Buchanan District resident recounts April supervisors meeting
I attended almost all of the Board of Supervisors (BoS) meeting on April 28. After weathering five hours and 15 minutes consisting substantially of (1) the Disgruntled Californian (DC) supervisor from the Buchanan District, patting herself on the back for all the good work she claims to have done (such as cutting money out of the budget for disposing of the bodies of deceased indigent persons, although the law makes it mandatory for counties to do so and does not let any jurisdiction donate those bodies to science); (2) asking many questions about which she could have easily received answers from administration and/or staff before the meeting, and (3) having to be given the same answer several times before she could comprehend what she was hearing, I departed over 30 minutes after the DC whined about being TIRED and HUNGRY. Obviously, she was not prepared for her lengthy performance.
Thanks to YouTube, if I wanted to suffer further by listening to the same incredibly annoying, tedious and tiresome hogwash from different people, I was able to hear more from the chronic complainers (CCs) who had wasted well over 90 minutes of the time I was there.
One of the CCs returned for her third meeting with what she said was a signed petition requesting that BoS meetings be held at 6 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. That is a super idea for the CCs! Schedule a meeting for them at 6 p.m. with their two puppet supervisors in charge and they can all bellyache as long as they want. They can even take a siesta break and have DoorDash deliver them some food so the DC won’t be so tired and hungry.
Few of CCs pay any attention to the three-minute time limit for complaining anyway or, if they are privileged folks, they can (1) bring friends or family with them who yield their time to one person who blesses us with his drivel for over six minutes, or (2) they can stop the Chair moving on to an agenda item as had been announced would be done before the previous CC spoke by saying, “I’ve got a meeting to attend” and I’ll be only two minutes (she took three minutes) and just simply butted in. Can you imagine what she would have brought to our BoS if she could have fooled enough voters in the Amsterdam District?
When they finally got to the Consent Agenda, the DC wasted five minutes questioning an item thereon. Administration had to explain it to her when it seemed quite clear to many in attendance. Some think she still did not understand it. Could that be because she was so tired and hungry? If those things are so complicated for the DC, maybe they need to be removed from the Consent Agenda and be heard separately so more time can be wasted? How about an additional agenda item for the DC to show other members of the BoS photos of her bathroom renovation so that she is the center of attention longer and more time is wasted?
Then the DC really wasted a lot of time questioning the $2,400,000 school health insurance adjustment. Along with all of her other BS in the Budget Subcommittee meetings, she said she was the “numbers person” and, in a later meeting that day, she said she had dropped out of math. She spent an inordinate amount of time ranting about how $2,400,000 for 800 school employees is $30,000 per employee and almost $13,000 more per person for school employees than it costs for county employees. That little skit proves she is not the “numbers person” and appears to confirm that she did drop out of math.
While I am sure none of the chronic complainers (who may also have dropped out of math or never enrolled therein) would ever question this, since it would ruin their narrative, I asked our good friend, Google, and am advised that spending an additional $2,400,000 for 800 school employees is $3,000 per employee and NOT $30,000 per employee! If you don’t believe Google and you are capable of doing it yourself, I invite you to try it to see if Google is correct. But this little charade got a round of applause and cheering from her fellow chronic complainers who think she walks on water when she is really sinking into a deep pile. Has she ever heard of a calculator, or does she know how to use one? Did being tired and hungry contribute to this, or did it just sound better to use such a large figure to incite the CCs?
At one point in the meeting after the Chair spoke about the possibility that there would be more tax revenue than had been considered in the Budget Subcommittee meetings and pointed out from where it might come, the DC said, “I seriously have no idea what you said,” when most of the crowd (excluding the CCs) understood what he was saying. Another chunk of time was wasted attempting to get the DC to understand and many in the crowd were appalled that she couldn’t comprehend what was being said.
But then it came out when she started scolding the Chair for even thinking about the possibility of additional revenue and, on top of that, spending that additional revenue, because it took the spotlight off of her patting herself on the back for the great work she thinks she had done on the Budget Subcommittee. What a great way to budget. Cut everything to the bare bones, but don’t dare think about what additional revenue there may be in the next fiscal year which could avoid the possibility of reducing services to our citizens.
At 5:15 p.m. they finally reached Item 11 on the Agenda. The sheriff and members of his staff had to sit through all of the repetitive grumblings from the CCs to get to this very commendable accomplishment. Through the efforts of Nicole Manspile and others in the Sheriff’s Department, two grants totaling $450,000.00 were obtained by the Sheriff’s Department for the Intrado phone equipment and the furnishings for the new 911 center. While a couple of “thank yous” were expressed by the BoS, they fell far, far short of the appreciation which should have been expressed. If only our DC had spent praising this accomplishment only a small fraction of the time she spent pointing out how much was accomplished by the Budget Subcommittee or complaining about the $30,000.00 per school employee health care adjustment when it is only $3,000.00 per employee, that would have been superb.
Through the tireless and above and beyond efforts of the Sheriff’s Department, Botetourt County taxpayers will not have to pay one cent for the phones and furnishings at the new 911 center, and that deserves far more acknowledgement than the hairsplitting done by some on the Budget Subcommittee. I can only imagine the extreme disgruntlement which would be exhibited by the DC and the CCs if the sheriff were to have asked the county to pay for these items.
The absolute worst exhibit of AI (Arrogance and Incompetence) came in the 6 p.m. Public Hearing which started 35 minutes late because of the repetitive comments (ad nauseum) from the CCs and one privileged person who probably was not the only person in the room who had something else to do, but was the only one to bully her way in to delaying this matter with some worthless drivel. Two Botetourt County citizens had taken all the steps and borne all the expenses to request a rezoning from A-1 to RR on a parcel in the Amsterdam District, which appeared to be a reasonable request. As required, this matter had been heard by the Planning Commission and was approved by a 4-1 vote, with the only vote against it coming from the Commission member appointed to that position by the DC (does any one wonder if he might have been told what to do?).
After presentation by staff and very little discussion, Mr. Michael made a motion to deny the request, which the DC quickly seconded. After very brief comments (for a change) by both of them, it went to a vote. Mr. Michael and the DC voted for the motion to deny and Mr. Nicely and Mr. Snyder voted against it. The DC then asked, “Doesn’t the motion fail for lack of a majority?” No one said anything and discussion was then had on how long Mr. and Mrs. Fringer had to wait to try again. Earlier in the meeting the DC had lectured the chair about Roberts Rules of Order and, with her vast knowledge of that, she correctly noted that the motion had failed for lack of a majority.
Therefore, what does the foregoing mean? The motion which failed was a motion to deny. Since it failed, and no further action was taken, does not that have the same effect as tabling the matter? Clearly, the request was not denied because that motion failed, so the public hearing has concluded, but the BoS has not taken any action on this item. Maybe this can be one of the first Agenda items at the May BoS meeting?
Additionally, this matter was advertised to be heard by the Board of Supervisors, not by 80% of the Board of Supervisors. Should not the Fringers have been asked if they consented to the matter being heard by 80% of the Board of Supervisors and have been given the option to have the matter continued to the May meeting, with any advertising or additional expenses to be borne by the county? These citizens deserve better treatment.
Speaking of Roberts Rules of Order, it appears that when a roll call vote is taken, it is either an “aye,” a “nay,” or an abstention. It is not “Absolutely not, not one penny over” or “Absolutely not, it is an appalling abdication of our fiscal responsibility.” Those comments, already having been expressed several times in discussion of the matter, have no place in the voting. Maybe a refresher course is needed?
And then, four hours and 42 minutes into the meeting, the DC interrupted the speaker and stated, “I’m just exhausted from staying here all day. I’m really getting hungry now as well.” Little did she realize that, if she did not always need to be the center of attention in order to please all of the CCs, and before the meeting she had looked into those matters she questioned at length during the meeting (and when it appeared everyone else with the exception of the CCs understood what was going on), she probably would have already been on her way home. Just think, if this meeting had started at 6 p.m., it would have been Wednesday before it would have ended. Or, maybe fewer CCs would have ventured out and she could have cut out some of her grandstanding?
Bob Patterson
Buchanan District
JRHS After Prom thanks community for support
The James River High School After Prom celebration took place from 12 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 12. When looking back at the past six years we had a record 202 students and guests sign up to attend the event and 30+ parent and teacher volunteers. Festivities included multiple inflatables, a mechanical bull, corn hole, axe throwing, Velcro golf and karaoke plus food and drinks. Everyone earned tickets for participating in activities and were able to attend the “store” to pick out prizes ranging from gift cards, college supplies and much more. At the end of the event, each senior was awarded a senior gift that ranged from gift cards, mini refrigerators, dorm room supplies, TVs and more. A final drawing for a $350 VISA gift card was the grand finale of the night.
None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of our community sponsors and parent volunteers. Thank you to all our sponsors/donors:
A.R. Coffey & Sons Inc., Adams Construction Company, Advance Auto – Daleville, Andrew Chapel United Methodist, Austin Electric, Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival, Botetourt County Education Foundation, Botetourt Funeral Home, Botetourt Sherriff’s Office, Botetourt Town & Country Women’s Club, Breckinridge PTA, Bryant’s Orchard & The Hat Parlor, Buchanan Elementary PTA, Buchanan Presbyterian Church, Colonial Title & Settlement Agency, Craig-Botetourt Electric, Custom Tool & Machine, Inc., Domino’s Pizza, Eagle Rock Ruritan Club, Fincastle Baptist Church, First Bank, Food Lion, Forest Grove Baptist Church, Jersey Mikes, JRHS PTSO, JRHS Sports Booster Club, Kroger, Linda Bolton, Mount Bethel Church of the Brethren, New River Electrical, Rader Funeral Home, Sandy Sprinkle, Springwood Baptist Church, Three Li’l Pigs, Town of Buchanan, Town of Fincastle, Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity United Methodist, and Winter Properties Partnership.
James River After Prom Committee
Letter expresses concerns about integrity and transparency
I was hoping with new members of the Board of Supervisors (BoS) we would finally get some honesty, integrity and transparency on the board. I was sadly mistaken! I attended the BoS meeting on April 28 and found the same corruption and underhanded actions as previous administrations.
Two supervisors studied, researched and worked diligently for weeks to create a balanced budget that is fair to everyone. The establishment ignored their work. They pulled numbers out of the air to sabotage the new budget.
It was apparent to the residents that took the time to attend the meeting and present facts, statistics, and concerns that the board had already orchestrated their votes.
It was obvious to the citizens of Botetourt County that the administration, chairman and two previous commissioners promoted to supervisor, are still appealing to the demands of the School Board.
Sharon Porter
Troutville
Writer wants to preserve Botetourt farmland in wake of potential solar facilities
Currently Botetourt County has three industrial solar facilities to be considered by the Planning Commission: one on Rt. 220 two miles south of historic Fincastle, one on Catawba Road, and one in the Buchanan District which has already been approved by the Board of Supervisors. A fourth solar site on Springwood Road has been withdrawn due to community resistance.
It seems the Google Data Center has released a flood of out-of-state energy companies eager to capitalize on Google’s gargantuan energy needs. These companies typically lease farmland, install acres of solar panels, then sell their leases to other energy speculators who have little or no concern for the communities affected by their developments. Note that the land is leased, not purchased outright, because when the lifespan of the leased solar panels expires in 20 or 30 years, the land is left worthless.
What was once productive farmland is degraded because site preparation for solar facilities involves removal of topsoil, extensive soil compaction caused by heavy equipment, trenching for electrical cables, and possible contamination from heavy metals or toxic chemicals. Long term, if not permanent, soil degradation is the result. Botetourt’s fertile, green hillsides will no longer support crops or livestock to feed its residents but will instead be ravaged and replaced by acres of solar panels to feed the grid and support data storage.
If this is not enough, the Virginia legislature just passed two bills, SB 443 and HB 891, which have been signed into law by Gov. Spanberger. These bills fast track battery storage projects which serve solar facilities and would bypass local counties’ permitting requirements. These battery “farms” consist of huge shipping containers filled with lithium-ion batteries which store wind- and solar-generated electricity to be released during peak demand periods. The intermittent nature of both solar and wind production causes sudden drops or surges, destabilizing the electric grid and challenging power quality and consistency.
Lithium-ion batteries, however, can be unstable. Battery container fires are not uncommon. These blazes are dangerous, hard to extinguish, and release toxic gases and heavy metals into the environment. Fires can last for days and necessitate evacuation due to deadly hydrogen fluoride fumes. Fallout from toxic substances such as cobalt, nickel, and copper have been found in the soil, air, and water of affected areas. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors has already approved one battery farm over a year ago. Are more approvals under way? They will be if more industrial solar facilities are introduced into our county.
A final question remains. Since both wind and solar installations have a limited lifespan, what happens to the tremendous amounts of toxic waste which are left when such installations have to be decommissioned? The amount of poisonous materials so carelessly being generated is incalculable and irreparable.
Botetourt County is a jewel in its inherent beauty and its prominent place in America’s and Virginia’s history. County administrators and supervisors should be thoughtfully considering how to preserve and make the most of this priceless heritage rather than systematically destroying it to fill the pockets of developers, multi-million dollar corporations, and greedy energy speculators.
C.M. Bandy
Fincastle
