River District Tour – LIVE!

We’ve now completed this article and added lots of additional photos for bonus coverage. We’ve also added more commentary about the event.

We’re now LIVE! at the Golden Leaf Bistro with Governor Terry McAuliffe as he starts a tour of the River District led by Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders.

Refresh the page often for the latest and don’t forget to check back later tonight, too. We’ll add more bonus coverage and photos in the editing room.

Danville police officers have blocked off the area in front of the restaurant. The governor and his group are inside the restaurant but it’s closed to the press. Boo!

The trolley is here and look who our driver is today. The big transportation director himself, Marc Adelman. We’re waiting for the VIP delegation to come out.

Marc Adelman made a perfect bus stop and never came close to hitting the curb.

Corrie Teague is our tour leader today.

Corrie tells the story of the area’s tobacco history. Man, she’s good. She’s rattling off historic features without any notes.

First pitstop is at the Transit Station. Marc Adelman takes over the microphone and talks about the very nice building. We move up Ridge St.

Our next pitstop is on Main St as we all get out and visit Main Street Coffee Emporium. A few terrified and surprised looks as Terry McAuliffe works the room, meeting all the customers. He is amazing when he meets strangers, truly.

Inside Information: The governor got a medium coffee and likes it black. No cream, no sugar. And he pays with cash! He said “supporting the local businesses”. Heh.

We leave the coffee shop and Corrie shows off some more Danville businesses on the block. Somebody tells the governor about Rippe’s and THERE HE GOES UP THE STREET! (with his security detail flying with him). He asks his aides if they see something they like, and they love the store.

After a quick press conference outside with the media, the governor’s time is up. He quickly jumps in his state police escort vehicles and heads out of town. But hey, we’re going to finish the tour anyway without him. Corrie Teague does a great job and answers any question that I throw at her.

Let’s wrap this article up with some bonus photos!