The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission met Nov. 14 to discuss legislative matters and to receive its audit report.

During the meeting at commission headquarters in Saluda, executive director Lewis Lawrence said that commissioners raised a number of concerns that they hope will be addressed when the General Assembly meets in January. Del. Keith Hodges (R-Middlesex) attended the meeting.

The need for broadband in rural areas was backed by the commission, Lawrence said. Broadband is critical to rural areas, he said, as it can help small businesses here compete more effectively with larger businesses in other areas.

Broadband service to many Middle Peninsula localities is limited, Lawrence said, because of the piecemeal fashion in which various companies choose to offer such service.

Heir property issues were on the minds of several commissioners, Lawrence said. Of special concern, he said, is the large number of heir situations involving failed septic systems and tryi...