Supports right to express opinions
Guess who wrote the letter to the editor for May 6, 2026? As I am reading, I can’t wait to get to the end to see who wrote it. And yes, I guessed correctly– Bob Patterson. His long, long letter of pure drivel states he is tired of the CCs (Constant Complainers), his terminology, at the Board of Supervisors meetings.
As I recall, people have the right to state their concerns and questions at these meetings. The reason that they keep stating the same thing over is they are hoping our thick-headed Board of Supervisors and county administrator will finally listen to what they have to say. I applaud any questions that any of the supervisors might have about our county budget.
Currently, it seems like there is only one supervisor that is questioning the taxpayers’ money. When money is spent in most households they know where it goes. We need to tighten our money belts and quit giving it out so freely. And hopefully not, but if the data center goes in I’m sure that money is already spent. That’s where the problem is. Spending before you get it.
And Bob, you are exercising your freedom of speech by complaining about the ones who speak at the meetings. At least they have something to say.
Terri Frantz
Troutville
Urges involvement in local governments
Why we chose Botetourt.
In 1987 my wife and I were looking for a farm where we could raise show horses and provide a healthy environment for our two young children. We found the perfect spot: Wiloma Plantation, a historic home on 130 acres near Fincastle. Catawba Creek and Town Branch run through our property. When we first moved to Botetourt, Catawba Creek was rich in wildlife– painted turtles, bass, wood ducks, otters, and beaver. Today, most of these creatures are gone. Some of Catawba Creek’s waters are now being pumped into Carvins Cove. We understand that perhaps even more water may be diverted for the upcoming data centers.
These and other changes coming to Fincastle and the county motivated me to start attending Fincastle Planning Commission meetings and county Board of Supervisors meetings. At Fincastle Town Planning meetings, I understood the county’s goal to be developing Rt. 220 from Daleville to Fincastle much like Rt. 460 has been developed from Roanoke to Bonsack. Attendees at these meetings were told by then chairman, Scott Critzer, that nothing could be done to stop this development.
I pointed out that that was the entire purpose of Planning and Zoning Commissions– to protect residents from unwanted development. Commission members have the responsibility to hear their citizens and the power to say “No” to developers.
Unfortunately, the door seems to be open to unwanted development. An industrial solar installation is being proposed on Rt. 220, a mere two miles from historic Fincastle. The April meeting of the Botetourt County Planning and Zoning Commission was held to consider this project. I was disappointed to observe Chairperson Beth Leffel lead a discussion in which it appeared she was in favor of this project and seemed determined to orchestrate its passage by the commission. It was a full house, and by far the majority of the citizens present were against this industrial project being placed on land zoned for agriculture, surrounded by both farms and homes. I am unsure, however, that all of the commissioners heard their comments. When the chairperson sensed that she might not have the majority of the members in favor of the solar project, she postponed the vote to the upcoming June 8 meeting of the Planning Commission at Greenfield.
The Comprehensive Plans of both the Town of Fincastle and Botetourt County tout “responsible” development. They both include citizens’ comments and requests to maintain and protect Botetourt’s unique history and the beauty of its rural setting. It seems, however, that the county administration has a different agenda. Their agenda began with the Greenfield Industrial Center and the Daleville Town Center, both justifiable and, I would say, desirable. But now we have overdevelopment– apartments on top of apartments, data centers without any citizen input whatsoever, and little or no forethought as to the traffic or infrastructure issues created as a result.
Botetourt County needs proper, responsible representation. I have requested town hall meetings from my Fincastle District Supervisor Brandon Nicely, to no avail. In contrast, Linda Rottman (Buchanan District) and Walter Michael (Blue Ridge District) hold regular monthly town halls to inform citizens about the agenda for that month’s supervisors meeting and to get their input. Both supervisors’ town halls are well attended. Both listen to their constituents no matter how uncomfortable that process may get. Both advocate for transparency in government, not secret deals done with non-disclosure agreements like the Google Data Center. Both have opened the budget process to citizens in an effort to restore fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets like Botetourt used to pride itself on achieving. They both seem in step with the people, but out of step– even undermined– by the other elected “representatives” and administration.
So here we are. Do we want Botetourt County to be engulfed and destroyed by “development?” Or will we be among the two-thirds of Virginia’s counties which have either banned outright or severely restricted industrial solar installations? If you think you live too far out in the county to be affected, you are mistaken. Once the door is opened, anything is fair play. The time has come for the silent citizen to speak out and get involved before it is too late. Not only do we need to speak out, we need to elect people who will faithfully represent the opinion of the majority of their constituents, not their own agenda. I have chosen to be involved in my government. Join me.
David L. Bandy
Fincastle District
