JONESVILLE — The Lee County Board of Supervisors began their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday with a visit from a special guest.

The newly elected president of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Donald Hart stopped by the meeting to extend his hand.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am to be in Lee County today,” said Hart, who is on a tour of Virginia’s 95 counties. He came from Accomack Co. on the eastern shore and Lee Co. was one of his first stops.

“This is where Virginia begins,” said Hart.

Hart also praised Supervisor Claude Ray, who serves on VACo’s Board of Directors. “He carries Lee County’s banner very well,” said Hart.

His projects for the state included cutting back on unfunded mandates and achieving an equalization of power between cities and counties.

He also wants the rumored national stimulus package to have a county component, so rural areas like Lee can get grants.

Hart made it clear that he would help Lee Co. as president, especially in these economically turbulent times.

“Whenever Lee County needs something, whenever you want something, I guarantee you, during this year, I’ll be with you,” said Hart. “If something’s coming up, you let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.”

“You also have 94 brothers and sisters standing with you... whenever you need something in the (Va.) General Assembly and in D.C.,” said Hart, referring to the other counties.

The Board members got Hart’s contact information and assured him they would be in contact.

The Board continued with regular business and approved minutes from the previous meeting. County Administrator Dane Poe reported that payroll warrants have been issued.

VDOT representative James Parsons gave an update on their projects, including the secondary road project (dubbed the Secondary 6-Year-Plan). Parsons said the project which will upgrade gravel (secondary) roads into paved roads has been “devastated,” taking a 33 percent cut in funding next year.

The Board decided, under recommendation from Ray and Parsons, to continue putting requests for the bypass road construction project into a resolution requesting government funds.

Parsons said that many of the Board members road projects requests from their constituents would not be completed due to a lack of funding.

The President of Mountain Empire Community College, Dr. Terrance Suarez, gave an update on the school in Big Stone Gap, Va. Suarez promoted the AIM program which pays student’s tuition completely at MECC and UVa Wise if they meet certain criteria.

The Mayor of Jonesville, Beryle Greer, came before the Board to propose a boundary adjustment on land near Cumberland Bowl Park and a farm owned by Ronnie Montgomery. Greer said there has been no opposition to the adjustment. The Board could not approve the adjustment until there is a public hearing, which will occur at the next monthly meeting.

The Board approved their monthly and quarterly appropriations.

In new business, the Board made appointments to the following committees: Tim Long and Dane Poe were appointed to the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Committee; Freda Ayers was reappointed to the Southwest Va. Emergency Medical Services Council; and Sidney Kolb was appointed to the recycling committee. The Board tabled an appointment to MECC’s Board due to a resignation.

The Board approved the Lee Co. Regional Airport Terminal building pay request #8. Poe said that the building was 93 percent complete.

The Board approved the following: The Airport Fueling System pay request #4; landfill annual groundwater monitoring report agreement; landfill annual gas monitoring report agreement; SunTrust interim financing loan extension; E-911 mapping and addressing contract award; and airport engineering agreement amendment #9.

The Board decided to show intent to transfer authority of the multi-use trail to regional authority.

Poe recommended that the Board begin preliminary action on the building of a transfer station, jail demolition, and the court house renovations. Poe didn’t ask the Board to approve funds for those projects; rather preliminary action (like grant and letter writing) so Lee Co. could get a head start and have a better chance of obtaining funds.

Board Chairman Mark Carter read a letter from the Duffield Development Authority telling them that Lee Co. has received a significant return of $208,333.34 on their investment in the Duffield Industrial Park.

The Lee County Board of Supervisors adjourned until the next monthly meeting.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.