Tuesday, December 18
One vote for solid waste
Only one member of a five-person board was able to vote to fund solid waste services in the city and county, reports today’s Daily Progress. Because of conflict of interest concerns, four of the five members abstained, allowing local builder Michael Gaffney to offer his own motion, second it, and record the only vote. Both the county Board of Supervisors and City Council have already ratified the agreement, which funds solid waste services until the RSWA devises a long-term strategy.
Wednesday, December 19
Starr Hill to go national
Starr Hill Brewery is going big time with the help of some folks in St. Louis. The Charlottesville beermakers announced a distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch, which means six-packs of Starr Hill will be appearing in coolers nationwide in the next five to 10 years. Starr Hill Brewmaster Mark Thompson told C-VILLE that Anheuser-Busch acquired a minority stake in Starr Hill as part of the deal, though the local brewery will maintain control. All operations, Thompson said, will remain in Crozet. The expansion will have three phases. In 2008, distribution will expand statewide in Virginia. In three to five years, the mid-Atlantic will start seeing Starr Hill. And in five to 10 years, the brew will be nationwide.
Thursday, December 20
Local dairy barn burns
 Kathryn Russell, seen here with her family last July, suffered a blow when the dairy barn at her Majesty Farm burned down. |
We were sorry to learn today that the dairy barn on Kathryn Russell’s Albemarle County Majesty Farm, which was featured in a July 2007 C-VILLE cover story, has burned down, according to an e-mail to the E.A.T. Local listserve. Though no people were hurt, two baby goats and some poultry were lost, as well as, among other things, all her milking equipment and supplies. Let’s hope some generosity will flow their way this holiday season.
Meth-odical police work
Any area meth addicts wondering about dwindling supply can blame United States Attorney John L. Brownlee, who announced today the successful completion of a methamphetamine conspiracy prosecution that has resulted in 24 convictions. In 2005, a wire-tap investigation was carried out by numerous enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, that targeted two sources of supply responsible for distributing multipound quantities of meth in the areas surrounding Waynesboro, Charlottesville and Crozet. Over a six-month period in 2006, agents made multiple arrests resulting in the seizure of more than four pounds of methamphetamine (with an estimated street value of $150,000), $20,901 in U.S. currency, six vehicles, several firearms and a $208,000 residence.
Friday, December 21
Mallek to appoint Loach
The Crozet Gazette reports in its December issue that incoming Albemarle County Supervisor Ann Mallek, who defeated incumbent David Wyant, will appoint Tom Loach to the county Planning Commission. "He has shown tremendous devotion to Crozet and he has tremendous background on the issues," Mallek told the Gazette. "He wants data and real facts about things. He will represent the community well, especially in the review of the Master Plan." Loach was originally running against Mallek for the White Hall district seat, but dropped out of the race in June. The volunteer firefighter has long been involved in trying to make sure Crozet’s infrastructure is able to support the area’s development. In a December 2005 cover story, Loach told C-VILLE that the county does a fine job of planning development, but "the implementation sucks" and that "growth area residents need to wake up and smell the coffee."