Part of being a decent journalist and columnist is admitting when you’re wrong. Recent events have me re-evaluating my previous stance that the Town of Blackstone doesn’t need a Human Resources Director. The departure of Treasurer Brittany Morgan and some of her claims are troubling.
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We also have received credible information that this month could prove to be one of the most pivotal at Town Hall in more than a decade. A very real power struggle and other issues are coming to a head. We pray for the right things to happen and for peace and progress.
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Some Town officials, rightfully, worry about public safety if the Town allows golf carts in all areas of Town where the speed limit is 25 mph. Here’s one way to regain some peace of mind: Raise the speed limit back to 35 mph on the southern end of South Main. That will make traffic flow smoother out there and also prohibit anyone brave or foolish enough to drive a golf cart out that way. Motorists everywhere will cheer. Back to 35!
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Folks have been driving golf carts in town for more than a decade. They’ve been considered legal so long as they have a ‘Slow Moving Vehicle’ sign on them and only in 25 mph zones. However, the Code of Virginia has changed, and Council is trying to comply with state law. A public hearing will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 21st. Will you be driving an electric or gas cart to 100 West Elm Street?
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Nottoway County Emergency Squad was called over the weekend to help a woman remove a ring from one of her fingers. She must’ve really wanted to get out of that relationship badly. The ring was removed before EMTs arrived. Hopefully no digits or hearts were wounded.
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VDOT is getting ready to spend something like $5 million improving the intersection of Rts. 460 and 723, where another bad accident occurred Saturday morning. Then late next year, work is expected to begin on a $7.2 million roundabout at Darvills & Military Roads east of Blackstone. Guess what? Accidents will continue. Why? Because crashes are caused by driver error or negligence. Can’t wait to see locals at the roundabout!
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Prince Edward County’s ongoing court case against Carolyn Bowman and her large Confederate flag at the Farmville exit on Rt. 460 is set for tomorrow (Thursday). As fate would have it, her court date almost falls on “Black Thursday” of the Confederacy — April 5, 1965 — the Battle of Sailor’s Creek. Lee surrendered to Grant 72 hours later at Appomattox. Just think — if County officials back then had done a better job promoting tourism and economic development, the war could have ended at our courthouse. Or Schwartz Tavern in Blackstone. We’d be in all the history books.
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Carolyn obtained a Prince Edward building permit for her flag pole. Only until after her Confederate flag was raised, did the County express concerns. Prince Edward has since adopted an ordinance limiting the size of flags. Carolyn recently changed hers out and replaced it with a new one because the old one was fading. The County says she’s now in violation. I’m told Prince Edward has spent more than $100,000 in legal fees on the issue. Carolyn says she’s in it for the long haul because it’s a First Amendment issue. I’d prefer to see an American flag, but I agree with her on freedom of expression — especially after she obtained proper Co. permits. The flag is part of a memorial dedicated to those who died at the Battles of Sailor’s Creek and High Bridge.
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I ran into Tom Flowers at his fine South Hill restaurant, Kahill’s. I expressed my condolences on the recent passing of his mother, Kayhill, of Crewe. I told him that when I first received her obituary, I thought there was a mistake with the spelling of her first name (Kahill vs. Kayhill). Tom explained to me that when he started his restaurant in June 1991, he was 28-years-old and wasn’t sure he would make it. He named it honor of his mother — but without the ‘y’ in her first name. Tom explained: “I didn’t want to fail and have it be a poor reflection on my mother.” It’s safe to say that Tom has thrived and that Kayhill was very proud of Tom and all of her other loved ones — and certainly the restaurant that bears her name — minus the ‘y.’
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This one may give you chills: Tom opened in his current “new” building in 2004. Ironically, it was set to open Oct. 3rd of that year, but a water line burst, and he was delayed by two days until Oct. 5th — which happens to be mother Kayhill’s birthday.
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