo:
Route 42 Overlook.
Photo by Bonnie Cranmer
