Opinion
A Very “Telling” Board of Supervisors Meeting
The May 20, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting was an eye-opener! Early in each BoS meeting, the Chairperson asks for updates from each Supervisor since the previous Board Meeting (about a 2-week time frame). Two of the 5 had “no report”; one of the 5 reported attending 3 events; and Mrs. Cullers, the South River District Supervisor, reported 16 (yes, 16!) events out in the county and elsewhere. To me, this indicates that she is very in touch with constituents, both county-wide and in neighboring jurisdictions, and cares deeply about what’s transpiring in a timely and important way.
Additionally, during the course of her remarks, she noted that she is the ONLY member of the current BoS who has completed “Certified Supervisors Training” through VACO. This training includes courses in Role of Leadership, Understanding Powers and Responsibility, Role of Community Planning, Role of Budgeting, Role of Policy, Deliberation, and Decision Making. It took 18 months to complete this certification.
So, my question is: Why is it not a stated “operational requirement” for EVERY member of the BoS (and other county Committee members) to complete this training within the first two years of being elected or appointed?
The answer, however, in my opinion, is in Mrs. Cullers’ continuing statements. She asked, “How do members [of the BoS] have the authority to change policy to meet your mission?” Additionally, she commented that “this shows a disregard to Policies and Procedures. This Board is dysfunctional and not working in the best interest of the entire community. This needs to stop because, clearly, you don’t care about the division of the community or the destruction you’re causing. There are so many issues we’re not dealing with and not solving”. See the BoS video beginning at the 12:00 mark. https://warrencountyva.new.swagit.com/videos/343421
The upcoming elections, especially in the Happy Creek and Fork Districts, are potentially the most important elections in Warren County’s history. In the June 17, 2025 election (and also by early voting), in the Republican Primary. I believe Tony Carter (Happy Creek District) and Hugh Henry (Fork District) are the two candidates best qualified to be true leaders. This is an “open primary”, so regardless of your political affiliation, request the “Republican Ballot”.
This election focuses primarily on saving our amazing, award-winning Samuels Library, which serves EVERYONE in Warren County. The data center issue, while certainly worth significant consideration (and hopefully defeat!) in the future, is being used to divert votes and attention away from the pro-library candidates. Here’s the 2025 Warren Co. VA voting information: https://warrencountyva.gov/589/Upcoming-Elections
Your vote matters!
Anne Earle
Warren County, VA
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