The Middleburg Town Council, minus absent members "Bundles" Murdock and Darlene Kirk, unanimously approved a "Proclamation of Appreciation and Recognition" at its August 11, 7:30 PM meeting, honoring Laura and Larry Clark, proprietors of the Wylie Wag, for their "sponsorship, leadership and tireless hard work" in making "Main Street Middleburg's Dog Day in August" a resounding success.

Officials estimated the Saturday, August 6, "first annual" crowd at 100-150 dogs and 700-800 humans.

To applause and the persistent chirping of a 1-ounce cricket with a 10-pound voice, Mayor Dimos presented an official "Certificate of Appreciation" to the Clarks. The Council also thanked formally more than 60 individuals, businesses, organizations and institutions for their active and enthusiastic support of the event.

Dimos cited the special, safe, positive, family-oriented, tone of the entire day's proceedings, and thanked Officers Matt Ash and David Payne of the Middleburg Police for their outstanding, polite, and friendly approach to managing the day's potentially dangerous mix of happily distracted pedestrians, canine and human, young and old, moving in and out of the day's unusual high-August volume of vehicular traffic.

The Council noted that the day's contests, exhibits, and happy attendees yielded outstanding positive publicity for the town, generated more than $2,000 for local "dog-related charities, and brought a large number of shoppers out on a hot, humid, "dog day" weekend in the traditional sense of the word. At least 200 of the "humans" visited the Town's Visitor Center on North Madison Street, the "Pink Box".

Middleburg Bank Parking Lot Approved

Council Member Margaret New stood alone in opposition to a motion granting the "Special Use Permit" required for the construction of the Middleburg Bank parking lot at 105 West Federal Street.

New told the Council that Don Woodruff of the Hill School had convinced her to oppose the motion, repeating his long-standing contention that the proposed non-permeable asphalt surface of the lot would send high volumes of run-off water into nearby ditches and streams, with potentially disastrous impact on those living downstream. New asked that Middleburg Bank "look into" a permeable surface, one that would allow water to soak through into the ground below, as an alternative to asphalt.

Marchand Schneider, Town Planning and Zoning Administrator, noted that Middleburg Bank had long ago agreed to "look into" the matter, and, indeed, to adopt whatever "best practices" the Town and its engineering consultants recommended. Clay deposits underneath a permeable surface, Schneider noted, produce only "pooling".

Council Member Betsy Davis noted that she, too, was concerned about rain water, had talked to Woodruff, and had assured him that a system to control run-off was already part of the plan for the lot. She also noted that Middleburg Bank had promised to address with dispatch any unexpected problems, should they arise. Given the bank's long history of good corporate citizenship, she said, she felt confident voting "yes." Middleburg Bank reaffirmed its commitment to do whatever was best for the Town.

The motion to approve the permit passed 4-1, with Margaret New opposed.

Salamander Rumblings

During "Public Comments" Middleburg citizen Edward Swain revisited last month's contentious vote in support of adding the Salamander Inn property to the Town.

He thanked the Council for approving the memorandum of understanding with Salamander, with its acceptance in principal of the organization's offer to build a new water system for the town. Council Members who opposed the agreement, Swain noted, should now work with their colleagues, fellow citizens and Salamander to make the project a great success.

The vast majority of both Town and area residents, according to Swain, had favored the agreement. He pointedly warned council members who insist on continuing their opposition to the project that elections are coming. If he is any judge of the Middleburg electorate, he said, persistent opponents and obstructionists will simply be replaced.

Council Members Helen Hyre, Catherine ("Bundles") Murdock, and Margaret New voted against the agreement in July. With Murdock absent, only Hyre replied, indirectly, to Swain's remarks, noting that "outsiders" (i.e. Middleburg area residents who are not eligible to vote) are important to the Town, volunteer in droves to support Town activities like "Dog Day", and deserve a "voice" in Town affairs.

Other Town Business

In other business the Council heard presentations from Kevin and Joanne Hazard the new proprietors of the Middleburg Country Inn, and from John Stout of Element H2O, a distributor of "ultra pure" bottled water.

Motions to authorize solicitation of bids to replace Town water system valves and fire hydrants, to appoint architect David Rosenthal of Rectortown to the Historic District Review Committee, and to support the mission of "Go21", a non-profit working to move heavy freight off roads and on to railroads, passed unanimously.