[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537931,"mediaKeyId","3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5","parentId",3410804,"title","County says coordinated demolitions removed blight on Main Street in Old Madison; more properties planned","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",1502000,"endMs",1640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5&start=1502&end=1640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5/thumbnail_1502000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537931/Amherst-County/Virginia/County-says-coordinated-demolitions-removed-blight-on-Main-Street-in-Old-Madison-more-properties-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537931-1f09e8d66f734ddab5638ba20703d0de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775210283&Signature=NvMpnz9F8zJafp7PlKizcWPP974TAsKTWep0j5hSpUqpqyR5FrtHBibP1YItC66QPfdXDXLX8MG--N-FSxwEvKBtvm324DxTj18AdW51TgJv9tCey056F37ZmQLR-9fLrHyRDrSNOYU~d1QIRRGgugMd3ZCRJOQUd3rUJkc7kFajePCqJdmx7HGojW4XV6v5lPqA6ubE~C7O969t0enFhL3o6U6B49xxk6nCIpI8JNdLycxm0yz25m15KnQjt60VKRCY0evUzH19Lu3js7MFW0dvaetUCbxXRABn7nn7P69rY0oK5Yzt8qU-4sBupLw08OnNfTLkLvH-uQd~q0xBjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","County of Amherst","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","County staff and the sheriff told the Amherst County Board of Supervisors that coordinated demolitions last week cleared long-blighted properties on Main Street in Old Madison and additional properties on Fourth Street, and that more demolitions are planned pending paperwork.

A county staff speaker said public-works crews, the inmate workforce, the water department and Appalachian Power worked together on multiple mornings to remove blighted structures. The staffer said the project had visible impact and that one property owner asked for additional time on a third property after seeing the work done on the earlier sites.

The sheriff and supervisors praised the work. \"Removing those removes blighted conditions, and, you know, reduces crime,\" a supervisor said in supporting the effort. Supervisors noted one property where a person who had been squatting returned to find the house demolished.

Staff said paperwork for additional demolitions is underway and those properties will be addressed when the paperwork is complete. No formal vote was taken; the board expressed appreciation for the coordination among departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 20, 2025 Amherst County Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County staff and the sheriff described recent coordinated demolitions in Old Madison and on Fourth Street, citing public-works crews and inmate workforce involvement; supervisors praised the interdepartmental effort and said more demolitions are pending.","taxTitle","Amherst County, Virginia","taxId",30502,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537934,"Lieutenant governor nominee John Reid visits Amherst County, urges local control over siting decisions",192,876000,1068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5&start=876&end=1068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6537934/Amherst-County/Virginia/Lieutenant-governor-nominee-John-Reid-visits-Amherst-County-urges-local-control-over-siting-decisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537934-d34911de98fd8187c627a17bc4d94e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1775210283&Signature=oOWGTaU8s67SYNJwM0dlW55r5815OTNEhN9B7BcFi4iVz65882dJZy2JdLfbOxtu~JimvYY~dILQUafuB8n9h-09~SQVYY6kCZp-J2twgxr3OdQc1fCEUw9B8B1jHNy9qJmXfkupxoJjkTYVmf07I1KzgIM69-0TOGWvzDOCuPBB8ieDJ6sEgES0-jmBEw2MNtzut4YOn8NAQhOg5Livqn08c5h21W2x-VlW6--Vb9AmFRFfe4iNH-Nxqk8mk1pnK~-DGeRy6mKuk6AQxqOXegaI6f3elhGf~V~M1jxZnVTCuD9itzFadTp53QIvCpKuWkld3q154RE54q0gtE3jNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Reid, a nominee for lieutenant governor, addressed the Amherst County Board of Supervisors at a regular meeting and urged local autonomy on siting and regulatory decisions, including data centers.

Introduced by the board after an agenda amendment, Reid said he has heard from local officials across the state who are concerned about directives from Richmond. \"I think that the best government is closest to the citizens,\" Reid said. He told the board he favors deferring to localities so residents can hold their elected officials accountable for decisions about land use and other local matters.

Reid said data centers can be a source of jobs and revenue but that localities should decide whether to accept them. He described his approach as shaped by experience traveling the state and by his family's long involvement in Virginia politics.

Board members thanked Reid, asked him to stay in touch and noted they would hold him to the commitments he discussed if he is elected. Reid told the supervisors he planned to remain in contact and help where he could if elected.

No formal action or vote followed the remarks; the appearance was accommodated by an earlier amendment to the agenda to allow a candidate to speak.","John Reid, a lieutenant governor nominee, told Amherst County supervisors he supports local decision-making on issues such as data centers and said he would defer to localities rather than impose directives from the state capital.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537938,"Supervisors direct planning commission to draft battery-storage ordinances, ask county attorney and EDA to review",158,1307000,1465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5&start=1307&end=1465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5/thumbnail_1307000.jpg","/articles/6537938/Amherst-County/Virginia/Supervisors-direct-planning-commission-to-draft-battery-storage-ordinances-ask-county-attorney-and-EDA-to-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537938-54b7084d34e6e932a168841ee62a91d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775210283&Signature=mu~3oqpYiRsPy6pcLMdplFyODDeb0ouEWt25-lHfG5HOT0C1oCWTbXxnXeu3x49gMIL4I66W9DNy2zOrtFNshVhRdmkZd9S-X2VtHs0QMCH~MKfAIW0OyCooHGmzZy3NvW3Ss1GvtZCYEYs6ctIc7esd6-G8PNHVYr8UOQBDlUeLJtPMWQ3Tn0aX~oAdGbHv6RDiUj-8lOJ0aZ0iHREq0uDRsI5PjnGSGupNqslM7UrZ7d4IRJgTgtddz12A~Ym3dv7m4720CrY9WjR9keK9pWK4wtA86x9Sn9xzVrYXG1YiUAwAVZqKwhCifGWJloxrZ4E6jWkuO2FqWsucpxKjZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to direct the county's planning commission to begin drafting ordinances and siting rules for battery storage projects, and supervisors asked staff and the county attorney to examine revenue-sharing and siting agreements.

Supervisor Adams moved to send the initiative to the planning commission after a recent joint meeting with the planning commission and the Economic Development Authority. Mr. Adams said he wanted the planning commission to start work on county ordinances for battery storage areas. \"I would like to put it before the board tonight to actually . . . place it in the hands of the planning commission to start working on the battery storage area, area ordinances that we discussed collectively a couple weeks ago,\" Adams said.

Mr. Martin offered a friendly amendment asking that the county attorney review siting agreements, revenue-sharing and incentives so the county had a complete package rather than piecemeal policies. The motion as amended also solicited input from the Economic Development Authority on incentives and revenue sharing; supervisors accepted the amendment and the motion passed by voice vote.

Board members said drafting ordinances would not force the board to approve or deny any specific facility but would provide a regulatory framework so the county can consider siting and financial arrangements when proposals arrive. Supervisors discussed that state code governs certain aspects of sliding-scale agreements and that the county attorney should ensure consistency with state law.

The board did not adopt ordinance language at the meeting; it directed staff, the planning commission, the county attorney and the EDA to research siting agreements, incentives, and revenue-sharing mechanisms and return with proposed language for consideration.","The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to send battery storage siting and ordinance work to the planning commission, with a friendly amendment to involve the county attorney and Economic Development Authority to address incentives and revenue-sharing; motion passed by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537943,"Amherst County supervisors approve $100,000 in vacancy savings to cover sheriff's vehicle overrun",380,507000,887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5&start=507&end=887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410804-406a8ca9642aeed15b5e9ab89427d0c5/thumbnail_507000.jpg","/articles/6537943/Amherst-County/Virginia/Amherst-County-supervisors-approve-100000-in-vacancy-savings-to-cover-sheriffs-vehicle-overrun","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537943-d00ed31bdf3461b5d7fc019a65800ed5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775210283&Signature=QXd0qW3BRYXGV6FeHHpGYSvoYQ9qZWX-OJEicr36tlhdjS9vNeK3NskVhzJIm01DReqB7w5rENowWEcEikRnhQer3Qdz0shzReld4O8A6BHZF6qUefT7DnbcTmYj5~h2iVv1v-c-Td0sZDr6Kw1wU6WP5JT4i9rOaKnQqeMjcy7t8Ajj84Q8PGWISuJw6P5cAP2iY7YLtYqL-pvw5oYxBk06xRgCzFDvaiR0tkkl5bmMf9G6oV3N3qKl~~ahbzNg1N2bJfx6EtejUByUq87X4qZVUYWFlqG0SMOkuYXi8U4OutN0QCH07ogd1Zmd9mAxyQM4hVonru1SgmFxQvhaUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the sheriff to use $100,000 in vacancy savings to help cover a roughly $227,000 overrun in the sheriff's motor-vehicle budget, the board heard at a regular meeting.

County staff and the sheriff told supervisors the motor-vehicle line is well over budget this year because vehicle upfits cost far more than anticipated. \"We're so far out of line in that particular budget line,\" the sheriff said in explaining the request. Finance staff said they identified savings in the sheriff's department and animal control and proposed using $100,000 of those vacancy savings so the county would not have to draw down fine revenue to near zero.

The sheriff said the motor-vehicle line is about $227,000 over; he and staff proposed covering part of that gap with $100,000 from vacancy savings and the remainder with fine revenue. County staff noted an upfit on a replacement vehicle costs about $35,000 per car. \"So we came up with a hundred thousand dollars to go towards his motor vehicles, but we need your permission to use it because payroll lines,\" Ms. McBride told the board.

Supervisors asked whether outstanding procurements would affect the numbers; staff replied no procurements were pending that would change the estimate. Members also discussed recent vehicle losses and crashes involving deputies; the board acknowledged the safety risks and noted some incidents were violations of the state's move-over law.

A motion by Mr. Martin to grant the sheriff permission to use vacancy savings as described passed by voice vote. No second was recorded in the transcript. The chair called for the ayes and the motion passed.

The action does not change the next fiscal year's budgeted vehicle line, staff said; the supervisor and finance staff reported the motor-vehicle line has been adjusted for the upcoming budget year.

The board did not place further conditions on the use of the vacancy savings beyond the vote approving the transfer.","The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the sheriff to use $100,000 of vacancy-savings to help cover an overrun in the motor-vehicle line, while the remainder will come from fine revenue; the board approved the request by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County says coordinated demolitions removed blight on Main Street in Old Madison; more properties planned

Lieutenant governor nominee John Reid visits Amherst County, urges local control over siting decisions

Supervisors direct planning commission to draft battery-storage ordinances, ask county attorney and EDA to review

Amherst County supervisors approve $100,000 in vacancy savings to cover sheriff's vehicle overrun