Second Amendment resolution wasn’t the only resolution brought to the table at the Tuesday, Nov. 26, Town of Appomattox workshop meeting. The council members also discussed and approved a resolution that expresses the town’s “intent to refuse becoming a Refugee Sanctuary.”

The resolution explains that an executive order issued by the President of the United States “gives states and localities consideration to be respectful of those communities that may not be able to accommodate refugee resettlement.”

Like the Second Amendment resolution, this resolution also comes on the heels of legislation introduced by the 2019 Virginian General Assembly.

Now that Virginia Governor Ralph Northam expressed his intent to welcome refugees, the concern is that the resettlement of refugees could prove a detrimental strain in some communities.

The Appomattox Town Council is one such community with concern as the resolution states: “... the Appomattox Town Council is concerned about the resettlement of refugees in our municipality and any adverse effects that may cause economically in our community …”

The resolution goes on to say that the town council is deeply committed to fiscal responsibility to the town’s taxpayers and “wishes to express opposition to any refugee resettlement … The Appomattox Town Council wishes to express its refusal to become a Refugee Sanctuary locality, within the limits of the Constitutions of the United States.”

The town council unanimously agreed to move forward with the resolution.

“I think it poses a huge health risk to our communities. It burdens us because we don’t get any money from the state to take care of them,” said Councilman Jonathan Garrett.

The council thanked Garrett for working on the resolution.

Garrett said he crafted the resolution himself as a sample resolution on the issue could not be found.

It was hoped that Appomattox County would also consider signing a similar resolution.

Prior to discussing the resolutions, Appomattox Depot renderings were reviewed by the town council.

Councilmember Claudia Puckette said she thought other matters needed to be prioritized before tackling the Appomattox Depot.

Steven Connor and Mary Lou Spiggle expressed similar concerns about prioritizing projects. They liked the idea of working on the project but understanding that it should be done on a low budget.

“We’ve got too many other pressing projects,” said Puckette.

Conversations will continue in future meetings as the council determines how to handle the train depot revitalization project.

The town voted to approve a community funding application process. The process would require that requests for funding (outside of emergency services) would be due by March 1. It would help the town to establish a budget for each fiscal year.

Town Manager Gary Shanaberger shared that he’s looking to see that financial analysis is conducted for the town.

He thought it would be important to know the town’s financial position.

Garrett and Jeff Elder commended the Appomattox Couty High School students for their involvement in taking the day off to serving the community. Spiggle said the Cornerstone Christian Academy students also were involved in serving the community that day.

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