Southern Fauquier “town hall” meetings to start in February

Beginning in February, Supervisor Lee Sherbeyn (Cedar Run District) will make good on a campaign promise to hold monthly town hall-style meetings on “hot topics” that concern southern Fauquier residents.

The gatherings will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the Remington Lions Club on U.S. 29.

Board Vice Chairman Chester Stribling (Lee District) also will attend the meetings, which will focus on Lee District and Cedar Run District issues.

The Feb. 8 meeting will have no fixed agenda, Sherbeyn said.

That night, he wants to spend time on introductions of himself and Stribling and an explanation of what he generally hopes the meetings will achieve.

“It’s a good way of getting neighbors involved, face-to-face, and why they’re coming from where they’re coming” from on issues, Sherbeyn said of the meetings.

He believes the hour-long get-togethers could foster a greater “sense of community” and understanding among people who may disagree on an array of matters.

He also hopes the meetings will encourage people to speak their minds and participate in civic affairs.

“Not a lot of people get involved” in shaping the decisions that affect them, Sherbeyn said. “It’s a few individuals that make the noise. I’d love to see standing room only” at the monthly meetings. “We need to get the people involved.”

The Lions Club probably can hold 200 to 300 people, he said.

The Cedar Run District supervisor wants residents, not he and Stribling, leading the monthly discussions.

“We want to get a feel for what they want, what they’re feeling are the hot topics,” Sherbeyn said. “It’s up to them.

Commentary will be limited to those who live in Lee District and Cedar Run District, although the meetings will be open to anyone who wishes to attend, he said.

When possible, the meetings will feature a county government department head who will talk about his or her agency, Sherbeyn said.

Stribling likes the idea for the monthly meetings.

“I hope the people will come out,” he said. “The Bealeton water situation is a big issue. The southern sports complex. We don’t have any money for it. But we do have a general plan.”

Other concerns could include the Village of Catlett dispute, the 475-home Mintbrook proposal at Bealeton and the Virginia Department of Transportation’s plan to replace a 1930 bridge near Remington that spans the Rappahannock River, Sherbeyn said.