Transparency News, 3/9/2023

Thursday
March 9, 2023

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Contact us at vcog@opengovva.org

state & local news stories

VCOG's annual conference
FOI Day -- March 16
Charlottesville
Info and registration here

The Spotsylvania School Board will hold a special meeting on Thursday after canceling Monday’s regular meeting. The posted agenda for the special meeting is identical to the agenda for Monday’s meeting, except there will be no public or board member comments. Two board members, Dawn Shelley and Nicole Cole, have requested multiple times that Chair Lisa Phelps add public comments back to the agenda. According to School Board policy BDDC, any member of the school board “shall” submit items for inclusion on a proposed agenda to the chair. Three members of the public also emailed Phelps, copying The Free Lance–Star, to request that public comments be added to the agenda for Thursday’s meeting.
The Free Lance-Star

An assault and battery charge filed by Rocky Mount property owner Phillip Bane against Assistant Town Manager Mark Moore was dismissed in Franklin County General District Court on Wednesday. Bane alleged that Moore assaulted him in the parking lot of the town office on May 9. Video has shown that Bane was confronting Town Manager Robert Wood as he was attempting to leave in his car. Jim Daniel, the attorney representing Moore, stated that Moore’s intention was to diffuse the situation between Bane and Wood by getting in between them. He said the incident stemmed from the a ruling from the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals concerning property in downtown. Judge A.J. Dudley had to request that members of the audience refrain from improper communication after Daniel alleged that Rocky Mount business owner Bryan Hochstein had held up a clipboard with information to Bane during the hearing.
Martinsville Bulletin

A Chesterfield family is finally getting some answers, nearly a month after their son died three days after suffering a medical emergency at Providence Middle School. The Nolasco family recently viewed security camera footage detailing what happened in the cafeteria that day when their 13-year-old son, Josue, choked on a meatball sandwich. Due to FERPA requirements, CBS 6 cannot independently obtain the security camera footage as it relates to educational matters and the privacy and health of students. CBS 6 reached out to the school system for more information on the matter but did not receive a response.
WTVR

The abrupt departure of Patrick County’s Administrator came at the same time it was discovered that her signature was on the approval of a solar project that may not have passed through the proper channels.  Geri Hazelwood resigned suddenly on Monday, March 6, but giving an effective date of resignation as Wednesday, March 1. Hazelwood could not be reached for comment, and a previous phone number for her had been disconnected. Typically matters involving land use would be handled through the building official’s office, with the Planning Commission’s knowledge and ultimately the Board of Supervisor’s approval.
Martinsville Bulletin

Shenandoah County District 3 Supervisor Brad Pollack implied at the Board of Supervisors’ budget work session on Monday that law enforcement officers are similar to British Army “Redcoats” who fought American patriots in the Revolutionary War. Shortly afterward, Pollack and Sheriff Tim Carter, both of whom are Republicans, exchanged heated words and insults. “You walk in here, Brad, … Do you do this to other constitutional officers?” Carter asked. Pollack leaned up in his chair, pointed at the sheriff and barked, “Hold on here! I’m asking the questions here!” “Whoa whoa whoa, c’mon, you guys,” Board Chairman Karl Roulston said. “I know the answer to that, and the answer is ‘no,’” Carter replied. “This is political for you, Brad, that’s all this is. You’re the most unethical person that I’ve ever met, period.” “And I feel the same way” about you, Pollack said. “Can I get a school resource officer in here, please?” Roulston asked. “There’s a little bit of childishness going on here.”
The Northern Virginia Daily