Realizing funds would probably never become available to obtain county water, the citizens of Pridemore Road have taken matters into their own hands.

On March 16, Carroll County Public Service Authority (PSA) members joined citizens along the road in the northwest portion of the county to break ground on the second Self-Help project in Carroll history. In order to bring county water there, Pridemore Road citizens will be installing pipe, conducting traffic control, moving stored materials on-site for installation, operating small equipment, soliciting donations of materials or funds, scheduling volunteers and personnel, and tracking volunteer hours and donations. The project, which entails 8,400 linear feet, will serve 27 households and will be funded by the Self-Help Virginia program, using Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) grants along with community labor to lessen the cost of receiving water for areas interested in the services.

“You were smart enough to realize this was about the only way you were going to get water. But you buckled down and organized and got all this going here so you had a way of getting it when it looked like there was no way,” Carroll County PSA Chairman Andy Jackson told Pridemore Road citizens during the groundbreaking ceremony. “You folks ought to be highly commended that you are willing to step up, grab the bull by the horns and do what it takes to get it done. As the old saying goes, ‘Y’all are the real getter doners,’ and it makes me proud to live in a county where people are willing to do that.”

By utilizing the Virginia Self-Help program, Carroll County will receive a DHCD grant of $215,000. The PSA’s share toward the project will be only $5,000. By comparison, the project was estimated to cost the county $467,000 if done conventionally.

The Virginia Self-Help program has already been a smashing success in Carroll County, as a project on nearby Happy Hollow Road brought county water to 20 households last year.

“This is our second project in Carroll County and it is a pleasure for our department to partner with the county and the PSA again. Most of all it is our pleasure to partner with this community,” said Jimmy Wallace, Project Director of DHCD. “You are joining a special group of communities in the state of Virginia. In the last 12 years we have completed 41 of these projects.”

Carroll PSA Vice-Chairman Manus McMillian said self-help projects are unique animals that start with the need for water. He commended the Pridemore Road community for taking the initiative to take on the project.

“The old saying is ‘The squeaky wheel gets grease first.’ Well, if more communities took the initiative that the Pridemore Community has there would be more of these projects going on,” McMillian said. “I know you are number 42, but when you look at 42 projects all across this vast land, that is really unique. Without the help from Jimmy and all those people that are in the position to help the PSA and these communities, it couldn’t be done. It’s for that, you should thank yourself, pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you have accomplished.”

PSA member Sam Dickson said the DHCD makes self-help projects available and county officials have to try to obtain them. He said those projects can’t be done, however, unless communities are willing to put in the hard work.

“We have to find a community that’s willing to work and do their own project, and this is part of it. It just emphasizes what a fine community this is,” Dickson said. “We’ve got a great PSA staff to work with you, but I think this may be one of the best projects that’s done in Virginia. You may rank as the number one project as far as the workers and the help. And it is going to get harder. I know it won’t be an easy thing, but I believe this community will do it.”

PSA member Jeanette Dalton called the groundbreaking ceremony a special occasion. She said the self-help project would make citizens on Pridemore Road much closer as they put in so much hard work, recalling the “family” bond that developed between neighbors on Happy Hollow Road.

“They were just like family when the project was finished and I am sure you will be, too,” Dalton said. “It just makes you feel good to know there is a community like this in Carroll County.”

Jackson then introduced Roger Jones, calling him the most important part of the project. Jones will serve as the project sparkplug along with T.M. Jones and Ray Sizemore.

“I think I can speak on behalf of all the Pridemore Community that we are real pleased that this project is started. We are going to be more pleased when it is done,” Roger Jones said. “I thank the PSA for all of the hard work they’ve done and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Jackson said the PSA can support self-help projects when they become available, but it is the citizens that get their hands and feet dirty doing all the work.

“That is what makes me proud to be a Carroll Countian. I don’t know whether our two projects might be two of the better supported ones because you are willing to get out here to do what it takes to help yourself, help your neighbors, help your community and help the county,” Jackson said. “The best part is when you turn the water on and that is what is going to be great for you folks, when you have water coming and you have decent water to use, and a good supply of it. You don’t have to worry about the next (time) your well goes dry. We have a lot of people that still have that problem. Right now we have got enough rain that it’s gotten a little better, but it is going to come back and it is going to happen again unfortunately. You go through wet times and you go through dry times. As long as we can keep the PSA water running, you don’t have to worry about that. So you have something to look forward to and you make me proud that you are doing this.”

During the project, Carroll County PSA crews will work with citizens on Pridemore Road to make sure the project follows the proper procedures and meets all regulations. Work is currently scheduled to take place eight hours a day on Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays.