About West Jefferson
About West Jefferson
History of West Jefferson
West Jefferson developed around the Virginia-Carolina Railroad depot in the early 1900s. Before the railroad and the resulting town, a few families lived in the valley known for its cherry tree orchards. The valley is located between Mount Jefferson to the east and Paddy Mountain to the west. The first ownership of the valley that would become West Jefferson began in 1779 when North Carolina's Governor Richard Caswell granted three hundred twenty acres to Colonel Ben Cleveland, who battled the British at King's Mountain.
Charter
Early Development
Government
The Town of West Jefferson operates at the direction of a five-member Board of Aldermen. The Mayor and Aldermen are elected to four-year, staggered terms. The Board appoints the Town Attorney and Town Manager.
Board of Aldermen
- Tom Hartman, Mayor
- John K. Reeves, Alderman
- Russell W. Barr, III, Mayor Pro Tem
- Calvin Green, Alderman
- Beth Shelton, Alderman
- Stephen Shoemaker, Alderman
Town Attorney
John B. "Jak" Reeves
Town Manager
Town Hall Staff
Rebecca Eldreth, Assistant Town Manager, Town Clerk
Heather Holdaway, Town Finance Officer
Teresa McCoy, Accounting
Technician, Water Billing
Bradley Jordan, Chief of Police
Code of Ordinances
The Town of West Jefferson compiled various ordinances that apply to the Town and can be found by clicking here.
Town Services
Town Meetings
The Board of Aldermen hold regular meetings every first Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Special meetings may be called with forty-eight hours public notice or may be scheduled during regular meetings. Public notice is given by posting the notice of a special meeting on Town Hall’s front door. The public is welcome to attend the Board of Aldermen’s meetings. Amendments must receive the Planning Board’s recommendation either for approval/disapproval prior to going to the Board of Aldermen for their approval/disapproval. The public is welcome to attend the Planning Board’s meetings. Minutes from town meetings are available by clicking here.
Planning Board
- John K. Reeves, Chairman
- Bob Adams, In-town Member
- Russell Barr, III, In-town Member
- Phil Absher, In-town Member
- Melody Rector, In-town Member
- James Ellis, ETJ Member
- Zeb Gambill, ETJ Member
- Vic Gammons, ETJ Member
- Phyllis Hartzog, ETJ Member
- Rick Price, ETJ Member
- Michael Vannoy, ETJ Member
Board of Adjustment
- John K. Reeves, Chairman
- Russell Barr, III, In-town Member
- Calvin Green, In-town Member
- Beth Shelton, In-town Member
- Stephen Shoemaker, In-town Member
- James Ellis, ETJ Member
- Zeb Gambill, ETJ Member
- Vic Gammons, ETJ Member
- Phyllis Hartzog, ETJ Member
- Rick Price, ETJ Member
- Michael Vannoy, ETJ Member
As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Town of West Jefferson is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
