Hopefully you’ve been keeping up with Robert via live updates on Facebook and Twitter, but if you haven’t, here is a brief re-cap from the final day of this week’s Route 58 Tour:

Robert’s Friday morning started off with an interview with Greg Thrift this morning at WWDW, where he was able to chat with Greg about what he’s learned from his constituents on his Route 58 Tour this week and what he will be working on for the 5th District as he returns to Washington next week.

Earlier this morning, Robert sat down with fellow 5th District Virginians at breakfast at Brian’s Steak House to catch up.

BRIAN'S STEAK HOUSE

He then headed over to the Colonial Center for Performing Arts to take a tour of the restored historic building and to talk with South Hill Mayor, Earl Horne.  

COLONIAL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS WITH MAYOR HORNE

After the tour, Robert stopped into the Horseshoe Restaurant to grab a bite to eat and chat with constituents. The Horseshoe has been a South Hill staple for over 80 years.

HORSESHOE RESTAURANT

Following lunch, Robert dropped by for a tour of Rex Materials Group’s South Hill plant, where he caught up with Plant Manager, Rick Faulconer.

REX MATERIALS GROUP - SOUTH HILL PLANT

As Robert’s Route 58 Tour was drawing to an end, he made one of his last stops at the Rosemont Winery and Vineyards—which grows its grapes on farmland that has been locally owned by the Rose Family since 1858.

ROSEMONT WINERY AND VINEYARDS

Robert wrapped up the Route 58 Tour with a visit to Brunswick County, where he participated in a Hurricane Irene Damage Assessment Tour with Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture, Martin Kent, Chief of Staff to Governor McDonnell, Senator Frank Ruff (VA-15), Hon. Bernard Jones, Chairman of the Brunswick Board of Supervisors, Hon. Marc Finney, Vice Chair of the Brunswick Board of Supervisors, Hon. Robert Conner, Brunswick Supervisor for the Meherrin District, Brian Roberts, Brunswick Sheriff, Buddy Hyde, EMS Coordinator, and Cynthia Greg, VPI Cooperative Extension Agent.  Robert remains committed to working with local, state, and federal officials to assist in the recovery as best as possible.

THANK YOU, SOUTHSIDE!

Robert’s Route 58 Tour was a great success this time around as he was able to meet with many small business owners, medical and veterinary professionals, radio, tv, and newspaper reporters, job creators, veterans, and 5th District children to senior citizens, and all those in between. The thoughts and opinions shared as Robert talked with constituents throughout Southside will be kept in mind as Robert heads back to Washington next week to continue  fighting to reduce government regulations, get our fiscal house in order,  and support common sense, pro-growth policies that will get 5th District Virginians back to work. Thanks to all of the kind folks across Route 58 who took the time to meet with us and share your thoughts with us this week. Please do not hesitate to contact any of our offices should you have the need to get in touch with us.

Robert began Day 3 of his Route 58 tour, bright and early, by appearing in studio for live interviews with Chuck Vipperman and Hutch In The Morning on WBTM, and then with Nick Long on WHLF South Boston. He enjoyed talking with them about a number of different topics, such as what Southsiders have been concerned with as he’s toured the district, how he enjoys being back in the district and talking with his constituents, and the serious need to get our nation’s fiscal house in order.  Listen to Hutch In The Morning HERE.

We are continuing to post live updates on Robert’s travels across Route 58 on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check the pages to see if you or your neighbors are photographed!

THURSDAY MORNING RADIO INTERVIEWS

After completing the morning shows, Robert headed over to South Boston to Presto Products Company– a plastic film and bags manufacturer, which currently employs 375 residents in the area, and plans to create five new manufacturing lines and 22 new jobs as it expands to better serve Halifax County this year.

PRESTO PRODUCTS COMPANY

The next stop on the road was Mid-Atlantic Broadband, where Robert met up with Gray Ramsey – President and General Manager of the company. Gray was kind enough to take the time to show Robert around and discuss the important role Mid-Atlantic Broadband plays as they provide broadband services throughout Southside and rural Virginia – an important component of bringing business development, jobs, and investment to Southside.

CHATTING WITH GRAY RAMSEY AT MID-ATLANTIC BROADBAND

For his next stop in South Boston, Robert visited Runt’s Store off of Hagood Highway, where he chatted with store patrons and management about issues that are important to small businesses and job creators in the 5th district, and how the federal government has overstepped its bounds when it comes to local business.

RUNT’S STORE IN SOUTH BOSTON

While chatting with constituents at Runt’s Store, Robert also caught up with Gazette-Virginian Reporter, Doug Ford. Robert discussed with Doug how important it is to his constituents that Washington clean up its fiscal mess, and how important it is to him to receive the opinions and feedback from his constituents as he continues his travels through Southside and especially when he is working in Washington.  Doug’s story ran in the Gazette-Virginian on Friday morning and can be viewed on-line HERE.

Later on in the day, Robert also met up with Susan Kyte, a reporter from the Mecklenburg Sun, and discussed the work he has done in his first term of Congress to help create jobs in the 5th district – such as the three pieces of legislation he has introduced to help reduce burdensome government regulations, protect taxpayer dollars, and create jobs in Central and Southside Virginia. Look for this piece to run next week.

ROBERT MEETS THE PRESS IN SOUTH BOSTON AND CLARKSVILLE

After grabbing lunch at the Lake House Restaurant in Clarksville, Robert headed over to Uppy’s for some ice cream. While at Uppy’s, he was able to talk with constituents in Boydton and listen to their thoughts on how he could better serve them in Washington.

UPPY’S IN BOYDTON

After a long day on Route 58, Robert would up his day touring the Boydton Historic District. There he met up with Mayor of Boydton, Gerald Wrenn, and others from the Boyd Tavern Foundation as he toured Boyd’s Tavern, an important historical landmark in Mecklenburg County.

BOYD’S TAVERN

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THURSDAY WHO TOOK THE TIME TO MEET WITH ROBERT AND SHARE YOUR OPINIONS.

Robert’s next stop along his Route 58 Tour included a jam-packed day of events Wednesday in Danville. He visited small businesses, restaurants, volunteers, and neighbors across the Danville, Brosville, and Ringgold areas, where he was able to listen to constituents as they discussed the need for less government interference as local businesses seek to expand and create jobs across the Southside.

We are continuing to post live updates on Robert’s travels across Route 58 on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check the pages to see if you or your neighbors are photographed!

To kick off the morning, Robert stopped by the Do Drop In – a gas station and convenience store in Danville – to discuss many topics ranging from government regulations interfering with small business to how rising gas prices are affecting them and all 5th District Virginians.

DROP BY THE DO DROP IN, BROSVILLE, VA

Continuing through Brosville, Robert then went on to the Brosville Animal Clinic where he met with Dr. Mary Betterton and her team of veterinarians.  The Animal Clinic in Brosville has served the local community’s families and their pets for over 15 years.

CHECKING IN AT THE BROSVILLE ANIMAL CLINIC

Following his stop at the Animal Clinic, Robert then traveled over to the Virginia Bank and Trust in Danville. As a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, Robert discussed how legislation he has supported, such as H.R. 1082, the Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act, would help reduce some of the 400 new rules and regulations on banks included in the Dodd-Frank bill that have tied up capital that could otherwise be used for investing in small businesses to spur job creation and the economy.

VIRGINIA BANK AND TRUST

The next stops on the road were the Danville Regional Medical Center which has been providing medical services to the Dan River Region for over one hundred years, and the newly operating Brosville Family Health Center, whose opening has created dozens of jobs in the area, and now provides medical services for those across Pittsylvania County.

DANVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WITH PHYSICIAN PRACTICES DIRECTOR CATHY SHELTON

MET UP WITH DELEGATE DANNY MARSHALL AT RUBEN’S AND CHATTED WITH CONSTITUENTS

Also in Danville, Robert made a stop over to Office Plus Business Center with Delegate Danny Marshall to visit store owner Charles Haynesworth III and his son, Charles Haynesworth IV. Robert congratulated the Haynesworth’s as Office Plus is one of fourteen finalists for the University of Virginia Darden School of Business’s Tayloe Murphy Center Resilience Awards Competition. Office Plus has been in the Haynesworth family for over 75 years and has served the Danville area for just as long.

DROPPING IN TO CONGRATULATE THE HAYNESWORTH’S ON THEIR NOMINATION FOR THE DARDEN RESILIENCE AWARD

While stopping by Poogie’s Buffet and Grill for lunch, Robert chatted with 5th District Virginians from around Southside and listened to their thoughts and opinions on how fiscal mismanagement in Washington is negatively affecting the 5th District. Also while at Poogie’s, Robert caught up with author and motivational speaker, Dr. Joey Faucette (pictured below).

AT POOGIE’S BUFFET & GRILL WITH DR. JOEY FAUCETTE

Not only was Robert able to visit talk with 5th District constituents during his tour throughout the Danville area, he was also able to honor them. Robert’s next stop along the tour was at the Ringgold Fire and Rescue where he presented a flag to the family of John McCain, an award-winning firefighter who recently passed away in a tragic car accident this August.  Robert was pleased to be able to honor Mr. McCain and his family on Wednesday.

AT RINGGOLD FIRE & RESCUE, PRESENTING A FLAG TO FAMILY OF JOHN McCAIN

ROBERT MEETS THE PRESS IN DANVILLE

As Robert travelled Route 58, two reporters caught up with him to discuss what he’s been hearing from his constituents as he travels the district, Washington’s spending problem, and how he is fighting to reduce government regulations in order to help businesses in the 5th District expand and create jobs. If you click on the pictures below, you can read these stories in full.

Be sure to keep up with Robert on Facebook and Twitter as he heads east on Route 58 this Thursday to South Boston, Clarksville, and Boydton. As always, a big thank you to those in the Danville area who took the time to meet with us and share your thoughts today – your feedback is very important to us.

Over the course of this week, Robert will be traveling along Southside, VA on his Route 58 tour, visiting with neighbors and constituents in Stanelytown and Martinsville, Danville, South Boston, Clarksville, Boydton, South Hill, Lawrenceville, and everywhere in between. He hopes to see as many 5th district Virginian’s as possible, so please check hurt.house.gov or call one of our offices in order to keep up with his schedule as he makes visits around the district.

CHECK TO SEE IF YOU MADE ROBERT’S FACEBOOK/TWITTER PAGES IF YOU HAVE ATTENDED DISTRICT EVENTS! If you haven’t been able to attend any of the events, you can also check Robert’s Facebook or Twitter pages, as we have been updating you on his whereabouts with photos and other information. Additionally, if you have any photos or feedback from Robert’s tour you’d like to share, please use #58Tour when you mention him on Twitter or post to our Facebook wall. In case you were unable to join us, here’s a recap from Day 1 of the Route 58 Tour: Henry County/Martinsville:

Robert kicked off an action-packed Day 1 by appearing in studio live on Bill Wyatt’s “Coffee Break” radio show where he discussed what’s being done to help in the recovery process following Hurricane Irene,  and how he and his House colleagues understand the necessity of promoting policies that will help grow the economy and create jobs in the 5th District. As always, he enjoyed being on-air with Bill and looks forward to their next meeting.

AFTER ROBERT’S MORNING COFFEE, HE WENT LIVE ON BILL WYATT’S “COFFEE BREAK” TUESDAY MORNING

After his live chat on the air with Bill Wyatt, Robert then headed west to the Stanleytown Hardee's, where he was invited to participate in the Hardee Bunch’s Tuesday Morning Jamboree. Robert enjoyed talking with constituents as the Hardee Bunch entertained visitors with gospel and country music throughout the morning. Many participants in the morning jamboree were interested to talk to Robert about how the new majority in the House is committed to making the tough but necessary choices to get our fiscal house in order, and were particularly impressed with his vocal talents as he joined the Hardee Bunch in one of their gospel numbers.

ROBERT JOINS IN WITH THE HARDEE BUNCH AS THEY PLAY GOSPEL & COUNTRY MUSIC TUESDAY MORNING

Robert was especially thrilled to meet with two World War II Veterans at the Hardee's Tuesday Morning Jamboree. He was humbled by the opportunity to thank them for their selfless and courageous service to our country, and enjoyed hearing their perspective on how we can preserve this great nation they fought so patriotically to protect.

ROBERT WITH TWO GREAT WORLD WAR II VETERANS AT STANLEYTOWN HARDEES

After an entertaining visit at the Hardee’s Tuesday Morning Jamboree, Robert then traveled to tour both the New College Institute and the Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation’s Community Dental Clinic.

At the New College Institute, Robert met with Executive Director Barry Dorsey and Associate Director Leanna Blevins and discussed how NCI has helped provide important educational opportunities for those in the Martinsville area, which is critical as we all seek to create jobs throughout the 5th District.  See below as Mr. Dorsey presents Robert with an NCI long-sleeve tee:  

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARRY DORSEY PRESENTS ROBERT A NCI T-SHIRT AT THE NEW COLLEGE INSTITUTE

At the Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation’s Community Dental Clinic, Robert had the pleasure of meeting with  Dr. Mark Crabtree, the foundation’s president, and many other dental technicians. The Community Dental Clinic does a great service for area residents as it provides free dental work for those that qualify. Robert and Dr. Crabtree discussed how the clinic has been vital to the community since its opening in 2006, as it has been providing services for those that may not have otherwise had access to dental care.  Robert was also pleased to hear that the foundation offers a great program to help aspiring dentists get started on their career paths.

ROBERT WITH DR. MARK CRABTREE, PIEDMONT VA DENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

After the Community Dental Foundation visit, Robert stopped in for a bite to eat at the Café at Arts & Deli in Martinsville to visit a locally owned restaurant that also provides a local hangout in town. There he was able to meet with several constituents and listen to the concerns they have with the federal government, our unemployment crisis, debt crisis, and issues affecting seniors. Robert was pleased to be able to talk with nearly everyone in the café,  and he discussed how reducing the size and scope of the federal government is an important part of helping move our economy and our nation forward.

CAFÉ AT ARTS & DELI CONVERSATIONS

After a long day on the road and on his feet, Robert was happy to end his day by sitting down for an interview at the Martinsville Bulletin with Editor Ginny Wray and Reporter Debbie Hall. During the interview, Robert talked about how unnecessary government regulations promulgated by the Administration are adversely effecting Central and Southside Virginians by making it harder for job creators to grow their businesses and expand. He discussed how legislation he is working on, such as the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, will alleviate some of these burdensome regulations and help get central and southsiders back to work. You can read the full article HERE.

A profound thanks goes out to all of those who took the time to talk with us, show us around your facilities, and spend time with us yesterday. It was a great first day on our Route 58 tour, and Robert looks forward to continuing the trip in Danville on Wednesday.