Sayonara, Sally: Thomas gets celebrated at C.O.B.

County exec Bob Tucker, School Board Chair Brian Wheeler, and Supervisor Ann Mallek celebrate a smiling Thomas. (Click for slideshow of Supes.)
PHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER

Elected officials, county staff, and media turned out to celebrate the 16-year career of Sally Thomas, the woman who was elected to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors as a write-in candidate in 1993 and who retires this week. Thomas was lauded by her colleagues December 14 at a County Office Building reception.

Brian Wheeler, a journalist-policymaker wearing his chairman of the Albemarle School Board hat, thanked Thomas for her role as his "mentor," while other attendees praised hard work, studious preparation, and commitment to the community and her constituents in the Samuel Miller Magisterial District.

Though some of Thomas’ work appears to be suddenly unraveling these days– such as putting growth in the growth area (if a massive south-of-town subdivision Biscuit Run conks out) and building a giant reservoir (again, if Biscuit Run conks)– voters have known Thomas as an eager enforcer of the ââ?¬Ë?neighborhood model’ for development.

Even while greeting well wishers, Thomas stopped to take a reporter's question about Biscuit Run, which exemplified Thomas' commitment to "smart growth" but whose developer now appears eager to cut his losses and donate the land as a state park–- in an effort, Thomas says, to obtain tax credits.

"It's too bad" says Thomas, "It was our most thoroughly developed neighborhood plan."