(L to R) Councilwoman Susan Crowder; Councilman David Goff; Linda Morrison, Treasurer of of VFW Post 1033; Councilman Stephen Tucker; Marian Paxton, Senior Vice President of VFW Post 1033; Mayor Raymond C. Hunter, and Councilwoman Susan Wolfe.

Fiscal Year Budget, Proclamation Signing for 'National Wreaths Across America Day' Among Topics at Covington Public Hearing and Work Session By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer Covington, VA (June 2, 2026)— The city of Covington held its regular monthly session for council on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. Among the topics discussed was "National Wreaths Across America Day" coming later in the year on December. Just prior to the session, a called meeting for a public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed Fiscal year budget for 2026-2027. Among those who spoke during the public hearing were Jay Woodson, Vice Chairman for Alleghany County Public Schools (AHPS), to discuss the school budget. "We've collaborated over the last several months on the budget and we submitted a budget that we thought was reasonable considering we have not requested any additional money since the merger of the school systems took place," Woodson said. "Now there was a lot of funding that we had gotten from the state that ran out from that merger, coupled with the fact that, as you all are very much aware, the inflation over that time period has been quite significant.. What I'm here to ask for today is, please go through your budget with a fine-toothed comb, and please consider any additional funding that you can provide the school system. Our desire is to use it wisely, our desire is to use it in a way that can help build this economy." Afterwards, the work session was held which included approving the agenda, the city manager's report from Allen Dressler, and a proclamation signing by Covington City Council. The proclamation was to designate December 19 as "National Wreaths Across America Day." As it's stated on the proclamation, Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992." The proclamation also states that "Wreaths Across America's yearlong mission is to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH the next generation the value of freedom.... THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Council of the City of Covington, Virginia, does hereby proclaim Saturday, December 19, 2026, as National Wreaths Across America Day in the City of Covington, and extends its sincere appreciation to all veterans, active-duty service members, Gold Star Families, and the volunteers of Wreaths Across America for their service, sacrifice, and continued commitment to honoring those who have served our nation." City Manager Dressler also answered inquiries from council person Susan Crowder about a pesky groundhog issue and councilman Allan Tucker about citizen concerns about the layout of parking spaces at the mid city mall. Dressler indicated he'd speak with engineers about what might be possible on the parking lot issue.

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