Motion defeated: Hundreds assemble at supervisors meeting

VERONA -- Augusta County Supervisors defeated a motion by Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles Wednesday night to set aside the 2008 reassessment by a 5-2 vote.

In making his motion, Pyles said “we have a duty to protect our people as much as we can. We have to fight this.”

Beverley Manor Supervisor Supervisor Jeremy Shifflett supported Pyles’ motion, saying he had been moved by the comments of about 40 county residents who spoke earlier Wednesday night.

Riverheads Supervisor Nancy Sorrells said the Virginia Code stipulates that supervisors cannot be involved in the assessment process. “We can’t stop it and we can’t roll it back,” Sorrells said. “Supervisors would be usurping power they don’t have.”

Sorrells, in opposing the motion, was joined by Wayne Supervisor Wendell Coleman, South River Supervisor David Beyeler, Middle River Supervisor Gerald Garber and Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Howdyshell of the North River District.

Earlier in the meeting, an engaged group of hundreds of Augusta County residents issued a resounding rebuke of the reassessment.

Masses converged on the Augusta County Government Center and pleaded with county supervisors to set aside the recent property reassessment.

A crowd filled the board meeting room by shortly after 6 p.m., and the overflow of people were sent to the nearby Smith Room. By 7 p.m., more than 600 people filled government center meeting rooms.

The assembled crowd applauded the arrival of Pyles about 6:40 p.m. Pyles has been the lone supervisor to consistently ask that the reassessment be rejected. When fellow supervisors arrived shortly before 7, they were greeted by boos from the crowd. Howdyshell banged his gavel and asked the crowd not to react so vocally.

Howdyshell said he was aware of the public’s concerns, but said “we are not here to get in a debate with you.”

Churchville attorney Francis Chester turned over petitions with more than 10,000 signatures to supervisors while asking them to set aside the county reassessment. Residential property values increased by nearly 28 percent on the appraisal of residential property.

Chester lifted the petitions in air and showed them to supervisors. He also was critical of the company that performed the reassessment, Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal Company, calling their contract “a sweetheart deal.” He said other companies did not bother to bid on the reassessment because they knew they would not get the county contract.

Chester said Blue Ridge President David Hickey and his family own considerable property in Augusta County, and said that poses a conflict of interest in Blue Ridge doing the reassessment.

He wondered why the county board of assessors certified the assessment five days before Wednesday’s meeting, when the work was not complete and county residents who gained reductions on assessment appeals had not been notified of the final adjustments.

“We the people are the masters,” Chester said to supervisors. “We intend to take our government back and won’t take this anymore. We are going to court and very shortly We the people will make law in Augusta County Circuit Court if you don’t do it.”

Michael Shull, a Riverheads District resident, said assessments in Augusta County are without “rhyme or reason.” Shull, who spoke for a group of residents in Riverheads, was flanked by his two children. “This is the future of Augusta County,” he said. “You will deny them the right to have a farm.”

Richard Armstrong, the owner of a piece of Augusta County property, said the property is condemned but increased by $5,000. Armstrong said he appealed his assessment but has yet to get an answer. “I will go one step further than Mr. Chester, I’ll call for a tax strike,” Armstrong said. He said the money could be put in an escrow account until the reassessment matter could be settled in court.

Kenneth Cunningham, also a Riverheads District resident, said supervisors had ignored the concerns of county residents about the reassessment. “The board of supervisors have acted like paid lobbyists,” said Cunningham, who said he would vote for challengers to the incumbent supervisors in the next election “even if Forrest Gump” is the opponent.