Former town manager Steven Hicks lands, loses top job in Louisburg, NC

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Former Front Royal Town Manager Steven W. Hicks, who was recently offered a job as town administrator of Louisburg, NC, apparently had the offer rescinded prior to his Nov. 7 start date.

In an about-face, Louisburg's finance director of 14-plus years, Sean Medlin, was offered the job, which he accepted.

The Louisburg Town Council had apparently been searching for several months for a new manager before narrowing the field to four applicants, according to a source familiar with Louisburg's search process. Both Hicks and Medlin were among the final four candidates.

Hicks was apparently selected by the Louisburg Town Council during a six-hour executive session on Monday, Oct. 31. When the council returned to an open meeting that evening, Hicks was announced as the new town administrator, though no formal vote was taken.

Citing controversies surrounding past jobs, the Louisburg, N.C. Town Council offered the town administrator job to Hicks, then withdrew it before hiring town's finance director to fill the slot. Former town manager Steven Hicks lands, loses top job in Louisburg, NC. Royal Examiner File Photo

Because no vote was recorded during the Monday meeting, the council held a Friday, Nov. 4 special afternoon meeting. By the meeting's end, the panel had moved to withdraw Hicks’ offer and instead extend an offer to Sean Medlin, who has served over 14 years as Louisburg's finance director.

A source familiar with the events of the special meeting said it began with Mayor Christopher Neal asking the council to honor the consensus he said it had reached at the closed session Monday meeting, noting that all had agreed on the selection of Hicks at the time.

However the Friday roll-call vote shows that only Mayor Neal and Council members Emma Stewart and Bobby Dickerson voted "yes" for Hicks. Council members Tom Clancy, Mark Russell and Silke Stein voted "no," resulting in a 3-to-3 tie. Council member Betty Wright was absent.

At that point, according to a source who was at the meeting, Mayor Neal acknowledged a Nov. 3 edition of local newspaper, The Franklin Times, which detailed some unflattering information regarding Hicks’ tenure as town manager of Selma, NC and also regarding his time as Front Royal's administrator.

Mayor Neal said the town had done a "thorough background" search on Hicks and told the panel he believed Hicks was a solid choice who had "excellent qualifications."

At that point, Councilman Russell pointed out that Hicks had either been fired or asked to leave his last two jobs — and said the council's second choice "was a proven town employee." He then made the motion to offer the job to Medlin. Council then voted 4-to-2 to offer the job to Medlin — who quickly accepted when the mayor called him following the meeting.

That Franklin Times’ story cited published reports from news stories in both Selma, and Front Royal, Va. newspapers, as well as interviews, as the source of its information on Hicks.

The newspaper detailed Hicks’ short tenure as Selma, NC's town manager and his resignation under pressure from several council members. It quoted Selma, N.C. Mayor Byron McCallister's September, 2020 statement to the press that said, in part, "I began hearing from citizens and town staff (who) were concerned about the performance of our town manager. The truth is that most of the council at that time felt Hicks was not taking Selma in the right direction."

McAllister said at the time that he and another council member asked Hicks to resign, in part, because "Hicks pushed a budget that shrunk our police department and cut maintenance funds for emergency responders."

The article relayed that McAllister referred to Hicks a "low profile leader" and said "residents were complaining about not seeing our town manager in town."

"I visited town hall regularly to find that Mr. Hicks had often not shown up to the office by 10 a.m.," McAllister said. "I do not believe Hicks was the right fit for Selma."

On Dec. 7, 2020, Hicks was hired as Front Royal's town manager, and was lauded by town officials.

The Franklin Times detailed Front Royal's then Vice Mayor Bill Sealock statement that the council knew about Hicks’ problems in Selma, and felt that Hicks’ departure from the Selma town manager's position "was a political issue" largely revolving around "personality," to which the vice mayor added of Hicks potential management style, "He is quite pushy."

Front Royal's media release at the time of Hicks’ hire indicated that he had been chosen after a year-long search involving 80 candidates.

Sealock said, "Finding the right candidate took longer than we expected. Council knew what they wanted in a manager and was patient to find the right town manager for our community. I believe our efforts have paid off by having the best candidate possible. I’m excited to see what Steven will bring to our town government, businesses, and community."

Upon announcing Hick's appointment, Mayor-elect Chris Holloway stated, "Hicks was selected because of his impressive leadership in operations, bringing business in communities, developing fiscally conservative budgets, managing enterprise departments, and delivering complex infrastructure projects on-time and on-budget."

However, less than two years into his job, Hicks was terminated in August, 2022, following a 90-minute executive session discussing the performance of both Hicks and Interim Town Attorney James Cornwell Jr. Council, with Mayor Chris Holloway casting the tie-breaking vote, by a 4-3 margin terminated Hicks’ contract. Cornwell's contract was also terminated.

The Franklin Times reported that Hick's problems in Front Royal began when Front Royal Town Attorney Douglas Napier conducted an investigation into whether Hicks had expedited a subdivision application by Mayor Christopher Holloway.

The paper cited Napier's report, "In this case, it is clear from all staff reports that the town manager in effect personally "carried the ball" for Holloway's application by the town manager himself making sure that the Planning and Public Works Departments and their staffs knew that the town manager was overseeing the subdivision application for Holloway and the town manager wanted this application expedited as quickly as possible."

The town attorney said that the interim planning director felt there was at least an implicit pressure to sign the (mayor's) subdivision plat as soon as it was presented to him.

"It was presented to him by his boss, the town manager, in the presence of the mayor, the interim planning director did not feel he had the time, nor did he take the time, to review the town code to be certain the correct town code procedures were being followed," Napier wrote in his report.

Hicks would have earned a salary of $130,000 per year plus medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a five-percent contribution to a 401(K) supplemental retirement plan and enrollment in the local Government Employees Retirement System. He was also approved for relocation expenses up to $2,500.

Royal Examiner reached out to Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal regarding the town's abrupt decision to renege on its job offer to Hicks, but the official did not return our call.

Regarding his selection as Louisburg's town administrator, Medlin said, "It is an honor to be the next Administrator for the Town of Louisburg. I look forward to working with Mayor, the Town Council, staff, and citizens to accomplish projects as we move the Town of Louisburg forward."

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Steven Hicks to start as Front Royal Town Manager on December 7th, 2020

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The Front Royal Town Council opened its work session of Monday, June 5, with review of a number of items either scheduled for upcoming public hearings — four out of six on short-term rental permitting requests — or inclusion on Consent Agendas for routine matters not requiring further council discussion. Council then delved into several matters of broader general interest to town citizens.

Among those were funding for needed repairs to the Prospect Street bridge over Happy Creek at South Commerce Avenue; officially changing by Town Code amendment the June due date on Personal Property taxes after five consecutive years of delayed mailing out of those tax bills and a consequent pushing back the June 5 due date; and finally prior to adjourning to closed session, authorization of an increase in the amount of legal fees to be paid to the Alexandria-based Damiani & Damiani law firm for its representation of the town government in the dueling civil law suits launched by council in November 2019 over liabilities and damages related to the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority financial scandal.

That increased cap on EDA civil legal fees is $250,000, according to the staff summary up $50,000 from a level of $200,000 set by a previous council on November 25, 2019. There was some confusion as the staff summary also noted that council had previously "allocated" an additional $158,139 to the original cap "for potential legal fees" but had not yet "authorized payment" of that amount, leaving the $158,139 "budgeted and unspent."

Town citizens, whose General Fund tax revenue is being used to pay the EDA civil litigation bills, may recall that the council decision to sue the joint Town-County EDA and the County as opposed to accepting an offer of "good-faith negotiations" to determine exactly who was owed what or liable for what in the estimated $26-million financial scandal was made over the objection of then-recently installed Mayor Eugene Tewalt as Interim Mayor Matt Tederick (May-Nov. 2019) was transitioning into his run as interim town manager (Nov. 2019-Dec. 2020). Tederick, who has office space in proximity to Damiani & Damiani's in Alexandria, made council aware of the potential availability of the law firm to handle the hostile civil litigation if council chose that path.

Then Mayor Eugene Tewalt, right, at a FR-WC EDA Board meeting in late 2019 as he attempted to act as mediator to steer the Town and EDA away from hostile civil litigation. While the EDA was on board with an offer of ‘good-faith negotiations’, unfortunately a majority of the town council was not. Below, Matt Tederick not long after transitioning from the interim mayor to interim town manager role in late 2019.

After some discussion (beginning at 58:14 mark of linked Town video) and Mayor Cockrell's explanation that council could take action at the regularly scheduled work session, on Amber Morris's motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wayne Sealock, council approved the $50,000 increase to a cap of $250,000 by a 6-0 vote.

Council then convened into Closed/Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, including the "Town Attorney and appointments to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals." There was no action or announcement out of closed session.

Other Business

On the matter of when, not only the Town, but also the County, has been able to get their Personal Property Tax billings out, town staff has recommended council consider a code amendment officially moving the initial payment due date without penalty to June 20 from June 5. Council member Morris noted the link between County and Town taxes — "We can't do ours without the County part," she observed.

With that link it was recommended that council take the matter to the Town-County Liaison Committee for discussion on a joint move in that direction to accommodate both municipalities tax billing schedules to what they are able to accomplish as the new fiscal year looms every July 1.

The staff summary noted that: "The mailing of first installment Town personal property tax bills have been delayed for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; the first installment for Town real estate tax bills have been delayed for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023."

Finance Director B.J. Wilson at podium discusses dynamics of a Town Code change to facilitate a long-term push back of the personal property tax due date from June 5 to June 20. Amber Morris, seated far right of table, pointed out that the Town can't finalize its tax assessments without a final version of the County's rates for the coming year. A joint municipal approach to a changed tax due date will be taken to the Town-County Liaison Committee.

On the Prospect Street Bridge repair front, staff notes a recent total cost estimate of nearly $1.5 million. Were the Town to be approved for the V-DOT Revenue Sharing Program, the Town "could receive 50% of matching funds from the revenue sharing program in FY27-28". However, such approval remains an unknown variable, and the time frame seems counter-productive to the relative immediacy of the need of repair to the largely wooden structure. Flat tires were reported by some after driving over the bridge, and termites in sections of the wood were noted. That led to questions of liability for the town or state were the bridge to collapse with a vehicle on it.

The staff summary observed: "Effective with the FY24 Budget, the Town will have allocated a total of $630,000 to the Prospect Bridge Rehabilitation Project ($300,000 in current FY23 and coming FY24) and will need an additional $925,137 to fund the project."

Of options in providing the additional funding, it was added: "The Town could delay secondary paving in the amount of $262,000 and delay the transportation plan in the amount of $150,000 to allocate an additional $412,000 toward the Prospect Bridge Rehabilitation Project; but the additional $412,000 will not provide enough funds to complete the project immediately. An additional $513,127 would be needed if both paving and the transportation plan funding were delayed. Additional funds could be allocated when preparing the FY25 budget for next year and by that time the Town may have a better idea of additional funds that could be reallocated toward the Prospect Bridge Rehabilitation Project."

Town Manager Joe Waltz, left, suggested council take the self-funding approach to the Prospect St. Bridge repair to facilitate a perhaps three to four-years quicker start on those much-needed repairs.

With the potential VDOT revenue sharing not available until Fiscal Year 2027/28, Town Manager Joe Waltz said that a self-funded rehabilitation of the bridge project could conceivably begin in July of 2024 at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2024/25.

Noting it as a Town Public Works priority and the potential of moving from limited use to being closed to all traffic, a consensus appeared to be to move toward repair as soon as possible, with the additional needed funds being earmarked to facilitate that FY-2025 target date of July 2024 to begin repairs.

The short-term rentals discussion that kicked off the meeting focused largely (4:15 mark of the video) on The Trellis multi-unit project on the 1100 block of John Marshall Highway, which encompassed three of the four short-term rental Special Use Permit applications poised for public hearings. While some questions were raised about the multi-uses tied to a main structure, "Events Center" tied to the smaller short-term rentals, council's overall reaction was positive. It was noted the applicant has lengthy ties to the community and a vested interest in improving the ambiance of the town to both visitors and residents.

A front-page graphic on the Trellis events and short-term rental project earmarked for the south side of the 1100 block of John Marshall Hwy. Below, council and staff ponder the variables involved in the multi-use Trellis project. Overall the reaction was positive as the project approaches a public hearing.

However, a future work session to discuss mixed-use issues and the range of variables tied to short-term rental permitting was promised to Councilmen Rappaport and Rogers, who raised the bulk of those issues. Though, as noted above, even with their general permitting issues raised, both Rappaport and Rogers expressed support for the Trellis project overall.

Two other coming public hearing items discussed were a short-term rental permitting application at 211 South Royal Avenue and a special exception to parking regulations at 15 Chester Street for commercial use, both of which got positive receptions. In another action item, Planning Director Kopishke was appointed to the Town's non-elected member role with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC). It was pointed out that Vice-Mayor Sealock is the elected representative to NSVRC.

Click here to see all or part of these and other discussions in the Town video.

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At 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, the Warren County Board of Supervisors held its now third monthly meeting to handle an increase in the number of public hearings it faces fueled largely by short-term tourist rental requests. Following are the seven public hearing items on this agenda and board actions taken.

C. Public Hearing – Lease with Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, Inc.A summary and explanation of the lease parameters was given by Assistant County Attorney Caitlin Jordan: "Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, Inc. ("SAAA") has leased the County-owned building located at 1217 Commonwealth Avenue, also known as the Senior Center, since approximately May 2001. When the last lease was executed, it was anticipated that the SAAA would move to the Health and Human Services Complex ("Services Complex") once improvements were complete. While the Services Complex is owned by the Warren County School Board, the County currently leases the Services Complex through a lease agreement dated October 18, 2011 that granted permission to the County to lease a portion of the Services Complex to the SAAA. Now that the improvements are complete, the SAAA would like to lease a portion of the Services Complex for a period of five (5) years, beginning June 1, 2023 and ending on May 30, 2028."

No one spoke at the public hearing. On a motion by Vice-Chairman Cheryl Cullers, seconded by Delores Oates, by a 4-0 vote, Walt Mabe absent, the supervisor approved a motion to "authorize the County Administrator to execute a lease for a designated area of the Health and Human Services Complex with the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for a period of five years, beginning June 1, 2023 to May 30, 2028."

D. Public Hearing – Proposed Amendment to Warren County Code §172-2 "Designation of Certain Private Roads as Highways" to include Blue Ridge Shadows.Summary and Explanation, again by Assistant County Attorney Jordan: "Lieutenant Seal of the Warren County Sheriff's Office received the enclosed letter from Scott R. Kresjes, President of the Blue Ridge Shadows Home Owners Association, requesting that the private roads within the Blue Ridge Shadows subdivision be designated as highways for law enforcement purposes. On March 17, 2023 Sheriff Butler submitted a letter to the County Attorney's Office stating that he was in agreement with the Board of the Blue Ridge Shadows HOA request … Virginia Code Section § 46.2-1307.1 permits the Warren County Board of Supervisors to adopt ordinances designating private roads within any residential development containing 50 or more lots as highways for law enforcement purposes. Blue Ridge Shadows contains 233 lots and may be listed specifically in § 172-2 of the Warren County Code."

Blue Ridge Shadows HOA President Scott Kresjes explains the north-side 233-lot subdivision plan to have all its roads designated as VDOT system roads for law enforcement purposes as allowed by county code. With the sheriff's concurrence, the board agreed to the requested ‘highway’ designation. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

After hearing Blue Ridge Shadows HOA President Kresjes summarize the subdivision's desire to have all its roads classified as VDOT system "highways" for law enforcement purposes, the board on a motion by Ms. Cullers, seconded by Jay Butler, approved "the amendment to section 172-2 of the Warren County Code to include Blue Ridge Shadows" roads by the "highway" designation by another 4-0 vote.

E. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit 2023-03-01, Shelly Cook for a Short-Term Tourist Rental Located at 0 Lee Burke Road and Identified on Tax Map 27E, Section 7, as Parcel 3.Summary and Explanation presented by Zoning Administrator Chase Lenz: "The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental for the property she purchased in December of 2015. The subject property is currently under development and is accessed by a private access easement through the adjacent 42.9143-acre parcel also owned by the applicant. The owner is constructing a single-family dwelling on the property to be used as a ‘honeymoon suite’ for her Rural Events Facility approved for her adjacent parcel."

It was noted in the agenda summary that by a 4-0 vote on April 12, the county planning commission had forwarded the request with a recommendation of approval, with conditions as cited in the packet.

Shelly Cook describes her current ‘Honeymoon Suite’ short-term rental request's connection to her already approved Rural Events Center and ongoing vineyard Agricultural use operations. Her SUP permitting request was approved.

After hearing from the applicant on details of how this "honeymoon suite" short-term rental parcel fits into her overall plan for her Rural Events Center and Vineyard operation, on a motion by Ms. Oates, seconded by Ms. Cullers, by a 4-0 vote the board approved "the Conditional Use Permit request of Shelly Cook for a Short-Term Tourist Rental with the conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission and staff."

F. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit 2023-03-03, David Cressell for Gunsmithing Services Located at 275 Gary Lane and Identified on Tax Map 15D, Section 2, Block 5, as Parcel 206.Explanation and Summary again by Zoning Administrator Lenz: He explained that the request was in a Residential-One zoning district in the Shenandoah Farms subdivision River View section; and that County codes define Gunsmithing Services as a commercial enterprise where a gunsmith performs repairs, renovations, safety inspections, modification alterations for special uses, and appraisals of firearms and that sales are allowed with proper permitting. But due to state and federal regulations it is not considered a "Home Occupation".

However, in a residentially zoned location in order to preserve the character of the neighborhood certain conditions were required. Those include no change in the outside appearance of the property. And since the shooting of firearms in the Shenandoah Farms subdivision is prohibited, "all test firing will be conducted offsite and there will be no discharge of firearms associated with the gunsmithing services operation on the property."

The applicant was present but did not address the board and there were no public hearing speakers or board discussion. On a motion by Mr. Butler the board presumably, since Butler's microphone was either off or so far from his mouth his voice was not audible, approved the permitting request by a 4-0 vote.

G. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit 2023-03-04, Michaun Pierre for a Short-term Tourist Rental Located at 726 Harmony Orchard Road and identified on Tax Map 38C, Section 1, as Parcel 6Summary and Explanation was by Planning Director Matt Wendling despite the chair's continued call to a "Mr. Welding" who did not appear to be present. But however you pronounce his name, the planning director explained that Ms. Pierre was requesting the Short-Term Rental Conditional Use Permit for a property she purchased in January of 2023.

A planning director by any pronunciation, Matt Wendling summarized several of the permitting, and a subdivision variance, requests to the board. Fortunately, none required any ‘welding’ by county staff. – Sorry, it's a dyslexic pronunciation inside joke. – Hey, I’m dyslexic, I can make them.

She has explained her family is from neighboring Rappahannock County and that she has wanted to move back and own property in the Shenandoah Valley. She told planning department staff that her current work and family situations require her to be transient, so she doesn't stay at the property full-time and would like to rent it when she's not staying there. Her long-term plan is to settle here in the future when her life is less transient. She told planning staff she will manage the rentals remotely and hire a local handyman or property management company to handle cleaning and maintenance and be available for emergencies and general property issues. She has submitted a property management plan for review by County staff.

The planning commission forwarded the request in April with a unanimous recommendation of approval with conditions as suggested in the packet.

Michaun Pierre describes her plans to utilize her recently purchased Harmony Orchard Road residence for short-term rentals while her employment and family obligations demand a ‘transient’ lifestyle which allows her to stay there only part of the time. Long-term, she told county staff she hopes to settle here in the Shenandoah Valley when her life is less transient. Below, exterior and interior graphics of Ms. Pierre's ‘Harmony Ridge Hideaway’ – Okay, I could stay there for the weekend, or through retirement.

Again there were no other speakers than the applicant. On a slightly more audible motion by Mr. Butler, seconded by Ms. Oates, the board approved the Conditional Use Permit request of Michaun Pierre for a Short-Term Tourist Rental with the conditions as recommended by the planning commission and staff.

H. Public Hearing – Subdivision Variance #2023-03-01, Erica Baker – for a subdivision variance to Warren County Code 155-3.B(1)(b) of the Subdivision Ordinance, Located at 64 Tara Road, identified on Tax Map 15 as parcel 2C2.Staff summary again by Planning Director Wendling, who noted that existing County Code §155-3.B(1)(b) of the Subdivision Ordinance requires "that the property owner requesting a subdivision shall have held fee simple title to the property to be subdivided for a period of five years prior to the filing of the family subdivision application with the county." At this time, staff noted that Ms. Baker and her family have held the property since January 6th, 2022 (approx. 1 year and 2 months). This date was when their father passed away and the property was willed to Roger Smith, Erica Baker, Alise Barton and Alfred E. Smith, Jr.

Erica Baker recounts her father's plan for his property's division among his children following his death, as specified in his will. Baker, who is currently living on the property the children inherited in January 2022, and her sibling's request for a subdivision variance was granted with conditions as recommended by the planning commission and staff.

After hearing from the applicant, there were no other speakers, the board did discuss the matter with the planning director who gave some background on the history of similar requests, though generally not related to a family inheritance based on a death and inheritance division among family members. Then on a motion by Ms. Oates, seconded by Ms. Cullers, approved the subdivision variance "with the condition as recommended by the Planning Commission and staff, that the lot shall not be voluntarily transferred to a non-immediate family member for nine (9) years after approval of the family subdivision plat. This would be in lieu of the required five years and make the time frame approximately ten years." With those conditions the planning commission forwarded the matter on a 5-0 vote with a recommendation of approval.

I. Public Hearing: re: Warren County Fair Association CUP request for a Motor Freight Terminal.The evening's final public hearing was the item added at the meeting's outset, the Warren County Fair Association's request for use of a portion of its property as a Motor Freight terminal for overflow trailer parking by the nearby, across Fairgrounds Road, Family Dollar warehouse and distribution center. Planning Director Wendling explained the use was anticipated as a seasonal one around certain holidays, as opposed to a steady year-round use. He noted that Dennis Grove was present representing the Fair Association but did not address the board and no questions were directed his way.

Again, without any public hearing speakers, on a motion by Ms. Cullers, second by Ms. Oates, the board approved the CUP application by a 4-0 vote.

With no new "New Business" on the agenda the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m. Click here to view all or portions of the meeting in the Board of Supervisors Special Meeting.

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As noted at the end of our lead story on the Front Royal Town Council's regular meeting of Monday, May 22, recipients of three annual Town scholarships to graduating seniors from the community's high schools were announced at that meeting (9:45 video mark). In fact, two of those recipients present at the meeting's outset led council in the Pledge of Allegiance opening the meeting.

Left to right at podium, Benjamin Windt and Landon Pond lead council and public in the Pledge of Allegiance to open Monday's town council meeting. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Following are Mayor Lori A. Cockrell's remarks introducing the trio of Benjamin Windt (R-MA), Tyler Burhams (WCHS), and Landon Pond (WCHS) to council and the public that evening.

"The town awards three scholarships each year to deserving seniors who live in the Town of Front Royal. Both Councilwoman Morris and Councilman Ingram serve on the scholarship committee.

Applications have names and addresses removed before the committee reviews the applications. I believe that choosing just three recipients was very challenging from all of the applications the town received.

"The application requires students to respond to the following areas: post-high school education plans, plans for employment once completing their post-high school education, extra-curricular and community activities while in high school, honors and awards earned, and describing how living in Front Royal has influenced their future plans.

From left, Benjamin Windt (R-MA), Tyler Burhams (WCHS), and Landon Pond (WCHS) are congratulated by council on their selection for the Town's three scholarships.

"The first recipient is Benjamin Windt. Benjamin attends Randolph-Macon Academy. He plans to pursue a career in advancing the world's space capabilities and aeronautical design. While in high school, he was involved in Air Force Junior ROTC, captain of the tennis team, and served as the Student Life Committee's treasurer. He also is very involved in the local Izaak-Walton League.

Benjamin noted that he has never missed a Festival of Leaves, goes to every Christmas and Firemen's Parade, the Fourth of July events at 4-H, and baseball games at ‘The Bing’.

"The second recipient is Tyler Burhams. Tyler graduated from Warren County High School last week. Tyler plans to pursue a career in engineering, specifically computer science. Tyler enjoys discovering how things work! In the last couple years, he has learned how to metal cast with a propane furnace, making different types of metal alloys. He noted that living in Front Royal has given him an appreciation for the land, especially the mountains. He enjoys camping, the forest, and wildlife and still has aspirations of a career in preservation, even though he feels engineering is where his strength lies.

"Our third recipient is Landon Pond. Landon also graduated from WCHS last Thursday. He plans to study cybersecurity and computer science. While in high school, he was a member of DECA, National Honor Society, and Wildcats Live and played on the golf, basketball, and baseball teams. I hope Landon doesn't mind me sharing his comments about living in Front Royal.

"He said, ‘Front Royal will always be an integral part of my story. I am a Southerner, a small-town boy, and a Wildcat for life. No matter where my life's journey takes me next, Front Royal will remain an emotional landmark filled with all of my firsts, my accomplishments, failures, beginnings, losses, and the fondest of memories. Front Royal embodies all of what truly matters and will forever be the place I call home.’

"Congratulations to all you gentlemen, and I hope all of you always feel a connection to Front Royal and know that your community supports you on your journey and the next chapter of your life," the mayor, whose career has been in public education, concluded.

The trio smiles for the cameras with the mayor and council.

Following her remarks council left the dais for congratulatory handshakes and a photo op with these three outstanding students and community members selected from a pool of such students/citizens. As Mayor Cockrell observed in calling the agenda item, it was a very difficult task narrowing that pool down to just three recipients from the Class of 2023.

Good luck to all those students in that pool, the three recipients, and not only Front Royal but all of Warren County's Class of 2023 graduates. Remember, the future is always only a moment away.

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Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell and the town council she chairs may have gotten more than they bargained for after the mayor introduced the "Public Comments" on non-agenda topics section of the regular council meeting on Monday, May 22nd. It was a one-two punch to put up or, if not shut up, to at least inform those involved of the Town's real intentions moving forward on joint, or not joint, tourism efforts. Those verbal "punches" were delivered by Discover Front Royal (DFR) Chairman Clare Schmitt and Downtown Front Royal (the other DFR's) board member Ellen Aders.

They came after council had conducted the agenda's two rather routine public hearings, first approving an ordinance to amend Town Code Chapter 175-137 on Fees, Charges and Expenses to Add the Application Fee of $400 for Processing a Local Board of Building Code Appeals (LBBCA) application; and second, an ordinance to amend a Town Code Chapter (98-2) regarding Business, Professional and Occupational Licensing to add the definitions of "Mobile Food Unit" and "New Business" and related to include additional information to Chapter 98-3 regarding License Requirement to add "Mobile Food Unit" to Chapter 98-61 on Licensing Peddlers and Itinerant Merchants "to incorporate additional legislation enacted by the Code of Virginia § 58.1-3715.1 regarding mobile food units."

It was perhaps a surprise that no speakers addressed implementation of a $400 fee necessary to challenge any Town Property Maintenance Official's rulings on derelict or deteriorating properties after council moved toward implementation of the process under discussion for — is it a decade yet? — with the January 2023 establishment of a Local Building Code Board of Appeals. With no speakers at that building code of appeals fee implementation public hearing council may have thought it was going to be a smooth sail through public concerns for the evening. But it wasn't to be.

After calling for public comments on non-agenda items, Mayor Cockrell may have been thinking, ‘Uh oh, what have I done,’ as first, Clare Schmitt, chairman of Discover Front Royal, below, and Downtown Front Royal member Ellen Aders called out council for mixed messaging on joint tourism efforts involving the town and county governments, and the jointly created Destination Management Organization ‘Discover Front Royal.’

Discover Front Royal Board Chairman Schmitt opened by noting the topic of "tourism agreements with both the County and DFR" (Discover Front Royal) was on council's closed meeting agenda at the open meeting's end. The closed session motion cited legal advice by counsel towards "1) proposed agreements for promotion of economic interests and tourism with Discover Front Royal, Inc. and Warren County" as one of three closed session topics, another being the dueling civil litigations launched by the Town several years ago against the County and the still legally named Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority.

Schmitt, recently appointed to succeed Kerry Barnhart at the helm of the independent 501-c6 Destination Management Organization (DMO) Discover Front Royal, jointly created by the Town and County to oversee joint tourism efforts, urged council to come out of that closed session discussion with a clear message to all involved on its intent on the future of tourism promotion in the community.

"I’ve heard many of you publicly say, either from this dais or during the liaison meeting or other venues, that you support a joint tourism effort with the County for our region and that you want to move forward with DFR and with the County.

"And so I guess what I’m asking for you all to do is put your money and your vote where your mouth is and move this forward," Schmitt added pointedly of the conflicting messages she perceives coming from the Town side of the joint tourism equation. Of that mixed message, Schmitt observed that she had heard that some on council, perhaps a majority, did not want to move forward with the joint tourism effort.

"That's okay … and you won't hurt my feelings, and you won't hurt any of my board members’ feelings if you decide to just do your own thing. But what we would ask, if that is, in fact, what the majority wishes, is to stop wasting time and just move forward and say that — say, ‘We don't actually want to work with the County, and we don't want a joint tourism effort, and we don't want to work with you guys.’ Or maybe even ‘We do want to work with the County, but only the County and we don't want to work with you, DFR.'"

Schmitt reiterated that such a move wouldn't be taken personally by her board, noting, "This is volunteer work, and frankly, the last few weeks and months have been pretty thankless, especially since we don't seem able to get anything done since this doesn't seem to be a priority," Schmitt told the town's elected leadership. She continued to make it clear her and her board's preference was the joint path forward she again reminded some council members they have publicly supported.

"If you do choose to have separate, individual tourism efforts for the Town and County, I would just ask you to make that decision and explain to the citizens the ‘why’ of your decision and not just continue kicking the can down the road. There is a little bit of an expiration (date) on this — we’re starting a new fiscal year (July 1) … and I think it's time to make a decision. So, I would just ask you come out of tonight's meeting and do that," Schmitt circled back to her opening request for clarity from the town's elected officials on their intent moving forward on tourism promotion.

Ellen Aders continued the call for decisive messaging one way or the other from the town council on the future of joint tourism promotion in this community.

Downtown Front Royal's Aders was up next to carry forward Schmitt's theme, if from a different DFR perspective to the same end of not keeping joint tourism efforts in a political limbo. "And I want to echo everything that Clare just said," Aders began. "I’ve been at work sessions, I’ve been at council meetings, I’ve talked to some of you on an individual basis. And it seems at every turn you guys are supportive of it — you want to work with DFR, you want to work with the County and get those tourism dollars here to be spent in Front Royal.

"But somewhere along the way, there's a breakdown, or seems to be a breakdown in communication because we’re three months out from disengagement, and we don't seem to be any closer to re-engaging," Aders pointed out of the dissolution of the Town's Memorandum of Understanding with the County on joint tourism that led to the creation of Discover Front Royal as the point entity for both municipalities on that effort. As we understand, one of Discover Front Royal's roles as the 501-c6 Destination Management Organization (DMO) in that effort is to apply for state tourism-directed grants the municipalities themselves are ineligible for.

"We get positive feedback from you all and a path forward, and then that gets passed off to staff, and then things just kind of stall. So, I’m not really sure what happens. Either we’ve misunderstood what your intentions are or the communication to your staff is different than what we think (we’ve heard) … But either way, all of us involved seem to be chasing our tails around this a little bit," Aders said of the lack of forward movement on joint tourism promotion.

Aders pointed to the acquisition of a grant, she did not specify by which DFR, part of which she said had been spent on the still unilaterally run Town Visitors Center, another portion earmarked for phase two of Visitors Center remodeling, and another portion committed to marketing and advertising that Aders said must be spent by the end of the year. — "I wasn't sure you were aware of that," she said of the deadline on grant spending.

Aders concluded, again echoing Schmitt: "So, tonight I just would ask you to make a decision, communicate it clearly to our community, the County, to our board, so that we can either move forward with success or terminate the DMO (Destination Management Organization Discover Front Royal) and just move on and quit talking about it," Aders concluded. Then like Schmitt, she thanked council for the time to make her case for definitive messaging on the future of joint tourism efforts in this community.

Other BusinessAfter a third speaker, former Councilman Scott Lloyd, more playfully addressed the cooped-up chicken limit of six inside town limits, hoping for an expansion to nine or even 12, at least in more open areas of the town limits, council moved through the rest of its agenda.

OK, what else is on the open meeting agenda, council may have been pondering prior to heading into closed session. Following public comments, the open meeting lasted another half-hour, adjourning to closed session just after 8 p.m. Staff indicated the Closed/Executive Session adjourned after 10 p.m., with no action or announcements made.

First up were staff and member reports, then unanimous approval of a five-item Consent Agenda without discussion. Those Consent Agenda items involved three previously discussed departmental purchases, approval of the writing off of bad debts deemed uncollectable in current Fiscal Year-2023, and a current FY-2023 Budget Amendment.

That budget amendment was explained in the agenda packet: "Council is requested to approve a FY23 Budget Amendment in the amount of $480,000 to account for revenues that exceeded FY23 budgeted amounts and to approve a FY23 Budget Transfer in the amount of $248,000 from the General Fund to Street Fund. This proposed FY23 Budget Amendment and Transfer will allocate additional funds for the Town to move forward with a transportation Plan, allocate funds to be used for Criser Road Sidewalk Project and allocate additional funds for Paving Projects."

With no new business on the agenda, council then convened to the much-discussed Closed/Executive Session at about 8:03 p.m. The third topic of discussion was the filling of vacancies on FREDA, the Town's unilateral and currently on-hold Front Royal Economic Development Authority, created in the wake of the launching of the hostile civil litigations against the County and FR-WC EDA several years ago. According to town staff, there were no announcements out of the closed session, which, as noted above, was said to have adjourned after 10 p.m.

The full meeting is viewable on the Town Council video link below, with Public Comments beginning at the 22:30 video mark. And in a teaser for a related story, the meeting opened with some recognitions, including of this year's three Town Scholarship award winners: Benjamin Windt (R-MA), Tyler Burhams (WCHS), and Landon Pond (WCHS).

From left, Benjamin Windt (R-MA), Tyler Burhams (WCHS), and Landon Pond (WCHS) are congratulated by council on their selection for the Town's three Class of 2023 scholarships.

Click here to see all those acknowledgments at and near the outset of the Town Council video.

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After a month-plus of trying to expedite action to allow Dynamic Life Ministries to bury its late pastor and co-founder W. Carlton Rogers on the church property, in just eight minutes on Monday evening, May 22nd, the Front Royal Planning Commission and Town Council joined forces to conduct a public hearing and successive votes approving the Special Use Permit request to facilitate that burial.

Other than Pastor Rogers wife, Elvi, who was invited to the podium by Mayor Lori Cockrell to comment on the process, there were no public hearing speakers. At the podium, Elvi Rogers commended town staff and boards for expediting action on the matter.

Elvi Rogers thanks town government officials for expediting approval of permitting allowing her late husband, Dynamic Life Pastor W. Carlton Rogers, to be buried on the church grounds before the end of May.

The public hearing closed, first on a motion by Commissioner Connie Marshner, the planning commission voted 4-0 (Commissioner Wood absent) to recommend approval of the request. Council followed a motion by Amber Morris to approve the SUP request.

And now Pastor Rogers may be laid to rest on his and the ministry's choice of locations on the property he helped found and develop into a vibrant spiritual part of its community. The staff agenda summary noted that the cemetery plot would be just 10 feet by 10 feet on Dynamic Life's expansive property and would not come within 250 yards of any residential properties and therefore be in compliance with the performance standards set forth in Town Code Chapter 175-107.4.

And with that accomplished, the Special Joint Meeting was adjourned by both bodies at 6:48 p.m.

It was a crowded podium as Front Royal's planning commission, four seats to left, and the mayor and town council, seven seats to right, joined forced for final approval of the Special Use Permitting requested by Dynamic Life Ministries to facilitate the burial of its late pastor on the Dynamic Life grounds. Below is a graphic from an earlier meeting illustrating the site of the proposed cemetery ground, a light blue circle, on the Dynamic Life property, dark blue shaded grounds.

The planning commission was then done for the evening while the council prepared for its regular meeting, slated to start at 7 p.m.

Watch the 8-minute-plus video of the meeting here.

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Warren County tax bills for the first half of the year 2023 have been mailed. If you do not receive a bill for Personal Property, Real Estate, Sanitary District for Blue Mountain, Cedarville Heights, High Knob, Lake Front Royal, Linden Heights, Osprey Lane, Riverside, Shangri-La, Shannon Woods, Shenandoah Farms, Shenandoah Shores, Skyland Estates, Shangri-La, or Wildcat Drive, please contact the Treasurer's Office at 540-635-2215.

Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the penalty for late payment. Tax bills are due on June 5th, 2023. When the due date falls on the weekend, bills will be due the following business day. Penalty will be added June 22nd, 2023 if not paid or postmarked on or before June 21st, 2023.

Treasurer's Office hours are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Jamie L. SpikerTreasurer

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