Streetscape in Scottsville divides voters

By Jeremy Borden

Published: May 4, 2008

SCOTTSVILLE — While a soothing piece of asphalt has smoothed over the holes, ditches and bumps from the small Albemarle County town’s facelift just months ago, it remains to be seen whether town residents are happy with the progress.
Tuesday’s election for Town Council and mayor may show how Scottsville’s residents feel about what many of them have viewed as a divisive issue — the town’s streetscape beautification project, which is still not quite finished despite an original June completion date. The $1.1 million project — part of town officials’ grand vision to submerge electric lines, upgrade underground infrastructure, and place new trees and streetlamps on Valley Street, the town’s main thoroughfare — fell behind schedule and ran about $200,000 over budget.
But some in the town of 500 agree that Scottsville is much improved, though the final touches, including new streetlamps, are still in the works. Officials are also planning a similar, scaled-back project on Main Street.
Longtime Town Council members Jim Hogan and Craig Stratton are not running for re-election, while four current councilors and four other candidates are running for six spots. The mayor’s office is a separate election from council, and incumbent Mayor R. Stephen Phipps is running unopposed on the ballot. However, Vice-Mayor Jeannette Kerlin — who is also running for council — is waging a write-in campaign. Kerlin, who could not hold both spots, said she would take the mayor’s role if she wins.
Kerlin, Nancy Gill, John Snoddy and Robert O’Halloran are seeking re-election to council. Richard Bloom, Clarence “Bebe” Williams, Lillian Copeland and Harold Pillar are challenging them. The mayoral and council seats are all two-year terms.
Town officials hope the streetscape project will bring more people in to shop, eat at restaurants and enjoy the historic town that sits on the James River at the county line. All the candidates said economic development is a top priority, along with seeing the streetscape project through to the end.
The town’s small tax base is primarily reliant on revenue from business taxes, so filling up currently empty storefronts and getting residents and tourists to spend money in the town is essential, candidates said.
Phipps said he wanted to run for mayor again to see the streetscape work through to the end.
“It’s better than what I thought, and it’ll be better when we finish the sidewalks,” Phipps said. Along with other candidates, Phipps said the planned Food Lion store, Center for Arts and Nature and new Saturday farmers market would help bring visitors to the town to spur business and revenue.
In 2006, the mayor and town council spots were uncontested. About 135 people voted, said county Registrar Jake Washburne. The town currently has 375 registered voters.
This time, voters have a choice.
“That’s the big unknown — whether an incumbent is tossed out because of streetscape,” O’Halloran said. “I would take blame if I thought there was blame. I’m hoping the town will give the Town Council and the mayor some credit for what we did, even though it was painful.”
Steve Meeks, a resident who has been critical of the town for what he views as a mismanagement of streetscape, said attitudes toward the project have changed since the majority of it was completed.
“Since the dust has settled on streetscape, things have calmed down an awful lot,” Meeks said. He said the election may see a small turnout because there has been little campaigning and no candidate forums.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.