In the News... In Decending ChronoLogical Order

I developed and maintain this First Colony website, an initiative that received overwhelming support at the 2025 annual meeting that I volunteered to do.  I asked the Board in a respectful manner for any news or accomplishments since August/2025 that can be added to the website, and the Board president demanded (ref. his Email) that I suspend any further updates to the website.  He also prohibited me from participating on the Grounds Committee that I currently lead.   

With regard to dues ... I continue to withhold $368 from my Q4 payment each year that I would otherwise overpay to comply with our governing Master Deed that requires assessments be prorated based upon the square footage of homes (see references).  An attorney confirmed in December/2024 that no exceptions exist (see his Email) yet the Board's practice of assessing owners the same $ has continued for 2 more years.

The Grounds Committee (Rob Williford, Lindsay Lonsbury-Fleenor, and Marilyn Wolfe) has released an updated Landscaping Opportunities for Improvement Report.

We've obtained the FMEA flood map of First Colony.  See Landscaping & Grounds Page.  

More is known about the development of the Sunny Valley (VA) subdivision that will border First Colony to the north.  A recently posted sign at the entrance off King Mill Pike reveals a dense plat of over 300 lots.  See map that overlays that plat onto Google Maps that also shows First Colony.   WCYB covered the ground breaking ceremony at Sunny Valley on 10/21/25 where Gov. Glenn Youngkin spoke (see video).

Washington County Department of Zoning Administration (it's outside Bristol VA city limits) explains that various supporting plans (e.g., sewer, storm water runoff, King Mill Pike widening) are still being formalized by developer.  Construction start is pending submission/acceptance of those supporting plans.  Homes will consist of single family homes and duplexes ranging from $220K-$320K.  

The Board approved Rob Williford cleaning up the base around the 3 large conifer trees behind Hampton Ct.   The area had been overtaken by evasive plants and scrub trees.  See before picture.  There were also 1" diameter vines that were hindering their health (see brown leaves in this picture taken 10 days after vines were cut at the base) .  This work has been completed.  See after picture.  

An updated draft of the FC Rules and Regulations (view document) has been provided to the Board for review.  The new draft includes standards for garage doors, shingles, and front door paint.   It also includes a matrix that clarifies what are HOA vs. owner responsibilities. 

Several children who live in First Colony ride the bus to school.  Buses pull up to the entrance gate to load/unload children.  Children cross over the exit lane to get to the bus.    This sign serves as a reminder to residents exiting First Colony to stop while the bus is loading/unloading children.  

A draft of the 2025 annual meeting minutes has been posted to the Documents page.  Its release demonstrates a significant accomplishment toward improving the communication from the Board to Owners.  In the past a draft of annual meeting minutes wasn't released until prior to the following annual meeting.  

The Grounds Committee (Rob Williford, Lindsay Lonsbury-Fleenor, and Marilyn Wolfe) has released their Preliminary Report of Landscaping Opportunities for Improvement.  

Owners might have noticed recent improvements to the entrance.  Owners have Lois to thank for bringing two of the landscapers she uses to maintain her property in Tara Hills over to improve both sides of the front entrance at her own expense.   They cleared the areas of brush and weeds, re- dry stacked the stone, and laid mulch.  

The 2025 Board of Directors are: 

• Rick Dunham (283 South Hampton Dr.)
• John Snyder (121 West Hampton Dr.)
• Doyle Lawson (242 South Hampton Dr.)
• Jared Riddle (128 W. Hampton Dr.) Jared was elected to fill the 2 remaining years of Denise Tran's term
• Lindsay Lonsbury-Fleenor (101 Hampton Ct.) was elected to serve the expired 3 year term of Marilyn Wolfe

The 2025 Board has yet to meet to resolve officers amongst themselves (President, VP/Treasurer, Secretary).  Rick, John, and Doyle are serving the last year of their 3 year terms.  

There was overwhelming support at the recent annual meeting for owners to be notified of important events in a timely fashion (e.g., "Landscapers will begin trimming shrubs/trees on Monday", "Snow will be removed from roads starting Friday. The priority remains the hill up/down from the gate").  This will be done via Email broadcasts.  The "Resident List" on Documents page has the Email addresses we've been able to gather.  Please contact the Board if you see a change is needed.