Author: absolutelyalleghany

Nathan Cox – NC Wildlife Officer

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Officer Nathanial James Cox.Class of 2015.

Officer Nathaniel James Cox. Class of 2015.

Since he was in the 9th grade at Ashe County High School, Nathan Cox dreamed of becoming a wildlife officer.  He grew up in a law enforcement family – his father, Jim, retired as a sergeant with the North Carolina Highway Patrol.  His family farmed and hunted and fished.  Since childhood, Nathan has felt a closeness and connectedness to the land.  But, it’s not just any land that arouses this physical and emotional attachment.  The Cox family has lived along the Alleghany/Grayson County (VA) line for 13 generations.

So, back in the 9th grade, Nathan began plotting the course he hoped would lead to him becoming a wildlife officer.  He knew the odds were against him.  The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) only has 208 officers spread across North Carolina’s 100 counties.  The turnover rate is low with roughly 15 officers being hired every two years.  To break into those ranks requires an applicant to stand out from the hundreds that apply for those limited slots.

After high school, Nathan attended Wilkes Community College (WCC), studying criminal justice.  During that time he worked two years at Grayson Highlands State Park near Whitetop, Virginia.  There he was involved in educational programming where he honed his presentation skills, guided hikes and canoe trips, and assisted with search and rescue operations.

Knowing that he needed a strong law enforcement background, Nathan then enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at WCC.  After graduation from that class, he worked part-time at the West Jefferson Police Department.  He then went to full-time employment with the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office and later the Sparta Police Department.  With the conservation and educational background from Grayson Highlands and the law enforcement experience with the local departments, Nathan was ready to pursue his dream job.

Nathan applied and was chosen to attend the wildlife officer recruit training in 2015.  The six month course is housed at the North Carolina Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC.  When asked how he would describe the training, Nathan simply said it was “life changing.”  A typical day began at 5:00 am.  The recruits would roll out of bed, get their rooms straightened up and then be ready for physical training (PT) at 5:30.  PT lasted an hour to an hour and a half.  Then it was back to the room to shower and change into their classroom uniform.  Classes began at 8:00 am and ran until 5:00 pm, though some days the classes may stretch well into the night.  Nathan described the schedule as physically and mentally exhausting.  The recruits applied the classroom instruction in realistic training scenarios. The program was intentionally stress filled – the instructors were demanding and pushed the recruits toward a goal of perfection.

After graduation, Nathan was assigned to Stokes County.  Nathan credits his training officer, DJ Woods, with reinforcing the skills Nathan learned in recruit training.  Officer Woods showed Nathan how to apply those skills in day to day patrol.  Most importantly, Nathan said he learned how to go about the business of enforcing the law while treating people respectfully.

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On March 1st, Nathan begins serving the people of Alleghany County.  He hopes to assist with established programs such as the high school hunter skills program and Hunters Helping Kids.  He said he plans to become a part of the community and seeks to do his job fairly.

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The precedent of local residents’ involvement in wildlife conversation has been repeated many times.  Former Sparta Mayor R. Floyd Crouse was instrumental in forming the NCWRC in 1947 and served as a commissioner with the NCWRC from 1947 until 1962.  For his dedication, Crouse was named the North Carolina Conservationist of the Year in 1962 by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.  WC Phipps left Alleghany County in the 1960s and went on to long career as a wildlife officer in Davie County.  Many other Alleghany citizens continue those conservation efforts today through various sportsmen groups.

A connection to the land that stretches back three centuries and a community of people who value the natural world – this is foundation upon which Nathan Cox’s career will be built.  He sums it up quite succinctly in a drawl that is familiar to all in northwestern North Carolina – “The mountains are in my blood.”

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For more information on how to become a NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer click here

To report wildlife or boating violations call 1-800-662-7137.

Sheriff Bryan Maines – Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office

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mainesBryan Maines’ roots run deep into the mountains of Alleghany – his family has been here for generations.  A 20+ year veteran of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office, he worked his way through a variety of roles within the department.  He recently completed his first year as sheriff.  I recently sat down with him to review the accomplishments of his first year in office.  Specifically, we talked about new programs that he has initiated or expanded.

Are You Ok?

During his years as a deputy, Sheriff Maines had numerous experiences in which someone called the sheriff’s office and asked them to check on a family member who was responding to a telephone call.  These were often older adults, many of whom lived alone.  Deputies often arrived to find the person had fell and many times laid in the floor for hours before help arrived. In the Are You Ok? program, anyone who is homebound or mobility impaired can register and receive a computer generated call each day at a prearranged time.  If the person fails to answer, a series of checks take place ultimately resulting with a deputy responding to conduct a welfare check.  The program is designed to improve response time in the event someone has an unreported emergency.  The initial cost of the equipment for this program was $1000.

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Drug and Violence Prevention Program

Sheriff Maines recognizes that having a true impact on crime and ensuring a sense of public safety requires a multifaceted approach.  While his department works assertively to attack crime head on through making arrests, Sheriff Maines also recognizes the role of crime prevention strategies.  Through the Drug and Violence Prevention Program, 5th graders in Alleghany County Schools are taught the negative consequences of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse.  The program also communicates a strong anti-bullying message.  Most important, the students are taught strategies on how to avoid these activities.

Domestic Violence Grant

The sheriff office applied for and received a $100,000 grant that funds two full-time deputies whose duties are focused on domestic violence and sexual assault crimes.  These officers ensure that all sexual offenders are properly entered into the sexual offender registry (this allows anyone to determine if there are sexual offenders in their neighborhood).  The deputies also follow-up on instances of domestic violence and help the families receive assistance in order to prevent future acts of violence. This is a one year grant that must be renewed each year to continue the funding.

Schools

Every school in the county has a deputy visit the school each day.  Sheriff Maines points out that this is not just a quick pass through the parking lot.  The deputies actually go into the schools and spend time getting to know the students.  The visits are equal parts school safety and building relationships in the community.

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Sheriff Maines with Scout Troop 2795

Patrol

Deputies currently patrol 150-200 miles per 12-hour shift.  These patrols have crime detection and crime prevention elements that are intended to keep the community safe.  Sheriff Maines encourages the deputies to get out of their patrol vehicles and to spend time getting to know the people in these communities.

Patrol Vehicles

Five pickup trucks have been rotated out of service and replaced with all-wheel drive vehicles.  These vehicles are more fuel efficient and will result in lower operational costs.  Three more vehicles are in transit and will replace three additional trucks in the near future.  The cost of these new vehicles is covered in part by monies seized as the result of drug arrests.

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Future Goals

  • Reduce Recidivism – The rate of people returning to jail or prison after their release is high. Sheriff Maines wants to address the causative issues and reduce the instances of people falling back into criminal behavior.
  • Community Outreach – Sheriff Maines wants to expand his outreach programs to keep the public better informed. He currently uses social media, speaking to civic groups, the local newspaper and other sources to make the public aware of scams and other potential criminal activity.
  • Church Security Program – Unfortunately, churches are easy targets for criminals. Sheriff Maines wants to offer consulting to churches so they can work to keep their congregations safe.
  • Internet Safety – The recent murder of a young girl in neighboring Virginia reinforces the fact that the Internet can be a dangerous place. Sheriff Maines plans to offer awareness training for families so that all family members can use the Internet safely.

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Two words surface frequently when Sheriff Maines discusses the mindset and focus of the sheriff’s office – proactivity and prevention.  High visibility patrol, a strong visual presence in the courthouse, early intervention and prevention programs, relationship building with citizens of all ages are just a few of the methods used to keep the citizens of Alleghany County safe.  Sheriff Maines is quick to point out that it is a dedicated staff of deputies, detention officers, telecommunicators, and administrative staff that provide this public service.  It may all be summed up as simply neighbors looking out for neighbors.  It is a practice found throughout our county and a trait that is Absolutely Alleghany.

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For more information visit www.alleghanysheriff.org

The photos used were retrieved for the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Peggy Choate – The Town of Sparta

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In 1965, despite operating for six years under a federal mandate to desegregate the public schools of Virginia,  over 223,000 of the 235,000 black students in Virginia still attended segregated schools. That year, Peggy Choate enrolled in the first grade in a school in Pulaski, Virginia.  She was the only black student in the entire school.  Peggy’s mother explained to her that, “Times are changing; it’s time we change too.”  Peggy’s father reinforced this notion of equality.  A minister, he often pointed out that regardless of a person’s background or skin color, “People are people.”

Respect for others; the fortitude to make the hard, right choice; the ability to adapt and change; and recognizing opportunities when they present themselves. Those values that formed the foundation of Peggy’s life.

Some years later, Peggy attended a church service with a friend.  She looked over the group and spied Alleghany County native, Jack Choate.  Peggy turned to her friend and said, “There is my future husband.”  Peggy and Jack were introduced and began dating.  After a brief courtship of a few months they were married and settled down in Alleghany County.

Peggy had graduated from New River Community College with a degree in secretarial science. In Alleghany, the job market was somewhat limited so she soon found herself working in a textile sewing plant.  Sometime later, she switched over to the Hanes plant where she continued to sew for eight years.

As the Hanes plant transitioned to new ownership under Sara Lee, Peggy was promoted to supervisor and team trainer.  She describes those years as ones of substantial professional development for her.  She learned the value of honest performance feedback and how to lead a team of diverse individuals toward accomplishing a common purpose.  She learned the principles of conflict resolution and problem solving.  And though there were sometimes personality conflicts that came into play, she recalled her father’s words to respect others because “people are people” regardless of their differences.

The plant underwent one final change when Spring Ford Industries took over the Sara Lee operations.  Peggy continued to climb through the supervisory ranks to become the plant manager.  The plant closed around 2000 and Peggy was offered a job in a Spring Ford plant in Mexico.  She turned down that opportunity – Alleghany County was home.

While working at Spring Ford, Peggy enrolled in Gardner Webb University’s GOAL (Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners) Program to study accounting.  Her layoff allowed her to focus on her studies and to spend time volunteering at Glade Creek Elementary School. She says the school provided a great educational experience for her two sons and she wanted “give back” to that community.

In 2002, Peggy was hired by the Blue Ridge Business Development Center.  Patrick Woodie was just getting the organization off the ground and brought Peggy on as the general manager.  In late 2005, she took her current position with the Town of Sparta as the clerk/finance officer.

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Conversation with Peggy seems to always circle back to her family.  She describes a trip a few years back when they took her 101 year old grandmother (she lived to 106) to Maine to visit her son – Peggy’s uncle.  She talks with pride about her husband Jack who is a self-employed building contractor.  And of course she is a proud mother and grandmother.

Family values, persistence when faced with adversity, and strong community ties.  Peggy Choate lives those values every day in a way that is Absolutely Alleghany.

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Winter on the Blue Ridge Parkway

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When considering outdoors recreation in Alleghany County, most visitors tend to think in terms of warm weather activities: float trips down the New River; trout fishing in one of many high quality trout streams; golfing on premier mountain golf courses; or hiking on the miles of trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway or in Stone Mountain State Park.

But, for wintertime recreation, most thoughts shift to the ski slopes of Watauga County or even West Virginia.  That’s unfortunate, because winter sports can be enjoyed right here in Alleghany County. During inclement weather, the Blue Ridge Parkway closes to traffic from Milepost 234 to just beyond Doughton Park.  This presents nice opportunities to utilize the Parkway in nontraditional fashion.

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from roanokeoutside.com

There is nothing as quiet as a snowy hike.  Whether it is simply a matter of pulling on a pair of warm boots or strapping on a set of snowshoes, the Parkway is the perfect place to enjoy the quiet and solitude of a recent snowfall.

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from highcountrync.com

Cross country skiing is another way to take advantage of gentle gains and decreases in elevation along the Parkway.  Away from the crowds on the slopes near Boone, it is possible to glide along the Parkway and encounter few other people.

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from smokymountainrider.com

Remember to dress in layers since temperatures can vary widely.  Also, when parking, be sure to not block gates or access roads.  Otherwise, have fun!

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TJ Worthington

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This blog began as a way to communicate the essence of what it means to live and work in Alleghany County.  It is an effort to try and capture the values of the people who call this place home.  Though they come from various stations in life, and are a mixture of those with deep and swallow roots into these mountains, collectively they define Absolutely Alleghany.

Two days ago, as I considered a new post, I ran through a mental list of possible subjects.  I made a phone call to one and we set up an appointment for next week.  I emailed a man who had been suggested to me.  So, there were two possibilities.

Then I thought that maybe I should write about TJ Worthington.

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TJ Worthington

After all, I had known TJ for 14 or 15 years.  I knew his “story” or at least the basics.  And spending time with him was always enjoyable.  But, TJ would always be around so I pushed the thought back and figured to save him for another day.

Then, I heard yesterday that TJ died.

As I considered that previous line, I wondered how TJ would like his death referenced.  I could have went with, “TJ has passed” or that “He is no longer with us” – both held some possibility. “He has crossed over” or “Gone on” both have that element of journey that captures how TJ approached life.  Surely he would have liked a musical metaphor that he is now “resting high on that mountain.”  Those descriptors help soften the impact of his unexpected loss.  I believe TJ would say, “Keep it simple and get to the point.”

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That struggle for phrasing may sum up the dichotomy of TJ’s life.  He managed to simultaneously live an extremely simple and basic life while being one of the most intensely intellectual and creative people I have ever known.  He loved traditional mountain and punk rock music (TJ once told me that old-time music was the original punk rock) – he posted videos of both on his YouTube channel.  He watched foreign films and read poetry and watched NASCAR racing on Sunday afternoons.  He was a painter who continually experimented with color and mediums.  At first glance at his paintings seem minimal and simplistic – closer examination reveals texture and depth and life springing from those “simple” images.  He posted to his blog, Waterfall Road, almost daily though he shrugged off most of life’s structure.  He was something of a hermit who loved people.

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Tom Pruitt by TJ Worthington

I had many conversations with TJ over the years.  He told me about growing up in Kansas, a stint in the Navy, college, life in Charleston, a marriage that didn’t work, numerous jobs, moving to Whitehead, and his thoughts on painting and writing.  There were holes or gaps in his stories.  Real life is like that – some things should be forgotten or laid to rest.  He suggested books for me to read – not in a “You need to read this” kind of way.  It was more along the lines of, “This may give you a different perspective.”

We disagreed on a number of topics.  We offered differing viewpoints on political, social, and spirtual issues.  Those times when we disagreed seemed to be the most enjoyable conversations.  Those conversations were never debates – we accepted the different points of view without feeling a need to try and convince the other that their opinion was wrong.  It was okay to have differences with TJ.

TJ experienced life more deeply than most.  His painting and writing reflected raw emotion.  He described being at a punk rock concert and how he “felt the energy” of the music and the crowd.  He “felt” his paintings more than he saw them.  Mountain music moved him because “felt” the emotion of the musician.  This emotional component was especially evident in his relationships with others.

TJ loved the mountains.  It may be more accurate to say he loved the people of the mountains.  He loved the independent yet interdependent nature of his neighbors.  He recognized that his Whitehead friends, whom he described as some of the most intelligent people he had ever known, owed that knowledge to life rather than formal education.  He credited folks like Tom Pruitt with getting him through his early years on the county.  He would often tell how Junior Maxwell taught him more about life and how to live than any other single person.

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The Little River Boys – Junior Maxwell on banjo – by TJ Worthington

Maybe TJ himself summed up his life philosophy best in a blog post on 12/31/15:

“Throughout my life I have attempted to understand people not me, from foreigners to everyone I know. I am my own political correctness cop open to understanding others the best I’m able, receiving every individual in my life as he or she is within themselves. Another way of saying I go in peace. I don’t use any of the disrespectful names, except for the humor of irony with close friends who understand where I’m coming from. Like you. And this comes from a basic ethic to regard others with respect if I want respect in turn. Respect boomerangs. Disrespect boomerangs. It’s my choice in every moment of every day.”