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Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum was recognized at Tuesday's Christiansburg Town Council meeting for his conduct and leadership during and after the April 16 tragedy. The council presented Flinchum, a Christiansburg native and resident, with a framed copy of a resolution adopted at the Sept. 4 meeting. Mayor Richard Ballengee told the audience that the resolution was "to honor the courage, valor and professionalism of one of our own."

Following public hearings, the council voted to deny a rezoning request by DBL Properties for property at 175 Countrie Road from general business to limited industrial usage. The 2.3-acre parcel is scheduled as commercial property in the future land use map of the town's comprehensive plan.

The council also voted to deny an ordinance in regards to a request by David Nachlas to vacate an unbuilt portion of Front Street. Two High Street residents opposed the request at the public hearings, saying closure of the street would limit access from the back sides of their property. The town administrator also noted that he had received two letters opposing the request.

Following the state's freezing of the car tax in 2006, the council set the reimbursement rate for personal property tax at a 60 percent relief rate for this fiscal year in order to maintain current tax income.

Tacy Newell addressed the council regarding an outdated section of the town code regarding sidewalk sales. Newell, a downtown businesswoman, pointed out that the code calls for approval by the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce for downtown merchants wishing to hold sidewalk sales at special events, such as the recent Wilderness Trail Festival. Because the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce no longer exists as a result of merging with the county chamber, Newell said the code should be examined and rewritten. Councilman Dan Canada asked that the issue be added to the agenda for the council's next regular meeting in October.

Councilman Brad Stipes also asked that an item be added to the next agenda for a resolution supporting the extension of the Huckleberry Trail to the Christiansburg Recreation Center. Stipes reported that the preliminary engineering report on the 2-mile extension is now complete and that the Friends of the Huckleberry group is in the process of securing federal funding for construction. He said federal grants are expected to cover 80 percent of the cost and trail supporters hope to get 20 percent from local sources.

Town Manager Lance Terpenny said that crews are continuing ground work on the new Christiansburg Aquatic Center and that he will be presenting aquatic center logo designs for council's consideration soon.