2012 Accomplishments
Town of Shenandoah
Installed 2 new back up generators - Installed a new backup generator for use at the Town sewer plant and installed a new backup generator for use at the Town well. These generators will allow for services to be continued in the event of a major power outage. The generators were purchased without the benefit of grant or loan monies, but rather the savings account for capital improvements.
Continued to upgrade Town's Utility Billing System - Installed new electronic read water meters, which are read with a computerized touch wand. Computerized handheld units are being used to read the old remaining meters. To date 824 of the water meters have been replaced and more are being replaced regularly. This new system is more accurate for both the Town and the Citizens.
Welcomed new businesses to Town -
Shine Systems & Technologies - 502 First Street - 540-652-0150
Westridge Energy, LLC - 516A First Street - 540-810-7982
Business Expansions
KVK Precision Specialties - Large addition and will eventually hire about 20 new employees - Quincy Avenue - 540-652-6102
Page Shenandoah Health Center - New building on Williams Avenue - now open 2012 - 540-652-9100
Veterans Park - Veteran's Memorial Park is complete and was made possible by funding from the Town and the fundraising efforts of Christ United Methodist Church Auctions. The Park includes monuments and flags for each branch of the military. A new swing and gazebo has been installed and murals have been painted. Benches will be added later.
Expanded Museum Room at Town Hall - Items continue to be donated to the Town museum room. The museum is free and open to the public. It has a collection of photo albums and other Town memorabilia.
Held six (6) classic car Cruz Ins on First Street - Through the assistance of business sponsors, cruise ins were held on First Street on Fridays throughout the year. The events drew hundreds of participants and many more spectators. It was a fundraiser for local organizations and was organized by Nancy Karnes with assistance from other volunteers. 742-1141-Nancy 6 Cruz Ins are scheduled for 2013.
Held 15h Annual Memorial Day Festival & Parade - With the assistance of many volunteers, the 15th Annual Memorial Day Festival and Parade provided two (2) days of enjoyment for both tourists and locals. The event continues to grow each year and is a way our Town says THANK YOU to those serving our military and our Veteran's each year.
Participated in several litter cleanups - Clean the Bay Day was held along the Shenandoah River in Town. It was very successful thanks to all volunteers involved.
Hosted several seminars for business technology - Utilizing volunteers the Town hosted several seminars to inform business owners in the use of technology to help grow their businesses. These seminars were free to the public and business owners and provided hands-on training to allow the businesses to set up websites, design logos, etc.
More technology seminars are planned for 2013.
Community Enhancement Awards - Presented six (6) Community Enhancement Awards to businesses and individuals who improved their properties during 2011.
The awards were as follows:
Robinson, Kris & Jennifer - 200 Liberty Avenue - January 2012 - Residential
Pendley, Walter & Dorothy - 407 Fourth Street - February 2012 - Residential
Sheaffer Construction Company - Virginia Ave/2nd St. - March 2012 - Commercial
Stonewall Investors - 608 Fifth Street - April 2012 - Residential
Comer, Robert Jr. - 510 South Third Street - June 2012 - Residential
Parks and Recreation -
P&R Building and Batting Cage - With the assistance of fundraisers and donations, continued to expand and upgrade the Town's batting cage area and P&R programs.
Big Gem Park - Continued with the installation bike trails at Big Gem Park; added picnic tables; installed second culvert pipe for better drainage to protect new parking lot area.
Big Gem Park and Gazebo hosted several weddings; several birthday parties; and a fundraising Halloween event for the Page Valley Tennis Association.
A fundraiser is underway for a new picnic shelter.
Basketball Programs - Several hundred girls and boys signed up for 1st through 8th grade basketball program. Our thanks to all the volunteers who assist by coaching teams!
River Park - Trees were donated by the Page County Tree Board and planted at the park; replaced picnic tables; and pavers underneath swing. New gazebo was added and made handicap accessible through volunteer efforts. A fundraiser was started for a foot bridge to extend the walking track in future years.
Wig-Wam Village Playground - Constructed a new deck area; replaced some boards at the park and stained the wooden structures and fence. The park hosted seven (7) birthday parties throughout 2012.
Scout Park - Was relocated to Big Gem Park and the Scouts love their new area! It is excellent for their overnight camps and events to earn badges. Plans include making the old scout park into a park for dogs when the funds become available.
Other Events - Winter celebration at Big Gem Park included Christmas tree lighting ceremony, caroling, marshmallow roasting, and visits with Santa. Shenandoah Beautification Committee made and sold in memory or in honor bows as a fundraiser for the group. They decorated the fence at Big Gem Park for the holiday season and the list of names was on display at the tree lighting ceremony.
The cannon wheels have been repaired, re-installed, and the cannon was repainted recently.
Tennis Association hosted several tournaments and held lessons.
Bike Race was held in Town in June and was very successful. 2 bike events are planned for 2013.
Annual 5k Riverfront Run was held in July and was very successful.
Hosted the Excursion Train on November 11, 2012, where 450 visitors rode the train from Roanoke to Shenandoah, while an additional 300 passengers boarded this same train in Shenandoah and rode to Luray area and returned to Shenandoah. Crafters and vendors were set up along the street and the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad served meals to our guests as a fundraiser.
Computer Center - The Center offers computers with access to high speed broadband internet service to everyone for just $12 a year! Computer classes are held throughout the year for minimal fees; the Computer Center offers many printing options, including calendars and greeting cards from your photographs. The Computer Center has 2 staff members to assist citizens. In April 2012 the Computer Center replaced all the computers in the classroom. They upgraded the computers to Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 to better assist new students. Special classes were also taught by Bruce Arnold focusing on the former Genie Plant employees to better assist with their transition back into the workforce. The Computer center also sponsored DAR Genealogy Workshops in June, July and August which were very well received by the community and held two Technology Seminars in April and October. The center is open Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The center is closed for lunch from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. daily. Call for info at 540-652-8773
Volunteers - Town of Shenandoah is fortunate to have many volunteers who assist with various projects and programs. Some of the outstanding individuals this year were: Bruce Arnold and Gary Patterson who give countless hours teaching computer courses at the Town Computer Center.; Alice Pence who has volunteered for various events and projects throughout Town and the County. Dee Sampson and Amenda Wood led work by Shenandoah Beautification Committee. Group is comprised of all volunteers who conduct plantings and decorations throughout all the seasons of the year. They installed new plants along First Street and planted all the flower pots throughout Town.; Bradley Williams who volunteers with the Page Valley Tennis Association; Kirk Comer who volunteers with many projects and events including the Shenandoah Indians, Page Valley Tennis Association, and Town Parks and Recreation; Amos Thomas who volunteers with many projects and events including taking and donating photographs of all Town events. The photographs are used in marketing campaigns and for the Town website.; Donnie Campbell who volunteers with special events including car shows and cruise ins; Nancy Karnes who volunteers with cruise ins and Shenandoah Heritage Center; Dave Hinkle who is the director of the annual Memorial Day Festival and Parade and the key to the success of the event each year.; Various groups and organizations donate their time for special events throughout the year and include but not limited to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Shenandoah Elementary School students. The Mayor, Town Council, and Employees would like to thank all volunteers for their assistance!
Shenandoah Merchants Association held several events throughout the year! The Town would like to thank this organization for all their hard work!
