Ann Mallek

Some Speakers at the Feb 25 budget hearing demanded that the BOS remove Mr. Dumler from his elected position representing the Scottsville district.  The BOS has no authority to demand resignation, or to circumvent the will of the voters. The Board may appoint a replacement until the next election if an office holder resigns.

In order to protect the voting choices of the electorate, a caretaker appointee must be true to the values which elected their representative. Changes in government must, by their nature, be deliberate and follow due process. There is no place for a knee jerk reaction which might cloud a change with personal agenda or outside influence.

As we enter March, this issue is no longer just about Mr. Dumler. It is about the county as a whole. I see a cloud over the operation of local government and a crisis of confidence on the part of some citizens.

Speaking only for myself, I think the time has come for resignation. Mr. Dumler would benefit from separation from the Board in order to put his life in order in peace and move on from this situation; the county will benefit from space from this issue to start the healing process.

I think the county would benefit from a careful choice to provide continuity for Scottsville district until a special election in November 2013. Several residents have suggested their neighbors. If and when Mr. Dumler finds a candidate who meets those continuity standards, he will be able to consider a resignation. We have made our concerns known, and the decision on what he thinks is best for the county is up to him.

The Board and staff work hard for county residents and that will continue. Citizens, please consider the process under the law.

Dear Citizens of Albemarle,

Why did I vote “no” on February 6 to a surprise board resolution to demand immediate removal of a sitting supervisor? Citizens have asked, “How can I, as a mother and grandmother, participate in government with someone whose behavior and integrity is in question?” There are legal, electoral, and personal reasons to this answer.

Regarding the legal part, a commonwealth’s attorney decided the charge that was brought against Mr. Dumler, and a commonwealth’s attorney decided to recommend a plea bargain that resulted in a plea to a misdemeanor by Mr. Dumler that was accepted by the court. Decisions were made by officials with more information and training in this area than I possess. The board of supervisors is not a judge or jury in this case. We must rely on the legal system for those decisions.

The electoral part is one of process. The reason boards of supervisors do not have the right to remove a colleague is to protect the voters of a district from losing their elected representative due to the will of an outside majority with an agenda.

It is up to the voters of the Scottsville district, in this particular circumstance, to request the court to remove its supervisor. The petition process is underway. The petition will be delivered to the circuit court, who will decide if the circumstances meet the legal requirements to proceed. If so, a commonwealth’s attorney will proceed with the case for removal, and then a trial can occur. The reason for this process is to protect the right of the district’s citizens to initiate the removal of their representative if the circumstances justify that removal.

Now the personal part. I work deliberately; I will not rush to judgment. In this case the facts available to the general public are few, yet I wrote a motion which I feel is adamant in its expectations of behavior.

After providing this motion to my colleagues in advance, I presented it on February 6 at the beginning of the supervisors meeting. The motion was seconded by Dennis Rooker and adopted 5 – 0. It reads as follows:

“The Board of Supervisors has no authority to remove someone from office who has been properly elected by the voters.

However, the Board may condemn the inappropriate behavior of a Board member that violates the values of the Board and is unbecoming for a member of this Board.

Mr. Dumler has admitted guilt and has pled guilty to a serious crime that no one on this Board condones.

Therefore, I move that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors censure Mr. Dumler for his inappropriate conduct that resulted in his conviction of a misdemeanor. The purpose of the censure is to affirm, on the record, our disapproval of his behavior and to admonish him for the discredit his actions have brought to this Board.”

The personal part is also anger and sadness that any behavior would put a victim in danger of harm or would damage the county or its citizens. My instinct, as a mother, a grandmother, and as a county supervisor, is one of a protector.

I understand citizens want this resolved immediately, and some support a quick removal of Mr. Dumler from the board.

In a crisis, our process is what pulls us together and helps the county resolve an issue. Then there can be no recriminations about outside influence or personal agendas to cloud the result. Then the county will be able to move forward.

Thank you for your continued concern for the County and its governance.

Ann Mallek,
White Hall district

Thank you for your confidence to send me back for a second term representing the White Hall district. You are vitally important to success, by sharing your insights about problems and solutions in our community.

Unlike some radio hosts, I believe “Community” is a good word, conveying a sense of caring about neighbors, local business success, our children’s futures and the protection of the environment which helps us to lead healthy lives. None of us is alone on an island; we are all connected to sink or succeed together.

Beginning Tuesday, March 13, I will host three citizens’ town halls. Police Dept officers and school board members will be in attendance. In addition to the budget details, I ask for feedback on any other issues of interest. I will gather topics every 30 minutes to prevent leaving issues unaddressed. Please join me at an upcoming meeting:

Tuesday, March 13. Town Hall with Pam Moynihan. Broadus Wood cafeteria. 7 pm.
Saturday, March 17. 1 pm. Town Hall with Steve Koleszar at White Hall community Center.
Monday, March 19. 7 pm at the Meadows, Crozet Ave. Town Hall with Eric Strucko and Ned Gallaway.

We will discuss the timetable for ordinance changes for rural area businesses such as bed-and-breakfast rooms in outbuildings and food service at farms, as well as changes to county process to “fast-track” applications to help our economic recovery.

There are many other questions. What are your thoughts on cost-recovery billing to insurance companies only for ambulance transport? Should changes be made to ordinances currently allowing burning of household trash in our backyards? Are you concerned about drug use in the school-age population?

Updates will also be provided about upcoming VDOT projects in the White Hall District.

Actions of the General Assembly as the session ends will affect the local budget. State government has passed us the bill to restore funding to the state retirement system by requiring an additional $1.4 M each year from Albemarle County. Sad the Governor did not repay the loan he took from the retirement system, calling it “surplus” and handing out bonuses to state employees.

General reductions in funding for schools, for mental health services as patients are returned to their communities, for maintenance of roads unless matched 50/50 by local funds, and cuts in funding for commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, and jail budgets will hamper our ability to fund our local future. It is unknown today what the Governor will do as the bills pass and come across his desk.

What is known is that we all can work together. Many of you help me to be well informed about issues of particular interest to you. We will continue to work together to fund the completion of the Historic District application and the furnishings to the Western Albemarle Crozet library.

Thank you all for your assistance.

Witness the confusion and questionable nature of internal VDOT emails about the bypass and its cost. Scroll to the bottom of the page at the following link for the audio file of the story, including UVA theatre students reading the comments.

Emails on VDOT’s 29 Bypass

Join us for a country square dance to
celebrate our community on September 24, 2011 at the Greenwood Community Center. This event is sponsored by Ann Mallek to have some fun and bring out community together.  Donations at the door will support the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, Crozet Volunteer Fire Department, Earlysville Fire Company, or Crozet PARC.

The evening fun will feature the county’s finest old time string band, Uncle Henry’s Favorites, with fabulous caller Brad Sayler.

Square Dances, Contra Dances, Circle Dances! All dances will be taught – no experience necessary!

Click on the graphic above or download the flyer for the event.

Directions to GREENWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER:
865 Greenwood Road, Greenwood VA.   The Center is just East of Greenwood, between Greenwood and Crozet on Jarmans Gap Road.  However, remember that Jarmans Gap Road is closed for the stretch directly West of Crozet. Go West on Route 250(towards Waynesboro) for 1.6 miles past Interstate 64. Turn right on Greenwood Station Rd (Rt. 690) for 1.1 miles. Turn right on Greenwood Rd (Rt. 691). The dance is just over the hill on the right. Be aware that the entrance is not well marked. Caution: DO NOT rely solely on Mapquest or GPS for accurate directions!