Photo courtesy of Town of Buchanan
By Matt de Simone
Buchanan Town Council met Monday night at Town Hall addressing a range of business matters and community updates.
The evening opened with reports from town staff, including a brief financial update. The council ruled on several agenda items, including approval of the FY 2025-26 annual budget and setting a real property tax rate at $0.143/$100 of assessed valuation, the personal property tax at $0.32/$100 of assessed valuation, trash collection fee at $20/month, and the rezoning and special use fees at $350. A breakdown of the budget can be found in the meeting’s agenda packet on the town’s website.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, Council member Rose Jeter, who has served on the Town Council since January 2024, submitted her letter of resignation. Jeter cited both personal and professional reasons and explained that she and her family will soon be moving just outside town limits, which makes her ineligible to continue serving. Although she initially intended to complete her two-year term, recent changes to the Town Charter extended it to three years, prompting her decision to step down early so that a special election might be held this November.
In her resignation letter, Jeter expressed deep concern over the council’s lack of cohesion. She highlighted missed opportunities and administrative instability, including the resignation of Town Manager Angela Lawrence after just six months, delays on grant-funded projects, and unaddressed infrastructure issues. Jeter also detailed several achievements made possible by community involvement, such as new recreation initiatives and grant proposals, while warning that continued mismanagement could threaten Buchanan’s future.
Despite her resignation, Jeter voiced strong optimism for Buchanan’s potential, urging residents and future leaders to embrace a shared vision, support effective governance, and stay actively involved in shaping the town’s future.
Below is Jeter’s letter to the town:
Buchanan at a crossroads – leadership matters
To the residents of Buchanan, as I shared in my campaign announcement, my husband and I moved to Buchanan eight years ago this fall. We quickly fell in love with this town — it’s a wonderful place to raise our two children. We cherish the slower pace, the close-knit community, and the incredible people who make Buchanan feel like home.
During my time on the local steering committee for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities grant, I witnessed a wave of positive momentum driven by passionate residents. The committee was eager to share the plan and invite more community involvement, but we felt it was necessary to wait until a new town manager was in place. We were thrilled when Angela Lawrence joined us, drawn by the energy and vision reflected in that plan.
Sadly, due to actions beyond my control, Angela announced her resignation just six months into her tenure. Once again, we find ourselves with a strong plan — but without the staff support needed to bring it to life.
Still, there is good news worth celebrating. Here are just a few highlights from the community-created plan (available in full on the town’s website):
- Business Gathering: A successful event that brought together local businesses to network and learn about opportunities from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Small Business Administration, Virginia Main Street, and the Botetourt County Economic Development Team.
- New Walking Trail: A Memorandum of Understanding between the county, school, and town has been approved for a walking trail at Buchanan Elementary, utilizing underused county land. Progress has been delayed due to the vacant town manager position, but volunteers remain committed.
- Limestone Park: Plans for improved outdoor recreation are moving forward.
- Grant Work: Angela Lawrence and I collaborated with grant writer Tracy Garland (funded by the Regional Commission) to submit two major grant applications:
- A $100,000 grant for a Town Park Master Plan with community input and new signage (not awarded, but being repurposed for other applications).
- A $25,000 grant for a Buchanan by the River Music Series, which has been approved for award negotiations. This series includes events like Ragtime by the River, Reggae by the River, and Roots or Rockabilly by the River.
I believe this past year — and the one ahead — is a pivotal moment for Buchanan. Some residents have even suggested dissolving the Town Charter. I strongly disagree. Doing so would eliminate our Planning Commission and shift control over Buchanan’s growth to the county. That would be a tragic loss of local voice and vision.
Unfortunately, it’s becoming harder to defend the mismanagement caused by council. The current council lacks a cohesive vision and is not fulfilling its role in our manager-council form of government. This dysfunction has led to high turnover — if a new town manager is hired by year’s end, it will mark six managers (including interims) in just two years.
This instability has real consequences — and the following list is likely just the tip of the iceberg:
- Policing Funds: The town stopped applying for 599 state grant funds years ago but continued allocating money to the county — resulting in a $134,834 loss. This was corrected only recently, thanks to town staff.
- Sewer Repairs: In 2023, the town was offered a $1.8 million low interest DEQ loan (with $368,400 in forgiveness) for sewer repairs. As of last month, no action had been taken. Interim Manager Jon Ellestad recently noted in the budget commentary that our water and sewer system is in financial trouble and needs significant maintenance. I’m glad council voted with me to allow Jon to research options — including the potential sale of the system. Residents deserve to see all the data and options, with full transparency, so they can make informed decisions and voice their views.
- Special Events: The staff position that once managed events (and grants, zoning, and marketing) was eliminated without a clear replacement plan. Attempts to hire part-time or contract help have failed and/or been too costly. A new position was proposed but denied by council. As a result, events continue to rely on volunteers— or don’t happen at all — due to a lack of staff support and leadership.
- Missed Grants and Budget Concerns: The town has missed out on numerous grant opportunities — a loss that’s difficult to quantify. Additionally, the town’s budget has become increasingly reliant on one-time COVID relief funds and revenue from the carnival — an event largely run by volunteers, many of whom live outside town limits. This is not a sustainable financial strategy. Town-owned buildings are also in need of significant attention. As Angela Lawrence recommended, we need a comprehensive capital improvement plan to identify and prioritize necessary maintenance and repairs.
- Zoning Enforcement: Residents regularly raise concerns about zoning violations, but council continues to delay action and has not created an enforcement plan.
I truly believe that with a clear, community-driven vision and leadership that empowers the town manager to do their job effectively, Buchanan could not only improve services but also reduce the tax burden on residents. Unfortunately, the current council’s lack of direction and unwillingness to support professional management continues to undermine that potential.
Because I plan to move just outside town limits in the near future, I am resigning from council. I had hoped to complete my two-year term, but due to recent charter changes, my term was extended to three years. By resigning now, it is my hope that town has time to hold a special election this November, allowing voters to choose who will serve the final year of my term. I believe the residents deserve that choice.
Like many small towns, Buchanan is changing. But change doesn’t have to mean losing our identity. Buchanan residents have the opportunity to shape the future — to be thoughtful, visionary, and united. What legacy will this council leave behind? Will it be the one that allowed Buchanan to disappear, or the one that helped it thrive?
Our town doesn’t need more critics. It needs problem-solvers. It needs leaders who lift others up — not tear them down — with the united goal of making Buchanan better.
Please pray for Buchanan. Two of my favorite quotes sum it up best:
“The greatest tragedy is indifference.” — Unknown
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”— Margaret Mead
With gratitude and hope,
Rose Jeter
Buchanan
Council members also discussed ongoing projects at Monday’s meeting such as the Main Street improvements and upcoming community events. Interim Town Manager Jon Ellestad provided updates on planning efforts and grant applications that aim to improve infrastructure and public amenities.
