Christiansburg High School athletes were recognized at Town Council's April 15 meeting. All-American junior Seth Wensel was recognized as the school's first State Champion swimmer. He was presented a "key to the city" (rather than to the new aquatic center) and it was noted he had made these achievements after recovering from severe injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Coach Amy Brehl was also recognized as being the Timesland Coach of the Year.
The CHS wrestling team, with fourteen members and four coaches present, were recognized for their seventh AA Championship season with a resolution from council. Coach Darryl Weber noted that only four starters returned to the team at the beginning of the year, and the significance of the 10 new members.
Students attending council meeting as part of their government/civics class were also noted as being present.
Shane Adams, President/CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce presented an update to council relative to the Tourism Development Council (
TDC). The TDC is now fully staffed except for a county representative and has been meeting since July 2007. Council members received the new Blacksburg/Christiansburg Visitors Center (BCVC) self-mailer and a copy of the chamber-sponsored 2008 Edition BCVC magazine. A progress report was presented, detailing TDC financial reports and grant requests.
A summary of calls, requests for information and drop-in visitors demonstrated the increase in volume from before the chamber merger, post merger, and subsequent to the funding and formation of the TDC. A tourism specific website will see a soft launch (limited scope) within the next three weeks, with a more robust website being available by this fall which is to be tied with research and branding initiatives.
The Mayor referenced the FOIA training recently identified as being necessary for council and administration, and set that to occur after the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 3rd. The Mayor indicated all interested parties could participate.
The Town Manager's report included a request for a taxi cab license. Necessary background checks had been conducted and council granted the request.
The Town Manager listed numerous site plans currently under review and added another conditional use permit (CUP) application to the May 6 Public Hearing. A second Public Hearing for another CUP application and for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Town Budget will be held on May 20.
The Mayor encouraged town residents and staff to show their "Hokie Pride" by wearing Virginia Tech colors on April 16, in remembrance of those lost in last year's campus tragedy.
The meeting was then adjourned. The next Christiansburg Town Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6 (Election Night) at 7:30 pm in the Town Hall.