Jennifer Rathbun

October stats are out!

Here’s a link to the Caroline Sales and Listings.

And here’s Spotsylvania Sales and listing statistics.

If you have any questions about these reports or need price stats for another county, feel free to ask.

This month, I thought I would focus on currently listed homes with acreage under $150,000.

There are 13 homes that meet this criteria. Acreage ranges from 1 to 3.338. Days on market range from 1 day to 319 days.

Click the following URL to see the listings:
http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=1389753XOE7M&p=DE-94405184-847

At first glance, I think this one is my favorite: 17350 NEW BALTIMORE, MILFORD, VA 22514

(my husband graciously wrote this for me)

I will readily admit that I like having tidy neighbors. I fully agree that junk and yard clutter decrease the value of property resale.

I am also happy to hear that Virginia is considering a law to overrule the local POA's policy against hanging one's clothes to dry outside.

There are over 300,000 Property Owner's Associations in the US and many of them have adopted a policy to disallow clotheslines.

I initially thought this to be a good thing, but as my understanding of environmental impact and cost savings has grown, I've changed my ideology. I think that homeowner rights and efforts to decrease utility costs out weigh the Property Owner's Association rationale for policing how a homeowner dries their clothes.

According to the New York Times article "Debate Follows Bills to Remove Clotheslines Bans" many states have already taken away the POA's right to ban outside drying and Virginia is among others that are moving that direction. The article points out that clothes dryers account for about 6% of the normal household's total electric bill.

I think there is a compromise. I don't wish to see my neighbor's underwear dangling in the wind for days at a time, so perhaps clothes drying could be contained to daylight hours, etc...

The world is changing, many homeowners find solace in their ability to take actions that will help the environment and will continue to fight for those rights. Admittedly I find that there is an generational barrier to this issue. Those of the Baby Boomer and Silent generation are not thrilled with the ideology of the predominantly Generation X and Y, that would rather sacrifice a small bit of ascetics for a better earth. I happen to think the POA policies against solar energy collectors will be the next article up for grabs.

Mindset and beliefs will be challenged as Generation X and Y become more active in "making the sausage". POA committees that have predominantly been made up of older generations may start finding some new challengers.

This weekend I participated in my first Oktoberfest. It was a neighborhood get-together with friends coming together to enjoy the nip in the air, try a few beers, and stuff themselves with some great German food!

For someone who does not drink beer or eat sauerkraut, I still had a great time! Just getting to know your neighbors a little bit better and to create a deeper relationship makes you feel like family. And since our families are often in another town or state, it’s important to have friends that you feel like you can call upon during an emergency or just to chat with!

This is the first neighborhood I have ever lived in where we have participated in neighborhood get-together on a regular basis. And I love it! If your neighborhood or street has never had a block party, consider hosting one!

• Plan the date 2 months in advice and send out flyers right away
• Ask everyone to bring a drink and dish to share
• Provide the paper products, tables, and electrical outlets
• Have business cards with your Facebook/Twitter info on the back so you can continue to stay in touch between gatherings
• Be ready to laugh!

From the County Administrator and the Caroline County Website… (I’ve added most of the hyperlinks to make it easier for you to visit).

Contact Information:
Percy Ashcraft, County Administrator pashcraft@co.caroline.va.us (804) 633-5380

Message from the County Administrator
September, 2009

This message is the ninth in 2009 to better update our citizens and visitors to the website. The information serves as a status report for ongoing projects, and also serves as a preview to different happenings that are in the planning stages.

County government offices will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8.

The Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meetings this month on Tuesday, September 8 and Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center.

The Board of Supervisors and Public School Board will have a joint meeting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17 at the Community Services Center.

The Board of Supervisors will also host the Regional Elected Officials Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29 at the Visitor Center.

Tuesday, September 1 will be Bring Your Child to Work Day for County government employees. This is an opportunity for children and grandchildren of County employees to observe and better understand the responsibilities of their parents and grandparents in the workplace.

The State Fair of Virginia will hold its first State Fair in Caroline County September 24 – October 4 at its new site at Meadow Farm. The Board of Supervisors will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 24. State Fair President Curry Roberts will give a report at the September 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors on the upcoming Fair events.

County Staff will continue this month meeting with individual members of the Board of Supervisors in establishing short and long-range strategic goals for the County.

Caroline County will continue its effort this month to promote the All-America Cities Award that was captured in June.

All county residents are encouraged to register for the Caroline Alert System. The system will notify residents of emergencies and other government news through their cell phones and desktop computers. This is a free service offered by the Board of Supervisors. Click on www.CarolineAlert.com to register.

Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening in County government during the month of August:

• The Parks and Recreation Department will begin soccer and youth football games this month. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on these programs and other offerings.
• The Board of Supervisors will continue this month to discuss the update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
• At the request of Chairman Acors, County Staff has put together a 2010 Census Team which will be charged with assisting with the identification of every County resident for the 2010 Census. The first meeting will be in October.
• County staff and consultants continue to work on a proposal that will allow the County to withdraw water from the Rappahannock River in the future. The Department of Environmental Quality must grant its approval before water can be withdrawn.
• The Dawn Wastewater Project is nearing completion of its first phase, with almost 200 homes to be served. Residents interested in signing up for Phase II are asked to contact the Utility Department at (804) 633-4386.
• The Utility Department will continue this month to oversee the drilling of new wells to increase potential for new water quantity in the County.
• The Utility Department will continue to provide the residents of Lake Caroline with water because of a failed system operated by the Lake Caroline Water System. A hearing is planned before the State Corporation Commission in October to sort out the future plans to provide water to the residents.
• The Board of Supervisors adopted at its August 25 meeting an incentive package for Fire and Rescue Volunteers as recommended by the Emergency Services Commission.
• The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its September 22 meeting on an ordinance that would create a Housing Stimulus Package that will look to provide a boost to local builders.
• The Board of Supervisors will have under consideration at its September 22 meeting a lease agreement with the Public School Division regarding the use of the old Ladysmith Elementary School.
• A request to rezone property by the Flippo family for the purpose of a residential subdivision along Route 207 next to Belmont has been delayed indefinitely at the request of the property owner.
• The Board of Supervisors has delayed action indefinitely at the request of the owner a proposal to locate a mulch plant (Norfleet) along Route 2.
• The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its September 8 meeting on a text amendment establishing Guest Quarters at the location of Ladysmith Floor and Lumber.
• The Board of Supervisors approved at its August 25 meeting an ordinance to establish a Wireless Service Authority.
• An agreement is close involving the negotiations between the County and Metrocast regarding a TV Cable Franchise agreement. A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 as part of the Board of Supervisors meeting.
• County Staff will continue to work with regional officials to expand the use of the Lloyd Boxley Cannery located along Route 301 south. The County is accepting applications for three part-time positions.
• Economic Development Director Gary Wilson will introduce a new signage program at the September 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors to compliment a recently-adopted Technology Zone ordinance.
• The Board of Supervisors will entertain First Reading of an ordinance amendment at its September 8 meeting to codify the duties and responsibilities of the Fire-EMS Chief.
• The Board of Supervisors at its September 8 meeting will receive an annual report from MediCorp Health Services.
• The Board of Supervisors will discuss at its September 22 meeting future water plans for Caroline Pines subdivision.

Caroline public and private schools open September 8. Please be mindful of children walking in school zones and around school busses.
Have a great month!