A rock wall lines a pulloff overlook on U.S. 250 in Afton, near the Nelson and Albemarle county lines. Beyond the wall stand bare trees in the winter landscape. Through the trees, visitors can catch glimpses of Rockfish Valley sprawled below. Plans are in the works to restore the site to its former glory, granting motorists a full view of the landscape below.
Nelson County’s school superintendent has voluntarily reduced his salary by more than $15,000, from about $182,400 to a little less than $164,000. “I voluntarily restructured my benefits to allow for greater flexibility with the budget,” said Superintendent Roger Collins. Collins was originally budgeted to receive a $30,000 raise per his June 2011 contract.
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors decided to reject the 2012 reassessment at its meeting Thursday. Supervisors rejected the reassessment conducted by Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, a Staunton-based company, for reasons brought to the board’s attention over the past few months. “I feel strongly that it was done incorrectly,” said Larry Saunders, the South District representative.
A special Board of Supervisors meeting was held last Friday to discuss the county’s reassessment. At the meeting, supervisors expressed concerns and asked the owners of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, the company that did the county’s assessment, questions, most of which dealt with specific properties. Since the county’s ordinance requires a reassessment be done every four years, the supervisors did not have to have a vote to accept the values.
Wintergreen Resort on Wednesday announced the broad outlines of a plan to combat financial challenges that includes the elimination of fewer than a dozen full-time jobs as part of an overall restructuring of operations. The initiative is expected to reduce annual labor and benefit costs by $600,000, according to a statement from Wintergreen Partners Inc. on Wednesday.
Fire departments across the country are faced with countless challenges, and those in Nelson County are no exception. The biggest obstacle for the county’s departments is a lack of volunteers, especially younger ones. Reasons for the shortfall in Nelson include people traveling outside of the county to work and the time needed to complete required training. Other challenges include funding and lack of equipment.
Piedmont Virginia Community College officials are excited that the governor’s plan for higher education funding could mean more money for their school. Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plan includes millions in funding for higher education statewide, including some money aimed at encouraging higher graduation rates.
Nelson County’s emergency services coordinator returned to work after being placed on administrative leave. Ray Uttaro, who also serves as the animal control supervisor, was on administrative leave with pay from Nov. 29 to Dec. 18. Uttaro returned to work on Dec. 19, said County Administrator Steve Carter.
A recount in the Nelson County sheriff's race confirmed David Brooks as the winner Thursday night. Brooks, the incumbent, received 14 more votes than Mac Bridgwater in the recount.
A recount in the Nelson County Sheriff race has been set for Thursday. Mac Bridgwater received nine votes less than David Brooks, the incumbent sheriff, in the November election.