James River Exchange

Welcome to the James Exchange, lots going on in Scottsville.

First, the Planning Commission vote on Echelon Resources’ project.

Second, for the first time in Scottsville’s history, the Town Council election moved outside the town.

Third, Gordon Sutton and all things Tiger.

Scottsville Planning commission meets this evening at 7:00 in Council Chambers on the second floor of Victory Hall. Join the meeting via zoom. Password is 1744.

The agenda with staff report: Planning Commission Agenda 11.7

Agenda

1. Call to order, establish a quorum, and agree to agenda 7:00 p.m.2. Review and approval of past meeting minutes: June 6, September 6, and October 33. Report on relevant actions by the Town Council 7:05 p.m.4. Matters from the public 7:10 p.m.5. Old business 7:20 p.m.

* a. Comprehensive Plan process and engagement, UVA team

* b. Zoning map amendment and special use permit, 800 Bird Street

* Industrial to Commercial, with special use permit for multi-family residential

* Public hearing, discussion, and action

* c. Zoning text amendment, Planned Unit Development

* Discussion and action

6. New business 8:30 p.m.

* a. Special Use Permit, Arts & Education Center, Hardware Street

* b. Zoning text amendment, Homestays

7. Adjournment 9:00 p.m.

Tomorrow we vote for three Town Councilors. The James Exchange did a special series on “Why Scottsville Votes in November” and introduced four of the five candidates. If you don’t subscribe to the James Exchange, but want to listen to what Dan Gritsko, Meredith Hynes, Bill Hyson, and Stuart Munson have to say visit our YouTube channel. Austyn Bessette was unavailable.

As always, if you have a story, a song, an issue, or you just want to have a conversation, contact me!

To recap, The James Exchange reached out to all known candidates in the 2022 Town of Scottsville election. They are: Austyn Bessette, Dan Gritsko, Meredith Hynes, Bill Hyson, and Stuart Munson. All were given the following five questions in advance of any recording session:

* What is driving you to be on town council?

* Are you a team player, or do you see yourself as a "lone wolf”?

* What are you willing to do to ensure the town is welcoming to newcomers and visitors while being respectful of our business owners?

* Do you think we should have a conversation about business owners in the town but do not reside here, have voting rights? (Of course, we know State Code and Dillion's Rule restrict this, but think outside the box).

* Where do you see the town in 20 years?

Good luck on Tuesday to all candidates running on ballot or write-in.

As always, if you have a story, a song, an issue, or just want to have a conversation, contact me.

Welcome to the James Exchange, I am Nancy Gill, your host. In this episode, part 2 of the 2022 Town of Scottsville election I have candidates Dan Gritsko and Meredith Hynes. Austyn Bessette was unable to catch up with me, so if you see her out and about, have a conversation with her on her candidacy.

Participants were pre-recorded and asked the same five questions with one exception.

The election is this coming Tuesday, November 8. Town residents who live in Albemarle County will vote at the Scottsville Elementary School and those in Fluvanna will vote at Antioch Church.

Part three of this series will air tomorrow and will feature Bill Hyson and Stuart Munson, both write-in candidates.

In this episode you meet Shahroze Ranjha a UVA medical student who heads up the Virginia Wellness Initiative. Shahroze goes into detail on health screenings his team will be providing at the Health Fair on Saturday, November 5th.

Come out and enjoy the fair. You will also get a tour of the community garden and walking trail at Simpson Park.

In this third episode in the Health Series promoting the November 5th HEARR Health Fair at the Yancey Community Center in Esmont. Mr. McNair went over several services and advocacy initiatives offered by Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA).

The HEARR Health Fair starts at 10:30 to 1:00. Several organizations will be in attendance, and a special vegan lunch will be served. The UVA Virginia Wellness Initiative, a student run organization, will be providing several health screenings.

JABA will be at the HEARR Health Fair on Saturday. Visit their website: jabacares.org.

The HEARR folks invite all!

The Town of Scottsville election is on Tuesday, November 8. This episode goes into more detail as why the Scottsville election changed, an issue with the state-issued Voter ID Card, and who the candidates are. Enjoy the listen!

There are three days in Scottsville that are all about families and community. Halloween is right in there with the 4th of July and the Christmas Tree Lighting when it comes to celebrating what we are best at—the coming together of our diverse and various communities in Southern Albemalre, Fluvanna, Buckingham and Nelson. 

Scottsville celebrates Halloween on October 31st, and this year the Valley and Main Streets will once again be alive with children in their favorite costumes going from business to business to gather their booty!

Safety is always parmount on Halloween and Police Chief Jenkins will have officers on hand at 4:00 at each end of town with lights shining blue to slow traffic to create a safe environment for our residents and guests. Additionally, there will be officers walking throughout town and in vehicles as well.

One safety feature that has been put in place is the arrangement of straw bales and traffic cones the two intersections at Bird and Valley to act as bumpouts for slowing traffic. This was a joint collaboration between the police, town staff, the fire department and VDOT.

Now for the news you have been waiting for:

The start of Trick-or-Treating is never cast in stone. Instead, it begins when the young ones appear. According to a well-informed source, Kristin Freshwater, the majority of activity is between 6:00 and 7:00.

4:00: Trick-or-Treating starts

4:00-5:30 Trunk-or-Treat at the Scottsville Police Station parking lot.

5:30-7:00 Trunk-or-Treat at the Scottsville Farmers’ Market Pavillion

Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the evening!

As always, if you have a song, a story, an issue, or just want to have a conversation, contact me.

Another Halloween Happening in Scottsville!

As always, if you have a song, a story, an issue or just want to have a conversation, contact me.