Director gained, director lost: THE DIGEST
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Dave Irvin, DPW interim director no more
STAUNTON – The city of Staunton promoted Dave Irvin from Interim Director of Public Works to, simply, the Director of Public Works.
“Having served as the Public Works Utility Superintendent for nearly 15 years, I am honored and humbled for the privilege to continue serving the City of Staunton, now as Director of Public Works,” said Irvin. “I am confident that with our excellent staff of dedicated professionals, we can strive for exemplary service to all of our customers.”
Irvin is a professional engineer, having previously served as Utilities Superintendent for the city. He also previously served as interim director for both Public Works, Transportation and Refuse & Facilities. The press release notes he is currently revamping the water and sewer system infrastructure maps, overseeing a water supply source study, replacing water plant tanks and machinery, and managing the waterline replacement project.
“We are excited to have Dave move into this position permanently. Throughout his nearly 15 years with Staunton Public Works, and especially in the last seven months, he has proven that he is the right person for the job,” said City Manager Leslie Beauregard. “He will be able to seamlessly transition into the role.”
Downtown Staunton association loses new executive director
STAUNTON – Staunton Downtown Development Association’s new Executive Director David Greiner announced his resignation just weeks after he was brought on.
According to the press release from SDDA, Greiner told the board he was unable to continue in the position due to personal family reasons. Greiner was hired as executive director earlier this month after former director Greg Beam announced his resignation in January.
“We wish David well in his future endeavors. SDDA will continue to move forward with finding a suitable Executive Director that will continue to build upon the successes the SDDA has seen in the previous years,” said Board President Jessica Sawyers. “We would like to thank the Downtown Staunton businesses and Community members for your patience and support during this transitional period.”
The press release notes the SDDA Board of Directors is “working towards the next steps and will make an announcement as to when the hiring process will begin as soon as that is determined.”
$25 million in internet grants from USDA available for local organizations
RICHMOND – Local organizations expanding affordable, high-speed internet accessibility have $25 million new reasons to apply to the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is accepting applications for $25 million worth of BTA grants. This is the second round of funding for the program – the first received 96 applications requesting $44.5 million.
“Connectivity opens the world’s marketplace to rural business owners and makes it easier for rural people to share innovative ideas with the rest of the country,” Virginia State Director Perry Hickman said. “Through this program, USDA is helping rural communities identify and pursue opportunities to meet the Administration’s goal to connect every community in America with affordable, reliable high-speed internet.”
According to the press release, the program is split in two, with $15 million available for delivering broadband technical assistance to rural communities and $10 million available for those receiving the assistance. Top priority will be given to projects also meeting the guidelines provided online here.
The press release notes applications must be submitted electronically using grants.gov before the end of August 20, “Additional information is available on page 52012 of the June 21, 2024, Federal Register. Please contact Virginia’s General Field Representative Richard Jenkins at [email protected] or 304-445-5369 to learn more about this funding opportunity.”
SAW Housing to present new information on local housing accessibility
STAUNTON – Following its summit and workshops last year, SAW Housing will host a Lunch & Learn event on local housing issues on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event will have several speakers, including Mel Jones of the Virginia Center for Housing Research and Jonathan Knof of Housing Forward Virginia to preview data from the regional housing study commissioned by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. SAW Housing's Steering Committee will then introduce the organization's proposed strategies going forward.
Those looking to attend should sign up by Tuesday through the SAW Housing website, https://www.sawhousing.com/2024.
Kaine leads, Warner cosponsors resolution apologizing for government discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine introduced and Senator Mark Warner cosponsored a Senate resolution apologizing for the mistreatment and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) during their military service and/or civil service.
As explained by Kaine's press release, the United States has a "long, disturbing history of discrimination against servicemembers and other federal employees identifying as LGBT." The release mentions the Lavender Scare, when thousands of federal employees faced discrimination for their sexuality, and "at least" 100,000 LGBTQ service members forced out of the military during to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, "which prohibited servicemembers from disclosing their sexual orientation."
“LGBT civil servants, foreign service officers and servicemembers have made countless sacrifices and contributions to our country and national security. Despite this, our government has subjected them to decades of harassment, invasive investigations and wrongful termination because of who they are or who they love,” said Kaine. “This Pride Month, I’m proud to lead this resolution alongside Senator Baldwin to reaffirm our commitment to righting our past wrongs and fighting for equality for all LGBT Americans.”
The resolution can be found in full online.
VDOT traffic alerts for June 24 to June 28
STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.
INTERSTATE 64
No lane closures reported.
INTERSTATE 81
*UPDATE* Mile marker 205 to 208, northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for shoulder repairs, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Mile marker 205 to 211, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for pavement resurfacing, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through August 16.
*NEW* Mile marker 214 to 213, southbound – Right shoulder closures for sign installation, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Mile marker 214 to 210, southbound – Alternating lane closures for milling and paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through July 25. Exit 213 traffic will be detoured during ramp paving.
Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound – Left and right shoulder closures in place 24/7 through spring 2026. Work zone speed limit 60 miles an hour. Traffic restrictions are for I-81 widening project.
Mile marker 225 to 227, northbound and southbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for bridge maintenance, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Thursday night.
PRIMARY ROADS
*NEW* Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) – Lane closures at various locations between Route 681 (Mount Hermon Road) and Route 682 (McKinley Road) for tree trimming operations, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 772 (Sulfur Pump Road) and Route 865 (Rockfish Road) for maintenance to bridge over Middle River, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Friday.
*NEW* Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound and southbound alternating lane closures between Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) and Route 613 (Old Greenville Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27 – July 3.
*NEW* Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Northbound and southbound alternating lane closures between Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) and Route 652 (University Farm Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 28 – July 4.
SECONDARY ROADS
Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 848 (Rankin Lane) and Route 623 (Back Creek Lane) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.
*NEW* Route 611 (Dooms Crossing Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 340 (East Side Highway) and Route 619 (Purple Cow Road) for utility pole installation, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 24 – July 11.
Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 2025.
Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.
*NEW* Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) for utility work, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 – September 30.
Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 2025.
*UPDATE* Route 675 (Broadhead School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 919 (Old Providence Road) and Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) for utility work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday.
Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Director gained, director lost: THE DIGEST