Residents urge changes to invocation practice and oppose AI stop‑sign cameras

Two separate public‑comment themes drew attention at the meeting. Chandler Pritjian (Madison District) asked the Board to reconsider its invocation practice, citing Article I, Section 16 of the Virginia Constitution and arguing the routine prayer may pressure officials and the public. "Holding prayers before every meeting creates multiple concerns that I believe don't fully align with the Constitution or the county value, in particular respect," Pritjian said, and recommended either a nonreligious reading of norms/words of inspiration or a moment of silence.

In a second public‑comment item, Bowling Green District resident Rick Hanley urged the Board to oppose use of AI‑enabled stop‑sign or crosswalk cameras in the county, calling them a potential revenue scheme and raising concerns about accuracy, the ability to subpoena or cross‑examine evidence gathered by cameras, and the loss of the accused person's right to confront a live witness. "If there will be traffic citations, they should be issued by a live deputy or a live state trooper or a live police officer... who can come before court to state his case," he said. Hanley asked the Board to block the use of such cameras if they come before the county in the future.