Nelson Resident In Meeting With RVCC Responds About Dominion Grant To Center

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Screenshot from Rockfish Valley Community Center's public Facebook page.
Screenshot from Rockfish Valley Community Center's public Facebook page.
Screenshot from Rockfish Valley Community Center’s public Facebook page.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia

As we first reported on Thursday, the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton has accepted a matching grant from The Dominion Foundation for a windows project at the center. The grant, at times, has recently become a lightning rod of discussion since Dominion subsidiaries are also responsible for pursuing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project through Nelson and adjoining counties.

Friday evening BRL received a response from Marilyn Shifflett of Nelson County regarding the publicity on the grant. She met with the center’s Executive Director on Thursday. Ms. Shifflett’s remarks are posted verbatim below.

“Regarding the acceptance of the Dominion Foundation grant by RVCC for their Green Initiative, I’d like to clarify some points, as I dropped in to see Stuart on Thursday morning after hearing that RVCC has accepted $20,000 from the Dominion Foundation. First of all, be clear that my meeting was not as a representative of the groups I work with opposing the ACP. I went solely as a nearly 50-year resident of the Nelson community. Stuart was gracious and offered a detailed explanation at how the community center came to apply and eventually be offered this grant. He explained the need to match the funds from the Perry Grant and with a deadline looming, the center’s subsequent application to the Dominion Foundation. I agreed that the Nelson community is not in a position to fund such a project on its own, but questioned the approach with Dominion. Stuart explained that initially, the grant was turned down but the foundation suggested they work with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline as dollars for such community efforts are built into the ACP’s budget. He then stated that they took issue with this opportunity and explained to the Dominion Foundation that the pipeline was too controversial for the RVCC to consider taking such a donation/grant. He then told me that the RVCC board had collectively decided to remain neutral on the pipeline and they went back to the foundation and asked that they reconsider funding, in order to fulfill the “mission” of the foundation. The grant at some point after, was clearly offered.

Again, solely my views and not necessarily the views of the groups I work with in opposition to the ACP, I found this to be very disturbing. While I respect the RVCC’s decision to remain neutral on the pipeline, the acceptance of this grant generated the following remark, as quoted by Stuart yesterday:
“The Dominion Foundation is proud to partner with the Rockfish Valley Community Center and support the great work it is doing to provide a vital and thriving community center that serves as a safe and caring place for people of all ages and walks of life.”

I find the word “partner” to be indicative of how this industry works in “targeted” communities to come forward as “good neighbors”. Their disrespect for private property owners all along this route is widely known and documented. Dominion, under the guise of the ACP, LLC has little interest in being a good neighbor. Good neighbors do not put lives and property at risk purely for profit. Good neighbors understand the negative impacts of their actions, and respond appropriately.

The RVCC will lose little by the loss of my support in the future, as I cannot afford to contribute the large dollars needed to fund their future needs, but I applaud Blue Ridge Life Magazine’s courage to come forward at great risk, to truly support this community.

And with all due respect to the dedicated folks at RVCC, how can the community center be viewed as “neutral”?

2 COMMENTS

  1. Dominion is playing an old game: divide and conquer. Their cynicism is so out there, don’t let them create sideshow conflicts in the community that steal energy and divert time away from fighting the pipeline. We all make mistakes, but the stakes here are so much greater than windows at the community center.
    Stay strong friends, Dominion is the evil here.

  2. Thank you, Marilyn, for your efforts and eloquent words and for everything that you do for cause of those of us opposed to the pipeline and all of Dominion’s underhanded tactics! RVCC may not suffer from your lack of support (or from yours BRLM – thank you!) but if we ALL withdraw our support and membership they WILL suffer!
    In fact, this is a great opportunity to oust the board and so called “management” which has not been reflective of the community as a whole anyway. Now their true colors are showing! And what do they care? This monstrosity probably isn’t slated to go anywhere near their property anyway!
    This act needn’t divide us as a community or bring down the center but can bring us closer together with new blood and leadership at helm and make the center stronger and more relevant than ever.
    Boycott the RVCC until there is positive change and no more sinister support! AND NO PIPELINE!!!

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