Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
(fromVT.edu) Amid revenue shortfalls, Virginia Tech athletics announced today that it will be cutting the salaries of many of its employees. “No collegiate athletics department has been spared from the harsh financial reality of revenue shortfalls directly attributable to COVID-19,” said Athletic Director Whit Babcock in a news release. “At Virginia Tech, home football and basketball games, especially, are significant sources of revenue and support all of our varsity sports programs. Although we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions, we are more fortunate than others in being able to keep our commitment to all varsity athletics programs and our student-athletes.”
Starting in January, and lasting all year, individuals making $115,000 or more will see a 10% salary reduction, while a sliding percentage scale will be adopted for those making more than $40,000. No one making $40,000 or less will have his or her salary affected.
Fabricio Drumond
Press Release: The Town of Vinton is pleased to announce the appointment of Fabricio D. Drumond as its next Police Chief. His first day in the new role will be December 1, 2020. Drumond has served as the Interim Police Chief since July 21st, assuming the role after former Police Chief Thomas L. Foster left the town to become the United States Marshal for the Western District of Virginia.
Chief Drumond first joined the town in 2009 as an Officer and was promoted to Deputy Police Chief in 2016. Prior to joining the town, he worked for the Roanoke Police Department where he began his Law Enforcement career in 2006. He graduated in 2000 from Maynard High School in Maynard, Massachusetts and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter and served until 2006. During his time in the United States Marines, Drumond was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Lance Corporal, and Corporal and the final rank of Sergeant. He has a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree specializing in both Criminal Justice and Business cognitive and a Master’s Degree in National Security, both from Liberty University.
Drumond is grateful for his new role as Chief of Police, “It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the Chief of Police for Town of Vinton. Together, as a community we will continue to fortify the relationship with our residents and the people we serve. United, our destiny for success and safe community will be unshakable. I take great pride in having the privilege to serve amongst the men and women of the Vinton Police Department who have an unwavering passion towards the dedication of service to our wonderful community.”
During Drumond’s tenure with Vinton he has obtained several Law Enforcement specialties, such as Field Training Officer, General Instructor, TASER Instructor, and actively trained Law Enforcement recruits in both formal classroom instruction and officer survival applications. He has been the recipient of Drug recognition Awards, personal and unit citations, Leadership awards, and Officer of the Year and has attended several critical leadership and management courses, most notably by the
Richard Peters Jr
The Town of Vinton is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard W. “Pete” Peters, Jr. as its next Town Manager. His first day in the new role will be January 1, 2021. Peters has served as the Acting Town Manager since August 1, assuming the role shortly after former Town Manager, Barry Thompson, announced his retirement effective December 31, 2020. Peters has more than 20 years of experience in local government including the City of Roanoke and Botetourt County.
Peters first joined the town in 2015 as Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development. He is a 1993 graduate of William Byrd High School. Peters has an undergraduate degree from Ferrum College in Recreation and Leisure Services and a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech, a program co-sponsored by the Virginia Local Government Management Association.
Peters is excited about the new role, “I am truly honored to have been selected as Vinton’s next Town Manager. It has been my pleasure to work with Town Council, staff, business owners and residents during my first five years here and I look forward to continuing those relationships in this new role.” Peters says his ties to the Vinton community make this job special, “Having grown up and attended high school in this community, I am very grateful for the opportunity to help shape the services that we provide to our citizens and help direct the future development activities throughout the town.”
Peters’ tenure with Vinton has seen many successful projects. He has played a key role in the town receiving and managing numerous state and federal grants, including overseeing a Community Development Block Grant to assist with revitalization efforts and develop business support programs for the town’s downtown business district. Other major roles include assisting with the redevelopment of numerous properties including the former Vinton Motors property at Vinyard Station, Lancelot Sports Complex, Gish Mill, Roland E. Cook Lofts, Billy Byrd Apartments, Vinton Macado’s and the recruitment of Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. Peters is also active in the community representing the Town of Vinton on numerous regional boards including the Roanoke
The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year has become known to many as “Giving Tuesday,” a time for community activities perhaps, or for monetary donations to a worthy non-profit. Once again a local restaurant chain is stepping up the plate, as WFIR’s Rachel Meell reports:
Tim Bradshaw
ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission has placed Timothy Bradshaw, Executive Director of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport and Richard Osbourne, Director of Planning and Engineering on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation regarding a procedural matter. The Commission has appointed David Jeavons, CPA, Director of Finance and Administration, to act as Interim Executive Director.
The decision to place these individuals on leave was made to protect the integrity of this process and to enable an unbiased, thorough and efficient review of the facts. As an employee matter, the Commission will not comment further so as not to jeopardize the investigation and its progress.
This action is not expected to impact day-to-day airport operations or interfere with travel plans during the upcoming holiday season.
The city council election made history earlier this month as Roanoke voters have elected the first majority Black city council. WFIR’s Rachel Meell explains how diverse the council has become:
Mike Wray
Via a video presentation this morning, Roanoke County School Board Chairman Mike Wray delivered the State of the Schools Address. Wray says 6 public schools in Roanoke County haven’t seen significant upgrades for more than 40 years. He says the School Board is working to address infrastructure issues with the Board of Supervisors – but that more state funding is needed as well. The Cave Spring district supervisor praised the school system for its resiliency during the pandemic- but also sounded this warning note:
Rescue Mission talking about Drumstick Dash live in studio this morning
The Atlantic Union Drumstick Dash supports the Roanoke Rescue Mission’s food service program and urges more people to sign up and run or walk (drumstickdash.net) any time by the end of November. As of yesterday the Drumstick Dash was at about 70 percent of its normal registration level, for a 5K race typically run on Thanksgiving morning. Packet pickup is curbside at the Rescue Mission – all runners get a finishers medal. Race director Kevin Berry was live in studio this morning, along with Director of Development Becci Sisson from the Mission. Hear the complete interview below:
Restoration Housing/ G Marrano photos
The non-profit Restoration Housing cut the ribbon this morning on its latest renovation of a dilapidated, older property in Roanoke – this time an 1890 house on Dale Avenue Southeast that will be used by ARCH services to shelter people that had been homeless in apartments. State grants and historic tax credits covered reconstruction costs for the “Queen Anne” style home. Restoration Housing is now focusing on Southeast Roanoke City, with another project on Dale Avenue and one on Stewart Avenue next in line. Jeanne McCormick is executive director for ARCH Services:
Photo: US Army
The Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors has appointed an interim superintendent, retired Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins. – the first African American ever in that post. The previous superintendent resigned as an investigation into alleged racism on the Lexington campus was initiated. Wins is a 1985 VMI graduate.
NEWS RELEASE: LEXINGTON, Va., Nov. 13, 2020—Retired Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins will serve as interim superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute following an affirmative vote by the VMI Board of Visitors Executive Committee. Maj. Gen. Wins is a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a 1985 graduate of the Institute.
“The VMI Board of Visitors is pleased that Maj. Gen. Wins has agreed to lead the Institute during this critical time of transition,” said John William Boland, president of the VMI Board of Visitors. “Gen. Peay’s 17 years of service to the Institute were transformative, and I am confident that Maj. Gen. Wins’ experience and values will provide steady and principled leadership as we continue to move the Institute forward.”
During his time as a cadet at VMI, Wins was a standout basketball player who finished his basketball career as one of the top five scorers in school history. Over his four years at VMI, he helped lead the team from last place in the Southern conference to the Southern Conference finals during his first-class year. In 1985, he graduated with a bachelor of arts in economics and commissioned into the Army as a field artillery officer.
Maj. Gen. Wins went on to a stellar career in the Army. In his final command, Maj. Gen. Wins was the first Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. During his 34 years of service, he also held many other leadership and staff assignments, including in Headquarters Department of the Army and the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (with One Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with One Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Bronze Star Medal. He holds two master’s degrees, one in management from the Florida Institute of Technology and one in national security and strategic studies from the National War College.
“I am excited to return to VMI, a place that had an extraordinary impact on me as a leader and person,” said Wins. “Now, more than ever, the lessons and values of VMI are needed in the world, and I am humbled to be a part of making that happen. I most look forward to leading the cadets and ensuring we have a safe and successful conclusion to the academic year, hit the ground running during the spring sports season, and continue fulfilling our vital mission of producing educated and honorable men and women.”
Wins will serve as interim superintendent until such time that a permanent superintendent is chosen. VMI’s 14th superintendent, Gen. J. H. Binford Peay, III ’62, resigned after 17 years on Oct. 26, 2020. The VMI Board of Visitors has appointed a Superintendent Search Committee and will work with an executive search firm to identify candidates over the next several months. A new, permanent superintendent is expected to be in place during the summer of 2021.
Del. Sam Rasoul
Roanoke Democratic Delegate Sam Rasoul — who is running for the party’s Lt. Governor nomination — says now that the election’s over he hopes everyone will take COVID-19 seriously. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
You can hear the full interview with Del. Sam Rasoul below: