Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
January 11, 2024 – The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County today voted to approve the appointment of Tammy E. Shepherd to fill the vacancy in the Vinton Magisterial District. Mrs. Shepherd will hold office until a special election November 5, 2024. The person elected at the special election will serve the remainder of Jason Peters’s term, as a result of his election to Roanoke County Commissioner of the Revenue. Mr. Peters’s term expires December 31, 2025.
“Tammy has prior experience in serving Roanoke County while on the Board of Equalization and is familiar with departments and staff,” expressed the Board of Supervisors. “A life-long resident of Vinton, coupled with expertise in business operations, finance and management, positions her as an outstanding representative for the Vinton District.” “I am deeply grateful and privileged to be chosen as the representative of the Vinton Magisterial District during this interim phase,” said newly appointed Supervisor Tammy Shepherd. “I’ve earned a living working in Vinton, and now I have an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me.”
A proud graduate of William Byrd High School, Mrs. Shepherd, 54, attended Virginia Western Community College and has worked in the field of real estate for more than 35 years. She holds a Virginia Real Estate Broker License and Virginia Real Estate Salesperson License. Mrs. Shepherd has owned Shepherd Realty Group since 2017 where she manages the day-to-day operations and is an active salesperson. Prior to becoming a small business owner, she was
Shepherd was the business manager for 14 years at LT McGhee and Company where she was responsible for managing more than 150 properties and gained extensive experience in real estate, finance, accounting, and management. She also worked for 16 years in real estate sales with LT McGhee and Company. Mrs. Shepherd was selected to serve on Roanoke County’s Board of Equalization in 2022 and has served on multiple HOA boards. Mrs. Shepherd also has served as president of the William Byrd Football Booster Club and treasurer of the William Byrd Booster Club.
###
Rupert Cutler (L) with Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. FB photo
It was a surprise announcement made at a public meeting several weeks ago – former Roanoke City Councilman and lifelong environmentalist Rupert Cutler, who also worked in the Jimmy Carter White House, was named Roanoke’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. Cutler then sat down with WFIR senior reporter and anchor Gene Marrano, to talk about his long career and how he came to Roanoke, for this “Longer Listen” segment:
During a work session yesterday afternoon, members of the Roanoke County School Board discussed the possibility of providing solar energy to Cave Spring High School. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
Roanoke County Public Schools is entertaining solar power as a way to save on electricity. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on the possible “Power Purchase Agreement.”
Photo: Patricia White-Boyd, taken from her Facebook page
Patricia “Trish” White Boyd confirms to WFIR she will not run for a second term on Roanoke City Council in the 2024 election. Serving since 2021, White-Boyd also made an unsuccessful run for the Virginia State Senate as a Democrat last month in the new District 4. With Mayor Sherman Lea also announcing he won’t seek another term that leaves two open spots on City Council at this point.
White-Boyd, who operates a home health care company and has been involved with the city’s commission on equity and inclusion, may have been considered a top candidate for the Mayor’s position before announcing her intention not to run again. She was the Vice-Mayor for two years after receiving the most votes in the 2020 election. Current Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb says he will announce any interest in running for Mayor after the holidays.
Joe Cobb live in studio, June 2019 – Ian Price file photo
With the announcement that Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. will not run for a third term in 2024, Roanoke City’s Vice Mayor – Joe Cobb – is a likely candidate. Cobb, who also chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, recently celebrated an academic milestone as well. “Doctor” Joe Cobb sat down for an interview with WFIR’s Gene Marrano recently, and here is a “Longer Listen,” segment:
Rupert Cutler (L) with Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. FB photo
Roanoke City made it official yesterday with a news release, but last week they surprised former Roanoke City Council member Rupert Cutler at a public meeting by naming him its 2023 Citizen of the Year. He spoke with WFIR yesterday about that award – and his life, as Gene Marrano reports:
Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is in full force for the holiday season. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports that means more officers on the road looking for impaired drivers.
Thirty-six percent of Christmas Day traffic fataliities in the United States involve driving under the influence. On New Year’s that number jumps to 40-percent. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is working to make holiday roads safer.
For more information ActLikeIt.org