News Releases

2025 In the News

On July 28, 2025, the Smith Mountain Lake Democrats held their General Membership meeting with a guest speaker from the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA), John Vidovich, SMLA President.

The membership was reminded that the lake was developed under a business model, created as a source of renewable energy, but has developed over the almost 60 years of its existence as a prime location for vacationers, fishermen, and full-time residents. The mission of the SMLA is to promote safe recreation and maintain the health of the lake. The organization will be celebrating the Lake Water Quality Monitoring Committee’s 40th anniversary next year.

The SMLA offers many services and resources in support of the health and quality of our lake, all of which are supported through volunteers. Such services and resources include the Buffer Landscape Program, Fish Habitat management, Septic Management, Dock Watch program, and more information can be found at the website: www.smlassociation.org.

The revenue that allows for the work of the organization comes from approximately 50% membership dues and 50% grant funding and donations. The focus is not just on the pleasure we get from the lake now, but protecting it for future generations.

A lively discussion among the membership followed the presentation.

To join SMLA go to www.SMLassociation.org/join-individual/

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SML DEMOCRATS LEARN ABOUT THE BEDFORD BOYS February, 2025

SML DEMOCRATS DONATE TO FRANKLIN/BEDFORD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETIES March, 2025

SML DEMOCRATS DONATE TO FRANKLIN/BEDFORD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETIES (2), March, 2025

SML DEMOCRATS LEARN BENEFITS OF YOGA April, 2025

JOY POWERS MEET AND GREET April, 2025

2024 In the News

SML DEMOCRATS DISCUSS COUNTY’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM January, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS DONATE TO FRANKLIN HUMANE SOCIETY April, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS EXPLORE POLITICAL POLLING May, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE MILITARY VETERANS May, 2024

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KAREN BAKER VISITS SML DEMOCRATS May, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS HOST US GLOBAL COALITION June, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS INTRODUCED TO RAISING THE SHADE PROJECT July, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS INVITED TO MAKE POLITICS PERSONAL August, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS HOST CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE September, 2024

SML DEMOCRATS SEND HURRICANE RELIEF TO AREAS HARD HIT BY HELENE October, 2024

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