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Pennington Gap represented at VML annual conference, Vice-Mayor Carson installed as VML President-Elect

For Immediate Release: Oct. 28, 2021 Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org

The Virginia Municipal League (VML) held its annual conference October 3rd-5th in Leesburg. This was the first in-person conference for VML in two years. Over 500 people from across the Commonwealth, including officials and staff from VML member local governments, attended the event. The Town of Pennington Gap was represented by Town Manager Keith Harless, Assistant Town Manager Brian Skidmore, and Councilmember Gary McElyea who were on hand to approve the election of Pennington Gap Vice-Mayor Jill Carson to the position of VML PresidentElect during the league’s annual business meeting held on the second day of the conference. Ms. Carson was previously VML’s Vice President.

Also approved during the meeting was the 2022 Legislative Program which outlines the needs of local governments to be prioritized during the coming year of VML lobbying during legislative sessions. The 2022 Legislative Program is available on VML’s website here.

The Town of Pennington Gap was also highlighted at the conference with an exhibition table staffed by Lee Theater manager Tony Lawson and volunteer Jennifer Lawson who promoted the town to conference attendees. Mrs. Lawson also participated in a discussion recorded for an upcoming episode of the league’s podcast, The VML Voice (to be aired in November). As part of the exhibit package, the town will receive a full-page promotional advertisement in an upcoming issue of VML’s magazine, Virginia Town & City. During the conference, the Pennington Gap cohort benefited from dozens of educational sessions that covered a range of topics relevant to local governments. These included topics ranging from the permitted uses of the American Rescue Plan funds to the proper way to handle disagreements during council meetings. The full schedule of offerings is available here. While in Leesburg, Councilmember McElyea participated in a post-conference golf event with VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy during which his wife, Betsy, took home the door-prize!

More information about the benefits of VML membership are available on the league’s website here. To learn more about the Virginia Municipal League, visit www.vml.org/organization/about-theleague.


CARES Utility Relief Application

Some funding may be available for qualifying applicants who have been affected by COVID-19, either lost work, had additional family members in your home, or other circumstances directly related. This is for utility relief on balances older than 60 days. Please fill out an application or call to have one filled out for you. Let us know if you are interested in applying for relief. Call 276-546-1177 ext. 0 or 1 for more information. Drop completed forms in our curbside drop box. Blank forms available here or in the box by our door.

Hiring two part-time Public Works crewmen

The town will be hiring 2 part-time public works crewman. Applications are in our documents here or beside our door in a metal box at 528 Industrial. Fill one out and drop in our drop box at the curb or mail to 528 Industrial Dr. before the end of the day, May 29.

News!

L to R, Sylvia Jane Sergent, Ben Sergent III, Nancy J.H. Sergent, Birg E. Sergent, Lana Sergent, Darrell Crusenberry, not pictured Pamela Darlene Caudill. Also pictured, Mayor Larry Holbrook, Councilwoman Jill Carson

TOWN ANNOUNCES NO BOUNDARIES, ALL INCLUSIVE PARK

The property is comprised of approximately 3 acres, an 18,000 sq. ft. building, and 700 feet of riverfront adjacent to the Powell River.

The subject property is a strip shopping center building located on a three-acre tract of land.  The property is one building which was recently vacated in preparation for the transfer to the town of Pennington Gap. The property was originally built as a grocery store with an attached variety store by Caswell Walker and operated by the same owner.  The property was subsequently the location of a Payless Grocery Store and now the property has been renovated into a strip shopping center. The property most recently was used as a four-unit commercial center.

Last year, Pennington Gap town manager, Keith Harless, approached the property owners of the old Payless property about the future of the building to determine if they had any upcoming plans for the property.  After a considerable amount of discussions, Mr. Harless proposed an idea for the property owners to donate the property to the town in order to develop a new, innovative type of park- a park that is designed to include everyone. This park will not only include standardized park equipment, but the park will also include equipment that will accommodate everyone, including children with special needs. The new park will contain a strategic mix of playground equipment and activities supporting play for all ages and abilities. This park is designed for all children, especially for those with different needs such as autism and barrier challenges.  The park will also have an area set aside for fitness support for the actively aging society.

The estimated cost at this time to include an all-new playground, new bathrooms, a pavilion along the riverfront, and overlooks of the river designed for fishing, are estimated to be around $800,000.00. At this time the town has not appropriated any money but discussions have begun with private investors and many grant agencies.

Stone Mountain ATV Trail

The Trail Too Tough to Tame

Trail Head located at Pennington Gap Welcome Center/Leeman Field RV Campground Open Daily Dawn to Dusk

RVs and Primative Camping

  • 335 Fairground Rd.

Leeman Field RV Park has 21 full service spaces available for rent with 15/30 & 50 amp hookups. Additional spaces are available without electricity. Tent camping is available along the river.

Reservations and other arrangements-call: 276.298.5177 or message info@townofpenningtonva.gov

Nightly rates:50 amp hookup-$30, 15/30 amp hookup-$25, Unimproved tent camping-$10

campground.jpg
Leeman Field RV Park & Campground space layout.

Stone Mountain ATV Trail

  • 287 Right Poor Valley Rd.

Maps and Directions and Trail Permits

Trail maps and town maps are available at Spearhead Permit vendors. The town has designated certain streets as ATV friendly, marked by signage. The route begins by crossing the bridge from the park entrance onto North Kentucky Street, head south into town, at the light turn left or right onto Morgan Avenue, East as far as the light at Taco Bell/Riverview Shopping Center or West as far as Huddle House/Westgate Mall, including the future hospital on Combs Road. Also a crossover to South Kentucky Street to Joslyn, westward will allow for theatre attendance and East from Harrell to Doris Ave and beyond to include from Rooster’s Pub to Subway Restaurant travel.

​Please obtain a town map for more information. All drivers on ATV Streets must have a valid drivers license.

Daily and yearly permits for Spearhead Trails are available at:​

  • Family Tire at 40848 W Morgan Ave.,
  •  FasMart, 6633 Hwy 421 S, and
  • Black Diamond Sunoco, 40554 W Morgan Ave.
  • Online at www.spearheadtrails.com

Permits are $10 under 8 or adults $60 a year or $20 daily and may be used at any Spearhead Trail. All riders must sign a waiver and those under 18 must have a parent sign. Visit Spearhead Trails for a complete list of rules and regulations.

Helmets Required

State law requires all riders to have helmets on at all times. If you have arrived without helmets, they are available for rent or purchase at the permit vendors. For additional information

CALL 276-298-5177

Spearhead Trails -Stone Mountain

Prepare to be rocked with the excitement of Stone Mountain Trail. The views are spectacular, especially in the fall. The sunset and overlooks rival all the national parks. Stop by a picnic table and take it all in.

The Town of Pennington Gap welcomes you.

Leeman Field Park Information

Leeman Field Park and Greenway

Constructed in 1933, Leeman Field was the largest enclosed baseball field in the world for two and a half decades. The ball field encompassed 15 acres with a high board fence and sheltered hundreds of fans in a wooden grand stand. 

Facilities at the 33 acre park now include: swimming pool, picnic pavilions, playground, sports fields, horse show ring, amphitheater, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, volleyball pit, fairgrounds, and tractor pull.  A walking track around Leeman will soon extend across the river and joins the Greenway along the river to a Riverbend shopping area. 

Located just off U.S. 421 North in Pennington Gap, Leeman Field is open year-round and is within one mile of our scenic Stone Face Rock. It’s home to Independence Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks, and Christmas Fantasy in Lights from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day.

Picnic pavilions reservations can be made by calling 276-546-1177. Pavilions can be rented for the following times and prices: 10am-10pm: $100, 10am-4pm: $50, and 4pm-10pm: $50.

Leeman Field Pool

The pool will continue to operate Friday-Sunday during the month of August. August hours: Friday 4-8 PM, Saturday 12-6 PM, and Sunday 1-6 PM. Call 276-546-0270 for more info.

Private party scheduling and information are available by calling at 276-546-0270. Parties start at $200 for 2 hours and are priced according to the amount of attendance/lifeguards required. Parties start at 7:00 PM.

During regular season, daily admission is $5 per person. Concessions are available. Campground residents under 18 are admitted free. 

Leeman Field RV Park and Campground

See here for RV Park and Campground information: https://townofpenningtonva.gov/campground-information/

Call 276-298-5177 for campground reservations and weekly/monthly rates.

Hi!

Emergency calls, including leaks, should be directed to the Lee County Sheriff’s dispatch at 276-346-7777.

Full Time Job- Applications for Crewman II for Public Works accepted until 4:00 PM, December 12.

Definition of work:
This is semi-skilled manual work in the Public Works Department.

The applicant is responsible for performing a range of tasks in construction, maintenance and repair, and operating various types of mechanical equipment. 
Examples of Work:
Construction and repair of sidewalks, patch holes in streets, resurface streets, and clean culverts.
Install and tap water and sewer lines, repair leaks, open clogged sewers, and thaw frozen water lines.
Operate equipment such as dump truck, street sweepers, mowing machines, and snow plows.
Conduct maintenance and repair work.
Perform related work as required.
Requirements of Work:
Some knowledge of a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and manual tasks.
Ability to operate safely and skillfully and to service light automotive equipment. 
Ability to understand simple written and oral instructions.
Ability to do heavy manual labor for extended periods under varying weather conditions.
Ability to get along with others.
Mechanical aptitude.
Good physical condition.
Availability for on-call emergencies.
A Virginia Operators License, Class B CDL with Air Brake endorsement preferred or must obtain within 6 months after employment.

Pay range is $7.25- $9.00 per hour based on skills and experience. Also, all applicants must undergo an extensive back ground check, a pre-employment drug screening, and physical will be required prior to offer of employment.
Applications are available at Pennington Town Hall located at 528 Industrial Drive, Pennington Gap Virginia or download here.

Applications will be accepted until December 12 at 4:00 PM 
The Town of Pennington is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free work environment. The town provides access to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield health benefits including vision, dental, and prescription and AFLAC. The town is a member of the Virginia Retirement System.