As 2022 draws to a close, The Culpeper Times recounts some of the biggest and most memorable stories of the year. Some include big wins that help propel Culpeper further into the future, while others relate to some of the region’s biggest challenges.
Let’s take a look back at Culpeper over the last 365 days.
county
In a 4-3 vote on March 1, the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors failed to pass a resolution to begin preparing to hold a referendum on whether to allow retail sales of marijuana within county limits. January 2024.
Supervisors Tom Underwood, Susan Gugino, David Darr and Kathy Campbell voted not to hold a referendum, while Gary Deal, Paul Bates and Chairman Brad Rosenberger voted to hold a referendum. voted.
Culpeper County County Administrator John Egerson said, “Local governments don’t have to hold a referendum at all, they just allow retail sales when they are finally approved by the federal government.” If we want to have a referendum on whether it should be banned in the community, we have to do so this year.”
Culpeper will also be allowed to sell in the town unless a referendum is held and voters vote against the sale.
Culpeper County to be home to Amazon data centers, thanks to a 4-3 vote on April 5 to approve a rezoning request for more than 230 acres of farmland on Route 3 in Stevensburg There are also immediate financial benefits from industrial.
Woodbridge-based developer Marvell Developments LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon, has submitted a request for 20420 Germanna Highway, now the site of Magnolia Equestrian Center LLC, to build two buildings totaling over 400,000 square feet. .
According to the rezoning application, the total number of employees in each building will be about 45, but only about 32 employees will be in each building at any given time.
Our employees are engineering technicians, data center operators, security personnel, and logistics personnel.
In addition, a 6-acre substation will also be built on the site.
As for the next steps, Rothamel said the project would then need to submit a site plan, which would be handled by the planning department.
In terms of tax revenue, Culpeper County Economic Development Commissioner Brian Rosamell estimates tax revenue based on a $500 million investment in which 66% will be in computer equipment and the remainder in construction costs. Subject to property tax.
An applicant investing $330 million in computer equipment would pay an estimated $23 million over five years based on Culpeper County’s current property tax rate and depreciation schedule, Rothamel said. Stated.
William “Bill” Chase Jr., 85, of Stevensburg, died July 14 at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
He has served for a total of 45 years within Culpeper County Government as a member of both the Planning and Oversight Boards.
Culpeper County Fieldhouse opened at the Culpeper Sports Complex on December 2, nearly a year after groundbreaking.
Construction, which broke ground in November 2021, is a 17,000-square-foot building with a full-size gym, classrooms, offices, and an aerobics studio. Located at 16388 Competition Drive in Culpeper.
Building hours are 8-9 PM Monday-Saturday and 10-6 PM on Sunday.
town
At its Sept. 13 meeting, the Culpeper Town Council approved two agreements with Culpeper County regarding both public pool donations and operating costs.
Suggested criteria in the Recommended Pool Contribution Agreement include:
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If the County completes construction of the pool and receives a certificate of occupancy by July 31, 2026, the Town shall reimburse the County for the remaining design and construction costs.
The criteria proposed in the Pool Operating Agreement include:
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There shall be a Public Pool Director (“Director”), hired or assigned by the County, who shall be responsible for the overall management of the Pool.
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The county will be the financial agent and responsible for furniture, purchasing, staffing, payroll, insurance, and legal counsel.
After an uphill battle, the Culpeper Town Council announced in October that it would end a longstanding debate over whether to rename Lake Pelham, named after Confederate Major John Pelham from Alabama. Passed.
Culpeper City Council voted 5 to 4 to change the name to Lake Culpeper.
Supporting the name change were Mayor Frank Reeves Jr., City Councilmen Megan Taylor, Billy Yowell, Jamie Clancy, Travis Brown, Joe Short, Eric Karenga, Janie Schmidt and Michael Olinger. opposed.
According to town documents, the estimated cost of renaming Lake Pelham was $9,000, which included replacing the lake sign and adventures on Lake Pelham. The cost does not include the currently undetermined administrative costs for renaming all relevant documents, permits, etc.
The two familiar faces will rejoin their colleagues on the Culpeper City Council seat in January, according to the November 8 unofficial poll tally.
Seven of the eight precincts reported on election night, with Erick Kalenga being the top vote-getter with 2,655 (39.73%) of the vote. In second place he was Pranas Rimeikis with 1,963 votes (29.38%). Brian Brumfield-Horner was last with 1,929 votes (28.87%).
The three men were running for two vacant seats on the council that expire in December 2023.
Culpeper Police Chief Chris Jenkins announced on December 1 that he will retire from the town of Culpeper, effective January 1.
Town Manager Chris Hivery will nominate Major Chris Settle as Acting Police Chief starting January 1. The selection process for the next police chief is yet to be determined.
Jenkins has been with the town of Culpeper for over 45 years and began working for the Culpeper Police Department in August 1977.
other
President Joe Biden and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) at Germana Community College in Culpeper on Feb. 10 to see what Biden’s Build Back Better Framework brings to lowering the cost of prescription drugs across the country. We talked about the benefits.
In his remarks, Mr. Biden outlined the impact of high drug costs on families and how lowering them would give families like the Davises “a breather.” He cited the passing of the American Rescue Plan, which has helped families save an average of $2,400 a year by making quality insurance more affordable through the Affordable Care Act.
Following his remarks, Biden met with NBC News’ Lester Holt at the university library for the first sit-down interview of 2022. The interview will take place on NBC’s Super Bowl LVI pregame show on Feb. 13. It was aired on
Almost a year after groundbreaking, PATH Recreation & Fitness Center had its grand opening on July 29-30.
Located at 19002 Crossroads Parkway, the 17,759 sq. ft. property sits on the grounds of new office space.
The facility includes two full-sized multisport courts lined up for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, batting cages, multisport simulators, and activity rooms.
The new center is part of the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, which also manages the Powell Wellness Center and Culpeper’s free clinics.
Twelve public schools in Culpeper County were put on lockdown after a hoaxed active gunman 911 call targeted Eastern View High School on Sept. 19.
Police in the town of Culpeper released a statement on social media around 2 p.m. saying the sheriff’s office was investigating a threat at EVHS, but said there was no credible danger. Out of an abundance of caution, the school was closed until further notice.
After the statement was posted, it was shared dozens of times on social media, prompting parents and others to speculate about the possible death.
Moments later, the sheriff’s office released its own statement, explaining that the investigation was based on an unconfirmed report of an unidentified shooter and confirmed that no one was injured.
Thousands flocked to Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises Inc. on September 3rd for Culpeper’s first professional rodeo.
Held by Pitzsylvania County-based True Grit Rodeo, the Culpeper Rodeo draws an estimated 6,500 spectators to watch brave and talented souls catch big, spirited livestock to win first place. I wanted it to hold firmly enough for Prize money of $5000.
Dylan Smith of Ararat, Virginia was first and Tyler Manor of Indiana was second.
Tickets were purchased from all over the country, including Texas and Oregon.
maria@culpepertimes.com
