It is another beautiful Sunday in the second month of 2022. Welcome a James Exchange Quick Take, I am your host, Nancy Gill.
February 17th and 20th Ivy Talk: African American Farmers in Albemarle County
These talks explore the lives of African American farmers in Albemarle County and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that they faced. We will host descendants from three different African American farming families in Albemarle County, we will explore who these farmers were, how farming supported their livelihoods, and how they contributed to their communities. These farmers were Mr. James R. Butler, who served as the Extension Agent after Conly Greer retired. Mr. Willie Hudson, of Esmont, and Mr. Kenton Sheffield Gardner, of Esmont. Register for the talks.
Now for a quick run down of meetings being held this week in Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, and the Town of Scottsville.
Tomorrow, February 14, the Buckingham Board of Supervisors hold their monthly meeting starting at 6:00. They will hold four public hearings mainly on special use permits for AirB&Bs. Under zoning matters there are three cases pertaining to solar generation facilities. Of special interest, under the County Attorney’s report is an agenda item for Hatton Ferry and a solid waste fee ordinance.
Also, on February 14, the Scottsville Town Council meets at 7:00 for their monthly work session. They held a special session on February 10 to work through conditions for the special use permit on Bird Street. It appears that the Blenheim project will be pulled by the developer or tabled by Council. Tomorrow they will discuss land use items the Planning Commission has been working on, the 2022/23 budget, and an historical marker for Mrs. Minerva Bell Lewis. Mrs. Lewis according to Matt Lawless in his Town Administrator report:
“The Town has gradually improved its understanding of its diverse history and the role of the historical Black community. Most recently, graduate student Hilary Wehrle has worked with the Architectural Review Board, Town staff, the Scottsville Museum team, and descendants of both enslaved and free Black citizens of Scottsville. She documented a remarkable local story which may warrant special recognition. Family histories and census and tax records attest to the notable life of Mrs. Minerva Bell Lewis. Born enslaved, she managed several successful businesses, raised a large family of teachers, and for many years was the only Black female property owner in town. After a long series of transactions in the 20th century, the Town now owns this parcel, a parking lot. It could be an ideal site for a historical marker. The site could be beautified with a bench and a fine specimen tree, at the cost of one parking space. This could be done fairly quickly.”
Fluvanna Board of Supervisors meet on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00. They will hold two public hearings on one for Dominion Energy for an electrical substation. The second for the Virginia United Methodist Housing Development Corporation for a 120-unit affordable independent senior living rental complex in the Village Oaks neighborhood.
Also on Wednesday, February 16, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors will meet at 1:00 and 6:00. Their agenda is quite lengthy for me to note the majority of their discussion. A few are:
Resolution of Appreciation for Police Chief Ron Lantz.
Developer Incentives for Affordable Housing.
Resolution to Request Split Precinct Waiver from State Board of Elections
Old Trail Block 33 - Minimum Lot Size.
Each municipality has a different method of providing information supporting their agendas. Albemarle includes links to support documents within their agenda. Buckingham and Fluvanna both have a support document that goes into great detail on their agenda items. And, Scottsville, well their support document follows the agenda.
This has been a James Exchange Quick Take. I still want to hear from you!
Links to meeting information:
Scottsville Town Council Work Session 2.14 @7:00
Agenda
Buckingham Board of Supervisors 2.14 @6:00
Agenda
Packet
Fluvanna Board of Supervisors 2.16 @7:00
Agenda
Packet
Albemarle Board of Supervisors 2.16 @1:00 & 6:00
Agenda
For those interested in Kelly Kroese’s presentation here is a link:
Why Scottsville Cannot Become a Crozet
Ivy Talks: African American Farmers in Albemarle