Work on data center regulations could start soon
Henderson County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider said Tuesday the Henderson Fiscal Court will formally address data centers at a meeting in either July or August.
Schneider noted that Henderson City-County Planning Commission Executive Director Brian Bishop has been researching ordinances regarding data centers.
Most often, an initiative that involve regulations over new developments are originated at the governmental bodies in which members are elected—the fiscal court or Henderson City Commission. Those bodies then send directives to the planning commission which usually includes holding a public hearing or hearings and then making a recommendation to send back to the fiscal court or city commission.
Currently, the planning commission is taking care of regular business at meetings that occur on the first Tuesday of the month as well as holding public hearings that will eventually lead to the development of an ordinance to regulate wind energy conversion systems, or wind farms.
Because of the high amount of work the planning commission is currently undertaking, Schneider said he wanted to speak with David Dixon, the chair of the planning commission, to determine if that body can handle another issue.
Discussions of data centers have already been contentious and controversial in other communities around the state.
IRT personnel share mission statistics
Military personnel who were involved in the recent Green River Wellness Innovative Readiness Training medical mission held at North Middle School stopped in at both local government meetings on Tuesday to talk statistics.
Virginia Air National Guard Lt. Beverly West said that during the June 11-21 mission there were 2,344 human patients and 441 animal patients.
In total, 19,926 procedures were performed for a fair market value of $1.56 million, she said. About half of the value were for dental procedures and $441,000 was attributed to optometry.
Officials said that discussions have begun to bring another mission to the Henderson area in 2028. It wouldn’t be assured and the community would have to go through the application process.
Henderson County Office of Emergency Management Director Kenny Garrett said local officials are in the planning stages.
“Hopefully we’ll get something together for 2028,” he said.
Services provided included:
- Medical, which includes comprehensive medical exams and checks for hypertension and diabetes. Sports physicals for school age athletes are also offered
- Diet/nutrition
- Audiology. Hearing tests are provided using the WAHTS system
- A pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Dental. Most of the procedures are fillings and extractions but there have been some root canals.
- Optometry. Eye exams, retinal imaging, and prescriptions for new glasses.
- Veterinarian services. Veterinarian services were provided at the Henderson County Fairgrounds
City recognizes Delilah Cobb with Community Spotlight
The Henderson City Commission recognized resident Delilah Cobb for her decades of volunteerism, leadership and advocacy.
During her career, Cobb has worked at Gibbs for 38 years and now works in the Henderson employment office. She has served with the United Way and the Sandefur Center, West Home for Girls, Marsha’s Place, Henderson Community College, the YMCA and other organizations, among other work. She’s also active with her church, New Jerusalem Baptist Church. She also was a young participant during the Civil Rights era, participating in sit-ins and demonstrations as a 10-year-old.
“This is a quite an honor for me,” Cobb said. She added that a person doesn’t do work for honor or praise. “You do what needs to be done in the community.” And when that occurs, “You get more back than what you give.”
The city gives out the Community Spotlight award once a month to people or organizations that are doing great work in Henderson.
