Distributed Free On Fridays For 11 Years! March 5, 2021 www.pcpatriot.com Locally Owned And Operated Insuring You & Yours Rush says he won’t seek re-election to Va. House By MIKE WILLIAMS Rush chose not to seek re-elec- The Patriot tion. He said he would consider a run. Seventh District Del. Nick “I will say that I will certainly Rush announced Wednesday via consider running for it and I will a Facebook post that he has decid- give it careful and prayerful con- ed not to seek a sixth term in the sideration,” Guthrie said. “How- Karen Tuggle Brad Alley Lynn White Virginia House of Delegates. ever, I also take very seriously “It is with great appreciation to my commitments as Chair and Home • Auto • Life • Business the voters of the Seventh House Cloyd District representative on District that I formally announce the Board of Supervisors. I truly my decision to not seek re-elec- enjoy the work we are accom- tion this November for the Vir- plishing for the county in that ginia House of Delegates,” the office and that is my focus at this Republican delegate said. “It has time.” been a true honor and incredible House Republican Leader privilege to have served in the Todd Gilbert thanked Rush for General Assembly for the past 10 his service. years and I will forever be hum- “On behalf of the House Re- Del. Nick Rush 611 East Main Street bled by the trust placed in me to publican Caucus, I would like carry out the people’s work.” to thank Delegate Nick Rush for Dublin, VA 24084 • 540-674-4678 Rush’s announcement prompt- man of the Pulaski County Board his nearly a decade of service in ed comments and praise from lo- of Supervisors. “On behalf of the the General Assembly. Nick has www.insurancecenterofdublin.com cal and state Republicans. Board of Supervisors I can say been a tremendous advocate for “Nick Rush has been a truly that we very much appreciate his the economic prosperity of the great leader for Southwest Virgin- many years of public service, and New River Valley and our entire ia and has done a tremendous job his presence in Richmond will be Commonwealth is better because WEEKEND WEATHER representing Pulaski County and greatly missed.” of him. Saturday the rest of the 7th District for 10 Guthrie has been mentioned as Sunday years,” said Joe Guthrie, Chair- a possible candidate in the event See RUSH, page A2 Mostly sunny, with a high near Sunny, with a high near 46. 44. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 Sunday Night - Clear, with a mph. low around 23. Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 23. DON’T FORGET TO VOTE MARCH 23 Voters In Pulaski County And Radford Will Help Elect A New State Senator For The 38th Senate District. When You Go To The Polls Cast Your Vote For... Jeep Restoration Project Completed American Legion Post 58 in Dublin has restored this World War II Army Jeep, being driven here by restoration project manager and Navy veteran Emil Moldovan of Post 58. The post on Thursday present- ed the restored Jeep and caisson to the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery during a ceremony at the cemetery. It will be for use by veterans and their families burying loved ones at the cemetery. For the Paid For By Don Holt, New River Sports whole story on how this Jeep was brought back to life, see inside on page A8. IMMEDIATE OPENINGS! Go To Work Today With Pay From $11.00 To $16.00 Per Hour ... All Shifts. Pulaski • Dubin • Carroll Co. • Wytheville Classifieds Skilled And Unskilled Positions 83 Immediate Openings Great Jobs - Temporary To Permanent With FREE Good Attendance And Good Work Ethics. $500 Sign-on Bonuses For Jobs In Carroll Co. Area Call 540-808-3949 Valley Staffing Inc. Wright Ave., Dublin, Va. SOMETHING TO SELL? TO SOMETHING 540-674-3103 We've Got Got We've EEO Apply Today At www.valleystaffingjobs.comDRUG FREE Page A2 - The Patriot - March 5, 2021 the House of Delegates.” needs of Virginians as a mem- me, a 23-year-old Fed Ex driver, spiration to follow my dreams. According to Andy McCready, ber of the Joint Sub-committee to to serve them on the Board of Rush Chairman of the Pulaski County Study Mental Health Services in Supervisors for over a decade. “As I move forward into my fi- Continued from Page A1 Republican Party, Seventh Dis- the 21st Century,” he said. And later, the citizens of the New nal months representing the Sev- “While we will miss our col- trict Republicans will select a “When the Republican Par- River Valley believed in me, and enth House District of Virginia, I league, we wish him and his nominee in a Firehouse Primary ty was the Majority Party in the through their kindness, afford- am grateful for the generous and family all the best in their future on Saturday, April 24. House of Delegates, one of my ed me more opportunities than I gracious encouragement and sup- endeavors.” Voting will take place from 9 personal and most valued honors could ever have thought possible. port that I received from so many constituents, friends, and most Kirk Cox, former Speaker a.m. until 1 p.m. in three locations was being elected by my peers They never gave up on me and in especially, my wonderful fami- of the House and candidate for in the Seventh District: to serve as Whip, which was key return, I looked for ways that I ly. I look forward to finding new Governor, commended Rush for • Pulaski County – New River in making sure that fiscal and could show my appreciation and ways to make the NRV proud in his service. Valley Fairgrounds in the Farris conservative legislation passed give back to them. Along this the days ahead and keeping the “For the past 10 years, I have Building; through the House. incredible journey, I never imag- New River Valley as the best had the privilege and honor of • Montgomery County – Mont- “It is also with great pride and ined that I would sit in the same place to live, work, raise a family, counting Delegate Rush as a gomery County Government fondness that I reflect on some of Chamber where tyranny ended and retire. May God continue to close friend and colleague in Center, Christiansburg; my legislative success stories that and the birth of our nation began • Floyd County – Floyd County bless the Seventh House District the House of Delegates. Dele- strengthened the New River Val- and write legislation that would, Administrative Building, Floyd. and the Commonwealth of Vir- gate Rush served as the Majori- ley and SWVA’s economic impact indeed, give back to those whose In his Facebook statement, ginia.” ty Whip during my Speakership well beyond our regional borders confidence in me was the true in- Rush said his constituents’ best and because of his steadfast ser- and throughout the entire Com- interests were always in his mind vice to the Commonwealth we monwealth, country, and global on every vote he cast. were able to balance the budget, arena: Hemmings resigns seat “As your voice and vote with make Virginia the best state for · The Tech Talent Investment many important decisions that business, cut taxes, and reduce Program, which is now provid- were made by the General Assem- on Dublin Town Council regulations. ing for 31,000 new technology bly, I can say without reservation “Delegate Rush is the true degrees to students attending Vir- By MIKE WILLIAMS “Peggy and I were elected to- that my constituents were always definition of a servant’s heart. ginia Tech and other state univer- The Patriot gether in 1994 and have served the foundation for each and every I thank him for his service to sities for the next 10 years together for many years,” Skeens one rendered. I am proud that the our great nation in the United · The Jefferson College of The Patriot has learned that said this morning. “Peggy has Seventh District had a seat at the States Army as a paratrooper Health Sciences merger with Rad- Dublin Town Councilwoman always represented the Town of table when I was appointed to the in the 82nd Airborne Division. ford University, which has posi- Peggy Hemmings has resigned Dublin with honesty and grace. most powerful money commit- His tenure in the House of Del- tioned RU to be a top producer of her seat on council, effective We will miss Peggy and we all tee in the House of Delegates, egates was marked by his com- nursing, health, and human ser- March 1. wish her nothing but the best. the Committee on Appropria- mitment to making college more vices, while providing for great- Mayor Benny Skeens con- Peggy served on the NRRA tions, which included chairing the affordable for Virginians, and his er access to continuing and fu- firmed Wednesday morning that board for 20 years and also on Higher Education Subcommit- leadership on behalf of the New ture research, collaboration, and Hemmings had resigned not only the REMSI board. I know that tee; representing SWVA as Vice River Valley that will not soon greater educational opportunities her council seat, but also her our citizens will miss her hard Chairman of the Major Econom- be forgotten. for students and other regional spots on the New River Resource work and dedication. We all owe ic Investment Project Approval “I wish Nick and Jennifer con- stakeholders Authority board and the REMSI her a big Thank You for all that Commission; and bringing more tinued blessings from the Lord · The 10-10-10 Plan, which ap- board.