Clifton Forge Town Council: Masonic Proclamation, Citizens Thanked For Flood Relief Efforts Big Events Planned For The Weekend At Historic Masonic Theatre By Jerry E. Clark   Clifton Forge, VA (June 28, 2016) - The Clifton Forge Town Council held one of its shortest (thank heavens!) sessions in many months this evening, with the mayor citing a proclamation noting the upgrading of the Masonic Theatre, town councilpersons thanking citizens for their extensive and generous response to flood aid for West Virginia victims and citizen John Hillert telling the council about the interesting events planned for the weekend at the renovated Masonic Theatre. (For the full text of the mayor's proclamation, see below). In other action, the council: • approved the minutes of the meetings of June 14 and 21st by unanimous vote. • unanimously approved an appropriation resolution dealing with the fact that the town had received two grants for a broadband study which needed to be included in the budget for the current year. The Department of Housing and Community Development awarded the town $50,000 and the Alleghany Foundation awarded a grant of $7500 for the effort. It was unanimously approved. • all town department reports were unanimously approved (for their full text, see other stories on AlleghanyJournal.com). • Iron Gate resident Chuck Unroe was unanimously appointed to a term on the Clifton Forge Library Board. • council also formally reinstated to town code sections, mistakenly left out the Code of Ordinances, which were recodified in April, 2015. Both dealt with the procedures of owners of dogs and cats getting their wandering animals back if proper fees were paid and inoculations proved as well as the right for the town to dispose of these same animals after a specified period. • the Summer Meals Program for kids began on June 6, 2016 and will continue through July 28, 2016 at the Clifton Forge Fire Station from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meals will be provided to all children 18 years or younger free. • Town office will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2016 for the Independence Day holiday. • the Public Library will host a Zika virus program on Wednesday, June 29th at 6 p.m. • summer reading programs will be held on July 6, July 12, July 20, July 27th from 11 a.m.- noon. • Jammin' at the Mill will be held at the Clifton Forge School for the Arts on Friday, July 21, at 7 p.m. • Open Mic night will be held at the Masonic Amphitheatre on Friday, July 29th at 7 p.m. Town Manager Comments Town Manager Darlene Burcham noted the many local donations for flood relief victims as a result of the past week's heavy rains in neighboring West Virginia and noted donation stations that were being organized. She also mentioned the ribbon cutting ceremony planned for the updated Masonic Theatre and associated events planned for the weekend. Listen to her full comments at Burcham Updates Council On June 28 2016. Council Comments Councilman Jeff Irvine noted a recently-received $8,000 grant for the Clifton Forge water plant and said that the recent citizen donations had made him "very proud." Councilwoman Johnette Roberts also thanked local citizens for their flood relief donations and noted the special events planned for the reopening of the Masonic Theatre. Councilman Bob Umstead indicated that he was "never surprised at how Clifton Forge citizens respond to tragedies." Councilwoman Gayle Hillert asked citizens to "keep our neighbors in our hearts and minds" and Mayor Carl Brinkley noted a First Citizens Bank effort to host a special fund for a local employee who had "lost everything (unfortunately, including several family members)." "We have seen a tragedy like this...even 1985 wasn't as bad at this," he remarked. He indicated that supplies of all types, even furniture and more needs to be made. At the end of the meeting, citizen John Hillert, a significant player in the entire Masonic Theatre renovation effort, thanked council for its support and asked that citizens enjoy the many special events planned for the weekend. A video of his complete remarks are available by clicking here. * * * * * * * Mayor's Proclamation Whereas, Low Moor Lodge No. 166, A. F. & A M. was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on July 3, 1880; and Whereas, the Brethren of Low Moor Lodge envisioned the design, erection and operation of a Masonic Hall and Opera House to be located in the City (now Town) of Clifton Forge, Virginia; and Whereas, the original Cornerstone of the Masonic Hall and Opera House was laid with full Masonic Honors on July 4, 1905, by the Officers and Brethren of Low Moor Lodge; and Whereas, the Masonic Hall and Opera House has undergone a $6.3 million + renovation and has been renamed the Historic Masonic Theatre; and Whereas, the Historic Masonic Theatre has invited the Brethren of the 23rd District, consisting of Millboro Lodge No. 28, Covington Lodge No. 171, and Clifton Forge Lodge No. 166 (successor to Low Moor Lodge No. 166), to help celebrate the preservation and renovation of the oldest continuously operating theatre in Virginia; and Whereas, the Brethren of the 23rd Masonic District will celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Historic Masonic Theatre with a re-enactment of the Masonic Ceremony for the Laying of the Cornerstones on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 3 p.m, followed by a reception and dinner. Now, therefore, I, Carl Brinkley, Mayor of the Town of Clifton Forge, Virginia, do hereby proclaim Saturday, July 30, 2016, Historic Masonic Theatre Cornerstone Re-Enactment Day throughout the Town of Clifton Forge. Given under our hands and the seal of the Town of Clifton Forge, this 28th day of June, 2016.

* * * * *