A Conversation with Vincent Bataoel
By Elaine Anne Watt
Currently, there are three registered candidates for Mayor of Middleburg for the coming election in May: Vincent Bataoel, chairman of the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee since 2014, Mark Snyder, a Town Council member since 1998, and Bridge Littleton, a Town Council member since 2016. Middleburg Life intends to sit down with all candidates to discuss their visions for our town.
Vincent Bataoel and I met over delicious omelets and hot coffee at Market Salamander to discuss his hopes for the town and thoughts on the coming election on what could only be described as one of those typical February days that leave us longing for spring to arrive. However, Vincent greeted me with his usual enthusiastic smile, and we got down to business.
Vincent and his wife, Nelina Loiselle, started their sustainable design studio, Above Green, back in 2007 in Fairfield, Iowa. As their business began to grow and opportunities developed out east, they decided to relocate in 2009. Nelina, a devoted equestrian, had fallen in love with The Chronicle of the Horse and read all about Middleburg. She promptly said that if they were to move, it had to be here. They were looking for a charming small town and a country lifestyle. And, that is why Vincent is running for Mayor.
“The role of Mayor is to maintain the vision of Middleburg as a small, charming town and make that come first when making all the decisions that we will encounter,” says Vincent. “We need to attract the kinds of businesses and people we want here by going out and inviting them.” Vincent believes Middleburg is “a great place for all kinds of businesses, especially those that serve residents and businesses alike.” He’s proactive about recruiting small, independent businesses that can help Middleburg become self-sustaining like it was in the past.
“I will work to fill our empty storefronts,” he says.
As part of his role as Chairman of the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, a position appointed by the Town Council and where he currently serves in his second consecutive term, he has sought out potential businesses that might be a good fit for Middleburg and asked them to consider opening up here. That’s how the King Street Oyster Bar came to Middleburg. “He [the owner] was invited to come take a look and found a great opportunity,” says Vincent.
“The job of Mayor is to knock on doors, to listen to people and their stories, how they got here and why and to make sure they are fairly represented,” he says.
This is the first contested race for mayor in 26 years, and Vincent “sees the value and opportunity to give back” by serving as the town’s “chief advocate and promoter.”
Vincent emphasizes that only 76 of the 500 registered voters turned out and actually voted in the last election. “I want to get voters excited and engaged again and to be part of the process,” he says.
Having spent the better part of last year and this year knocking on doors, Vincent says it is amazing how many people he’s talked to who have said they’ve never felt like anyone was interested in what they had to say or asked them for their opinions or concerns.
“I want to change that. I want everyone to know that their concerns and needs are being heard and addressed,” he says. Running a small business, understanding what it takes to make one thrive, having a vision for where it is going, “those are the same skills that I will bring to the role of Mayor.
“For the first time in a long time the town has significant excess cash reserves, $3.2 million dollars, and it’s time to make improvements that are needed and to reduce the burden on our residents and businesses,” he continues. “Both can be done at the same time.”
Therefore, his first priority is to give people the services they’ve been asking for, whether it’s sidewalks in their neighborhoods to protect residents and their pets from increased traffic or water rates that are more comparable to other areas with “affordable water that you can drink from the tap.”
With a very capable town staff and the long anticipated capital improvement plan under development, the Mayor will be working closely with the Town Council and the citizenry to make sure that the right vision and priorities are set.
Part of that vision includes engagement with adjoining areas. Vincent is on the Board of the Aldie Heritage Association that is currently fighting to save the gateway to Middleburg, historic Aldie.
In his words, “Middleburg is already changing, and it needs new blood to shape the change, but that also understands the leadership that has come before and the importance of preserving Virginia hunt country.” Vincent wants everyone to address change “in a way that is sustainable, and that does not make us a tourist town, but a town that is welcoming to healthy businesses and visitors alike.
“Middleburg is close to being perfect,” he adds. “It needs a few small tweaks, and we have plenty of resources to make that happen. I am an optimist.”
Vincent wants to harness the current cash reserves and the projected General Fund surplus of $1 million annually to reduce the cost of water rates while preparing for the needs of the future.
When asked about the affordability of town to potential residents, Vincent says that Middleburg draws from a large pool of talent in surrounding areas. “We don’t have to change who we are on the inside, and we don’t have to be something we’re not” to have Middleburg do well. He wants to see limits on development within areas receiving public services.
“I hear residents concerned about homes that are too big for their neighborhoods, bringing too much traffic, and about what’s going on in their backyards,” he says. “We want our small town to stay small and charming. I came here for the small town, and others have, too.”
The answer, in Vincent’s view, is “finding the businesses that are good for residents and good for visitors, small professional businesses that employ people and will bring people here.”
“This is horse country,” he adds, “and even if you’re not a part of it [equestrians], this is fundamentally who we are and includes horses, vineyards, open spaces and a quiet life.”
Vincent says, “Whether you’re born and raised here or new to town, we’re all here by choice; we choose to be part of Middleburg because we share a common bond for the country life. ” ML