APPOMATTOX — The Town of Appomattox has been awarded a $400,000 grant from Virginia Housing to support demolition and redevelopment of the long-vacant former garment factory at 1720 Confederate Boulevard.
The property has sat deteriorating for nearly two decades. The grant will fund site clearance and help advance plans to build approximately 34 units of affordable housing.
The project is a public-private partnership between the Town and Phillip Jamerson of Jamerson Real Estate. Jamerson Real Estate will handle demolition, construction, and long-term management of the housing once completed.
Town Manager Michael Campbell said Jamerson has been involved from the outset and will remain a central partner through all phases of the project.
“For two decades, this property has been a symbol of stagnation,” Campbell said in a statement. “This partnership allows it to become a source of stability and attainable housing.”
The Town also credited regional support for strengthening the grant application, including assistance from Megan Lucas and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, along with letters of support from local business owners.
Virginia Housing administers the grant program, which is aimed at expanding affordable and workforce housing across the Commonwealth.
Next steps include grant compliance with Virginia Housing, demolition of the existing structure, development of the housing units, and establishment of long-term property management. Additional project details are expected as work moves forward.
Publisher’s Note: The following is the full text of Councilman McKinley D. Cardwell’s remarks delivered during Council Comments at the September 8, 2025 meeting of the Appomattox Town Council. It is published here verbatim as part of our continuing coverage of local government.
To the Mayor, Council, and Town Manager,
Our 100-year celebration, in my view, is just the start. This Council and previous councils have built a community worth living in and growing up in. However, this body is stretched too thin, and while our actions are vital, I believe they are not enough. We govern in a world more connected than ever, yet also very disconnected. The digital age has led society to invest in technology and pull away from one another. Instead of sharing ideas, we focus only on ourselves. Instead of moving together toward a higher goal, we each fight for our own hills.
We can’t fix this ourselves, but we have a community of wonderful people who can and who have been involved from the start. I suggest we focus on uplifting and highlighting ministries, non-profits, and other special groups that truly make an impact at the ground level. We’ve dwelled in negativity for far too long. I’ve come to believe that the best thing I can do as an elected official is to give people more voice and more power in efforts to improve and change our community. The bank account of community spirit is running low. We have many contributors; we need to recognize and invest in them so they can carry the mission forward.
Second, we need to begin again preparing for our community picnic, and every year from now on. The turnout at our 100th anniversary celebration was terrific, and I genuinely believe we can do even better in the future, and I hope to rival any small town that can ignite a June Thanksgiving like we did. The Mayor, the Council, the staff, and dedicated volunteers made it all happen. I am grateful for our united effort. From Mrs. Mobley helping before the event to Treasurer Ray being the last one there picking up trash and restoring Courtland field to its original condition. It was hard work, but through our combined effort and faith in our town, we pulled it off. Let’s aim to do it again, each time a little better.
Finally, our community efforts should happen quarterly. From activating local youth in spring with our Mayor for a day to hopefully in the future having a council for a day, to hosting our community picnic in the summer, supporting the community and town at large with the railroad festival in the fall, and finally, developing something grand for our community in winter. We have had many great ideas from numerous council members as well as local community members who are looking for a nostalgic feeling, and I don’t think folks would mind if their town reflected a Hallmark movie set every now and then.
If our community members pride us on having small town charm in our past SWOT Analysis, I say we make it more of a reality every year, so that even when we grow, we will grow stronger and grow closer because the community chose to do so.
Respectfully Submitted to The Mayor, Council, and Town Manager,
Recently, an anonymous letter circulated questioning an essay I published in April, before announcing my candidacy for the Board of Supervisors. Since it has been brought up, I’d like to address it directly.
First, the missing article. The Appomattox Times website was migrated to a new platform this summer. In the process, several older articles, including that essay, were mistakenly left on the old server. This has since been corrected. There was no attempt to hide anything. In fact, I published it openly under my own name, months before I was a candidate.
Second, the “wealthy landowner” charge. Every property I own is right here in Appomattox County. My current residence and two rentals in town and twenty acres in Hixburg, all mortgaged, purchased with hard-earned dollars, and on the tax rolls. Nothing was inherited. I’ve invested here because I believe in this county’s future.
As for the essay itself, I stand by its spirit. I was writing as a new father about the burden one generation can place on the next. Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1789: “The earth belongs to the living, not to the dead. No man can, by natural right, oblige the lands he occupied… to the payment of debts contracted by him.” Jefferson’s point was clear: one generation has no natural right to eat up the substance of those who follow. Yet this past April, Washington passed a budget that will add $5 trillion to the national debt. My point was simple: if Congress will not think of our children, then at least here at home, we must.
That was an essay, not a policy proposal before the town. My record on council speaks to what I’ve fought for: water, sewer, trash, and economic development. Check the minutes, check the votes, check the statements: you will see I’ve been leading on the very issues our town needs solved first.
Anonymous letters can throw around labels like “socialist.” But Jefferson was no socialist, he was the first Virginian to warn that generational debt robs the future. That is the tradition I am standing in, and that is the standard I will continue to uphold.
LEXINGTON — Virginia Poet Laureate Mattie Quesenberry Smith, Ph.D., an English instructor at Virginia Military Institute, has launched Perseverance and Resilience, a statewide project supporting veterans’ health and well-being through poetry.
The initiative, organized with multiple regional libraries and arts organizations, will host workshops led by creative writing instructors and veteran poets. Participants will reflect on how they’ve persevered and found resilience during service and civilian life.
The project features a veterans’ poetry contest in memory of retired Navy Cmdr. Edward W. Lull, former Poetry Society of Virginia president. Contest winners will see their work produced as broadsides displayed in veteran-serving facilities statewide. An anthology will publish selected poems, with two public celebrations planned.
Smith’s project is supported by a $50,000 fellowship from the Academy of American Poets, awarded to 23 poets laureate nationwide for civic literary projects. Matching grants will go to nonprofit partners assisting with the work.
The Appomattox Senior and Appomattox Middle FFA chapters traveled to the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, to participate in multiple statewide Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) June 9-12, 2025. CDEs assess the knowledge and skills of FFA members on various agricultural topics. Participating in these events allows FFA members to develop industry-driven career skills. Middle school chapter members participated in the Creed Speaking, Junior and Senior Hippology, and the FFA Quiz Bowl contests. High school chapter members participated in the Senior Agricultural Education, Senior Agricultural Mechanics, Avian Bowl, Discussion Meet, Employment Skills, Floriculture, Livestock Judging, Nursery Landscape, Horticulture, and Veterinary Science CDEs. The members of each team spent several weeks of their summer vacation studying and preparing for these events.
Both AMS and ACHS FFA were recognized with the “100% Membership Award” for ensuring that every agriculture student is also an FFA member. This was made possible through the generous support of the Appomattox County Farm Bureau. The high school chapter received a gold rating in the public relations award and was named the Southeast Area Chapter Forestry and Wildlife award. Chapter Reporter, Gracie Covington, prepared a scrapbook detailing chapter events over the past year that earned a bronze rating. AMS FFA received a silver rating in the public relations award and earned a bronze rating for the superior chapter contest. Appomattox Senior FFA also received a gold rating in the superior chapter contest, earning the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, this October. Additionally, the chapter was the state champion in the Growing Leaders division of the contest. ACHS FFA was crowned the Southeast Area winner in the Building Communities. The chapter was also declared the overall top chapter in the state.
Colton Jones represented his chapter and the Southeast Area in the state championship for the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. He qualified to participate by winning the Southeast Area event in March. During the state championship, Jones recited the FFA creed from memory and answered questions from a panel of judges for five minutes. Ultimately, he placed 6th in the state-level competition.
Appomattox Primary School teacher Jean Moore helped coach two hippology teams from AMS. Hippology is a competition that tests participants’ knowledge of the equine industry. Contestants completed a written exam covering various topics related to horses, including breed identification, horse leg conformation, color patterns, and anatomical features. Additionally, they participated in events assessing their understanding of horse feeds, tack, measurements, parasites, and more. The junior team, consisting of Liam Anderson, Layton Firebaugh, and Montana Moore, placed 11th in their event, with Moore achieving the 18th highest individual score. The senior team, which included Rose Broyhill, Colton Jones, and Carly O’Brien, also performed well in the senior event.
Liam Anderson, Layton Firebaugh, Colton Jones, and Carly O’Brien participated in the FFA Quiz Bowl contest. The participants completed a written exam that covered FFA history, general knowledge, leadership, and agricultural education. Later, the team competed in a fast-paced buzzer round against other middle school teams. They finished in 5th place in both the Quiz Bowl exam and 5th in the team tournament. Jones was the 12th highest individual in the exam portion of the contest.
Savannah Jones participated in the State Agricultural Education LDE. As part of the competition, she was tasked with developing a lesson plan and materials for a 6th to 8th-grade lesson on natural resources. Jones created a 60-minute lesson that focused on leaf shapes, dichotomous keys, and tree identification. She presented a 20-minute portion of her lesson to a panel of judges, using cooperative learning strategies. Ultimately, Jones placed 4th as the highest individual in her category.
Jay Harris, Pierson Harvey, Tim Henderson, and Chloe Wilson participated in the Senior Agricultural Mechanics contest. In this competition, participants were required to demonstrate their arc welding skills by performing a butt-joint weld and applying knowledge of agricultural electrification. Additionally, the team completed various problem-solving tasks and answered test questions related to machinery, electricity, compact equipment, structures, and environmental and natural resources. The team finished in 6th place overall, and Harris achieved recognition as the 3rd highest individual scorer.
The Avian Bowl CDE involves a team-based round of trivia questions and an individual test that assesses members’ knowledge of poultry management and sciences. ACHS team members included Chloe Dejong, Jay Harris, Pierson Harvey, and Chloe Wilson. Harris was the 6th high individual, and the ACHS team placed 5th overall.
Evelyn Johnson and Kat Broyhill represented their chapter in the state Youth Discussion Meet contest, organized by the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers. Both students were required to research five current agricultural issues and facilitate productive discussions with their peers. Each participant demonstrated skills in productive thinking, problem-solving, and public speaking. Broyhill performed well in the event, while Johnson advanced through two rounds of competition and reached the “Elite 8” round.
Ethan Dowdy participated in the Employment Skills LDE, where FFA members engaged in a series of mock interviews. Prior to the event, Dowdy prepared a resume and cover letter, and he submitted a job description to the judges. He completed two challenging interviews and participated in a networking activity to showcase his interview skills. Dowdy excelled in the event and achieved 6th place.
Christian Dawson, Lainey Hamilton, Lorelei Holt, and Maris Wilson participated in the state Floriculture event. This contest required students to complete a general knowledge exam and identify plants and equipment. Students also had to identify pests, disorders, and diseases of plants. Each participant demonstrated their skills in flower arranging and potting of young plants. Lainey Hamilton achieved recognition as the 10th highest individual scorer. Overall, the team performed exceptionally well, placing 6th in the competition.
Chloe Dejong, Alyssa Marsh, Rylee Stratton, and Peyton Thacker represented ACHS in the Livestock Judging CDE. Participants were required to evaluate live classes of beef cattle, swine, lambs, and goats. They assessed production statistics based on herd Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) data for various classes. The team finished as the 11th highest overall in the event. Stratton ranked in the top 20 individuals and advanced to the final round, where she presented brief oral speeches to a panel of judges, explaining her class placements. Stratton performed exceptionally well as an individual competitor.
Christian Dawson, Lainey Hamilton, Evelyn Johnson, and Maris Wilson were members of the Nursery Landscape CDE team. Each participant completed a written exam covering basic horticultural principles related to the production, marketing, usage, and maintenance of landscape plants and turf. They were required to identify various plants, pests, disorders, and beneficial insects. Additionally, each student participated in an estimating practicum that tested their ability to interpret landscape drawings. Hamilton ranked as the 10th highest individual, and the team overall placed 5th. Virginia FFA offers a unique opportunity to showcase schools that compete in both the Floriculture and Nursery Landscape CDEs. The Horticulture contest is an opportunity to identify the top horticulture programs in Virginia. Appomattox was the state runner-up.
The Veterinary Science CDE assessed students’ knowledge in various areas of modern veterinary practice, including pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, general animal care, identification of pet breeds, veterinary equipment, and parasites. The Appomattox team, consisting of Niki Ballagh, Gracie Covington, Autumn Harris, and Savannah Jones, excelled in the written exam, identification, and math components of the event. They achieved 1st place in the state, outperforming 27 other teams. Additionally, Covington was the top individual, finishing in 1st place, while Harris placed 5th, Jones placed 7th, and Ballagh placed 9th. As the state champion Veterinary Science team, they will represent ACHS and Virginia at the National FFA Veterinary Science CDE during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, this October.
Niki Ballagh, Chloe Dejong, Jay Harris, and Tim Henderson received their State FFA Degree, the highest degree that a state association can bestow upon its members. Attaining this level of membership demonstrates these members’ superb record-keeping skills and FFA participation.
Savannah Jones earned recognition as a state proficiency award winner. This program aims to honor students who excel in work-based learning projects as part of the Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Jones was named the state champion in Agricultural Education. She has played a key role in organizing several agricultural education events, including “Little Farmers’ Day” and “Kindergarten Day” at ACHS. Additionally, Jones has led multiple workshops at Virginia Cooperative Extension events such as Central Virginia Farm Day and Farm and Family Day.
Appomattox FFA members would like to thank the many individuals involved in making this trip possible. We express our sincerest thanks to the Appomattox FFA Alumni and all the sponsors who provided scholarships to members to participate in these events. Without their help, our dreams would not have become a reality. We are thankful to Karen Spicer, who provided transportation. Many local individuals, organizations, and businesses also worked to help prepare students for the competitions. Individuals or organizations wishing to sponsor the chapter’s trip to the National FFA Convention should call FFA Advisors Elizabeth Duncan, Dani Hodges, Cassie Long, or Ed McCann at 434-352-8396.
Colton Jones placed 6th in the State Creed Speaking contest.
Montanna Moore, Layton Firebaugh, Liam Anderson, Carly O’Brien, Colton Jones, and Rose Broyhill were on the AMS Hippology teams.
Layton Firebaugh, Liam Anderson, Carly O’Brien, and Colton Jones placed 5th in the FFA Quiz Bowl Contest.
Savannah Jones was the 4th highest individual in the Agricultural Education LDE.
Chloe Wilson, Tim Henderson, Pierson Harvey, and Jay placed 6th in the Senior Agricultural Mechanics Contest.
ACHS 5th place State Avian Bowl Team: Jay Harris, Pierson Harvey, Chloe Wilson, and Chloe Dejong
Evelyn Johnson and Kat Broyhill participated in the State Youth Discussion Meet.
Ethan Dowdy placed 6th in the Employment Skills LDE.
Lorelei Holt, Christian Dawson, Lainey Hamilton, and Maris Wilson were on the 6th place Floriculture CDE team.
Peyton Thacker, Rylee Stratton, Chloe Dejong, and Alyssa Marsh participated in the Livestock Judging CDE.
Evelyn Johnson, Christian Dawson, Lainey Hamilton, and Maris Wilson placed 5th in the Nursery Landscape CDE.
Autumn Harris, Gracie Covington, Niki Ballagh, and Savannah Jones were on the State Champion Veterinary Science CDE team.
Savannah Jones was named State Champion in the Agricultural Education Proficiency Award.
Jay Harris, Chloe Dejong, Niki Ballagh, and Tim Henderson earned their State FFA Degrees.
Excitement is building in Appomattox County as the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association prepares to break ground on a new Agricultural Complex designed to expand agricultural education and support local youth.
Set for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the groundbreaking ceremony welcomes all community members to celebrate the beginning of this ambitious project. The ceremony will be held at the FFA Alumni Land Laboratory, adjacent to Appomattox County High School.
The new facility, spanning over 12,500 square feet, will significantly enhance opportunities for the county’s 466 FFA members by providing dedicated spaces for hands-on agricultural learning and events. Planned features include livestock housing, cattle handling and processing equipment, washing and grooming rooms, restrooms, and multipurpose areas for community gatherings.
FFA Advisor Ed McCann expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming development. “My students and I are excited about the opportunities that a facility like this will create,” McCann said. “Our students need a place to further develop their agricultural knowledge and skills in a structured, age-appropriate, and community-oriented environment.”
FFA Alumni President Mary Beth Wingfield highlighted the broader community benefits of the Agricultural Complex. “This 12,500+ square-foot educational facility will provide space for industry-relevant agricultural instruction, housing for student-owned livestock projects, community events, and skill enhancement for our students,” Wingfield stated. “Our goal is to raise $1.5 million to fully fund this project, creating a facility that will positively impact the future of agriculture in the Central Virginia area for years to come.”
The Appomattox FFA Alumni Association, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, aims to raise $1.5 million through community support to fully fund the project. Those interested in supporting the Agricultural Complex can contribute to the “Build-A-Barn” fund. Donations may be sent directly to PO Box 328, Appomattox, VA 24522.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, attendees can explore the Land Laboratory through guided tours offered by FFA members, agricultural educators, and Alumni Association members. Gates open at 9:30 AM, with access recommended via Evergreen Avenue adjacent to Appomattox County High School, following the gravel road by the tennis courts.
For more information or inquiries about donations, please contact FFA Alumni Advisor Ed McCann at 434-352-8396.
Join the Appomattox FFA Alumni Association in celebrating this significant step forward, investing in the future of agriculture and community in Central Virginia.
Appomattox, VA – The Appomattox County School Board announced Dr. Jason Tibbs as the next superintendent of Appomattox County Public Schools (ACPS), effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Tibbs currently serves as the division’s Director of Finance and Human Resources, a position he’s held since 2022.
With nearly two decades of experience in public education, Dr. Tibbs began his career as a teacher in Powhatan County Public Schools. During his tenure there, he advanced through various leadership roles including Assistant Principal, Principal, Co-Principal, and Director of Facilities and Career and Technical Education.
“I am deeply honored and excited to continue serving Appomattox County Public Schools in this new role,” said Dr. Tibbs. “I’m incredibly grateful to the school board for their trust and support. It’s a privilege to keep working alongside our dedicated staff, talented educators, amazing students, supportive families, and the entire community. Together, we will build on the strong foundation already in place and continue striving for excellence in education and student success.”
Jason Wells, chair of the Appomattox County School Board, praised the selection, noting, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Tibbs as our new superintendent. He has already demonstrated strong leadership, a collaborative approach, and a deep dedication to our students, staff, and families. We believe in his vision and ability to continue moving Appomattox County Public Schools forward.”
Dr. Tibbs holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Longwood University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, also from Longwood University.
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) assisted the Appomattox County School Board throughout the superintendent search process.
About Appomattox County Public Schools
Located in historic Central Virginia, Appomattox County Public Schools serves approximately 2,250 students across four accredited schools: Appomattox County High School (Grades 9-12), Appomattox Middle School (Grades 6-8), Appomattox Elementary School (Grades 3-5), and Appomattox Primary School (Preschool-Grade 2). ACPS is committed to providing rigorous and meaningful educational experiences aligned with the state’s Standards of Learning, emphasizing innovation and technology to prepare students for future success. Guided by its theme, “Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow,” ACPS is dedicated to ensuring students are ready to become productive, successful citizens locally and globally.
Today, I formally requested that the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors cease their practice of selectively disabling public comments on the official county Facebook page. Open dialogue and transparent governance are essential to a healthy democracy, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has clearly affirmed that public comment sections on government-run social media constitute protected forums for free speech (see Davison v. Randall, 2019).
By selectively restricting comments, our County openly engages in viewpoint-based censorship, which undermines our fundamental constitutional freedoms. It is vital that citizens have the opportunity to openly discuss, question, and provide feedback on the actions of their government.
I have respectfully urged the Board to promptly re-enable comments on all past and future posts and adopt clear, fair, and constitutionally compliant guidelines for managing public interaction on their official platforms.
Let’s keep Appomattox County a place where voices can be heard and rights remain protected.
APPOMATTOX, VA – A cohort of dedicated seniors from Appomattox County High School’s Raider Garage program are now officially certified to keep Virginia’s roads safer, having successfully earned their Virginia State Inspection Licenses, the school proudly announced this week.
This significant achievement is the culmination of three years of vocational training. Students immersed themselves in a comprehensive curriculum that blended theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience in the auto shop. Their journey to certification involved mastering General Knowledge sections, as well as intricate details of Brakes, Suspension Systems, Lights, and Glass components – all critical for ensuring vehicle safety.
To earn their licenses, these aspiring mechanics had to demonstrate their proficiency through both written examinations and practical assessments in the shop, proving they can apply their learned skills in real-world scenarios.
Instructor Jonathan Garrett praised the students’ commitment, stating, “Each of these students have gone above and beyond to reach this milestone, and we couldn’t be more proud of their dedication and growth.”
The Raider Garage program isn’t finished celebrating just yet. Garret is optimistic that “in the coming weeks we hope to have a few more students complete this process,” further adding to the pool of qualified young technicians emerging from Appomattox County High School. This certification not only marks a personal triumph for the students but also equips them with a valuable credential for their future careers in the automotive industry.
In aligning with the national movement to bolster credentialing and workplace programs, the school is effectively launching skilled technicians directly into the workforce, demonstrating a powerful and practical alternative to traditional higher education pathways.
APPOMATTOX – Young artistic talent from Appomattox County was recently recognized on a regional stage, with Rowan Morgan, a student at Appomattox Elementary School, securing third place in the elementary school division of the 2025 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Southern Regional Art Contest.
The judging took place on March 26, 2025, during a regional forum where local school board members from across the Southern Region evaluated an impressive display of creativity from elementary, middle, and high school students.
The VSBA Regional Art Contest, established in 1989, aims to highlight the artistic achievements of public school students across Virginia. Each year, winners are selected from elementary, middle, and high school submissions within each of the VSBA’s nine regions. Traditionally, the winning artwork is framed and displayed at the VSBA headquarters in Charlottesville.
This year marks an exciting expansion, with the VSBA Board of Directors introducing a new statewide art competition. First-place regional winners will automatically advance to compete at the state level. Statewide winners, set to be determined in early June, will receive a $1,000 award, a commemorative trophy, and recognition during the Opening General Session of the 2025 VSBA Annual Convention on November 19, 2025.
The Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization, works to promote excellence in public education through advocacy, training, and services for school boards across the Commonwealth.
For further details about the VSBA art contest, interested parties can contact VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson at [email protected] or (434) 295-8722. Inquiries regarding student winners should be directed through the Appomattox County Public Schools superintendent’s office.
