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2006 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 389
Commending Harold G. Linkous.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 3, 2006
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2006

 

WHEREAS, Harold G. Linkous, respected citizen and revered mayor of the Town of Christiansburg, retires in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Harold Linkous was born in the Vicker area of Montgomery County and moved with his family to Christiansburg when he was seven years old; and

WHEREAS, Harold Linkous graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1945; entered the United States Navy during World War II to serve his country, first in the gunnery division on the USS Wisconsin (BB 64), and then on the USS Bennington (CV-20) in Honolulu, helping train pilots to land on an aircraft carrier; and

WHEREAS, after his military service, Harold Linkous attended Virginia Southern College and decided to settle in Christiansburg and work for the Postal Transportation Service; and

WHEREAS, Harold Linkous had various duties within the Post Office and served as a rural route carrier, loyally serving the areas of Christiansburg, Riner, and Pilot until his retirement in 1986; and

WHEREAS, knowing he would be an excellent elected representative for the citizens of Christiansburg, friends coaxed Harold Linkous to run for Town Council in 1970; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the postal service, Harold Linkous ran successfully for mayor of the Town of Christiansburg and with the help of the mayor of the Town of Blacksburg, forged strong and effective bonds between the two localities and with leaders and residents that were beneficial to both communities; and

WHEREAS, Harold Linkous' mission as mayor was to maintain a "high quality of life for the citizens of Christiansburg, while also bringing industry to the area that would keep our young folks here"; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Christiansburg experienced rapid growth and increased prosperity, and due to Harold Linkous' vision and excellent leadership, the town evolved into a dynamic retail hub for the region; and

WHEREAS, in 1988 Harold Linkous helped orchestrate the annexation process that added approximately 2,727 residents and approximately 5.45 square miles of land to the Town of Christiansburg; and

WHEREAS, Harold Linkous was invaluable in the establishment of a new rescue squad building; the award-winning Christiansburg Recreation Center; a $13 million wastewater treatment plant expansion; the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority; the Regional Airport Authority; and a new $2.2 million Town Hall, which was funded by using a portion of the meals and lodging taxes so that citizens experienced no tax increase or new debt in order to build the facility; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Linkous has received numerous awards over the years for his superb leadership, including the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce's highest award, the Distinguished Citizen of the Year; and

WHEREAS, a visionary leader, Harold Linkous has served the community of Christiansburg with dignity and wisdom; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Harold G. Linkous on his outstanding and lengthy career in public service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Harold G. Linkous as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his dedication to the citizens of the Town of Christiansburg and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.