Young leaders steal the show at Washington city council meeting
By KIP BURKE, news editor

The highlight of Monday night's meeting of the Washington City Council wasn't any action the council took - it was the political debut of some of Washington Wilkes' potential young leaders, and at least one bright young face made the council members squirm a bit.

Michael Wylie, a member of Youth Leadership Wilkes, rose and spoke to Mayor Willie Burns and councilmen about negative influences he saw in his community. In one area of the Whitehall community, a day care center is next to a night club and liquor store, he said, and those were negative influences on youth going to and from school.

"When kids get out of school and walk through the area," he said, "they walk by drugs, they walk by alcohol, and some days they even walk by prostitution out behind the buildings."

Wylie also cut straight to the point when the proposed community swimming pool was being discussed. "I was wondering - what makes this swimming pool project different from the other two swimming pools? One was filled with concrete, and one was filled with dirt. I understand that at that time the city council took that action because of maintenance costs, and no lifeguards, but I wonder, if you approve this new pool, if the same thing won't happen five or 10 years down the road."

Eight members of the Youth Leadership Wilkes addressed the council members at the start of the meeting. In addition to Wylie, Akiemos Coleman, Ashley Kearney, Christina Albertson, Michael Edwards, Chantelle Huff, Thomas Booker, and Jasmine Jones addressed the mayor and council by introducing themselves, thanking the members, and speaking of their future plans and dreams.

When Mayor Burns asked the young leaders if they had any questions, most did not, glad to be done saying their piece. But Wylie - who is the Tiger Band drum major and recently promoted to supervisor at his after-school job at Bi-Lo - addressed the mayor and council, along with a packed house, with a cool eloquence that many adults can't muster.

The council members took note. "He's going to sit at that table before long," said Rev. G.L. Avery. "He was very impressive."

Councilman Maceo Mahoney addressed the council on a number of items. He checked on the status of televising council meetings, to address insurance issues with recreational facilities, to look at using CDBG grants for things other than water and sewer, and for the city to work more closely with the DDA on community redevelopment. He did not propose any specific action.

Councilman Pamela L.G. Eaton, at her turn, said that the Downtown Development Authority meeting set for Thursday, March 15, would be held Tuesday, March 13, at 8:30 at the Farmers State Bank.

Councilman Nathaniel Cullars requested that the City Attorney look at the minutes of the city council meeting at which the original vote was taken on the renaming of a street for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Volunteers are needed at the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce and Tourism office, Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said after she reviewed the extensive tourism outreach and advertising efforts her office has in action.

"The advertising is working, because we're seeing a tremendous number of visitors, all during the week, too. It's so busy that we have trouble getting our work done because of the stream of phone calls and visitors. It's a good problem to have, but we need help. We need volunteers to help man the phones and greet visitors."

She reminded the meeting of the Festival of Art and Music planned for late in April, and said that tickets were already on sale for the concert by Washington's own Grammy winner, Hillary Lindsey.

Barnett also said that she attended the Grand National Cross Country dirt bike and ATV races at Aonia Pass Motocross Park Saturday, saw the crowds of thousands of riders and families in attendance. "I met with Mrs. Rita Coombs of Racer Productions, who heads up the GNCC series, and she loves Washington. It's the second biggest race on their tour, and she always allows time to go shopping in Washington when she's here."

Barnett said that she had agreed to arrange for shuttle buses to bring in families into town to shop while they are at the race. "And we hope they'll have lots more events here. They are the nicest people."

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Hardy reported that the Chamber was working with the local workforce and local employers. "There are companies here that are expanding, and we're working to make sure we can meet their needs with our workforce."

The next big challenge for the Chamber of Commerce, she said, was the new requirement for erosion control training for workers in many construction, landscape, and agricultural companies. "This is going to affect huge numbers of workers in Wilkes County," Hardy said. "We've just helped get construction contractors grandfathered in under the new licensing program, but erosion control training will hit lots more people."

City Administrator Mike Eskew reminded all present that the RDC Southwest Washington Community Redevelopment Plan would be reviewed at an open house Thursday evening at the Reese J. Booker Center from 6:30 to 8:30.

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