Press release issued only to convey ‘reason for a closed session; ‘no decision has been made’ on Visitors Center’s fate; supervisors to meet Monday
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, June 24 — Just over two hours after District 2 supervisor Allen Louderback defended the county’s plans to relocate the Luray-Page County Visitor’s Center as the speaker at the weekly Luray Rotary meeting, the county issued a statement Monday night explaining its recent closed sessions on the matter and revealing the “potential” location of the new “Page Valley Visitor Center”.
“It is with mixed emotions that we announce the proposed location for the Page Valley Visitor Center,” reads the statement on the county’s Facebook page, posted at 9 p.m. Monday evening.
“The bittersweet aspect of this news is the upcoming retirement of Jack and Gigi Foster from Appalachian Trail Outfitters,” the county’s post continues. “Jack and Gigi have made significant contributions to our community, showing unwavering dedication to thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Their iconic retail business, which traces its roots back to the days of Gary and Linda Drum and Howard and Andy Thompson, has been a cornerstone of our area.”
The message addressed to “Dear Page County Citizens,” goes on to state: “However, as the saying goes, ‘when one door closes, another opens.’ Upon learning of Jack and Gigi’s retirement plans, their landlord, Judy Anderson, reached out to inform the economic development and tourism department of the upcoming vacancy, hoping to find a new business to occupy this space. Just days after the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce denied a request from the county to sublease the current train depot space to continue operating a visitor center there, the county inquired about the possibility of renting this new space.”
Chamber President Gina Hilliard agrees that the Chamber’s Board of Directors did deny the county’s offer of $250 per month to sublease space in the train depot to run a visitors center. However, she also claims the Chamber counter-offered to sublet the space to the county, if the Chamber could continue to operate the center. The county then showed interest in the location on Main Street.
In the statement issued Monday night, the county explains that the process has been done partially behind closed doors in order to protect the Fosters.
“During the lease review process, we needed to keep this information confidential to respect the business owner’s timing in announcing their plans,” the press release reads. “Today, we are thrilled to share that everyone is ready to reveal the proposed site for the Page Valley Visitor Center at 2 West Main Street in Downtown Luray.”
Within a couple of hours of posting, the press release had received more than 100 comments — mostly against the move, and in favor of leaving the Visitors Center at the historic train depot, which sets one block south of the proposed Main Street site. From numerous concerns about the ripple effects of abandoning the restored, historic train depot, comments also showed a preference for retail space on Main Street.
However, a comment left by Keith Weakley, chairman of the Page County Board of Supervisors, appears to leave the fate of the Visitors Center still up in the air.
“As Chair of the Board of Supervisors, I can assure everyone that no decision has been made. Anything implied in this post is premature,” Weakley stated. “The Board is reviewing all options; this is only one. The only purpose of this was to convey that the reason for a closed session was the confidentiality agreement, nothing more, nothing less.”
The Page County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet next at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 1. Until then, the county’s statement seems optimistic about the outcome of that meeting, and the county’s takeover of operations and relocation of the visitors center.
“We believe this new location will significantly enhance our community, providing increased visibility and accessibility for visitors,” the county’s Facebook press release states. “We are excited about the future and look forward to welcoming more visitors to our wonderful area.”
For more information about Page County government,
visit https://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/
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Someone does not know how to write press releases. BOS chair Weakley commented on the statement that it was not accurate. We have a real clown show at the county offices. Time to clean house and have a professional staff. And as someone else mentioned, did Supervisor Lauderback breach confidentiality rules and discuss closed door proceedings inappropriately?
Imagine being an investor who wants to open a business in Page County and bring the jobs everyone says they want. You scratch the surface and see that the county leaders and employees are at each others throats and can’t get the simplest things right. Decisions are confusing and weak. No clear vision. You see that your investment would never be safe.
That investor is moving on to another surrounding county where leaders leave their ego at the door.