Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
Blacksburg Town Council officially met John Clair, Blacksburg’s new police chief, at the beginning of the June 24 meeting.
Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith introduced Clair, who will succeed Chief Todd Brewster when he retires on July 1, Blacksburg announced May 14.
Clair is a U.S. Army Veteran and served as Chief of Police in Quantico, where he helped to restore organizational integrity and launch new public safety initiatives. He also worked as an officer with the Prince William County and Dumfries police departments, and had protective service roles in the Department of Justice and Department of State.
Before being hired as the next Blacksburg Police Chief, Clair worked as Chief of Police in Marion, where he oversaw a #2.1 million budget and 22 sworn officers.
In the announcement of his hiring, Blacksburg noted that Marion saw a 35% reduction in overall crime during his tenure, as well as the launch of community programs focusing on media, local youth and vulnerable populations.
“We are excited to welcome Chief Clair to Blacksburg,” said Town Manager Marc Verniel. “John brings a solid track record of law enforcement leadership and is well known for building trust, developing staff, and practicing community-focused policing. I am confident he will be a great addition to an already outstanding team and will continue to build upon the positive culture in our nationally accredited police department.”
Clair said June 24 that he is ready to “get into the agency and the community” and start making an impact.
“I’m excited to get on board,” he said.
The council also unanimously voted to approve board and committee appointments for the Planning Commission, Recreation Advisory Board, Public Arts Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Building Code Appeals and others at last week’s meeting.
Mayor Hager-Smith said the list is not entirely complete, “but very close.” All of the following appointments were approved:
Melissa Jones to the Blacksburg Planning Commission
Meredith Jones to the Board of Building Code Appeals
Jordan Truesdell to the Board of Building Code Appeals
Jesse Dubrowsky to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Sally Pfeiffer to the Corridor Advisory Committee
Charles Schade to the Corridor Advisory Committee
Gary Buss to the Historic or Design Review Board
Kristen Washco to the Historic or Design Review Board
Lorrin Webb to the Historic or Design Review Board
Kathryn Thompson to the Historic or Design Review Board
Charlie Brouwer to the Public Arts Committee
Jason Hardy to the Public Arts Committee
Matt Hanratty to Onward NRV
Stephen Cole to the Recreation Advisory Board
Mike Kendrick to the Recreation Advisory Board
Jen Lalli to the Recreation Advisory Board
Thomas Schiff to the Recreation Advisory Board
JP Gannon to the Recreation Advisory Board
William Baldwin to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
Rachel Knapp to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
Brandy Faulkner to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
Blacksburg Town Council has several public hearings set for its next meeting on July 8, including on the topics of Rezoning 801 N. Main St.,Clydesview Planned Residential Development and Lowering the Speed Limit on Prices Fork Road, among others.
Find a full list of items to be discussed at www.blacksburg.gov/town-council/meetings/public-hearings.
