The year’s first meeting of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors took place in the County Administration Building on Jan. 10, 2012. At the meeting, the Board elected the 2012 chair and vice-chair and made many committee appointments.

The first agenda item was the election of the 2012 chair. Danny McDaniel, East Wytheville District, was elected by his peers to serve for his third term as chair, with terms in 2001 and 2002.

Upon his election, McDaniel thanked his fellow Board members and spoke highly of the year to come. “I think we’ll have a great year in 2012,” said McDaniel.

Next, Gary Houseman, Blacklick District, was elected to serve as vice-chair.

As chair, McDaniel appointed fellow Board members to several different committees. Among the appointments was the Budget Committee, this year to consist of returning Board member Houseman and new Board members Artie Hall and Tim Reeves.

The 2012 Tourism Committee will consist of Reeves, Cellell Dalton, County Administrator, and representatives from each district nominated by his or her Supervisor. Representatives for this committee will be Patti Pizinger, West Wytheville District; David Manley, Fort Chiswell District; Scot Mecimore, Blacklick District; Kathy Armbrister, Lead Mines District; Paul Turpin, Speedwell District; Ron Kime, East Wytheville District; and Ellen Reynolds, At-large.

The Wythe County Planning Commission also saw a change in its members with the appointment of Doug Wilson, nominated by Reeves.

 During citizens’ time, four County residents spoke to the Board about different concerns. Many consisted of road and guardrail issues, asking for the Board’s assistance in speaking with VDOT.

The first citizen to speak was Buford Bailey, Wythe County Tea Party chairman. He presented the Board with packets containing copies of the Virginia and United States’ Constitutions.

In addition, he reminded the Board that the Tea Party was there to help and that he knew the Board was looking out for the citizens’ best interests. “I learned that [the Board members’] hearts are with Wythe County,” Bailey said, referring to his encounters with the new and returning Board members while campaigning in 2011.

The Board reconvened on Jan. 11, 2012 at 1 p.m. to discuss the remaining appointments and budget parameters in preparation for the 2012 budget work sessions. Before discussing the parameters, each Board member expressed his goal for the coming year.

Multiple Board members mentioned three goals: education, tourism and economic development. Overall, the Board members stated that they wished to focus on providing good educational environments, increased marketing of the County as a tourist destination, and expanding industrial and financial opportunities within the County.