Callaghan Market & Supply

01/31/2023

Wendy Beard

09/11/2019

To all those who agree please SHARE and comment.

The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors failed to stand with 10 other Counties west of Interstate 81, who were opposed to a Regional gas tax increase of 7 cents a gallon to fund improvements to I-81. The main objection is why should residents of these counties pay this tax when they hardly ever use I-81. The fairest way to fund I-81 improvements would be use of Tolls.

Gas is a highly competitive business and will be purchased along with other items that offer the best value. Probably no other County is affected more then Alleghany! Think about it this way, how many people work here (Westrock, Healthcare and other Industries) and live in West Virginia and other Counties. I would venture to say that is almost 50 percent of those who work here and no longer will patronize Covington and Alleghany County businesses.

What a huge loss in dollars to to local businesses Alleghany County's tax base. Don't be alarmed if the county increases taxes on our businesses and residents.

09/06/2019

Supervisors Steer Clear Of I-81 Tax

Thursday, September 5, 2019 5:00 AM

LOW MOOR — Alleghany County will remain neutral in a debate over an increase in its fuel tax to fund improvements to Interstate 81.

Alleghany County was asked to join other localities that Interstate 81 does not pass through in urging the General Assembly to re-evaluate the tax legislation, which went into effect in July.

The tax of appropriately 7 cents affects localities along the I-81 corridor, as well as a dozen counties that the interstate does not pass through, including Alleghany and Bath.

Floyd County was the first to adopt a resolution in opposition to the tax. The Floyd County Board of Supervisors acted in July and a resolution was passed on to other localities. Bath County voted last month to support Floyd County’s resolution.

The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors discussed Floyd County’s resolution in August. Tuesday night, a motion to support the resolution died due to a lack of a second.

Two supervisors said improvements to Interstate 81 will benefit Alleghany County.

“We are quite dependant on I-81,” said Clifton Forge East Supervisor Joan Vannorsdall.

Supervisor Chairman Steve Bennett agreed, saying that the WestRock paper mill in Covington ships approximately 450,000 tons of paper per year on trucks that travel I-81 on their way to ports in Newport News.

“I believe that we put more trucks and more product on I-81 than any other locality in the state of Virginia,” Bennett said.

The regional tax was created in April when the General Assembly passed budget amendments from Gov. Ralph Northam that are designed to pay for I-81 improvements.

The amendments include several steps, such as the addition of a 2.1 percent wholesale tax on gas and diesel in localities along the I-81 corridor.

The I-81 corridor fund will receive about $60 million a year from the regional fuel tax, which is being levied in 36 jurisdictions.

Interstate 81 stretches approximately 325 miles between Bristol and the West Virginia line just north of Wi******er.

Vannorsdall said the tax is similar to regional taxes approved by the General Assembly in 2013 for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened in Virginia,” she said.

And, she added: “It’s a done deal for it to be overturned.”

The money generated will go directly toward funding $2 billion of road improvements. Sections of I-81 will be widened, access ramps will be lengthened and curves will be improved.

“[The money] will be spent in our part of the state. If this [tax] went statewide, we wouldn’t get two cents out of it,” said Bennett, in arguing that the money would be redirected to Northern Virginia and Tidewater.

Vice Chairman Cletus Nicely said it’s pointless to oppose the tax, but he feels that Alleghany County is “getting left out in the cold,” by the I-81 legislation.

“This is solely for the I-81 corridor. We are kind of getting left out in the cold,” said Nicely, who went on to state that money is needed for transportation projects that directly benefit Alleghany County.

Covington District Supervisor James Griffith urged the board to consider supporting Floyd County’s resolution in opposition to the regional fuel tax. His motion to support the resolution did not receive a second.

“We had a good, open discussion,” Bennett said.

08/26/2019

08/21/2019

https://www.facebook.com/330641537286442/posts/926885924328664/?sfnsn=mo

****Attention Loudoun County Residents****

This coming Monday night we will see the Loudoun County Republican Party will stand and defend the 2nd Amendment, and nearly half of the Bill of Rights...or not.

You see the Loudoun County Executive Committee meeting is being held on the 26th at 7pm in the Dulles Room of the County Government Building on Harrison Street in Leesburg.

At this meeting we will be debating whether or not to adopt a resolution in defense of the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments of the United States Constitution and in opposition to Red Flag of Tyranny Gun Confiscation Schemes.

We all know how unconstitutional and tyrannical these Red Flag laws are.

It certainly is not a free country where law abiding citizens can have their door kicked in at 3am in the morning, their dog shot, and a heavily armed SWAT team confiscating all their fi****ms without due process or their day in court.

Which is exactly whey we must take a stand now.

I introduced the following resolution for adoption by the Loudoun County Republican Party at this coming Monday evening's meeting-


'Whereas, the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed; and



Whereas, the 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution states “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized”; and



Whereas, the 5th Amendment of the United States Constitution states “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation”; and



Whereas, the 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution states “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence”; therefore



Resolved, the Loudoun County Republican Committee stands steadfast with the constitutionally protected rights of the citizens of Loudoun County; and



Resolved, the Loudoun County Republican Committee resolutely opposes Red Flag Gun Confiscation Laws, otherwise known as “Extreme Protection Acts” including the Threat, Assessment, Prevention and Security Act (TAPS); and



Resolved, the Loudoun County Republican Committee requires that all Republican elected representatives and candidates in Loudoun County oppose these unconstitutional schemes; and



Resolved, that the Chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee shall cause copies of this resolution to be disseminated to all Republican members of the General Assembly, and to the media.'


And let us be honest here, the exact actions Red Flag of Tyranny Laws create is why we fought the American Revolution against a totalitarian government.

And sitting back and allowing politicians to enact Red Flag laws is a slap in the face to all the patriots who fought and died to create this Country.

It is that simple.

Which is why I am asking you, if you support not only the right to bear arms, but also the right to due process, to be secure in your life liberty and property and to uphold the long standing right of free people to face your accuser, you need to show up Monday at 7pm and voice your support of this resolution.

The right of due process, enshrined in the Constitution and dating back to the Magna Carta in 1215, is the hallmark of Western Civilization..

Under many state “Red Flag” laws, legal fi****ms can be seized from law-abiding gun owners based on an unsubstantiated accusation from an anti-gun family member, ex-partner, or neighbor.

With no due process or presumption of innocence, they can ask the government to authorize seizure and send a SWAT team to show up at your door at 5 in the morning with ex parte orders to barge in and take your guns.

No notification. No due process.

And these orders have been issued over 1800 times already in many states.

This is the exact opposite of what liberty, freedom and the rule of law looks like. In fact, while claiming to attempt to reduce violence, these laws have already caused the death of one Maryland resident, who woke up with armed men beating his door in and responded with his legally owned firearm.

The police shot him to death.

And yet right here in Virginia, many so called conservatives are either folding under to the howling mob, or refusing to stand for nearly half of the Bill Rights!

I don't know about you, but I cannot simply sit back and allow these rights to be trampled.

Which is why I am asking you, if you support the very basic principles of our Republic, that you show up this coming Monday, August 26th, at 7pm at the Dulles Room of the Loudoun County Government Building in Leesburg, and voice your support.

I have heard rumors that some candidates running under the 'R' label are opposed to this resolution. Maybe they are hoping that the anti-gun radicals cross the lines and vote for them, or maybe they truly do not support your personal liberty?

But even worse, and what should worry you the most, is if they will not stand up for the Bill of Rights now as a candidate, one can bet they will vote against these Rights once elected.

Which is why I am asking for your support.

Attempting to hide our conservative values, pushing the vote on the resolution off till after the election or even opposing it is the actions of politicians, not statesmen and stateswomen.

Every generation has that moment in which they must decide to defend freedom, or allow it to be ripped away for all future generations.

And that is where we find ourselves today.

We have been blessed with the freedom and liberty to live under the Constitution, preserved for us by generations of patriots, many of which fought and died for these cherished principles.


Will we just sit back and let them be ripped away?

If not, I hope to see you on Monday.

In Liberty,

S. Chris Anders
Director
Virginia Constitutional Conservatives

08/20/2019

Death and taxes are the only guarantees we have in life. So if you own a business, one or the other will put you out of business!!!

08/18/2019

MORE INFO ON WHERE OUR GAS TAX MONEY IS GOING TO BE USED. WE NEED TO REPEAL THIS LEGISLATION AND SET A SYSTEM OF TOLLS ON INTERSTATES AND LET THOSE WHO USE THEM PAY FOR USE, THE SAME AS OTHER STATES DO

In the 2018 session, under the leadership of Senator Mark Obenshain and Delegate Steve Landes, supported by myself and other Conservative Republicans all along the I-81 corridor, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring a study of the project needs in the I-81 corridor, and funding options to implement them. During the 2019 session, Sen. Obenshain and Del. Landes carried legislation to establish the I-81 Commission, which will oversee the prioritization of the long-overdue improvements to Route 81. The Governor offered last-minute amendments to these bills, which were adopted in April. These established a regional gas tax in the I-81 Corridor (identical to the tax in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads), as well as state-wide truck registration, road tax (for trucks) and diesel tax increases. The share of the state-wide increases which is attributable to the share of state-wide interstate truck traffic on I-81 (about 43%) will be dedicated to the I-81 Corridor fund, to pay for projects in the I-81 Corridor plan.



Regional funding:

The Governor's amendments imposed a 2.1% regional fuels tax along 81 corridor, including the following jurisdictions, outlined in the map below:

Counties of: Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Highland, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Smyth, Warren, Washington, WytheCities of: Bristol, Buena Vista, Covington, Galax, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Waynesboro, Wi******er



About the I-81 Corridor and it's Challenges

The I-81 Corridor has been over-capacity for decades, and carries over 42% of all the truck traffic on all the Interstates in the Commonwealth; over 11 million trucks per year. There are dozens of incidents each year where at least one direction of the Interstate is shut down for 4 hours or more. Virginia requested federal grant money last year, but due to a lack of dedicated funding coming from Virginia, the grant request was denied. Where is all the Federal money going? Too much of the federal gas tax is diverted to transit etc. and unfortunately, I'm not optimistic that they will fix that and fully fund our interstate highways anytime soon. That means the large multi-billion-dollar interstate construction projects around the Commonwealth are funded primarily by tolls and/or regional taxes. The 2018 Study identified over $4 billion in projects and identified two options for funding them. Regional gas and sales taxes, similar to those in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, OR tolls.

2018 Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Study

The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation studied the entire length of the Interstate 81 corridor in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in accordance with Senate Bill 971 (now 2018 Acts of Assembly Chapter 743).

Feedback provided by members of communities, industries and other stakeholders was considered and the plan was presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for adoption prior to the opening of the 2019 General Assembly session.

You can submit public comments by email to [email protected], by mail to 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by phone at 804-786-2971. You can also submit public comments, view information about the study, and view meeting materials, by visiting http://www.VA81Corridor.org.

The first of a series of meetings to gather public input on safety and congestion concerns on I-81 was held in June. The second series of meetings held in August focused on potential improvements and revenue sources. The third and final series of meetings in October focused on recommended project packages and revenue sources.

Latest News:

June 18, Staff Recommended I-81 Safety and Operational Improvements - The CTB approved a slate of projects from the I-81 Corridor Plan which will be the first to use the new I-81 Corridor revenues. This list includes two deceleration lane projects in Frederick County.

April 9, 2019 Presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board- Includes more details of the statewide and regional tax hikes, as well as information about the I-81 Committee, which will direct the spending of the I-81 Corridor Fund and revisions to the I-81 Corridor Plan

November 30, 2018 - I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan to Include Wi******er-area Widening Today, the Virginia Department of Transportation notified Del. LaRock and other local leaders that widening of I-81 between Exit 313 (Rt. 17/50/522, Millwood Pike) and Exit 317 (Rt. 11, Martinsburg Pike) will be recommended for funding at the December 4-5 meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB)

October, 29, 2018 Presentation to Commonwealth Transportation Board

Interactive Map to Comment on Proposed Projects and Funding Priorities

Other I-81 Information of Interest:

Nov. 6, 2017 - Virginia recently submitted an INFRA grant application for I-81, requesting $52.9 million for a $185.1 million program of improvements. Below is a chart showing the various components. Unfortunately, the federal government did not fund this request.

For the month of August 2017, I-81 at Middletown in Frederick County, truck count total combined North- and South-bound was 676,804.

More information about current I-81 Projects applied for and funded through VDOT's SmartScale program is available here: http://smartscale.org/projects/default.asp

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board

08/18/2019

BATH COUNTY OPPOSES I-81 REGIONAL GAS TAX
August 15,

WARM SPRINGS — An increase in the gasoline tax took effect July 1 for counties on and near the Interstate 81 corridor. Tuesday, the Bath County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing that tax.

“We don’t have an interstate; why should our people pay a 7-cent gas tax?” supervisor Stuart Hall said.

The tax is 7.6 cents per gallon on unleaded gasoline and 7.7 cents on diesel fuel. It was passed by the General Assembly to fund improvements for I-81.

08/15/2019

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/fuel-tax-hike-along-i--takes-effect-july/article_b5e5206b-5a56-5360-b0e2-17a9469a6f31.html

Motorists in counties along, or even near, Interstate 81 will begin paying more for fuel starting July 1.

08/08/2019

Shannon P. Cox District: Boiling Springs Suzanne T. Adcock District: Clifton Forge East Richard Lee Shull District: Clifton Forge West James M.

08/08/2019

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT AND BIG BUSINESSES (PHILIP MORRIS-MARLBORO) OVERREACH:

CLIFTON FORGE — Owners of the Lil Smoke Shop, LLC, in Historic Downtown Clifton Forge, Beverly and Jimmy Little, shuttered the doors on their business Friday after eight years, due to declining sales since the state of Virginia upped the age from 18 to 21 years old to purchase to***co products. (See comments)

07/31/2019

WHY THE ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS IS PAYING ALMOST .08 CENTS GAL GAS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO I-81?
Ralph Northam and some Republican lawmakers tentatively backed a plan to add tolls that could cost as much as $50 for trucks and $25 for cars to use the entire highway. But BUSINESS LOBBIST and TRUCKING LOBBIST strongly opposed tolls, saying it would stifle commerce.
WHAT ABOUT COMMERCE IN ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS?