Amended Agendas for Budget Meetings on 2-28-17 & 3-1-17

Budget Meeting Agenda for 3-1-17

Budget Meeting Agenda for 2-28-17

Sewer Line Repair and Temporary Road Closure for 2-27-17

Town Talk With Mayor Lowe on 3-13-17

Town Talk With Mayor Lowe

On Monday, March 13, 2017, Mayor Cathy Lowe will hold the next “Town Talk” event. She invites the public to discuss town initiatives, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others in the community. This FREE event is in a casual, friendly environment and all are welcome.

“Our next Town Talk will be from 4:30pm - 6:00pm in an effort to meet the scheduling needs of all of our citizens and business owner's,” said Mayor Cathy Lowe. “Please join us for the next Town Talk at 149 Sweets, “We're Listening Abingdon.”

The March “Town Talk” event will be held at 149 Sweets at 4:30PM. 149 Sweets is located at 301 West Main Street, across from the post office.

For more information on “Town Talk,” call 276-451-0439. 

NOTICE OF TRAFFIC DETOUR

The Town of Abingdon invites lovebirds to get married for free at the June 10th Summer Lovin’ Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2017

The Town of Abingdon invites lovebirds to get married for free

at the June 10^th Summer Lovin’ Concert

Abingdon, VA – The Town of Abingdon invites all lovebirds to save the date for the Summer Lovin’ Concert, Saturday June 10, 2017, and get hitched (or renew their vows)  – for free.   The Abingdon CVB will provide an officiant, wedding cake, party favors, and, for a wedding band, The Carolina Breakers, a popular beach music band.    Plus, one lucky couple will get to spend their honeymoon night at the Martha Washington Inn & Spa.

The Summer Lovin’ Concert takes place at the Abingdon Market Pavilion in downtown Abingdon.  The festivities will kick off with a joint wedding ceremony, after which the happy couples and their friends can party to the upbeat sounds of the Carolina Breakers.  Guests can enjoy a free slice of wedding cake while supplies last, and visit the beer garden for a cash bar (offering beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for sale).

Based in Myrtle Beach, SC, the Carolina Breakers are a high-energy band with five lead vocalists and a horn section covering beach music hits, plus Motown, Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Disco, Beach and various other special requests. http://thecarolinabreakers.com/

All couples who register by May 1^st will be entered in a drawing to win a complimentary night at the Martha Washington Inn & Spa. 

The fine print: Couples getting married must be over 18 years old, and secure a valid marriage license in advance from the Commonwealth of Virginia and bring the original document with them. The event is free and open to the public. No alcohol will be provided; a beer garden will be available, benefiting the non-profit organization Abingdon Main Street.

To sign up for a free Summer Lovin’ wedding, RSVP to Sara Saavedra at (276) 492-2230 or ssaavedra@abingdon-va.gov.

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Signal Cabinet Replacement

Wanna be an Earth Day vendor?

The Town of Abingdon’s 2017 Earth Day Celebration is approaching.  This year the event will take place on Saturday, April 22 at the Fields-Penn House (@ the corner of Cummings and Main Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This event attracts over 50 environmentally focused organizations and businesses that set up informational and activity booths to help raise awareness for the general public.  The event is very family-friendly with many activities for children to participate in and enjoy.  Last year over 2500 people attended!

Are you an environmentally conscious organization, company or individual who would like to be considered as an exhibitor?  If so, please send an email with your organization name, contact person and phone number to sustainabingdon@abingdon-va.gov.  Involved organizations participate free of charge.  

Abingdon Restaurant Weekend Feb 23rd-26th

COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON OPENS HOTEL IN VIRGINIA AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON OPENS HOTEL IN VIRGINIA AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS  

MINNEAPOLIS (February 13, 2017) – Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM, a leading upper-midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Abingdon, VA. The hotel, located at 940 East Main Street, is at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with easy access to Interstate 81.

 “We are excited to continue building our presence in the Southeast with the opening of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Abingdon, VA,” said Jeffrey Freund, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “This hotel reflects our signature Be Our Guest service philosophy, making guests feel at home by delivering comfort and excellent hospitality.”

The hotel offers 81 guest rooms and suites. Pet friendly rooms are available upon request. Guests of the hotel have access to free high-speed Internet, an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, a business center and the use of a 24-hour fitness center adjacent to the hotel. The hotel also provides the brand’s signature and complimentary, hot Be Our Guest breakfast served daily on classic dining ware.

“We are thrilled to open our doors under the Country Inns and Suites brand,” said George Brewer, the hotel’s general manager. “Our beautiful location and quality service are guaranteed to provide a memorable experience for our guests.”

There is plenty to see and do while staying at the hotel. Guests can hike along the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail or catch a show at Barter Theatre, one of the longest running professional theaters in the country. The Bristol Caverns and Bristol Motor Speedway are also less than 30 miles from the hotel.

  Country Inns & Suites offers a caring, consistent and comfortable hospitality experience delivered with a touch of home, and features particularly attractive for business travelers. The distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Be Our Guest employee training program have generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high guest satisfaction. For reservations and more information, visit www.countryinns.com.

-more-

About Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM is a leading mid-market hotel brand with over 470 hotels in the United States, Canada, India and Latin America. The brand’s Be Our Guest service philosophy encourages employees to serve guests with the same kind and caring spirit given to friends when they are being hosted at home. Signature brand amenities include free high-speed Internet, complimentary hot breakfast served on classic dining ware, fitness centers and business centers.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu^®, Radisson^®, Radisson Red, Park Plaza^® and Park Inn^® by Radisson. For reservations and more information visit, www.countryinns.com. Connect with Country Inns & Suites By Carlson on social media: @CountryInns on Twitter and Facebook.com/CountryInns

Contact:

Laura Langemo, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | +1 (763) 212-0419 | llangemo@carlsonrezidor.com

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Celebrate the Creeper Trail’s 30th Anniversary with Virginia Creeper Fest Saturday April 29th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrate the Creeper Trail’s 30^th Anniversary with

Virginia Creeper Fest Saturday April 29^th

Abingdon, VA – The first annual Virginia Creeper Fest will be held Saturday April 29, 2017 in Abingdon. The family-friendly festival celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the creation of the Virginia Creeper Trail, and highlights the multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities along the trail.  The festival includes hands-on activities and demos for all ages, live music, food trucks, and information about how to get outside and enjoy the Creeper Trail.

Designed to be a hands-on experience, the VA Creeper Fest encourages attendees to practice, interact and get involved.  From bouldering practice, stand-up paddle boarding demos, disc dog exhibitions, and field games for the kids, to tree identification along the trail and guided nature walks, there will be plenty to keep the hard core outdoor enthusiasts and novice nature lovers busy all day.

There will also be live music, food trucks and local outfitters throughout the day, as well as raffle giveaways.

The festival takes place in Abingdon, at the intersection of Green Spring Road and A Streets, near the trailhead.  Additional activities, like nature walks and bike rides, will take place on the trail itself. A full schedule and festival guide will be available on www.vacreeperfest.com in the coming weeks.

The Virginia Creeper Trail marks its 30^th Anniversary in 2017. One of the earliest rails-to-trails success stories, the Creeper Trail is now a major economic engine for Southwest Virginia, drawing over 200 thousand visitors annually.

Running 33.4 miles from Abingdon, VA through Damascus and Jefferson National Forest, the Virginia Creeper Trail is a former railroad that's now one of the most popular recreation trails in the southeast.   It combines striking Blue Ridge Mountain scenery with unique trestle bridges and an accessible ride. 

The Virginia Creeper Trail was inducted in to the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2017, and last year it was named Virginia Attraction of the Year by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association.

For more information: www.vacreeperfest.com or 276-676-2282

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Triplett Named Community Development Coordinator

TOWN OF ABINGDON

Abingdon, Virginia

Triplett Named Community Development Coordinator

The Town of Abingdon, Virginia has named Tonya Triplett to the newly created position of Community Development Coordinator, where she will facilitate and promote community planning and development.    

"I'm very excited for the opportunity of this new adventure,” said Triplett. “I will be working with business owners, citizens, Town staff, and Council to enhance some of the wonderful assets that Abingdon already has. I hope to be helpful to the established businesses and make the process of opening a new business more efficient.”

As Triplett assumes her position, she will be attending training seminars for grant writing, economic development, and community planning. These seminars will give her direction and insight to help Abingdon become an economic leader in the Commonwealth. Also, she will “hit the streets” to meet with merchants and property owners to collect feedback and form working relationships to promote growth.

With the title of Community Development Coordinator, Triplett will be a liaison to the business community. She will work with the Town of Abingdon Economic Development Authority, network with other development agencies in the Commonwealth, maintain an inventory of available spaces, work with entrepreneurs, and monitor opportunities to further community initiatives.

The community development aspect is not limited to economic development and growth.  She will work with town departments to promote Abingdon as a "destination to live, work, and play” by sharing and promoting community and business events.  With the release of the Community Engagement Survey from the town, Triplett will review the results and plan action items for her position as well as find ways to address items of concern.

            “Tonya’s past experience in our Tourism Department has equipped her with excellent hospitality skills and has earned her tremendous respect among our residents, visitors and our business community,” said Town Manager Greg Kelly. “I am confident that she will do an exceptional job in taking care of the needs of our existing businesses and in luring new businesses to locate in Abingdon.”

Triplett assumes this position with sixteen (16) years of local government experience. She served as the Town Clerk and Events Coordinator for the Town of Damascus for eight years; Sales Manager and Director of Visitors Services for the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau for seven years; and recently served as the Deputy Clerk for the Town of Abingdon for eighteen months. Triplett holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from King University. She is a native of Sparta, North Carolina but has lived most her life in Damascus, Virginia.

To contact Tonya Triplett, Community Development Coordinator, you can email her at ttriplett@abingdon-va.gov, call 276-698-1898, or visit her at the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau, 335 Cummings Street, on the 3^rd floor. 

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February 2017 Work Session and Regular Meeting Agendas