Welcome to Notes from the Square, a roundup of state politics and policy news. Each week, we bring you updates on the movers and shakers in Virginia politics as well as the legislation and initiatives they’re supporting or opposing — with a Southwest and Southside Virginia focus.
Got a tip or story idea? Email me at elizabeth@cardinalnews.org.
State seeks public input on rail plan
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will host a virtual public meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to gather input into its development of a 2026 statewide rail plan.
Department staff plans to review feedback from the public collected through surveys and previous meetings. Staff also will share how public comments are shaping the planning process and provide additional insight as the project team works toward a more responsive, community driven rail strategy, according to a release about the upcoming meeting.
Members of the public who want to attend the meeting are encouraged to register online.
The department will use the statewide rail plan to outline its six-year and 20-year investment efforts and future improvements to passenger and freight rail service.
Public feedback will play a critical role in shaping the future of the commonwealth’s rail network, the department said in a statement.
Spanberger announces new board appointments
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced more board appointments at the end of August. Here’s a list of appointees from Southwest and Southside Virginia (*denotes reappointment):
Board of trustees of the Sen. Frank Ruff Center for Rural Virginia
- Dr. William Swecker Jr. of Blacksburg, professor emeritus of large animal clinical sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech
Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority
- *Michael Karmis of Blacksburg, professor emeritus, Virginia Tech
Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
- *Jay Jennings of Mecklenburg, executive vice president, JF Leaf Ltd.
- *Sarah Wilson of Abingdon, owner, Leonard Land Livestock
- Angela Hairston of Danville, superintendent, Danville Public Schools
- Alexis Ehrhardt of Danville, vice president for government relations, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Edward Owens of South Boston, owner and operator, Edward Owens Agency
Virginia Tourism Authority
- Will Payne Jr. of Bristol, co-founder, Squabble State Hard Cider & Spirits
Virginia Public School Authority Board of Commissioners
- Kevin Rotty of Goochland, retired, PFM Financial Advisors
Advisory board for the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- *Carl Cline of Roanoke, president, Carilion Clinic at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
Advisory Board on Acupuncture
- Victoria Jean Taylor of Christiansburg, licensed acupuncturist
Board for People with Disabilities
- Olivia Price of Covington, school cafeteria food service, Alleghany County Public Schools
Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
- *Dr. Scott Hickey of Maidens, emergency physician, Augusta Health
Board of Nursing
- *Helen Parke of Concord, family nurse practitioner, Blue Ridge Medical Center
Board of Physical Therapy
- Mitchell Davis of Salem, retired
Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Dr. Steve Karras of Hardy, veterinarian, Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic
Maternal Mortality Review Team
- Dr. Jaclyn Nunziato James of Roanoke, obstetrician and gynecologist, associate professor, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Soil and Water Conservation Board
- Nate Aker of Wytheville, farmer, Wolfpen Farms
Board of directors of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority
- Kelvin Bratton of Roanoke, director, real estate valuation, city of Roanoke
- Thomas Miller of Salem, director of economic development, city of Salem
- Michael Clark of Roanoke, owner and principal consultant, Oxbow
- Richard Peters of Franklin County, town manager, town of Vinton
Waste Management Board
- Craig Coker of Troutville, principal, Coker Composting and Consulting
- Jeremy Garrett of Roanoke, director of operations and technical services, Roanoke Valley Resource Authority
Aerospace Advisory Council
- *Tombo Jones of Roanoke, director, Virginia Tech FAA Designated UAS Test Site
