School Superintendent Search
The Nelson County School Board has begun the process of hiring a new superintendent to replace retiring Dr. Martha Eagle. Public comment is invited through a survey related to superintendent criteria and qualifications available at surveymonkey.com/r/NelsonCo.
The deadline to submit your comment is noon on January 13. Blank copies of the survey can be picked up at the school board administration offices, at each school, and at the Nelson County Public Library. Direct questions to Tammy Ponton at 434-260-7646 or email [email protected].
The board will hold a public hearing on the search on January 13 at 7 p.m. in the NCHS Auditorium.
Adjusted Voting Boundary for Central and Eastern Districts
Responding to 2020 Census counts at their December 14 meeting, Nelson supervisors adjusted voting district boundaries in the Woods Mill area, shifting voters from the Central District to the Eastern District.
Supervisors also voted to repeal an ordinance to approve Blue Ridge Cigarette Tax Board.
A new board chair will be chosen at the board’s next meeting on January 11.
Comprehensive Plan Consultant Selection
At the recommendation of Director of Planning and Zoning Dylan Bishop, Supervisors approved the Berkley Group as the consultant for the Comprehensive Plan update. The original document was completed in 2002. A January kickoff meeting is planned to include a public survey with a completion target of 2023.
Student Art Show
Nelson County High School is exhibiting the art projects of 20 students in the Rockfish Valley Community Center auditorium through the winter season. The show features framed two-dimensional pieces with both stylized and realistic styles including digital art.
Rockfish Valley Volunteer
Fire Department
Volunteers are needed by the “All-Volunteer” RVVFD on Rockfish Valley Highway in Afton. Skills training is offered to those willing to help answer emergency calls.
Associate members are also needed for help in fundraising, events such as community dinners, yard sales, craft shows, and for station clean-up.
For information on volunteering, call 540-456-6465 or email [email protected].
Donations to RVVFD are tax-deductible as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Nelson County
Health Department
A decision must be made to relocate the Nelson Health Department in 2022 when its lease expires at Blue Ridge Medical Center at 4038 Thomas Nelson Highway in Arrington. An extensive study completed by Moore Architecture recommended moving the department to the Nelson Heritage Center at 1653 Thomas Nelson Highway in Arrington.
Nelson County Administrator Steve Carter presented an alternative plan at the December Supervisors’ meeting. Carter said combining the Health Department and Social Services into a new joint facility on county-owned land off Callowhill Drive in Lovingston (behind the Food Lion shopping center) could be done for an estimated $4 million.
Rockfish Valley
Community Center
The January Market and Pancake Breakfast at RVCC will be held Saturday, January 8. Due to the recent increase of Covid, everyone is required to wear a mask indoors to help protect those who cannot be vaccinated. If you are NOT fully vaccinated, including booster, RVCC strongly encourages you to get vaccinated. Relying on the honor system, RVCC does not monitor mask wearing or require proof of vaccination.
The Master Gardeners are revisiting the established wildflower garden near the county recycling center and adjoining Mallory Creek, now overgrown with weeds, briars and trees. They plan to reduce its size to less the half the original area to allow it to be maintained by a small group of volunteers.
An adjacent property owned by the County and the Ruritan Club between Ruritan Park and the RVCC is being considered as the location for a future dog park. Anyone interested in supporting these goals should contact Stu Mills at [email protected].
