Trumbo, Stribling to lead board of supervisors in 2012

For the second time in five years, Holder Trumbo (Scott District) will head the Fauquier board of supervisors.

At its organizational meeting on Jan. 5, the board will elect Trumbo chairman and Chester Stribling (Lee District) vice chairman for 2012.

Trumbo, who last served as chairman in 2009, will succeed Ray Graham (Cedar Run District) in the post. Graham will retire on Dec. 31 after 12 years on the board.

“The chairman basically answers to the rest of the board as far as setting the agenda and working toward board priorities,” Trumbo said.

The chairman also must “separate any personal agenda” he might have and represent the “whole board,” after the five supervisors establish consensus or at least a three-person majority on issues, he said.

The chairman also leads board’s monthly meetings and work sessions.

Trumbo believes a chairman must establish a line of communication with each supervisor, regardless any differences they might have on issues or policy, he said.

“I’ve talked to all the board members all the time for all four [of the] past years,” said Trumbo, who manages his family’s IGA supermarket in Marshall. “I want to be kept abreast about where they are on things. I don’t need other people telling me where they are. I want to know it from them.”

He expects 2012 to be a full year.

Among other things, the board will deal with the 475-home Mintbrook proposal at Bealeton, proposed changes to the winery ordinance, which some regard as too flexible and other too stringent, the proposed 172-home by-right Arrington subdivision along Warrenton’s southwestern edge and failing drainfields at Catlett and Calverton, Trumbo said.

Early next year the board, which includes two new members, will begin work on the fiscal 2013 budget.

The budget review “is going to be a challenge” because of the weak economy and “because you’ve got new board members (Chris Granger of Center District, Lee Sherbeyn of Cedar Run District) who may have new or different priorities,” Trumbo said.

Stribling, who served as chairman in 2008, believes it’s appropriate for Trumbo to “bring the new board on. And if they want me to, I’ll be the vice chairman.”

Peter Schwartz (Marshall District) said he will back Trumbo and Stribling, a mechanic for his family’s auto repair business at Morrisville, for the two board posts because he hopes they will bring a geographic balance that will help “diminish any north-south rivalry” in Fauquier, real or perceived.

He also hopes the board will function as “one group of five guys, working together as best they can.”

In his support of Trumbo and Stribling for the chair and vice chairman jobs, Granger said: “Those guys know the mechanics of how it works. I’m fine with them taking care of it.”

Sherbeyn couldn’t be reached for comment.

The chairman receives $21,378 annually, the vice chairman $19,821 and the other three members get $18,267 apiece. The chairman and vice chairman jobs rotate annually among board members.

The board meets the second Thursday of the month in the Warren Green Building at 10 Hotel St., Warrenton.