Exit 19 Smoke Testing

Exit 19 Smoke Testing:
Town of Abingdon Waste Water Collections Department will be smoke testing the sewer system in the East Main Street Exit 19 area, Lee highway area, and the Johnson memorial hospital area. Also Jeb Stuart Highway to Watauga road. Weather permitting on May 1 thru May 11- 2018.

While these tests are being conducted, you may see smoke coming from sewer lines in these areas. This smoke is harmless, but if it presents a problem for you, please notify the crew working in the area or call the number listed below.
Your cooperation is appreciated.

NOTICE
The smoke used for smoke testing is non-toxic and non-staining, but may be irritating to persons and animals. Anyone having asthma or other respiratory ailment should inform the Town of Abingdon immediately at the number listed below.

Town of Abingdon, VA.
Telephone (276) 628-4114
(276) 628-3167

Drug Take Back Day 4-28-18:

APD Call Log April 16th-22nd, 2018

Street Closure: Virginia Creeper Trail Fest 4-28-18

Street Closure Reminder:

On Saturday, April 28, 2018, A Street will be CLOSED from Green Spring Road to Spring Street, from 10 AM to 6 PM for the Virginia Creeper Fest. Also, there will be NO PARKING at the Virginia Creeper Trailhead for the event.

All traffic to and from the Kings Mountain area, Elderspirit, and the VirginiaCreeper Trail parking lot off of Kings Mountain Drive will need to use Spring Street/A Street (east end)/Deadmore Street, or Nicholas Street/DeadmoreStreet, from 10 AM to 6 PM.

For more information on the Virginia Creeper Fest, visit www.vacreeperfest.com.

Town of Abingdon, VA Personnel Changes

Town of Abingdon, VA

For Immediate Release

On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, Town Manager, Greg Kelly resigned from his position, effective May 7, 2018. The Abingdon Town Council held an Emergency Called Meeting at 12:00PM on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 to appointed several acting positions. At the meeting, the Town Council appointed Police Chief, Tony Sullivan, as the Interim Town Manager, and Deputy Clerk, Kim Kingsley as Acting Town Clerk. Both positions are effective immediately.

The Town Council authorized Mr. Kelly to immediately launch a nationwide search for the Town Manager position. Mayor Cathy Lowe ask Mr. Kelly to work with Chief Sullivan, Chuck Banner, Floyd Bailey, Kim Kingsley, and Stacey Reichler to draft the job description and advertise the Town Manager vacancy as soon as possible.

During the meeting, each Town Council member gave the following reflections about Mr. Kelly’s service to the Town of Abingdon, VA:

Mayor, Cathy Lowe- “I have worked with Mr. Kelly since 2006, when he was appointed to the Town Manager position. Greg was first hired as the Town Attorney and was eager to learn to be the Town Manager. The Town has had our ups and downs but I appreciate everything you have done not only in your leadership for the Council but for your leadership for the town employees. I wish you nothing but the best.”

Vice-Mayor, Rick Humphreys- “Thank you for your service; you have been a dutiful leader to the Town of Abingdon. Thank you for your mentorship to the Council; you are a valued member of the Abingdon team. It is regret that I approve your resignation.”

Council Member, Cindy Patterson-“I wish you all the best in everything that you do. God bless you.”

Council Member, Bob Howard- “Greg, I appreciate the job you did as Town Manager, and I thank you for your friendship through the years. I wish you well in your future endeavors.”

Council Member, Wayne Craig- “Thank for everything that you did for the town and I appreciate your service.”

Interim Town Manager, Tony Sullivan, will turn over day-to-day operations of the police department to Lieutenant Jon Holbrook. Lieutenant Holbrook is a graduated of Virginia Tech, has a graduate certificate from Virginia Tech in local government, and has been with the Abingdon Police Department for 14 years.

Pictured: Town Manager, Greg Kelly

Pictured: Police Chief, Tony Sullivan

Pictured: Lt. Jon Holbrook

APD Call Log April 9th-15th, 2018

Reasons NOT to Call 9-1-1

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, we wish to acknowledge the outstanding work of the employees of Washington County Central Dispatch.  They truly are our lifeline.  In honor of the tireless, and thankless, work that they perform, we have compiled the following list of reasons NOT to call 9-1-1. While this is not an exhaustive list, every one of these is real... 

Please do not call 9-1-1:

•        when your order is wrong at your favorite fast food restaurant

•        to report a power outage

•        to find out if someone has been arrested or is in jail - the local jail number is 276-739-3520

•        to obtain general information, hours of a business operations, or a phone number

•        because your neighbors grass/leaves are blowing in to your yard

•        to ask why there is a police officer or ambulance at your neighbor’s house

•        to find out about the weather forecast

•        to ask about road conditions

•        because you think the officer who responded to your house is cute and you want to see him/her again

•        to check for school closing announcements

•        to ask for directions

·         to ask about paying a ticket 

·         because you are locked IN your car

·         to inquire why your favorite restaurant is closed

·         to ask the dispatcher to call your number because you lost your cell phone...you are probably talking on it

·         to report that the Wi-Fi at a local establishment is not working

·         because someone parked in your parking space

·         to complain that your pizza is not fresh or cold upon delivery

·         to ask if it is holiday

·         to seek help finding lost glasses

·         because your child/children will not get dressed for, or go to, school

·         to report that your internet is not working at home

·         to complain about a bad haircut or color

·         to report a car refusing to move forward at a gas station pump

·         because you need to know the correct time and/or date to ask if there is a warrant out for your arrest

·         to complain about the driver in the next lane who is driving with an eye patch covering one eye

·         when your husband/children will not eat their dinner

·         because you feel that time is moving very slowly, or you are reporting that you are dead

This is the actual narrative from a recent call:

This is the actual narrative from a recent call:

On 04/05/2018, at 19:58 hours, I was dispatched to 123 XXXXXX Street, in reference to an out of control 5 year old. Upon my arrival, I spoke to a 7 year old male who advised that his 5 year old sister hit him. I spoke to the grandmother of the children who advised that her granddaughter was out of control. While on scene, the granddaughter was unruly and would not speak with her grandmother or me. I advised the grandmother that she could discipline her grandchildren. I also advised her to contact her granddaughter's caseworker about her behavior. I told the male juvenile that he would need to stand up to his sister, if not; she would continue to hit him. No further information.

Unfortunately, the police are being used more and more as the enforcers of house rules by parents and guardians who are incapable of implementing discipline. In other cases, the police are used as armed social or mental health workers. While we are always happy to help those in need, our society seems to be changing the motto, "To Protect and Serve" in to "To Babysit, Discipline, and Transport." While this may be the easiest or most expedient solution, it teaches children to fear the police and stigmatizes those with mental health issues as criminal. This is NOT the wisest use of tax dollars and definitely NOT the most appropriate use of the police.

APD Call Log April 2nd-8th, 2018

Permanent Green Spring Road Closure

APD Call Log March 26th-April 2nd, 2018