In the small town of Mineral, Vice Mayor Councilman Ronald Chapman Thaler has stepped into the spotlight, advocating for transparency and accountability in local governance. With recent controversies surrounding the permit for Miller’s Market gas pumps and other issues plaguing the community, Lake Anna Online was able to have an individual interview with Chapman, who is determined to set the record straight and ensure that the town moves forward in a positive direction.

One of the main points of contention revolves around Miller’s Market. Chapman sheds light on the situation, highlighting concerns about misrepresentation and the need for adherence to town and county laws. Despite efforts to address issues such as parking lot safety and light pollution, compliance from the business owner has been lacking. Chapman, who resides directly across from the gas station, emphasizes the importance of community well-being over individual interests.

“[The gas station] was voted ‘no by previous town council,” Chapman stressed. “State law requires that any proposal submitted for town council review once voted on cannot be resubmitted for a year, and Miller’s Market was allowed to resubmit their application within a year for this council to re-evaluate. The end result is this council voted to approve the conditional use permit, with caveats: an EPA study, a VDOT traffic study, and several other items come into place before the town issuing a permit.”

The owner of Miller’s Market, AJ Singh, was being asked to not only produce the studies, but also come into compliance with the number of Uaul trucks in the parking lot, remove the overnight tractor-trailer parking, and then come into compliance with dark sky lighting, which is under a Louisa County guideline.

According to Champan, Singh agreed, however, none of those things have yet been done.

Chapman stresses the significance of transparency in local government, inviting scrutiny and questioning of council decisions. As a councilman, he is committed to serving the best interests of Mineral’s residents, striving to rectify past shortcomings and pave the way for a brighter future.

In regard to the dark sky lighting produced by Miller’s Market, Chapman admits that it is a nuisance, as he lives across the street, but that he isn’t the only one. “I have publicly stated that the spotlights on the front of the building are a nuisance…I don’t need to turn on my backyard lights to let my dog out at night. The request was made [by the planning commission] a year ago that the lights be made to point down instead of straight out.”

Again according to Chapman, the dark sky lighting has not been addressed by Singh.

The revelation of a decommissioned well lying beneath the parking lot of Millers’ Gas Station has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion. Vice Mayor Chapman, while acknowledging his lack of expertise as an engineer, highlights the potential risk this presents to the town’s water system. Expressing genuine concern, Chapman raises pertinent questions about the implications of allowing gas pumps in such proximity to the well. He stresses the importance of gathering all relevant facts and information to make informed decisions, emphasizing that it’s not about fear-mongering but rather ensuring the safety and well-being of Mineral’s residents.

Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Chapman recalls the challenges inherited from previous administrations, including financial discrepancies and infrastructure neglect.

Looking ahead, Chapman advocates for community involvement in town meetings, urging residents to participate in shaping Mineral’s future. With ongoing efforts to update the town’s comprehensive plan and address infrastructure concerns, he emphasizes the need for informed decision-making to safeguard against potential risks, such as groundwater contamination.

The next Town of Mineral Council meeting is this Monday, May 13th at 6:30, and information can be found here: https://www.townofmineral.com/meetings.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here