Charlottesville Tomorrow https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:08:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-CT_SMFavicon-32x32.png Charlottesville Tomorrow https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/ 32 32 209453640 noCharlottesville,Tomorrow,Charlottesville,Albemarle,Crozet,Brian,Wheeler,Sean,Tubbs,Virginia,news,growth,developmentCharlottesville Tomorrow's goal is to inform and engage the public by providing clear, non-partisan information and research on land use, transportation, and community design issues with the confidence an informed public will make decisions that will protect and build upon the distinctive character of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area in Central Virginia.Local news for Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia since 2005news@cvilletomorrow.orgnews@cvilletomorrow.orgnews@cvilletomorrow.org In Q&A, Brian Vincent says there’s no room for party politics in Farmville’s mayoral race https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/in-qa-brian-vincent-says-theres-no-room-for-party-politics-in-farmvilles-mayoral-race/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:08:51 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132349 A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

"Town government is about water lines, fire trucks, budgets and housing. None of that is Republican or Democrat," said Brian Vincent, who is running for re-election against Christian Fox. Fox did not respond to Q&A.

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In Virginia, towns and cities can have either a “weak mayor” or “strong mayor” system. In a strong mayor system, like in the City of Richmond, the mayor holds a lot of power. They carry out policies passed by the City Council and handle local government administration. 

But most towns in Virginia have a “weak mayor” system, where the mayor has a mostly ceremonial position and presides over Town Council meetings. Towns with weak mayors often hire town managers to handle day-to-day administration.  

The Town of Farmville, in Prince Edward County, has a weak mayor system. The mayor and seven councilors are elected to four-year terms. There is one council member for each of the town’s five wards, plus two at-large members. Farmville also has a town manager.

According to the Town of Farmville’s charter, Farmville’s mayor cannot vote unless the rest of the council is in a tie, a rare occurrence with an odd-numbered council. The mayor does have power to veto, but that can be overridden if two-thirds of the council vote against it. 

In this year’s mayoral race, Christian Fox is challenging incumbent Brian Vincent.

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for the candidates based on responses we received from our voter survey. Only Vincent responded. You can read his answers below.

Housing

Like many central Virginian communities, some Farmville residents struggle to find and pay for housing. What’s your view on Farmville’s housing needs, and what would you push for to address them?

Brian Vincent: Farmville has the land, but it isn’t building fast or affordable enough. The Town can’t fix interest rates, but it can fix its own zoning. I’ll push Council to update our zoning and subdivision ordinances. That means right-sizing the lot and street standards that make small infill lots impractical. It means allowing duplexes, townhomes and accessory dwellings by right where they fit, easing parking minimums and welcoming mixed-use housing near Longwood and downtown. Our Comprehensive Plan already calls for infill and moderate density,* so this puts our own plan to work. More homes, in more types and at more price points, is how teachers, nurses, young families, and retirees find a place to live here.

*Editor’s note: A comprehensive plan is a document used by local government bodies to guide long-term development, land use and growth, and must be reviewed at least once every five years according to Virginia law. The Farmville Town Council adopted an amended comprehensive plan in August 2026. 

Healthcare access

Farmville’s own hospital, Centra Southside Community Hospital, closed its labor and delivery unit this past winter — part of a broader pattern of more rural communities losing access to health care. Is there anything you can see the town government doing to help address this, even in a small way?

Vincent: Losing labor and delivery at Centra Southside means expectant mothers now travel farther at the most critical moment, or are forced to give birth in the ER.* The Town doesn’t run the hospital, but it isn’t powerless. We should work with our state and federal delegation and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) to pursue every available option, including rural hospital payment reform and maternity care funding. We should coordinate with emergency responders and our regional dispatch center so obstetric emergencies get a fast, practiced response. Housing and quality of life help attract nurses and physicians, which ties directly to our housing work. Rural health care is eroding quietly across America due in part to funding and reimbursement mechanisms we can’t control.** But we can address workforce housing and advocate for rural healthcare.

Editor’s notes:

*More on the impact of the closure of the labor and delivery unit in Farmville, from Charlottesville Tomorrow.

**From 2005 to 2024, 193 rural hospitals have closed across the nation, according to KFF (formerly known as Kaiser Family Foundation).

Data centers

What is your stance on data centers in the town? What information would you want to have before deciding how Farmville should approach data center development?

Vincent: I don’t think you have accurate info here. Our Council has made no such move.* Let’s talk about water though. Our treatment plant has capacity, but the Town has never agreed to supply the proposed Heartland Innovative Technology (HIT) Park project in Prince Edward County.** We have just said we have capacity. Any commitment like that would require public hearings and a Town Council vote. The data center site is outside of town limits.*** I’ll wait for the county process to play out. I have hesitations and am not convinced that a data center is right for our community. But I reserve the right to continue collecting info, and talking to our citizens about how they feel and letting my judgement ring out at the moment when it is called upon.

Editor’s notes:

*The question Charlottesville Tomorrow sent Vincent contained an error. It incorrectly stated that Farmville had voted for a 12-month moratorium on data centers. This vote occurred in Farmville, North Carolina, not Farmville, Virginia.

**An FAQ about the proposed Heartland Innovative Technology Park Data Center states that Prince Edward County and Industrial Development Authority has entered into agreements with the data center developer AVAIO Digital Partners, but that the project is still in “the due diligence and development planning phase.” Site specifications from Prince Edward County’s website identify the water source as “Town of Farmville/Prince Edward County” and the water capacity as up to 1.2 millions of gallons of water from the Town of Farmville and up to 5.5 millions of gallons of water from a “Proposed Sandy River Reservoir.”

***The proposed Heartland Innovative Technology Park data center would be about a mile outside of town limits, according to the most recent plans, and the final project size is still in flux. 

Water Supply

Farmville relies on the Appomattox River for its water supply. This summer, as the river dropped to unusually low levels during a regional drought, the town asked residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Scientists predict that droughts like the one experienced this summer will increase in frequency and severity in the coming years. How should the town prepare to protect its water supply?

Vincent: One of the main ways is to address the data center requirements. Will the proposed data center have a closed loop system? What are the protections for the town to ensure our citizens come first? These are parameters yet to be fully discussed. But you can be sure I’ll keep in mind the changing climate and what it portends for our future.

Are there any other pressing issues facing the Town of Farmville that you would like voters to know about?

Vincent: Partisan rancor is creeping into local politics and it risks derailing small town governance. Town government is about water lines, fire trucks, budgets and housing. None of that is Republican or Democrat. When national party fights get imported into town races, residents get division instead of results. As Virginia’s first Forward Party-affiliated elected official,* I’ve worked with everyone and I’ll keep doing it. I believe self-government starts with self-governance. We need pragmatic leaders who are solutions based, not performative actors. For years, water and sewer revenue propped up our general fund while our pipes aged. The last two budgets ended that practice,** and our first asset management plan now maps every town pipe in a geographic information system (GIS) so we can fix problems before they fail.*** Farmville earned its first-ever credit ratings in 2025.**** That came from steady, cooperative governance, grounded in honest work. Steady hands at the till are how a small town gets things done.

Editor’s notes:

*The Farmville Herald reported that Vincent was the first politician in Virginia to join The Forward Party. The Forward Party is a third party  formed in 2022 with Democrat Andrew Yang and Republican Christine Todd Whitman as its co-chairs, according to Reuters. 

**View the Town of Farmville budgets for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 through 2026-2027.

***View Farmville’s geographic information system map here. Click on “Map Layers” and select “Sewer Lines” and “Water Lines.”

****A press release from Farmville’s town manager’s office announced that Farmville received its first credit-ratings from Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings in November, 2025.

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]]> 132349 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org) Incumbent Adam B. Yoelin is running unopposed to represent Ward B on Farmville Town Council https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/incumbent-adam-b-yoelin-is-running-unopposed-to-represent-ward-b-on-farmville-town-council/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:08:12 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132339 A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

Yoelin answers community-sourced questions about housing, healthcare, data centers and more.

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In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing a local town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions, oversee local emergency service, and much more.

The Town of Farmville, which is in Prince Edward County, is divided into five wards. One town council member is elected from each ward and two are elected at-large. The town council and mayor serve four-year terms. 

This year, three wards and one at-large position is up for election. Incumbent Adam B. Yoelin is running to represent Ward B. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for Yoelin based on responses we received from our voter survey. He provided answers below.

Housing

Like many central Virginian communities, some Farmville residents struggle to find and pay for housing. What’s your view on Farmville’s housing needs, and what would you push for to address them?

Adam B. Yoelin: We should look into more mixed use projects that develop various sized units next to smaller homes with walkable opportunities for local businesses. Planned Unit Development is one such avenue we could explore. Smaller lot sizes is something the Farmville Planning Commission and Town Council are also talking about.

Healthcare access

Farmville’s own hospital, Centra Southside Community Hospital, closed its labor and delivery unit this past winter — part of a broader pattern of more rural communities losing access to health care. Is there anything you can see the town government doing to help address this, even in a small way?

Yoelin: We will work with what we have. Our local Health Department partners with other communities nearby to offer annual clinics that serve hundreds of Town and Prince Edward County residents each year.* We have an excellent and growing nursing program at Longwood University and local charities and churches provide meals and other services for our residents. Watching our local hospital, Centra Southside, continue to cut services for our Town residents and the surrounding communities is difficult. Farmville will continue to work with local partners to provide the best healthcare possible as we seek to grow our community and services in the future.

*Editor’s Note: View the Prince Edward County Health Department’s website here, including information on their community health programs.

Data centers

What is your stance on data centers in the Town of Farmville? What information would you want to have before deciding how Farmville should approach data center development?

Yoelin: That happened in Farmville, North Carolina. Not Farmville, Virginia. The Data Center debate in Prince Edward County is still going on. No Moratorium has been initiated.* I am open to continuing the conversation but as of yet, the Town of Farmville has not been invited to be a partner in the proposed venture, even though the data center sits directly on the Town and Prince Edward County border.** It’s disheartening, as any large project like the proposed data center on our doorstep is definitely going to affect the Town and our population for a long time. Farmville citizens deserve a seat at the table. There was a recent public presentation by some advocates of the data center project.*** Citizens were asked to submit questions beforehand. Since a number of submitted questions were not addressed, I’ve heard, it really didn’t feel like they were participants, let alone partners. I hope that changes. Soon.

Editor’s Notes:

*The question Charlottesville Tomorrow sent Vincent contained an error. It incorrectly stated that Farmville had voted for a 12-month moratorium on data centers. This vote occurred in Farmville, North Carolina, not Farmville, Virginia.

**The proposed Heartland Innovative Technology Park data center would be about a mile outside of town limits, according to the most recent plans, and the final project size is still in flux. 

***The Farmville Herald reported that the data center developer AVAIO Digital Partners organized a public information meeting on Aug. 27 to discuss the proposed Heartland Innovative Technology Park data center and invited residents to submit questions beforehand.

Water supply

Farmville relies on the Appomattox River for its water supply. This summer, as the river dropped to unusually low levels during a regional drought, the town asked residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Scientists predict that droughts like the one experienced this summer will increase in frequency and severity in the coming years. How should the town prepare to protect its water supply?

Yoelin: A long term solution must include a multi-concentrated effort. The Town has recently completed replacing our older residential water taps with modern more reliable technology. Ongoing work on our older infrastructure plays a big part in making sure the water gets where it needs to go with limited waste. Planting more trees, though not an immediate answer, over time will decrease the Town’s heat island effects that push needed moisture in the clouds away.* We need to be thinking 10, 20 and 50 years into the future. What we do today, what we plant today we might not live to see. It’s our gift to the future. Just as what we have now was built and planned and planted for us in the past. We’ve learned a lot since that time. Let’s put our experience and knowledge to work for us and our children’s children.

*Editor’s Note: The Arbor Day Foundation explains how planting trees can reduce the “urban heat island effect,” which is when surfaces and materials like concrete and asphalt make temperatures rise in towns and cities by absorbing the sun’s energy and radiating it back into the air.

Are there any other pressing issues facing the Town of Farmville that you would like voters to know about?

Yoelin: The power comes from the people. The authority to govern is not absolute. I think people need to push back against people who punch down. It is an honor for me to serve my Ward. I help solve problems with my neighbors. I don’t tell anyone what to do. I do what they tell me to do. I hope other people will step up and serve, because governing is not something anyone should do for themselves and it’s not something they should do for long. I’ll serve one more term if elected. If I lose this election I’ll take my power back as a citizen again.

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]]> 132339 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org) The Town of Louisa hasn’t been fully staffed for years. Town Council candidate Vicky Harte shares ideas on how that can change in Q&A https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/the-town-of-louisa-hasnt-been-fully-staffed-for-years-town-council-candidate-vicky-harte-shares-ideas-on-how-that-can-change-in-qa/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:47:50 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132337 A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

Vicky Harte responded to our candidate Q&A. Her opponent Durvin Corker did not. 

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In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions that determine how land can be used, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

The Town of Louisa has five council members and a mayor elected to staggered four-year terms. This year, the town is holding a special election to replace former Councilor Danny Crawford, who resigned in April. Vicky Harte and Durvin Corker are running for the seat.  

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for the candidates based on responses we received from our voter survey. Harte provided answers below. Despite multiple attempts to contact Corker, he did not submit a response in time for publication. 

Town government stability: 

Louisa’s town government has been through a rough stretch. A mayor resigned in 2024. Several more resignations followed in 2025, including the interim mayor, which forced a special election last November. During that turnover, the town went months without anyone on staff to record and post public meeting minutes, as required by law. Then this summer, the town’s newest manager left after only 10 months. How would you work to build a town government that’s stable, fully staffed and able to keep residents informed?

Vicky Harte: I was the acting mayor in 2025 and no employees left during that time period when I served as mayor.* The town manager serves at the will of council. He left upon council request.** The Town of Louisa has not been fully staffed for years. Due to our low salary offerings, we were often and still are at a disadvantage in attracting qualified police officers and other staff. Balancing salary expectations against our tax base is difficult. We need to fully fund what is necessary in order to attract police officers. Public safety is our number one priority and is a “need.”. We can reduce costs by minimizing “wants.” When I was first elected, communication was a priority and it still is. We now record our council meetings, minutes are posted, our website has been reworked (still adjusting), and meetings are now advertised.*** We are still working on improving effectiveness.

Editor’s notes:

*Louisa’s town charter states that the vice-mayor will assume the duties of the mayor in the case of the mayor’s absence. Vicky Harte served as acting-mayor between Danny Carter’s resignation on May 21, 2025 and Matthew Kersey’s appointment as interim mayor on July 15, 2025 and there were no staff resignations during that time, according to reporting from Charlottesville Tomorrow and local substack Engage Louisa.

**Charlottesville Tomorrow was not able to independently verify if town manager Stuart Turille left upon Town Council’s request. The Town announced that Turille was “no longer serving in the role of Town Manager” on July 22, 2026. Meeting minutes from July 21, 2026 state that Town Council went into closed session to discuss “personnel matters regarding performance, evaluation or job assignments of specific employees.” When the closed session ended, Turille did not rejoin the meeting, according to local substack Engage Louisa.  

***Find Town Council meeting minutes on the Town of Louisa’s website and recordings of meetings on their Youtube page. The Town of Louisa upgraded their website from a .org to a .gov domain in the last year. 

Durvin Corker: No response.

Local business

Some Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value the town’s small businesses and want to see Main Street thrive — one specifically pointed to the need for another grocery store in town. What role do you think the town should play in supporting local businesses, and what would you do to help Main Street thrive?

Harte: Town Council cannot open a grocery store. A suitable property needs to be attractive to a business owner. We have an Economic Development Authority that is working on this topic.* The property formerly occupied by a Super Saver-type chain has not attracted a grocery chain to date. We do have farmer’s markets all around us and three grocery stores within a 20 minute drive of town.** This fact may be impeding a large chain from locating here. I want the EDA to continue their work on this subject.

Editor’s notes:

*The September agenda for the Economic Development Authority meeting lists “grocery store recruitment” as an item under “economic sector development.”

**The Visit Louisa Virginia tourism page lists local farmer’s markets in the area. There is a Food Lion within town limits, a Food Lion about 20 minutes away in Mineral, and a DG Market about 20 minutes away in Monrovia.

Corker: No response.

Growth and development: 

Louisa County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia, and the Town of Louisa is one of the county’s official growth areas, meaning new development is meant to land here. What’s your vision for growth in Louisa, and how would you work with the county and state leaders to ensure the town’s infrastructure is ready for it?

Harte: The Town of Louisa is not a county growth area. The property outside the town limits IS a designated growth area.* The town is responsible for our own infrastructure with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s assistance. The businesses located outside town boundaries pay no town taxes. Our average annual income for town residents is $50,000.** In size, we are 1.84 square miles with very little property not already designated for development.*** We can’t really raise taxes with our base. Applying for grants and loans is our primary current funding mechanism for infrastructure needs. Making Louisa a town with businesses that outsiders want to frequent (like the Virginia Scenic Railway which we were working on when I was mayor and before****) is the key to a strong business environment. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and the EDA helps work toward that goal.

Editor’s notes: 

*The Louisa County Department of Economic Development lists the Town of Louisa as “Growth Area 1,” but specifies that the growth area is adjacent to, and not within, town boundaries.

**The United States Census Bureau lists the Town of Louisa’s median household income as $65,132, using survey estimates from 2024. The Louisa County Department of Economic Development lists the County’s median household income as $67,027. Harte told Charlottesville Tomorrow she obtained the $50,000 figure from a study provided by the former town manager.

***The Town of Louisa is 1.8 square miles, according to data from the United States Census Bureau. The Town of Louisa’s zoning map can be viewed on Louisa County’s GIS map.

****Harte served as acting mayor between Danny Carter’s resignation on May 21, 2025 and Matthew Kersey’s appointment as interim mayor on July 15, 2025. The Buckingham Branch Railroad, via the Virginia Scenic Railway, opened passenger train excursions in the Town of Louisa at the end of 2025. Preparations for the railway began at least since Feb. 2025, which is when the Buckingham Branch began renovations on the train depot, according to reporting from Engage Louisa.

Corker: No response.

Data centers

Data centers emerged as a key issue of concern for Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey. Do you see this as an issue in the Town of Louisa, and, if so, what kinds of actions do you support the town taking?

Harte: Yes, it is an issue. Our roads have suffered damage from all the construction vehicles traveling through town.* There is no bypass around Louisa. Our rental housing and hotel is full of temporary contract workers.** I work with the Louisa Homeless Coalition*** and we have a very difficult time finding housing that was once affordable and available to displaced Louisa town and county residents. The county and Amazon are not helping us with this issue as they do not provide low-cost housing.**** Locals are suffering.

Editor’s notes: 

*A Louisa County resident has sued Amazon over the impacts of data center construction near his property, citing increased construction traffic among other complaints. Virginia Mercury has more.  

**In an email with Charlottesville Tomorrow, Harte clarified that this information comes from her personal experience searching for housing as a volunteer with the Louisa Homeless Coalition.

***The Louisa Housing and Homeless Coalition is a “dedicated group of citizens actively collaborating with the Louisa Community Emergency Fund to address homelessness in our area,” according to a Zoom presentation from the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce. 

****Resources for finding affordable housing in Louisa County can be viewed here. The Central Virginian reported that the Fluvanna-Louisa Housing Foundation is constructing 25 affordable housing units in Louisa County. Learn more about that housing project on Louisa County’s website.

Corker: No response.

Community spaces: 

Several Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value having public spaces that bring the community together. As Louisa keeps growing, what role do you think the town should play in creating or supporting spaces like this?

Harte: Louisa has two parks in town. I have been fighting for four years to get a bathroom at these 2 parks. A porta-potty is the current provided resource. As a parent, grandparent, and school worker…..this is unacceptable. I was finally able to get bathrooms on our Capital Improvement Plan, but no date for installation has been provided.*

*Editor’s note: The local substack Engage Louisa mentions “an ongoing effort to install a bathroom at the town park, which is now included in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan.”

Corker: No response.

Are there any other pressing issues facing the Town of Louisa that you would like voters to know about?

Harte: 

  1. We are in year 4 of a drought.* In normal weather conditions we have several businesses, residential properties, and roads that flood from stormwater runoff. I brought a no-cost study to Louisa to evaluate what we as a town could do to help alleviate the problem. We just received their results and are pursuing grants for some of the recommendations.**
  2. Lack of affordable housing. 
  3. Lack of sufficient available work that would pay enough to meet current housing costs. 
  4. No low-cost urgent care facility or hospital. UVA closed their Zion Crossroads Urgent Care facility after a couple of years of operation as it was not financially viable.***
  5. More focus needed on meeting resident “needs.”

Editor’s notes:

*The U.S. Drought Monitor tracks drought data in Louisa County here, on a spectrum from “abnormally dry” to “exceptional drought.” The past four years in Louisa County have seen periods of “abnormally dry” and “moderate drought.” This summer was categorized as extreme drought and was the worst drought in the state in more than 20 years, as ABC 13 reported.  

**Harte did not provide more details on this study in a follow up email with Charlottesville Tomorrow.

***This may refer to the UVA Health’s Medical Park in Zion Crossroads, which NBC 29 reports expanded its offices earlier this year, but does not provide urgent care or emergency medical services, according to the Fluvanna Review. 

Corker: No response.

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]]> 132337 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)noVicky Harte responded to our candidate Q&A. Her opponent Durvin Corker did not.  The post The Town of Louisa hasn’t been fully staffed for years. Town Council candidate Vicky Harte shares ideas on how that can change in Q&A appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.news@cvilletomorrow.orgVicky Harte responded to our candidate Q&A. Her opponent Durvin Corker did not.  The post The Town of Louisa hasn’t been fully staffed for years. Town Council candidate Vicky Harte shares ideas on how that can change in Q&A appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.Charlottesville,Tomorrow,Charlottesville,Albemarle,Crozet,Brian,Wheeler,Sean,Tubbs,Virginia,news,growth,development Three candidates are running for three open seats on Pamplin’s Town Council https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/three-candidates-are-running-for-three-open-seats-on-pamplins-town-council/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:22:14 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132296 Text graphic reading 'Voter 2026 Guide' with a dynamic and colorful background.

We sent them questions about downtown development, budget priorities and flood preparedness. None of them responded.

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In Virginia, town councils are elected city leaders charged with overseeing a local town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

The Town of Pamplin City is located in both Appomattox and Prince Edward counties. It has six council members and a mayor elected to two-year terms. 

This year, three incumbents are running for three open seats on town council: Ken Swanson, Shannon Reed, and current Vice Mayor John Marks. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow reached out to the candidates multiple times through email and over the phone. No one responded to our questionnaire, which is based on responses received from our voter survey. 

Here are the questions we sent them. If you would like to reach out to them yourself, you can find candidate contact information, as provided to the Virginia State Department of Elections, searchable by name.

  • Town budget priorities: Pamplin has a small budget and no full-time town manager; a clerk-treasurer handles much of that work alongside the mayor. With limited money coming in, council members must choose which repairs, services or projects to fund each year. What should the town’s top spending priorities be, and how should the town decide between them?
  • Flood preparedness: Like many rural communities in Virginia, Pamplin is vulnerable to flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall that scientists predict will become more frequent in the future. To address this, the town successfully secured a $55,000 grant from the state’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund and is developing its first formal resilience plan. Do you think the town should prioritize funding the programs or constructions that the final plan ultimately recommends? If so, how would you go about making that happen?
  • Downtown development: After years of community effort, Pamplin’s Main Street is drawing new interest and revitalization. What’s your vision for Main Street, and what do you think the town can or should do to support businesses and buildings there?

More information on the candidates and issues: 

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    ]]>     132296 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     Two candidates are running for two open seats on Louisa’s Town Council https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/two-candidates-are-running-for-two-open-seats-on-louisas-town-council/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:32:02 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132289 Text graphic reading 'Voter 2026 Guide' with a dynamic and colorful background.

    Graven Craig and David Purcell did not respond to our candidate questionnaire, which included questions about local businesses, community spaces and more.

    The post Two candidates are running for two open seats on Louisa’s Town Council appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

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    In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing town governments. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions that determine how land can be used, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

    The Town of Louisa has five council members and a mayor elected to staggered four-year terms. Graven Craig and David Purcell are running for two open seats on town council. Both were appointed earlier this year to fill town council vacancies. 

    Craig is a founding partner at CraigWilliams, PLC. He ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 and 2023, but lost both times in the Republican primary. 

    Purcell runs J. S. Purcell Lumber Corporation, based in Louisa. He has not previously run for public office.

    Charlottesville Tomorrow reached out to the candidates multiple times through email, phone and social media, but neither submitted responses to the voter guide questionnaire, which is based on responses from our voter guide survey.

    Here are the questions we sent the candidates. If you would like to reach out to them yourself, you can find their contact information, as provided to the Virginia State Department of Elections, searchable by name.

    • Town government stability: Louisa’s town government has been through a rough stretch. A mayor resigned in 2024. Several more resignations followed in 2025, including the interim mayor, which forced a special election last November. During that turnover, the town went months without anyone on staff to record and post public meeting minutes, as required by law. Then this summer, the town’s newest manager left after only 10 months. How would you work to build a town government that’s stable, fully staffed and able to keep residents informed?
    • Local business: Some Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value the town’s small businesses and want to see Main Street thrive — one specifically pointed to the need for another grocery store in town. What role do you think the town should play in supporting local businesses, and what would you do to help Main Street thrive?
    • Growth and development: Louisa County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia, and the Town of Louisa is one of the county’s official growth areas, meaning new development is meant to land here. What’s your vision for growth in Louisa, and how would you work with the county and state leaders to ensure the town’s infrastructure is ready for it?
    • Data centers: Data centers emerged as a key issue of concern for Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey. Do you see this as an issue in the Town of Louisa, and, if so, what kinds of actions do you support the town taking?
    • Community spaces: Several Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value having public spaces that bring the community together. As Louisa keeps growing, what role do you think the town should play in creating or supporting spaces like this?

    More information on the candidates and issues: 

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    Back to the 2026 Voter Guide for Central Virginia

    The post Two candidates are running for two open seats on Louisa’s Town Council appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132289 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     Greene County is growing. How should its Board of Supervisors respond? https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/greene-county-is-growing-how-should-its-board-of-supervisors-respond/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:13:57 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132285 A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

    "Growth is inevitable, but poorly planned growth is not," said Greene County BOS candidate Alex Salle in our voter guide Q&A.

    The post Greene County is growing. How should its Board of Supervisors respond? appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

    In Virginia, Boards of Supervisors govern counties, and members are elected to four-year terms. Among other duties, they oversee the county budget, set tax rates and approve zoning regulations that determine how land can be used. Greene County’s Board of Supervisors has five members, four for each district and one member at-large. 

    This year, Greene County is holding a special election for its at-large member, a seat currently held by interim Supervisor Marie Durrer following the resignation of Francis McGuigan in January this year. 

    McGuigan reconsidered two days after submitting his resignation letter, but Virginia law does not allow resignations to be withdrawn. McGuigan filed a lawsuit against Greene County Board of Supervisors to return, but voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit in June, according to reporting from The Piedmont Journal Recorder. 

    Three candidates are vying for the position: Jennifer Ziros, John “Jay” Hunter and Alex Salle.

    Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for the candidates based on responses we received from our voter survey. One candidate, Alex Salle, responded. You can read his answers below.

    Growth and development

    Greene County’s population is growing fast, and it’s expected to keep growing for decades. That growth is affecting almost everything in the county. Folks who responded to our voter survey raised concerns about the increased traffic on rural roads, farmland sold off to developers and that Greene is turning into a “bedroom community” for Charlottesville. The county is now rewriting its Comprehensive Plan, the document that will shape how, and where, it grows for years to come. What’s your philosophy on growth in Greene, and what would you push for as the county rewrites this plan?

    Alex J. Salle: My philosophy is that Greene should grow in a way that preserves the rural character and natural beauty that make people want to live here in the first place. Growth is inevitable, but poorly planned growth is not. As we rewrite the Comprehensive Plan, I would push for directing our growth towards areas where roads, utilities, schools, and public safety services can realistically support it, while protecting farmland and rural areas from unnecessary development. New development, however, should not continually outpace our infrastructure or leave existing taxpayers carrying the entire burden of needed improvements. The Comprehensive Plan should give residents and property owners greater predictability about where growth is appropriate and ensure that development decisions are based on long-term planning, infrastructure capacity, and meaningful public input.

    Jennifer Ziros: No response.

    John “Jay” Hunter: No response.

    Water supply

    In order to adapt to the growing population and help protect against droughts, the county broke ground this past December on the White Run Reservoir, meant to secure the water supply through 2050. The project is being paid for with tens of millions of dollars in bonds, and the plan is for water rates to cover that debt. But some residents have raised concerns that if rates fall short, the county’s general fund, and real estate taxes, could end up covering the difference. Do you think the county should raise water rates further, or should the county draw on other funding if needed?

    Salle: I do not support continuing to raise water rates to place the cost of this project primarily on utility customers. The White Run Reservoir is a long-term public infrastructure investment that will benefit Greene County for decades, and I believe the County should shoulder some of that responsibility. I would push aggressively for additional state and federal funding, grants, and other responsible funding sources while examining where the County can reprioritize spending. Greene has already secured significant grant funding for this project,* and we should continue pursuing every opportunity to reduce the burden locally. If additional funding is needed, I believe the Board should have an open discussion about the options rather than automatically increasing water rates. Residents deserve both reliable water infrastructure and a serious effort to make it affordable.

    *Editor’s Note: In December, 2025, Greene County was awarded $12 million in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Health to go towards the Raw Water Line and Intake and Pump Station, two projects needed to complete the White Run Reservoir.

    Ziros: No response.

    Hunter: No response.

    Funding for schools

    Greene County’s population growth has also put strain on its school facilities. This November, voters will decide whether to approve a 1% sales tax dedicated to school construction. Do you support this tax, and if this money becomes available, what school building needs would you push to address first?

    Salle: I absolutely support the 1% sales tax. What residents of the County need to understand is that this sales tax is solely for school construction and capital improvements.* Greene County’s schools have significant facility needs, and continuing to delay those investments will only make them more expensive in the future. Based on a facilities study and information recently presented to the School Board, my first priority would be moving forward with a new elementary school.** Our population is growing, and we need to make sure our school facilities can accommodate that growth without overcrowding existing buildings or continually relying on temporary solutions. This funding allows Greene County to plan, address a clearly identified need, and make a long-term investment in our students, teachers, and families.

    Editor’s Notes:

    *Revenue from the 1% sales tax is to be used “solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools,” as written in the Code of Virginia.

    **Greene County Public Schools anticipate the need to build another school, after a report analyzing proposed housing developments in the county suggested that an extra 1,600 K-12 students could move into Greene County over the next 10 years, as CBS 19 News reports. School officials have said that Ruckersville Elementary is currently at 95% capacity and that another elementary school will need to be built within five to seven years to accommodate population growth.

    Ziros: No response.

    Hunter: No response.

    Immigration enforcement

    Greene County’s Sheriff’s Office has partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2025, including joint operations this year that led to dozens of arrests. Residents have raised concerns about the partnership directly with the Board of Supervisors. In Virginia, the sheriff is elected independently and doesn’t answer to the Board of Supervisors — the Board’s only real connection is approving the sheriff’s office budget each year. Given that limited role, is there anything you think the county should do in response, and if so, what?

    Salle: I respect that the Board of Supervisors does not direct law enforcement operations. But that does not mean that the Board has no responsibility when county resources and taxpayer dollars are involved. I believe the Board should require transparency about what county resources are being used through the ICE partnership, what costs are being incurred, and how those activities affect the community. I also believe local law enforcement resources should remain focused on public safety in Greene County. There is an important distinction between cooperating with federal authorities regarding individuals who have committed serious crimes versus using local resources to pursue otherwise law-abiding residents solely because of their immigration status. I support the former; I do not support the latter.

    Ziros: No response.

    Hunter: No response.

    Are there any other pressing issues facing Greene County that you would like voters to know about?

    Salle: One issue that deserves more attention is whether Greene County’s core services and infrastructure are keeping pace with its growth. We need a long-term plan for fire and rescue that addresses facilities, equipment, staffing, and support for our volunteers so that emergency services can meet the needs of a growing population. We also need to continue addressing road safety and congestion as development puts additional pressure on our transportation network. Underlying all of this is fiscal responsibility. Greene has significant capital needs ahead of us, and I believe the Board must plan for them years in advance, aggressively pursue outside funding, prioritize spending, and provide residents with clear information about where their tax dollars are going.

    Ziros: No response.

    Hunter: No response.

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    Back to the 2026 Voter Guide for Central Virginia

    The post Greene County is growing. How should its Board of Supervisors respond? appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132285 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     John Miller, who is running unopposed in Farmville’s at-large Town Council race, says he is looking for ‘creative ways’ to encourage affordable housing https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/john-miller-who-is-running-unopposed-in-farmvilles-at-large-town-council-race-says-he-is-looking-for-creative-ways-to-encourage-affordable-housing/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:59:05 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132281 A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

    Miller also discusses water supply and aging infrastructure in his candidate Q&A.

    The post John Miller, who is running unopposed in Farmville’s at-large Town Council race, says he is looking for ‘creative ways’ to encourage affordable housing appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     A purple and turquoise graphic has the words "Candidate Q&A?"

    In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing a local town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

    The Town of Farmville, which is in Prince Edward County, is divided into 5 wards. One town council member is elected from each ward and two are elected at-large. The town councilors and mayor serve four-year terms. 

    This year, three wards and one at-large position is up for election. John D. Miller is running unopposed for the at-large seat. 

    Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for Miller based on responses we received from our voter survey. He provided answers below.

    Housing

    Like many central Virginian communities, some Farmville residents struggle to find and pay for housing. What’s your view on Farmville’s housing needs, and what would you push for to address them?

    John D. Miller: We have not only a shortage of affordable housing — inasmuch as households earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income still struggle with market-rate prices — but also a shortage of a variety of housing options, including townhomes, condos, duplexes, and tiny homes.* As chairman of the planning commission, we’re already looking into ways — and I’d continue to advocate for this on the Town Council — by reducing bulk regulations (lot sizes and setbacks) and looking for creative means to encourage development, like cottage courts. It’s also important to hear from developers and other subject matter experts about their perspectives, and I’m glad we have an ad hoc committee of such stakeholders to share their ideas and give input to town planners.**

    Editor’s Notes:

    *The most recent median household income data for the Town of Farmville that we could find was $40,966, which is pulled from 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-year data from the United States Census Bureau. The median sale price of a home in Farmville in 2021 was $181,500 and thus far in 2026 it is $274,869, according to Redfin. One nonprofit, STEPS Inc., has proposed mixed-income housing in the Town of Farmville as a way to combat housing insecurity across the region, as reported by The Farmville Herald in August 2026. 

    **The Farmville Planning Commission meeting agendas and notes are available on the Town of Farmville’s website.

    Healthcare access

    Farmville’s own hospital, Centra Southside Community Hospital, closed its labor and delivery unit this past winter — part of a broader pattern of more rural communities losing access to health care. Is there anything you can see the town government doing to help address this, even in a small way?

    Miller: The short answer is I don’t know. But I’d like to know more about what the Town Council could do to help healthcare systems navigate the headwinds of tight economics and changing federal policies.

    Data centers

    What is your stance on data centers in the Town of Farmville? What information would you want to have before deciding how Farmville should approach data center development?

    Miller: Data centers are not in Farmville’s zoning matrix,* and I would not vote for data centers to be added to it.

    *Editor’s Note: The proposed Heartland Innovative Technology Park data center is currently planned for about a mile outside of town limits and the final project size is still in flux. The current site specifications identify the water source as “Town of Farmville/Prince Edward County” and the water capacity as up to 1.2 millions of gallons of water from Town of Farmville and up to 5.5 millions of gallons of water from a “Proposed Sandy River Reservoir.” Here is a FAQ about the proposed data center, from Prince Edward County’s website.

    Water supply

    Farmville relies on the Appomattox River for its water supply. This summer, as the river dropped to unusually low levels during a regional drought, the town asked residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Scientists predict that droughts like the one experienced this summer will increase in frequency and severity in the coming years. How should the town prepare to protect its water supply?

    Miller: In spite of the low rainfall this summer,* Farmville was still operating well within its capacity. We’ll have to continue to be wise stewards of water usage, not only advising our residents and businesses, but the town itself should be a careful manager of water consumption.

    *Editor’s Note: Dry weather and low water levels of the Appomattox River prompted the Town of Farmville to ask residents and businesses to conserve water, according to the Farmville Herald.

    Are there any other pressing issues facing the Town of Farmville that you would like voters to know about?

    Miller: Last year’s Asset Management Plan revealed that Farmville has plenty of aging infrastructure beneath our streets. A top priority would be continuing to make sure that the water and sewer funds remain dedicated to underwriting those operations, including preventive maintenance, repairs, and replacement.* We have a terrific public works team in Farmville, and careful financial stewardship is crucial to make sure they consistently have the resources to do their job and sustain our infrastructure.

    *Editor’s Note: The Town of Farmville budgets for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 through 2026-2027 are available on the Farmville website. To view a map of the pipe infrastructure, you can take a look at the GIS map. First, click “Map Layers” and then, select “Sewer Lines” and “Water Lines” for the pipe infrastructure.

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    The post John Miller, who is running unopposed in Farmville’s at-large Town Council race, says he is looking for ‘creative ways’ to encourage affordable housing appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132281 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     Through a historic drought, Virginia cattle farmers fight to keep herds fed and farms alive https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/through-a-historic-drought-virginia-cattle-farmers-fight-to-keep-herds-fed-and-farms-alive/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:36:35 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132237 A man stands in a field looking at a group of cows standing together.

    "Our first cutting of hay was averaging about a third of a normal crop," said Dave Norford, a seventh generation cattle farmer in Albemarle County. "So we knew we were in trouble at that point."

    The post Through a historic drought, Virginia cattle farmers fight to keep herds fed and farms alive appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     A man stands in a field looking at a group of cows standing together.

    In mid-October, the rolling pastures at Dave Norford’s 3,000-acre cattle farm in rural Albemarle County were a deep, lush green.

    “It’s fabulous,” Norford said, as he motored past a herd of grazing cows in his utility vehicle. A few months earlier, the land didn’t look like this.

    For much of the year, these pastures were a dry brown. The grasses struggled and eventually withered under the strain of one of the longest and most devastating droughts Virginia has seen in decades.

    Listen to a podcast version of this story, produced in partnership between Charlottesville Tomorrow and In My Humble Opinion radio show. Jessie Higgins/Charlottesville Tomorrow

    The drought started a full year ago in October 2025 and persisted through the spring, summer, and, in some parts of southern Virginia, it continues today. Across the state, wells dried up, water reservoirs sank worrisomely low, and cattle pastures baked under the relentless sun.

    For Virginia’s cattle farmers, the past year has been a struggle to keep animals fed and farms financially viable. But their biggest challenge may still lie ahead: figuring out how to sustain their farms in a future where drought could become increasingly common.

    “One of the biggest threats to farming in general is trying to figure out how we react and are also able to prepare for some of these swings in the weather that seem to be happening,” said Sarah Sharpe, a Greene County extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, a Virginia Tech program that connects farmers with agricultural research and resources.

    For now, many Virginia farmers remain focused on getting through the current crisis.

    A man in a plaid shirt and jeans sits at a desk with his phone open writing something on a small sheet of paper. The desk is in a older building with wooden walls and sit beneath a window overlooking a pasture and trees.
    Dave Norford works in his office in a barn on this 3,000 acre cattle farm in rural Albemarle County. Jessie Higgins/Charlottesville Tomorrow

    Although the drought technically started in October 2025, it wasn’t until about April that most farmers realized they might be in trouble, Sharpe said. Typically, weather patterns in this part of the world bring substantial rain beginning around March. That rain sparks grass to grow thick and tall. Farmers head out and cut that spring flush sometime in April or May to store as hay to feed their cattle over the winter.

    But this year, the rain didn’t come. As April gave way to May, farmer’s pastures weren’t growing.

    “Our first cutting of hay was averaging about a third of a normal crop,” said Norford. “So we knew we were in trouble at that point.”

    As a seventh generation farmer on his Albemarle County land, Norford immediately recognized that he needed to act. His farm keeps an average of 500 cows that are bred to have calves every fall. And 500 pregnant cows is a lot of mouths to feed.

     “We started buying hay as soon as we could find any to buy,” he said.

    Norford also made the quick decision to plant summer annual grasses throughout his fields, varieties like sorghum and millet that don’t need as much water to grow. This was a strategy employed by many farmers.

    In nearby Greene County, third generation farmer Ralph Morton’s first cutting of hay was also down to about one third of his normal harvest. 

    Morton has a much smaller operation than Norford, just a few dozen cows that he sells direct to consumers. He is careful to keep his herd small enough to never overburden his pastures. And he tends those pastures throughout the year, fertilizing them with woodchips he composts himself.

    He, too, acted quickly, planting sorghum and sudangrass. The summer grasses grew.

    A small black calf stands in a lush green pasture. Behind it, a group of cows are gathered beneath a tree.
    Dave Norford’s pastures are now thick and lush after some October rainstorms brought his area of central Virginia out of drought. Jessie Higgins/Charlottesville Tomorrow

    “They were just short,” Morton said. “They weren’t burnt up because we have a mix of warm season and cool season grasses there.”

    Though, as the months ticked forward, it became clear to both Morton and Norford that even with their precautions, they really needed rain.

    Luckily for both, rain eventually arrived in central Virginia. In late July and early August, a few summer storms rolled through. It didn’t bring enough rain to officially break the drought — but it was enough to bring Norford’s pastures back. He was able to graze his cows, and cut new hay.

    “If we hadn’t started getting the rain we did starting about August, we would really be in trouble,” Norford said.

    He isn’t speaking hypothetically. In counties further south of him, that is exactly the situation farmers are facing.

    “A lot of those rains that came through across the valley, they kind of came across Appomattox and the very top of Campbell County,” said Todd Scott, a cattle farmer and extension agent in Campbell County. “But most of the county didn’t get a lot of that rain that pulled everybody else out of the drought. So, it’s been a tough year.”

    By August, the situation in southside and southwest Virginia was bleak.

    Scott, like many of his neighboring farmers, sold his new calves early. He then set about carefully rationing his hay, trying to do the math on how long he would have enough to feed his remaining herd — or if he had to sell them.

    As other farmers across this region of Virginia, too, had to ration their hay supplies, cows got increasingly hungry.

    “We had a lot more cattle getting out,” Scott said. “Cattle usually, if their bellies are full, it doesn’t take a lot to keep them in the pasture. They don’t go anywhere. But a cow is a pretty strong animal. If they want to get out, they can get out of about any fence that we have. So we had a lot more cases of cows out. I put that on some Facebook posts, too. Like, ‘Hey folks, cows are hungry, and it seems like there’s greener grasses in the ditches. So just be careful.'”

    Ultimately, many farmers made the difficult decision to sell cows. But even that hasn’t been enough for some farms.

    By September, the drought and ensuing hay shortage reached such heights that Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency. Her order lifted several transportation restrictions, making it easier to quickly transport large amounts of hay from neighboring states to Virginia’s increasingly desperate farmers.

    A few square bales of hay are stacked on a green trailer in a long covered barn.
    Though many areas of Virginia were pulled out of drought in October, the year of historically dry weather means hay is in short supply across the state. Jessie Higgins/Charlottesville Tomorrow

    Since then, Scott knows of at least one company that has donated hay. And farmers in Ohio, where the drought didn’t reach, are offering up supplies. He and a few other folks around the state are working to connect Virginia producers with suppliers.

    The extra hay brought some much-needed relief. But farmers in southside and southwest Virginia were still waiting for the one thing no one could truck in from another state.

    In early October, it finally happened. The clouds rolled in.

    “Things have gotten a little better the last couple of weeks,” Scott said on Oct. 19. “We’ve got some rain. I think the grass has started to pop a little bit. But what concerns us now is, is it going to be enough? Because we’re hoping for a warm fall and that the frost holds off. Because if that frost hits quickly, that’s going to slow our grass growth down again.”

    As winter looms ahead, Scott and other extension agents have started gathering farmers to talk through strategies for getting through the next season. Increasingly, those talks have veered toward the future, and how to prepare should Virginia farmers face a drought that decimates hay production again.

    That’s a real possibility, said Julie Shortridge, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech who spends her time researching how to make water resource systems more sustainable.

    “I don’t think that we would necessarily say this drought is because of climate change,” Shortridge said. “We’ve always gotten droughts; we always will. But there are certain aspects of how our climate is changing that can impact the risk of drought.”

    The first, she said, is that Earth is getting warmer.

    According to the Virginia Climate Center, which is run by George Mason University, the average temperature in Virginia has increased by nearly 3 degrees since 1970. The warmer weather is going to cause a few different changes.

    One is that storms will become much more intense. When they hit, they will dump large quantities of water over short periods of time. The downpours will happen too quickly for the soil to soak up much of the water, so most of it will run off into lakes and rivers.

    Black, which and brown cows and their calves gather in a muddy area of a pasture. Some are standing, some are laying down.
    Cattle at Dave Norford’s 3,000 acre Albemarle County farm bunch around a watering trough. Jessie Higgins/Charlottesville Tomorrow

    That means that while the overall amount of rain may actually increase over time, the moisture in the soil may, in fact, drop.

    That’s not good news for farmers. Because the other thing that the warmer weather will do, between rains, is dry out that soil. Fast.

    “If you have higher temperatures, plants are generally going to use more water more quickly, and so the soil moisture will dry out more quickly as well,” Shortridge said.

    So farmers in the future will need strategies to deal with more frequent droughts.

    But for now, it looks like relief might be on the way. The National Weather Service this month put out a forecast for the upcoming winter. It predicts that this year will bring wetter than average weather across much of the country, including Virginia. This winter may also be warmer than normal.

    If a wet winter turns into a wet spring, then next year’s hay crop could enable farms across Virginia to stockpile for the next bad year, as extension agents suggest.

    For Morton, a U.S. Army veteran, that uncertainty is something he said he and other farmers have learned to live with.

    “Just adapt,” Morton said. “You know, nothing to stress about. It goes back to my military experience. Somebody throws an obstacle in front of you, you just have to figure out how to get around it. You figure out how to adapt, overcome, nothing to be freaking out about. Just take a deep breath, analyze the situation, come up with a course of action and move forward.”

    The post Through a historic drought, Virginia cattle farmers fight to keep herds fed and farms alive appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132237 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     Incumbent Richard Conner is running unopposed for mayor of Appomatox https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/incumbent-richard-conner-is-running-unopposed-for-mayor-of-appommatox/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:12:52 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132268 Text graphic reading 'Voter 2026 Guide' with a dynamic and colorful background.

    We asked Conner about affordable housing, water supply and data centers. He did not respond.

    The post Incumbent Richard Conner is running unopposed for mayor of Appomatox appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     Text graphic reading 'Voter 2026 Guide' with a dynamic and colorful background.

    In Virginia, towns and cities can have either a “weak mayor” or “strong mayor” system. In a strong mayor system, like in the City of Richmond, the mayor holds a lot of power. They carry out policies passed by the City Council and handle local government administration. 

    But most towns in Virginia have a “weak mayor” system, where the mayor has a mostly ceremonial position and presides over Town Council meetings. Often, mayors can only vote to break a tie and have no veto power. Towns with weak mayors often hire town managers to handle day-to-day administration. Not every town elects their mayor – some select a mayor from within town council – but the Town of Appomattox does.

    Appomattox Town Council has six council members elected to four-year terms, and a mayor elected to two-year terms. According to the town’s charter, the mayor is “recognized as the head of the town for all ceremonial purposes, the purposes of military law, and the service of civil process”, but cannot vote unless there is a tie. 

    This year, incumbent Richard Conner is the only candidate running for mayor. 

    Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for Conner based on responses we received from our voter survey. When Charlottesville Tomorrow reached him over the phone, he said would not respond as he was running unopposed. 

    Conner was also unopposed when he first ran for mayor in 2020, as well as the following two elections in 2022 and 2024, according to the Virginia Elections Database. 

    Here are the questions we sent Conner. You can find his contact information, as provided to the Virginia State Department of Elections, searchable by name, if you would like to reach out to him yourself. 

    • Data centers: A company called AVAIO Digital is planning to build a $3 billion data center development at the Appomattox Center for Business and Commerce, which sits outside the town limits, but relies on a 1999 agreement allocating up to 45,000 gallons of Town of Appomattox water daily to the industrial park. That’s about one quarter of what Appomattox town residents typically use in a day. Though the developer, AVAIO Digital, says the facility will use far less water than that, residents remain concerned. What steps, if any, do you think the town can or should take regarding this agreement and the AVAIO Digital data center? And, more broadly, what is your stance on data centers within the town limits?
    • Water & sewer infrastructure: Building on that water issue: The Town of Appomattox faces ongoing costs to repair aging water and sewer pipes. What is your strategy to pay for future, critical utility upgrades, and under what circumstances would you vote to raise water and sewer rates again?
    • Water supply: And a final question on the topic of water: Appomattox buys its water from the Campbell County Service and Utility Authority. This summer’s drought led that authority to ask residents to voluntarily conserve water. Scientists predict that droughts will become more frequent in the future. Are there any steps the town should take to prepare to protect its water supply?
    • Downtown redevelopment & housing: The Town of Appomattox recently began demolition on the old garment factory site on Confederate Boulevard, using a $400,000 state grant to clear the way for 34 new “workforce housing” townhomes. The project is meant to offer homes affordable to middle-income workers, like teachers and first responders, who earn too much for low-income assistance but are often priced out of new homes. However, town-assisted housing projects like this can draw criticism for a number of reasons. If elected, under what circumstances — if any — would you vote to use town resources, state grants or zoning changes to help build affordable or workforce housing in Appomattox?

    More about the candidate and issues: 

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    The post Incumbent Richard Conner is running unopposed for mayor of Appomatox appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132268 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)     Albemarle County School Board must hire new independent investigator, Virginia Department of Education says https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/albemarle-county-school-board-must-hire-new-independent-investigator-virginia-department-of-education-says/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:30:40 +0000 https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/?p=132244 A man stands at a podium during a public meeting in a large council chamber, addressing several men and women seated on a dais. Audience members behind the man standing at the podium raise their hands.

    The announcement comes after parents and community members voiced their concerns over the independence of the firm currently hired by the School Board.

    The post Albemarle County School Board must hire new independent investigator, Virginia Department of Education says appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     A man stands at a podium during a public meeting in a large council chamber, addressing several men and women seated on a dais. Audience members behind the man standing at the podium raise their hands.

    The Virginia Department of Education has given the Albemarle County School Board 10 days to hire a new firm to conduct an independent investigation into the school division’s practices and policies.

    Logo reads "Short & Important"

    Following the arrest of Michael Swiney, former Social Emotional Learning coach at Hollymead Elementary, who has been charged with multiple felony counts of sexual crimes involving children, and the arrest of Nicholas Clark, a former teacher at Woodbrook Elementary, who was charged for possession of child pornography, the School Board voted unanimously to have an “independent investigation” into the division’s policies and practices. 

    The vote for an investigation followed the resignations of former Superintendent Matthew Haas and former Hollymead Principal Joseph McCauley.

    On August 4, the School Board agreed to hire Richmond-based law office Harman, Claytor, Corrigan and Wellman to do the job. But the firm was also hired by the Board’s insurer to look into the allegations made against Swiney, according to an engagement letter sent to the school division by the firm. The firm also represented the School Board and the district in 2022 during a lawsuit over the district’s anti-racism policy. 

    This sparked more scrutiny against the school division by parents and community members. 

    “Albemarle families deserve an investigation whose only loyalty is to the truth,” Phil Riese, an ACPS parent, said in an email.

    Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Chair Ned Galloway released a statement Oct. 28, referring to an Oct. 27 letter sent by the Virginia Department of Education’s Superintendent of Instruction Jenna Conway. The letter establishes a new framework for an independent review of Albemarle County Public Schools.

    “ACPS must retain a qualified independent consultant within 10 business days,” Galloway said. “VDOE will review and approve the scope of the independent review, evaluate the consultant’s qualifications and independence, require deadlines for interim and final reports, and remain engaged through implementation of the resulting recommendations. This is a substantial and welcome development.” 

    Take action

    Share your feedback at Nov. 4 Albemarle County School Board town hall

    Albemarle County School Board member Kate Acuff will host a town hall on Nov. 4 at Mary Carr Greer Elementary. Parents and community members will be able to join and ask questions. 

    Board Chair Rebecca Berlin will also be present. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at 190 Lambs Ln., Charlottesville, and parents from Greer, Journey Middle School and Albemarle High School are welcome to join. 

    Families and community members can send questions in advance through this form. Those who are unable to attend can still send questions.

    On October 15, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution requesting action by the School Board and “assistance from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to address concerns involving Albemarle County Public Schools.”

    The resolution came after two current administrators at ACPS, Director of Human Resources Brodie Downs, and Title IX Coordinator Erin Stone, as well as McCauley were arrested and charged with failure to report child abuse. 

    The adopted resolution also asks that adequate training on policies, protections, and anonymous reporting mechanisms be in place to safeguard mandated reporters or whistleblowers, and that “staff are clearly informed of their legal obligation to report suspected abuse and their right to do so directly to the County Department of Social Services or the statewide hotline without supervisor approval.”

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    The post Albemarle County School Board must hire new independent investigator, Virginia Department of Education says appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

    ]]>     132244 news@cvilletomorrow.org (news@cvilletomorrow.org)noThe announcement comes after parents and community members voiced their concerns over the independence of the firm currently hired by the School Board. The post Albemarle County School Board must hire new independent investigator, Virginia Department of Education says appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.news@cvilletomorrow.orgThe announcement comes after parents and community members voiced their concerns over the independence of the firm currently hired by the School Board. The post Albemarle County School Board must hire new independent investigator, Virginia Department of Education says appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.Charlottesville,Tomorrow,Charlottesville,Albemarle,Crozet,Brian,Wheeler,Sean,Tubbs,Virginia,news,growth,development