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Turtle story tickles Roanoke City Council during retreat that explored personalities

Roanoke City Councilman Phazhon Nash said he learned a lesson while campaigning last year from his colleague Terry McGuire: Animal adventures can score political points.

During a council retreat this month at the Blue Hills Communication Center, the council — with a majority of members who took office this year — went through exercises to get to know each other better and to learn about their personality traits. One challenge they gave each other was to tell a funny story from the campaign trail.

Nash said he was knocking on doors and came to a house with a turtle stuck under its porch. Nash said he helped save the turtle. And he proceeded on his way.

Meanwhile, McGuire was walking through a neighborhood on another day and found what else? An injured turtle. McGuire picked the creature up — began referring to it as “Yertle the Turtle” —  and drove it to the Southwest Virginia Rehabilitation Center. The turtle recovered and was returned to the wild. McGuire posted the entire story on social media, complete with an educational lesson about Yertle’s clan, the Eastern Box turtle.

Nash said people had told him to publicize his turtle rescue on social media. He demurred. But then people were commenting, “Terry’s such an angel!” said Nash, as laughter erupted at the meeting.

That was one of numerous lighter moments during the retreat. 

The council members used sticky notes to describe their colleagues’ personality traits. All council members were listed, generally, as “ASSERTIVE” except for Peter Volosin who was labeled “PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE.” They also went through a DISC ranking - DISC standing for Dominance or Driver, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. 

Later, council members were split into groups and were asked to disclose something others might not know about them. Nash said Volosin wishes people knew he is nice and caring.

“It’s hard when you’re a D,” Volosin quipped.

Roanoke Valley homeless numbers fall

Homelessness in the Roanoke Valley fell slightly following years of post-pandemic spikes.

Overall, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region, 389, fell 3.2 percent in January 2025 from the year before, according to the latest count. In 2024, homelessness increased 20 percent and surged 54 percent in 2023.

Rates among families, youth and those living outdoors fell more sharply, said the report from the Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness, which conducts the annual census.

The number of homeless families fell from 47 in 2024 to 24 this year. Census takers documented nine homeless young adults, aged 18 to 24, this year, down from 24 last year.

Slightly fewer people are living outside, according to the report, a situation exacerbated by pandemic-era lockdowns. The census recorded 70 people as unsheltered, compared with 76 the year before. 

“This decline is partially attributed to the opening of a new cold weather shelter operated by Belmont Presbyterian Church, which sheltered 31 individuals on the night of the Count,” said a city manager report on the census. “Without this shelter, the unsheltered count would have increased by approximately 32.9%.”

Survey respondents cited the loss of a job, lack of affordable housing and relationship conflicts as the primary reason they found themselves homeless.

Summer pool jobs available as Washington Park prepares for opening

A week before school lets out, Roanoke is still seeking about half the number of lifeguards it needs to staff city pools.

The city has hired nine certified lifeguards toward a goal of 20, according to a Friday city manager report. At the most recent round of interviews, two applicants were no-shows and two declined offers.

Roanoke also needs four pool managers, with one manager on board to date.

“Full-time Parks and Recreation staff are prepared to support pool operations by stepping in as managers or lifeguards as needed to ensure full coverage during the season,” the city manager’s report says. “Recruitment efforts remain a priority, and staff will continue to work actively to fill all remaining positions ahead of the pool openings.”

The city’s job board lists lifeguard wages at $15 to $17.25 per hour. The job runs through August.

Roanoke is preparing to cut the ribbon on a new swimming pool at Washington Park. The ceremony is planned for June 6. There are two city-owned pools, the other at Fallon Park.