Splash Valley Opens May 28, Veterans Monument Nears Completion, Fire & Rescue Honored

County of Roanoke, Virginia

May 2010

RoCo Register is a monthly publication of Roanoke County's Office of Public Information and is designed to deliver news about Roanoke County straight to your desktop. Complete information can be found on the County's Web site or, if you'd prefer, sign up as a fan on Facebook or to follow us on Twitter. Of course there's always the phone, 772.2010, or e-mail. We're happy to hear from you!

Splash Valley Set to Open May 28

Roanoke County's Green Ridge Recreation Center has been a busy place since opening last December, but the Center's average attendance of 1,000 people per day is about ready to go up, up, up when Splash Valley opens Memorial Day weekend.

Set to become the region's top aquatics attraction, Splash Valley Water Park will include two three-story water slides, a sprayground, a current river, concessions area, and more!

Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily fees to enjoy the water park are:

Adult 18-54: $9
Child 0-17: $8
Adult 55+: $7

Roanoke County residents get $2 off admission ticket purchase. Proof of residency is required at the gate (driver's license or other form of ID with a valid address). Hours vary. For more information, visit Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism's Web page or call 777.6300.

Still Time to Register for Summer Camp

If you still haven't firmed up your kids' summer camp plans, there are still openings in Roanoke County Camps. Half day, day, and residential programs are available for preschool to 12th grade.

For more information, visit the Summer Camp Program Guide or call 387.6078 ext. 0. Act now to take advantage of the Tell a Friend Discount available through May 29.

Supervisors to Vote on Final 2010-2011 Budget at Their May 25 Meeting

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will vote on a final budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year at its May 25, 2010, evening meeting.

The proposed budget contains millions in cuts and was balanced without a tax increase and with little impact to citizen services. The balanced budget also included an additional transfer to schools to help make up lost state funding. Citizens had an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget during a public hearing held on April 27. Board of Supervisors meetings are held at the Roanoke County Administration Center, 5204 Bernard Drive, Roanoke.

Roanoke County staff has presented budget information to the Board of Supervisors for several months in preparation for final adoption of the budget. This information, including the budget planning calendar and documents presented to the Board, can be found on the Management and Budget Department Web page.

Veterans Monument Nears Completion

*The Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument honors those veterans who serve, those who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.*

Beautiful, retrospective, and stately are some of the words used to describe the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial, 814 East Washington Avenue, Vinton. The monument honors those veterans who serve, those who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The Vinton Vision Committee has raised $295,000 to date and needs to raise an additional $65,000 to complete the construction of the monument. Naming opportunities are available for businesses or individuals who would like to contribute by leadership giving. Brick-style pavers are also available to purchase for $150. The bricks may be personalized to honor a veteran or anyone who someone would like to honor.

The concept statement by the artists reads that "in battle a soldier always looks for the high ground." Visitors approaching across the compass plaza to the octagonal pavilion will likewise find their attention drawn ever upwards: up the broad steps, up the rough rocks and the terraced fountain to the granite panels inscribed with the names of fallen soldiers, and up again to the bronze American flag. Finally, the attention of visitors will be drawn to the encircling inscription on the architectural cast concrete lintels overhead: HERE PAUSE AWHILE - TO BLESS THEIR SLEEP - WHO FELL IN WAR - TO SAVE OUR PEACE - THEN GO RENEWED - AND BUILD THE LIVES - THEY LOST FOR YOU - IN GOD WE TRUST.

The artistic team responsible for design of the monument is John Kirtley, Larry Betchel, and Mary Babcock. Everyone is invited to come by and see the monument under construction. The Vinton Vision Committee, which is responsible for the organization of the project, anticipates completion the summer of 2010.

Contact Mary Beth Layman at 540.983.0613 for more information or visit the monument's Facebook page.

Judge Issues Ruling in Clearbrook Case

A Roanoke County Circuit Court Judge has ruled that the remaining assets of $69,932.05 from the defunct Clearbrook First Aid and Rescue Squad, Inc. will go to Roanoke County for the purchase of new fire and rescue equipment.

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors petitioned the court for the remaining assets from the former volunteer organization. Judge James Swanson made the ruling on April 13 after receiving input from the community. The new fire and rescue equipment purchased will benefit the Clearbrook community. Fire and rescue service is currently provided out of the Clearbrook station, which is staffed by paid County employees.

Red Cross Honors Two Fire & Rescue Teams

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department was recently presented with two awards through the American Red Cross. Each year, the American Red Cross-Roanoke Valley Chapter and WSLS Channel 10 host A Celebration of Heroes, a community awards breakfast honoring local heroes for saving a life, performing an extraordinary act of courage, or making a difference in the community. A number of heroes were publicly recognized during this year's ceremony on March 31. Here are two awards Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department received:

Firefighter Hero Award - Roanoke County Fire & Rescue, along with the Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Company, rescued 63 stranded motorists from Interstate 81 after a historic snowfall dumped 16 inches of snow on December 18, 2009, paralyzing traffic on the highway. The motorists were gathered in fire department vehicles and shuttled to the Fort Lewis Fire Station where they were given food, water, shelter, and a makeshift bed to sleep on through the night. The next morning, firefighters helped the motorists free their cars and plan alternate travel routes.

Emergency Responder Hero Award - The Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Heavy Technical Rescue Team along with volunteer crews from the Masons Cove Fire Company rescued a hiker from the Appalachian Trail (AT) last November after she fell and broke her leg while taking a day hike. It took rescue teams several hours to locate the lost and injured hiker on the Dragon's Tooth Trail, which is a popular Roanoke County hiking trail on the AT. It then took several more hours for the team to package the patient in a Stokes basket and cautiously carry her down the trail while navigating the steep and rocky terrain.

Pictured above (l-r) is the team of career and volunteer personnel who rescued an injured hiker from the Appalachian Trail last November: FF/EMT Ollie Mayhew, Lt. Don Altice, FF/EMT Jared Hall, Vol.FF/ EMT Barry Yates, Captain David Jones, FF/EMT John Gillispie, FF/EMT Zach Graybill

Torres Receives Officer of the Month

Officer Torres receives award The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce selected Officer Ray Torres of the Roanoke County Police Department as Officer of the Month for March 2010.