Former employee honored for his lasting impact recycle!
How your efforts make a difference
ALSO INSIDE...
Broadband Milestones
One project completed, another now underway
Sky-High Safety Tools
Behind the scenes with the Sheriff’s Office’s drone team
Disc Golf Legacy
SPRING EDITION 2024
Bedford County Community Connection highlights the latest news from Bedford County, Virginia’s government departments. It is published quarterly online (January, April, July, October).
CONTACT
PHONE
540-586-7601
publicinfo@bedfordcountyva.gov
ADDRESS
122 East Main Street Bedford, VA 24523
WEBSITE
www.bedfordcountyva.gov
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: BedfordCountyVAGovernment
Instagram: @bedfordcountyvirginia
LinkedIn: Bedford County, Virginia
X: @BedfordCountyVA
YouTube: @CountyofBedford
DISTRICT 1
Mickey Johnson
DISTRICT 2
Edgar Tuck (Chair)
DISTRICT 3
Charla Bansley
DISTRICT 4
John Sharp
DISTRICT 5
Tommy Scott
DISTRICT 6
Bob Davis
DISTRICT 7
Tammy Parker (Vice Chair)
Learn more: www.bedfordcountyva.gov/BOS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shelley Basinger, Ashlee Glen, Susan Pratt, Keith Wrenn
ON THE COVER
An
A newly formed task force has a unifed message to keep everyone safe on the water this summer season.
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We are on a mission to see more residents not only recycle, but also recycle the right items.
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The Sheriff’s Office introduces their drone team and explains how the gadgets improve operations.
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The National D-Day Memorial is preparing for a milestone anniversary this year with several days of events.
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1 – Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession: 5 p.m. at County Administration Building.
2 – Planning Commission: 6 p.m. at County Administration Building.
4 – Economic Development Authority: 5:30 p.m. at County Administration Building.
8 – Board of Supervisors: At County Administration Building. Regular Meeting at 7 p.m. Worksession at 5 p.m.
15 – Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession: 5 p.m. at County Administration Building.
22 – Board of Supervisors: At County Administration Building. Regular Meeting at 7 p.m. Worksession at 5 p.m.
2 – Economic Development Authority: 5:30 p.m. at County Administration Building.
7 – Planning Commission: 6 p.m. at County Administration Building.
13 – Board of Supervisors: 7 p.m. at County Administration Building. Worksession at 5 p.m.
27 – Memorial Day Holiday: Administrative offices closed. Gated waste collection centers closed.
28 – Board of Supervisors: 7 p.m. at County Administration Building. Worksession at 5 p.m.
30 – Unclaimed Property Call Event: With VA Department of Treasury. Learn more on page 4.
4 – Planning Commission: 6 p.m. at County Administration Building.
5 – Real Estate Taxes Due (first half): Bills will be mailed in April. Learn more at www.bedfordcountyva.gov/taxes.
6 – Economic Development Authority: 5:30 p.m. at County Administration Building.
10 – Board of Supervisors: 7 p.m. at County Administration Building. Worksession at 5 p.m.
19 – Juneteenth Holiday: County Administrative offices closed.
24 – Board of Supervisors: 7 p.m. at County Administration Building. Worksession at 5 p.m.
May 3 – Early, In-Person Voting Begins: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bedford County Gym (1059 Turning Point Rd., Bedford).
May 28 – Last Day to Register to Vote
June 7 – Last Day to Apply for Absentee Ballot by Mail
June 8 – Saturday Early Voting: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bedford County Gym.
June 15 – Saturday Early Voting: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bedford County Gym.
June 18 – Primary Election: Voters cast ballots at polling places.
Tempest is a 10-year-old dog who is spayed, vaccinated, and housebroken. Volunteers say she has a wonderful personality with every human she meets. Tempest has always been an only pet and would need to be the only pet in her future home.
If you are interested in meeting Tempest, contact the Bedford County Animal Shelter at 540-586-7690. You can also email Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter at fobcasfriends@gmail.com.
The Bedford County Animal Shelter is located at 1307 Falling Creek Rd., Bedford. It is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is organizing Shred It and Drug Take Back events on April 20 at Jefferson Forest High School and May 18 at Staunton River High School. Both events are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring personal documents for shredding and unused/expired medications.
Summer camp registration is underway for Bedford County Parks & Recreation. They are offering day camp options that include Art Camp, Stem Camp, and Pirates & Mermaids Camp. Visit parks.bedfordcountyva. gov to learn more.
Parks & Rec has teamed up with the Bedford Extension Office, Health Department, Hunters for the Hungry, and Bedford Community Health Foundation to bring new life to the New London Cannery. Volunteers are using the facility to fill cans with stew to distribute in the community. To help, email bmartin@ bedfordcountyva.gov.
April is National 911 Education Month and April 14-20 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. May 4 is International Firefighters Day and May 19-25 is National EMS Week. Follow along on our 911 and Fire & Rescue Facebook pages during these months for trivia, employee recognition, and more.
The Virginia Department of Treasury is hosting an Unclaimed Property Call Event for Bedford County residents on Thursday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Call 1-833-302-0704 to search and start your claim process. This is a free public service.
Some of Bedford County’s parks and programs were recognized by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s “The Best of the Blue Ridge.” Bedford Outdoor Adventures received #1 for Best Educational Outdoors Program. Falling Creek Park received honors for Best Bike Park and Best Disc Golf Course.
The Bedford Public Library’s annual summer reading program is May 25 and through July 20. Register online after May 25 to log your reading time and win fun prizes. All ages are welcome to participate. Learn more and sign up at bplsonline.org.
Virginia’s 4 p.m. Burning Law continues through April 30. This annual law bans open-air burning prior to 4 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which could carry fire to the woods. Learn more at dof.virginia.gov.
If you need a copy of a deed or plat, land records for properties in the town/county are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office (123 East Main St., Bedford). These records are open to the public from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
WATCH: Clerk of Court Judy Reynolds shares more in this short message.
5,150 addresses eligible for broadband from current state-funded projects
Verizon Fios is now available for 1,000 eligible addresses in the Big Island/Wheats Valley communities. This project was partially funded by Bedford County and a grant from the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative. Residents in this area can confirm availability on Verizon’s website: www.verizon.com/home/internet/fios-fastest-internet/availability.
On March 19, RiverStreet Networks held a groundbreaking ceremony to formally kick-off construction of their broadband project in Bedford County. The ceremony was held at the Glenwood Center in Huddleston. RiverStreet is bringing high-speed internet to more than 3,000 homes. Search their interactive map here: myriverstreet.net/community/bedford-county-va.
On April 4, Bedford County will upgrade security and payment processing in the EnerGov Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal—a software system used to submit and track permits, plans, inspections, etc.
This will only affect CSS users two ways:
1. Users will not be able to access CSS on April 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. Following the upgrade, existing users of the CSS portal will have to re-register their accounts.
For example, instead of a username such as “jsmith,” the new username will be the user’s email address that’s currently on file with CSS: “jsmith@email.com.”
Follow the steps below to ensure you create a new CSS account that will link with your current account successfully:
Step 1: Navigate to the CSS homepage.
Step 2: Click “Create an account.”
Step 3: Existing CSS users should input the same email address they used for their old CSS account. This is how all of your past information will be linked to the new account. A code will be sent to that email
address.
Step 4: Enter the code, and select “Verify.”
Step 5: After verifying, you will be taken to the CSS homepage.
Users may notice some minor webpage changes on the CSS portal, but overall navigation will stay the same. Since payment
processing will change, credit card statements will now reflect Tyler Payments/ Tyler Technologies.
If you have any questions, contact Community Development at 540-586-7616.
WATCH: View step-by-step instructions in this short video.
The newly formed Wake Education Task Force at Smith Mountain Lake is moving into the 2024 summer season with a continued message: Wake Smarter, Tow Responsibly.
The Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) created the group in 2023 to address numerous concerns regarding watersports at the lake.
“The Task Force has been working hard on a campaign to educate the community, both local citizens and tourists, about how to wake safely and minimize unintended consequences like damage to docks and shorelines, physical injury, etc.”, said Kristina Sage, executive director of TLAC.
The four key points of their message are:
1) Minimize repeat passes in the same area, 2) Stay 200 feet out from the shoreline, 3) Avoid watersports in congested areas, and 4) Avoid erratic driving.
The education campaign includes large banners (see photo on right) and other signage around the lake as well as postcards/ handouts for boat rental businesses, shortterm rental agencies, and retailers.
Their next focus is to take this message into local schools. They’re making inroads to bring “Wake Smarter / Tow Responsibly” curriculum to boater safety classes in Bedford and Franklin County schools.
“There was a lot of pushback about the potential of establishing no-wake surfing
zones, so the Board decided to try the approach of education, not legislation,” said Sage. “The community is embracing the initiative and the Task Force is looking forward to more a more courteous and safer boating season.”
Bedford County’s Assistant County Administrator D.W. Lawhorne loves talking trash—more specifically, trash trivia.
“On an average day, we each create about five pounds of trash,” said Lawhorne, who was hired this year to bring more leadership to the Waste Management department.
If you crunch the numbers on a larger scale, data shows the Bedford County Waste Management Facility took in approximately 44,000 tons of trash in 2023.
This trash is either brought directly to the facility or to one of Bedford County’s 25 waste collection centers.
The problem is—a portion of it shouldn’t be considered trash at all.
“What we see come in, easily 25 percent of it could be recycled if it was separated correctly,” said Lawhorne.
Lots of Bedford County residents and businesses are already making recycling a priority.
Recyclables are accepted at 15 of the county’s 25 waste collection centers. In 2023, approximately 2,200 tons of cardboard, mixed paper, plastic, aluminum,
and glass was recycled.
But the goal is to see that number climb even higher.
There are several benefits to recycling. First, it simply saves space in landfills. There’s also a financial incentive. Bedford County transfers 90 percent of its trash off site to a regional landfill.
“So every single pound that’s recycled is something we don’t have to pay to transfer somewhere else,” said County Administrator Robert Hiss.
Also, most of our recycled items are separated and baled so they can be sold on the market and reused again. (More trivia from Lawhorne: If you recycle an aluminum can, it’s back on the shelf within 60 days and can also be recycled indefinitely.)
However, creating those bales is difficult when the wrong items are tossed into the recycling bin.
“For example, with our plastic bales, we get a five percent window of error. Ninety-five precent of the bale needs to contain only accepted items,” said Facilities Manager Shaun Robey.
That’s where we need the public’s help.
Here, we will give you an overview of what we take—and what we don’t—so
you can feel confident that what you toss is truly making a difference.
First, always look at the bottom of your plastic item before recycling it. There will be a number surrounded by arrows. Bedford County accepts only #1 and #2 plastics. (There is no market in this area for other numbered plastics.)
#1 plastics are typically water bottles or soda bottles.
#2 natural plastics are typically containers such as milk jugs.
#2 colored plastics are typically items such as laundry detergent containers.
We do NOT accept items such as:
• Clear containers that hold fresh fruit
• Laundry/dishwasher pod containers
• Yogurt containers
• Plastic bags
Bedford County accepts both aluminum cans/bottles and steel cans.
We do NOT accept items such as:
• Disposable pie or baking tins
• Scrap metal
• Old pots and pans
• Cat food cans
• Paint cans
Food boxes, toilet paper rolls, junk mail, and newspaper are all common examples of mixed paper.
Cardboard recycling is easy-to-understand. However, we do NOT accept wax-covered cardboard. Also, remember to remove all Styrofoam, plastic, or other trash from inside boxes.
Bedford County accepts clear and colored glass at all recycling centers. This is one recyclable that’s not sold.
Recycled glass is processed at the Waste Management Facility and turned into a gravel-like mixture to use on potholes (photo on bottom right).
A few general recycling reminders are:
• Always take the tops of your bottles off, even if a message on the bottle says otherwise.
• Empty and preferably rinse out containers before you toss them.
• Do not bag or box your recyclables.
For those new to recycling, all you need to get started is a few containers. For example, Hiss uses old laundry baskets in his garage for each item.
Those containers, combined with a spark of motivation, can help make a collective difference in our community.
“I always suggest starting small. Anything you recycle is a good thing,” said Lawhorne. “It takes a little extra time to do it, but it’s worth that extra time.”
WATCH: In this video, we take you to the Waste Management Facility to show you our recycling operation.
SHARE: Show us your recycling photos on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtag #BedcoRecycles, and we will recognize participants throughout the year!
Food waste in our trash creates a liquid called leachate that must be professionally removed from landfills. Instead of tossing your table scraps, recycle them by creating a compost heap.
Learn more from the Virginia Cooperative Extension: www.pubs.ext.vt.edu.
Bedford County offers a variety of exciting and rewarding careers in local government that have a direct impact on our community. With 21 different departments, we offer careers ranging from entry level to technical and professional. Our employees also have excellent benefits, VRS retirement, and a chance to participate in a variety of wellness and engagement activities.
Learn more about two of our featured jobs below.
View all open positions on our website: www.bedfordcountyva.gov/jobs.
Are you looking to serve our community? The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is hiring for the July 2024 police academy! Deputies assigned to Field Operations handle all calls for service for residents and visitors. This exciting and rewarding career includes the opportunity to serve in specialized units such as SWAT, SRO, K-9 and more.
Starting salary is $45,000, and the position includes a takehome vehicle.
911 Communications Officers work in the Bedford 911 Communications Center where they process 911 and non-emergency calls for all public safety and public works agencies.
A high school diploma is required. All other training for the position will be provided by the Emergency Communications department and must be completed within a certain time frame.
Title: Administrative Manager, Tourism department
Hired: January 3, 2002
Nominated By: Director of Tourism Nicole Johnson, who says Michelle has overseen several major projects in recent months.
What types of positions or roles did you hold prior to joining Bedford County Tourism?
I began my career with Bedford County as an administrative assistant to the County Administrator and serving as the clerk to the Board of Supervisors. I transitioned to Fire & Rescue as the administrative manager for 10 years. I have been in my current position for nine years.
What do you do in your role?
I oversee all aspects of the Bedford Area Welcome Center along with assisting the Director of Tourism in marketing and promoting Destination Bedford and all of our wonderful attractions and businesses.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I work with an amazing team who makes our department enjoyable. This is a happy place, and we all are passionate about representing Bedford County, serving our community, and making it a great place to live, work and visit!
What’s your favorite event to organize each year?
Festival of Trees. This past year was the most successful event to date— we had a record number of visitors and raised over $10,000 for 40 local organizations/charities.
What types of projects have you led in the past year?
Two big projects at the Welcome Center include the new entrance sign and the Pitch-N-Putt Disc Golf Course. I’m currently working on interior display updates within the
Bedford
Welcome Center, which we hope will be completed by May 2024.
How do you stay involved in the community?
I’m always attending events, visiting local businesses, and sharing/ promoting them by word of mouth and on social media.
What’s your favorite activity to do on a weekend or when you are not working?
Honestly because my weekdays are so busy, I always welcome the chance to have some down time on the weekends to relax and spend time with family.
Employee of the Quarter is selected by the County Administrator and Deputy County Administrator through nominations from Bedford County staff.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are currently more than 790,000 registered drones in the U.S. Drones are used recreationally or commercially, which includes the public safety sector.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has worked hard in the past five years to develop a drone team comprised of four officers. They are all highly trained to operate these high-tech tools in a safe, responsible manner.
Sgt. Ron Clayton and Inv. Jason Hinton are the BCSO drone team coordinators.
“We purchased our first drone in 2019, but no one really understood the laws and regulations that go with operating drones. Capt. Zimmerman tasked us with figuring that out.”
To fly for public safety, Clayton and Hinton had to get a certificate of authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA then set the parameters of what the BCSO can and cannot do with their drones.
“We also have to submit quarterly reports of how we are using it, and we have a flight log,” said Hinton. “There are other operational rules such as I always have to be able to see my drone, and I can’t fly it more than 400 feet above ground.”
The COA allows the BCSO to conduct their own, in-house drone training. Dep. Witcher and Dep. Farren expressed interest in learning how to operate and
utilize the drones for public safety. Now, all four officers on the drone team have taken their training a step further and have obtained their unmanned aerial systems pilot’s licenses.
Hinton says their drones are most often used in search and rescue operations.
“Because we can cover a lot more ground over the air. Especially our drone with the thermal camera,” he said.
Clayton added: “Last year, we had a runaway juvenile that had taken off through some fields and woods. We were able to pinpoint him coming out of a field and get him back to his family and connected to the services he needed.”
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They also use drones during manhunts and in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office’s tactical teams.
“We try to use it as much as we can,” said Clayton, adding that they follow all policies and procedures concerning drone usage.
When the drones aren’t in use, there are set training days for the drone team on the calendar.
“It’s definitely the standard now,” said Hinton. “When our guys go out on scenes, one of the first things they ask is if the drone is available. It’s all about safety. We want to keep our team safe and the public safe.”
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Bedford County’s expansive and diverse disc golf options can be credited in large part to the dedication of former Bedford County Parks & Recreation employee, Kenny Palmer.
Palmer, who passed away in January after a long illness, was a disc golf enthusiast with a desire to bring as much of the sport as possible to the region.
As operations coordinator for Parks & Recreation, Palmer was instrumental in designing all five of Bedford County’s disc golf courses and always had new ideas to bring to the table, such as the new putting course at the Bedford Area Welcome Center. He also stayed involved with disc golf at the community level by creating the Bedford Disc Golf Club (photo top right).
“His love of the work that went into the courses on a daily basis was so infectious that the entire maintenance staff has taken almost a personal ownership to the courses to maintain his legacy that I know would make him proud,” said Parks Maintenance Supervisor Brian Martin.
Earlier this year, the Old Dominion Disc Series (ODDS) Board of Directors voted to posthumously award Palmer an ODDS Lifetime Achievement Award. This award isn’t given every year but only when the board finds it fitting to recognize an individual’s collective accomplishments. Palmer is the seventh person to ever receive it and the first to receive it who works in a Parks & Rec
department.
“His foresight of the potential of disc golf has transformed Bedford into one of the meccas of the game within the state. He gave his all to the concept even when his health had failed him and we are all better off for it,” said John Biscoe of ODDS.
Palmer also received the 2022 ODDS Competitor’s Cup for contributions to the game of disc golf in the Commonwealth, which is an annual award.
The Professional Disc Golf Association
World Championship will be held in Bedford County Aug. 21-25. Participants will play at the New London Tech Disc Golf Course and at Ivy Hill Golf Course in Forest. Several years ago, Palmer pushed for Bedford County and Lynchburg to apply to host the championship.
“The World Championship will be contested in Bedford this summer and the entire event stands as a part of Kenny’s huge legacy within the game,” said Biscoe.
“Every Story Lives On” this June 6-9 at the National D-Day Memorial as the Memorial commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day with four days of public events.
“The National D-Day Memorial is emphasizing our commitment to remember one of the most important events of the last century – D-Day – and how we continue to ensure that ‘Every Story Lives On’ and is preserved for generations to come,” said April Cheek-Messier, president of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. “As the WWII generation passes on into memory, our determination to preserve the lessons and legacies of D-Day grows ever stronger.”
The commemoration begins with a moving ceremony on the morning of June 6. Surviving D-Day and World War II veterans will be the guests of honor, joined by representatives from each Allied nation, military personnel, and dignitaries. The event will also showcase three veterans of another sort – a C-47A aircraft that served as the lead plane of the second wave of paratroopers on D-Day, a DUKW amphibious truck, and an authentic LCVP (landing craft vehicle personnel) built by Higgins Industries in 1944. Admission is free to the Memorial on June 6.
On the evenings of June 7 and 8, the Memorial will be transformed in a stunning multi-media sensory display as the Memorial presents “When We Went
In: The D-Day Experience in Light and Sound,” created exclusively for the National D-Day Memorial by the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at Virginia Tech. Preceding the Friday evening show, the acclaimed West Point Alumni Glee Club will perform a stirring patriotic remembrance concert. USO-style duo, Letters from Home, will dazzle the audience with a 1940s-themed concert to open Saturday’s showing of When We Went In. Tickets are required for the weekend evening events.
The commemoration events conclude with Soldiers and Sailors at Worship, an authentic field chapel service on Sunday morning, June 9. Admission is free until noon. Additionally, the Memorial will operate on its regular daily schedule June 7-9 for guided tours. Regular admission fees apply.
Visit the Memorial’s 80th anniversary website at dday.org/80th for full event details, tickets, and updates.
6 – Thrive Outside Festival
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Falling Creek Park
Meet local vendors, outfitters, & more. Kids bike course, workshops, food trucks. Free.
8 – Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
1:30 - 4:30 p.m., Falling Creek Park
Eclipse at 2:06 p.m. Glasses provided. Food trucks, bounce houses, and other children’s activities. Free.
13 – Blossom to Bottle 3K & 5K
5:30 p.m., Peaks of Otter Winery/Johnson’s Orchard
Benefits Bedford YMCA Oncology Wellness Program. Register at runsignup.com.
20 – BCSO Shred It and Drug Take Back Event
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., JF High School Safely dispose unused/expired medications. Free shredding.
2-3 – Elderfest
Bedford Moose Lodge
Thursday: 6-8 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free for seniors 55+. Exhibits, food, door prizes, live music.
3-5, 10-12 – Little Town Players presents: Bright Star Theater at Spring Oak/Elks Lodge
Inspired by a true story. Call for tickets (540-586-5881) or buy online at www.littletownplayers.com.
11 – Arts & Drafts Festival
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bedford Moose Lodge
Local craft vendors and artisans, regionally-sourced craft beverages, local musicians, kids’ activities.
18 – BCSO Shred It and Drug Take Back Event
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Staunton River High School Safely dispose unused/expired medications. Free shredding.
25 – BPLS Summer Reading Program Begins
Continues through July 20. Log your reading time and win prizes. Sign up at bplsonline.org.
6 – 80th Anniversary of D-Day Commemoration
11 a.m., National D-Day Memorial Program highlights include recognition of D-Day and WWII veterans, guest speakers. Other events through June 9. Learn more at www. dday.org/80th.
7 – Movies in the Park
Dusk, Falling Creek Park
Free to the public. Food trucks. Movie titles released later this year.
21-22 – Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival Sedalia Center
Two full days of music. Tickets available at sedaliacenter.org.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to spotlight the importance of communities working together to support and strengthen families to prevent child maltreatment.
In 2023 in Bedford County, there were 732 children listed as victims of child abuse or neglect. This year, the Bedford County Department of Social Services strives to reduce the number of child victims by increasing community involvement and awareness.
Here are a few ways you can show your committment to preventing child abuse this month:
1. Wear blue.
2. Plant a pinwheel garden.
3. Get involved in your community through a church or other group/nonprofit.
4. Become a foster parent. Often, these children must be placed with families outside of the Bedford area due to foster home shortages. Foster parents are often the bright light that a family needs.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent contact Meg Cosby, foster parent trainer, at 540875-8815 or meg.cosby@dss.virginia.gov.