Madison County officials are still fine-tuning proposed new rules regarding cell phone towers. The new policy aims to improve wireless communication in the county while protecting its “natural beauty,” according to drafts of the possible wireless communications ordinance.

Would you like to see bike lanes in Madison County? Or more carpooling opportunities to improve your daily commute? Officials are reaching out to area residents to find out how they feel their travel within the county and the surrounding area could be improved.

Election officials are warning local residents to keep T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and other campaign materials touting candidates away from the polls Nov. 4. Although the state law banning campaign materials within 40 feet of a polling place on Election Day has been on the books for years, state board of elections officials recently spelled out exactly what they mean by “campaign materials.”

In coming years, Madison County’s middle school may call Hoover Ridge home. Madison County Public Schools officials are working to develop a timeline for future school construction and renovation projects – including building a new middle school. 

Officials may dip into the county’s “rainy day” fund to cover cuts in state money. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine released a laundry list of items this month to be cut from the state’s current budget. Items on the chopping block include a previously promised two percent salary increase for county employees whose salaries are partly paid for by the state. Madison County’s current budget includes the previously expected Dec. 1 salary increases for these employees, which covers some positions in the offices of the sheriff, treasurer, social services, commissioner of revenue and others, according to officials.

As I squeezed through a gate and toward the vines at DuCard Vineyards, Owner Scott Elliff turned to me and asked, “Have you ever been to a vineyard?”
I responded quickly. 

Expansive views of sprawling farms, forests and mountains are the local resources most valued by many Madison County residents, according to a local group. The “Friends of the Hughes” organization aims to educate landowners about how they can protect these valued resources, according to one of the group’s organizers, Etlan resident Susan Cable.

Although the local health department will be offering free flu shots for some county children, it has scrapped public flu shot clinics from its usual schedule. 
“The primary goal of a health department is to meet a need for the public that’s not being met – but this need is being met with private doctors and drug stores,” said Jo Bond, the immunization coordinator for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, which includes Madison County. 

The blanket of bright green that has covered Madison County throughout the summer is giving way to shades of red, orange and yellow. “What I’m hearing and seeing is that fall color will be good this year,” said Madison County Extension Agent Adam Downing. 

Even a light rain often leaves the walk in front of Miss Pattie’s House antique store full of water. The 70-year-old sidewalk at 203 S. Main St. in downtown Madison includes only a small water drain, which is regularly covered by fallen leaves or other debris, according to the store’s owner. Water frequently collects in front of his store, sometimes flooding his basement, he said.

As drivers head north along U.S. 29 in Oak Hill, the lot in front of Eddins Ford may appear a bit less crowded than usual. “People say to me, ‘You don’t have the inventory you used to have,’ and they’re right. When the market started to slow down, I adjusted my inventory,” President Gregory Fisher told The Eagle.

Madison County resident Terry Cover has only voted in one presidential election in the past, he said. “It was back when [Alabama] Gov. [George] Wallace was running,” the middle-aged, casually dressed man who lives near Wolftown told The Eagle. But come Nov. 4, he’s sure he will be at the polls.

After paying local taxes as usual this December, Madison County residents may receive another tax bill in the mail this coming spring. Officials are preparing for some upcoming changes to the way they collect taxes – including billing residents for half of their typical tax bill once in June and once in December. (This December, residents will pay their full tax bill amount as in the past.)

Although a proposed program aimed at preserving Madison County’s farm and forest land appeals to many – it will likely raise local taxes, according to a county official. “I’m all for this program, I think it’s a great program, except for the fact of how you’re going to get the money,” Madison County Planning Commission Vice Chairman Pete Elliott said of a possible county “purchase of development rights” program.