By TIM HUTCHINSNelson County Judge-Executive Saturday, May 27, 2023 — It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through 2023. My first five months as your Nelson County Judge-Executive has been busy, enlightening, gratifying, challenging, and sometimes aggravating. With my previous experience as a magistrate, I was aware of many aspects of this […]
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIOSTAFF REPORT Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Nelson County Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins was the studio guest on WBRT’s “Bradford & Brooks” radio show on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Hutchins discussed many of the changes he’s made in county government to improve employee pay, retain employees and reduce waste. Tim also talked […]
By JIM BROOKSNelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio Saturday, May 6, 2023 — Nelson Fiscal Court gave its initial approval of a 30-day moratorium, or “pause” for all zoning applications related to new bourbon warehouse projects in Nelson County. The approval came at a special-called meeting last Thursday afternoon. After meeting a week earlier with […]
To the editor, Historically, Jim Brooks and I have agreed on most subjects. However, I do not agree with some of his opinions posted in the Gazette on May 1st. Because of a technical error in the April 14th meeting, the Magistrates felt that the first reading of the Zoning Moratorium should have been rescinded […]
By JIM BROOKSNelson County Gazette Monday, May 1, 2023 –– After hearing from representatives of our local bourbon industry — all of whom expressed alarm at the public statements and the perception of an anti-bourbon attitude of county government — Nelson Fiscal Court unanimously voted at its last meeting to delay taking any action on […]
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIOSTAFF REPORT Wednesday, April 26, 2023 — Former Judge-Executive Dean Watts was the studio guest on WBRT’s “Bradford & Brooks” radio show Wednesday morning, April 26th. Dean took time to talk about the ongoing discussion in Nelson Fiscal Court regarding a 90-day moratorium on the zoning for all bourbon industry-related projects. […]
To the Editor and the Citizens of Nelson County: The fiscal court meeting on Tuesday evening revealed a significant disconnect between our community and the bourbon industry. As Judge-Executive, I campaigned on the belief that our role is to be the voice of the people who elected us and to be transparent with county residents. […]
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIOSTAFF REPORT Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Nelson Fiscal Court held its second night meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The meeting featured input from bourbon industry leaders in regard to the proposed 90-day zoning moratorium on all bourbon-related projects. The court rescinded their first reading on the moratorium from the […]
By JIM BROOKSNelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio Tuesday, April 18, 2023 — Following feedback from members of the Nelson County bourbon industry, Nelson Fiscal Court voted Tuesday night to rescind the court’s first reading of a 90-day moratorium blocking all zoning approvals on bourbon industry-related projects. The court gave the first approval of the […]
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIOSTAFF REPORT Tuesday, April 18, 2023 — Nelson Fiscal Court held a special meeting Friday morning, April 14, 2023, to hold first reading on an ordinance that establishes a 90-day moratorium on zoning applications related to bourbon projects in Nelson County. The first reading passed 4-1, with Magistrate Keith Metcalfe voting […]
