Businesses of Rappahannock elects Smith to board
Last month, the Businesses of Rappahannock board of directors unanimously voted to elect Laurie Smith to ll a vacant seat on the board.
“It was an easy decision as we all recognize her love of Rappahannock County and her unending dedication to the Farm Tour,” according to a statement from the nonpro t organization that represents Rappahannock’s business community. “We are looking forward to working with Laurie and are very excited about the insights she will bring to the board, helping us to better support our vibrant agricultural business community.”
Smith has been a resident of the county since 1998. She is also the executive director of the Rappahannock County Farm Tour and has a small dairy goat farm in Amissville, where she resides with her partner, Mark Reinhardt.
The Rappahannock News asked Smith about the challenges and opportunities she sees facing local businesses in the new year:
“The lack of available employees continues to a ect local businesses, with many having to change their operating hours to accommodate for their sta ng issues. Also, continued hiccups in the supply chain coupled with the ever-increasing costs of most all goods and services are a ecting businesses across the board, especially small businesses that may have less wiggle room.
Many businesses are now also managing a work-from-home or hybrid workforce, which can present new physical and organizational dynamics to keeping everyone connected. When a better broadband solution nally comes to light in Rappahannock I hope that these challenges can be turned into opportunities to keep businesses resilient to a changing landscape.”
BOR ON SMITH’S ELECTION: “It was an easy decision as we all recognize her love of Rappahannock County and her unending dedication to the Farm Tour.”
But I would also like to focus on the positive! The collaboration and camaraderie between our local businesses is incredible, and is a shining example of how wonderful our community really is. Together we are all stronger, and there is such pride that goes hand in hand with being a Rappahannock business.
I'd like to encourage any businesses that aren't currently a member of Businesses of Rappahannock to join. The networking events are an incredible place to share your services with our business community and discover mutual opportunities. I'm always amazed by the connections made during these (free) events!”
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
• Rappahannock County Public $10 Discount ONLINE Schools WE S closed on Friday, Dec. 16, at GUN or (757) 331- noon and will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
• All county government you are closed Friday, Dec. 23, Join and Monday, Dec. 26, and will FRE reopen at in get close again on Tuesday, Dec. OPEN 27; then on Monday, Jan. FULL 2, for New Year’s Day, and reopen Tuesday, BORE! Jan. 3.
• Atlantic Union Bank in Washington will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, and reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27; ur closed on Monday, Jan. 2, for New yo tr Year’s ea Day, reopening on Tuesday, ar Y ! St ng Ne w Jan. Ba 3.
• The Rappahannock News will be closed Monday through Friday, Dec. 26 to Jan. 2, for Christmas vacation, reopening on Tuesday, Jan. 3. ere will be no newspaper published next ursday, Dec. 29.
• Refuse Sites at Amissville and Flatwood will be closed at noon Saturday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day and Monday, Dec. 26. Amissville will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Flatwood will reopen on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 a.m. Both locations will be closed on Sunday, New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 2. Amissville will open on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 7:30 a.m., and Flatwood will open on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 7 a.m.
• Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services transportation will not operate on Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of Christmas.
► The Town Planning Commission’s Dec. 26 meeting has been canceled. e next regularly scheduled meeting is on Jan. 23, 7 p.m., at Town Hall.
► There will be a special Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 5 p.m. at the Rappahannock County Courthouse, 250 Gay St., Washington.
► The Town Council will hold a public hearing regarding a zoning ordinance text amendment to regulate solar panels at its Jan. 9 meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
► All are welcome and encouraged to attend a special meeting of the Town Council on Saturday, Jan. 7 at noon at Town Hall for the swearing-in of the newly elected council. ere will be a light refreshment reception a er the meeting.
► The Rappahannock County Garden Club will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Washington Fire Hall. ey meet the third Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. for social time, 1:30 p.m. for a business meeting and then have a special speaker or program at 2 p.m. is month’s program will be a “do it yourself” workshop involving miniature Tea Cups and Saucers. Experts will instruct the club members how to assemble this creative design. Please bring your own containers and flowers. All are welcome.