Hi, Floyd Forum subscribers! Happy Friday! I was one of three reporters at the Town Council meeting last night, something that Vice-Mayor Mike Patton said happened “probably for the first time in history.”
I love being back in Floyd, and I hope this wrap-up of the meeting is helpful for those who couldn’t attend. Feel free to forward this email along or otherwise share the story with friends. And thank you!
We still don’t *officially* have a winner in the race for president, so I’ll save any sort of summary of the election for next week. Have a great weekend!
-Ashley
Council honors Farmer’s Supply during quick meeting Thursday
Town Vice-Mayor Mike Patton presided over Thursday evening’s Town Council meeting, as Mayor Will Griffin joined the meeting remotely via video conference. Patton ran an efficient meeting, which lasted just about half an hour.
The meeting began with the typical recitation of the pledge, followed by approval of previous meetings’ minutes. Patton then opened the floor to public comment, during which time Town Councilman David Whitaker read comments into the record on behalf of Linda Wager.
Wagner highlighted for the council a portion of Gov. Ralph Northam’s guidance on mask-wearing provisions. The so-called “mask mandate” allows for multiple exceptions, Wagner pointed out, even under such circumstances as exist at a council meeting. Even at indoor gatherings where people congregate for extended periods of time, Wagner said in her comments, people are not required to wear a mask if they have a medical condition that precludes doing so. People who are deaf and may fail to be understood while wearing a mask can be excused from the rule, as can people speaking during a public meeting, so that their lips can be read.
Councilman Whitaker suggested that the Town Council add those exceptions to its own requirements for mask-wearing. He said at the very least, Council should ask Town Attorney Jim Shortt to review the council’s rule, and consider whether incorporating the exceptions was permissible.
The council already did so, Mayor Griffin pointed out. “We spoke with Jim, and he confirmed that it was at our discretion,” Griffin said. “We set the bar there,” he added, meaning the established requirement that everyone wear masks at Town Council meetings. The issue was tabled.
Town Manager Kayla Cox then offered her report to the council, including an update on the annual Christmas Parade. Scheduled for Nov. 29, organizers are planning a “reverse parade” where exhibitors will assemble in the parking lots of Floyd Elementary and Floyd High School. Cox wondered whether the parade organizers needed a permit, as both schools are technically outside of town limits.
Councilman Chris Bond said the parade is still potentially a town issue, as the event could cause a traffic backlog that spills into downtown. Patton recommended that the Council approve a permit “just to be safe,” and they did so unanimously.
The council also set a public hearing for a mural application—the first such application Cox said she’s ever seen while working for the Town of Floyd. The mural is proposed for the Blue Ridge Florist Building, located at 106 West Main Street.
Painting a mural on the exterior of a building is “not something that’s allowed by right,” Cox explained. It goes through the same process as a request for a Conditional Use Permit—which is to say, the application is reviewed by the Town Planning Commission and the Town Council, and requires an accompanying public hearing.
The public hearing was set for Dec. 3.
Cox raised with the councilmen the issue of curbside parking for businesses in downtown Floyd. She said a request has come in from one business for the town to facilitate such parking, in addition to the Floyd Country Store, which already utilizes two makeshift curbside pick-up spots.
During the pandemic, several restaurants have transitioned from inside dining to outdoor dining or takeout options, Cox explained. But many businesses in downtown Floyd do not have their own parking lots or designated parking spaces. They want the Town Council to approve use of temporary curbside spaces, indicated by parking cones.
“It’s kind of hard to say no to someone now,” Griffin said, since certain businesses have already started the practice.
“We’re in unusual times,” Councilman Bruce Turner said. “I don’t really have a problem with it.”
The consensus of the council was to give every business equal opportunity for curbside parking.
Finally, at 6 p.m., Patton introduced Thursday evening’s main event—an emotional one for him and everyone in the room. The council voted prior to the meeting to add Farmer’s Supply to its recognition program, for the store’s “years of service and dedication to our town,” Cox said.
The iconic Farmer’s Supply building, located at the corner of the only intersection in Floyd, was built in 1897. It’s been home to a mercantile, a deli and a car dealership, Cox said. But since 1931, it’s housed the hardware business—which Cox said “played an instrumental role in growing our community.”
The business has long been in the hands of the Lawson family. Current co-owner Jack Lawson attended Thursday’s meeting on behalf of the store. General Manager Janice Yearout-Patton was invited but unable to attend.
Several of the councilmen made remarks honoring the legacy of the business, which will close later this month after several decades as a Floyd landmark. Both Lawson and Yearout-Patton had been considering retirement for several years, and difficulties precipitated by the pandemic convinced them the time was right to hang it up.
“It’s going to leave a huge hole in our community,” said Griffin. “We’ll never replace Farmer’s Supply.”
Turner said, “I’ve been going to that store since I was big enough to walk in town.”
Lawson seemed optimistic that some young entrepreneur would come in and start a new business in the building, but Bond said regardless, not having the hardware store would be a “real adjustment.” He added, “I just want to say thank you.”
Lawson thanked the council for all the kind remarks, and said he had loved serving Floyd, a community which showed strong support for the store over the years. “It really does break my heart to see it go down,” Lawson said. “It’s a third generation store.”
Lawson gave much of the credit for the store’s success to Yearout-Patton, who managed the store as her father had before her. Yearout-Patton is also Councilman Patton’s wife. His remarks to Lawson closed the recognition ceremony.
“What I want to say comes from the heart, and it’s very personal,” Patton said. Of the store’s management and employees, he said, “I can tell you first-hand, those were very honorable people…And you helped make a good life for us, Jack, and I’ll always be grateful.”
The Town Council next meets Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.