When Gordonsville’s longtime mayor Bob Coiner announced he wasn’t running for reelection in 2024, Gordonsville Town Council member Ron Brooks was eager to step up and take the leadership role. He ran unopposed and quickly took on big projects in hopes of making the town of about 1,500 residents a better place to live. Good intentions notwithstanding, he has stirred up controversy just about every step of the way.
For this episode of the Byrdcast, I interviewed Brooks, 39, at Gordonsville Town Hall. During our lengthy conversation, he came across as warm and affable, and eager to communicate effectively with his constituents.
In the interest of balance and fairness, I offered Orange County Supervisor Jason Capelle the chance to respond to a portion of the interview transcript in which the mayor made remarks about him and Mark Johnson. Capelle represents District 1, which includes Gordonsville, and Johnson is the former District 1 supervisor and former chair of the board of supervisors; he is the current chair of the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA). Scroll down for Capelle’s rebuttal. And note that if you’d rather read this interview than listen to it, you can click the “transcript” button above.
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Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
On how the boundary adjustment issue became political: In the interview transcript, the Mayor [Ron Brooks] suggests the boundary adjustment was made political by others and points to a “small conversation” at the Inwood restaurant. However, the public record suggests something different.
July 25, 2025: Mayor Brooks announced the proposed boundary adjustment on Facebook.
July 26, 2025: Mayor Brooks published an open letter on Facebook asking each of the three District 1 Supervisor candidates, “Where do you stand on the boundary adjustment?”
August 14, 2025: The Inwood meeting was organized by local residents. I was invited and did attend. The reference to a “small conversation” at Inwood leaves the impression that it was between former Supervisor Mark Johnson and me. That was not the case.
I believe the timeline speaks for itself regarding how the boundary adjustment entered the District 1 Supervisor’s campaign. It is also important to note that all three District 1 Supervisor candidates ultimately opposed the boundary adjustment proposal.
Regarding RSA: The interview suggests my position on the boundary adjustment was connected to the Town’s attacks on RSA. It was not. Those were two separate issues. In August 2025, I met with Mayor Brooks and Town Manager Anthony Scheinschang. At that meeting, I told them I believed their focus on RSA was misplaced and the greatest opportunity to reduce water and sewer rates was to change what the Town was doing, not RSA.
I suggested that having RSA bill sewer customers directly would reduce sewer rates for residents. I also recommended that the Town review its own water rate structure for savings. Finally, I pointed out that the Town’s own data showed a significant gap between the amount of water being purchased and the amount being billed, and I recommended that they determine the cause of that gap. Ultimately, those are the steps the Town took and I commend them for doing so. The actions should result in lower water and sewer rates for most Town residents.
On my position generally: Any boundary adjustment should be evaluated on its own merits, including the wishes of the affected property owners, the fiscal impact on Orange County taxpayers, and the long-term land use implications. That is how I evaluated the Gordonsville proposal, and how I would evaluate any boundary adjustment proposals in the future. —Jason Capelle
Orange County Board of Supervisors regular meeting, 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 28
Gordonsville Town Council work session, 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3
Orange County Planning Commission regular meeting, 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 6
Orange County Board of Supervisors regular meeting, 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11
Freedom Frolic Assembly, Piedmont Historical Dancers celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with English country dancing, Orange County Visitor’s Center, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15
“Seeking Light,” art exhibition by Firnew Farm Artists’ Circle, Baker Gallery, Woodberry Forest School, with closing reception, 4-6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 23
Fifth Saturday Open Mic, Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 7133 Rapidan Road, Rapidan, doors open 5:30 p.m., potluck supper, 6 p.m., gospel, bluegrass, musician’s choice, 7-9 p.m. (open to all musicians, including new performers; audience members welcome to come and listen); Saturday, Aug. 29
Orange Street Festival, Saturday, Sept. 5
Orange County Public Schools break ground for long-awaited CTE facility (July 21)
Proposed Valley Link transmission line corridor named one of state’s “most endangered places” (July 14)
Walker’s Chapel directors fire, then sue pastor Jeremiah Pent (July 7)
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