Nelson County, North District voters in November 2025 will elect a supervisor to serve on the five-member Board of Supervisors, the county’s chief legislative body responsible for setting the budget, enacting ordinances, planning land use, ensuring public safety and infrastructure, and overseeing essential services in rural Nelson County—while working collaboratively under the leadership of the County Administrator to preserve the county’s unique character and prosperity.These elections are pivotal: supervisors shape policy on housing, conservation, transportation, and economic development.
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434-270-6579
Biography
Born and raised in Virginia. Product of public schools and Virginia Wesleyan University. Masters of Divinity from Duke University. Purchased 46 acres and small home in Afton in 1984. Almost 40 years as United Methodist senior minister in Virginia with up to 11 staff and 1500 members with statewide responsibilities; substitute or interim preacher in Nelson County since retirement. Police chaplain with Fairfax County and station chaplain with Preston Yancey volunteer fire department. Substitute teacher in Nelson and Augusta County. Participation in Atlantic Coast Pipeline protests; fiber-optic installation and designation as Agri/Forestry district in Afton neighborhood. Certified in conflict management and community organizing. Married for 46 years with 3 children and seven grandchildren.
For the past 7 months I have been on an active listening tour in the North District of Nelson County; carefully listening to property owners, business owners, and renters as well as County staff and attending or viewing past and present Supervisor meetings. It is clear that the outside world has discovered the charm of the North District with its successful agri-businesses and as a gateway to Wintergreen. The residential tension is with the busy Route 151, growing numbers of short-term rentals, water quality concerns, and affordable housing. We can’t go back to the past but my desire is to keep listening and working with local government staff to provide acceptable solutions so that the Rockfish Valley retains its rural character and the natural beauty for many generations to come.
In 2024, the Board of Supervisors passed a detailed Comprehensive plan, called “2042.” It outlines both the current needs and issues, as well as what needs to be done in the future. Overall, I support this plan. Regards North District, the challenge will be to preserve the natural beauty yet be open to limited development. By “limited” I mean small businesses and housing that complements the natural environment and the existing residential areas. There are no plans for creating water or sewage lines. And the terrain in the North District and most of Nelson County makes any new large developments unlikely. Major development, meaning larger businesses and perhaps multi-family housing, should be directed to the Route 29 corridor where there are more suitable roads and limited water and sewer capacity. All development and infrastructure improvements need to protect our environment with all codes and zoning ordinances followed and new ones created as needed.
Schools are the largest part of the county budget. And this reflects the importance of education. Funding for schools comes from local government, the state, and the federal government. I think strong public schools are an imperative. We must see that adequate funding is available.
Public safety is vital. We are blessed to live in a county that is a safe place to live. This reflects the excellent law enforcement of the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Virginia State Police and the Wintergreen police department. This also reflects the overall attitude of residents who look out for each other.
Volunteer Fire Departments are responsible for most of the fire and rescue services. They have done an outstanding job. However, it is evident that many VFDs are not getting enough volunteers to maintain a secure and dependable service. Many rural counties in Virginia are transitioning to having paid firefighters and EMTs. I believe the county should at least explore this possibility as well as evaluate the current Fire and Rescue services.
Affordable housing is a serious problem. I hope that significant support can be found to enable affordable housing to be built and/or made available. At present, almost all the public school teachers cannot find or afford housing in Nelson County. This is but one example. I would recommend working more closely with the Nelson County Community Development Foundation, and other organizations that can help the county address the housing problem.
I will make myself available and periodically canvas different parts of the North District to listen to my neighbors. I will use email, Instagram and Facebook as communication vehicles. I plan on setting times and a place where people can come and share with me their hopes, hurts, and dreams.
Within my capacity on the Board, I expect to regularly hear from the County Administrator and the Director of Nelson County Social Services. I will also become more familiar with the other entities, like UVA Medical, who share responsibility for the safety and care of our children.
Very carefully. Every county needs an economic base and development. Business provides jobs and services to the residents. And we require a prospective business owner to build within county planning and zoning ordinances. Development should improve our life and not endanger it by destroying the natural environment for something that does not benefit people who live here.
