In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing town government. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions that determine how land can be used, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

The Town of Louisa has five council members and a mayor elected to staggered four-year terms. This year, the town is holding a special election to replace former Councilor Danny Crawford, who resigned in April. Vicky Harte and Durvin Corker are running for the seat.  

Charlottesville Tomorrow designed a questionnaire for the candidates based on responses we received from our voter survey. Harte provided answers below. Despite multiple attempts to contact Corker, he did not submit a response in time for publication. 

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?

Vicky Harte: I was the acting mayor in 2025 and no employees left during that time period when I served as mayor.* The town manager serves at the will of council. He left upon council request.** The Town of Louisa has not been fully staffed for years. Due to our low salary offerings, we were often and still are at a disadvantage in attracting qualified police officers and other staff. Balancing salary expectations against our tax base is difficult. We need to fully fund what is necessary in order to attract police officers. Public safety is our number one priority and is a “need.”. We can reduce costs by minimizing “wants.” When I was first elected, communication was a priority and it still is. We now record our council meetings, minutes are posted, our website has been reworked (still adjusting), and meetings are now advertised.*** We are still working on improving effectiveness.

Durvin Corker: No response.

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?

Harte: Town Council cannot open a grocery store. A suitable property needs to be attractive to a business owner. We have an Economic Development Authority that is working on this topic.* The property formerly occupied by a Super Saver-type chain has not attracted a grocery chain to date. We do have farmer’s markets all around us and three grocery stores within a 20 minute drive of town.** This fact may be impeding a large chain from locating here. I want the EDA to continue their work on this subject.

Corker: No response.

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?

Harte: The Town of Louisa is not a county growth area. The property outside the town limits IS a designated growth area.* The town is responsible for our own infrastructure with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s assistance. The businesses located outside town boundaries pay no town taxes. Our average annual income for town residents is $50,000.** In size, we are 1.84 square miles with very little property not already designated for development.*** We can’t really raise taxes with our base. Applying for grants and loans is our primary current funding mechanism for infrastructure needs. Making Louisa a town with businesses that outsiders want to frequent (like the Virginia Scenic Railway which we were working on when I was mayor and before****) is the key to a strong business environment. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and the EDA helps work toward that goal.

Corker: No response.

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?

Harte: Yes, it is an issue. Our roads have suffered damage from all the construction vehicles traveling through town.* There is no bypass around Louisa. Our rental housing and hotel is full of temporary contract workers.** I work with the Louisa Homeless Coalition*** and we have a very difficult time finding housing that was once affordable and available to displaced Louisa town and county residents. The county and Amazon are not helping us with this issue as they do not provide low-cost housing.**** Locals are suffering.

Corker: No response.

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?

Harte: Louisa has two parks in town. I have been fighting for four years to get a bathroom at these 2 parks. A porta-potty is the current provided resource. As a parent, grandparent, and school worker…..this is unacceptable. I was finally able to get bathrooms on our Capital Improvement Plan, but no date for installation has been provided.*

*Editor’s note: The local substack Engage Louisa mentions “an ongoing effort to install a bathroom at the town park, which is now included in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan.”

Corker: No response.

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

Harte: 

1. We are in year 4 of a drought.* In normal weather conditions we have several businesses, residential properties, and roads that flood from stormwater runoff. I brought a no-cost study to Louisa to evaluate what we as a town could do to help alleviate the problem. We just received their results and are pursuing grants for some of the recommendations.**
2. Lack of affordable housing. 
3. Lack of sufficient available work that would pay enough to meet current housing costs. 
4. No low-cost urgent care facility or hospital. UVA closed their Zion Crossroads Urgent Care facility after a couple of years of operation as it was not financially viable.***
5. More focus needed on meeting resident “needs.”

Corker: No response.