Parking violations carry new, stiffer fines

Parking violations in downtown Pulaski now carry stiffer penalties, following action Tuesday by Pulaski Town Council.

Council approved its amended ordinance governing parking violation penalties after town staff re-worded the list of violations and adjusted the penalty amounts.

A vote on the ordinance was tabled last month after Councilman Michael Reis noted some of the wording for violations contained in the ordinance was confusing – to the point citizens might not understand exactly what they were being ticketed for.

It was also noted that fines for nearly all the individual violations were only $5 and had not been adjusted for years.

Staff returned this month with an ordinance featuring clearly stated violations and increased fines with most being $25.

The biggest fine on the list is for a handicapped parking zone violation, which carries with it a $250 fine.

Council approved the re-worked ordinance, however, Councilman Lane Penn noted that handicapped zones must be properly marked or illegal parking in them can’t be enforced.

Proper marking for a handicapped zone includes on the street markings, but also above grade signage as well that designates the parking space as a handicapped zone.

The new ordinance is effective now.

Tribute to Polly Mitchell

Council adopted a resolution honoring the life of Pauline Gatewood “Polly” Mitchell.

The resolution states Mitchell was one of the first women elected to serve on Pulaski Town Council, serving three terms. She was also a member of various council committees and served as the town’s representative on the Agency on Aging and Clean Community Council.

Mitchell, the resolution states, was best known for her love of local history and animals. She was active in the New River Valley Historical Society and was a charter member of the Pulaski County Humane Society, along with participating in various community events such as Count Pulaski Day, Pulaskifest and the New River Valley Fair.

Mitchell passed away on Nov. 29, 2020 at the age of 95.

Her daughter, Susan Mitchell, accepted a framed copy of the resolution during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Support for Minor League Baseball

Council approved a resolution in support of the recently announced Minor League Baseball Relief Act, which was introduced in Congress to assist minor league clubs with COVID-related losses.

The pandemic not only hurt minor league teams, such as Pulaski’s, which had to cancel their 2020 seasons, but also had an adverse effect on businesses that benefit from minor league baseball such as hotels, restaurants and others.

The act will make available some $550 million in federal grants to minor league clubs.

November Elections

The day of May municipal elections in Virginia is over.

The General Assembly voted in its most-recent session to approve legislation that all city and town elections held after Jan. 1, 2022 shall be moved to the general election in November.

Terms for those elected would begin on January 1 following the election.

Town Manager’s Report

Town Manager Darlene Burcham noted she has been on the job in Pulaski for a year now – the last six months as the full-time manager.  She spoke well of her time in service to the town and praised the town’s employees.

She also noted that last Saturday’s Fourth of July Parade was a nice event and praised Fire Chief Robbie Kiser and Social Media Manager Jordan Whitt for their work organizing and promoting the parade, both of whom she joked had been “volun-told” for the job.

Whitt spoke up and expressed praise for Pulaski resident John Rupe for his efforts at promoting the event.

By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot