Greene County Offices will be closed in honor of

Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Administration

From the Administrator's Desk

May is a time of change: school wraps up another academic year, spring transitions to summer, and early crops have come in. As your local government, we are committed to keeping you informed about changes and important news, initiatives, and events that impact our vibrant community.

In this month’s newsletter, you will find:

1. Serving our Community: Meet the dedicated public servants working behind the scenes to enhance our quality of life. From Sheriff’s Deputies to parks staff, their contributions make a difference every day.
2. Upcoming Events: Discover exciting happenings, including the Justin M. Tooley Memorial GCPR Powerlifting Challenge May 4, Blue Ridge Flower and Garden Festival May 19, the Virginia Black Bear Festival June 1. Mark your calendars and join us!
3. Policy Updates: Stay in the loop on site and subdivision plan submittals, budget updates, and other decisions that shape our County. Your input matters, so be sure to engage in the process.
4. Featured Services: Learn about essential services available to you including new information on tax bills, early voting, and recreational programs. We’re here to serve you!

Thank you for being an active part of our community.

Mobile DMV Coming to Greene

The Mobile Department of Motor Vehicles office will be at the County Administration Building on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be closed for lunch from noon to 1 pm. See information below about what is available at this helpful location. DMV will be set up in the County Meeting Room at 40 Celt Road in Stanardsville. There is no testing at mobile hours.

Printable document

June First Friday Conversation Set

Printable Flyer

Courthouse under construction

Click links below to see the photos

Greene County's historic courthouse will be under construction until mid-July.  The Greene County Courthouse was built in 1838-1839 by a master mason that studied under Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia, and has seen a lot of Greene County's history in the nearly 200 years. By the 1840 U.S. Census, Greene County only had a population of roughly 440 residents, limiting the budget for the new construction. As such, the courthouse had no portico originally, only the wide pilasters on the brick that can still be seen today (Loth, 2012). The final cost for the building was $6,832.  The courthouse sits on part of that Octonia grant and the lots nearest to Courthouse Square remain relatively arranged as they were in the 19th century. The Roman Doric columns and portico were added in the mid-1920s. The balcony with seats and two staircases was also added at this time, as was a cement fence and walkways. The cost was $10,000 (Greene County Record, 1927).

Searching through online newspaper archives you can find some of the most interesting stories about Greene County happened during the "Court Days." In 2021, I wrote an article in the Greene County Record about what court days were like in rural communities such as Greene County, but they including hangings, cock fighting, brawls, gossip, and so much more. In 1919, defendant Edgar Morris shot Magistrate Bluford G. "Son" Sullivan to death. In 1938, gas stoves were added to heat the building and gas heaters were added in 1954. A gas explosion and fire in 1979 destroyed the Clerk's building and gutted the interior of the courthouse, but the walls remained. The courthouse remains as it was at this time after the inside was rebuilt. Greene County still utilizes the building for its Circuit Court cases. The courthouse was moisture sealed a couple years ago and is now undergoing repairs to the copula and the interior.

Thank you to the Greene County Historical Society for the historic photos of the courthouse.

May government meetings

Printable calendar

Water & Sewer

Interim Director of Water & Sewer Announced

Greene County welcomes Dave Hundelt as the Interim Director of Water and Sewer on April 11. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Hundelt worked with the outgoing Director Alan Harrison prior to taking full responsibility.

Mr. Hundelt is a licensed professional engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University. His career at the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, Water, Sewer, and Streets Bureau began in 1990 as an engineer. He rose through the ranks over three decades, holding senior management positions for 25 years in the agency responsible for operating and maintaining Arlington County’s infrastructure, providing water distribution, sanitary, and storm sewer collection, and streets maintenance to a community of more than 200,000 people. Mr. Hundelt retired in 2022.

“We are very pleased to have Dave Hundelt join us here in Greene County,” said County Administrator Cathy Schafrik.



Greene County took over operations of the drinking water and sanitary systems from Rapidan Service Authority in late June 2023. The County will be advertising for a full-time director in the coming weeks.

Treasurer

Some tax bill changes this season

Download a copy of the blank Personal Property Tax Form for 2024

Download a copy of the blank Real Estate Tax Form for 2024

Voter Registration

Early voting for June primary begins May 3

Greene County has a dual Primary on June 18, 2024. There are seven Democratic candidates running and six Republican candidates running for Member House of Representatives 7^th District. There are five Republican candidates running for Member United States Senate. A voter can vote in the Democratic Primary OR the Republican Primary.

Tim Kaine is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket for Member United States Senate, so his name will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

Early voting for the U.S. Senate and U.S. Congressional Primary for Greene County registered voters will begin on May 3, 2024 at the Registrar’s Annex at 32 Stanard Street in Stanardsville. The hours for both Early Voting and the Registrar’s office are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday. Both will be closed on May 27, 2024. for Memorial Day.

Both will be open on Saturday, June 8, and Saturday, June 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. June 15 is the LAST day a voter can vote at the Annex during Early Voting. For those who plan on voting on Election Day, be sure to report to your correct Precinct:

• Dyke: Dyke Firehouse
• Swift Run: Greene Tech Education Center
• Ruckersville: Holiday Inn Express
• Stanardsville: PVCC Community Room
• Stanardsville Town: PVCC
• Midway: Ruckersville Elementary School
• 
  

Sample ballots are available at the Registrar's office or can be downloaded from the Registrar's website under "Helpful Documents" section.

Those wishing to run for Greene County Treasurer or Stanardsville District Board of Supervisor Member need to turn in all required paperwork to the Registrar by August 16, 2024.

Economic Development & Tourism

Virginia Black Bear Festival June 1

Printable Flyer

Small Business Advisor Office Hours

May 2024 Event Flyer

Printable Calendar

Scenes from 2024 Earth Day

The Greene County Visitor Center was the site of the "Water is Life" Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20, 2024, with demonstrations and information from the Old Rag Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, Jefferson Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, Greene County Extension Office, Piedmont Environmental Council, Virginia Master Gardeners (Greene County Chapter), Department of Forestry, and the Greene County Art Guild.

Information regarding trout in the waterways. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

Greene Master Gardeners had information for visitors. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

Sierra Club shared information about Dark Skies and more. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

Boy Scout Troop 174 participated in the event. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

The Old Rag Master Naturalists were on hand with displays. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

The Piedmont Environmental Council shared information with the public. Photo Courtesy Scott Jenkins

Public Safety

Sheriff's Office Award Recipients

The Greene County Sheriff's Office held its award banquet last month. We want to say Congratulations to all the award recipients and thank every one of the deputies, dispatchers, and support staff for their dedication to the citizens of Greene County.

Sheriff Smith earns certification

Congratulations to Greene County Sheriff Steve Smith! We are pleased to recognize our Sheriff in the 2024 Virginia Sheriffs' Institute Certificate Program. Sheriffs and deputies serving in the Commonwealth of Virginia carry immense responsibilities as the guardians of their communities, providing effective public safety services balanced with the fair and equitable treatment of every individual they encounter.

School buses now have Stop Arm Cameras

First Run the Rock a Success

Many people braved the wet weather last Saturday to Run the Rock at Luck Stone in Greene County. The 5K race was a way for the quarry to open to the public and raise funds for the Greene County Emergency Medical Services.

Greene County Emergency Medical Services Lt. Buck Deforge, left, and Emergency Medical Technician Alexis Weakley volunteered at the event.

Elizabeth Kelpe, left, was the women's overall winner of the 5K. Kendall Tata, PE Teacher, track and cross country coach at William Monroe High School, won for her division.

Elizabeth Kelpe was women’s overall winner. She poses with her parents Mark and Lisa Kelpe.

Be Ready GCVA

Greene County has transitioned to CivicReady from CodeRed for emergency alerts. CivicReady is a free opt-in communications service that allows users to customize their notification preferences and will allow non-emergency information to be sent to those who subscribe based on their choices. Sign up online at https://shorturl.at/bmrTW. To receive ONLY emergency text messages to your phone text “GCVA” to 38276.

Users will be able to choose their preferred language to receive alerts and the type of messages they prefer. The new system will allow Greene County to reach residents, visitors, businesses, and employees regardless of location within the county and provide actionable information. The ability to notify residents in an emergency is only as good as the database of numbers. Due to Federal laws, each resident MUST opt-in for alerts of any kind. It’s especially important that residents include cell phones as a means for communication to receive alerts no matter where you are within the community. Additionally, many people only have cell phones for communication, therefore linking it to your home address is vitally important in case of address-specific emergency alerts. Businesses are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts as well.

Users can subscribe to receive non-emergency information from: Emergency Services; Greene County Government; Parks & Recreation; Registrar; Sheriff’s Office; Treasurer; and Water & Sewer. Additional non-emergency groups may be added in the future if the need arises.

This new system is part of an entire overhaul of the Greene County website to improve transparency and communications with the public. Once the website is fully updated, emergency alerts will feature on the front page of the site.

Printable document

Community Development

Work begins on RCUT in Greene

WORK BEGINS ON FREDERICKSBURG RD. RCUT IN GREENE CO.

The restricted crossing U-turn is expected to enhance safety at Route 609 and U.S. 29

This week, a contractor with the Virginia Department of Transportation will begin work on a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) at the intersection of Route 609 (Fredericksburg Road) and U.S. 29 (Seminole Trail).

When the work begins, drivers will encounter shoulder closures and alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 between Route 633 (Dairy Road) and the Madison County line in the northbound and southbound lanes, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please slow down through the work zone and be alert for crews near the roadway.

The RCUT differs from a conventional intersection by removing the left turn movement from the cross street. The RCUT intersection will require westbound drivers on Fredericksburg Road who want to go south on U.S. 29 to turn north and complete a U-turn about 2500 feet from the intersection. Eastbound traffic on Fredericksburg Road heading north on U.S. 29 will complete a U-turn maneuver south of the intersection at Route 645 (Moore Road).

According to a recent study, the Federal Highway Administration found RCUT intersections reduce crashes 28-49% compared to stop sign-controlled intersections. They also reduce crash severity by 70 percent in fatal crashes and by 42% in crashes resulting in injury.

The project completion date is May 31, 2024.

Visit 511virginia.org, call 511 or check the 511 Virginia mobile app for up-to-date information on road and traffic conditions.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, the public should contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

Community Development March Update

Citizen Academy is a free program for residents interested in learning more about local government. The following upcoming programs will be held at the County Administration Building from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To see previous presentations, visit the Planning and Zoning Department website.

1. June 13-Economic Development
2. August 8-Parks & Recreation
3. October 10-Schools

Preliminary and final site and subdivision plans continue to be added and available to be viewed online.

The following submittals have been received for review:

• Blue Ridge Meadows Subdivision Site Plan
• WaWa and grading/entrance plan resubmittal
• O'Reilly's Auto Parts has resubmitted.
• Sonny Merryman electric vehicle charging parking lot
• Sojourners Glamping
• Seminole Trailer Park
• Jack's Landscaping
• Blue Ridge Healing

Smart Scale Funding Round 6

• Staff are preparing the pre-application with supplement information to submit to VDOT for proposed alternative intersections at Greenecroft Boulevard and Carpenter's Mill Road. This will duplicate the request from Round 5, which as submitted two years ago.

Erosion/Sediment and Stormwater Management

• Staff continue to review site plans and inspect the numerous commercial and residential sites currently under construction. The two Creekside Subdivisions require multiple inspections a week.
• A land disturbance permit was issued for Phase 2, the Grange Subdivision Road plan.

Upcoming Public Hearing Applications:

• Allison Pratt Rev Trust requests a special use permit for a two-family dwelling as required by Article 3-1-2.12 of the Greene County Zoning Ordinance and is identified as TMP# 56-(A)-4, located at 550 Sylvia Ridge Road. The parcel is in the A-1, Agricultural Zoning District. The Greene County Future Land Use Map designates the parcel as "Rural Area." (SUP24-003).

• Carl R. Beard Jr. Trustee requests a special use permit for a Farm Winery, with structures larger than 4,000 square feet and outdoor amplified music as required by Article 16-21 of the Greene County Zoning Ordinance. The parcel is identified as TMP#35-(A)-16 (173 acres) and is located at 12955 Dyke Road. The parcel is in the A-1 Agricultural and C-1 Conservation zoning districts. The Greene County Future Land Use Map designates this parcel as a "Rural Area." (SUP24-002)

• Merit Greene requested a special use permit for an electronic message center on TMP 66-A-48, as permitted by Article 14-2-8.

Parks & Recreation

GCPR receives $750,000 grant

A press conference was held on April 24, 2024, at the Greene County Community Park with 7th District Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to celebrate the awarding of $820,000 in community project funding to the County of Greene for safety/security/accessibility park upgrades for Greene County Parks & Recreation, as well as a Virtual Reality Training System for the Greene County, Va. Sheriff's Office. Upgrades to the park will include bringing the water line to the park, weatherizing the concession stand and bathrooms, creating an overflow lot, paving the lighting the parking lot, and purchasing an electronic gate for the entrance.

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate this special day!

Parks & Recreation staff, Administration staff, and former Board members and Ruritan members stand with Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

County Administrator Cathy Schafrik talks about how the funding will be used at the park.

7th District Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger discusses what Community Project Funding is.

Members of the Community came out for the press conference.

Joanne Burkholder, who was the first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors and served as chair when the land was purchased for the park, speaks with Director of Economic Development and Tourism Alan Yost and Congresswoman Spanberger.

Powerlifting Challenge this weekend

Flower & Garden Festival May 19

Please come join us for The Blue Ridge Flower & Garden Festival on May 19, 2024, from

1 to 4 p.m. This festive event will be held at the beautiful Greene County Community Park; 512 Jeri Allen Way, Ruckersville, VA 22968.

Vendors will be showcasing plants, outdoor living, gardening products, and services.

We encourage you to come out and join us to help promote the beautification of the community and encourage environmental stewardship here in Greene County.

Interested in being a vendor? Visit https://shorturl.at/gjwxP or contact Sean at 434-422-6059; or ssweeney@gcva.us for more information!

Printable Flyer

New Map Designed for Park

We now have a park map for the Greene County Community Park. As a part of her Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School project, William Monroe High School Senior Seanna Sutton, worked with GCPR staff to develop this new map. It features park landmarks, trails (and distances), and other points of interest at our lovely park. We cannot thank Seanna enough for her hard work to help create this needed resource for the park. Join us in congratulating her on a job well done!

Printable Map

Greene County 4-H Fun

Mothers' Day Flea Market

Livestock Club's Mother's Day Sale

Region Ten

Free Narcan and Overdose Reversal Training

Greene Care Clinic

Sign up for Mobile Mammography

The next Mobile Mammography event scheduled for the County of Greene! UVA Health will have their mobile unit at the County Building parking lot on Thursday, May 16. Women with insurance can call (434) 297-5202 to schedule an appointment. If you are uninsured, please reach out to the Greene Care Clinic at (434) 985-7000 and we will help determine if you are eligible for a FREE screening mammogram through the Every Woman's Life program. Getting screened in Greene is easy and convenient, and saves lives! 

Printable Flyer

Greene Health & Wellness Fun Fair

Printable flyer

Printable flyer

Greene County Historical Society

Book Sale & Annual Meeting

The Greene County Historical Society will host its annual membership meeting at the Greene County Courthouse in Stanardsville on Sunday, May 19 at 4 p.m. Carole Nash, professor of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University, is the scheduled speaker. Professor Nash is an expert on the topic of Central Virginia Tribes and archaeology. It is also open to the public. The Society is hosting a fundraising used book sale on Friday and Saturday May 3-4 and May 10-11 at the Linwood Rhodes Gallery, 360 Main Street, Stanardsville. For more information, or to become a member of the Greene County Historical Society, visit www.greenehistoryva.org or call (434) 985-1834.

Printable flyer

TJPDC & JABA

Mobility Management Program

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), in partnership with the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), has a new Mobility Management Program to help older adults and people with disabilities who need rides in the Central Virginia area. There is no charge for the transportation counseling service that goes beyond information and referral. Call JABA at (434) 817-3548, ext. 292, or toll free at (888) 879-7379.

Greene Farm & Livestock Show

Bingo at the Barn fundraiser

The 5th Annual Greene Farm & Livestock Show for 2024 will be held August 1, 2, & 3. This event is put on by volunteers annually and includes livestock demonstrations and sales, antiques and artisans, car and tractor shows, music, food, and more. Visit the website for more information.

Stanardsville Stomp