Infrastructure Progress, Community Feedback, and Potential Attorney Misconduct Shape Latest Council Meeting
The Marion Town Council met this week with a full agenda of public concerns, departmental updates, and ongoing infrastructure work. The meeting opened with all council members present, with approval of the agenda and minutes, with no additions requested.
Public Comment included commentary on community events, Veteran awareness, meals tax and potential attorney misconduct.
Luther Williams of Atkins raised several issues related to veterans’ recognition and community signage. Williams expressed concern that participation in the annual Memorial Day parade has steadily declined, noting that groups who once marched regularly no longer attend. He asked whether any political or policy restrictions—such as limitations on Civil War reenactors—might be discouraging involvement.
Williams also highlighted public awareness of Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29, urging the town to help promote the observance. He invited council members to attend the upcoming American Legion Four Chaplains Day event and read a brief history of the commemoration. He read some historic information about these events to council.
Additionally, he suggested consolidating the town’s scattered signage into a single, more effective display. Williams, who developed a law enforcement training module in 1995 on communicating with deaf individuals, offered to give a 15 minute presentation to any interested town personnel.
Bill Stamper, a Marion resident, addressed an incident from the January 5 meeting involving a Notice of Claim submitted to council. Stamper referenced an image circulating publicly that appears to show the town attorney displaying the document to a reporter while council members faced the audience. For context, the town attorney shares a small table with Smyth County News which is located behind the council desk.
Stamper continued “He is yall’s attorney and I think he is opening you up for a lawsuit and its time to find a new attorney if he can’t do his job correctly. It’s time for a new attorney. Hold him accountable. The whole town sees it.”
“If he is showing this behind your back, what else is he showing?” Stamper asked, urging council several times to consider replacing the attorney. He warned that such conduct could expose the town to legal risk and called for accountability. Stamper suggested that reporters should have their own designated area in a different area of the room other than behind the council desk and indicated that not all reporters are welcome to sit at the current location and may not have the same access to information and meeting materials.
David Fulton, another Marion resident, followed up on a November inquiry regarding meals tax revenue. After reviewing figures from June through November, Fulton noted a roughly $19,000 decrease during that period and asked whether the trend had stabilized. Finance Director Cindy Stanley said she would review updated numbers and report back.
Council Reports:
• Councilman Carter reported that the district 3 Board has selected Crystal Anders as its new executive director. Anders, previously deputy administrator, has served the organization for 12 years. “District 3 is going along pretty good,” Carter said.
• Councilman Atwell provided follow up on complaints about illegal turns on Main Street. Chief Testerman confirmed that citations are being issued. Atwell also addressed a one question text survey he recently sent to residents, assuring the public that it was legitimate and intended to check on community needs following a difficult week. For context, Atwell was referring to the recent events at the Warming Center that have taken place since the last council meeting. It was unclear what questions his text survey consisted of or what input he was asking from citizens who received it. It was later determined that question was raised about the validity of this by a few citizens because the text came from a third-party number which had an area code that was not local to Virginia.
• Vice Mayor Gates shared that he, the mayor, and the town manager attended the Smyth Twelve meeting, a gathering of local governments and elected officials to discuss shared challenges. Gates described the meeting as “very informative.”
• Mayor Cornett quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “I have decided to stick with love; hate is too great a burden to bear.”
• Councilwoman Jennings reported attending the MLK Day program at the Lincoln Theatre, praising the six person presentation as “very enlightening” and thanking the theater for hosting it.
Attorney and Staff Reports:
Town Attorney noted item 26 on the accounts, a reimbursement. He did not address Mr. Stamper’s commentary from public comment time.
Staff reminded council that Statements of Economic Interest are due February 1. Carter noted a significant increase in the town’s Comcast bill; Stanley explained the rise was tied to police camera systems.
Town Manager’s Report:
Comprehensive Plan Update is due. Todd Long was asked to provide information on this as follows:
Long reported that the town’s comprehensive plan is due for its five year review. Historically, Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission has assisted with demographic data. The Planning Commission will begin the update process next month.
Town Manager Andrew Keen provided a wide ranging update:
The town must appoint a representative to the Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission.
Public works are preparing for severe winter weather, with approximately 150 tons of salt on hand.
CIRP Crew 1 has completed the radio read meter installation project and will begin Phase 9 water line replacement on Meadow Drive next week.
Crew 2 is finishing work on Groseclose Street (Phase 8), with completion expected mid February, followed by water line replacement on Baughman Avenue.
Market Street improvements are approximately 30% complete.
The contractor for Callan Drive Recreation Park is expected to return in about two months.
Public Works crews continue routine operations, including work on Church Street and Auburn Park.
Painting at the fire department is scheduled in the coming weeks.
The mayor requested clarification on criteria for the vacant planning commission appointment, noting that although former Mayor Helms historically filled the role, any elected official may serve. Council members Spencer and Jennings asked when the board meets.
Councilman Carter raised concerns about the deteriorating carpet in the recreation department office. Town staff confirmed the carpet is original to the building which was built in the early 90s. Carter emphasized the need for proper building maintenance and moved to send the issue to committee.
The motion passed.
