Rottman responds to Supervisor White’s letter
Buchanan District residents – I read Amy White’s April 30 letter to The Fincastle Herald about the issues she believes are involved in the upcoming election for the Buchanan District county supervisor seat. In Supervisor White’s letter, she attempts to divert the voters’ attention away from a focus on county taxes. I have talked with literally hundreds of Buchanan District residents, however, and skyrocketing taxes is their number one concern. Their number two concern is not being listened to, either by their own supervisor or the board. And their number three concern is reckless development that has added to their tax burden and is destroying the beauty and character of the county.
These concerns were almost universally expressed and are thus for me the crucial issues in this election. Of course, as Supervisor White emphasizes, the quality of public education is critically important to the community (and a strong personal interest of mine) but the School Board is exclusively in charge of educational policy under Virginia law.
Supervisor White’s letter contends that good governance is about more than taxes. Of course that’s true, but I believe that what our skyrocketing taxes reflect is poor governance – poor spending discipline, poor budgeting, poor planning, poor maintenance of our important structures, and poor oversight of the county administration – whose vision for the county is wildly at odds with the vision of the people who live here. This all needs to change.
I attended a slew of budget subcommittee meetings and public budget hearings to understand what is going on. The process now is that the administration prepares a proposed budget by taking last year’s spending as a given and adding to that the wish list of every department for how much they want to increase that spending. They then cut that increase back, slightly, and call it “cutting spending.” (It is, of course, only decreasing the new spending.) The process ensures that spending will always increase, and taxes will go up to pay for the increased spending. This year the process resulted in a planned deficit of over $2 million.
Zero-based budgeting is an alternative, fiscally responsible method for budgeting. Instead of automatic increases year after year, zero-based budgeting starts from scratch and adds back the essential functions of government (such as fire and safety and schools), scrutinizes cost effectiveness, and ensures that every expenditure gives the taxpayer a return on their tax dollars. This is the opposite of what the county government currently does.
I have spoken with all kinds of people to learn what is important to them — seniors, farmers, business owners, educators, homeschoolers, homeowners, retirees, young marrieds, parents with growing families. I will continue to listen to them so that I can accurately represent their interests and desires. I will be holding town halls for that purpose. Of course, every supervisor has a responsibility to the entire county, but that must not take priority over the interests of the people of the Buchanan District, as has been the case.
There are two ways to guarantee that taxes keep going up: (1) Vote for the same candidate who already raised your taxes because she’s “local,” (2) Stay at home instead of voting for a new choice.
My husband and I spent five years looking for the perfect retirement place. We could have lived pretty much anywhere, but we chose Botetourt County for reasons that are now in danger of disappearing. I mean to defend the Botetourt that I – and you – love.
I’m Linda Rottman, I’m running for the Republican nomination for the Buchanan seat on the county Board of Supervisors. I want to bring my skills, your input, and some common sense to government to eliminate wasteful spending, lower our tax burden and protect our beautiful county. Early voting has started already in Fincastle, and the primary election is June 17 at your regular polling place. Thank you!
Linda Rottman
Buchanan
Vote for Terry Austin on June 17
I want to encourage everyone to support Delegate Terry Austin in the primary on June 17, and the election in November.
Delegate Austin has represented us since 2014. He has brought a common-sense approach to legislation without compromising his conservative values. Many people in Richmond think Virginia ends at Charlottesville – Delegate Austin has worked hard to expand Virginia to include us! He has passed legislation that has generated funding for projects for our area, including economic development with pad-ready sites which create jobs and funding for improvements to the I-81 corridor. He also chairs the VA250 Commission which celebrates Western Virginia’s heritage in the American Revolution and showcases the Fincastle Resolutions’ significant contributions to our nation’s liberation from Britain.
Delegate Austin is approachable and responsive to constituents who reach out to him. His experience makes him an effective representative for our district, even when he is in the minority. I urge you to support him in the upcoming primary on June 17, 2025, and again in the general election in November.
Mac Doubles
Troutville
Supports Padgett for supervisor
As a resident of the Amsterdam District, I would like to urge my fellow residents to vote for Dirk Padgett for supervisor.
I would appreciate having a new supervisor with different perspectives. I feel moving a current member of the Planning Commission to supervisor is a vote for the present administration’s aggressive over-development policies. Also, after last year’s huge tax increase, we need more fiscal responsibility for the residents of Botetourt County
Irene Walker
Troutville
Amy Stinnett White, a strong leader
What is a leader? A leader inspires, motivates and guides others. A leader is a good communicator, a visionary, and is self motivated. I have known Amy Stinnett White for more than 25 years and she exemplifies these qualities.
After our minister of 16 years retired, Amy was selected to chair a search committee at Buchanan Presbyterian Church to find a new minister. I served on that committee and saw firsthand Amy’s leadership expertise. Those of us on the committee had very different ideas of what we wanted when our group first convened. Amy had us look at the big picture and focus on our goal. She led us to find commonality in our ideas. She found our strengths and motivated each of us to make the most of those strengths. We became a very cohesive group under Amy’s leadership.
She came into each meeting with a plan, kept us focused and always had the information that we needed to complete the task of that meeting. She also willingly spent much time communicating with the congregation. I have never witnessed Amy not taking the time to talk with someone – be it at church, on Main Street, at the Botetourt Farmer’s Market or at a community meeting.
Amy cares deeply about Buchanan and Botetourt County. We are so fortunate that Amy is willing to give of her time and talents to serve our community. I am certain that Amy, the wife, mother, daughter, educator, friend never saw herself in the public role that she now has. Please join me in voting for Amy Stinnett White so that we can continue to thrive under Amy’s leadership.
Sherry Smith Crumley
Buchanan
Endorses Austin for nomination on June 17
I am writing to enthusiastically endorse the nomination and re-election of Delegate Terry Austin, a Botetourt County native, as our representative in Virginia’s General Assembly from the 37th District.
For the past 12 years, Delegate Austin has demonstrated strong leadership and deep knowledge. He has supported thoughtful, conservative legislation to promote economic development, education, and public safety for both Botetourt and the Commonwealth.
These characteristics are not new to him. When he served on the Botetourt Board of Supervisors, he played a pivotal role in attracting Altec to the Greenfield Industrial Park, resulting in hundreds of good-paying jobs and increased economic vitality for the area. His dedication to Botetourt’s economic health continued in the House of Delegates, where he was instrumental in bringing Eldor to Greenfield Industrial Park – a tremendous success for our community.
Delegate Austin’s proven leadership has led to his current role as Ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, and he was appointed to the Republican Representative to the Budget Conference. His contributions and achievements in these positions are significant. He consistently votes to reduce taxes for all Virginians and is a vigorous advocate for Virginia’s highways, especially I-81.
Finally, Delegate Austin was selected as Virginia Chairman of VA250, which commemorates our independence – bringing honor and distinction to both the Commonwealth and Botetourt County.
The road ahead will not be easy. Botetourt County voters have always supported proven, energetic, and dedicated leadership. I encourage you to vote for a strong leader in the General Assembly on June 17, 2025: Terry Austin.
John E. Alderson
Fincastle
Donate now for Fincastle’s fireworks in July
Since it is the first of May, we only have two months until the Fourth of July when we celebrate Independence Day. Since things are getting back to normal, the Town of Fincastle is going to have the Fourth of July Fireworks Display on Sunday, July 6, at Breckinridge Elementary School around 9 p.m. If we have it on July 4 or 5, it would cost $2,000 more.
We have a professional fireworks company to put off the display. The cost of the fireworks display will be $7,000, which is more than its usual cost. Please send a donation to the Town of Fincastle, P.O. Box 250, Fincastle, 24090, or you can call the Town Office, 540-473-2200 to give a donation with your debt card or credit card. At the fireworks display you will be able to donate with debt card.
Here hoping that the weather is good and a large crowd will come to see the fireworks. Bring a chair or blankets, come early and have a picnic. This is the time to get together with family and friends, come one and all.
Paige Ware
Town of Fincastle
