In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing a local town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions, oversee local emergency services, and much more. 

The Town of Stanardsville has four council members and a mayor, elected to four-year terms. This year, four incumbents are running for four town council seats: Richard Early, Kevin Kelley, Matthew “Matt” Kime and Doris Rorrer Swenson. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for the candidates based on responses we received from our voter survey. Two candidates, Kevin Kelley and Richard Early, responded. Their answers are listed in the order they were received.

Growth and development

Stanardsville faces the potential of steady population growth in the coming years. Residents have raised concerns about roads and infrastructure keeping up with this kind of growth. What is your overall vision for town growth, and what specific steps would you take to prepare for a larger population?

Kevin Kelley: Overall efforts to prepare for growth must be done with the county Board of Supervisors and state agencies.* Our job as the town government is to focus the attention of these bodies to our needs. The goal of many of our citizens, including me, is to find the resources to improve infrastructure — sidewalks, road use, water and sewer — that will enhance quality of life while preserving a small town feel. As there will be more people within walking distance of the central business area, more businesses will want to open to take advantage of that foot traffic. As a council member, I shall do what I can to support such businesses.

*Editor’s Note: Virginia town councils can take some independent measures to manage growth such as zoning ordinance changes. However, because towns share infrastructure and geographic jurisdictions with their surrounding counties, town councils must heavily coordinate with county boards of supervisors and state entities such as the Virginia Department of Transportation for major utility, school and roadway expansions.

Richard Early: Follow the Comp. Plan.*

*Editor’s note: A comprehensive plan is a document used by local government bodies to guide long-term development, land use and growth, and must be reviewed at least once every five years according to Virginia law.

Matthew “Matt” Kime: No response.

Doris Rorrer Swenson: No response.

Roads

Traffic management on local streets like Main Street is a key concern for voters as the surrounding area grows. What authority or tools do you believe the town government has to manage downtown traffic, and what specific improvements would you prioritize?

Kelley: The Town has two main abilities for managing traffic: working with VDOT to put our needs on their priority list and to seek grants and state or federal funding to make improvements, as was done with the sidewalk projects.* The main priorities at this point are to integrate traffic from new developments and to expand the sidewalk network up Ford Avenue and Madison Road. The past sidewalk improvements to the Main Street sidewalks have improved safe pedestrian mobility and safety, and I anticipate similar improvements by improving sidewalks in these areas.

*Editor’s Note: The Stanardsville Streetscape Enhancement Project focused on making the town safer and more walkable by upgrading walkways, lighting and landscaping. Phase II expanded the sidewalk network along the north side of Main Street and was backed by over $1.2 million in Virginia Department of Transportation grants alongside local matching funds. 

Early: I am not sure.

Kime: No response.

Swenson: No response.

Downtown and small business

Stanardsville has invested significantly in downtown revitalization, from sidewalk upgrades to the Farmers Market pavilion. What’s your vision for downtown Stanardsville, and what would you push for to support new and existing businesses there?

Kelley: I would like to see more businesses in town, small businesses that will enhance our neighbors’ lives. The town government has been a good partner. I would continue our efforts to be responsive to business needs in balance with residential needs.

Early: Follow the Comp. Plan.

Kime: No response.

Swenson: No response.

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

Kelley: I encourage the voters of Stanardsville to politely contact the Greene County Board of Supervisors to accelerate improving the water situation. We are currently at the edges of water capacity, and urgently need a better water system.* Also, there are many groups and government bodies that seek to do good things for our community: I encourage our citizens to volunteer time and resources to these groups to make all our lives richer.**

Early: No response.

Kime: No response.

Swenson: No response.