Appomattox Times – CMS

Author: Appomattox Times

  • Board Preview: Supervisors to Vote on Valley Link Opposition, Honor Jamerson at Monday Meeting

    Board Preview: Supervisors to Vote on Valley Link Opposition, Honor Jamerson at Monday Meeting

    APPOMATTOX — The Appomattox County Board of Supervisors will take up one of the heaviest agendas of the year Monday evening, headlined by a resolution formally opposing a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through the county and a tribute to former Board Chairman William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr.

    The meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m. at 333 Court Street, also features a public hearing on whether to authorize a new private ambulance service to operate countywide, a presentation of VDOT’s six-year road improvement plan, and scheduling of the FY 2027 budget public hearing. The Board is also expected to set the stage for a proposed real estate tax rate of $0.45 per $100 of assessed value — above the equalized rate of approximately $0.42 — with the surplus earmarked for a School Construction Fund. A public hearing on the tax levy is already scheduled for April 30.

    The Board will also enter closed session to consult with legal counsel on litigation related to Region 2000 and a FOIA complaint, as well as a proposed water and sewer transaction with the Town of Appomattox — a topic that has recurred in closed sessions across multiple recent meetings.

    At a Glance

    Board Poised to Formally Oppose Valley Link Transmission Project

    The Board will consider adopting a resolution opposing the Valley Link “Joshua Falls to Yeat” project, a 115-mile, 765-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line proposed by a joint venture of Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource Energy that would cut through approximately 15 miles of Appomattox County.

    The resolution, directed by a unanimous Board vote on March 16, cites potential harm to the county’s rural character, agricultural heritage, and forestlands. It notes that steel lattice structures approaching 160 feet tall would pass within 500 feet of numerous homes and decrease property values for hundreds of residents — while providing no direct benefit to the county’s residents or businesses.

    At last month’s regular meeting, at least six residents addressed the Board to speak against the project, with several also voicing concerns about the AVAIO Data Center Project. Supervisor Trevor Hipps expressed support for the resolution, citing residents’ property value concerns.

    The resolution urges Valley Link and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to pursue alternatives that do not impact Appomattox County, or at minimum require the line to be placed underground. Copies will be forwarded to the SCC, the Governor, and the county’s General Assembly delegation. The resolution’s language was modeled after a similar one adopted by Louisa County.

    Board to Honor William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr.

    The Board will adopt a resolution honoring the life and service of William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr., who died October 19, 2025 at the age of 91. His family will be present to accept the resolution.

    Jamerson was a three-sport athlete at Appomattox High School, a scholarship football player at Virginia Tech — where he started on the undefeated 1954 team — and the leader who grew JE Jamerson and Sons into one of Central Virginia’s largest construction companies. The firm built Appomattox County High School, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library, and the Appomattox County Courthouse, among other structures.

    His business interests also included Drinkard-Jamerson Realty, Kings Supermarkets, Dinner Bell Meat Products, and Wyndhurst, a 400-acre mixed-use development in Lynchburg. He served as an ACC football official for 21 years, working over 200 major college games, 11 bowl games, and four National Championship Games.

    Jamerson was elected to the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors in November 1989, serving one four-year term including three years as Chairman. During his tenure, the Board expanded from three members to five. The resolution also cites his philanthropy, including contributions to the Jamerson Memorial Library, Appomattox High School Athletic Complex, Courtland Festival Park Foundation, and the American Civil War Museum.

    The meeting will also feature a separate special presentation honoring Mr. Samuel E. Carter. Details were not included in the agenda packet.

    County Weighs Authorizing New Private Ambulance Provider

    A public hearing will be held on a proposed amendment to the county code that would authorize Hospital to Home, LLC to provide medical transport services throughout Appomattox County.

    Hospital to Home is a state-licensed Emergency Medical Service provider with offices in Richmond, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, and Charlottesville. The company focuses on non-emergency transport: routine transportation of dialysis patients, hospital discharges, stretcher-based transports, inter-facility transfers, and standby services for events.

    Hospital to Home would not respond to emergency 911 calls unless specifically requested by the county through its EMS system. The Board authorized the public hearing at its March 16 meeting after a presentation by H2H Vice President Andrew Brasington.

    If approved, the Board would adopt both an ordinance amending Chapter 15.2-6(C) of the county code and a companion resolution formally authorizing the company to operate. Hospital to Home would join a roster of authorized providers that already includes Appomattox County Rescue Squad, Pamplin Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, Centra Health, UVA Pegasus, Carilion Lifeguard, and several other services.

    VDOT to Present Six-Year Road Plan and Rural Paving Priorities

    Robert Brown, VDOT Appomattox Residency Administrator, will present the county’s Secondary Road Six-Year Plan for FY 2027–2032 and the Draft Rural Rustic Priority List, laying out which unpaved roads are in line for improvement.

    Topping the rural rustic priority list are Maury Place (Route 730), estimated at $99,000 for 0.33 miles of paving; Snaps Mill Road (Route 703), the costliest project at $396,000 for 1.32 miles; and Bell View Road (Route 611) at $240,000 for 0.8 miles. Additional roads on the list include Trents Mill Road, Elliott Lane, Depot Lane, Wagon Wheel Road, Patterson School Road, and Watts Mill Road.

    Staff is recommending the Board authorize a public hearing on the six-year plan for the May 18 regular meeting.

    FY 2027 Budget Season Enters Home Stretch

    The Board is expected to authorize staff to schedule and advertise a public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 Consolidated County/School/DSS Budget for Monday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m.

    The budget hearing comes on the heels of a separate Special Called Meeting already set for April 30 at 6:00 p.m. to address the county’s recent real estate reassessment and set the FY 2027 tax levy. During budget work sessions in March and April, the Board discussed an equalized real estate rate of approximately $0.42 per $100 of assessed value and voted 3-2 to advertise a proposed rate of $0.45 per $100, with the amount above equalization earmarked for a School Construction Fund.

    The two upcoming hearings — tax levy on April 30 and full budget on May 11 — will give residents their most direct opportunities to weigh in on county spending and taxation for the fiscal year ahead.

    State Grant to Fund New School Resource Officer Position

    Sheriff Robert Richardson is requesting the Board approve a $23,662 local match to fund a new School Resource Officer through a Department of Criminal Justice Services grant totaling $83,855. The state is providing $60,193 in special funds for the position, which runs through the end of 2026.

    The grant was awarded under DCJS Grant #558761 and the Sheriff’s office submitted the request on April 14. Staff recommends a transfer from the General Fund to establish the new SRO budget line.

    Ag Teacher to Make Case for AFID Grant Resubmission

    Ed McCann, agriculture teacher at Appomattox County Public Schools, will appear before the Board to discuss resubmitting an Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grant application. The AFID program, administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, supports projects that create new jobs and economic activity in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Details on the grant amount and intended use were not included in the agenda packet.

    Commissioner Henderson to Address Tax Relief for Elderly, Disabled

    Commissioner of the Revenue Sara Henderson will appear before the Board to address questions on the county’s tax relief program for elderly and handicapped residents. At the March 31 budget work session, the Board voted unanimously to increase the net combined financial worth threshold to $150,000 and raise the annual relief limit to $500 per year.

    Two Candidates for Open EDA Seat

    The Board will appoint a representative to fill the unexpired term of Watkins Abbitt on the Appomattox County Economic Development Authority. The term runs through December 31, 2026. Abbitt resigned effective December 31, 2025 due to health issues.

    The EDA has unanimously recommended Faber B. Jamerson, Sr. for the appointment. The Board has also received an application from Winfred D. Nash.

    New 911 Center Logo Up for Approval

    The Board will vote on adopting a new official logo for Appomattox County Emergency Communications, designed by a local 911 dispatcher as part of the statewide One Commonwealth Logo Project. The circular logo features symbols representing the county’s Sheriff, Fire Department, EMS, Animal Control, and 911 communications under a single design. John Vannoy will present the logo.

    In Brief

    Woodchase street acceptance: The last remaining 0.14-mile portion of Somerset Drive in the Woodchase Subdivision will be accepted into the state secondary road system, completing a process that began when the first section and Arbor Court were accepted in April 2025. The 22-lot subdivision off Pumping Station Road currently has 14 homes.

    Virginia Cooperative Extension update: Senior Extension Agent Bruce Jones will brief the Board on Extension Office activities.

    Consent agenda: The Board will consider $1,134,011.96 in invoices for payment, approve draft minutes from three prior meetings, and process five Veteran’s Exemption tax refunds totaling $1,969.39. Department supplements include $17,654.49 for the Sheriff’s Office (reimbursements from the Town, School Board, DCJS, and City of Lynchburg) and $6,648 in fire program funds.

    School financial report: The February 2026 month-end financial report from Superintendent Dr. Jason Tibbs shows school division expenditures year-to-date at approximately $20.7 million against a $38.8 million total budget, with 76.93% of appropriations utilized through the eighth month of the fiscal year.

    Delinquent tax collection: The Sands Anderson status report shows 457 total parcels turned over for collection since June 2002, with 347 (75.9%) paid in full. Tax penalties and interest collected total $972,637.19, with $244,509.30 in surplus from sales escheated to the county.

    Closed session: The Board will enter closed session to consult with legal counsel on two matters — actual litigation related to Region 2000 and a FOIA complaint, and legal advice related to a proposed water and sewer transaction with the Town of Appomattox. The town water/sewer matter has been a recurring topic in closed sessions across multiple recent meetings.

    Meeting agenda and supporting documents are available at AppomattoxCountyVA.gov. All information is sourced from the publicly available April 20, 2026 Board of Supervisors agenda packet.

  • Letter to the Editor: Valley Link Threatens Generations of Farming

    Letter to the Editor: Valley Link Threatens Generations of Farming

    To the Editor,

    This is my family’s story. I know there will be many people affected by the proposed Valley Link transmission lines, and each will have their own story to tell. This one is ours.

    My husband’s grandfather began farming this land in the early 1900s. Before him, it was farmed by another family. For well over a century, this property has remained working farmland. He raised cattle and crops here, and later one of his sons continued the work. Eventually, my husband and I purchased the family farm with one hope in mind: that our daughter and her husband might one day continue farming it.

    That dream became reality. While still in middle school, our daughter began building her herd by showing Simmental heifers and keeping them. Over time, that small beginning grew into something much bigger. Her future husband was doing the same, and when they married, they combined their herds and built a beef production farm together on this land. For nearly 20 years, we have watched that dream grow.

    Along the way, our family has worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for over a decade to protect our waterways and grasslands. We have made a long-term commitment to conservation, stewardship, and responsible farming practices, supported in part through taxpayer-funded programs.

    Today, our daughter, her husband, and our two granddaughters live on this property in a home they built. This is not just property; it is their home, livelihood, and future. Our granddaughters are growing up playing in the yard, running through fields, splashing in creeks, riding horses, and helping with the cattle, learning what it means to care for the land. Now we are being asked to accept that they will grow up in the shadow of massive transmission lines—lines that raise concerns about long-term health and safety and will forever change how this land is experienced.

    And what then? Are we expected to simply sell? Who would buy a farm like this once it is divided and overshadowed? Its value, financially and otherwise, will decline. This land also holds deep history beyond our family: a cemetery near the original homesite, abundant wildlife, and ecosystems carefully preserved for generations.

    Now Valley Link, in partnership with Dominion Energy, proposes to “plow” through this land with 765 kV transmission lines as part of the Joshua Falls to Yeats project, an unprecedented undertaking in Central Virginia that would permanently alter this property and its future. Rural land is not empty space. It carries history, supports families, and sustains future generations. Once disrupted, it cannot be restored.

    While this is our story, we are not alone. Families and communities all along this corridor face the same uncertainty and potential loss. Our voices deserve to be heard.

    There is a better way.

    Sincerely,

    Amy Harris Seay

    Louisa County resident; family farm in Fluvanna County