Sad news came to Mathews again this week, with word of the passing of former county administrator Frank A. Pleva.

He may not be a familiar name to more recent county residents, but for nearly 16 years he helped to guide Mathews, overseeing the adoption and implementation of a zoning ordinance, closing of the county landfill and opening a new solid waste transfer station, and several school construction projects.

He came to Mathews County in 1984 after serving as planning director for the Eastern Shore town of Cape Charles. The small town life must have agreed with him, as he stayed on as Mathews County administrator until 2000, when he left to take the administrator’s job in King William County.

Although he went on to serve a decade in King William and would finish up his career in Lancaster County, Pleva still called Mathews his home.

His genial nature made him well liked in Mathews, and it was a sad day when he accepted the post in King William, leaving for higher pay.

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