Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Local Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lieutenant governor nominee John Reid visits Amherst County, urges local control over siting decisions
Summary
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.
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.
