On behalf of the citizens of this wonderful community and the members of Town Council, it’s my honor and privilege to welcome you to Blackstone, Virginia! Our town of 3,675 has seen a lot since our incorporation back in 1888.
Blackstone, formerly known as “Black’s & White’s” after two rival tavern keepers, was named in memory of the noted English jurist, Sir William Blackstone, whose famous quotes include, “It is better that 10 guilty escape than one innocent suffer…Man was formed for society, and neither is capable of living alone, nor has the courage to do it….Free men have arms; slaves do not.”
Blackstone one of the first municipalities in Virginia to operate under the Council-Manager form of government. Your Mayor here is largely ceremonial, but this one’s been known to speak-out a time or two and can be rather hands-on! Open government is my creed, and I’m proud to be a General Assembly appointee on Virginia’s Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Council.
I’m a fierce independent and have lived here my entire 50 years except for four years at the College of William & Mary, where my wife, Joyce, and I graduated in 1990. We have two daughters, Caroline (a journalist at NBC 10 in Columbia, SC), and Mary Katherine, who’s wrapping-up her Psychology/Counseling studies at James Madison University.
Blackstone today is approximately 48% African-American, 46% white, and about 6% Hispanic. Community relations are very important to me, and I’d like Blackstone to become a role model for the nation. Dramatic progress has been made in the last 50 years, but, like every community, we still have our challenges. One day at a time! Slow and steady wins the race.
I returned home after college, during the 1990 recession, and fell in love with my family’s business, the Courier-Record. I enjoy writing and taking pictures, so I guess it was meant to be. I played too hard at college to make law school — a failure but one with a silver lining.
In addition to my affection for Blackstone, I love people, running, concerts, golf, competing, stand-up comedy, debating, beaches, and following current events. I also enjoy the wonderful great outdoors that surround our community. And I also enjoy solitude to re-charge my batteries. I also enjoy talking and listening to those with whom I may disagree. In so doing, I’m able to re-evaluate and test my views and learn more about myself.
If I can ever be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to email or call, or look me up on Facebook, where I’m fairly active and — occasionally — rather silly. Life is short, so let’s enjoy it!
Email: mayorbilly@courier-record.com
Cell/Text: 434-294-6801 (leave message).
Blackstone, VA