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By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON
Rappahannock Neva Staff Writer
“Everything you’ve always wanted to know about county government but were afraid to ask” was the theme of the panel discussion sponsored by the Rappahannock Citizens for Better Education recently. And if the audience at the elementary school auditorium left without understanding something of the workings of the General Assembly and the structure of county government, it wasn’t the fault of the panel. Circuit Court Judge Rayner V. Snead, Delegate George Beard, Clerk Diane Bruce and county Supervisor Richard Latham gave a thorough rundown of their areas of jurisdiction and responsibility and answered any and all questions.
Snead began by telling the audience of approximately 50 interested citizens that Rappahannock County was created in a very short act by the state legislature in 1833. One of the factors leading to the formation of the county as a separate entity was that "some of the people lived more than one day's travel from the court house (in Culpeper).” he said.
Snead emphasized that a county is “a creature of the legislature” and under Dillon’s Rule, has only those powers granted by the legislature. Counties “don't have any implied or inherent powers." he added.
Holding up a chart that detailed the branches of local government. Snead said that voters were the basis of Virginia’s political system, electing both the legislators and the Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is the county's governing body, said Snead, but it is
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