A tribute to Martin Luther King by students from the Windy Hill After School Program drew rapt attention, a breath-holding silence, and then cheers (and some tears) from all those attending this Thursday's Middleburg Town Council Meeting. Mayor Tim Dimos formally accepted art work and affirmations on the theme, "I have a dream" from six (Jazzmen Huff, Brendan Martyn, Ann Charity Daly, Anthony McNeil, Javier Ramos, Brieona Huff) Windy Hill students, who had worked on the project and presentation with AmeriCorps volunteers Sara Foughner and Chirstina Chun, and Middleburg Town Council Member Eura Lewis. (See picture on page 25)

Salamander Relocation

In a short January 12 session, the Council also unanimously adopted a resolution to endorse in principle a repositioning of the Salamander Resort and Spa on the 342-acre Salamander Development property and to assign town staff to work out details with the developer. The proposed change of plans, outlined in detail by Salamander last December 7 and 8, would require less grading and land disturbance than the original plan, would save nearly 16 acres of forest from destruction, accommodate continued use of the property by the Middleburg Hunt, shift the main entrance to the Spa away from it's neighbors to the north, and create a buffer zone along that northern boundary.

Elections

Town Administrator Mike Casey noted that Town Council Elections will be held on May 2, 2006, to fill the expiring terms of Mayor Tim Dimos, Vice-mayor Betsy Davis, Darlene Kirk, Margaret New, and Mark Snyder. Those interested in running for office must be residents of the Town and file registration forms by Tuesday, March 7, at the Registrar's Office in Leesburg. Monday, April 3, is the deadline for voter registration.

Parking

The Council unanimously adopted new parking policies, designed to increase turnover in the parking spaces in the main business district. Increased meter rates (50-cents-per-hour) and shorter times (a two-hour limit) are projected for downtown spaces, along with intensified efforts to let people know about alternative parking. Rates will remain unchanged at other meters. New meters and landscaping are also due for installation at the new Liberty Street Parking lot before the end of January.

Vultures

The town continues to try to address the problem of roosting buzzards in the Ridgeview area and at the town water tower. A combination of carbide cannon fire and air-burst ammunition appear to be having little noticeable effect on the birds.

Police Activity

Police Chief Steven Webber reported a quiet December in Middleburg, with only 91 calls for service. A new full-time officer will be added to the force in February. A twelve-year Florida-trained veteran, the new officer will bring Chief Webber's full-time force to four.

Waiver of Fees for Elderly Housing

A request from the Windy Hill Foundation for the waiver of $9,900 in development fees drew an objection from Council Member Margaret New and an admonishment of New by Mayor Dimos.

The non-profit Windy Hill Foundation requested that the town waive its fees for three reasons, over and above the obvious one of promoting lost cost housing for the elderly: 1) The Foundation is in competition for over $2,000,000 in Federal funding, and a sign of support from the Town would improve it's application; 2) The County would be more inclined to waive its fees, (possibly as much as $40,000) if the Town of Middleburg did so; and 3) The Foundation is a Tax Exempt organization and it's status is up for renewal, this time by County instead of State authorities. A vote of support by the Town, Windy Hill argued, would help.

Only Town Council member Margaret New objected to the waiver, arguing that the Council had no business taking money out of Town Taxpayers' pockets and, further, that the Town had already "given" the Foundation some $4,000. She termed the motion to waive the fees " a poor precedent."

Betsy Davis noted that a waiver of fees, strictly speaking, did not "give away" taxpayer money. Mayor Dimos noted that it was "highly inappropriate" to compare the waiver to funds contributed to Windy Hill by the Health Center Trust.

The motion to waive the fees passed with Council Member Helen Hyre abstaining (because her husband did business with the Foundation) and Margaret New voting against it.