Orange incumbents face dual challengers
Incumbents on Orange Board of Supervisors face two challengers each
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
Date published: 10/15/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
Six candidates are vying for two seats on the five-member Orange County Board of Supervisors. Two of them want to keep the seats they already have.
In District 4, Supervisor Teri Pace is fighting a challenge from former Board Chairman Grover Wilson, who served for 14 years as a supervisor. He wants his seat back from Pace, who narrowly defeated him four years ago. Ron Matalavage, a political newcomer, makes it a three-way race in the Nov. 3 election.
While Pace and Wilson occupy opposing viewpoints on growth, property rights and economic development, Matalavage has tried to position himself in the middle of the two more experienced politicians.
In District 1, former Board Chairman Mark Johnson is opposed by two political neophytes for the seat he has occupied for 10 years. He garnered 79 percent of the vote in 2003 and ran unopposed four years ago.
Shannon Clore Abbs, whose family has lived in the Somerset area for generations, has launched a high-energy campaign for Johnson's seat.
Orange County High School agriculture teacher Andy McWilliams has joined the fray against the better-known contenders in the race.
Keeping the county rural and dealing with the poor economy are the common themes in both races, but the way to do that differs with each candidate.
Pace says that both can be met by promoting tourism and agriculture. She said the country can "get through these tough times, but it will be productive and innovative Americans that lead the way, not the government."
Matalavage wants to "preserve the rural character and lifestyle" and "create a business-friendly atmosphere" by promoting "all types of business--agricultural, retail, service and industrial."
Wilson says the "citizens of Orange County need to take back control of our local government by electing a candidate that will represent the people and not the special-interest groups."
Both Wilson and Matalavage say they want to protect and restore property rights by revisiting the subdivision ordinance and comprehensive plan, make State Route 20 a four-lane highway and support business development in the State Route 3 and 20 area.
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SHANNON CLORE ABBS
Address: Somerset
Political experience: None
Date of birth: 36
Family: Husband, James, one son
Occupation: Staffing coordinator for H1N1, Thomas Jefferson Health District
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Virginia
Community activities: Abundant Life Christian Fellowship; president, Orange County Crime Solvers; grading policy review team for county schools
Most important issues: Economic development and finding jobs for county residents; taxes and reassessments, improving education so county children are able to compete in global economy.
ANDREW J. McWILLIAMS
Address: 15484 McWilliams Drive, Barboursville
Political experience: None
Age: 24
Family: Single
Occupation: Educator
Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Community activities: NRA life member; National Wild Turkey Federation member
Honors, awards: Phi Theta Kappa Vice President, Summa Cum Laude graduate
Most important issues: Provide responsible, cost-effective government that listens to residents' concerns; provide quality, affordable education; make sure residents have places to shop and work while maintaining county's rural character.
R. MARK JOHNSON
(Johnson declined to provide information. The following is compiled from campaign records and public comments made by the candidate.)
Address: 13451 Albano Road, Barboursville
Political experience: Board of Supervisors, 10 years
Age: Not available
Family: Wife, Estelle
Occupation: Owner, Johnson Tire
Education: Homeschooled, no further information available
Community activities: Not available
Important issues: Revise subdivision and zoning ordinances; redo real-estate assessment; assure broadband Internet and cell-phone coverage for entire county.
TERI L. PACE
Address: 25485 Gooch Lane, Unionville
Political experience: Board of Supervisors since 2006; Virginia Association of Counties Community Development and Planning Steering Committee; Joint Subcommittee Studying Development and Land Use Tools; Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Regional Planning Commission; Rappahannock River Basin Commission; Orange County Planning Commission; Joint Planning Area, Town of Orange and county; Orange County Tourism Roundtable
Age: 49
Family: Husband, Bobby; three children
Occupation: Mother, landscape designer
Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, Mary Washington College
Community activities: Precious Blood Church, East Orange Ruritans
Most important issues: Expanding economic opportunities for residents without destroying county's distinct qualities by encouraging development of resources such as tourism and agriculture; getting budget under control to avoid increasing taxes; offer open and honest government with a comprehensive vision that encourages producing and innovation, not consuming.
RONALD T. MATALAVAGE
Address: 7710 Vermont Road, Rhoadesville
Political experience: First time to run for office
Age: 51
Family: Wife, Debbie; 3 children
Occupation: Self-employed electrical and general contractor
Education: Woodson High School graduate; various technical certificates, Northern Virginia Community College; master electrician certificate; teacher effectiveness training, University of Virginia
Community activities: Chairman, Oakwood Lake Estates; architectural and road use committee; member, AARP, NRA
Honors, awards: Exceptional Abilities Award, Fairfax County schools maintenance division; IHMSA--International Class big bore state champion, Piedmont Sportsman Club
Most important issues: Listen and act responsibly on all issues to reach solutions that reflect the will of the people, not pro- or no-growth special interests; lower taxes by reducing unnecessary spending and broadening tax base through business-friendly atmosphere; preserve rural character of county by protecting property rights.
GROVER C. WILSON JR.
Address: 27180 Constitution Highway, Rhoadesville
Political Experience: 14 years on Board of Supervisors
Age: 66
Family: Wife, Linda; 2 adult children; six grandchildren
Occupation: Self-employed, towing service and farmer, U.S. Air Force veteran
Education: High School graduate, some college courses
Community activities: Ruritan member and former president; American Legion, Rapidan Service Authority (served as vice chairman); Rappahannock Rapidan Planning District Commission (past chairman), Rappahannock River Basin Commission 2000-05
Honors, awards: Honored for Service to Orange County, Distinguished Service, East Orange Ruritans
Most important issues: Keeping debt load down while building schools and educating children; promoting good businesses along county corridors to grow tax base; adjust comprehensive plan, subdivision and zoning ordinances to be more accommodating to residents and businesses.
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Date published: 10/15/2009
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