The Vatican has responded to the worldwide popularity and power of U. S. President Donald J. Trump. Cardinals have elected an American as the new Pope.
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I’m surprised our President hasn’t declared, “You’re Welcome” to this nation’s Catholics: “I knew Leo before he was a Pope. Tremendous guy. And what a strong, beautiful name.”
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‘Puffs of white smoke’ also are reported above the Nottoway School Board Office, where a decision has been made about who will lead the division come July 1st. A special meeting is set for tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. at the high school mini-auditorium to apppoint a Superintendent. Congrats and best of luck, whoever you are! You look familiar. I feel like we’ve met before.
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Meanwhile, ‘The Honorable’ ‘cardinals’ at Town Hall are just getting started. They’ll be interviewing prospective mayoral candidates tomorrow (Thursday, May 15th). A public hearing is set for next Monday, May 19th. A woman called here at presstime and said she plans to attend and tell Council whom NOT to apppoint. Never a dull moment.
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One of the applicants holds a degree in “Disaster and Risk Management.” That just might come in handy on Elm Street.
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If you haven’t seen me on Facebook, I must tell you: I have received the confidential “Report of Investigation” into the recent sexual harassment complaint that led to the resignation of the former Mayor. It was dropped in our secure mail slot last Monday night or early Tuesday morning. I will be reporting on it shortly and will try to be as fair and careful as I can. The complainant and most witnesses won’t be named. The ex-Mayor, Town Manager, and Councilman Page will be named because it’s been made public that those three men were in the room when the Mayor said what he said. Interestingly, I’ve been informed that all seven members of Council received the report in the U.S. Mail with a cover sheet of “Questions to Ask.” It appears someone is really going after the Town Manager’s handling of the complaint. But who? Actually, the “who” isn’t as important as the “what” that’s in the report.
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Here’s good news: The Chicken Festival is returning to Crewe this coming Fall — I’ve been told Saturday, October 18th at the Crewe Airport. And the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce fireworks show is set for Tuesday, July 1st at the Crewe Airport and Wednesday, July 2nd at the Blackstone Airport — both events will run from 4-10 p.m.
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And Crewe Homecoming is this coming Saturday (see ad, page 2)! Now all we need is for the Texas Festival to return to Kenston Forest, and for someone to re-open the Dairy Freeze, Grove Drive-In Theater, and Armbrusters restaurant. Oh, and for Alabama to play the Pickett Stadium like they did back on Sunday, June 5th, 1988. Eddie Raven opened, but I can’t remember who played before he took the stage. That was my first concert where a popular band, Alabama, didn’t finish all of its top hits. Instead, the boys from Fort Payne played a medley. About the time you got into one hit, it transformed into another. Folks weren’t happy. We were plenty ‘hydrated’ but not happy.
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We in Nottoway have taken for granted our ability to dial 911 when we’ve locked ourselves out of our cars. Or when little junior gets a boo-boo after his debut without training wheels.
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In all seriousness, it’s critical. I hear the scanner, and the Squad is being run ragged. I’ve told family and friends that if something bad goes down healthwise, get your loved one into a vehicle if you can, and begin driving. Once behind the wheel, dial 911 and advise of your location, your direction of travel, and hope you can get an ambulance from Nottoway or elsewhere to meet you en route to the hospital.
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It’s not the Squad’s fault that many of its calls come two and three at a time. A man I know two weeks ago began suffering chest pains and shortness of breath. He was driven by a friend to the Squad substation in Blackstone, where he was advised that there was no available duty crew, but a squad might be able to respond from Burkeville. This man knew his condition — he had suffered heart issues in the past — and he got his friend to drive him to the hospital, where doctors inserted a stint.
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