LynnRMitchell.com ... new posts daily

By Lynn R. Mitchell

This is an invitation to come over and visit us at LynnRMitchell.com. We are a group blog with regular contributors Kurt Michael who is our managing editor, David Karaffa who is on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Daniel Cortez who is a distinguished Vietnam veteran and award winning writer-broadcaster, and myself. I serve as executive editor and do much of the writing and photography.

We opened up shop in April 2014 and by year's end we had published over 900 posts from the four regular contributors and our 23 guest writers who covered a wide variety of issues.

I started my SWAC Girl blog in February 2006 -- almost nine years ago -- and have been writing on an almost daily basis since. However, I find myself posting less and less at this location since starting LynnRMitchell.com in 2014 so we would love to see everyone head on over and check us out where I still post everything from back roads to historical sites along with coverage of political issues from veteran politicos.

LynnRMitchell.com ... come on over and join us.

Happy Thanksgiving from LynnRMitchell.com

By Lynn R. Mitchell

 

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." -- Charles Dickens

The writers at LynnRMitchell.com -- Daniel Cortez, David Karaffa, Kurt Michael, and myself -- extend Thanksgiving greetings with gratitude to our readers for helping us become a successful statewide voice in the Virginia conservative blogosphere. We wish you a joyful day with family and friends as America pauses to give thanks for the blessings we all enjoy. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

LynnRMitchell.com endorsement: Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate

LynnRMitchell.com Editorial

LynnRMitchell.com enthusiastically endorses Republican candidate Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate 2014. His vision for the Commonwealth has re-energized Virginia’s citizens who have felt unrepresented by incumbent Mark Warner and, in the gridlock that is Washington politics, Mr. Gillespie brings fresh ideas with his proposed EG2 economic plan for Virginia. He is positive and optimistic, and has carried that upbeat attitude on the campaign trail with his belief that “the old normal is the new mediocre. We can do better.”  (continue reading here)

ICYMI: Weekend posts at LynnRMitchell.com

In case you were busy over the weekend, here are the posts you missed at LynnRMitchell.com:

Augusta County residents organize against pipeline by Supervisor David Karaffa

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) on Sherando Lake by Kurt Michael

Be careful of those you trust by Jerry Lester

Rose River Farm and Cabins in Madison County, Va. by Lynn R. Mitchell

Pick-your-own grapes at Blue River Farm Vineyard in Madison County, Va. by Lynn R. Mitchell

Foggy Ridge Cider in Southwestern Virginia by Lynn R. Mitchell

Saturday morning ... rainy, cool, rocking on the porch by Lynn R. Mitchell

Fauquier GOP sues RPV and 1st District over tossed-out election by Lynn R. Mitchell

Augusta County’s ‘Chapstick Girl’ has gone viral, Fox News calling

Ten-year-old Grace Karaffa’s common sense question asking why it is against Virginia’s Augusta County School Board rules to carry Chapstick to school has gone viral. Now Fox News has come calling.

Grace attended last week’s school board meeting armed with petitions.... (continue reading here)

Grace Karaffa, 10, petitions Augusta School Board to allow ChapStick in schools

Augusta County Supervisor David Karaffa, 30, had better watch his back. He has political competition from within the four walls of his own home. Karaffa’s ten-year-old daughter Grace petitioned the Augusta County School Board (Virginia) at their Thursday night meeting to have the school system’s ChapStick policy changed. ChapStick in Augusta County is categorized by the school system as a medication.... (continue reading here, photos)

Latest posts at LynnRMitchell.com

In case you missed it, here's what has been posted at LynnRMitchell.com the past few days. Grab a cup of coffee and come on by for some thought-provoking, informational, and entertaining moments from our political cartoonist and group of writers:

- Patriotism or Perversion? - by Wayne Ozmore. A military veteran's observation of an upside-down American flag flow by tea party leader.
- Red vs Blu: Bending the Rules - by Kurt Michael
- Linwood Cobb - by Lynn R. Mitchell
- Augusta supervisors prepare for staggered terms - by David Karaffa
- Staunton's Best Buy celebrates 20 years in business - by Andrea Oakes
- RVA: My hometown is growing up - by Lynn R. Mitchell
- Libertarian Chris Stearns takes on Republican Reid Nicholson in 3rd District chairman's race - By Lynn R. Mitchell
- George W wants Jeb to run - by Lynn R. Mitchell
- Riding with warriors - by Lynn R. Mitchell
- Leader Cantor statement on House Select Committee on Benghazi

New posts at LynnRMitchell.com ... come check us out!

It's been a busy morning at LynnRMitchell.com as contributors have published posts that we hope you will find informative and entertaining. Here's a sampling:

- Coming soon: Red vs Blu: Kurt Michael brings his new comic strip Red vs Blu to the blog. The characters are a take-off of the classic 1961 comic strip in Mad Magazine, Spy vs Spy: “The comic strip always featured two spies who are completely identical save for the fact that one is dressed in white and the other black. The pair are constantly warring with each other, using a variety of booby-traps to inflict harm on the other. The spies usually alternate between victory and defeat with each new strip.” Red vs Blu follows the same genre. Stay tuned as we prepare to follow their adventures.

- Andrea Oakes: Staunton's Best Buy celebrates 20 years in business: City Councilwoman Oakes recently joined Congressman Bob Goodlatte as they attended Best Buy Distribution Center's recognition of their 20 years as an employer in the city.

- David Karaffa: Augusta County supervisors will begin staggered terms: Supervisor Karaffa explains how staggered terms will work beginning in 2015.

- Eric Cantor: U.S. House schedule for April 30, 2014: What's going on in Congress today? Here's the schedule for the House of Representatives.

Pop on over and check out these and more as the day goes on. We've got the coffee pot brewing and keyboards are clicking ... stop by and sit a spell at LynnRMitchell.com.

Karaffa: Augusta County's Mill Place Commerce Park in Verona

By David Karaffa
Supervisor, Beverley Manor District, Augusta County

The Mill Place Commerce Park in Verona, is Augusta County’s industrial park and is in the Beverley Manor District. One of my campaign promises when running for the Board of Supervisors was to work toward filling Mill Place with new business. Since taking office, the park has seen a lot of activity and growth.

In March of 2013, Shamrock Farms out of Phoenix, AZ, decided to invest $50 million in a state of the art dairy. Once completed it will employ 60 people in a 130,000-square foot facility. It was a year-long process for Augusta County as we competed against locations up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States. Shamrock complements the valley with our culture and sense of community along with utilizing local materials and local source milk.

In June of 2013, Dascom Printing announced their purchase and investment in Mill Place. Their 23,000-square foot facility will add another 15-20 jobs in the printing industry with excitement about expanding into other technologies.

In 2014, private investment started moving dirt for more office space in Mill Place because the first building was filled. I am excited to see both small and large business coming together in the park.

Lastly, a yet-to-be-named business is poised for their announced coming to Mill Place and we will be happy to announce who they are once everything has been settled.

In all, Mill Place Commerce Park is on the move and doesn’t look to be slowing down. Augusta County and the Board of Supervisors are always introducing and touring the park with visitors and look forward to continued success.

You can learn more about Mill Place by clicking here or about Augusta County Economic Development Office by clicking here.
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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife, Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in Verona at (540) 245-5600.

Karaffa: Augusta County's real estate assessment

By Supervisor David Karaffa
Beverley Manor District
Augusta County Board of Supervisors

Augusta County, like all counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia, must conduct an assessment of all real estate. According to the Code of Virginia this must be done every four years for a county of our size. However, Augusta County has a special provision in the code that allows for us to assess every fifth or sixth year if the Board of Supervisors desire.

Most folks in Augusta will remember the reassessment of 2009. Some didn’t mind the assessment. Many did, so much so that it became a part of my campaign when I ran for supervisor. I told folks that I would engage in the reassessment and work to get a new one off the ground as soon as possible. That is exactly what the new board did when we took office in January 2012.

That first month that the new Augusta County Board of Supervisors was seated, we voted to begin the reassessment process and put together the reassessment committee. I was one of the supervisors selected. As a committee we were responsible to select the next company that would conduct the county assessment.

The committee met for the first time in February of 2012 and a request for bids was sent out. In March of 2012 bids were submitted by companies across the Commonwealth and interviews took place later that month. Some options were good, others not so much. In April of 2012 the committee decided on Wingate & Associates of Roanoke to perform the reassessment of Augusta County. (Click here for the Frequently Asked Questions that the Board responded to about the new assessment.)

Wingate & Associates went to work immediately setting up an office inside the Government Center with space for meetings and files. Field work began on July 1, 2012, and finished up in August of 2013 (11 months). Then the company went to work with their calculations and verification.

The process would take more than a year to complete.

As a member of the reassessment committee, we had monthly meetings that kept us up to date with their overall progress and they were able to demonstrate their process for evaluating and setting a value to property. We discussed property types and county ordinances that would affect property. We discussed federally owned land, state owned land, county owned land, non profit land (schools, hospitals, churches, etc). We as supervisors also asked about random properties to evaluate the company’s process and procedure. This all went very well. The company also gave a number of updates to the entire Board of Supervisors during their work and met individually with supervisors to discuss and explain what the real estate market was doing in their districts. I found this information extremely helpful.

The total reassessment process wrapped up in November of 2013 (16 months in total). The new real estate assessments were compiled and submitted to the county (the Land Book) and on January 1, 2014, they became the official values of real estate for taxation in Augusta County.

We are currently going through the Board of Equalization process. This process is set forth in the Code of Virginia to allow for property owners to appeal the value placed on their property by Wingate & Associates. If you have any questions about your assessment you should contact the Government Center at (540) 245-5600 and ask to speak with the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office.

I hope this post has shed light on the issue of reassessment and what the current Board of Supervisors did in response. I am proud to have been on the reassessment committee that selected Wingate & Associates and am satisfied with the work they performed. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife, Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in Verona at (540) 245-5600.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell 

Karaffa: Technology in our schools

By Supervisor David Karaffa
Augusta County

The desire for computers in the classrooms of the Augusta County Public School system is a significant discussion this budget season. The issue points are cost, maintenance, integration, and impact on our children’s education.

This school year (2013-2014), a pilot program was started in Stuart Middle School (SMS) with Apple MacBook Air laptops networked with Apple TVs mounted in the classroom. I had the opportunity to visit SMS, meet the students, speak with teachers, and see first hand how the technology has been integrated into their classrooms. What I witnessed was an overall positive in the classroom. However, let's review the topics of debate over this issue.

The Augusta County Board of Supervisors has agreed to fund the school system with $1 million per year for three years to implement a technology program in our public schools. This will involve the continuation of the technology in Stuart Middle School along with all of the other middle schools, and Fort Defiance High school next year. The second year will see the integration in all the high schools across the county. In the third year, elementary schools will be brought online with the computers. The $3 million is coming from the sale of Ladd Elementary school; therefore, it will not impact the taxpayers in the initial three-year roll out.

It's important to understand that it isn’t just the laptops that need upkeep, but also the wired/wireless system and other components that make the system work that will need upkeep and replacement as they age or become obsolete. Each school will have its challenges and the School Board will need to start planning and putting money away for replacement of these components in their budgets now in order to keep up. That would mean hundreds of thousands per year that needs to be put away. This will be a new expense.

In order for the technologies impact to be significant, teachers will need to be assisted and coached on how to use the technology in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for each student. As a county, we need to be able to see and measure the positive impact this technology is having. Most notably, through SOLs, SAT, and other current measures of student performance.

The debate points are as numerous as the opinions on whether technology in the classroom actually helps education. The argument has been made that a perfectly good education can still be had with a knowledgeable teacher and a chalkboard. However, it is too basic to be practically applied in today’s world and in our current public school system. It is important to face a few realities. Discipline, special needs students, and the constantly evolving digital world have a real affect on public school.

Other learning institutions are able to be picky about which children they accept and teach but public schools cannot. An individual computer for each student in the classroom allows for students to learn at their own pace. It enables a student who understands a subject material to accelerate ahead of the rest of the class and allows for other students who are still struggling to be given more guidance by the classroom teacher. I saw this in practice at Stuart Middle School during my visit. It is important to point out that since the computers have been put in place discipline issues have gone down, according to SMS’s principal.

Technology also aids in educating special needs students. Currently, Augusta County has over 700 special needs students. Some computer programs have been specially made to offer assistance to teachers who are educating these young people. They offer different avenues or approaches to these students' different needs.

Lastly, technology is here to stay, and as much exposure we can give young people to it as possible will help with their ability to assimilate into our digital culture. And while many of our young people do get an adequate exposure to this technology at home, it is not uniform or consistent. Having this technology in a controlled atmosphere will give that experience of uniformity and consistency along with accomplishing the task of enhancing our students' education and exposure to technology.

In my opinion, this technology should be cautiously embraced in our public school system. Computers shouldn’t just replace paper and pen and technology shouldn’t replace a teacher -- to do so would be inappropriate. We need to make sure that teachers are trained to use the technology to their fullest and that they are used to enhance our children’s education. That administration shouldn’t let the computers just sit in the corner of the classroom with their screens dark. The three-year roll out will allow for the teachers to be trained and administration to measure the usefulness of the technology before another group of our kids are exposed to it.
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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife, Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in Verona at (540) 245-5600.  

Karaffa: Augusta County budget 2014

By Supervisor David Karaffa
Beverley Manor District of Augusta County

The Augusta County Budget this year is extremely challenging. As a county we face a General Assembly that is unable to pass a budget to fund their share of our core services such as schools and emergency services, an increased demand on Fire and Rescue in terms of manpower and equipment, an on-going need for more Sheriff’s Deputies, and an ever increasing need for public school funds. On top of those items are hundreds of other increasing expenses which are significantly driving up the cost of running this great county for our residents.

The General Assembly
The General Assembly is wrestling with the idea of Medicaid Expansion and whether or not it is the right thing for the Commonwealth. I have my own thoughts on this issue, but they are beside the point. I have sent a letter to the Governor, adding to a chorus of local representatives across Virginia, asking for the Governor to separate the issue of Medicaid from the budget. Richmond needs to pass a budget so that counties and cities can be prepared for the next fiscal year that starts July 1st. Without that budget in place the government shuts down. This would be catastrophic for emergency services that have paid staff across Virginia. Hopefully, the General Assembly will come together next week and pass a budget so that we can continue to serve and protect our citizens.

Fire and Rescue
Fire and Rescue services are in a constant state of change. Across the United States safety and insurance regulations have gotten so tough that it is strangling the ability for someone to become a volunteer. It takes one year of training in order to prepare a firefighter or rescue worker for service. While the intentions of the regulations are to have a safe and well trained crew, it is taking its toll on those who are willing to commit. This has caused an overall decrease in our volunteer force in Augusta and has forced the county to invest in a large career staff to maintain the fire and rescue service. This year the Board of Supervisors has approved for an additional four career staff to be hired.

Fire and Rescue equipment costs are always on the rise. Any piece of fire apparatus that needs to be purchased is discussed in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and sometimes a million. Due to regulations, most of the fire engines can only stay in service for a certain number of years regardless of their condition, therefore causing a need to replace well operating equipment. This year we are having to put more money aside to prepare for purchasing a new ladder truck which will cost just over $1 million. In addition to apparatus, we have a county-wide radio system that has been federally mandated to be replaced. This mandate alone will cost our county $4.5 million.

Law enforcement
Augusta County is spread thin with Sheriff’s Deputies. It has been difficult for them to be everywhere they are needed; however, they have done a fine job. I commend the Sheriff for his efforts in making sure that Augusta County citizens are safe. In consultation with the Sheriff, it is pertinent to hire four additional deputies. These additional deputies will be front line personnel that will be on the streets and in our schools.

Public schools
“Augusta County Public Schools need additional funds.” That is what the Augusta County School Board is telling us with their proposed budget where they have cited a shortage of $4 million. They have a plan for saving Verona Elementary, funding technology in the classroom for all county schools, and for raising teacher salaries in order to continue to attract good teachers. I believe these are all laudable goals. I very much support Verona Elementary school and understand what it means to have it in the community so I will continue to fight to keep it open. This year’s budget will allow $1 million per year for new technology, three percent increase in teacher’s salaries, funding to keep Verona open and operating along with necessary repairs, and further fund elementary art and the middle school band. Overall, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors will be funding four million additional dollars to the public schools.

Proposed tax increase
There are other costs that are going up dramatically, not only for the county government, but also for all of our residents. Healthcare insurance premiums are mushrooming in cost. This year alone will see a 19 percent increase in insurance premiums that the county government and public schools will have to pay for their employees. Combined, this increase is over $2 million in local funds. This is just one example of how the cost of doing business is skyrocketing.

It is for these reasons that it is prudent to consider raising real estate taxes in Augusta County. Our current rate is $0.51 for every $100 of assessed value for a home. The proposed budget and tax rate would go up to $0.56, which would mean about $75.00 annually for a house that is worth $150,000. That means my mortgage will go up $6.50 per month.

Public hearing
I hope that this article has been helpful for you to understand the decisions that face the Board of Supervisors and what we are up against. Please know that what has been written here represents my view alone and is in no way represents the entire board.

If you wish to attend, the Public Hearing on the County Budget will be held on April 9, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.

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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife, Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in Verona (540) 245-5600. 

Karaffa: Augusta County supervisors will begin staggered terms

Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa 

By Supervisor David Karaffa
Beverley Manor District

Voters always wonder if someone who has been elected has lived up to their campaign promises. When I ran for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, one of my campaign promises was to push for and support changing the way we elect our local board.

Traditionally, the board was elected all at once every four years. That is seven districts all going to the polls every four years to elect seven representatives to the board.

I didn’t believe this was a good system for electing representatives because it left open the possibility of electing a completely new board all at once, wiping out any institutional memory from the board. Now that I am on the board and have had daily dealings with past issues, I am even more convinced that this was a vulnerability for the board and the county.

Additionally, electing the whole board every four years meant that the public couldn’t have any direct control over the board except for every four years at election time. I believe that is too long for the public to be disconnected from the board in terms of election.

During my first year on the Board of Supervisors, I voted to institute staggered terms, as allowed by state law, for our board. That change passed and three board members, including myself, volunteered to start the process at our next election.

That means that in 2015, when all of the county goes to the polls to elect representatives from their districts, three districts, mine included, will have supervisors running for a two year term. The other four supervisors will be running for four year terms.

In 2017, the three members who ran for two year terms will be up for election. Those who prevail will serve a four year term, thereby beginning the new tradition of staggered term elections for our Board of Supervisors.

This change will allow the citizens of Augusta to make their voices heard through elections every two years, will maintain institutional memory for each board from now on, and will begin the staggered term process for the Augusta County School Board, as well.

I am very proud that, with the support of the current board, we were able to bring this very important change to the Board of Supervisors and School Board in Augusta County.

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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife, Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in Verona (540) 245-5600. 


Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Faces at Wednesday's Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting

 Newly sworn-in South River Supervisor Carolyn Bragg and Augusta Clerk of Court John B. Davis at the Augusta County board of supervisors meeting on March 12, 2014. (See post about Carolyn Bragg's appointment here.)

 Frank Deckert (left) and Supervisor David Karaffa (Beverley Manor District). Frank and I serve together on the Augusta County Library Board where he serves as vice chairman.

 David Karaffa and Dennis Burnett (Shenandoah Valley Partnership).

 David, Dennis, and Supervisor Larry Wills (Middle River District).

The board discussed the school board's proposed closing of Verona Elementary School.

Library Board vice chairman Frank Deckert gave the annual report.

Library Director Diantha McCauley (to the right of Frank).

Dennis Burnett talking about jobs and economic development, something I could listen to all day long. What a dream job ... promoting the Shenandoah Valley.

 The formerly all-male board now has a lady representative. Supervisor Bragg was appointed to an interim position until November in the seat left open with the death in February of David Beyeler.

Links to the meeting:
- Political reporter Bob Stuart: Draft businesswoman selected as interim supervisor
- Political reporter Bob Stuart: Shenandoah Valley Partnership head offers report
- Reporter Calvin Trice: Live blogging Augusta supervisor meeting

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
March 12, 2014

Augusta County: 3-cent real estate tax increase passed by supervisors

 It was a full house at Wednesday's Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting.

 Supervisor David Karaffa (I-Beverley Manor) talked with Beverley Manor school board member Lee Godfrey before the meeting.

 Nick Collins, chairman of the school board, signed up to speak.

School Superintendent Chuck Bishop addressed the board.

Speakers lined up to address the board.

Augusta County supervisors faced a packed room of 250-300 people Wednesday night when they voted to raise the real estate tax rate by three cents, a compromise from the previously-discussed five cents.

Out of 41 speakers who addressed the board, 39 spoke in favor of the tax increase and two spoke against during the "matters to be presented by the public" session that ran for almost two hours even though an advertised public hearing had been held the week before. That meeting was attended by over 400 people, most in favor of the tax increase.

In a surprise move, Supervisor Mike Shull made a motion for a 3-cent raise in the tax rate. The Republicans on the board voted for it: Jeff Moore, David Beyeler, Mike Shull, and Larry Wills. The Independent supervisors voted against it: Tracy Pyles, David Karaffa, and Marshall Pattie.

Teachers and school employees organized to attend meetings for two months to ask for the tax increase that they said would ease the crunched school budget.

Tea party advocates had spoken out against the increase, sticking to a no-tax policy.

Interesting in this is the fact that the tea party did not support the independent candidates when they ran in 2011 but, instead, threw their support behind the Republicans. What a difference two years makes. Those tea party people are now backing the very candidates they worked against during the 2011 campaign, and they appear to have turned on the Republicans. However, school advocates that included teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers, showed up in record numbers.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 24, 2013

Monday: Supervisor Karaffa to offer townhall meeting

Interested in Augusta County's budget? Augusta County Supervisor David Karaffa (Beverley Manor District) will hold a townhall meeting for constituents interested in learning more about the issue:

Monday, April 15
7:00 p.m. at Augusta Government Center in the Smith West Room

Supervisor Karaffa has remained true to his campaign promise by staying in touch with his constituents since taking office in January 2012. The latest townhall meeting will provide another opportunity to ask questions and offer input.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Augusta public hearing tonight ... do we need to raise taxes?

A public hearing will be held at 7:00 tonight by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors as they consider the idea of raising taxes to balance the budget.

A financial tsumani is hitting Virginia's cities and counties and, since many citizens are also attempting to make ends meet in their personal lives, all sides are dealing with the question of how to handle this issue that has faced multiple localities in the Commonwealth.

As local elected officials struggle with budget shortfalls in these financially turbulent times, one has to wonder how many citizens, angry at the though of raising local taxes, have talked with their state representatives about the unfunded mandates that are breaking the backs of localities throughout Virginia?

In the SWAC area that would be Sen. Emmett Hanger, Sen. Mark Obenshain, Del. Steve Landes, Del. Ben Cline, Del. Dickie Bell, and Del. Tony Wilt (see their contact info below).

Augusta supervisors voted 5-2 to hold the public hearing on a proposal to add a 3-cent increase to the real estate tax and a 32-cent hike on the personal property tax rate for vehicles. Supervisors David Beyeler, Jeff Moore, Larry Wills, Mike Shull, and David Karaffa voted to consider the idea while Tracy Pyles and Marshall Pattie voiced their preference to use money from the county's capital account -- savings -- a reasonable alternate plan but since it involved recurring costs, other supervisors were concerned about dipping into those savings.

The proposal to raise taxes is driven by needs that include more firefighters, sheriff's deputies, and school costs -- the core services that are the responsibility of local governments.

The three SWAC localities -- Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County -- continue to wrestle with budget shortfalls even after years of spending cuts. Public schools and local governments have been in the headlines for months, laying off employees, making additional cuts, putting off building repairs, and searching for even more ways to save. Local school teachers have gone four years without pay raises, and school buildings have put needed basic repairs and technology updates on hold.

The Augusta County School Board voted in December to close an elementary school, and has threatened to close two others. The superintendent even floated the idea of closing Shenandoah Valley Governor's School because of budget cuts, news that brought out hundreds of teachers, parents, and students in protest at a supervisor meeting and resulted in that idea being back-burnered. In the process, however, a group called Support Our Schools (SOS) was born and an online petition garnered over 1,000 signatures in a the first few days and SOS yard signs popped up all over the county.

Unfunded mandates from state representatives have had deep repercussions at the local level including state legislators' voting to pass along Virginia Retirement System costs, as noted by the News Advance:

One of the biggest burdens Richmond has foisted on local government entities ­— city councils, boards of supervisors and school boards — is the recapitalization of the Virginia Retirement System. And it’s close to becoming the straw that breaks the backs of local governments and local taxpayers. [emphasis added]

More than twenty localities throughout the Commonwealth have either proposed or already enacted tax increases to meet the demands of running their communities, including Bath, Rockingham, Fluvanna, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Lynchburg, Hampton, Fredericksburg, Lexington, Petersburg, Williamsburg, Bristol, Shenandoah, Orange, Staunton, Accomack, Gloucester, Poquoson, York, Washington, and Albemarle.

As a low-tax person who believes in cutting costs to make ends meet, what has caught my attention in the local struggle is listening to those who are just as fiscally conservative -- elected folks who feel the pain of their constituents when they have to raise taxes. They have engaged in thoughtful discussions to find solutions but have often been met with an unmovable wall of discontent from those who have declared "no new taxes," no matter what the circumstances.

Are people listening when local leaders say they have cut as much as they can? Rockingham County supervisors held a public hearing last week about the necessity of raising taxes. Only one person spoke up against a tax increase; the others understood the need to fund core services such as fire and emergency, schools, and infrastructure. Fluvanna County supervisors under Chairman Shaun Kenney, a strong financial conservative, also held a public hearing last week about the necessity of raising taxes. The anti-tax people turned out to protest.

Tonight's public hearing may come down to a clash of retired citizens on fixed incomes versus younger members of the community who are holding down jobs and raising children.

So what is the answer? The bills are due. The budget has been studied, cuts have been made, and still there's a deficit. Should local elected leaders ignore their responsibility and kick the can down the road for the next group of supervisors and council members?

If you're going:
What: Augusta County public hearing on proposed tax increases
When: Tonight, April 18, 2012
Time: 7:00
Place: Augusta County Government Center, Verona

Contact info for local state representatives to ask that they stop passing along unfunded mandates to localities:

Delegate Dickie Bell
DelDBell@house.virginia.gov
(540) 332-3998

Delegate Steve Landes
DelSLandes@house.virginia.gov
(540) 245-5540

Delegate Tony Wilt
DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov
(540) 437-1450

Delegate Todd Gilbert
DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov
(540) 459-7550

Delegate Ben Cline
DelBCline@house.virginia.gov
(434) 946-9908

Senator Mark Obenshain
district26@senate.virginia.gov
(540) 437-1451

Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
district24@senate.virginia.gov
(540) 885-6898

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Augusta Supervisor David Karaffa holds town hall to explain budget issues

Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa talks with attendees before meeting.

"I'm a fiscal conservative," Augusta County Supervisor David Karaffa noted at Tuesday night's Beverley Manor town hall meeting in Verona. "The last thing I want to do is raise taxes."

Speaking at the Verona Fire Department, Karaffa went into detail about his reasons for voting with four other supervisors -- David Beyeler, Larry Wills, Jeff Moore, and Michael Shull -- to hold a public hearing on April 18 to consider raising the tax rate.

With serious budget shortfalls and unfunded mandates from the General Assembly, Augusta County has found itself in the same difficult position as other localities around the Commonwealth as they try to provide revenue for school needs as well as core services such as additional deputies and firefighters. With bills coming due after years of low taxes, fiscally conservative leaders such as Karaffa and supervisor Chairman Shaun Kenney in nearby Fluvanna County have found themselves in the unusual and uncomfortable position of having to consider higher taxes.

While Augusta is looking at raising taxes on real estate and vehicles, Fluvanna is holding a public hearing to consider a 20 percent tax hike, showing that being fiscally conservative doesn't mean being blind to fiscal concerns. Charlottesville's Waldo Jaquith explained it this way:

Fluvanna’s got an interesting tax situation, Bryan McKenzie wrote in yesterday’s Daily Progress. The county’s Board of Supervisors has long been dominated by conservatives, and has steadily lowered taxes relative to expenses as election after election has put in office people who promise to lower taxes. As a result, the county has put off some financial problems for years now, leaving them in a terrible financial situation, without enough money to pay their basic expenses.

He added:

Perhaps the most vocal supporter of this tax increase is the chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Shaun Kenney, who is as conservative a Republican as you’re liable to find. (Disclaimer: He’s an old friend of mine.) Kenney is advocating what he regards as the real fiscally conservative solution: getting the county’s financial house in order, rather than going into further debt and leaving the problem for some future Board of Supervisors to deal with.

Indeed.

The Staunton News Leader has written in the past that a tax increase was necessary in Augusta County, and its latest editorial agreed with the five supervisors:

No one wants to see their taxes go up. But at the same time we want to have ample law enforcement, quick, efficient fire service and the best schools in the land. This is a situation where you cannot have your cake and eat it too and for Augusta County residents, it seems the time has come to pay a bit more in taxes in order to maintain a sufficient level of services.

At 48 cents per $100 of assessed value, Augusta County is next-to-lowest in real estate tax rates in Virginia followed only by Highland County.

Reporter Bob Stuart at the Waynesboro News Virginian attended the town hall meeting and talked afterward with Karaffa:

After 90 minutes of answering questions Tuesday night, Karaffa said he is still weighing a potential 3-cent increase in real estate taxes, and a 32-cent increase in personal property taxes on cars and trucks.

“I need to think about what is in the best interest of the people I represent," he said. Karaffa said he would like to see added cuts in the 2012-13 budget.

The suggested alternative to a tax increase concerns Karaffa.

He has doubts about dipping into capital accounts the county has for major building projects, depreciation and infrastructure needs to fund another $2.4 million for county schools and about $1 million for added firefighters, Sheriff’s deputies and other spending identified at recent budget work sessions.

Perhaps members of the community are coming to realize a tax increase is inevitable if they want to enjoy high quality schools, public safety, and emergency services.  Reporter Calvin Trice at the Staunton News Leader noted:

Judging by the turnout, hardly anyone needed convincing — at least not enough to come out to the community meeting Karaffa held inside the Verona Fire Department.

The county's public hearing will be held at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m.

Reporter Bob Stuart talks with David Karaffa Tuesday night.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
10 April 2012

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Tuesday: Town hall meeting with Augusta Supervisor David Karaffa

Supervisor David Karaffa (Beverley Manor) has announced he will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Verona Fire Department on Rt. 11. He will talk with voters about the upcoming budget, the current needs of the county and district, the general reassessment, and other topics, and will be joined by Lee Godfrey, Beverley Manor School Board member, who will have input on schools.

On Wednesday, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 during a work session to set up a hearing for public input about the possibility of raising taxes to meet budget shortfalls. The proposal would add a 3-cent increase on the real estate tax rate and a 32-cent hike on the personal property tax rate for vehicles.

Chairman Tracy Pyles (Pastures) and Supervisor Marshall Pattie (North River) were the two "no" votes, preferring to use money from the county's savings to cover shortfalls. Because it is a recurring cost, the other supervisors felt they needed to look at the possibility of a tax increase.

With a need for more sheriff's deputies and firefighters, salary increases for teachers who have not received raises in three years, and meeting the Virginia Retirement System contribution mandated by the General Assembly, supervisors have explored various options to make ends meet. For most, a tax increase is a last resort.

For more information about Wednesday's work session, check out:
- Waynesboro News Virginian article by Bob Stuart 
- Staunton News Leader article by Calvin Trice
- NBC-29 report by Ken Slack

If you're going:

WHAT: Town Hall meeting
DATE: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Verona Fire Department, Rt. 11

Augusta Supervisor David Karaffa to hold town hall meeting April 10

Supervisor David Karaffa (Beverley Manor) has announced he will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Verona Fire Department on Rt. 11. He will talk with voters about the upcoming budget, the current needs of the county and district, the general reassessment, and other topics, and will be joined by Lee Godfrey, Beverley Manor School Board member, who will have input on schools.

On Wednesday, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 during a work session to set up a hearing for public input about the possibility of raising taxes to meet budget shortfalls. The proposal would add a 3-cent increase on the real estate tax rate and a 32-cent hike on the personal property tax rate for vehicles.

Chairman Tracy Pyles (Pastures) and Supervisor Marshall Pattie (North River) were the two "no" votes, preferring to use money from the county's savings to cover shortfalls. Because it is a recurring cost, the other supervisors felt they needed to look at the possibility of a tax increase.

With a need for more sheriff's deputies and firefighters, salary increases for teachers who have not received raises in three years, and meeting the Virginia Retirement System contribution mandated by the General Assembly, supervisors have explored various options to make ends meet. For most, a tax increase is a last resort.

For more information about Wednesday's work session, check out:
- Waynesboro News Virginian article by Bob Stuart 
- Staunton News Leader article by Calvin Trice
- NBC-29 report by Ken Slack

If you're going to David Karaffa's town hall meeting:

WHAT: Town Hall meeting
DATE: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Verona Fire Department, Rt. 11