Council requests fewer signs for bank

by Roger Mannon
Staff Writer

Larry Patton’s last visit to Floyd didn’t go very well. “My last visit to Floyd was in 1970, when I was playing for the Independence High School football team,” he said at Thursday’s Town Council meeting.
“Someone put a foot through my face mask and broke my nose,” he recalled. “I hope nothing like that happens tonight.”
Patton was addressing Council on behalf of FNB, which plans to open its Floyd branch next month. The bank and the town are trying to resolve sign issues.
Patton said FNB is changing its identity to StellarOne after a merger between FNB Corporation and Virginia Financial Group (VFG). A company-wide changeover of signage is set for May 27.
Council recommended four signs for the bank’s Floyd facility, including one pylon sign and three directional signs.
The changeover, Patton said, “is a massive undertaking. We have 80 locations and from ten to 30 signs at each location.
“Branding is very critical for our business,” he continued. “We will add to the tax base, hire employees, and grow in the community. We need the signs for safety, security and information for customers.”
The Town of Floyd is known for its very stringent sign ordinance. “Floyd will have the least number of signs of any of our locations,” Patton commented.
He said the Floyd branch would have a “soft opening” around June 6, and a grand opening in mid-June.
Councilman Will Griffith said the bank’s sign request “has been reduced from 15 to four. That’s a pretty good concession already.”
In other matters, during the public comment period, Dennis Wagner asked if some kind of safety measure could be added for the cross walk at the Country Store. “There have been two near accidents, from driving on cell phones.”
Town manager Mike Maslaney said he had talked with Bob Beasley, resident engineer at Virginia Department of Transportation. “He says they are going to pave Route 8 this summer, so they don’t want to paint anything until after that.”
Town attorney Jim Shortt suggested a temporary measure, similar to the flashing lights along the walkway at Barter Theater in Abingdon, might be an option.
*Frank Hayes of Brain Injury Services asked council to consider adding $1,165 for his organization in the upcoming budget. The service currently has one client in Floyd and would like to expand that number to three.
*Jean Schaeffer asked council to remember the Floyd County Historical Society in the upcoming budget year as the Society will “try to get a museum in the center of town. We’re looking to purchase the Rutrough property and eventually build something.
“There are a lot of needs for preservation and storage, to show the heritage of Floyd. We would be very grateful for any funding.”
Paul LaCoste said pre-registration for the upcoming Tour de Floyd bike ride on May 17th is well above last year’s pace. “We could have double the number this year. This is good for Floyd. People can come back and ride at other times of the year.”