Podcasts about culpeper county

Scott Jenkins, former Culpeper County sheriff, is sentenced to 10 years on federal bribery and fraud convictions… Governor Youngkin signs a law that will ban some food dyes from public school food… The valley's skater community christens Harrisonburg's new park with frontside noseslides, 180s, and kickflips….

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael dives into the engaging and enriching world of 4-H in Warren County. Joining Janet is Emily Schultz, the Associate Extension Agent for Warren County, who's been a pivotal figure in the 4-H community for the past year. Reflecting on her first year, Emily shared the whirlwind of activities and opportunities that have kept her busy. The last year saw the addition of five new 4-H clubs and the initiation of novel in-school programs, all aimed at offering more avenues for youth engagement. The ongoing renovation of their office hasn't slowed them down, as Emily continues her work from home. For those unfamiliar with 4-H, it's a community for young people to explore diverse interests. Warren County's 4-H boasts seven community clubs and one in-school club covering a range of activities from livestock to photography and crafts, breaking the stereotype that 4-H is solely about farming. Emily emphasizes the program's versatility - there's something for everyone, from public speaking to talent shows. Children can join 4-H as Cloverbuds at the age of five, participating in age-specific activities that are fun and educational. Older members, ages nine and up, can engage in more specialized clubs, including shooting sports and horse clubs. A big draw for many parents is the cost – membership in 4-H is free, making it accessible to everyone. The program thrives on the dedication of its volunteers. With a robust team of 60-70 volunteers in Warren County, many bringing unique skills, the support is invaluable. There's always room for more willing hands – anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Emily to find out how to get involved. 4-H clubs meet regularly for various activities, including community service, guest speakers, and hands-on learning experiences. The program's flexibility allows it to cater to a wide range of interests, ensuring that all kids find their “spark.” Emily reassures that even those without livestock can participate fully through educational projects and competitions. One of the highlights of 4-H is the range of camps available, from day camps to overnight stays at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Warren County. These camps offer incredible opportunities for kids to gain independence, learn new skills, and enjoy the outdoors. Kids can select from a variety of classes, ranging from archery and canoeing to arts and crafts and outdoor living skills. Parents interested in signing up their kids for the overnight camp can do so easily via the county's website or by contacting the local 4-H office. Camp fees are $400, which covers all activities, meals, and a camp t-shirt. Scholarships are also available to ensure that all children have the chance to participate. The upcoming camp, taking place from June 8th to 12th, promises an enriching and exciting experience for all attendees. Warren County shares it's overnight camp with neighboring localities: Culpeper, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Rappahannock Counties. As the conversation wraps up, it's clear that Warren County's 4-H program offers invaluable experiences for children. From fostering independence and leadership skills at camps to providing a wide range of clubs for diverse interests, 4-H is a cornerstone of the community. Emily Schultz's passion and dedication shine through as she encourages parents to explore the opportunities available and get their children involved. For more information, reach out to the local 4-H office or visit their official website listed below. Let your child's 4-H adventure begin! Camp Website and Registration Link: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/csrcw4hcamp/Home Warren County 4-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcewarrencounty4h Culpeper County 4-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culpepercounty4H Shenandoah County 4-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShenandoahCounty4H Clarke County 4-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeCounty4H Emily Shultz, Warren County Contact Information: eshultz@vt.edu 540-635-4549 Claudia Lefeve, Clarke County Contact Information: cmybarra@vt.edu 540-955-5164 Carol Nansel, Shenandoah County Contact Information: cnansel@vt.edu 540-459-6140 Cristy Mosley, Culpeper County Contact Information: nibblins@vt.edu 540-727-3435 Sharon Flippo, Rappahannock County Contact Information: sflippo05@vt.edu 540-675-3619  

After the defendant's panic attacks, a judge delays trial for the former Culpeper County sheriff in an alleged badges for bribes scheme… JMU records the voices of veterans… As the dust settles after last week's election, Jeff Schapiro surveys Virginia politics and state government….

Virginia has a new state park in Culpeper County, commemorating four major Civil War battles… Craigsville adjusts to the loss of jobs as the Augusta Correctional Center gets set to close for good at the end of the month… Before the Mountain Valley Pipeline begins pumping gas, nearby residents want more information about safety checks….

Continuing our series of podcasts LIVE from the #AmericanSouth Site Selection Summit, our friend and podcast sponsor, Ray Methvin of Insyteful, interviews Matt Francis from Resimplifi and Bryan Rothamel from Culpeper County, Virginia.

Executive Director Jennifer Hurst-Wender and Education Manager Shannon Doherty tell the wide history at Germanna.  (We also learned the Rapidan River was originally named the Rapid Ann in honor of the Queen of England).  Discussion on Salubria--the historic plantation house in Culpeper County built in 1757.

Shirley Mae Guthrie, 90, born in Culpeper County in 1933, currently of Henrico County, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2024. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Guthrie; her parents, Eddie and Maxine Mills; her siblings, Ernest Mills, Clarence Mills, and Alice Logan. Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Theresa Ward (John), Mary Anne Schensky (Eric), and Charles E. Guthrie; her endearing pup, Skylar; her devoted cousin/bonus daughter, Lisa Cooper (David); her loving grandchildren, Holly Cottoms (Issiah), Cara King (Dwayne), Craig King, Jr., William Guthrie, Kailee Guthrie (Cameron), and Dakota Griffin; her...Article LinkSupport the show

Tillman Infrastructure LLC v. Board of Supervisors of Culpeper County, Virginia

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O'Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: WMAL GUEST: 8:05 AM - INTERVIEW - MAGGIE CLEARY  - deputy commonwealth attorney in Culpeper County, former Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and former federal prosecutor, and a visiting fellow at Independent Women's Law Center Discuss her article: Her article: Virginia Dem Bill that would Cap Criminal Sentences  WMAL GUEST: 8:35 AM - INTERVIEW - BILLBOARD CHRIS ELSTON – discussed  Chris getting assaulted on the street, NY Times reporter actually covers detransitioning, his excellent testimony about transitioning, the “love bombing” trend and more Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:  Follow the Show Podcasts on Apple podcasts, Audible and Spotify. Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor,  @Jgunlock,  @patricepinkfile and @heatherhunterdc.  Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Show Website: https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/ How to listen live weekdays from 5 to 9 AM: https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/ Episode: Monday, February 5, 2024 / 8 AM Hour  O'Connor and Company is proudly presented by Veritas AcademySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: 8:05 AM - INTERVIEW - MAGGIE CLEARY  - deputy commonwealth attorney in Culpeper County, former Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and former federal prosecutor, and a visiting fellow at Independent Women's Law Center Discuss her article: Her article: Virginia Dem Bill that would Cap Criminal Sentences Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:  Follow the Show Podcasts on Apple podcasts, Audible and Spotify. Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor,  @Jgunlock,  @patricepinkfile and @heatherhunterdc.  Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Show Website: https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/ How to listen live weekdays from 5 to 9 AM: https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/ Episode: Monday, February 5, 2024 / 8 AM Hour  O'Connor and Company is proudly presented by Veritas AcademySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with rain in the forecast for Friday, Harrisonburg issues a burn ban, and firefighters continue to battle the blaze in Madison County… There's a new sheriff in Culpeper County, and it wasn't even close… Governor Youngkin talks to reporters about his party's election losses, and Jeff Schapiro joins us for election analysis in a special edition of the politics chat….

Soil is important infrastructure on our landscapes and in our communities. Jeff Ishee, Eric Bendfeldt, and Mary Sketch Bryant talk with Carl Stafford of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County about the George Washington Carver Center, a food and business incubator and agricultural service center serving communities in and around Culpeper County. Carl is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Stafford County and has an expertise in livestock forages, beef cattle management, and has been an active member in the community for years. In this episode, Carl discusses the intersection of food, soil, history, and community that the Carver Center embodies. To learn more about The George Washington Carver Center and educational programming of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County, please visit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/carver-center and https://culpeper..ext.vt.edu/Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

The sheriff of Culpeper County remains in office even though he's facing federal corruption charges. Michael Pope reports.

What does the health of plants and animals have to tell us about life underground? In this episode, Jeff Ishee, Eric Bendfeldt, and Mary Sketch Bryant talk with Carl Stafford of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County about the importance of grazing with intent for the benefit of plants, animals, and the soil. Carl is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Stafford County and has an expertise in livestock forages, beef cattle management, and is an active leader in the Graze 300 program. In this episode, Carl discusses the importance of paying attention to the biological components of soil and the role that well managed livestock and grass management systems can play in supporting life underground. He shares who his mentors have been over the years and the importance of peer-to-peer networks for promoting innovation. To learn more about Graze 300 and educational programming of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County, please visit https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/graze-300.html and https://culpeper..ext.vt.edu/Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

How will the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action affect Virginia universities?... Culpeper County's Sheriff is indicted on corruption and bribery charges… Staunton has a new flood monitoring system… Virginia enters a new budget year in a state of uncertainty, and we have details and analysis with Jeff Schapiro….

Michael was serving a life sentence until one person came to his rescue: his mom. Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin bring us to Culpeper County, Virginia, to tell the story of teenage buddies Eric Weakley and Michael Hash. Local police solved a murder case by coercing Eric into falsely confessing and into falsely implicating his friend Michael as an accomplice. For years, lawyers couldn't get justice for either of them -- until Michael's mom found evidence that blew this case wide open. We are updating this episode with the great news that, with your support, in 2022, Governor Ralph Northam pardoned Eric, and Eric and Michael are finally both officially exonerated, and justice has been served. To learn more and get involved, visit: https://www.centeronwrongfulconvictions.org/ Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are now halfway through the month and the clock is definitely ticking. In fact, there is only 12.3 percent left for 2022 in the remaining month and a half. This is another regular installment of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast that seeks to be published as often as is necessary. I'm your host, Sean Tubbs, an award winning journalist and freelance member of the Virginia Press Association. On today's program:* Continuing updates on the murder of three members of the University of Virginia football team. Two other people remain hospitalized. * Concern continues to mount about the convergence of flu season with the presence of RSV as well as the background of the continuously evolving COVID virus* A new round-about opens tomorrow at the intersection of U.S. 250 and Route 151 in Albemarle County * Charlottesville gets funding to acquire property across Moores Creek from Azalea Park for a new alignment of the Rivanna Trail* Delegate Sally Hudson briefs the Albemarle Board of Supervisors on ranked-choice voting To get each newsletter in your inbox, please sign-up. If you like the program, please consider paying through Substack. That'll help me be ready to report whenever its necessary.Today's first shout-out: LEAP wants to help you prepare for winterCrisp air and colorful leaves. Hot cocoa. Snow days. There are plenty of reasons to get excited about fall and winter, but the return of high heating bills isn't one of them. Your local energy nonprofit, LEAP, has been empowering Virginians with energy efficiency and solar solutions since 2010. With programs for all income levels, residents can access upgrades like insulation, LED bulbs, low-flow fixtures, and affordable rooftop solar systems. Visit www.leap-va.org to learn more, and fill out the LEAP Services Inquiry form to lower high heating bills and stay cozy this winter. UVA community continues to mourn murder victims Last night, hundreds if not thousands of people filled the Lawn at the University of Virginia to mourn the murder of three students murdered Sunday night. Classes at the University of Virginia are not in session today for a second day of mourning for the deaths of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr, and D'Sean Perry.All three were members of the football team. Coach Tony Elliott posted a message across social media. A fourth student has not been identified officially, but the Cavalier Daily and others are reporting a tweet from someone believed to be the mother of one of the two who were injured.For more on the story, do take a look at other accounts:* ‘Wonderful People': UVA Community Pays Tribute to Lost Student-Athletes, Andrew Ramspacher, UVA Today, November 14, 2022* "I'm not sure if I have the right words yet": UVa students react to Sunday night shooting, Sidney Shuler and Alice Berry, Daily Progress, November 14, 2022* Suspect in Sunday's shooting taken into custody, Ava MacBlane, Cavalier Daily, November 14, 2022* Mike Hollins, one of two students injured Sunday evening, undergoes second surgery, Eva Surovell and Ava MacBlane, Cavalier Daily, November 15, 2022Around the same time the lockdown at the University of Virginia was lifted, Charlottesville police and UVA police began work on investigating a series of social media posts that made threats against UVA. “CPD opened an investigation into the postings and the individual believed to be responsible for posting them,” reads a press release. “At approximately 4:00 p.m., Charlottesville detectives obtained and subsequently served a search warrant for an address associated with the suspect in the 200 block of West Main Street in the City of Charlottesville.”They then arrested 31-year-old Bryan Michael Silva and charged him with weapons possession by a felon and possession of a controlled substance. Silva rose to fame as an internet personality whose armed standoff with Charlottesville Police resulted in a previous jail sentence.At this time, CPD does not believe at this time Mr. Silva's threats were related to the tragic events that occurred last night at the University of Virginia. However, we understand the fear this caused in our community and acted swiftly to resolve this investigation.He is being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. As for shooting suspect Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., he is expected to be held be arraigned tomorrow in Albemarle County court as the University of Virginia is technically within that jurisdiction. Pediatricians keeping an eye on RSV casesThe colder weather this week comes at a time when flu cases are rising across the country and while respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is peaking. RSV is something most people are expected to get at some point when they are children. “And adults get RSV too,” said Dr. Debbie-Ann Shirley is an infectious disease expert at UVA Children's Hospital. “It tends to be more severe at the extremes of age so very young children and the elderly can develop more severe RSV. In young children, that can look like a pneumonia or bronchiolitis.” Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the small airways in the lung according to the Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Shirley said this has resulted in more hospitalizations of children to assist them with breathing.“There is not currently a good RSV treatment like an antiviral and there's not currently a vaccine available,” Dr. Shirley said. “However, for select very high-risk infants, there a monoclonal antibody that can be given monthly as an injection throughout RSV season.”Dr. Shirley said that before the pandemic, RSV was fairly predictable with rises expected in fall with a winter peak before subsiding in the warmer months with almost no cases. But that changed in the year of the shutdown. “First, a complete disappearance of RSV and we didn't see the typical peak during the fall of 2020 and into the winter of 2021 and then we started to see an interseasonal out-of-season spread,” Dr. Shirley said. “So RSV has become very unpredictable and this season we saw a very early and rapid peak in RSV cases.”Dr. Shirley said that meant between ten and a dozen new patients admitted each day for RSV, and that number had dropped slightly as of last week. The situation may be worse because many children born during the pandemic did not have had regular exposure. “We're not yet able to breath any sigh of relief, one because we don't know how long or how sustained this current peak will be, and two because we are really starting to see an uptick in flu including severe flu in children being admitted with the flu.” Dr. Shirley said it is important to take a COVID test when symptoms present themselves to rule that out.  She also urged the importance of wearing a face mask to limit transmission and isolating when ill. One of her colleagues added this advice. “Most importantly, if you're feeling sick, stay at home and don't spread illness to others,” said Dr. Costi Sifri, the director of hospital epidemiology for UVA Health. “And we really can't emphasize enough that now is the time to get your flu vaccine.” Sifri said this is also a good time to get a bivalent COVID vaccine if you have not already done so. The Virginia Department of Health today reports a seven-day average of 891 new cases. That trend has been declining since the end of the summer. New roundabout to open at U.S. 250 / Route 151A new traffic pattern will begin tomorrow at the intersection of U.S. 250 and Route 151 in Nelson County. The Virginia Department of Transportation expects that vehicles will be routed through a new roundabout beginning at 9 a.m. "Flaggers will control traffic through the intersection while the traffic signals at the intersection are removed and pavement striping is completed,” reads a VDOT press release. “Drivers should anticipate brief delays during traffic stoppages and congestion in the vicinity of the project. The traffic switch will be complete, and the flagging operation removed by 3 p.m., at which time traffic will use the roundabout for all movements through the intersection."This will not be the end of construction, however. Work will continue outside the travel way until February. This project is one of six being built by Curtis Contracting under a $28.5 million contract. Another is the diverging diamond at U.S. 250 and Interstate 64. That project opened to traffic this past weekend. The four completed projects are the reconfiguration of I-64's Exit 118 to add a traffic light on U.S. 29 to access to eastbound I-64, a roundabout at Route 20 and Proffit Road, a connector road between Rio Mills Road and Berkmar Drive, and a second turn lane from northbound U.S. 29 onto Fontaine Avenue into Charlottesville. All six were funded through VDOT's Smart Scale process. Charlottesville receives funding to buy land along Moores Creek The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation has awarded nearly $15 million in grants across the Commonwealth to help preserve land from development. That includes $175,000 for Charlottesville to purchase 8.6 acres of land in Albemarle County along Moores Creek. That falls under the “Open Spaces and Parks” category of the program. The money can be used to purchase property, acquire conservation easements, or some other method of preserving land. In this case, Charlottesville will use the funding to buy land currently used by the International Rescue Committee for an urban farming project. That use would continue. “This property is a priority for developing the Moores Creek Greenway as it allows a shared use path and the [Rivanna Trail] to stay on the same side of Moores Creek as the trail upstream and means we don't absolutely have to build a bridge, which could cost as much or more than the land itself,” said parks planner Chris Gensic in response to a question. Gensic said Albemarle County is aware of the potential purchase and have made comments related to is compliant with the county Comprehensive Plan. Other project in the area also received funding:* The Nature Conservancy will get $71,937 for 179 acres at Gent Branch in the Elk Conservation Area. * The Piedmont Environmental Council will get $500,000 for farmland protection along Brook Run covering about 698 acres in Culpeper County. * The Piedmont Environmental Council will also get $237,500 for farmland protection on about 340 acres in Orange County. Click here for the full list. Standard disclaimer rules apply: PEC is a sponsor of the Week Ahead newsletter but have no editorial control over or involvement with my workSecond Shout-out is for the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards In today's second subscriber-supported shout-out, an area nonprofit wants you to know about what they offer to help you learn how to preserve, protect, and appreciate! The Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards holds several events throughout the year including a walk in western Albemarle County on the morning of November 20 through a well preserved and highly diverse woodland to see naturally occurring winterberry, spicebush, and dogwood laden with red berries. In abundance will be nuts from forest oaks, hickories, walnuts as well as orchard grown Chinese chestnuts, walnuts, pecans, and American hazelnuts. Registration is limited. Want to know more about how to identify non-native plants so you can help get rid of them over the winter? There's a two-part class that begins December 7. Visit charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org for more information. Albemarle Supervisors exploring ranked-choice voting Tomorrow the Albemarle Board of Supervisors will discuss what the Electoral Board might need if a directive was given to adopt an alternative method of selecting candidates. Earlier this month, Delegate Sally Hudson (D-57) briefed the elected officials with control over elections policy on what's known as ranked choice voting. “Ranked choice voting is an election reform that is now being adopted across the country, both coasts and every in between,” Hudson said. Hudson said ranked choice would encourage participation both by voters and by candidates who might feel they have a better chance of making the ballot. She also said this method would elect people who can build consensus. “Consensus builders who are invested in the very real work of bringing people together to get good governing done,” Hudson said. “That's what has motivated me to be so passionate about this topic for some years now.”Under ranked choice voting, people select more than one candidate.“You get to rank the candidates from most to least favorable,” Hudson said. Hudson said the state of Maine has been using ranked-choice voting since 2018. There's a whole list of Frequently Asked Questions about the process there.  In many cases, there are still only two candidates for a particular office. “But in the event that more than two candidates run, the ranked choice voting really starts to come into play,” Hudson said. Voters do not have to rank candidates if they do not want to do so. If no candidate wins a majority on the first round of voting, a run-off election can be counted immediately by dropping out candidates at the bottom. If there are several candidates, this process can take many rounds. “A ranked choice or an instant run-off election is just like the run-off elections that have been conducted in the south for years,” Hudson said. “You just don't drag everybody back to the polls and make them cast another ballot to determine the winner in the head-to-head final race.” There's even an example of how the concept works in recent history. On August 20, 2011, the Charlottesville Democratic Party selected their nominees for City Council in a “firehouse primary” and seven candidates were on the ballot. Voting took five-rounds. Write-in candidates could still play a role. In 1993, Sally Thomas won election to the Board of Supervisors on a write-in vote for the Samuel Miller District. In 2019, a write-in candidate for the Rivanna District who failed to qualify for the ballot still received a third of the vote. Legislation carried by Delegate Hudson in 2020 passed the General Assembly and authorizes local government bodies to authorize the use of ranked-choice voting for local office. It's up to the local body to determine how far they want to go. (HB1103)“Whether that ordinance could include primaries, general elections, or both, the state code is flexible on that,” Hudson said. Hudson said the county's costs would be to adjust the voting equipment to handle the counts. She said all vendors are offering the service. “The county would need to update its ballot scanning software if it wanted to offer ranked choice next year,” Hudson said. And that's the conversation supervisors will have tomorrow. Hudson said she would defer to Registrar Lauren Eddy about the costs for the update. She said parties would like to know if this method is a possibility for next year. One option would be to eliminate party primaries in favor of a free-for-all in the general election. The system would also be moot if no one wants to run. All three of the Supervisors elected in 2021 ran unopposed including first-term Supervisor Jim Andrews. He said he was in favor because it may spur more to seek office. “People's decisions to run as candidates can be impacted by ranked choice voting just as much as the electorate's ability to choose among the candidates,” Andrews said. Hudson said more people have run in New York City's 51-seat council since ranked-choice was adopted there and it has made a difference. “They've never had more than I think 18 women and the year after they adopted ranked choice, they have the first majority women city council and the vast majority of those are women of color.”Further discussion is scheduled tomorrow afternoon in the Board of Supervisors' meeting. Reading material to learn more * Charlottesville residents file lawsuit against Charlottesville and City Council over proposed building, Keagan Hughes, NBC29, November 10, 2022* Money pit: How this taxpayer-funded program spent tens of millions of dollars — and is failing a poor Virginia community, Patrick Wilson, Holly Kozelsky, Bill Wyatt, Martinsville Bulletin, November 11, 2022* Virginia tightens landfill rules, Charlie Paullin, Virginia Mercury, November 15, 2022Housekeeping for #459The numbers I use to keep track of this program refer to the installments are perhaps not important, and may not be accurate. I put out two newsletters yesterday, but those were to get information out about the murder of three football players committed late Sunday night. You'll notice I didn't have any shout-outs, and I tried to sound as neutral as possible.  Those two were not numbered. I resumed a career in journalism as soon as the pandemic hit. I thought I was ready to move on from deadlines and from devoting my life to being ready to write at a moment's notice. But, something was missing from my life and I didn't feel complete. When I created a podcast to cover the pandemic in March 2020, I acted on autopilot for much of that, feeling guided by something. We are humans who live in a complex civilization in a world that is shifting. My sense is that not many people know how all of the pieces fit together and I believe that the kind of journalism I practice is intended to provide some of what's missing. At least, that's what the imaginary instruction manual for my autopilot seems to say. I'm grateful for those who are supporting me, and for today I'll leave it at that except to thank Ting for matching Substack subscriptions. Details on all of that tomorrow.Thank you to Michael Kilpatrick for recording a small blurb today. And thank you to Wraki and the Fundamental Grang for providing audio. The latter even composed a very small informal public service announcement that remixes one of the soundbites heard in this newsletter.  This is for a friend of mine who is trapped in an office today despite having flu-like symptoms. Thanks for listening, and more tomorrow.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Notes Union General John Pope was well known for his bold and aggressive war tactics. When Abraham Lincoln asked Pope to take charge of the Army of Virginia, the general was more than willing to oblige. But just as he took command, Pope's luck took a turn for the worst.

In today’s first Patreon-fueled shout-out: The Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign  an initiative that wants you to grow native plants in yards, farms, public spaces and gardens in the northern Piedmont. Winter is here, but spring isn’t too far away. This is a great time to begin planning for the spring. Native plants provide habitat, food sources for wildlife, ecosystem resiliency in the face of climate change, and clean water.  Start at the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Facebook page and tell them Lonnie Murray sent you!On today’s show:Governor-elect Youngkin pledges to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Two mapmakers hired by the Virginia Supreme Court have laid out their boundaries in advance of public hearings Albemarle County Supervisors agree to dedicate more resources to monitoring blighted properties and enforcing rulesThe Charlottesville Tree Commission gets a first look at data showing a continue decline in tree cover in the cityThe Carter G. Woodson Institute celebrates forty years of research into the African diasporaCovid updateA quick look at COVID-19 numbers, which continue to an upward trend. Today the percent positivity increased to 7.9 percent and the Virginia Department of Health reports another 3074 new cases. That number includes another 100 cases in the Blue Ridge Health District. There are another three new fatalities reported in the Blue Ridge Health District today. RedistrictingAlbemarle County may be represented by two people in the U.S. House of Representatives if a map drawn under the direction of the Virginia Supreme Court is adopted. This fall, the first Virginia Redistricting Commission failed to reach consensus on new legislative maps for the U.S. House and the two houses of the General Assembly. That left the task to two special masters appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court. “These maps reflect a true joint effort on our part,” reads a memo written by Sean P. Trende and Bernard F. Grofman. “We agreed on almost all issues initially, and the few issues on which we initially disagreed were resolved by amicable discussion.” Interactive House of Representatives mapInteractive House of Delegates mapInteractive Senate mapIn their memo, the pair of Special Masters noted they ignored incumbents when drawing the map. In doing so, 7th District Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger would no longer be in the same district. They also noted that the district numbers might change. Under the Congressional map, northern Albemarle County would be in a district that stretches north to Loudoun County and the Maryland border. Charlottesville and southern Charlottesville would be in a district that stretches to the North Carolina and contains much of the Southside. Crozet would be split between the two districts.Under the House of Delegates map, Charlottesville and much of Albemarle’s urban ring would be in the 54th District and most of Albemarle would be in the 55th. This district would include the western portion of Louisa County and an eastern sliver of Nelson County. Greene would be in a district with half of Orange County, half of Culpeper County, and all of Madison County. Fluvanna would be in a district with Buckingham, Cumberland, and Appomattox counties, as well as the western half of Goochland. Under the Senate map, Albemarle and Charlottesville would be within the 11th District along with Amherst and Nelson counties, as well as the western portion of Louisa County. The rest of Louisa would be in the 10th, as well as all of Fluvanna County. Greene County would be in the 28th with all of Madison, Orange, and Culpeper counties. The two public hearings will be held virtually on December 15 and December 17. People who wish to comment should email to redistricting@vacourts.gov to notify the Court a day in advance of that desire. “The Court recognizes that the establishment of voting districts for the Virginia General Assembly and Virginia’s congressional representatives will have significant and lasting impact on every Virginian,” reads the notice for the public hearing. Written comments will be taken through December 20 at 1 p.m. RGGI withdrawal?According to multiple accounts, Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin told the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce that he will remove Virginia from an interstate compact that seeks to reduce carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade system. Youngkin called it a carbon tax and said he will issue an executive order to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in order to reduce energy costs for consumers. Since joining in July 2020, Virginia has received $227.6 million in proceeds from auctions with the funds designated for climate change mitigation efforts. Read Sarah Vogelsong’s story in the Virginia Mercury to learn more. (Youngkin pledges to pull Virginia from carbon market by executive order). According to a press release from the Hampton Roads Chamber, Youngkin said he will seek to eliminate the grocery tax, suspend the gas tax for a year, and lower taxes for veterans. Also yesterday, a recount in the 91st House District confirmed that Republican A.C. Cordoza defeated Democratic incumbent Martha Mugler in the November 2 election, though the margin of victory shrank from 94 votes to 64 votes. That gives the Republicans a 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates next year. Preservation awardsA community group that seeks to raise awareness of historic structures and preserve them has issued their annual awards and grants. Preservation Piedmont offered three small grants to the following groups. All copy below comes from them: ● The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, for their project to restore and keep active the Hatton Ferry, a small historic ferry across the James River. ● Burley Varsity Club, for the publication of Unforgettable Jackson P. Burley High School, a book about the history of Jackson P Burley High School, built by Charlottesville and Albemarle to provide a modern high school for its African American communities and known for its superlative athletic teams and academic accomplishments. ● Friends of Gladstone Depot (with assistance from the Nelson County Historical Society), for their efforts to move the Gladstone depot to a new site and repurpose the facility as a community center. There were seven community awards. Here are six of them. ● A Special Recognition Award to the University of Virginia, for thoughtful community engagement in the development of the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.  ● An Adaptive Reuse Award to Armand and Bernice Thieblot, owners of the Quarry Gardens at Schuyler, for their dedication to adaptive reuse of the Quarry Gardens, and for making it available to the public. ● An adaptive Reuse Award to The Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation and Allen Hale, for their efforts to preserve and make publicly available one of the great engineering feats of the world, the Blue Ridge Railroad Tunnel. ● A Preservation Award to owners Tim Mullins and Tara Crosson, and builder Craig Jacobs, for thoughtful rehabilitation of an important Albemarle County structure, Findowrie (2015 C-Ville Weekly article). ● A Design Award to Charlottesville Quirk, LLC, for the Quirk Hotel's sensitive infill development on Charlottesville's West Main Street. ●The Martha Gleason Award goes to a member of the community who has exhibited sustained dedication to advocating for our community. This year the award went to Jean Hiatt for her role as a founding member of Preservation Piedmont, service on the Board of Architectural Review,  and for contributions to oral histories and to the book Bridge Builders, and her active involvement with neighborhood associations and preservation advocacy. ”Finally, something called Charlottesville Community Engagement was honored for some reason. I can report the award is a framed certificate and a tote bag. Institute celebratedBefore the break, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American and Africa at the University of Virginia celebrates its 40th anniversary today. The Institute is named after a 20th century historian who established the first Black History Week. Learn more about the Institute and the work accomplished over the past four decades in a piece by Anne Bromley in UVA Today. In today’s second Patreon-fueled shout-out, Code for Charlottesville is seeking volunteers with tech, data, design, and research skills to work on community service projects. Founded in September 2019, Code for Charlottesville has worked on projects with the Legal Aid Justice Center, the Charlottesville Fire Department, and the Charlottesville Office of Human Rights. Visit codeforcville.org to learn about those projects. I’m told that a native plants database may be in the works? Tree canopy declining A contractor working on the calculation of the Charlottesville’s tree canopy has turned in the first set of data. Chris Gensic is with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and he spoke to the Tree Commission on Tuesday. (watch the meeting)“We have lost some canopy,” Gensic said. “I think their average right now is in the 40 percent plus a little bit of change, not quite to 41 percent. I think the first one we did, we were in the 47 realm maybe in ‘08.” That number dropped further to 45 percent in 2015. (Urban Canopy Reports)Gensic said he is going through the data neighborhood by neighborhood to see how it compares to previous tree canopy reports.“Is it that the aerial photo is of a different quality?” Gensic asked. “We’re trying to keep these five-year increments pretty consistent in terms of how data is gathered and how its analyzed so we can say consistently that the loss or gain in trees is actual trees but not an anomaly in the data.”Gensic said a final report will be ready by sometime in January but could be available by the end of the month. He asked Tree Commissioners to take a look at the preliminary data to see what their interpretations are. The data collection was delayed by the pandemic. Fighting blightA year ago, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors asked the Department of Community Development to look into ways the county might be able to compel property owners to maintain their property to keep it out of blighted status. Jodie Filardo, the county’s director of community development, addresses supervisors on December 1, 2021. “We’re here today to seek Board input on whether to take measures to establish a new program under the Virginia Maintenance Code to continue with focused tools and measures using spot blight abatement,” Filardo said. Priority number six of the county’s strategic plan is to “revitalize aging urban neighborhoods.”Filardo returned to the Board on December 2 with options about how to proceed. But first, a definition. “Blighted property is defined as a structure or improvement that is dilapidated or deteriorated because it violates minimum health and safety standards,” Filardo said. Filardo said in the past year, the county has received six complaints about individual properties, and five of these have approved maintenance plans in place. One of these properties will be demolished. “If any of the properties with approved maintenance plans do not meet satisfactory progress toward compliance before you, they will be brought before you with the spot blight ordinance,” Filardo said. Amelia McCulley is the outgoing deputy director of community development. She briefed the board about options to expand the enforcement in the county under the Virginia Maintenance Code to items beyond health and safety, such as peeling paint, crumbling siding, and broken gutters. Staff is recommending a phased approach. “An option for the Board is to not go entirely responsive but to prioritize our aging urban neighborhoods by being proactive in one to two neighborhoods each year,” McCulley said. “Second point would be that we recommend a focused enforcement that prioritizes public health and safety and that we adopt a portion of the maintenance code and that would be Section 3 which focuses on the exterior of the structures.”McCulley said hiring new staff to fully enforce the VMC would not be cheap. The first year would cost half a million with an ongoing cost of $390,000 a year. Adoption of the full code would cost more.“Adoption of the full maintenance code with proactive enforcement countywide is estimated to have a first year cost of $888,001 and an ongoing cost of $679,382,” McCulley said. Supervisor Donna Price said she was not satisfied that the status quo was not sufficient. She had brought up three properties at the December 2020 work session and has suggested others since then.“And it’s clear that what we currently have been doing has not been able to fully address the blighted unsafe property situation,” Price said. “I think of the three I first brought up, pretty much the only thing that was achieved of significance would be that an abandoned minivan was removed from the property and some openings were boarded up. But other than that, the properties are still out there and just as blighted as they would otherwise appear.”Price said she did not favor adopting the full maintenance code in part due to the potential for unintended consequences and costs. Having heard that the Office of Equity and Inclusion has potential concerns, Price said some distinctions need to be made.“To me, one of the things that has to be taken into account and this ties into the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s participation in this process, is the distinction between those who cannot take care of their property primarily due to financial resources versus those who simply will not or refuse to do so,” Price said. “One of the things I am not interested in is providing a financial benefit to those who refuse to take care of their property.” Price leaned towards some form of adoption of the Virginia Maintenance Code. Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley suggested revisiting the topic in another year. She said thought the spot blight abatement might suffice for now. Supervisor Diantha McKeel also supported using the existing program and agreed with staff’s recommendation to hire a dedicated staffer for this purpose. That decision will come during the development of the FY23 budget and whether to spend $110,000 for this project. “I think the Virginia Maintenance Code sounds not like its not going to get us to where we really need to be, and it’s prohibitively expensive, it would appear,” McKeel said. McKeel said she wants a focus on rental properties in the urban areas that are owned by people out of the community. Supervisor Ned Gallaway said he would support eventually adopting the Virginia Maintenance Code. “We have to be doing something proactive no matter what phase we do to help people that are burdened to be able to get their houses back into a healthy and safe environment for themselves,” Gallaway said. “Maybe that’s the tack I take here. A proactive approach would identify that more quickly in my opinion.” Aside from the budget discussion on hiring the new staffer, the topic will return to the Board of Supervisors in a year.Special announcement of a continuing promo with Ting! Are you interested in fast internet? Visit this site and enter your address to see if you can get service through Ting. If you decide to proceed to make the switch, you’ll get:Free installationSecond month of Ting service for freeA $75 gift card to the Downtown MallAdditionally, Ting will match your Substack subscription to support Town Crier Productions, the company that produces this newsletter and other community offerings. So, your $5 a month subscription yields $5 for TCP. Your $50 a year subscription yields $50 for TCP! The same goes for a $200 a year subscription! All goes to cover the costs of getting this newsletter out as often as possible. Learn more here! This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Sheriff Scott H. Jenkins is our guest. He is the Sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, since 2012. He talks about the recent anti-law enforcement riots and the impact of the southern border crisis on his community. Sheriff Jenkins serves on the Advisory Board of Protect America Now, in this special episode from the Feet 2 The Fire Radio Row event in Washington, DC. Sheriff Jenkins is a recognized thought leader in the areas of secure borders, secure communities, constitutional government and law enforcement. He is recognized for his no-nonsense but compassionate approach to law enforcement. His thoughtful leadership in these areas has resulted in him being invited to the White House numerous times for briefings with the Executive Branch. He also speaks at local, state, and national conferences on these issues. He has numerous appearances on Fox News, local network affiliates of the major networks, international media, and digital media. Print stories on his principled stands have appeared in local, national, and international media. Follow us on the MeWe social media platform. We are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. In the Clubhouse app look for and follow @LetRadioShow. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. If you enjoy the Law Enforcement Today Radio Show and Podcast, please tell a friend or two, or three about it. Never miss out on an episode of the Law Enforcement Today Podcast, AND be automatically entered in all future contests. Simply subscribe for our free email newsletter, never more than 2 issues a week sent out. Click here and scroll down about half way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s begin today with a Patreon-fueled shout-out! The Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign, an initiative that wants you to grow native plants in yards, farms, public spaces and gardens in the northern Piedmont. The leaves have started to fall as autumn set in, and as they do, this is a good time to begin planning for the spring. Native plants provide habitat, food sources for wildlife, ecosystem resiliency in the face of climate change, and clean water.  Start at the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Facebook page and tell them Lonnie Murray sent you!On today’s show:More details about the next phase of public housing redevelopment in CharlottesvilleCouncil to make a leadership announcement Friday at 3 p.m. UVA Health System reports vaccination numbersLouisa Supervisor Fitzgerald Barnes holds a one-vote lead over his challengerAn overview of the Central Virginia Small Business Development CenterAnd Louisa Supervisors an update on a plan to bring water from the James River to Zion CrossroadsWe begin the day with an announcement of something that’s happening tomorrow. City Council will meet at 3 p.m. for an open meeting with the one word description of “Personnel.” City Communications Director Brian Wheeler explained in an email to me this morning that it will be a leadership announcement. There is no interim city manager in place. What will happen? Leave your guess in the comments. (meeting info)There’s a very close race in one of Louisa County’s magisterial districts. In the Patrick Henry District, incumbent Fitzgerald Barnes has a one-vote lead over challenger William Woody Jr. Qualified absentee ballots can be counted up until tomorrow at noon. Thanks to Tammy Purcell of Engage Louisa for the heads-up. Employees at the University of Virginia Health System had a deadline of November 1 to get a COVID vaccine. Wendy Horton is the CEO of the UVA Health System. “At this point today, we are at 98.4 percent fully vaccinated or exempt as a health system and this includes UVA Community Health as well,” Horton said.However, that leaves 173 employees who will either resign or be terminated for non-compliance. Horton said that includes 83 people who directly work with patients and that number includes 43 registered nurses. People who refuse the vaccine will be suspended without pay for a certain period of time for reflection. Those with approved medical exemptions must have a COVID test each week. Today the Virginia Department of Health reported 1,494 new cases and the seven-day percent positive rate dropped to 5.4 percent. Another 69 deaths have been reported since Tuesday. The Blue Ridge Health District reported 58 new cases today. The percent positivity in the district is 5.1 percent. Yesterday, the City of Charlottesville held a public meeting for the next phase of redevelopment at the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Carrie Rainey is an urban planner in the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services.“What we’re looking at right now is a final site for what is currently a by-right project to build a new apartment building with structured parking at 715 Sixth Street SE,” Rainey said.Riverbend Development is working with the CRHA on this project, continuing a partnership that has also been involved with Crescent Halls and the two phases at South First Street. CRHA has a new redevelopment coordinator in Brandon Collins, formerly with the Public Housing Association of Residents. “Our resident planners at 6th Street have been working diligently on this plan and I think it really reflects CRHA’s approach to resident-led planning and we’re confident this is the best use of this site,” Collins said. The project is at the corner of Monticello Avenue and 6th Street SE. Six of the existing townhouse units will be removed in this first phase at this property. “The reason we’re taking this approach is because we want to ensure that we have a promise and a priority to the residents of public housing that no one will be displaced throughout the redevelopment process,” said Ashley Davies, vice president at Riverbend Development. In all of these redevelopment projects, the land will continue to be owned by CRHA, but the actual structure will be owned by a nonprofit holding company connected to CRHA. The height of the building has not been finalized.“It’s going to be a three or four story building,”  Davies said, “We’re still working with the resident planners to determine the exact height of the building and number of units, but for now the site plan shows this as a three-story building and 39 units.”The current zoning is Downtown Extended which would allow for that height. There would be at least 40 parking spaces in a structure beneath the building. The goal is to get the site plan approved in order to help qualify an application for Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the entity formerly known as the Virginia Housing Development Authority. Davies said a master plan is in development for the entire four-acre site, but there is no timeline for how that will proceed. “Those conversations are really just beginning to understand what the overall needs are for that area,” Davies said Comments brought up during the site plan conference included landscaping, parking requirements, and pedestrian safety.  The community garden maintained and operated by the Urban Agriculture Collective will be removed to make way for the new units. NDS staff will make comments on the site plan and submit those back to the development team later this month. You’re listening to Charlottesville Community Engagement. Time for the second of two Patreon-fueled shout-outs: Do you suffer from Classical Music Insecurity Complex? That is, you like classical music you hear, but you feel intimidated by all the stuffy etiquette and specialized knowledge? Suffer no more!WTJU is hosting Classical Listening Parties, a series of four free, casual events on Tuesdays in November. These four events are led by Chelsea Holt, pianist, teacher, and one of WTJU’s newest and youngest classical announcers. She’ll guide you through all the eras of classical music beginning Tuesday, Nov 9th, 7 p.m.: Early & Baroque. For a list of the others, visit wtju.net to learn more and sign up! The seven-member Louisa County Board of Supervisors got an update on Monday on the water supply plan for Zion Crossroads, but they also got a pitch from the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC). The entity is partially funded by the Small Business Administration.“We’re funded by the [Small Business Administration] and the localities that we serve to provide business advising services to individual localities,’ said Greg Dorazio, the assistant director of the CVSBDC. The CVSBDC covers ten counties stretching from Nelson County to Culpeper County from its headquarters in Charlottesville. The idea is to level the playing field for small businesses through counseling. “We have access to research and resources including capital, access to technical experts,” Dorazio said. Last year, the Charlottesville Investment Collaborative became the small business center’s fiscal partner.“Their microloan program is one of the best ways for small businesses to get capital and a lot of folks don’t really know about it,” Dorazio said. Last year during the pandemic, the small business center provided more than double the number of hours of working with clients from around 2,200 hours to over 5,000. That’s in part because of the transition to virtual meetings. “When we’re talking about the client service time, that’s one-on-one with a business owner,” Dorazio said. “We’re really helping them figure out what is the problem they’re facing right now? What are the decisions they need to make? And what do we need to do to help them get the resources they need to make good decisions about their business and continue to grow and move forward?”Dorazio was before the Louisa Board of Supervisors to ask for referrals for businesses as well as $21,249 in funding for the next fiscal year. That decision will come during the budget cycle.The Louisa Board of Supervisors also got an update on progress to build a waterline from the James River to Zion Crossroads. Louisa and Fluvanna are both members of the James River Water Authority, an entity that exists for the purpose.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to grant a permit for the project and the James River Water Authority was about to submit one that included an intake at the site of Rassawek, an important site in the history of the Monacan Indian Nation. Justin Curtis is with Aqualaw, a firm hired to prepare and submit the permit.“At our request, that application has been put on hold while we evaluate an alternative a site a couple of miles up the river,” Curtis said. “We’re doing that in coordination with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) as well as the Monacan Indian Nation.”Curtis said the decision point for the James River Water Authority will be whether to pursue the alternative, or proceed with the Rassawek site. That could come in December or January. The Rassawek site was selected in 2013 and two of three required permits had been granted. All of the planning work had been conducted.“That site had been selected because it was the shortest, it was the least expensive, and it followed a bunch of existing corridors and lines which is utility siting 101,” Curtis said. “Fewest number of landowners affected and it had the right water quality and quantity to meet our needs.”Curtis said the Monacans had been consulted, but their stance changed as the granting of the permit drew closer. The federal government recognized the tribe in January 2018. (Learn more about Rasswak from Cultural Heritage Partners)“To get the final permit we needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we have to go through this process where have to mitigate any impacts to historical or cultural resources and that involves consultations with the tribes and certain other agencies and that added a lot of time and expense to the regulatory process,” Curtis said. Curtis said Alternative 1C, also known as the Forsyth site, is the preferred site for the Monacans. “And we ended up reaching an agreement which was memorialized in writing in January of this year and what we came to an agreement on was that if JRWA went and did a new archaeological study of that alternative site and that study did not find any evidence of buried human remains or historic burial sites, then the Monacans would not oppose the project and they would support the project and help us work through the remainder of the permitting process,” Curtis said. The first phase was completed in August and while historic materials were found, none of them were human remains. The second phase started on Monday and will be concluded the week of December 6. The results will be discussed at the next  meeting of the James River Water Authority on December 8. Special announcement of a continuing promo with Ting! Are you interested in fast internet? Visit this site and enter your address to see if you can get service through Ting. If you decide to proceed to make the switch, you’ll get:Free installationSecond month of Ting service for freeA $75 gift card to the Downtown MallAdditionally, Ting will match your Substack subscription to support Town Crier Productions, the company that produces this newsletter and other community offerings. So, your $5 a month subscription yields $5 for TCP. Your $50 a year subscription yields $50 for TCP? The same goes for a $200 a year subscription! All goes to cover the costs of getting this newsletter out as often as possible. Learn more here! This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Virginia's first gubernatorial debate of the 2021 campaign is tonight at 7 o'clock at Appalachian School of Law, but one candidate won't be on the stage; Striking workers at a Nabisco plant in Richmond may be able to go back to work soon; A Culpeper County couple is suing an electric company for trying to install internet cable lines along their property without their consent; and other local news stories.

In today’s first Patreon-fueled shout-out: With the summer heat in full swing, your local energy nonprofit, LEAP, wants you and yours to keep cool. LEAP offers FREE home weatherization to income- and age-qualifying residents. If you’re age 60 or older, or have an annual household income of less than $74,950, you may qualify for a free energy assessment and home energy improvements such as insulation and air sealing. Sign up today to lower your energy bills, increase comfort, and reduce energy waste at home!On today’s show:Charlottesville City Council approves a rezoning and pursues a collective bargaining ordinanceAlbemarle County is getting half a million to pay for two electric school busesFrank Friedman is stepping down as president of Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAlso in Albemarle, the reopening of an emergency financial assistance pool of fundingThis morning, the Virginia Department of Health reports 2,764 new cases and the percent positivity rises to 8.8. The percentage of adult Virginians is 66.4 percent. The seven-day average for vaccines administered is 14,676. Albemarle County has announced the relaunch of an emergency financial assistance for community members. These funds can be applied to mortgage, rent, or utility payments. If you or someone you know are eligible, you can call one of two hotlines to leave a message. A press release mentions it may take up to three weeks to get a response. Applicants will have to demonstrate a loss of income. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors allocated $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for this purpose. The numbers are 434-326-0950 for English speakers and 434-373-0930 for Spanish speakers.Frank Friedman will retire as president of Piedmont Virginia Community College when the upcoming academic year ends next May. Friedman has been the president of PVCC since 1999 and is the fifth person to lead the institution since it was established in 1972. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as president of PVCC,” Friedman said in a statement. “I have worked with the finest, most dedicated faculty and staff you will find anywhere. I am so proud that in the 23 years I have been president, over 150,000 students have received an accessible, affordable, high-quality education at PVCC.”Since 1999, PVCC has acquired the former Monticello Visitor’s Center and converted into the Stultz Center for Business and Career Development for workforce services, launched satellites space in Stanardsville, the IX Building and the Jefferson School City Center, and 150,000 students have been enrolled. PVCC will launch a national search to find Friedman’s successor. Albemarle County will receive $530,000 from the state government to purchase two electric school buses. The funding comes from an environmental mitigation trust set up when the firm Volkswagen was caught lying about the ability of some of its engines to provide low emissions. Albemarle’s amount is part of a $10.5 million pay-out from the trust fund to replace 83 diesel school buses across Virginia. In all, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality administers over $93 million in the trust. “The Trust is the result of settlements resolving allegations that Volkswagen violated the Clean Air Act through the use of emission testing defeat devices designed to cheat on federal emissions tests,” reads a statement on the DEQ site. “Volkswagen sold more than 500,000 excessively polluting vehicles in the U.S. More than 16,000 were sold in Virginia, and produced over 2,000 tons of excess nitrogen oxides (NOx) in violation of federal pollution standards.”Elsewhere in our area, Augusta County will receive $523,198 for two buses, and Culpeper County will receive $530,000. The city of Charlottesville and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission are seeking comment on a year-end report documenting how one pot of federal funds has been spent. The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) tracks where HOME funds and certain Community Development Block Grants are allocated, who gets the funding, and what  housing units are either created or rehabilitated. “For PY20, completed HOME projects included two first-time homebuyer assistance projects, development of two new rental units, and twelve homeowner rehabilitation projects, for a total of 16 units,” reads the CAPER. “For CDBG projects, the City worked with sub recipients to implement public service and economic development projects.”For all of the details, take a look at the document. The TJPDC will have a public hearing on September 2 at 7 p.m. and Charlottesville City Council holds a public hearing on September 20. You can also submit written comments. Details in the public advertisement in the Daily Progress.Time now for another subscribed-supported public service announcement.Do you ever look at a tree and wonder what kind it is? In September, the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards will hold several identification walks in city parks for people who want to know more about the bark, leaves, and the flowers of our wooden neighbors. These walks are free, but you’ll have to register because groups are limited to 16. September 5 at 11 a.m. at Pen Park (register)September 11 at 11 a.m. at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (register)September 24 at 11 a.m. at the University of Virginia (register)Learn more at charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org.Time now to catch up with the City Council meeting from Monday, August 16. One item on the consent agenda was Council’s approval of a tax refund plus interest of $63,009.25 to a nonprofit entity who had been charged after demonstrating they were exempt. Charlottesville Commissioner of Revenue Todd Divers said the identity of the group is protected from being revealed.“This was not our fault,” Divers said. “This taxpayer had been paying this license tax for years since before I was elected. The question of their exemption? It was a tough call. We consulted with the tax commissioner in Richmond. We consulted with the Attorney General’s office.”Divers said in both cases the state agencies advised him to make the exemption.Rezoning approved Council took a final action on a rezoning and special use permit for an eight-unit apartment building at 1206 Carlton Avenue in Belmont. Here’s City Planner Matt Alfele.“The applicant at 1206 Carlton Avenue is requesting a rezoning from R-2 multifamily residential to R-3 medium density residential with no proffers,” Alfele said. No changes had been made to the application since Council’s discussion on August 2. Nearby resident Charles Neer pleaded with Council to deny the special use permit for additional density because eight units is too dense and the eight parking spaces to be provided are not enough. “If people have one car, then that means that somebody is going to be driving around every night looking for a parking place,” Neer said. “And guess what? There’s going to be more than one car. There’s going to be a bunch of cars driving around.”Neer suggested Council approve the rezoning which would have allowed five units. Council voted 4-1 for the rezoning and 3-2 on the special use permit with Mayor Nikuyah Walker voting against both and Councilor Heather Hill voting against the increased density. City to study collective bargaining optionsAt the end of the meeting, Council took a vote to direct the city manager to pursue an ordinance to allow city employees to pursue entities to allow them to engage in collective bargaining. That’s not been possible until action by the General Assembly last year.  (read the bill)At the public comment period earlier, bus driver Mary Pettis urged Council to proceed.“I’ve driven the bus for 35 years in the City of Charlottesville and I’m here to ask you all to allow us to have a union because I feel it will help us,” Pettis said. “Help us get more things that we need. I personally had to move from Charlottesville to Waynesboro because I couldn’t afford to live in Charlottesville. I have three jobs because I don’t make enough money just driving the bus.”Earlier this summer, Council approved a $2,400 bonus for new and existing school bus and transit bus drivers using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. City Manager Chip Boyles said the city of Alexandria and Loudoun County have begun to implement collective-bargaining.“Both governing bodies studied the topic over a course of several months, put together financial proposals, and used outside consultants in developing an implementation plan,” Boyles said. For some perspective, Loudoun County has a fiscal year 2022 budget of $3.3 billion based on a tax rate of $0.98 cents per $100 of assessed property. The city of Alexandria has a budget of $770.7 million based on a tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed property. According to the U.S. Census, Loudoun has a 2020 population of 420,959 and Alexandria has a population of 159,467. So far, Charlottesville has not done the work on implementation but at least one group of city employees have requested the ability to enter into collective bargaining.“On March 6, 2021, Charlottesville Fire Department notified the City Council that a majority of its members within the department desired that the City Council should adopt such an ordinance to provide rules for the city employees to engage in collective bargaining with the city,” Boyles said.Boyles recommended Council deny an ordinance that’s been offered by employees of the fire department, but to move forward with study of how one might be crafted, as well as a review of possible budget implications. In the case of Loudoun County, their current budget includes $300,000 for eight positions to oversee the collective bargaining process. “This is an issue not studied or addressed within the current FY22 City Budget,” Boyles said. “I would research administration and support cost estimates for consideration for your FY23 budget development process,” Boyles said. Council voted unanimously to approve Boyles’ recommendation to proceed with study of a collective-bargaining ordinance. Charlottesville is currently without a human resources director. “The [Human Resources] position closed on Friday so we’ll begin that process this week of starting to narrow that down and hopefully we will have a director in shortly,” Boyles said. This week marks the six month anniversary of Boyles as city manager. In that time, two deputy city manager positions have been filled, as has the positions of city attorney and neighborhood development services director. Thanks for reading! Did you know that if you sign up for a paid subscription, Ting will match the amount! So, for $5 a month, $50 a year, or $200 a year, Ting will make a contribution to support this independent production and keep me in the business of tracking as many pieces of the puzzle as I can. And, please share with people you think would like to know more about what’s happening in the community. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

CLICK HERE to listen to episode audio (4:22). Sections below are the following: Transcript of Audio Audio Notes and Acknowledgments ImagesExtra Information Sources Related Water Radio Episodes For Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.). Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 7-29-21. TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the week of August 2, 2021.  This revised episode from September 2018 is part of a series this year of episodes related to watersheds and river basins. MUSIC – ~10 sec – instrumental This week, we feature a Virginia singer/songwriter's music about time and changes along one of the Commonwealth's major rivers.  Have a listen for about 30 more seconds. MUSIC – ~ 30 sec – Lyrics: “Roads and boards, mills and mines used to line this stream--all reclaimed by floods and vines, foundations sprouting gums and pines. River flows on, so does time.  Canoe splits Rappahannock water; dip my paddle, let it glide.” You've been listening to part of “Solitude,” by Bob Gramann of Fredericksburg, on the 2000 album, “That Squirrel Song.”  This and other river-themed songs by Mr. Gramann come in large part from his years of paddling the upper Rappahannock River and its tributaries, in the area between the Blue Ridge and the Fall Line at Fredericksburg.  The part of “Solitude” you heard describes some of the changes along the Rappahannock wrought by time and the effects of water, weather, humans, and other organisms.  Observers of other Virginia rivers and their watersheds might tell similar stories of change. Some riverside changes—such as flood impacts—happen relatively quickly.  Others move at a slower pace, as with trees growing in an abandoned building foundation.  Whatever the pace, changes seen in and along a river reflect events happening not only in the river channel but also upstream in the river's watershed.  Flooding, for example, is affected by upstream land uses and tributary patterns.  In turn, water flows affect stream and river shapes and materials, determining what habitats are available for living things.  And throughout a watershed, humans have land and water uses that affect downstream water quantity and quality.Virginia's rivers are continually being changed by unrelenting time and unceasing forces, and those rivers continue to provide services like water supply, irrigation, power generation, and others.  With all that going on, it's challenging and worthwhile to ensure that the Commonwealth's rivers retain places offering solitude and fostering creativity, such as in this week's music.  Thanks to Bob Gramann for permission to use the music, and we close with about 35 more seconds of “Solitude.” MUSIC – ~ 33 sec – Lyrics: “Rain and sleet, wind or heat, it's all the same to me.  Weather—you can never choose; each day that's mine, that day I'll use, to flee from time in my canoe, its bow splits Rappahannock water.  Dip my paddle, let it fly.” SHIP'S BELL Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Stewart Scales for his banjo version of Cripple Creek to open and close this show.  In Blacksburg, I'm Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water. AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Virginia Water Radio episode revises and replaces Episode 437, 9-10-18. “Solitude,” from the 2000 album “That Squirrel Song,” is copyright by Bob Gramann, used with permission.  More information about Bob Gramann is available online at https://www.bobgramann.com/folksinger.html. Click here if you'd like to hear the full version (1 min./11 sec.) of the “Cripple Creek” arrangement/performance by Stewart Scales that opens and closes this episode.  More information about Mr. Scales and the group New Standard, with which Mr. Scales plays, is available online at http://newstandardbluegrass.com. IMAGES The following photos along the Rappahannock River in Virginia were taken by Bob Gramann (except as noted) and used with his permission. Rappahannock River at the confluence with the Rapidan River (at the juncture of the Virginia counties of Culpeper, Spotsylvania, and Stafford), April 2004.Rappahannock River at low water (view toward Stafford County, Va.), August 2011.Rappahannock River in winter (view toward Stafford County, Va.), February 2006.Bob Gramann, composer of the music heard in the Virginia Water Radio episode, canoeing in the Rappahannock River's “First Drop” at Fredericksburg, Va., April 1, 2018.  Photo by Lou Gramann.EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER AND ITS WATERSHED The following information is quoted from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, “Rappahannock River-Upper," online at https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/rappahannock-river-upper/. “The Rappahannock River flows from its origin at Chester Gap in Rappahannock County approximately 184 miles to the Chesapeake Bay.  The first 62 miles, from the headwaters to Mayfield Bridge (Fredericksburg), are designated State Scenic River.  The river has a watershed of approximately 2,715 mi2, and average annual discharge near Fredericksburg is typically about 1,639 cubic feet per second (cfs). “During Colonial days, the Rappahannock River was a major shipping artery for transporting tobacco, salted fish, iron ore, and grains.  The watershed supports a variety of land uses; largely agricultural in the upper watershed, with manufacturing, light industrial, and retail applications throughout.  Soil erosion is a problem in the upper watershed.  Runoff from the major tributaries (Rapidan and Hazel Rivers) leaves the Rappahannock muddy after even minor storm events. “Access to the Rappahannock system (defined here as the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers) is fairly limited and primitive. Established access points on the Rappahannock (traveling downstream) are at Kelly's Ford (Route 672 off Route 651) in Culpeper County and Motts Landing (Route 618) in Spotsylvania County.  About 25 miles separates these canoe/Jon boat slides, and an overnight camp stop is nearly mandatory for those that float fish this reach. Another access point is located on the Rapidan River at Elys Ford (Route 610) in Spotsylvania County about 14 miles upstream of Motts Landing. Access may also be gained via several non-established points.  These consist of VDOT right-of-ways along bridges (e.g., Route 522 on the Rapidan). … “The Rappahannock River's character changes abruptly in Fredericksburg at the fall line (the limit of tidal influence).  Above the fall line, the river is usually clear, swift, and dominant substrates are bedrock, boulder and cobble providing perfect habitat for smallmouth bass and related species.  However, below Route 1 the river is tidal, and the substrate is finer, dominated by sand; and the water is frequently murky.  Species composition shifts with habitat, and largemouth bass, catfish and anadromous species are more common in and below Fredericksburg.  Boaters and anglers can now navigate from upstream access points such as Motts Landing across the old Embrey Dam site and into the tidal waters adjacent to Fredericksburg.” SOURCES Used for Audio U.S. Geological Survey, “Water Use in the United States,” online at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/water-use-united-states?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality:“Commonwealth of Virginia State Water Resources Plan,” April 2015, available online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quantity/water-supply-planning/virginia-water-resources-plan;“Final 2020 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report,” online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/assessments/integrated-report;“Status of Virginia's Water Resources,” October 2020, online (as a PDF) at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2119/637432838113030000;“Water Quantity,” online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quantity. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources:“Rappahannock River-Upper," online at https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/rappahannock-river-upper/; “Rappahannock River-Tidal,” online at https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/rappahannock-river-tidal/.For More Information about the Rappahannock River City of Fredericksburg, Va., “Rappahannock River,” online at https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/210/Rappahannock-River. Friends of the Rappahannock (non-profit organization), online at http://www.riverfriends.org/. Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, “Local TMDLs,” online at https://www.rrregion.org/program_areas/environmental/local_tmdls.php.  Located at this site are Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports on the Upper Rappahannock River, the Hazel River, and other Rappahannock River basin waterways. RappFLOW (Rappahannock Friends and Lovers of Our Watersheds; non-profit organization), online at https://rappflow.org/.For More Information about Watersheds and River Basins Richard B. Alexander et al., “The Role of Headwater Streams in Downstream Water Quality,” Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Vol. 43, No. 1, February 2007, pages 41-59; available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3307624/(subscription may be required). Radford University, “Virginia's Rivers, online at http://www.radford.edu/jtso/GeologyofVirginia/VirginiasRivers/Drainage-1.html. Craig Snyder, et al., “Significance of Headwater Streams and Perennial Springs in Ecological Monitoring in Shenandoah National Park,” 2013, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1178; available online (as a PDF) at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1178/pdf/ofr2013-1178.pdf. U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service/Virginia, “2020 Virginia Water Resources Progress Report,” online at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/va/programs/planning/.  This report has descriptions of projects in many Virginia watersheds.  The 2017 report is online at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/va/programs/planning/wo/. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “How's My Waterway,” online at https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/hows-my-waterway. U.S. Geological Survey, “Water Science School/Watersheds and Drainage Basins,” online at https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/watersheds-and-drainage-basins?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, “Hydrologic Unit Geography,” online at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/hu; and “Virginia's Major Watersheds,” online at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/wsheds. Virginia Places, “The Continental (and Other) Divides,” online at http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/divides.html. Virginia Places, “Rivers and Watersheds of Virginia,” online at http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/index.html. Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Virginia Water Central Newsletter, February 2000, “Divide and Confluence,” by Alan Raflo (pages 8-11); available online at https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/49316. RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the Rivers, Streams, and Other Surface Water” subject category. Following are links to some previous episodes on the Rappahannock River or its watershed.Hazel River introduction (Rappahannock River watershed) – Episode 339, 10-24-16.Madison County flooding in 1995 (on Rapidan River, in Rappahannock River watershed) – Episode 272, 6-29-15.Rappahannock River introduction – Episode 89, 11-21-11.Following are links to some other episodes on watersheds and Virginia rivers. Big Otter River introduction (Roanoke River watershed) – Episode 419, 5-7-18.Big Sandy River watershed introduction – Episode 419, 5-7-18.Blue Ridge origin of river watersheds – Episode 583, 6-28-21.Bluffs on rivers and other waters – Episode 587, 7-26-21.Bullpasture and Cowpasture rivers introduction (James River watershed) – Episode 469, 4-22-19.Headwater streams – Episode 582, 6-21-21.Jackson River introduction (James River watershed) – Episode 428, 7-9-19.Musical tour of rivers and watersheds - Episode 251, 2-2-15.New River introduction – Episode 109, 5-7-12.Ohio River basin introduction – Episode 421, 5-21-18.Ohio River basin connections through watersheds and history – Episode 422, 5-28-18.Passage Creek and Fort Valley introduction (Shenandoah River watershed) – Episode 331 – 8/29/16.Shenandoah River introduction –

Carl Stafford is a forage and grazing management champion. A witness to the changes in agriculture.  Carl is a Senior Extension Agent serving Culpeper County, Virginia in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. He's served forage agriculture across the US. https://culpeper.ext.vt.edu/staff/stafford-carl.html Virginia Forage and Grassland Council - https://vaforages.org/ Graze 300 VA - https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/graze-300.html American Forage and Grassland Council - https://www.afgc.org

5月4日，美國弗吉尼亞州庫爾佩珀縣（Culpeper County）委員會全票通過一項決議案，「最強烈地譴責中共迫害法輪功」，並強烈譴責中共強摘良心犯器官的行徑。 更多內容請見：https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/21/5/5/n12925015.htm 大纪元,大纪元新闻,大紀元,大紀元新聞,決議, 器官, 法輪功, 弗吉尼亞州 Support this podcast

State Police investigate the shooting death of a Black man by a Culpeper County deputy… JMU has renamed three of its buildings, and the choices are notable in more ways than one – we hear from some of those who were honored… Now that the General Assembly has adjourned, we review what lawmakers accomplished, and what’s next….

State Police investigate the shooting death of a Black man by a Culpeper County deputy… JMU has renamed three of its buildings, and the choices are notable in more ways than one – we hear from some of those who were honored… Now that the General Assembly has adjourned, we review what lawmakers accomplished, and what’s next….

Michael was serving a life sentence until one person came to his rescue: his mom. Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin bring us to Culpeper County, Virginia, to tell the story of teenage buddies Eric Weakley and Michael Hash. Local police solved a murder case by coercing Eric into falsely confessing and into falsely implicating his friend Michael as an accomplice. For years, lawyers couldn’t get justice for either of them -- until Michael’s mom found evidence that blew this case wide open. If you want to support Eric Weakley’s pardon petition, you can write to the governor of Virginia. Governor Ralph E. Northam Use the email form at: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/communicating-with-the-governors-office/ Write a letter to: Governor Ralph E. Northam P.O. Box 1475 Richmond, VA 23218 Call: 804-786-2211 Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson Email to: pardons@governor.virginia.gov Write a letter to: Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson P.O. Bo 2454 Richmond, Virginia 23218 Call: 804-692-2542 Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co No1 A portion of this podcast series’ proceeds will be donated to the Center on Wrongful Convictions. To donate, learn more, or get involved, go to http://www.centeronwrongfulconvictions.org/ Learn more and get involved at https://www.wrongfulconvictionpodcast.com/false-confessions

For today’s message of support, if you need help with a big clean-up job, consider Monster Cleaning of Charlottesville. Live your best life in a clean, healthy environment.  No judgment, professional cleaning services for your home. Owner Charlene Munford now has equipment to help fight COVID. Visit monstercleaningcville.com today. In today’s newsletter:An update on COVID numbers in VirginiaFor the second time, Albemarle Planning Commission recommends denial of rezoning near GlenmoreCharlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce preparing for Rebound BallOn the eve of Thanksgiving, all metrics point to the largest surge of COVID-cases since the state of emergency was announced on March 12, 2020. After nearly nine months of lockdown, Virginia and rest of the United States of America face the possibility of a tragic holiday period. Virginia has set another new daily record for COVID cases with 2,718 cases reported this morning. The seven day average is now 2,495 cases a day. The seven-day average for new positive tests has increased to 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 percent yesterday. The seven-day average for new daily cases reported per 100,000 population is 29.3 today. This is known as the “incidence rate” and that figure was 18.7 on November 16. The total number of cases per 100,000 population within the last 14 days in Virginia is 349.8 today. That figure was 249.1 on November 16, and 169.5 on October 16, 2020. In Virginia, the death toll has climbed over 4,000 and stands at 4,008 today. In the Blue Ridge Health District, there have been 81 fatalities, with all deaths in people over the age of 50. Nearly sixty percent of COVID-deaths in the district are in people over the age of 80. Looking across the state, the central region has an incidence rate of 25.5 and a percent positivity of 5.9%. The eastern region has an incidence rate of 22.1 and a percent positivity of 7.4%. For the far southwest region, the incidence rate is 46.3 and percent positivity is at 16.7%. The near southwest region has a high incidence rate of 44.7 but the percent positivity is lower at 8.6%. Northern Virginia has a incidence rate of 29.2 and a percent positivity of 8%. The northwest region has an incidence rate of 25.5 and a percent positivity of 5.9 percent. This is a reminder that figure is likely skewed downward due to a high amount of prevalence testing in the Blue Ridge Health District due to the University of Virginia. In our immediate region, Culpeper County continues to have a high count with an incidence rate of 81 and a total number of new cases per 100,000 population of 923.7. They reported 64 new cases today and had a high of 175 new cases on Sunday. *The Albemarle Planning Commission last night recommended denial of a rezoning on land within the designated Village of Rivanna growth area. This was the second time the seven-member appointed body saw the proposal for the Breezy Hill neighborhood, which required a rezoning on about 84 acres just to the east of the Glenmore community. Commissioners received over 200 emails from neighbors who requested denial because of the impacts on U.S. 250. Many cited a line in the executive summary of the Village of Rivanna Master Plan which reads “Future residential development should only be approved if and when transportation improvements to US 250 have been made and sufficient sewer capacity is in place to support that development.”However, deputy county attorney Andy Herrick told the commission that is a non-binding statement. “A local government body does not have the authority to enact an ordinance that would establish an outright moratorium on all zoning changes in a portion of a locality until highway improvement is made,” Herrick said. “However, current and projected traffic can be a consideration in individual applications.” Southern Development had reduced the size of the proposed neighborhood from 160 units to 130 units. They also proffered funding to coordinate traffic signals along the corridor to improve the flow of traffic.  (proffer statement)“The signal improvements that we’re proposing are a complete reconfiguration of the existing signals at Milton Road’s intersection with U.S. 250 and Louisa Road’s intersection with U.S. 250,” said Charlie Armstrong with Southern Development. “By doing that is actually provides additional capacity for those intersections.”Within the last decade, the Virginia Department of Transportation piloted new signal technology on U.S. 250 on Pantops. This was initially credited with increasing traffic throughout the Pantops growth area. The idea did not impress Rick Randolph, the planning commissioner for the Scottsville District who previously represented that area on the Board of Supervisors from 2016 to 2019 before opting not to run for a second elected term. “Those of us that have some experience in the congestion on this corridor and living with it on a daily basis well understand that past technological fixes don’t begin to address the fact that the volume of automotive traffic has been increasing significantly year by year by year,” Randolph said. In 2019, VDOT estimated that 9,500 vehicles a day went through the intersection of U.S. 250 and Louisa Road. The estimate in 2010 was 7,300 vehicles a day. Commissioners were unanimous in their recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to deny the rezoning. The matter will go to the Board of Supervisors in December.  The Commission will next meet on December 8 when they will discuss the county’s draft affordable housing plan in a joint session with the Board of Supervisors. That document identifies a need for 11,750 new housing units by 2040 to meet forecasts for population growth. That includes 8,134 units that are approved not yet built and a need for rezonings or special use permits to allow the remaining 3,600 units projected united to be constructed. The draft plan will be discussed by the Albemarle Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors at their meeting on December 8. (review it here)*There’s only a week left until the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce holds its annual celebration the only way to do so in 2020 - virtually. The Rebound Ball will feature the handing out of 14 local business awards as well as a keynote speech from author and podcaster Priya Parker, whose latest work is called The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters. Parker is to have a “fireside chat” with Chamber CEO Elizabeth Cromwell about meaningful gatherings in the age of COVID. Each event attendee will receive a free e-book copy of The Art of Gathering. One of the award winners is Liza Borches who will receive the 2020 Chamber Business Leader of the Year award. Borches is the head of Carter Myers Automotive, which has sixteen dealerships throughout six communities in Virginia. The award dinner is called the Rebound Ball after the name of the Chamber’s collaboration for local economic recovery - Project Rebound. The awards this year reflect the innovation and determination shown by many during this challenging year.  (ticket information) *Today in meetings, the Albemarle Broadband Authority will meet virtually at 5 p.m. One of the items will be a report on the Board of Supervisors’ recent discussion on the strategic plan and capital budget work session. One of the county’s strategic goals is to expand broadband throughout the county. I’m pleased because this means I’ll have at least one fresh soundbite in Thursday’s newscast!  (meeting info) This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Today's Patreon-fueled shout-out is for the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign, an initiative that wants you to plant native plants in yards, farms, public spaces and gardens in the northern Piedmont. Native plants provide habitat, food sources for wildlife, ecosystem resiliency in the face of climate change, and clean water.  Over 25 partner organizations all want to help you! Start at the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Facebook page and tell them Lonnie Murray sent you! ---With three days to go until Thanksgiving, the Virginia Department of Health set another record for new daily cases today with 3,242. As with last Monday, the high number is due in part to database downtime. "The 3,242 case count reported on Monday, November 23 is in part due to a catch-up from the VDH data system being down for upgrades for a few hours over the weekend,” reads a caveat on the website. “A reminder: the number of new daily cases is based on the date VDH reported them. In order to observe the spread of illness most effectively, please review the charts that show cases by date of symptom onset.” The seven-day average for new cases is 2,343. The seven-day average of new daily cases per 100,000 is now 27.5 statewide, a metric known as the incidence rate. That figure was 18.7 a week ago. The total number of new cases per 100,000 population within the last 14 days is 323.6. That figure was 249.1 a week ago. There are another 42 cases in the Blue Ridge Health District and the seven-day average for new cases is 36.  Looking around the state, Augusta County has a seven-day average of 27 new cases a day, and their incidence rate is 35.8. Their total number of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 14 days is 332.6. Culpeper County sets a record today of 173 cases reported, bringing their seven-day average for new cases to 38. Their incidence rate is 72.4 and their total number of new cases per 100,000 population over the last 14 days is 873.5. Roanoke County has a seven-day average of 79 new cases a day, and their incidence rate is 84.3. The 14-day figure in Roanoke County is 769.6. Fairfax County, Virginia’s most-populated locality, reports 453 cases today. There are over 1.1 million people in that jurisdiction. Their incidence rate is 24.5 and their 14-day figure is 289.8. The death rate has not climbed nearly as high as the case count. There are only four deaths reported statewide. None were reported yesterday. There have been 136 COVID fatalities in the past seven days and the statewide total is now 3,942. *An organization that seeks to increase the availability of passenger rail in Virginia wants you to give your thoughts on what it would take to get you back on a train whenever the pandemic is over. Danny Plaugher with Virginians for High Speed Rail said the feedback will be used in their next report on the state of passenger rail in the Commonwealth. “And as you know with all public transportation, mass transportation, whether it be airlines or rail or buses, have been dramatically been impacted because of COVID so what we’ve done is put this survey together to ask our members, ask every Virginians across the state what would make them feel more comfortable getting back on the train,” Plaugher said. Plaugher said the group’s previous reports called for the state to invest in rail, something the Northam Administration accomplished late last year when they announced the purchase of right of way from private companies. He said there’s a bright future for rail, but this pandemic year has been brutal to ridership and the survey is intended to inform recovery. “Our passenger rail on average normally used to handle about 80,000 passengers a month,” Plaugher said. “Our six Amtrak regional trains, in April that was down to 3,000, so a 97 percent decline in ridership. That has slowly been built up a little bit and we’re at about 23,000 riders a month.” The pandemic has delayed the completion of the state’s purchase of right of way, but Plaugher said the deal will go through. Much of the linear land was sold by Virginia in the 1990’s and when the transaction is complete, it will be under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. That body met for the first time in late October. “The good thing about them getting the rail authority and starting to buy these rail corridors is that we’re beginning to fix the mistakes that the state has made over the previous decades,” Plaugher said. “Virginia used to own the D.C. to Richmond rail corridor. All of it until [Governor] Doug Wilder sold it in the 90’s as part of a plan to balance the budget. And he sold this asset for $250 million that is now worth billions.”Plaugher said his dream is that one day the Commonwealth Corridor will provide consistent east-west rail service between Christiansburg to Virginia Beach. You can access the Virginians for High Speed Rail survey here. (link)Learn more about the proposed Commonwealth Corridor on the VHSR website*Today in meetings, the steering committee that is overseeing the C’Ville Plans Together initiative will meet virtually at 4 p.m. today.  As a refresher, the City Council in place in February 2019 opted to hire a consultant to complete the Comprehensive Plan review while also writing an affordable housing plan. The firm Rhodeside & Harwell was hired and have developed new guiding principles that will guide the plan, the update of which has been under review since January 2017. Jennifer Koch is the project manager. “And as part of that update to the Comprehensive Plan, we’ve drafted an affordable housing plan which will feed into the Comprehensive Plan goals and strategies,” Koch said. “Once the revised Comprehensive Plan, including the affordable housing plan, once that’s completely updated we will rewrite the zoning ordinance to ensure it reflects all of these goals and strategies.” One of the major planks of the draft affordable housing plan is an annual commitment of $10 million for ten years in order to help build more affordable housing units. Last week, City Council held a work session to help make cuts to the capital improvement budget to address the fact that the city is projected to reach its borrowing limit. I’ll have a story about that budget work session out later today. In other meetings:Charlottesville’s Social Services Advisory Board meets virtually at noon. They will talk about their annual report to City Council. (meeting info)The Board of Trustees for the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library meets at 3 p.m. Among the items is another update on the library system’s COVID response. (zoom info)The Albemarle Historic Preservation Committee meets at 4:30 p.m. On the agenda is a presentation on conservation easements, a discussion of the Purvis Store in Esmont, and an update on new historical markers in the county. (meeting info) This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is provided by Ben Glass and Steve Emmert www.BenGlassReferrals.com - www.Virginia-Appeals.com   Granted Appeal Summary Case MICHAEL V. MCCLARY, ET AL. v. SCOTT H. JENKINS, SHERIFF, ET AL. (Record Number 191132) From The Circuit Court of Culpeper County; P. Peatross, Judge. Counsel Vishal Agraharkar, Eden B. Heilman, and Jennifer Safstrom (American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Virginia) and Casey E. Lucier, Dale G. Mullen, Travis C. Gunn, and Ashley P. Peterson (McGuireWoods LLP) for appellants. Rosalie Fessier (Timberlake, Smith, Thomas & Moses, P.C.) and Bobbi Jo Alexis (Office of the Culpeper County Attorney) for appellee. Assignments of Error The circuit court erred as a matter of law in sustaining Sheriff Jenkins’s demurrer, denying Plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration, and entering final judgment on Plaintiffs’ Counts I and II because neither the Constitution of Virginia nor the General Assembly has authorized Virginia sheriffs either (A) to contract with the federal government to enforce federal civil immigration law, or (B) to otherwise enforce federal civil immigration law. The circuit court erred as a matter of law in sustaining the Board of Supervisors of Culpeper County’s demurrer, denying Plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration, and entering final judgment on Plaintiffs’ Count III because neither the Constitution of Virginia nor the General Assembly has authorized localities to appropriate funds to enforce federal civil immigration law. The circuit court erred in denying Plaintiffs’ request for leave to file an amended complaint because courts should liberally grant leave to amend and additional factual pleading would remedy any issues potentially supporting dismissal. http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/scv/appeals/191132.pdf

Culpeper County, Virginia, Sheriff Scott Jenkins has vowed to name thousands of Virginia residents "reserve deputies" in order to ensure that a potential gun, magazine, and suppressor ban from Gov. Ralph Northam won't turn them into criminals for keeping their lawfully possessed arms. Now the sheriff tells Cam that he's taking the first steps toward making that plan a reality, and he's seeing a lot of support for the idea.

On this special edition of Making the Argument, Nick is honored to welcome the Sheriff of Culpeper County, Scott Jenkins.  In this episode, Nick and the Sheriff dive into the 2A Sanctuary movement, a sheriff's role during the COVID-19 crisis, Northam's mask mandate, and how your local sheriff should be the best line of defense against government encroachments onto your civil liberties. Support this podcast

Rob Pincus from ICE Training joins Cam to talk about an act of civil disobedience that took place over the weekend in New York: a firearms training seminar held at a range ordered closed by Gov. Cuomo. Culpeper County, Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins also joins Cam to discuss why he's stated that deputies will not "trample on the constitutional rights" of residents in enforcing Gov. Ralph Northam's public health edicts.

Culpeper County, Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins says he's glad to see the growing number of gun owners in the state and across the nation, and he's assuring residents in his county that things like concealed carry applications are still being processed during the current state of emergency.

Virginia has become a legal battleground over the second amendment, as officials attempt to push stronger Gun Control laws, and as locals have come out in mass protest against any infringement of the Second Amendment. In this episode of Crossroads we speak with Scott Jenkins, Sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, who explains his decision to stand by the protesters against the gun control laws, the punishment his deputies have faced by local politicians because of his stance, and why he has stood by his stance.

Scott H. Jenkins, a career law enforcement professional, has proudly served as Sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia since 2012.   Virginia Senate democrats voted to deny pay raises to deputy sheriffs due to the policy decision of their Sheriffs such as myself who may not enforce an unconstitutional gun law. What they didn't tell you is that they offered ONLY the Sheriffs a $10,000 raise a few weeks ago if we'd cooperate with their power grab.

THE PETE SANTILLI SHOW Episode #1702 - Tuesday - December 10, 2019 - 6PM  Live Broadcast Link - https://youtu.be/ZMKWxg0QDL8  NEWS ALERT: Virginia Sheriff Will Create An Armed Militia To Protect Gun Owner Rights- 1702 - 6P GUEST: Scott H. Jenkins, a career law enforcement professional with over 29 years of service, and has proudly served as Sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia since 2012. During a Board of Supervisors meeting unanimously agreed to declare the county a Second Amendment Constitutional County. The sheriff vowed to deputize residents in his county if the new Democratic-led legislature enacts gun control measures.  “I plan to properly screen and deputize thousands of our law-abiding citizens to protect their constitutional right to own firearms,” Jenkins said Protecting his community always has been, and remains, Scott Jenkins' highest objective. Toward that end, he believes that a limited federal government, strong Second Amendment rights, and clear-eyed threat identification and assessment are crucial. A number of counties in the state have passed similar resolutions in response to expected gun control legislation. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has said his party will push for gun control measures (that include a gun confiscation plan) since it regained control of the Virginia General Assembly. Jenkins has railed against attempts to enact gun control legislation on his website, where he has advocated for concealed-carry laws and the protection of Second Amendment freedoms.  POSTED TO HIS FACE BOOK: "Every Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney in Virginia will see the consequences if our General Assembly passes further unnecessary gun restrictions. “Red Flag” laws without due process will create enormous conflict as well. America has more guns than citizens and murder has long been illegal. At best, the proposed gun restrictions will disarm or handicap our law-abiding in their defense and possibly cause a criminal to choose another tool for evil. I’d like to thank our Board of Supervisors for their resolution of support of our citizen’s natural right to self defense as protected by our Constitutions. My office will always encourage and support our citizens in firearms training, concealed carry permits, and the ability to defend themselves and their families — I remain very optimistic that our General Assembly will not pass the proposed bills. Obviously, if passed, there are many of us willing to challenge these laws through the courts. In addition, if necessary, I plan to properly screen and deputize thousands of our law-abiding citizens to protect their constitutional right to own firearms." -Sheriff Scott Jenkins - E-Militia Article NEWS ALERT: Virginia Sheriff Will ‘Create An Armed Militia’ To Protect Gun Owner Rights – E-Militia News http://ow.ly/LY0J30q0N7B    GUEST LINKS:  https://www.culpepersheriffsoffice.com/about-sheriff-jenkins https://www.scotthjenkins.com/ https://www.facebook.com/culpepersheriff/ Save Our APP To Your Smartphone! https://one.cards/PeteSantilli Morning Prayer Requests: http://petelive.tv/prayer 

   Argos Paranormal returns to Brandy Station, VA, to investigate the hauntings inside the Fleetwood Church, a historical icon of both Culpeper County and the Brandy Station community. Fleetwood was constructed on top of what used to be the Brandy Graveyard, which served as both the town cemetery and a burial site for soldiers who fought in the Battle of Brandy Station. Individuals who have previously visited the church have reportedly felt a heavy atmosphere as they enter the church sanctuary, while the owner has heard unexplained voices echo throughout the church, shadow figures pass through the doorways, and objects mysteriously disappear. ► Help Save Fleetwood https://www.gofundme.com/HistoricFlee... ► Check your channel listings: https://www.argosparanormal.com/witch... ► Subscribe to Argos Paranormal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGc... ► Learn more today: https://www.argosparanormal.com/ ► Follow Argos Paranormal: Twitter: https://twitter.com/argosparanormal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArgosParanor... Minds: https://www.minds.com/ArgosParanormal Special Thanks To Our Narrator Dylan White from Fiverr: Dylan White: https://www.fiverr.com/itsdylanwhite

Preston speaks with Al Swann and Don Doyle of the Culpeper County Civil Defense Association who talk about how they started and what they are doing to strengthen the community in which they live.Contact Culpeper County Civil Defense Association - allenswann@aol.comCivil Defense Radio LinksWebsite: www.civildefenseradio.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CivilDefenseRadioTwitter: https://twitter.com/Civil_Def_RadioResources www.civildefenseradio.com/ResourcesAdvertisersOils for Life Today: www.oils4lifetoday.com

This podcast is provided by Ben Glass and Steve Emmert   www.BenGlassReferrals.com - www.Virginia-Appeals.com   Granted Appeal Summary   Case   GEORGE TINGLER, ET AL. v. GRAYSTONE HOMES, INC. (Record Number 180791)   From    The Circuit Court of Culpeper County, L. Whitlock, Judge.   Counsel   David Hilton Wise (Wise & Donahue, PLC) for appellants.   Stephen A. Horvath, Melissa H. Katz, and Coley R. Myers, III (Bancroft, McGavin, Horvath & Judkins, P.C.) for appellee.   Assignments of Error   The trial court erroneously sustained demurrers to the Tinglers’ negligence, negligent repair, and negligence per se claims in the amended complaints because they sought personal injury and property damage, which are protected by the duty implied by law to protect the safety of persons and their property from threatened or actual injury.   The trial court erroneously sustained demurrers to the claims for breach of contract and breach of warranty in the second amended complaint because there were sufficient allegations that Belle Meade Farm, LLC, as principal, and the Tinglers, as agents, had standing to bring these claims.   The trial court erroneously ruled that Belle Meade Farm, LLC, was not an intended thirdparty beneficiary of the contract because there were sufficient allegations in the second amended complaint that it was the intended beneficiary   Source Document: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/scv/appeals/180791.pdf

This podcast is provided by Ben Glass and Steve Emmert   www.BenGlassReferrals.com - www.Virginia-Appeals.com   Granted Appeal Summary   Case    HELMICK FAMILY FARM, LLC v. COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS (Record Number 180691)   From    The Circuit Court of Culpeper County; S. Whitlock, Judge.   Counsel   Michael J. Coughlin and Matthew A. Westover (Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.) for appellant.    Mark R. Herring, Stephen A. Cobb, Jeffrey R. Allen, Nancy C. Auth, and Andrea A. Adibe (Office of the Attorney General) and Robert R. Dively for appellee.   Assignments of Error   The circuit court erred by excluding testimony and evidence regarding the reasonable probability that the property would be rezoned.   The circuit court erred in giving Instruction 7. This instruction prohibited the condemnation commissioners from considering the reasonable probability of rezoning of the property to a different designation and stated that such a rezoning is speculative and remote.    The circuit court erroneously excluded evidence relating to the highest and best use of the property, including the reasonable probability that, as of the date of take, it would be rezoned. In doing so, the court erroneously barred testimony from Helmick’s experts, Charles Dennis and Charles Carter, including the grounds for their respective opinions, and erroneously excluded Exhibits 23, 27, 29-41, and 48.    The circuit court erred by prohibiting Helmick’s representative from testifying about the basis for his opinion of the value of the property taken, and by excluding exhibits 27 and 44 through 47.   The circuit court erred by giving Instruction 8 because it was an incomplete and prejudicial recitation of a portion of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, and amounted to comment on the evidence. Source Document: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/scv/appeals/180691.pdf  

Swing by and pick up a Number 5 meal without mayo and a coke product before you dive deep into our review of the true crime podcast Route 29 Stalker! This podcast covers a couple murders that happened in Virginia near Route 29. If you have already heard this podcast and wondered what we thought of it..then tune in with your ears! Remember we are not professionals, there are some background noises that we just can't seem to get rid of...and our facts may be askew at times!!!

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" min_height="" hover_type="none" link=""][fusion_text] Watch the live interview below   [/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id="https://youtu.be/JMgEjKUCdzQ" alignment="center" width="" height="" autoplay="false" api_params="&rel=0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]   Transcription (was completed by automated process. Please ignore any speech-to-text errors)  [00:00:00] I'm Beatty Carmichael on the CEO of agent dominator and I'd like to welcome you to another session of get sellers calling you. This is both aN audio podcast and a YouTube podcast and this is where we focus on how do you get more sellers. This is also just like you know this is an Internet interview. And so we may have periodic Internet issues and if you do just bear with us on that. But I'm real excited to have actually one of our clients is how I met Brandon. But Brandon Carroll and he comes to us from Virginia. So Brandon welcome to the call. Thank you Beatty. And Brandon just for kind of perspective where in Virginia are you?   [00:00:48] I’m in Culpeper County which is the southernmost outskirts of Northern Virginia. So we are if you if you ask anybody who's from Culpeper they will say that they do not understand that. But nonetheless that is how the state has decided to categorize them.   [00:01:07] I love it. The northern most right there on the edge. So just above you. Is this the best part.   [00:01:15] Yeah. OK. So. Well tell me. So we were talking a little bit before we got started here a little bit about your real estate career saw how you got into it and the type of volume and I wanted to visit with you because I thought you had a great message to share in terms of just. I'll say just a really good strong steady business but a business where as we've kind of been talking back and forth a little bit I just get the sense that you have no worries about how your business going come in or if you're going to have business. And I just thought that was such a really neat approach that I wanted to kind of visit with you on that. So can you give us just real quick background of who you are and how you've gone in business and just some. Anything that comes to mind that you might want to share. Sure absolutely.   [00:02:02] So thirty six years old I got out of college around the age of twenty three years old worked as a chemist for several years and then went to seminary to get my degree in Christian counseling and discipleship worked in that world for about six years seven years and then had flipped a couple of personal residences and was engaged with a fellow believer who was a real estate agent who sold my house at the time and she thought that I was doing honestly a better job than what she was doing in the listing. I learned a lot and she is a very gracious woman to be able to even say such a thing. And so from there I just began to inquire a little bit more took some educational classes have been in real estate now full time since the end of 2014. And so going on about four and a half years that's really neat.   [00:03:08] You know it's interesting how the Lord takes your direction because if you were to ask my story how I got here is this very securities round but when you look backwards see guys fingerprint all over it.   [00:03:19] So it sounds sort like that happened with you with your household.   [00:03:22] Absolutely. Absolutely.   [00:03:25] That's neat. And then tell me. So we're talking also about your volume so I know that you know the typical agent out there does 15 20 transactions a year. You do a little bit more than that. So talk to me about your volume in and how consistent it's been.   [00:03:41] I have done since starting full time I've done 30 transactions a year. Okay. And that has come in many ways it sounds a little unrealistic but in many ways that has come by the providence of the Lord to speak in a little more tangible sense. I do grow up in a community where I have some family. So I would say you know maybe 15 to 20 percent of my business is come from my family. But then the other aspect is just being available taking phone calls. Being willing to do what we call desk duty in our office which is a foreign concept to a lot of agents and then engaging people chasing down every lead going above and beyond. So if somebody calls in on a warm call if you will. It calls into the office. My objective is to exceed this individual's expectations. So what are they asking me for they're asking me for the price on a house located within Culpeper County. Most often that's a realistic scenario name. But I am engaging them in conversation right. We're talking about the house we're talking about their family their children their wives what are they trying to accomplish. And we're doing this in a matter of minutes.   [00:05:18] So I've got two questions for you. So I want to kind of pursue two angles real quick.   [00:05:23] You mentioned the providence of God in terms of your your volume and you're mentioning kind of what you do when you're engaging with someone. Let me go down what you do when you're engaging with some because I think this is really cool as you're picking up these calls from from servicing the floor. You're just engaging with them at a relational level. This sounds like that was what your last comment was kind of building a relationship. Can you just kind of expand you know in terms of in your mind you've kind of had this process it sounds like that when a call comes in when you're engaging some there's sort of this the step by step process of what it is that you do structurally so that you can then take it the next step. Can you enlighten me a little bit more on that.   [00:06:06] Yeah so obviously in my mind. So if you reverse the roles and you put yourself in that individual shoes how would you want to be engaged. And I think through. If I'm on if I'm on the phone and I'm calling in. I want to be provided something of value and that is essential. So if you can give the individual value. And that's not always so easy to do to determine what it is this person perceives as value but you can ask open ended questions. I think we all know that yes no questions can make conversations and rather quickly. Yep but you ask an open ended question such as what what brings you to Culpeper you can get a myriad of things that. Somebody will tell you. And so from a structural standpoint it's just aimed at getting the individual to open up to give me helpful information so that I can provide. Excellent world class client centred experience.   [00:07:18] That's interesting because what I've learned what you don't know about me is I used to teach telephone sales and an appointment setting many years back to a totally different industry.   [00:07:29] And one of the things that I found is is if you can engage that person at a relational level just talking with them then they start to trust you. And then in that conversation you can start to determine which direction they need to be guided or which direction they want to take this approach and now you built up the trust you built up enough relation you know value that you can actually start to do something with them.   [00:07:56] Does that make sense is that kind of what you're doing that hits to hit the nail right on the head.   [00:08:01] I love it. So I want to go back to something because this is this is the thing that really kind of attracted me to you and I want to interview you on this.   [00:08:12] You mentioned that your very first year you had a first year full time you had about 30 transactions and you maintain a very level business at that point. And I asked you a question I'd like you to expand on this further because I think this is really important at least in my world view on that. And I ask you the question So are you purposely maintaining your volume steady or are you trying to grow and you've hit a ceiling. And your response was Do you remember. Not the exact verbiage but   [00:08:48] So purposely purposefully grow. I think that is how we got connected. And I'd say that the business that I've had over the last five years has just simply been the providence of God in him. It's difficult to explain as are some spiritual things but him and just providing the business. So when that outlook was rather bleak you just hit your knees you pray and then God would open up the doors and people would call.   [00:09:22] So for instance let me try to put some skin on that.   [00:09:28] This February March I was strongly considering doing a couple of different things maybe picking up some kind of a part time job in granted. This sounds like ye of little faith given God's track record. But now I have five or six listings coming on the market. So six houses in the last 45 to 60 days and I can't attribute that to much more than. Praying. I know that that may seem dissatisfying for some folks but it is all the more convicting for me.   [00:10:09] Well let's pursue that because like you I've been in similar situation. Let me tell you one this is November 2002. I'm preparing to give my stewardship testimony at my church   [00:10:23] At this time. We have had three months without actually more than three months without a paycheck. I have three months remaining in my savings and then it's all out. We maximize all of our lines of credit on the business and everything is in this shambles and I'm Wednesday night about eleven o'clock. I'm up there prepping for my stewardship test my I'm going give that Tuesday at that Sunday and one of the things I believe in is you know you cannot out give God's ability to take care of you. So I was kind of prepping this and roleplaying what I would say you know someone comes to me and says Hey baby I just lost my job my car broke down my water heater display what I do now that my standard response would be well increase you're getting right because you can't give God. And and when I said that I heard God's spirit just kind of speak in my spirit speak to my spirit this as well why don't you increase your giving baby.   [00:11:23] Well you have to. Exactly. And to make a long story really short as much as I can. I said OK now what do you want me to do. And he said well you know give it all. I said OK so here's the deal. I've got three months of cash remaining I haven't had anyone ask me for money recently. I normally have a lot of people asking for donations and stuff. And I said whoever asked me tomorrow I'll give whatever they made up to everything I have in my savings account and I'll just trust entirely on you. So I go into that day all excited that God's gonna sense our number and give it all and it's going to be you know entirely cast my trust on him and and all I had was one person that needed three hundred and twenty five dollars. So I was actually dejected I got home later that night and I said Lord how do you make it. So you know I was ready to give it all. And there's image of RAM cord with his thickets is his horn in the thickets came to mind you remember that story in the Bible. Yeah sure yeah. What was Abraham and his sacrifice of Isaac and this message just kind of came to me that said I made it easy on Abraham too. But here's what happened. Within three months. We had paid off all of our lines of credit.   [00:12:47] And the third and fourth month because we give each month based on whatever our profits are. The third and fourth month were maybe his fourth and fifth. We gave more in those two months than most people earned in a year. It was just that turnaround just like what you were talking about know at that point that you're ready to give up you trust the Lord and he felt I had a rabbit out of the hat so to speak because I agree.   [00:13:12] You know I'm studying very briefly I'm studying Zachary right now. So very prophetic book. But there are some things in there. So for instance Zach Rice says when he's talking about rebuilding the temple. He says that's not not by my power. Nor by night but by my Spirit not by your power or your might but by my spirit that rings true and in many ways of course. You know the Scripture has one meaning in and of itself not reading it many meetings but applications wise a lot of times it's what we think about our strong military or our great speaking abilities. But these are all gifts things. And there are many people who have those things. You have nothing.   [00:14:03] And it is by Spirit.   [00:14:05] It is thus Zachariah Chapter Four I believe because that's one of the things he's spoken to me not by my nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord you will succeed in the work I called you to do the cause of my spirit.   [00:14:21] And he's trying to debunk their allegiance or they're their hope in their military alliances. That's what he's really trying to bring down here. And that's true. The board will do that in any of our lives right. Anything that we put trust in part from him. He will write it down.   [00:14:45] He will. So let's.   [00:14:46] I'm really interested in pursuing further just this trust in God's providence as it relates to your business because as I talked to a lot of realtors especially you know you have the realtors that are kind of in this middle area they're doing well but they're frustrated because they can't seem to break through and do great. OK. It's you know what you know. You know what I'm talking about right. Sure of course. OK. So there's obviously a lot of frustration. There's concerns just like what you mentioned. You know you're thinking about well do I get a part time job right now and then all of sudden the Lord opens up some floodgates for you and blesses you can you talk to me a little bit more about just your first off how we're on the subject just maybe bring people up to date with this reliance on the Lord. How did you get that reliance What do you you know what does that mean to you and talk to me in terms of the peace that you have in this turbulent world of trying to build a real estate business. Well that's a. That's a snippet of my testimony that would be very fragmented and I think it's it's it's worthy to mention a disclaimer that I am no spiritual   [00:16:06] Superhuman. You know I think as Paul grows in his theology he actually sees himself all the worse and thus casting himself upon the grace of God all the more. So I think it's it's notable that everybody who listens or sees this knows that there are real struggles that go on in my mind and my heart. On a day to day basis. My faith is I'm 36 years old. My faith is 18 years old so I have been saved as long as I was unsaved. It's difficult to quantify the scriptures say that each man's been given a measure of faith. Right. It's difficult to quantify how I've. Come about peace and spiritual maturity. Apart from God's grace. I have made it a pattern of behavior simply to read the scriptures and obey them in a very practical sense. What does that mean. So one of the things that you had kind of alluded to was tithing that has been a practice from day one. Just because in my mind it was never a question of why should I give 10 percent. When you come from a state of total depravity and you've been forgiving of everything that you've ever done then the question really is why not more than 10 percent.   [00:17:45] If you know that makes sense. And so in my 18 years of running from the Lord before he finally was able to pin me down I had done a lot of things in my life that one person would say they could never possibly be forgiven right. And so when you are. Forgiven. Of much it in your mind in my mind makes the thankfulness. All the more overwhelming. If that makes sense that I am grateful for what God has done for me as a result of that. I just tried to be obedient to the things that he is calling me to do. Such as taking care of my family. Building in natural spiritual disciplines such as fasting reading of scripture this sacrifice. What does it mean to to give. Jesus says to whom much is given much is required. What does that mean. Do I have a lot. Do I have a little you know. So asking those kinds of questions and then looking at it prospectively oneself.   [00:19:02] But let me ask you on that so because you know it's hard to separate your personal life from your real estate life because your real estate is you and you are your person your father your son your husband your real estate agent and this whole idea of separation of each of those compartments really does and doesn't fit. So in terms of how do you apply maybe this is a good question. How do you apply your faith within your business. And maybe if I can clarify that maybe a little bit further in terms of priorities okay. In terms of fear or peace in terms of how you interact with people let's talk first about property and then we'll talk on the other ones   [00:19:56] Yeah it's it's very difficult. I'm a single income family so there's a real struggle there to provide for your family. My wife stays home. With our two children. We have normal expenses like every other American family. Priority so obviously my priorities were set in order let's say about twelve thirteen years ago speaking with a lot of wise men men who had gone before me men who were in their 50s 60s who had raised children who have been married for 30 40 years just emphasizing to me through the study of scripture that God is first and foremost. And if you remove him out of that position then you can anticipate to have   [00:20:51] Different kinds of problems and all different kinds of areas of your life such as parenting marriage your work life your sexual life all the different kinds of things that scripture will warn you against. And so it is very difficult to be self-employed.   [00:21:11] Trying to strike a balance between OK well we need money to live day to day but yet it needs to stay in its rightful place as well. So I have missed out on business over the years going on vacations just naturally missed out on business but nonetheless. So in my mind God comes first then it's family and then it's work and then it's church.   [00:21:46] And those are you know in a very concrete way you dive into each one of those but those are the way that I have tried to keep things aligned and prioritized in my life.   [00:21:57] So in terms of God being first in your life if I were to look at the average day in the life of Brandon what does that day look like.   [00:22:05] How do you make God a priority first.   [00:22:09] Yes I'm somewhat of a nomad. I don't like structure in many ways and I think you know not to dive into that but that has a lot to do with my upbringing. But some of the non-negotiable are me spending time with the Lord by myself. Me my wife spending time with the Lord Reading the scriptures and then me and my children. Doing devotionals together. Those are non-negotiable. And so if work is stacking up for instance today negotiating two offers working on two listings that are coming this weekend it is a very busy week.   [00:22:49] But despite that those things will be put to the side at some point in time. And it is. 315 in the afternoon and the day has had its way of taking me by storm today   [00:23:06] Just because of some things that are going on in church but there will be a set of part time at some point and this happened in granite. I have the flexibility because my wife stays home to be able to do those things on a more flexible basis. I don't have a 9:00 to 5:00 am well aware of that but nonetheless no excuses or more or less are permitted. When it comes to personal awards to the side of my family.   [00:23:34] So on that. Does that mean because we were talking about this earlier today before this call.   [00:23:40] You spent time with the Lord first at the first part of your day before you get your day started. Is that correct. No not always. OK.   [00:23:49] Not always. I'd say the majority of the time morning starts out with the Lord. But that's 75 percent of the time there sometimes. For instance this morning our accountability group meets on Monday morning at 730. And if you know anything about me 730 is the crack of dawn. Oh yeah. It's not four or five o'clock. That's just not who I am. It's not how I'm wired. Some of my best devotional times with the Lord come in in the wee hours of the night when my wife and my children are asleep and I'm immersing myself in some of the songs and prayer and just find a quiet place in the house.   [00:24:30] Well let me springboard from there into the next topic on this time I was asking the three questions because I think that I think this kind of sets the stage for what I want to ask.   [00:24:39] So you put the lord of a priority in your life long before business. So then when it comes to business and you start to you know there are two ways to look at business at times. Either I'm fearful what's going on I don't have enough business how am I going to pay the bills or I'm at peace because of it I'll use your term because knowing the providence of God is going to take care of you. Talk to me in terms of that whole approach that attitude that you have as you build your business of fear or peace as you go through life. Does that make sense when I'm asking a little bit.   [00:25:17] I think if I'm reading correctly you know it is a constant ebb and flow. That's why I say this spiritual titans it's not like I wrestle with fear I had moments but in my mind the a healthy Christian. I constantly involves repentance and turning back. And so that. That is that is always happening for me in varying degrees.   [00:25:50] So could I have a couple of days strung together where I'm fearful thinking well what am I going to do tomorrow. What am I going to do today.   [00:25:59] And wrestle with that. But it is not staying in that place repenting of it and turning back to the Lord and then getting perspective right. So you had said previously looking back   [00:26:14] In your past seeing the Lord's handprint on some of the things that you had gone through and that that is looking back 18 years now I can see God's hand and that that should build on one's faith being able to see how faithful he is. And then obviously on a daily basis just constantly being reminded of his goodness in his faith and this steadfastness and. All those characteristics qualities of who God. Is   [00:26:50] And how we can draw upon that deep well it's ever sustaining. But again you know it is a struggle and it is it is a very real struggle we.   [00:27:01] And why I say that so where am I right now we are in our third house that we are flipping renovating we say and I'm about four years. This by far I'd shoot off more than I could have ever imagined with this house. It is a 5000 square foot house. It is in my mind the house had never been built because it's just so excessive. It's got five bedrooms four bathrooms a big pool out back. And I think after this one after we do this when we will downsize and build a smaller house maybe 15 her square feet something like that with the basement. And that would be more than enough. But but this house has really made me depend upon the Lord because I had about one hundred and fifty grand to spend on it and I blew through that really fast and there's still work that I get to see on a daily basis that I say well Lord obviously got myself into a big pick a bigger pickle jar that I thought I was jumping into and now I'm kind of swimming around in it and I can't get out.   [00:28:11] Talk to me. Talk to me in terms of testimonies for a moment because you know is is the Lord is leading Israel out of Egypt.   [00:28:19] He shows him his hand and his power. Time after time after time after time to create and instill in them the testimonies that you can trust me because I'd take a took care of you here and here and here and here so you can trust me to take care of you right now. You mentioned just recent you know at the first part of this call that right now in this time of your life right now and just last couple of months you were at the point of wondering if you ought to get a job and now you have like six or seven listings and everything's coming in. I am fairly confident that's probably not the only time the Lord has taking care of you can you just talk about just a couple of the times in your real estate career where you trusted on the Lord because you knew he was faithful and and he showed up. Are there some extra stories you can tell on that.   [00:29:14] Yeah there are. I'm thinking through a couple of them. One in particular was when we had moved from this house from our previous house to this house. We took somewhat of a leap of faith. We had done a a lot of work on our other house and had a lot of money equity tied up into it and we carried both houses for a while and there wasn't a lot of business on the radar either. Now granted we had some cash reserves that would never stretch myself so thin that everything would be jeopardized in one decision. But we had to dip into those cash reserves and that's obviously know again if you know anything about me that is the disavowing my allegiance to Christ. I think you may have a bank account. So so we had to do that right. And again it was a time of purifying the Lord uses those instances to refine and remove a lack of faith. To remove things that don't honor him and work by him. And that's kind of the 30000 foot view of those circumstances what I see God doing in me is purifying me in those moments because because. Of who I know him to be. He's not manipulative. He doesn't twist the truth. He's not deceptive he's he's not ill will towards me. He doesn't hold grudges. There are real consequences for sin. Of course but he is a good father and he's promised to take care of me if I put him first. So if I am doing that then there is almost an expectation on my part that God is going to step in and provide the material things that I need on a day to day basis as he does the birds in my backyard.   [00:31:28] You know I love your word. There is an expectation on my part that God is going to step in and provide.   [00:31:34] I think if we go back to I think it's Mark the story of Mark when Peter's walking on the water. OK so you kind of set it up. Jesus is walking on the waters early dawn. Everyone. All the guys get a pride in the boat and Jesus said don't be afraid it's just me. So Peter says Well I try to command me to come out now on the water to you know. Jesus says Come right. And yeah. And so he says that he stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. As long as he trusted in the Lord. But then when he took his eyes off the Lord and put his eyes onto the wind in the waves he sunk. And Jesus says Why did you doubt your memory. I know you know that passage. Absolutely yeah.   [00:32:18] That's a very good comparison to describe. You know you can you can do miraculous things and we have to be careful too in our American Christianity to equate that to the wealth and health and prosperity gospel that is is rampant. People just in droves go into that realm. But nonetheless you worry fear God will cast all those things away and provide you.   [00:32:53] And I think put it in what it has taught me as I go through as I look back at that and look at those things in my life.   [00:33:00] And this is where I was kind of leading when you said you kind of had this expectation the Lord was going to take care of you. You had the expectation I would be willing to bet because the Lord has indicated it to you scripturally first. He's he has set a precedent. And as you follow and serve him. He takes care of you. You know he's called you to this line of work and therefore you have this expectation that he will continue to take care of you. Does that make sense.   [00:33:30] And I do. It sure does. Yeah absolutely.   [00:33:34] And that's how you and I met was God has provided and I think about. So if if we can rant if I can ram from 30 to 45 transactions each year. That would be a. Pretty significant increase but one that I see as very possible. What. What else could I do to impact God's kingdom here and Culpeper Virginia. And maybe beyond. Right. Right. You know I think it's always healthy to have a local national and international perspective on how we can play a part in what God is doing around the world nationally and here in our community. And my desire is in growing the business from 30 to 45. It's not about self consumption. There are some things that my family and I would like to do and accomplish but it's also keeping God's kingdom in mind because we are one quite quite clearly. That we are not to be about building our own kingdom here but about digging and building the Lords.   [00:34:49] So let's talk about that for a moment because you know how do we impact.   [00:34:53] Okay so years that the Lord directed me to use my distance as a platform for ministry so I internally I kind of have this description of who I am. I'm a full time minister secretly disguised as a businessman okay. And as a realtor you had the same opportunity. I remember when we bought the home that we now live in. The realtor as we were filling out the offer on the kitchen table she said Okay now let's pray about this. I thought that's a great way to do it and ask for God's blessing upon that offer. If this is his home for us and it's turned out to be far beyond every expectation we had set in a home. It's just amazing. So the third thing that we want to talk about your priorities. Fear or peace. And then how do you live your Christian faith with your clients so as we're talking about how do you make an impact. Talk to me in terms of what do you deliberately do. In working with clients. That is how you live out your faith and how you make that impact.   [00:36:02] I think the thing that comes to my mind and foremost thing that comes to my mind is again putting myself in their shoes right. And it's what is widely known amongst Christian community and the second community is the golden rule. And in doing unto them. How you would have them do unto you. And so again what does that look like. That means. So from a bear day to day to day realistic practical standpoint in the real estate world is that you listen to people you actively listen to what they want and what they need and what their desires are. And you. Aim to hit that mark for them. And I think in the real estate world. Naturally there and in any state in any business. Whether it be I.T. in the medical world there are self-serving individuals right. And so they do in many instances what is best for them. And the real estate world what does that equate to well. An agent may have very close agents to me that I can say this with. With great certainty that they will steer people away from a certain house or. Painted in a negative light because it pays less of a commission or they will do backroom deals where they will get people into houses before anybody else is privy to them. So there are there are principles and biblical principles that we live by and I'd say the main one that really is a thrust from me is doing what is best for this individual. And you could say Well Brandon how do you know what's best for that individual. And that's where I go back to listening to them and hearing what they have to say. And that's how I'm operating.   [00:38:00] Can you give me some one or two examples that come to mind of. All. Of this that you're talking about. I think that so for instance right now I have a dear friend of mine who is in the process of selling his house and he's one of the contracts or offers that we are currently negotiating and they had in their mind a price. That they wanted to give for the house and we have gotten them twelve thousand five hundred dollars more. And so they're super excited. How does that play into this situation. He's he's super anxious super nervous. A I want it now kind of guy and he's he's well aware of the temptations and when we even sat down and did the listing agreement talked through all of this he said I want you to know my my initial reaction is just going to be get to get things done as soon as possible. Now. Whatever offer comes in. Let's take it. And so we were having a conversation last night when the offer came in came in twelve five lower and he was inclined to. Don't you scare them off don't you scare em off. I don't you get greedy I don't want to get greedy and I say you know look let's let's think about this from a different vantage point and let's let's define greed. So we sat there on the phone while we're negotiating right we with. I mean this is either what we do or we don't do. And so we sat there we defined greed and we defined negotiation and what those two things look like. And then I asked him to come to a conclusion are we being greedy to which it was.   [00:39:59] No.   [00:40:00] This is this is the art of negotiation. This is this is what we are here to do. We are here to get you the best deal. Just like the other agent who put together the original offer is aiming to do with their clients. And I think that at the end of the day everybody could sit down at closing table and shake hands and say wow this is such a smooth great transaction. We got a great deal you got a great deal and and define greed in very realistic terms to him. So you know if we went back at X price and we took this this and this off the table then I think we would probably be meeting the definition of being greedy right. Well we had already in our minds decided what would be acceptable reasonable and we were operating within that Metro during. Very one you know one recent scenario I think that faith has played itself out especially with another believer.   [00:40:58] Mm hmm. So can you imagine building your real estate business without Christ   [00:41:06] Absolutely not. No. I can't. I can't imagine living today apart from Christ in our accountability group. This morning we were just talking about whether there's or I was talking about whether there's much to do whether there's little to do with those big tasks or menial tasks. I desperately need Christ so to answer your question. Not a chance. I'd look around at colleagues in our community and I see how they operate do business. And it's very alarming it's something to pray for and but for the grace of God there goes me. I would be doing the same things had not God chase me down pin me down declared me his son.   [00:41:58] You know I have a friend over in Texas who's an agent and he's a high volume producer and he's always frustrating.   [00:42:05] Frustrated and complains whenever we talk that he can't do what his competitors are doing. His competitors are hiring telemarketers calling all through the neighborhoods. He said Those people are on Do Not Call list they are violating laws and my integrity my relationship with the Lord. At least that's the way I'm interpreting what he's saying. It won't allow me to do that. I am drained. So   [00:42:30] That's absolutely right. And I was reading some 73 the other day and Issa was talking about the prosperity of the wicked and how he had become jealous. Right. You look around and you're like OK I'm selling 30 like I sell on 60 and there were all this fucking crazy stuff. And he goes in and it goes into the house of the Lord and says but I've perceived their end.   [00:42:59] Right. Mm hmm. And   [00:43:03] It's a matter of perspective. It is. There seems to be wrapping up. There seems to be just a real great contentment on your end.   [00:43:12] You want to go from thirty to forty five. You probably like to be higher but there is this I just get the sense of the great contentment with where you are. I think I know the answer but help me and help the listeners understand because I'm sure there are other listeners in that same type of boat there now who are they want to be there. How do you maintain your contentment so that you're content where you are.   [00:43:38] I don't know that I'm qualified to speak of happy I really go I just finished going to the acts of Book of Acts not too long ago and I think it was twenty twenty four policies I count my life as nothing unless I fulfill the ministry that the Lord Jesus was laid before me to do. I think in a very simple way that is and there are other scriptures to support this to that that I am not my son. And if I am in the care of someone else who is it is Zebedee.   [00:44:19] My wife more and is it my boss No I'm in the hands of the father and so if I am there what do I have to worry about. And so just from a very biblical truth simple biblical truth point of view if we are there and we are fulfilling his will for our lives there is nothing to worry about. And again I am ill qualified to speak on the topic and that's not a false humility.   [00:44:52] That's just a reality. Nobody knows me better than myself.   [00:44:56] With the exception of the Lord and He knows how weak and feeble I am. But I also have a a high and grain view of who he is and so I can   [00:45:11] I can rest securely in that.   [00:45:13] That's great. That's really good. Is there anything else you'd like to share anything on your heart. Before we wrap up this call that you just like to. Share with whoever is watching or listening.   [00:45:25] You know I operate in a pretty small town. Like I said we're on the southern most point of Northern Virginia. So we have a some of the richest counties in the entire United States that are just 30 miles drive away. And in our little Culpeper town there's probably about one hundred and fifty agents. There's a lot of competition. And I can't say that I know more than maybe one or two other agents who are Christians. And so that that makes things very difficult for me in many ways that I don't really need to expound upon now. But it's almost like. That it's good to know that there are other men and women out there who love the Lord who are doing this. This kind of business and I would just hope to provide a shred of encouragement to other agents who are out there doing things the right way that the Lord will honor them. And whether that is honored in you know you go from 15 to 30 sales maybe he does it that way. You know what. But there is a very realistic possibility and maybe this isn't. All that appropriate for the end of the year. But that glory may come and eternity as well. But stick to those things which you hold dear and those convictions which you hold dear and don't budge don't mean I'm in full agreement with that.   [00:47:12] Well Brandon thank you so much for being on this call and just sharing your heart and sharing your life. I know you got a lot of busy things right now and you still took time out for this. I do appreciate it.   [00:47:23] Thank you. Appreciate it very much.   [00:47:27] And for those of you watching or listening if you like this podcast please be sure to subscribe to it also like it. And if you want to learn more about us also how to grow your business. Lots of great free content on our Web site and get sellers calling you dot com. So thanks for watching and listening. Have a great day. We. P027  

Zann Nelson will discuss the occurrence of selling literally 100s of thousands of enslaved people South to the cotton and sugar fields with Virginia being the largest exporter and how challenging it is to reunite these ancestors with their place of birth and in many cases with family members who remained behind.  Searching for the sixteen slaves sold South is supported by the Montpelier Foundation to learn more about the 16 enslaved Virginians sold by James Madison in 1834 to William Taylor who relocated them to Pointe Coupee Parish, LA.   The ultimate goal is to find at least one living descendant. It is an ambitious endeavour but one well worth the effort. Zann Nelson is a historian and freelance writer specializing in historical investigations with a focus on African American history. She currently serves as the Director of African American Descendants’ Project for James Madison’s Montpelier Foundation. The project’s two primary goals are to 1) build a mutually beneficial alliance between the African American Descendant Communities and the Montpelier Foundation and 2) identify and connect with living descendants of those whose ancestors lived free or enslaved at Montpelier or in other parts of Orange County, Virginia. She holds a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University and resides on the family farm in Culpeper County, VA