Revealing the coordinated tactics, manipulation, and individuals who seek to control our local government. – The view from the inside –
By Steve Marshall, Blue Ridge District Supervisor
While I was campaigning for my Board of Supervisors seat, a recurring theme emerged from the people I visited: the belief that certain groups or families held an unshakable grip on Patrick County, making genuine change seem impossible. Understanding who truly influences our local government is crucial. But this influence often remains shrouded in secrecy—no published member lists, no clear hierarchy leading to identifiable figures. The very notion of shadowy cabals pulling the strings can sound fantastical, even a touch paranoid. However, identifying the political operatives working for less-than-altruistic interests isnt as difficult as it seems. Their brand of activism and the methods they employ to steer local governance and public funds reveal their true identity and agendas.
In Patrick County, a disturbing pattern has emerged, centering around Ms. Lynne Bogle, the current Republican Committee Chairwoman. Ms. Bogle presents an impressive professional façade, boasting a background in high-level HR and a deep understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. This experience, however, appears to be weaponized for political gain, enabling her to manipulate situations and public perception with remarkable precision
Lets examine Ms. Bogles professional history, which, in my assessment, provides a stark illustration of the skills she brings to the political arena:
Lynne Bogles Professional Background: Expertise in Influence and Manipulation
Ms. Bogles extensive professional history provides a stark illustration of the skills she brings to the political arena, skills that are now weaponized for political gain. Her background reflects a deep understanding of complex systems, information management, and human behavior.
Her career highlights include:
- High-Level Management and Analysis: Serving as a Business Process Improvement Specialist/Sr. Program Analyst at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, she focused on program-level analysis, reporting, and developing agency-wide process improvements.
This demonstrates a proficiency in streamlining operations and optimizing complex systems, skills easily adapted to political strategizing and control. - Governance and Strategic Implementation: As a Sr. Requirements Analyst for the U.S. Treasury Department, she was instrumental in developing formal governance processes, drafting critical documentation, and facilitating high-level meetings.
This experience reveals a profound understanding of how to establish and influence decision-making frameworks within large organizations. - Project and Program Leadership: Holding multiple Project Manager and Country Manager roles, including for major international system deployments, Ms. Bogle oversaw entire project lifecycles from requirements to implementation.
These roles honed her ability to coordinate complex efforts, manage budgets and timelines, and interface directly with government customers. - Instruction, Communication, and Advocacy: As President, Author, and Lead Instructor of F&A, LLC, she authored books and developed online platforms focused on firearms instruction and advocacy.
This highlights her capacity for crafting narratives, disseminating information, and organizing and influencing specific communities through direct instruction and communication. - System Analysis and Process Definition: Earlier roles as a Lead System Analyst and Facilitator for the DEA and Department of Defense involved developing process analysis approaches, defining business requirements, and implementing change management strategies.
This showcases an ability to deconstruct, understand, and then reconstruct processes to achieve desired outcomes.
Ms. Bogles comprehensive career demonstrates a consistent ability to analyze vulnerabilities, influence organizational processes, manage information flow, and shape public discourse. These are formidable skills that, when applied to political objectives with less-than-altruistic intent, become potent tools for manipulation.
The Lieutenant: Malcolm Roach and the Art of Negative Inculcation
Ms. Bogles closest associate in her political hit squad is Malcolm Roach, her hand-picked lieutenant. She personally appointed him to the Electoral Board, and has set him up to run for the Smith River District Board of Supervisors seat.
Their close collaboration is no accident; Ms. Bogle clearly recognizes and identifies with the same destructive tendencies she sees in Mr. Roach.
Mr. Roach consistently employs tactics that bear the hallmarks of Ms. Bogles expertise, particularly in his use of negative inculcation. Negative inculcation is a psychological technique involving the repeated and persistent presentation of negative or false information with the goal of fostering a specific, often negative, belief or opinion. Its a form of indoctrination, but with a distinctly cynical and manipulative edge.
Mr. Roach has repeatedly insisted in social media and newspaper articles that the county debt is far higher than it actually is, a classic example of negative inculcation designed to undermine public trust and create a sense of financial crisis where none exists.
He has also masterfully played the victim, a common tactic within this groups apparent strategy. Consider his claim of having been threatened while fueling his own vehicle, by an unidentified figure in a black truck, supposedly associated with his targets on the solar issue. This narrative, conveniently unverified, is designed to generate sympathy and cast his political opponents in a sinister light.
Perhaps most egregious was his stunt at a town hall meeting held by the current Smith River District Supervisor. Mr. Roach presented a common household plastic container partially filled with a powdered substance, loudly declaring it to be the poisonous substance Cadmium. This was in a room filled mostly with older folks, a demographic particularly vulnerable to fear-mongering about environmental toxins.
Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause severe health problems, including kidney damage, bone damage, and cancer, even at low levels of exposure. Introducing such a substance, real or perceived, into a public gathering, especially one with a vulnerable population, is not only irresponsible but indicative of an extreme willingness to employ fear as a political weapon.
During the solar debates, Mr. Roach aggressively, yet falsely, claimed that the Board of Supervisors was approving the installation of utility-scale solar across the county. In reality, the Board had approved only one small facility on spent farmland within what is now essentially a commercial industrial zone, bracketed by Walmart, a sewage treatment facility, and the Sheriffs Department. His actions frightened a lot of people and intentionally created and fanned the flames of hate in the county. These are all hallmarks of this groups tactics.
Trena Anderson: A History of Hostility and Rotational Harassment
Third in line in this unsettling group is Trena Anderson, a woman with a well-known record of mercilessly attacking public officials. She openly brags about bringing about the resignation of school officials in the past, a clear indication of her aggressive approach to political discourse.
Ms. Anderson has also played the victim on many occasions, a recurring theme within this group. One notable claim on social media involved her assertion that “minions” of mine were outside her house. This particular claim was chillingly followed by a threat involving firearms.
Trena Anderson plays a major role in the rotational harassment scheme implemented by the head of the county Republican Committee. Rotational harassment is a coordinated tactic where multiple individuals, often working in concert, take turns launching public attacks or spreading negative information about a target. The goal is to create a constant barrage of negativity, exhaust the target, and overwhelm public perception with repeated, often similar, accusations, making it appear as though there is widespread opposition or valid criticism. It aims to prevent the target from effectively addressing each individual attack, as the next one is always just around the corner.
Ms. Anderson has also ominously threatened to place the Patrick County Schools superintendent on “her list.”
This is a serious threat given her history of aggressive behavior and her apparent role in a coordinated harassment scheme, based on her history, being on “her list” suggests an ominous outcome .
A truly disturbing incident occurred during the Board of Supervisors retreat held at Reynolds Homestead. This is an annual meeting designed to brainstorm a course of action for the coming year. Ms. Anderson attempted to force her way into the mens restroom when only I was inside. It has been suggested her intent was to hurt herself and then claim I assaulted her. I fortunately stopped her at the door. I was on my way out of the restroom just as she rather forcefully slammed the door open. I stood in the doorway, denying her entry for a very tense and disturbing 45 seconds before she relented and left. She did appear intoxicated in some way, and although there was no smell of alcohol, she did cackle or laugh ominously throughout the encounter, a chilling display of hostility and disregard for personal boundaries.
The Loys: Tax Evasion and Political Hypocrisy
Also on the list of apparent Bogle collaborators are Wayne and Valerie Loy.
These two are perpetually complaining about taxes, yet Wayne Loy appears to have left over $100,000 of Federal and State taxes unpaid.
This forced the rest of us to pick up his slack.
More character reflecting Loy activity
Just two months prior to the federal tax assessment, they transferred three properties into only Valerie Loys name.
These properties were valued at more than double the amount needed to cover the tax arrears. This raises serious questions about their sincerity regarding tax complaints and their willingness to operate within the bounds of legal and ethical financial practices. The Loys are also close associates of Supervisor Clayton Kendrick
Associations Matter: When Elected Officials Embrace Division
Recently, three members of the Board of Supervisors—Jonathan Wood, Clayton Kendrick, and Andrew Overby, relied on Trena Andersons word to wrongly censure me. In their censure, they directly quoted material from Ms. Anderson.
While Mayo River District Supervisor Clayton Kendrick is a longtime known associate of both Bogle and Roach, the other two have more recently found joining with this group to be politically expedient.
This brings me to a crucial point: associations matter, especially for elected officials. The company an elected official keeps, and the sources they rely upon, reflect directly on their character, judgment, and ultimately, their suitability for public service. When elected officials align themselves with individuals known for using dishonest means, spreading misinformation, and engaging in aggressive, manipulative tactics, it reflects a troubling willingness to embrace such methods for their own political agenda.
Their close association with and reliance on this political “hate group” suggests a deliberate choice to leverage the groups destructive nature for personal or political benefit. It indicates a disturbing alignment with a strategy that prioritizes winning at all costs, even if it means sacrificing truth, civility, and the well-being of the community.
Consider the particularly stark implications of Supervisor Jonathan Woods involvement. As a teacher in Patrick County Schools, Mr. Woods direct professional responsibility lies within the school system. Yet, he chose to rely on the word of Trena Anderson, a key figure in this group, who has publicly threatened to put the Patrick County Schools Superintendent, Mr. Woods boss, on “her list”.
This creates an alarming situation: an elected official, employed by the very institution whose leader was targeted by Trena Anderson, chose to legitimize and act upon the claims brought by that very same individual. This raises serious questions about his judgment, his priorities, and whether personal political expediency outweighs his professional obligations and the well-being of the school system he serves.
This is where the rotational harassment becomes particularly insidious: Three members of the Board of Supervisors have actively participated in the cycle of negative inculcation, framing me as a criminal bent on breaking the law.
For example, Clayton Kendrick published a false FOIA violation article in the Enterprise, and the other two supervisors joined in the censure also claiming I violated FOIA laws. Both claims are entirely untrue. This deliberate and coordinated dissemination of false accusations by elected officials themselves is a dangerous erosion of public trust and a blatant attempt to undermine legitimate governance for political gain.
The citizens of Patrick County deserve honesty, transparency, and leaders who prioritize the communitys well-being over personal vendettas and cynical political maneuvering. It is time to unmask those in the shadows and hold officials who manipulate and divide our community accountable for their associations and their actions.
As Abraham Lincoln wisely stated, “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” In Patrick County, its time we looked beyond the shadows and confront the true character of those in positions to influence the path of our local government.