February 9, 2018
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Distributed Free Each Friday Since 2009 February 9, 2018 www.pcpatriot.com Locally Owned And Operated RRMM Architects graphic Computer model of proposed design of Pulaski County Middle School’s front entrance. PCMS advances, but second entrance and signal in doubt By MIKE WILLIAMS unanimously to approve the schematic design of the WEEKEND WEATHER The Patriot school and grounds. The vote was important to RRMM's design team as it allows them to continue SATURDAY SUNDAY Pulaski County will likely have to do some politi- moving forward on the project. Rain. High near 53. Chance of Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high cal arm twisting if its new middle school is to get a RRMM representatives told the board that design precipitation is 80%. near 56. Chance of precipitation second - and the preferred - signaled entrance on work on the project is right on schedule, and no major is 70%. Route 11 that designers and supporters want. changes to the design have been made. Saturday Night - Rain. Low Sunday Night - A chance of The Pulaski County School Board on Tuesday held During their presentation, it was noted that design- around 47. Chance of precipita- rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low a meeting at the high school's Little Theater to hear ers did shift the position of the school's track and tion is 80%. around 38. Chance of precipita- RRMM Architects representatives provide an update multi-purpose stadium slightly to accommodate a tion is 50%. on the $47 million middle school project. possible future realignment of Hatcher Road, an idea The meeting represented what RRMM's Ben which has gained favor with local officials in recent Motley called an "important milestone" for the proj- months. ect. RRMM is also now recommending the project Following the presentation, the school board voted See SCHOOL, page A8 Wind power project highlight of annual Boy Scouts gala By MIKE WILLIAMS lights last week during the annual Boy Scouts The Patriot Fundraising Gala, held at Al's on First in Pulaski. According to local scout volunteer Dan Grubb, Remember the name Pinewood Wind Project, for the gala raised well over $8,000 for scouting in the you'll be reading and hearing more about it in the county. months and years to come. Blue Ridge Mountains Council officials updated The project - being studied here since 2013 - those attending on scouting in the county during the would be constructed in Pulaski County on land event. owned by the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the But it was the wind project that had everyone Boy Scouts of America. talking afterwards. Currently the project is still in the design phase, Wind turbines like those that would be construct- but it was noted last week that the process of seek- ed on ridges inside the scout reservation in Pulaski ing county permits to construct the project will be County operate on a simple principle. The energy in sought later this year. the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades A presentation on the project was one of the high- See WIND, page A2 Page A2 - The Patriot - Friday, February 9, 2018 Apex Clean Energy photo Wind turbines on a ridge, as pictured on Apex’s Rocky Forge Wind project website. ect in Botetourt County, called power up to 40,000 homes. Rocky Forge Wind. Johnson, himself an Eagle Wind Johnson told those in atten- Scout who said he had camped Apex Clean dance last week that there is a on the scout reservation here in Energy’s Continued from page A1 growing demand among many of the past, explained the project Charlie around a rotor. The rotor is con- today's companies for clean ener- will provide hundreds of jobs and Johnson nected to the main shaft, which gy created by wind and solar significant local spending during speaks at spins a generator to create elec- projects. construction. Up to 10 full-time last week’s tricity. While the Botetourt project is jobs would be created to operate Boy Scout The wind energy project is a the first of its kind in Virginia, and maintain the project once it Gala at Al’s partnership between the Blue Johnson said Pinewood in is constructed. Plus, the county on First in Ridge Mountain Council and Pulaski County would be larger will realize tax revenue from the Pulaski. Apex Clean Energy, a with possibly 30 to 40 wind tur- project - something it doesn't get Charlottesville-based company bines erected on ridges located now from the boy scout reserva- Mike Williams that specializes in clean energy within the 17,000-acre scout tion. photo wind and solar projects around reservation. According to Apex, partnering the country. That many turbines, he said, with the Blue Ridge Mountain Apex is currently involved in would produce enough energy to Council to construct the project the state's first wind energy proj- on the scout reservation offers to boast that it can create power several key attributes. There is a at Claytor Dam, through a verified wind resource, and there planned solar panel project, at a are existing high-voltage trans- methane conversion plant located mission lines with which to get at the Cloyd Mountain Landfill the energy created into the and by the wind project on the Virginia electrical grid. Building scout reservation. the project on the scout reserva- "Creating power in all four of tion keeps it in a remote and pri- those ways will be unheard of vate forestland, and environmen- anywhere else in Virginia," tal impacts are minimized. Johnson said. Johnson said Apex and scout- County Administrator ing share many of the same val- Jonathan Sweet called the project ues, such as sustainability and a "win, win, win for everyone." conservation, and both have a "We don't yet know all the pos- desire for the creation of clean itive impacts this will have for energy. Both, according to the county, especially in the form Johnson, also see the project as of attracting jobs and capital an educational opportunity for investment," Sweet said. scouts. If all goes well the Pinewood He also noted that when the Wind Project would seek state wind project is completed, permits next year, find a buyer Pulaski County would be the for the energy created and be up only county in Virginia to be able and running in 2020. The Patriot - Friday, February 9, 2018 - Page A3 Pulaski seeks ARB applicants By MIKE WILLIAMS ing and cell phone towers. of new wireless structures. The Patriot Town council threw its support If the bills are approved in the leg- behind fair school funding by approv- islature, cell phone companies would The Town of Pulaski's Architectural ing a resolution backing a new Small be able to build cell phone towers Review Board has some openings, and and Rural School Coalition. wherever they wish. interested citizens are being asked to The town manager said the purpose Glenn said it would be bad if that apply to fill them. of the coalition is to give as many of happened. At Tuesday's meeting of Pulaski the smaller school divisions a collec- Glenn recalled how a cell phone Town Council, Town Manager Shawn tive voice with the General Assembly tower was originally proposed for the Utt reported that Pam Austin has to better advocate for students, teach- former Rutherford property directly in resigned her spot on the ARB. ers, staff and stakeholders. front of Trinity Lutheran Church, and Her resignation comes on the heels He said the more populous localities how bad an eyesore that would have of local architect Tom Douthat's leav- in the state have the greatest voice on been had it occurred. ing the board. A third member, Chris issues concerning school funding for- Glenn said localities need to main- Utt, has made it known he will not mulas. tain control over where cell towers are seek reappointment. Mayor Nick Glenn noted that most built, not only because of community According to the town manager, two localities in Virginia are small and development concerns, but also applications have been received from rural areas, and those communities because of the money that can be prospective new members, but the need to have a greater say so, "the tail made off the sale of property for the town is asking for more. isn't wagging the dog" on school fund- towers. He said that, with the downtown ing issues. revitalization work progressing, a Council also approved a resolution Also Tuesday, the theater arts fully manned ARB is desirable. opposing the proposed loss of local department at Pulaski County High Interestingly, Douthat - the only authority over cell phone towers. School was once again recognized - architect living in Pulaski - was the this time by town council - for its win- lone architect on the board and anoth- The town manager said proposed ning the Division 4 state champi- er will have to be recruited. legislation being promoted by the onship for its one act play, "You Don't Deputy Town Manager Nichole wireless industry removes the ability Know Jack." Hair told council that a new architect of local elected officials, residents and The department's leader, Jeff does not necessarily have to be a town businesses to have input into decisions McCoy, noted the championship was resident. Only a "majority of the affecting the character of their com- the third won by the department in his ARB" must be town residents, she munities. time at PCHS, which he said is an said. House Bill 1258 and Senate Bill average of one every seven years.