PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

October 29, 2014

Irene Kilmer
Irene13@vt.edu

CITIZENS CALL FOR APPROVAL FROM BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

A Grant Application For a Drug Court and a Special Use Permit for a Retreat
Conference Center Were Discussed.
Blacksburg, Va. On Oct. 27, 2014, the County of Pulaski brought forth a report from
County Administrator, Peter Huber, about a grant application to establish a drug
court in Pulaski County.
Chief Judge Marcus Long, Jr. of the Pulaski Circuit Court spearheaded the
effort, and was the first person that Huber went to when researching if a drug court
was a good idea for the county. The Virginia State Supreme Court also approved of
the idea. The Community Service Board additionally wants to also see a drug court
in Pulaski County and was in favor of the grant application being approved. Pulaski
County has had many prior drug problems in its community, and a drug court would
provide the help addicts and users need to break the habit.
The numbers show that having a place for drug treatment versus regional
jail costs is significant in savings, said Huber. Drug treatment is the primary cost.
A motion to allow the application of a grant to establish a drug court was
made by Dean Pratt, while Ranny ODell seconded the motion. The Board of
Supervisors agreed to pass the motion.

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A special use permit was discussed to give Pulaski County the economic and
business opportunity of building a Retreat Conference Center on a vacant piece of
residential land located in Dublin. The property has been vacant for many years, and
contains one historical large home called the Mebane Manor, several smaller
buildings and about 30 acres of open land that has been used for farming.
We want to focus this as a business retreat and not so much as a conference
center, said Danny Wilson, Pulaski County zoning administrator. It will be used for
private business.
Charles Bopp motioned to approve the special use permit with Andy
McCready seconding the motion. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to
grant the special use permit.
The Mebane House was built in 1910 and will be renovated and preserved.
The rest of the development will be used as a place for meetings, recreation, private
dining, events and more.
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Pulaski County is located in southwest Virginia. Pulaski Countys seal reads excellence, vision
and pride, something the local government in Pulaski County tries to exemplify.