Nottoway Supervisors to get update on Comprehensive Plan, learn of potential VA250 expansion
Albemarle Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley to seek re-election in Rivanna District
It is the end of this week’s worth of stories, and time to begin setting up the next batch. Today just information from today’s meeting of the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors as well as a quick round-up on people who have filed for elections this week.
Nottoway Supervisors to consider family cemetery, will get update on Comprehensive Plan
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Nottoway County will meet at 7 p.m. in the Nottoway County Courthouse at 328 W. Courthouse Road in Nottoway. (agenda packet)
After the invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, agenda approval, and minutes approval, there will be two public hearings.
The first is for a special exception for a property to allow an existing cemetery on an agriculturally-zoned property on Stokes Lane.
“The general area of this site has significant meaning to the family as being a family cemetery and the first family member was buried there in 1954 after the original parcel was purchased in 1931,” reads the staff report.
The area where the cemetery is located is on a subdivided parcel approved by the county in December 2022. Staff is recommending removal of the metal roof from a house that is falling apart as well as removal of a trailer.
The second is for an adjustment to the FY2023 budget to appropriate $440,908.27 for insurance recovery for damage at an agricultural storage building.
Then there will be a series of reports such as from the Virginia Department of Transportation (page 51), Animal Control (page 53), and the Emergency Service Coordinator’s Report (page 56).
There’s also a report from the Commonwealth Regional Council on the ongoing review of Nottoway County’s Comprehensive Plan Update. A public hearing was held on January 25.
“Nearly 15 individuals spoke, many of which aired concerns about solar development in the County,” wrote CRC Deputy Director Todd Fortune. “Other issues brought up by speakers including keeping the County rural, working to improve the local economy and addressing poverty in the County, and how to achieve the goals and objectives listed in the Plan.”
Under new business, there will be a report on dog confinement and a resolution to order canines to be kept on people’s properties from April 1 to May 31 as is historically done in Nottoway.
“The reasons cited for this have included the protection of what young wildlife as well as the opportunity for the Animal Control officers to check on the status of licensing,” writes County Administrator Ted Costin.
There’s also an update on the VA250 Committee, which is seeking to create a series of events commemorating the “Road to Revolution” through July 4, 2026.
“There is pending legislation under review to extend commemoration activities and the VA250 Commission through December 31, 2031 to fully embrace the Revolutionary War years against the backdrop of our nation’s history,” reads the staff report (page 72). “Especially as it relates to the Battle of Yorktown that will have its 250th commemoration on October 17, 2031.”
The VA250 Commission is seeking a match of $3,600.
Election round-up: Rivanna District race in Albemarle may be contested
General Assembly
Republican Kevin Bailey has filed for House District 56, a district wholly contained within the Fifth Congressional District. According to a map on the Virginia Public Access Project, the geography includes all of Appomattox County, Buckingham County, and Cumberland County as well as parts of Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, and Prince Edward counties. Bailey is a practicing lawyer who faces fellow Republicans Tom Garrett and Jennie Wood in the primary.
The Altavista Journal reports that Eric Zehr of Rustburg will seek the Republican nomination for House District 51. This new district covers parts of Campbell County, Pittsylvania County, and Bedford County. Zehr is a former member of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors. Delegate Matt Fariss is also seeking the seat.
Board of Supervisors
David Rhodes has filed to run as an independent for the Rivanna District on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors. This means there could be two candidates on the ballot this November.
Bea LaPisto-Kirtley has filed paperwork to run for a second term as the Supervisor in the Rivanna District. LaPisto-Kirtley was technically unopposed in the 2019 race but faced a well-funded write-in candidate and got 66 percent of the vote. She defeated fellow Democrat Jerrod Smith in the June 2019 primary.
Constitutional officers
Democrat Jim Hingeley has filed to run for a second term as Commonwealth’s Attorney in Albemarle County. Hingeley defeated incumbent Republican Robert Tracci in 2019 with 56.27 percent of the vote. Tracci had defeated incumbent Democrat Denise Lunsford in the 2015 race with 51.26 percent of the vote.
Victoria Cheatham Phelps has filed to run for a second term as Treasurer in Appomattox. She won in 2019 with 76.4 percent of the 5,434 votes cast.
Reading material:
Planners recommend approval of solar farm on 1,555 acres, Diana McFarland, Chatham Star-Tribune, February 12, 2023
19th century register gives glimpse into lives of free blacks in Pittsylvania County, Diana McFarland, Chatham Star-Tribune, February 12, 2023
Pittsylvania County to start new procedure for hospitals on diversion: 'We’re not sitting in the streets, we’re going to give them the patients', Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee, February 14, 2023
Bedford supervisors eye Virginia 122 corridor study, Shannon Kelly, Lynchburg News & Advance, February 14, 2023
Amherst County Service Authority takes on $7.5M James River intake project, Justin Faulconer, Amherst New-Era Progress, February 15, 2023
School Board postpones gun free zone, Drew Mumich, Chatham Star-Tribune, February 15, 2023
'Inner squabbles' on display as Lynchburg City Council meeting turns heated, Bryson Gordon, Lynchburg News & Advance, February 15, 2023
Deal reached over extension for Va. farmers to adopt pollution reduction practices, Charlie Paulinn, Virginia Mercury, February 16, 2023