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Wilson
Matalavage
Abbs
McWilliams
Johnson
Pace |
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.
The controversial subdivision ordinance passed a year ago restricts property division to once in four years, leaves lots under 50 acres indivisible and requires roads to be built to state specifications if they serve three lots. Pace supported it; Mark Johnson didn't.
Pace noted that the county had controlled growth "by making sure by-right subdivisions are slowed" and said she opposed making Route 20 four lanes. She noted that she had never voted to approve a county budget or tax rate. She also never voted to approve or fund the new middle school.
She supports the proffer system (accepting money from developers to offset the costs of their development), saying it is "essential to keep taxes down."
In District 1, Johnson is running on his record, noting at a public forum his work to build the new Gordonsville library and restore the Barboursville Post Office. He, too, wants to revisit the sub- division ordinance, which, he says "puts unfair restrictions on property owners."
Abbs noted that she is experienced in public safety, quality education and health care, areas needed by a supervisor.
Both Johnson and Abbs want to see more technical infrastructure in the county for broadband Internet and cell-phone service. McWilliams said he wants to bring more small businesses to the Gordonsville and Orange areas to help relieve the real-estate tax burden on property owners.
All three have said that money issues will be the most important in the coming year. "We need jobs for District 1," said Abbs. "And we need to get a full-time economic development director to seek them out."
Johnson and McWilliams agreed that the county budget is the most pressing matter. "We need to look at what services citizens are offered and receive, and the taxes they pay," said Johnson.
Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Email: rknepper@earthlink.net
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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. |
