Williamsburg — During public comment on Nov. 10 a resident, Dwan Bellamy, made a series of public accusations against the council and local processes, including claims of idea appropriation, unequal grantmaking and an excessive FOIA fee.

Bellamy said he previously brought a proposal focused on youth programs and that “a week and a half after I brought your proposal, Terry Short introduced 1 Waynesboro to the public using the exact same language of my proposal and using finances directed to the exact same things that I said in my proposal.” He added, “Like I said, I do not believe in coincidences. This is disgusting behavior and deplorable”.

He said he emailed council members twice without receiving a response, claimed he found evidence of price gouging in a FOIA where a $317 fee was charged for paperwork, and alleged the council funded non‑Black organizations while excluding Black representation from a $100,000 program. He concluded by saying he would not stand for what he described as exclusion.

What the record shows: Bellamy made allegations and claimed documentary evidence (his FOIA filing). The transcript records his statements but includes no contemporaneous response from council members or staff in the Nov. 10 minutes. The transcript does reference Terry Short by name as the council member he accused, but it does not include a reply from Short or any representative.

Why it matters: the allegations concern fairness in program funding and government transparency. They were made publicly at council comment and would ordinarily prompt staff follow-up or requests for documentation to verify the FOIA fee and claims about grant recipients.

What’s next: the transcript does not record any immediate council action or staff response; verifying Bellamy’s claims would require review of the FOIA record and grant documentation.