I’d rather be writing and thinking about other things this morning, but am disturbed by recent developments in Floyd County’s governance and need to tell you briefly why.
Christiansburg’s City Council unanimously voted to fire their town manager, Lance Terpenny for a number of longstanding disappointments with his his style and abilities.
And apparently, with the sanctions and fast-tracking support of the Floyd Mayor and others, Terpenny has been chosen–from a stated slate of more than 50 applicants–as the town of Floyd’s new manager.
This choice seems a misfit match for our town and county, and the more people become aware of related issues immediately, the better it will be for the local citizens, future government and the local economy and culture, and the sooner this man can find a place better suited to his style and slant of management and communication.
Expect an ongoing conversation about this important topic at Blue Ridge Muse.
I think we’re in the same boat Fred. Rural districts don’t get to vote on regional impact on the smaller scale where we live. I’m not a tourist in the 5 or so counties I have contacts or do business in.
I think the smartest comment on Doug’s site was questioning why Floyd even needs a Town Manager. I would love to dig around for details but I’m one of those dial up customers with few affordable options in the red headed sister category. A pun might be Fringe No Benefit.
It’s still a good place to be.
It’s a great place with potential to stay that way. Or not. We’re at a critical juncture. And a controlling, secretive, arrogant champion of chain stores and rural development in its ugliest forms as a sign of progress is not in my mind what will keep Floyd’s character such that has made it so admired and enjoyed by so many. Terpenny just seems wrong here and now, and I’d much rather have NO manager. Floyd is blessed with many in-loco-manager entities and volunteer individuals from its diverse citizenry who are active and knowledgeable about the county’s various projects. I’d like to consider an alternative to the town manager model, but the option was not offered. No input was offered. I think mistakes were made. We WILL see if that’s the case.
It’s already a mess trying to survive the mini farm McMansion mindset championed by some other types.
Dairy farms were abolished and grass farmers raising a few head can now break even, if lucky, to pay the RE taxes.
I want to give my land to some Indians ( the native american kind) and build a casino with a duty free shop.
Or we should talk about a home brewery or how to get ahead of the curve for medical marijuanna. Got any? I heard Dan Casey is a pothead, or was it Doug Thompson?