In Virginia, towns and cities can have either “weak mayor” or “strong mayor” system. In a strong mayor system, like in the City of Richmond, the mayor holds a lot of power. They carry out policies passed by the City Council and handle local government administration. 

But the Town of Louisa, like most towns in Virginia, has a “weak mayor” system, where the mayor has a mostly ceremonial position and presides over Town Council meetings. Often mayors can only vote to break a tie and have no veto power. Towns with weak mayors often hire town managers to handle day-to-day administration. Not every town elects their mayor — some select a mayor from within town council — but the Town of Louisa does.

According to the town charter, Louisa’s mayor is “the head of the Town government for all ceremonial purposes, for the purposes of military law and for the service of civil processes.” 

The Town of Louisa has five council members and a mayor elected to staggered four-year terms. Incumbent Mayor Ashley Michael is running unopposed for the seat, after winning the position last November in a special election. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for Michael based on responses we received from our voter survey. She provided answers below.

Town government stability

Louisa’s town government has been through a rough stretch. A mayor resigned in 2024. Several more resignations followed in 2025, including the interim mayor, which forced a special election last November. During that turnover, the town went months without anyone on staff to record and post public meeting minutes, as required by law. Then this summer, the town’s newest manager left after only 10 months. How would you work to build a town government that’s stable, fully staffed and able to keep residents informed?

Ashley Michael: My focus has been on building stability, consistency, and trust within town government. Today, we have an established town staff and a Town Council that supports them and the work they do.* Stability comes from supporting our employees, maintaining clear expectations, and working together as a team.

Keeping residents informed is equally important. We use tried-and-true methods like mailed notices, website announcements, and Town Hall postings, while also getting creative and meeting residents where they are. We use social media, the Savvy Citizen app, quarterly updates in the Central Virginian, and even direct text-message updates.

We understand communication is not one-size-fits-all. We will continue exploring better ways to reach every segment of our community and ensure residents have multiple ways to stay informed and engaged.

*Editor’s note: Over the summer of 2025, the town of Louisa filled several vacant positions. However, in July 2026, Louisa Town Manager Stuart Turille resigned. According to Engage Louisa, Turille did not give a reason for his departure. The town has not yet named a permanent replacement, and the role of town manager is still on the town’s list of vacancies on its website. According to minutes of the Aug. 18 Town Council meeting, Jay Scudder is interim town manager.

Local business

Some Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value the town’s small businesses and want to see Main Street thrive — one specifically pointed to the need for another grocery store in town. What role do you think the town should play in supporting local businesses, and what would you do to help Main Street thrive?

Michael: The town’s role is to create an environment where local businesses can succeed and help connect property owners, entrepreneurs, and resources. We are working with downtown property owners to identify opportunities for businesses that fit our community, supporting new business owners through education and resources, and engaging our EDA to develop strategies for attracting new businesses and investment.*

We have also ramped up our downtown events and partnered with the county, local organizations, community members, and businesses to create more reasons for people to visit, shop, eat, and spend time downtown.** A thriving Main Street takes all of us, and our goal is to continue building partnerships and creating opportunities that support our existing businesses while attracting new ones. We will continue looking for creative ways to make Louisa an attractive place to open, grow, and invest in a business.

Growth and development

Louisa County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia, and the Town of Louisa is one of the county’s official growth areas, meaning new development is meant to land here. What’s your vision for growth in Louisa, and how would you work with the county and state leaders to ensure the town’s infrastructure is ready for it?

Michael: Growth is coming, and we have a responsibility to manage it thoughtfully. My vision is to grow responsibly and do everything we can to direct and plan for growth so it does not overwhelm our community, infrastructure, or resources.

That requires strong coordination and communication with our county partners, regional authorities, planning district, VDOT, and other stakeholders. We need to address today’s needs while strategically planning for the future.

Every project and proposal should be thoroughly vetted and evaluated for its impact on our infrastructure, utilities, roads, schools, public safety, and overall community. Most importantly, development should align with our Comprehensive Plan* and the vision our community has established for its future.

Growth can bring opportunities, but we must make sure we are prepared for it and that Louisa grows in a way that strengthens, rather than strains, the community we love.

*Editor’s note: A comprehensive plan is a document used by local government bodies to guide long-term development, land use and growth, usually for a decade or longer. View the Town of Louisa’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan here.

Data centers

Data centers emerged as a key issue of concern for Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey. Do you see this as an issue in the Town of Louisa, and, if so, what kinds of actions do you support the town taking?

Michael: Our role as elected officials is to serve and represent the will of our residents, and we must listen carefully to their concerns. While data centers are not being built within the Town, we are cognizant of the direct and indirect impacts they could have on our community.*

That makes it imperative that we protect and preserve the resources we have today, while planning for the resources we will need tomorrow. I support exploring creative solutions that protect our residents and reduce the strain large-scale development may place on our water, infrastructure, utilities, and other resources.

We should also be leveraging our relationships with the leaders of current data center developments to ensure they understand their responsibility as community partners. If they are going to benefit from our community and its resources, they should be expected to invest in and support the county and the people who call it home.

*Editor’s note: There are no current or planned data centers in the Town of Louisa. However, there are several within the county. Amazon plans to build two data centers in Louisa County, and withdrew an application for a third data center after residents objected, according to Virginia Mercury. Read more about the two planned Amazon data centers at Engage Louisa. EdgeCore, a Colorado-based company that builds and operates data centers, has also purchased property in the county with plans to build a data center. According to minutes from the July 15, 2025 Town Council meeting, the Council discussed creating a technology overlay district for the town. A technology overlay district is used in other localities, including Louisa County, to allow for the construction of data centers or other projects by major technology companies that typically provide revenue to the locality in return. The Town Council created a sub-committee to research the issue and did not take any further action.

Community spaces

Several Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value having public spaces that bring the community together. As Louisa keeps growing, what role do you think the town should play in creating or supporting spaces like this?

Michael: Creating and supporting community spaces is one of the greatest responsibilities of local government, and it is a high priority for me. I believe residents are already seeing that commitment through the work we have begun.

We have expanded events like Markets on Main and are working toward thoughtful placemaking throughout town. We are looking at ways to create and improve green spaces, enhance our parks, and expand recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

But accessibility means more than simply having a space people can physically reach. We also need to ensure these spaces, activities, and events are financially accessible to our residents. My goal is to create places where families can gather, neighbors can connect, and everyone in our community feels welcome, without cost being a barrier to participation.

Are there any other pressing issues facing the Town of Louisa that you would like voters to know about?

Michael:  One of the most pressing issues facing Louisa is making sure our infrastructure and resources are prepared for the future. Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings increased demands on water, wastewater, roads, public safety, and other services.

We need to be proactive rather than reactive; planning today for the community we want Louisa to become tomorrow. That means continuing to address aging infrastructure, protecting our water resources, planning for additional capacity, and making thoughtful investments while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

Just as importantly, we need to continue strengthening communication and collaboration between the Town, County, regional authorities, businesses, and our residents. We cannot address these challenges in isolation. Good stewardship means understanding what we have, identifying what we will need, and working together now to ensure Louisa is prepared for the future.