In Virginia, town councils are elected city 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 Pamplin City is located in both Appomattox and Prince Edward counties. It has six council members and a mayor elected to two-year terms. 

This year, Pamplin is holding a special election to fill a seat held by longtime councilor Ronald. Franklin, who died in February. Jessica Arnold is the only candidate running for the seat. The term will end Dec. 31, 2028.

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

Town budget priorities 

Pamplin has a small budget and no full-time town manager; a clerk-treasurer handles much of that work alongside the mayor. With limited money coming in, council members must choose which repairs, services or projects to fund each year. What should the town’s top spending priorities be, and how should the town decide between them?

Jessica Arnold: Pamplin may have a small budget, but I truly believe we can still make a meaningful difference by taking good care of the things we already have. Our first priorities should be the things residents depend on every day — safe roads, good drainage, working streetlights and clean public spaces. From there, I’d love to see us put some love back into Main Street, supporting local businesses and creating small improvements that make people proud to call Pamplin home. When choosing what comes first, we should consider urgency, how many people it helps, and whether grant funding is available. Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference in a small town.

Flood preparedness 

Like many rural communities in Virginia, Pamplin is vulnerable to flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall that scientists predict will become more frequent in the future. To address this, the town successfully secured a $55,000 grant from the state’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund and is developing its first formal resilience plan. Do you think the town should prioritize funding the programs or constructions that the final plan ultimately recommends? If so, how would you go about making that happen?

Arnold: Yes. If we’ve taken the time to create a resilience plan, I think we should also make a real effort to put its most important recommendations into action. It doesn’t mean Pamplin has to fund everything at once. We can start with practical projects like improving drainage, clearing problem areas to protect roads and town property — addressing places where heavy rain repeatedly causes problems. I’d prioritize the greatest risks first, and then actively pursue state and federal grants to help cover the cost. Pamplin has already shown that even a small town can successfully compete for funding. Being prepared now could save our residents and our town a lot of heartache and expense later.

Downtown development: 

After years of community effort, Pamplin’s Main Street is drawing new interest and revitalization. What’s your vision for Main Street, and what do you think the town can or should do to support businesses and buildings there?

Arnold: I would LOVE to see Main Street become the heart of Pamplin again. A place where people can shop, eat, gather and enjoy our town. I think we should build on the character and history that are already there rather than trying to turn Pamplin into something it isn’t. The town can help by keeping Main Street clean and welcoming, improving sidewalks, lighting and signage, helping property owners connect with potential grants for buildings that are in need of restoration or repair and supporting community events that bring people downtown. Most importantly, I think we should make it as easy as possible for small businesses to open and succeed here. I’d love to see a Main Street that feels alive again, while still feeling unmistakably like Pamplin.

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

Arnold: One issue that I think deserves more attention is simply making it easier for residents to engage with the town. I’d like to see Pamplin continue improving communication, modernizing things like how residents receive information and make payments, as well as creating more opportunities for people to feel involved in our community. Our focus should be on attracting families and small businesses while preserving the character that makes Pamplin special. We may be a small town, but it doesn’t mean we have to stand still. Progress can be as simple as being kind to your neighbors, taking pride in the space we share together, and finding creative, affordable ways to make life here a little better.