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  • Opinion | We Can’t Live on History Alone—Appomattox Needs a Future Too

    Opinion | We Can’t Live on History Alone—Appomattox Needs a Future Too

    Appomattox is a town built on history, from the fields where the Civil War ended, to the little shops and family-run businesses that have kept the town going for generations. The town has always been about resilience; about community and showing up for each other.

    There was a time when this town thrived. Agriculture, railroads, tobacco, tourism; they each had their moment., and through it all, Appomattox stood strong. The town where Lee surrendered to Grant. The place where a war ended, and healing began. That history is something to be proud of.

    But history alone won’t carry the town forward, and as the world around us keeps shifting, from coal to code, from farming to fiber optics, the town is at a crossroads. Other small towns are changing, adapting, finding ways to grow. If not careful, Appomattox will get left behind.

    Right now, the median household income here is about $58,000, which is lower than both the state and national averages. That number isn’t just data, it’s a sign that people are working hard, but not always getting ahead. And the next generation? They’re leaving. Not because they don’t love this place, but because they don’t see a future in it. And honestly, who could blame them?

    We can’t keep repeating the same pattern; empty buildings, low-wage jobs, another dollar store we didn’t ask for. What we need are businesses that attract, not distract. Places that spark energy, offer real jobs, and bring something new to the table. Tech startups, clean energy companies, more local businesses. Grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods that value wellness and community. We need options that make people want to stay, and make new folks want to come.

    Because let’s be honest, Gen Z isn’t looking for parking lots and strip malls. They want a walkable downtown with fast Wi-Fi, green spaces. organic food and most of all a sense of purpose. They’re building lives around value and experience, not just convenience.

    So why not give them a reason to choose us?

    Picture it: a downtown full of life co-working hubs for remote workers, live music on the weekends, food trucks lining the square, art festivals and open-air concerts that bring people together. Imagine the local history coming alive through reenactments, interactive exhibits, and festivals that not only educate, but inspire. Kids laughing in community gardens. Artists finding space to create. Visitors staying the night, not just passing through. In the end the town and the people in the town prosper.

    We don’t have to erase the towns roots; we just need to let them grow. Appomattox already has the story. Let’s tell it louder, bolder, and with a vision for the next chapter. Because here’s the truth: if we don’t act or invest in our people, Appomattox could slowly slip into being just another ghost town. A memory, instead of a destination. Why continue letting Lynchburg, Farmville and Richmond take our revenue, let’s make it a town to work and shop in.

    I didn’t grow up here. But I chose this town. The pride, the grit and the possibility. Let’s stop waiting for change to find us. Let’s build something that ensure the stability of the town for future generations.

  • Appomattox Elementary Student Earns Regional Art Award

    Appomattox Elementary Student Earns Regional Art Award

    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.

  • Lost in the Mail? Supervisors OK $5K for VASAP After Funding Request Goes Astray

    Sometimes, even vital requests get caught in bureaucratic crosswinds – or maybe just put in the wrong mailbox. The Appomattox Board of Supervisors approved a $5,000 funding allocation for the Southside Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (better known as VASAP) for the upcoming FY2026 budget, but only after learning the request nearly didn’t make it to them at all.

    According to the agenda and brief discussion, VASAP Executive Director Roy-Keith Lloyd had met with Sheriff Richardson during budget talks, where it came up that the County hadn’t received VASAP’s funding request. An email from Lloyd to County Administrator Susan Adams revealed the culprit: the request had apparently been mailed to the wrong address.

    Luckily, the corrected request landed in time for Monday’s meeting. VASAP is the court-ordered program folks convicted of DUI offenses often must complete, involving education and monitoring (like those ignition interlock devices). Sheriff Richardson, who recently joined the regional VASAP board, explained that while VASAP services are mandated by the courts, the program isn’t entirely self-sufficient without contributions from the localities it serves. Appomattox recently became part of the expanded Southside VASAP region after the Piedmont ASAP (based in Farmville) dissolved due to financial pressures and merged operations.

    Supervisor Hipps questioned why the County hadn’t funded VASAP recently if it was locally supported. Administrator Adams and Supervisor Carter clarified that the County had funded predecessor programs years ago when Appomattox was served by the Farmville-based group, but this was the first request from the newly consolidated Southside entity based out of Halifax.

    Supervisor Carter moved to approve the $5,000, seconded by Reverend Jones. The vote was unanimous. So, despite a detour through the postal service, the funding seems secured, helping ensure these necessary, if unpopular, services remain available locally – a reminder that even fighting drunk driving involves navigating budgets and, occasionally, misaddressed mail.

  • Shelving Reorganization: Supervisors Approve $29K for Library Promotions, New Youth Specialist Role

    Good news for bookworms and library patrons – the Appomattox County Library is getting a staffing boost, thanks to a nod from the Board of Supervisors Monday night. The Supervisors formally approved adding $29,238 to the upcoming FY2026 library budget, paving the way for two key personnel changes.

    This wasn’t entirely new news; the request was left hanging after the Board finalized the budget for advertisement back on March 25th. But Monday night, it got the official stamp. The funds will allow the library to promote its current Public Services Specialist to a newly created Assistant Library Director position. Additionally, a part-time Library Assistant role will be reclassified and upgraded to a full-time Youth Services Specialist.

    Supervisor Reverend Jones made the motion to approve the funding, with Supervisor Carter providing the second. County Administrator Susan Adams clarified the financial housekeeping involved. Apparently, the initial difference discussed at the March work session was over $42,000. However, the Librarian had requested that about $14,000 from her part-time salary budget be repurposed, bringing the new money needed down to the $29,238 figure approved Monday. “So if you make a motion [on the next item], then we’ll need new funds,” Adams noted, indicating this library adjustment kept things balanced for now.

    The vote was unanimous. While it might seem like inside baseball, these changes signal an investment in library leadership and dedicated services for young people. An Assistant Director can take on more administrative and strategic planning duties, freeing up the Librarian, while a full-time Youth Services Specialist underscores the library’s commitment to our youngest readers and learners. In a tight budget year, it’s a notable shuffle on the County’s staffing shelf.

  • Business Bid on 460: Hearing Set for Rezoning Request by Ideal Design Services

    A piece of property out on Richmond Highway near Heritage Trail could be changing from agricultural to industrial use if a request from Ideal Design Services gets the final nod. The Board of Supervisors scheduled a public hearing for their May 19th meeting to consider the conditional rezoning petition.

    Ideal Design Services Inc., listed as the property owner with Clarke Campbell as the applicant, wants to rezone a 3.652-acre parcel at 11799 Richmond Highway (Route 460). The goal is to switch the zoning from A-1 (Agricultural) to Conditional M-1 (Industrial). The purpose? To operate a contractor yard for their construction business and dumpster service.

    This isn’t the first hurdle for the proposal. The Appomattox County Planning Commission already held its own public hearing earlier this month. According to the agenda notes, four citizens spoke in support of the petition during that hearing, and the Planning Commission subsequently voted unanimously to recommend approval, including accepting a submitted Proffer Statement (which typically outlines conditions agreed to by the applicant).

    Now, the ball is in the Board of Supervisors’ court. Before they can act on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, they need to hold their own public hearing to gather input directly from the citizenry. Supervisor Carter made the motion to schedule the hearing for 6:00 p.m. on May 19th, seconded by Supervisor Hipps, and it passed unanimously. Residents will have their chance next month to voice support, opposition, or ask questions about the proposed contractor yard.

  • Growing Room: Community College Expanding Footprint at Carver Price Complex

    Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) is getting ready to stretch its legs. The Board of Supervisors authorized County Administrator Susan Adams Monday night to sign off on a lease amendment that will significantly expand the college’s presence in the County-owned building at the Carver Price Educational Complex.

    County Attorney Mark Popovich presented the item, explaining that the Second Amendment to the Deed of Lease will increase CVCC’s rentable space from the current 9,555 square feet to a substantial 19,173 square feet. The expansion also includes nearly doubling their allotted parking, from 28 regular and 2 handicapped spots to 47 regular and 2 handicapped spots.

    What’s all the new space for? According to the amendment language referenced in the agenda packet, it covers the areas designated for “Welding” and “EMT Training.” This ties directly into grant funding the County has secured and utilized for equipping these vocational training programs – programs aimed squarely at building our local workforce. Popovich noted he and Adams had been working closely with CVCC officials on finalizing the details.

    Supervisor Wolfskill promptly made the motion to authorize Adams to execute the finalized amendment, with Reverend Jones providing the second. The vote passed unanimously without much discussion, signaling strong support for the college’s expanding role in local education and job training. It’s a concrete sign (literally, involving building space) of the ongoing partnership between the County and CVCC to provide valuable skills training right here in Appomattox.

  • Voting Change on Hold: Supervisors Delay Piney Mountain Precinct Merger, Await AG Approval

    Plans to streamline voting in the Piney Mountain District hit a procedural yellow light Monday night. The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on a proposal to merge the Agee precinct with the Oakville precinct but ultimately voted to table any action until next month.

    The plan, recommended by the Appomattox County Electoral Board, is straightforward: consolidate the two existing Piney Mountain voting precincts into one. The single polling place for the entire district would be the Oakville Ruritan Building on Piney Mountain Road, effectively eliminating the Agee precinct and its separate polling location.

    The public hearing came and went without a single speaker stepping up to the podium – perhaps indicating quiet acceptance, or maybe just late-Monday indifference. However, when it came time for the Board to potentially adopt the ordinance making the change official, County Attorney Mark Popovich advised hitting the brakes.

    Popovich explained that changes to voting precincts require a “certificate of no objection” from the Virginia Attorney General’s office. He had submitted the request back on March 21st, and the AG’s office has a 60-day window to respond or raise concerns. To ensure that process plays out properly, Popovich recommended tabling the matter.

    Supervisor Wolfskill made the motion to table, seconded by Supervisor Carter, and the vote was unanimous. So, while the merger seems likely – consolidating locations can save money and simplify logistics for the Registrar – voters in Piney Mountain will have to wait until at least the May meeting to see the final stamp of approval, assuming Richmond gives the green light. Just a little reminder that even local decisions sometimes need a nod from the state capital.

  • Paving the Way: VDOT Plan Hearing Set for May, Supervisors Prioritize Unpaved Roads

    It wouldn’t be a proper Board of Supervisors meeting without some talk about roads, would it? Monday night featured VDOT’s Appomattox Residency Administrator, Robert Brown, presenting the draft Secondary Road Six-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2031 and updating the priority list for paving our remaining unpaved roads.

    The big takeaway on the Six-Year Plan? It’s getting shorter. Brown noted the county currently has just over 24 miles of unpaved roads left – a far cry from decades past. While that’s progress, the funding formula means fewer unpaved miles equals fewer state dollars allocated for paving them. The draft plan only includes three projects: completing Hancock Road (Route 644, already partially underway), tackling Cedar Bend Road (Route 675, a long-standing project), and funding the final section of Hancock Road, which won’t see full funding until FY31 under current projections. Brown highlighted a “pretty drastic” cut in state allocations from FY25 to FY26 as a major factor.

    Following Brown’s presentation, the Board unanimously voted (motion by Wolfskill, second by Carter) to schedule the required Public Hearing on the Six-Year Plan for their next meeting on Monday, May 19th, at 6:00 p.m. Mark your calendars if you want to weigh in.

    The Supervisors then turned their attention to the future paving list – roads constituents want paved but aren’t yet in the official plan. Brown presented the current list and noted that while priorities weren’t strictly needed this year (since no new projects are being added to the plan immediately), the Board could set them if desired.

    Supervisor Hipps promptly spoke up, mentioning passionate calls from constituents regarding Snaps Mill Road (Route 703) and Mari Place (Route 730). Supervisor Hinkle confirmed Mari Place was a priority for him as well. After a bit of discussion, initiated by Brown’s suggestion that the shorter, less expensive Mari Place go first to potentially allow concurrent work later, the Board settled on priorities. A motion by Hipps, amended and seconded by Reverend Jones, officially set Mari Place as Priority #1 and Snaps Mill Road as Priority #2 for future inclusion in the six-year plan. Supervisor Wolfskill then successfully amended the motion further to add Bell View Road (Route 611) as Priority #3.

    So, the wheels of road planning keep turning, albeit perhaps a bit slower these days with tighter funds. Residents on Mari, Snaps Mill, and Bell View now have a clearer spot in the queue, while everyone gets a chance to comment on the overall plan next month.

  • 17 Drug Arrests, Violent Crimes Detailed; Sheriff Gets Go-Ahead for Grant Match

    Sheriff Robby Richardson didn’t pull any punches Monday night when he stepped up to the podium at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Before even getting to his requested agenda item – a grant discussion – the Sheriff laid out some sobering statistics from recent law enforcement activity right here in Appomattox County.

    Richardson detailed a significant drug roundup, rattling off numbers that should get any resident’s attention: 17 individuals arrested recently on drug charges. The indictments included multiple counts of possession and distribution of methamphetamine, along with charges involving heroin and the deadly synthetic opioid, fentanyl. Worryingly, several charges involved possessing firearms while dealing drugs. “That’s 17 drug users and dealers off our streets that were here in the county,” Richardson stated flatly, adding that drugs found during the arrests would lead to further charges.

    He wasn’t finished. The Sheriff also reported arrests related to violent crimes, including four indictments for sexual assault of a victim under 13, another involving a victim under 15, plus charges of sodomy by force, object sexual penetration by force, rape, and indecent liberties with minors. “That’s all happened within the last few months in this county,” he emphasized, driving home the point: “We’re working diligently to make sure we get stuff off the streets… That’s why we come to you and ask for more people and ask for more money to make sure these streets are safe.”

    With that stark backdrop established, Richardson pivoted to his reason for being on the agenda: seeking the Board’s commitment for a potential grant match. The Sheriff’s Office applies annually for a JAG (Justice Assistance Grant), which requires a local match – in this case, 25%. If fully awarded, the grant would bring in federal funds to purchase roughly $68,663 worth of updated technology, primarily Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) for patrol cars and new office computers.

    The need, Richardson explained, is pressing. The department is still running on Windows 10, an operating system nearing the end of its supported life, leaving them vulnerable. Furthermore, IT Specialist Ace Bailey (who works with the county and Sheriff’s office) has been pushing for MDT upgrades for some time. The grant would allow these necessary upgrades with the County only needing to potentially pony up $17,165.75 (the 25% match). Richardson needed the Board’s commitment to that match before finalizing the grant application.

    Supervisor Reverend Jones quickly made the motion to commit the matching funds, seconded by Supervisor Carter. After confirming with County Administrator Adams that the funds wouldn’t be needed until the next fiscal year (starting July 1) and amending the motion to specify the match would be “up to” the $17,165.75 figure, the Board voted unanimously in favor.

    It was a clear sequence of events: the Sheriff lays out the serious challenges his deputies face on the streets, then asks for the tools needed to keep doing the job effectively, and the Board gives the necessary (potential) financial backing. Just another night tackling crime and budgets in Appomattox County.

  • Chief Garrett Proposes Win-Win: Donate Old Ladder Truck to Concord, Bolster Regional Fire Coverage

    Sometimes, a challenge sparks a creative solution. Appomattox Volunteer Fire Chief Jonathan Garrett presented the Board of Supervisors with such a proposal Monday night, offering a forward-thinking plan for the department’s outgoing ladder truck that could benefit not just Appomattox, but our neighbors in Concord, too.

    As the AVFD eagerly anticipates the arrival of their newer (used) ladder truck sometime next month – a purchase the County helped finance late last year – the question of what to do with the old truck remained. The original plan involved selling the apparatus to help repay the county loan. However, as Chief Garrett explained, finding a buyer for specialized, aging fire equipment isn’t always straightforward. Despite marketing efforts through various channels, including professional brokers, “there’s been no serious interest in this truck,” Garrett reported.

    Rather than simply wait, Chief Garrett and the AVFD developed a proactive alternative focused on maximizing the old truck’s value within our broader community. His proposal to the Board: allow the AVFD to formally donate the current ladder truck to the Concord Volunteer Fire Department.

    Why Concord? Garrett laid out a compelling case for regional cooperation. Concord VFD covers a significant slice of western Appomattox County in its primary response area but currently lacks an aerial ladder truck. Donating the truck, Garrett argued, would equip Concord with a vital piece of equipment, potentially improving their ISO rating (which can affect homeowners’ insurance rates) in the parts of Appomattox they serve.

    Crucially, the benefits flow back to Appomattox directly. Concord has agreed the donated truck would be prioritized for mutual aid calls into Appomattox County. It would provide essential backup when Appomattox’s new ladder truck is out for maintenance, support major incidents like commercial fires or technical rescues, and enhance overall firefighter safety by ensuring a second ladder is readily available county-wide. “Having two aerial devices in the county enhances firefighter safety,” Garrett stressed.

    To make this community-focused plan feasible, Garrett requested the Board consider adjusting the original loan terms, asking them to weigh forgiving “all or at least 50%” of the loan amount, enabling the donation. He emphasized the AVFD’s commitment to its obligations but noted the difficulty in the resale market.

    The Supervisors appeared thoughtful and appreciative of the volunteers’ service. Supervisor Carter noted, “We don’t hold you all responsible if nobody wants to buy that truck,” and Supervisor Hinkle requested Garrett’s written remarks for detailed review. While no decision was made Monday, the Chief’s proposal puts a potential win-win scenario on the table: turning a difficult sale into an opportunity to strengthen fire protection across jurisdictional lines, keeping a valuable asset serving local citizens. It’s a plan worth watching as the Board mulls it over.