Perriello continues tour in Chatham

CHATHAM — During a visit to Robert Hurt’s hometown Wednesday morning, Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, met with businessmen and women rather than the opposition.

Continuing his tour of Main Streets in the district, with the help of Board of Supervisors Chairman Hank Davis, Perriello stopped by the recently-opened Commonwealth Pharmacy, bank BB&T, Piedmont Access to Health Services and Pittsylvania County Community Action, among others — stopping to talk to local residents along the way.

“Son, this is the congressman,” Gretna resident Donnie Ward told his 9-year-old son, Jacob, as they passed Perriello on the sidewalk. “Go shake his hand.”

Battling Wednesday’s record-breaking heat, Perriello spoke with Pittsylvania County Community Action, Inc. about home weatherization projects in the area.

“Just checkin’ on the folks, seeing if things are getting better or staying the same,” Perriello said inside the PCCA’s office.

The group receives federal stimulus funding, along with state money, to weatherize homes in Pittsylvania County, Danville, Martinsville and Henry County. Aldine Call, assistant director of housing services, said they receive six to 10 applications a month — with 400-500 families on the waiting list — but can only work on 15 units a month because of limited funding.

Home weatherization protects needy families from the cold — and steep energy bills. But the benefits aren’t only in the winter — making a home more energy-efficient saves on summer air conditioning bills, too.

“We’re helping with the energy cost,” Call said. “With the installation, we are making the house cooler for the summer and warmer for the winter. We do it year round.”

Perriello secured nearly $1.2 million for home weatherization upgrades the district and training for workers in clean energy. Meria Flecha, a housing services representative for PCCA, said projects depend on the need of the home and can include installing and repairing heating ducts, heat and air systems, windows, doors, plumbing and caulking.

“The feedback I get is they’re so grateful to have the air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter,” Flecha said. “They said it just made such a big difference.”

Perriello continued his Main Street tour in Altavista and Farmville on Wednesday afternoon and will continue touring through Tuesday.