Thursday, October 20, 2016
Emergency Services Drill 10/21/16-10/22/16
For Immediate Release
The Town of Abingdon, Virginia will be hosting a two
day emergency services drill in conjunction with the Virginia Department of
Emergency Management this Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October
22nd. The drill will be conducted each day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
in the cul-de-sac of the Stone Mill Business and Technology Park on French
Moore Jr. Boulevard. A portion of French Moore Jr. Blvd. from the last
crossover to the cul-de-sac area will be closed starting Thursday, October 20th
at 5:00 PM until the conclusion of the drill. The road closure will not impact
businesses in this area.
The
drill will involve police at the state and local levels, paramedics, fire
departments, bomb squads, and hazardous materials teams from our region.
These drills are used to rehearse anticipated emergency scenarios. In addition,
they are designed to provide training, reduce confusion, and verify the
adequacy of emergency response activities and equipment. Remember
that this is only a drill, but you may hear loud sirens and noises. Do not be
alarmed!
Motorists
may see large numbers of emergency service vehicles entering French Moore Jr.
Blvd. from Jonesboro Road. Motorists frequenting this area should be alert
for signage limiting access in the drill area, slow their
speeds, and not impede traffic during the drill.
For questions about the drill, contact Jack Tolbert,
Hazmat Officer for VDEM, at 276-328-2329.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Campaign Sign Information
Abingdon
Police Department
For Immediate
Release
As we near the November elections, the Town of
Abingdon and the Abingdon Police Department would like to provide information
in regards to political signs:
Virginia
State Code
Any person who in any manner (i) paints, prints, places, puts or affixes any sign or advertisement upon or to any rock, stone, tree, fence, stump, pole, mile-board, milestone, danger-sign, guide-sign, guidepost, highway sign, historical marker, building, or other object lawfully within the limits of any highway or (ii) erects, paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any sign or advertisement within the limits of any highway shall be assessed a civil penalty of $100. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate penalty. All civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund. Signs or advertisements placed within the limits of the highway are hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be forthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the Commissioner of Highways or his representatives without notice. The Commissioner of Highways may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration, or abatement from the person erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, affixing or using such sign or advertisement. When no one is observed erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, or affixing such sign or advertisement, the person, firm or corporation being advertised shall be presumed to have placed the sign or advertisement and shall be punished accordingly. Such presumption, however, shall be rebuttable by competent evidence. In addition, the Commissioner or his representative may seek to enjoin any recurring violator of this section. The Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements with any local governing body authorizing local law-enforcement agencies or other local governmental entities to act as agents of the Commissioner for the purpose of (i) enforcing the provisions of this section and (ii) collecting the penalties and costs provided for in this section. Any such agreement may provide that penalties and costs collected pursuant to such agreement shall be paid as agreed.
The Virginia Department of Transportation provides guidance concerning Outdoor Advertising and State Right of Way-
What is “right of way?” State-maintained right of way is property along a roadway on either side. This area does not belong to individual property owners. It must be kept clear for motorist safety and so road crews have room to work.
Where is the right of way located? There is no standard right of way distance for every road. Generally, the right of way ranges from 25 to 150 feet from the road’s center line. Due to this wide range, it’s important to find out exact right-of-way distance before installing a sign or objects near a road.
Can I place a sign along the road? Signs cannot be on or overhanging state right of way. An off-premise advertising sign adjacent to the right of way requires an Outdoor Advertising Permit.
How do I obtain an Outdoor Advertising Permit? Companies, organizations or individuals who want to place outdoor advertising signs adjacent to the right of way should call 804-786-0654 or e-mail outdooradvertisingrenewals@vdot.virginia.gov .
What will happen if I put my sign in the right of way? Section 33.2-1224, Code of Virginia, prohibits signs and advertisements within the limits of the highway. VDOT is authorized to remove any sign that is in violation of state code, especially if it interferes with roadside maintenance or presents a safety hazard to motorists. In addition, the agency can levy a $100 civil penalty for each sign violation. VDOT also works with localities and the Adopt-A-Highway program to enforce this law.
§
15.2-109. Regulations on political campaign signs.
No locality shall have the authority
to prohibit the display of political campaign signs on private property if the
signs are in compliance with zoning and right-of-way restrictions applicable to
temporary nonpolitical signs, if the signs have been posted with the permission
of the owner. The provisions of this section shall supersede the provisions of
any local ordinance or regulation in conflict with this section. This section
shall have no effect upon the regulations of the Virginia Department of
Transportation.
Abingdon
Town Code Provides the Following Guidance-
Section
21-9. - Temporary signs.
(b) A "temporary sign" is a sign
that is not permanently mounted to a building or into the ground. Signs
attached by rope, string, chain, tape, paste, and similar mechanisms; signs not
rigidly attached to a supporting structure; signs made of paper, cardboard,
cloth, and similar materials; and signs that are pushed, hammered or similarly
put into the ground are considered temporary signs.
Examples of temporary signs include,
but are not limited to, garage or yard sale signs, political campaign
signs, real estate signs, construction signs, menu/daily special signs.
(c) Each temporary sign shall be
maintained in good, safe condition, securely affixed to a building or the
ground.
(d) Temporary sign area per lot
shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(e) Any temporary sign pertaining to an event must be removed within ten days after the event. For
example, garage or yard sale signs, political campaign signs, and real
estate signs are subject to this provision. For all other temporary signs,
a maximum posting period of 14 consecutive calendar days is permitted, up to
five times per calendar year. Such signs shall not be attached in any way to
utility poles, meter posts, or trees within any public street right-of-way. No
person shall put up any notice upon any building, wall, fence or other property
of another person without having first obtained the consent of the owner of
such property.
Theft
or damage of political or campaign signs
There is no specific statue that
pertains to theft or damage of political or campaign signage. However, signs
placed legally on private property are afforded the same protection as any
other property that can be stolen or vandalized.
Dependent upon the value of the sign(s)
offenders can be charged with either petit larceny, grand larceny, or property
damage. Punishments range for these offenses range from a class 1 misdemeanor
to an unclassed felony.
We hope that everyone
will be respectful of these statutes, and the political expressions of others,
without stealing or vandalizing signs.
We encourage everyone
to exercise their right to vote on Election Day.
###
Town of Abingdon Halloween Information
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 14, 2016
Town Receives Award From VML Green Government Challenge
TOWN
OF ABINGDON, VIRGINIA
Town
Receives Award From VML Green Government Challenge
On October 11, 2016, the Town of Abingdon was
awarded a Silver Certification from the Virginia Municipal League Green
Government Challenge. The award recognizes the town for successfully implementing
environmental policies and taking practical actions to reduce carbon emissions.
This award was presented at the Virginia Municipal League Conference in
Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The Town of Abingdon wants to thank the Sustain
Abingdon Committee and the citizens for collaborating to make this award
possible.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Power Outage- 10-6-16
Appalachian Power has advised the Town of Abingdon
of a power outage on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The
outage will affect the following streets on the east side of town-
Baugh Lane
Wayne Avenue
Roger Street
Falcon Drive
Edgemont Terrace
Edgemont North Street
Morningside Drive
Euclid Avenue
Barclay Drive
Panacella Drive
Woodlawn Terrace
Timberland Court
Hendricks Drive
Denham Drive
Inspiration Drive
Paul’s Way
Heart of the Woods Lane
Foxchase Lane
Gunther’s Ridge
Walden Road NE
Branch Street (only to 3-4 customers at 1st
curve off Walden)
Whitetop View – (only ½ way up road)
The outage stops off Walden Rd NE just before the
Curve at Cricket Lane.
###
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