The Town of Walnut Cove hosted the most recent League of Government meeting on Thursday, January 14, at the Walnut Cove Senior Center.

The League meets quarterly so each city, municipality, and the county can share their past accomplishments and plans for the future.

Mayor John Hodgkin of Walnut Cove welcomed the group and invited the Stokes Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities to make their presentation. The group is affiliated with the Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, and provided dinner for the people attending.

Stokes County is among the top 18 counties within the 100 counties in the state of North Carolina in the number of alcohol-related accidents and deaths.

The Partnership received a grant from the state of NC to increase public awareness and education about alcohol abuse and the risks associated with alcohol abuse, especially for people driving after consuming alcohol.

Brian Booe, a member of the Stokes Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities and the Stokes County EMS Training Officer, has been the first responder to many alcohol-related accidents.

Partnership staff shared information about what does constitute the standard amount of alcohol in a drink (members of the audience had many different ideas about this), and the different ways in which men and women metabolize alcohol.

Citizens are encouraged to participate and may contact Terri Fowler or Wanda Roberson at 397-0154 or via the website, www.stokescommunities.org.

Bryan Holloway, our county’s representative in the NC Legislature, spoke briefly and noted that the state’s financial situation may be improving, but emphasized that it is important “to plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

Dillard Burnette, councilman for the City of King and recently-elected chair of the Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments Board of Directors, reported for King and noted that the City has several new projects ready to get started, including a new water treatment plant, for which plans have been completed and construction is hoped to begin in 2012.

The new bridge-widening project is ongoing and should be completed soon, and the new McDonald’s restaurant is close to opening. Another new restaurant, Crock Pot, which specializes in homemade soups and stews, is planning to open to the Walker Ridge Shopping Center (where the new Food Lion store is located).

Mayor John Hodgkin reported for the Town of Walnut Cove and mentioned the Veteran’s Day Memorial Service, as well as the town’s Christmas tree and holiday parade. The town is researching a revised animal control ordinance and has adopted revised Administrative and Financial Standard Operating Procedures.

Each county commissioner spoke briefly, with newly-elected Chair Jimmy Walker leading off. Walker mentioned the Business Extravaganza sponsored by the county economic development department scheduled for January 21 at Camp Hanes in King.

In other economic development news, funds are available through a workforce development grant to help Stokes County small businesses develop a website. Seven sites have been completed, and there are currently 31 other applications. As many as 100 small businesses could utilize this service, and interested businesses should contact Alan Wood, Director of Economic Development, at 593-2496.

Commissioner and Vice-Chair Ernest Lankford noted that the new EMS station in Pinnacle was scheduled to open on February 16. The Stokes Opportunity Center had a special day with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of their expanded facility in Walnut Cove, which serves adults with developmental and other disabilities.

The Danbury Library has had visitor information available, and there has been a great response with people taking the various printed materials quickly. The libraries in King and Walnut Cove will soon begin participating in this program.

Commissioner Leon Inman discussed the changes in the management of Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital, with Pam Tillman becoming the chief operating officer. Tillman, a Stokes County native, is a graduate of South Stokes High School and the daughter of the late Sandra Priddy, who for many years was the administrator of Stokes-Reynolds Hospital.

Inman emphasized that all services would remain as currently provided.

Commissioner Stanley Smith spoke about new initiatives that help connect the many Stokes County farmers with local and regional restaurants, and a possible partnership with an already-established partnership in southwestern NC. Farms of any size could participate. Smith, who is a farmer, noted that farmers “can grow but can’t sell” and is hopeful that this will provide a great opportunity for local farmers.

Smith also discussed the renovations in the courthouse.

Dr. Ron Carroll was proud to note that the county has purchased 46 acres off Dodgetown Road for a free-standing community college.

In closing, leaders agreed that it would be advantageous for county leaders to work together to develop a strategic plan for the county and asked Walker to head to head this up. Chairman Walker said he would work with County Manager Bryan Steen to schedule meetings to work on such a plan.