Wilson emphasizes early learning as key to strong futures
As a member of the Botetourt County School Board and a candidate for re-election as the Buchanan District representative, I want to take this opportunity to expand on one of my core platform priorities: “Strong Futures.”
It would be easy to highlight the many opportunities already available at Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC)— from our current workforce-focused programs to needed continued investments in modern equipment and staff development— to ensure our students are prepared for today’s evolving job market. I could also emphasize how our students benefit from access to two different governor’s schools and free in-school dual enrollment courses, which allow our students the opportunity to graduate with an associate’s degree or a Governor’s Certificate of Uniform Studies. These programs allow our students’ college applications to be more competitive as well as save on future college costs.
But today, I want to focus on the foundation of every strong future, which is a strong start. Research consistently shows that the first five years of life are crucial for brain development as approximately 90% of a child’s brain develops before kindergarten. These early years shape lifelong learning, social skills, and overall success. While our community offers excellent preschool options, including Mill Creek Baptist and the new YMCA Early Childcare Center, our county remains what experts call a “childcare desert.” Simply put, there are not enough available childcare spots, especially for children from birth to age two, to meet the needs of working families. Rising childcare costs compound the problem. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, childcare expenses have outpaced inflation over the past decade, making affordable, quality care increasingly out of reach. This is not just an educational issue, it’s an economic one.
Our division has made great strides by expanding Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) classrooms, now offered in every elementary school, providing free early education for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. We also serve 2-year-olds with disabilities through federal special education funding. While this growth is encouraging, there’s more work to be done, especially in rural communities like Eagle Rock and Buchanan, where access remains limited.
If re-elected, I would like to see our school system work to increase available spots in these two rural areas. I also would like to see us partner with local families who choose to stay home with their children and small in-home daycare providers to offer learning resources, developmental screenings, and free training for caregivers.
We could also help to address workforce challenges that exist in community daycares by establishing an Early Childhood Education program at BTEC, giving students a pathway to earn certifications and gain hands-on experience in preschool classrooms, not just in our schools but in the community as a work-based learning opportunity.
By investing early in our youngest learners, we strengthen the future of our schools, our workforce, and our community. Early socialization, language development, and literacy skills provide a solid foundation that lasts a lifetime. When children are given a strong start, they are set on a path toward academic success, career readiness, and meaningful engagement in their communities.
On Election Day, I respectfully ask for your vote so we can keep moving forward together ensuring that every child in Botetourt County has the strong start they deserve.
Jenny Wilson, Buchanan District Representative, Botetourt County School Board
Rottman outlines her plan for Botetourt
Linda Rottman here, Republican nominee for county supervisor for the Buchanan District.
During the Republican primary campaign for Buchanan District supervisor, we visited in the neighborhood of 1,900 households and I talked with literally hundreds and hundreds of Buchanan District residents. I heard your financial struggles, your concerns about development destroying our beautiful county, and your disappointment in largely being ignored by our county government. I heard you with my head and my heart, and those conversations strengthened my commitment to represent YOU. And to protect your interests, values and way of life.
Having won the Republican primary (thank you, Buchanan District!), I am the only candidate for county supervisor for our district on the ballot. But I urge you to get out and vote for the entire Republican slate on Nov. 4 (or before as early voting is underway). This is critical if we are to keep our commonwealth from becoming a jurisdiction that has a Democrat majority senate, house and governor. (We can see how that turned out for California…) But take heart: if Virginia’s rural districts turn out to vote, we can outvote Northern Virginia. So please vote for Winsome Spears for governor, John Reid for lieutenant governor, Jason Miyares for attorney general, Terry Austin for House of Delegates, and me for supervisor.
The concerns that district citizens almost universally expressed to me during my primary campaign were skyrocketing taxes, number one. We’ve all gotten our new tax bills since so that is an even more critical issue now. Their number two concern was not being listened to, either by their previous supervisor or the board. And their number three concern was reckless development that has added to their tax burden and is destroying the beauty and character of the county. Recent events (the Google data center and a proposed solar farm in our district) have greatly added to this last concern.
Whether or not the November election results in a majority of conservatives on the Board of Supervisors, I believe we can make progress in all three of these areas – especially if district and county residents will actively stand with me for curbing reckless development and for reforming our budget process to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce taxes.
I believe that we all have the energy, courage, determination, and wits to stand up for our own interests. What has been missing in the past (in my opinion) is the dissemination of meaningful information about what is currently going on in local government and meaningful information about what is being proposed. I will get that information to you and, in return, I trust that you will make your voice heard loudly along with mine! That’s what it will take to take our county back.
I am committed to town halls, either in person (assuming we can find a location, which has proven challenging) or by zoom call. If you would like to be on my group email list to receive information about upcoming town halls, and my take on government activities and proposals, please send me an email at letstakeourcountyback@gmail.com and simply request that you be added to the list. I also have obtained a dedicated phone line to talk with you directly. The number is 826-271-9814. If I don’t pick up, please leave a message and I WILL get back to you. These invitations are for both Buchanan District residents and Botetourt County residents.
I’m Linda Rottman, I am the Republican nominee for the Buchanan seat on the county Board of Supervisors. I want to bring my skills and some common sense to government to eliminate wasteful spending, lower your tax burden and protect our beautiful county. Early voting has started already in Fincastle, and the election is Nov. 4 at your regular polling place.
Touts Wilson’s commitment to children, schools
I am writing in support of my friend, Jenny Wilson, as she seeks another term on our School Board.
I first met Jenny when our boys were just toddlers— they are now juniors at James River High School. Through the years, I’ve seen Jenny not only as a devoted mother but also as a loyal friend and dedicated community member. Her commitment to our children and schools has never wavered.
As the organizer of the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival, I know the importance of teamwork and community spirit. Jenny and her entire family have always been willing to lend a helping hand at our events, showing the same loyalty and energy she brings to her work on the School Board. She listens, she shows up, and she follows through.
Jenny’s campaign slogan— Safe schools. Smart spending. Strong futures.— is not just words. She has consistently prioritized school safety as a key area for capital improvements, ensuring our children have secure environments to learn in. She is also a strong steward of taxpayer dollars, making sure every dollar is used wisely for the benefit of students and staff.
Equally valuable, Jenny supports flexible learning approaches that give students the freedom to learn in ways best suited to them, rather it be in person or in a virtual environment. She is also a tireless advocate for our BTEC programs, recognizing that not every child will pursue college and that career and technical education opens valuable doors for many students.
I trust Jenny because I know her personally and have seen her loyalty, work ethic, and heart for our children. I encourage you to join me in supporting her re-election to the School Board this November.
Candace W. Monaghan
Buchanan
Supports George for Amsterdam supervisor
I am supporting Linda George as a write-in candidate for the Board of Supervisors in Amsterdam. We have seen in recent years a pattern where someone on the Planning Commission is selected to succeed the retiring supervisor and we end up getting more of the same. We can’t afford more of the same. The county is over $100 million in debt. And going door to door with Linda, the majority of residents are not happy with the direction of the county. They do not want a data center with the resulting higher electricity costs and stress on our water supply. They have brought up a host of other issues, including wind farms, solar farms, the rail trail, a Wawa next to a Sheetz, and apartments on top of apartments. Universally, they are especially upset about the increase in their property taxes.
Going door to door, I have witnessed how thrilled your neighbors have been to meet Linda. They have expressed their appreciation that she is running to take on these and other issues. Linda, in turn, has been so thankful for the outpouring of support for her campaign.
If, like me, you would like to see the county administration and Board of Supervisors address the issues they have created – the deterioration of Lord Botetourt High School, the terrible congestion in Daleville, the destruction of Orchard Lake, the higher taxes due to fiscal irresponsibility – please spread the word that there is a way out. If Linda is elected we will have three fiscal conservatives on the Board of Supervisors. Then we can see some common sense and respect for what you want.
Charles Ruhl
Fincastle
