County officially greets new dentist

The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners officially greeted the county's new dentist at its meeting on Monday evening.

Dr. Ashley Weekes plans to open her practice on July 1 at 507 N. Main St. in Sparta, across from Sparta School. Weekes actually will graduate Sunday from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The county approved an incentive agreement to help Weekes locate here, which includes payments of $21,000 over a three-year period to help with the cost of student loans and expenses from her education. Of that amount, $15,000 will come from the county and another $6,000 will come from the Town of Sparta, County Manager Don Adams said.

Sparta Town Council was slated to discuss the matter at their meeting Tuesday night, Adams said.

"Ms. Weekes is not new to our community; she has been here to work with Dr. (G. Terry) Johnson in the past," said Adams.

Weekes said Dr. Johnson was her mentor in entering dental practice.

Adams said that the county also was informed late last week that the county was granted $36,000 from the Rural Center to help pay for renovations to Weekes' new office.

Commission Chair Ken Richardson said, "It is formally nice to see you." Richardson was referring to the fact that the board had met with Weekes in the past, but not publicly until the deal to help bring her here was finalized.

Commissioner Milly Richardson drew laughter from the audience when she asked, "Can we get an appointment now?"

Weekes said, "I want to thank the county commissioners for helping me get here." She noted she has been visiting the area for many years and that she has family in the Baywood community in Virginia.

"I've always had in mind to go to a rural area to practice dentistry; everyone I've met have been very encouraging,"