Public commenters raise concerns about library brochure removal, county tourism coverage and new Haystack Mountain development

Public comment at the meeting focused on three community issues: (1) removal of an annual Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization brochure from several county library branches, (2) the organization—s omission from a county tourism magazine despite prior coordination, and (3) neighbor concerns about tree clearing and potential land-stability and drainage impacts from new house construction on Skyview Drive.

John Taylor, president of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, told commissioners the organization had provided its yearly newsletter to county library branches and found stacks removed or missing from circulation racks. Taylor said a branch manager told him the materials "didn't fit the library's agenda" and that he expects Alleghany County library leadership to investigate and restore the materials. Library system representative John Talbot (library system staff) responded during the meeting: three branch managers flagged that the brochure may not match the community bulletin-board policy and Talbot said he would follow up and respond to Mr. Taylor early next week.

Taylor also raised a second issue: he said the county tourism department declined to place a full-page ad or feature the organization in the current County Mountain Maryland tourism magazine despite earlier discussions. Taylor said he had spent time coordinating materials with the tourism director and that neither the organization—s ad nor its events were included in the printed publication; staff noted a QR code in the tourism product links to many county events but Mr. Taylor said many of his organization's members do not use QR codes and prefer a printed listing.

Separately, resident Peggy Keane described ongoing clearing and heavy-equipment staging on Skyview Drive and expressed concern about runoff, soil stability and the potential for damage to older houses downslope. She said heavy machinery had been parked on the property for weeks, mature trees had been removed, and a nearby rental home showed signs of prior settling and wall cracking. Keane asked the commissioners to view the site and to confirm what approvals and site reviews were completed before the clearing.

Board response and follow-up: Commissioner Atkinson asked county staff to be included on any communications with Mr. Taylor, and Library Director John Talbot said he would investigate and reply. County Administrator Jason Bennett said he and staff had discussed the tourism-publication issue with Mr. Taylor and that the tourism office had used a QR code strategy for the print product; Bennett said the county would follow up. Commissioners did not take direct action at the meeting but asked staff to report back.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the speakers and asked staff to follow up with the cemetery organization and the resident about library placement, tourism outreach and permitting/erosion controls for the Skyview clearing.