News : We just had to ask....Vinton City Council member Tami Stark

Tami Stark, with daughters Erin (left) and Casey, is one of the new city council members.

Tami Stark, a former Vinton Unlimited director and current Boomtown and River RATS organizer, recently participated in her first meeting as a member of the Vinton City Council.

We asked Tami some not-so-important questions, along with some more serious ones. Here are those questions, and her replies.

Q. Is there anything that your family asks you not to cook, ever again?

A. LOL, it was my stuffed cabbage rolls. A one time only dish.

Q. Does it matter in your house which way the toilet paper roll goes?

A. Over the top. Is there even another option?

Q. Tell us about your favorite chair:

A. My favorite chair is either of my patio chairs – when I can use them. I have a beautiful view of the river that I like to take advantage of, and my chairs are essential for that!

Q. Funniest memory as a parent:

A. As the Mom of 2 grown girls, there are too many to list. They are still making me laugh. I remember spying them dancing with our clothesline poles in place of Prince Charming….but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!!

Q. Best fast food sandwich ever?

A. Arby’s Roast Beef. Hands down.

Q. What was your first job?

A. I was a check-out/stock girl at a small chain grocery store in Woodbridge, VA.

Q. If you were to get a traffic citation it would most likely be for….

A. Apparently, parking in the wrong direction on our sidestreets.

Q. One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit?

A. The Mayan ruins.

Q. First pet you remember?

A. Sonny. Our miniature poodle. He was awesome.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?

A. John Delinocci -- because he taught us that we have no limits as to how much we can learn and what we can accomplish, both as individuals and as a group.

Q. Tell us about a favorite Christmas present you have received:

A. It’s hard to choose a favorite….a Mother’s ring from my daughters

Q. Strangest thing you did at work that was not part of your official job description?

A. Wrapped bumpers to ship via UPS.

Q. What is your favorite big word?

A. MOM – there are many bigger words but none that mean nearly as much.

Q. Tell us about one of your pet peeves?

A. People, kids as well as adults, that are so connected to their cellphones that the art of communication and conversation is becoming lost.

Q. What book or author you have not read, but should?

A. “Heaven is for Real”

Q. What happens to the missing socks in the laundry?

A. Somehow they wind up under Casey’s bed.

Q. Iowa or Iowa State (or other)?

A. GO HAWKS.

Q. Was there something your parents said to you, over and over, that you, would growing up, said to yourself, "I will never say that to my kids?"

A. LOL, many come immediately to mind. Probably….”If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do that too???”

Q. Worst TV show ever?

A. “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette”

Q. Best TV show ever?

A. “MASH”

Q. What is your dream car?

A. My first car, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird.

Q. Tell us your favorite joke

A. I am a lousy joke teller….terrible.

Q. Fill in the blank: In a perfect winter, it would snow…..

A. Enough to have a “picture perfect” Christmas & New Year.

Q. Name your favorite:

Comic strip: Calvin & Hobbs

Candy bar: Twix

Ice cream: Black Cherry

Color: Purple

Sports team: V-S Vikes

Song: Dreamweaver

Poem: A poem that my daughter, Erin, wrote for me….it’s framed and on my wall.

Planet: Earth

Photograph of yourself: baby pictures

Our serious question:

Q. What are the most significant issues facing Vinton this year?

A. Trying to minimalize the effects of our nation’s economic downturn in our community. Keeping the businesses that we have healthy with support, while continuing to try to grow our business district and housing markets. Vinton is an excellent place to start/grow a business, and it’s an especially great place to call “home.” Retention of both our business and our work force is vital.

And finally :

Q. Is there anything you wish we would have asked you?

A: I always like to talk about Boomtown and our River Clean up, but I’ll save that for a time/space all their own!