Dillwyn Town Council has added two new members during the past five months. James Tyree and Gilbert Reams were each sworn in after appointments from Mayor Linda Venable Paige.

According to council minutes, Tyree was first recognized as a member during council’s April meeting. He said he joined council at Paige’s request.

“I don’t mind helping the town. I’ve lived here so long and gotten so much from the town. It’s just my way of helping the town if I can,” he said.

Tyree joined the Buckingham County community in 1971 where he worked as a Virginia State Police trooper for 27 years, before retiring in 1995.

When not serving as a council member, Tyree helps at schools with programs for disabled children. “I want something here in town that is for the children,” he said, adding he would like to see a center built in town where children can go to play games and socialize. “I would really like to see the town grow and we’re in the process in doing that. We’re trying. Dillwyn is small and it takes time to work things out.”

Tyree said he will stay on council as long as nobody else is interested in the position, but thus far nobody else has expressed interest. He said he would like to see more young people involved with the council.

Reams joined council in July, filling a vacancy created by Wayne Myers Jr.’s resignition from the council, according to Peggy Johnson, town clerk and treasurer. Ream said he had been interested in the position for some time and when the position opened up Paige asked him to fill it.

Reams came to Buckingham County 15 years ago and has been living in Dillwyn for eight years.

“It’s a social obligation to look after our community; therefore, I felt the need to step up to the responsibilities that our county needs us to take care of,” he said.

Reams, like Tyree, wants to see more community involvement for the county’s children. He said he wants to help create more opportunities for youth so they can have positive futures.

Reams said he has a child with autism and wants to bring in other entities to help parents and children in similar situations.

“I know we’re not the only ones with children with autism, “he said. “We need to have more involvement to provide services for these children.”

Reams said he looks forward to the sense of accomplishment once the council is able to implement these changes. He said the most challenging aspect of being on council is making sure these changes do occur rather than getting swept up under the rug.