As a result of statewide cuts, the Jonesville residency office will be officially closing its doors today, according to VDOT authorities.
The Virginia Department of Transportation started full-time facility and staffing reductions last June, due to a sharp decline in state revenue and because future federal funding is indefinite.
At that time, the transportation agency was prompted to reduce its Six-Year Improvement Program by nearly $3 billion, and required to reduce services, programs and staffing by another $600 million.
Over the last year, classified employment in VDOT has been reduced by an additional 12 percent — which has left nearly 1,000 people jobless and has reduced the number of employees to a mere 7,500. VDOT residency offices were also reduced from 44 to 29.
The agency has also reduced all attainable state funds, and eliminated state formula allowances for unpaved roads — including primary, secondary and urban systems.
Further, the reductions in staff and facilities have forced major changes in VDOT’s construction and maintenance services. Officials say that construction will now focus mainly on safety, pavements and bridges.
As of July 2010, the agency will have closed more than half of the state’s equipment shops — due to a reduction in necessary equipment, and improvements in maintenance practices. Certain maintenance services, such as mowing and litter removal, will either be cut or completely eradicated.
Current VDOT Jonesville Residency Engineer James Parsons spoke about the department’s closure at Tuesday’s meeting.
“Of course, as you know, Jonesville residency is closing as of Friday and this will very likely be my last board meeting,” said Parsons.
District 4 Supervisor Claude Ray then commended Parsons and Assistant Resident Administrator Steve McKeever for their dedication to Lee County, expressing great appreciation for VDOT and the work local officials have done over the years within the county.
“I appreciate you and VDOT for all that you have done. In the past years... we have got a lot accomplished. I just hate to see the stuff that is going to be done now,” expressed Ray. “But those above us speak louder than what we do. This board has traveled and did everything that we could to support VDOT.”
He added, “We want to say from the depths of our heart that we appreciate all the good work, and all the good relationships that we’ve had in the past, and I hope for all of you the very best — wherever you go and whatever you do. I look forward to working with you again.”
District 5 Supervisor Mark Allen Carter echoed the same sentiment.
“We are certainly going to miss you. I am sure that this board, as well as the citizens of Lee County, probably doesn’t know yet just how much that we’re going to miss you. I am sure that is true.”
“I really feel like that our state legislators have let us down. We have traveled to meetings — everywhere that there has been public hearings held about closing our residency here in Lee County — and obviously it fell on deaf ears,” he added.
Parsons and McKeever, both, thanked the board for the cooperation over the years.
“I do appreciate everything the board has done. We’ve had an excellent working relationship,” said Parsons.
Acting Administrator for VDOT’s Bristol District Ken Brittle then appeared before the board to further explain where VDOT is going as an agency and how the new process is going to work in Lee County.
Brittle, who has been with VDOT in some capacity for 40 years, stated that the transportation agency is not the same as it once was — noting that VDOT has lowered employment from 13,500 to 7,500 and practically eliminated all roadway construction revenues in Virginia over the years.
“It is certainly not a pretty picture,” said Brittle.
He then spoke about VDOT’s future in Lee County and the process of reorganization.
“Once the blueprint is complete, which will officially be complete by this Friday, we will start of Monday as a new organization,” Brittle maintained.
In the reorganizing process, Brittle claimed that the Bristol District lost about 150 employment positions — mainly on the engineering side of agency operations.
“I am anticipating a slow recovery. It’s not going to be a quick, overnight thing,” declared Brittle.
He stated that the agency will be closing three of its six area residency offices — including the Lee County office — by the end of the week, and the remaining open offices will now only be responsible for maintenance.
Lee and Scott counties will now converge with the Wise County residency office, as far as administrative duties are concerned, Brittle said.
In addition to the office changes, callers will no longer be able to directly contact area headquarters. The telephone numbers will still work, but the calls will presumably be transferred to another location — probably to a call center in Salem, Va., Brittle said.
He also stated that the department plans to close 15 residency offices statewide by June 30, 2010, as it addresses billions in declining transportation revenues.
“We are hoping to have everything in full force by July 1. However, we will be operational on Monday,” Brittle conveyed. “Here again, VDOT is putting its emphasis on maintenance. Maintenance will remain the number one priority, and that is the reason that residencies will now be handling only maintenance.”
Brittle ended by speaking of change, and asked the board to work alongside VDOT — in order to make the reorganizing process easier for all parties.
“Change is here... We say that change is hard but it really isn’t — because we change everyday,” said Brittle.
“It is going to be different and I ask that you work with us. We want to get there. But the only way we are going to get there is together,” Brittle concluded.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
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