(Editor’s note: The following responses are from identical questionnaires The Eagle submitted to all candidates running for positions that are being contested in the upcoming election. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. )
Name: James L. Arrington
Address: 3504 N. Seminole Tr., Brightwood, VA 22715.
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired federal executive; part-time cattle farmer
Educational background: 1964 graduate from Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Spouse/children: Married to Jennifer Hines; daughters are, Diana and Victoria
Church/clubs/civic organizations: Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Brightwood, Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, NAACP
Party affiliation: Independent, non-partisan
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
1. Development of new and existing businesses in Madison to expand our tax base.
2. Funding the county CIP through some form of debt management.
3. Development or disposal of the Criglersville property.
Why should people vote for you: I am the only candidate with a proven record of accomplishment and a vision for the future of Madison County.
•••
Name: Roger Gooding
Address: 2157 John Tucker Road, Aroda, VA 22709.
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired
Education: Finished high school, and some college credits
Spouse / children: ----
Churches / clubs / civic organizations: Mount Zion Methodist Church, Oak Park
Party affiliation: -----
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
1. Keep taxes under control.
2. Helping the senior citizens.
Why people should vote for you: To have an honest government.
•••
Name: R. Clay Jackson
Address: 37 Yager Mountain Road, Madison, VA 22727
Age: 27
Occupation: Farmer
Education: Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Business from West Virginia University, plus graduate course work in Ag/Buisness
Spouse/children: No children, not married
Churches/clubs/ civic organizations: Madison County Farm Bureau Board, Madison County Planning Commission, Madison County Fire Department, Madison County Young Farmers, Madison County Youth Hockey coach, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
Party affiliation: Fiscal conservative
Two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
Madison County has many challenges to confront. First and foremost, we have a major money problem. A friend of mine said, “The government doesn’t have an income problem, they have an expense problem.” This statement makes sense to me. I believe the county’s monetary policy is sorely lacking and has been managed poorly. As a Madison County supervisor, I will confront this issue head-on and find solutions, from crunching the budget to eliminating wasteful spending to possible reorganization of county services. Madison County must diversify the tax base by attracting new business and stopping its reliance on its’ over-taxed citizens. Madison’s government must stop conducting itself in an unaccountable manner and start operating as if it was a business.
The second problem that we have is a lack of transparency and community involvement. If elected, I will hold town hall meetings on a quarterly basis. We will divide the county into four regions and hold a meeting in each once every three months. A current supervisor told me that they tried town hall meetings and only three people showed up. I never heard anything of these meetings and I have been regularly attending the board meetings for the last five years. My feeling is that the citizens of Madison have put out major effort to talk with the board, and now it’s the board of supervisors turn to put out some effort to reach the people. Town hall meetings could be a way to accomplish that.
Why people should vote for you: This year, Madison citizens are fortunate to have several options for the two vacant spots available on the board of supervisors. I have felt a sense of duty to study the county’s issues and problems, and have been attending the board’s meetings for years. I feel I have a firm grasp on the way to make this county successful. Other than the $1,000 that I pledge to cut from my salary straight from the start, I will, also, put in the time and effort to contain costs while preserving the values of our great county. I am a farmer and in this day and age farmers must be businessmen. With common sense and a strong business ethic, we, as a united board, can lead this county down the road to success without over-taxing the people, along the way. All ideas to stimulate our county’s resources need to be explored and developed in order to identify the strategies that will take us in the right direction toward restraint of the county expense, while ever expanding our tax base with appropriate and consistent types of growth.
•••
Name: Doris G. Lackey
Address: 1524 Thoroughfare Road, Brightwood, VA 22715
Age: 70
Occupation: Community worker, retired historic foundation director
Educational background: BSS Political Science & History, Loyola University of New Orleans, 1963; work on Master’s in English Education, Curry School of Education, UVa, 1988-89
Spouse / children: Spouse — Phillip Ray Lackey (deceased); Children – daughters, Jessica Hardesty Norris and Beth Hardesty Armentano; step-daughter, Lauren Lackey Bugel; son Larry Hardesty; six grandchildren
Church / clubs / civic organizations: Member, Piedmont Episcopal Church; member, Madison Planning Commission; board member, Madison Historical Society and co-author Madison Pictorial History book 2010; member, Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison Garden Club, Madison Woman’s Club; Montpelier Chapter, DAR; associate member, Madison County Farm Bureau.
Party affiliation: Independent
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
1. There is no question that these are difficult economic times and that Madison County revenues are going down while the need for certain capital improvements, most importantly the high school renovation project, are necessary if we are to continue with a quality educational system. We need to find a sensible way to do the work that must be done. Some financial advisors have suggested we consolidate our debt and take advantage of low interest loans which are now available. That could get us the money we need to do our job and we could maintain the current level of annual debt service over a longer period of time. In this way we would not have to raise taxes for these necessary capital improvements. It is
certainly worth looking into, and I would do it.
2. Madison County has a lean county budget and a relatively small work force. One of our biggest problems is the lack of strategic planning and the ability to anticipate and look for ways to address a problem before it is on top of us — the 911 communications system, for example. Better planning, exploring all options, and getting advice from experts before acting would help the board to act with more competence. I do not believe any board of supervisors has all the answers. We need to develop citizen advisory groups on specific issues and maintain an open and on-going dialogue with the people of Madison County. Citizens don’t need surprises; they need to be informed and the board needs to consult with them before it acts.
Why should people vote for you: I have experience in local government and understand both the issues and the responsibilities of the job. I served on the Madison Board of Supervisors 1995-99 and worked for responsible financial management, helped improve county services, and helped negotiate sensible contracts in the areas of waste management and capital improvements for the county. I understand the need for planning. I care, I listen, I learn, and I will serve Madison County and its citizens with all my energy and abilities.
•••
Name: J.L. Taylor
Age: 60
Occupation:
Retired (worked at State Farm Insurance for 34 years)
Educational background: Graduate of Madison County High School
Spouse / children: Bryan J. Taylor, son, and Missy Taylor, daughter
Church / Clubs / Civic organizations: Past president of Madison County Youths, charter president of Optimist Club of Greater Madison, member of Rochelle Christian Church, past president of Madison County Youth Sports, charter president of the Optimist Club of Greater Madison, charter vice president of the Rochelle Ruritan Club, past district governor of Ruritans overseeing 24 clubs, current president of Rochelle Ruritan Club, member of Economic Development Committee of Madison County, member of Madison Chamber of Commerce, member of National Wildlife Turkey Association, director of Madison County Fair Board
Party affliation: Independent
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
Public trust and integrity. Every citizen in Madison County should have a voice in their county government.
Example: If a citizen comes to the board with an idea or request, whether it be at a workshop or regular meeting, and presents an idea, you now have five supervisors who may not hear that person, or stare at that person until they finish. Do we not at the next meeting of the supervisors owe that citizen an explanation and why they are not considering their idea or request? If there are problems that may occur from their idea, they owe the public the same explanation. If elected, I will bring that to a vote or consensus among the other four members.
I was a member of the economic committee, I am not sure we were not political pawns -- some options were not available for economic development. To make changes will be hard, another Plow and Hearth would be nice. But we are going to have to balance this idea to prevent higher taxes on everyone.
I will also bring Criglersville school to an end, even if we have to make a community center out of it. We should not a let an historic building decay from lack of use. I will attempt to get Internet service to as many homes in the county and businesses as possible. If I cannot, I will give the voters an explanation as to why not.
Why should people vote for you: I will allow the county administrator to do their job and report to us, the board of supervisors. Remember, nothing replaces experience.
•••
Name: Leri M. Thomas
Address: P.O. Box 36, Wolftown, VA 22748
Age: 61
Occupation: Independent contract writer/researcher/teacher. I’m a “Jill of all trades,” including a psychology and design teacher. Among other things I have studied and taught business psychology. Farming since 1975.
Educational background: BLS, Phi Beta Kappa, Mary Washington College, M. Ed., Ph. D., University of Virginia in Ed Psych and Social Foundations of Education, with concentrations in history, psychology and research
Spouse / children: Life partner — James W. Jarrell. We share four children, 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild.
Church / clubs /civic organizations:
Church of the Brethren. 1989-2002, research on hunting/cultural. 2001, Officer, 8-County Committee for Shenandoah National Park Relations; 2000-2001, VDGIF Bear Management Plan, in conjunction VPI; 1994, requested Gov. Allen form 8-county committee for SNP Relations; 1994-1998, Board of Trustees for the Virginia Outdoors Foundation; 1994-1996, citizen rep., General Assembly VaDOT/SNP investigations sub-committee; 1991, Honorary membership, Virginia Bear Hunters’ Association & the Albemarle Farm Bureau legislative committee; 1987 -2000, Madison Choral Society; 1982 -1984, Madison Co. Mental Health Advisory Board
Party affiliation: Independent
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
1. Economic – We need a broader tax base so that we are not solely dependent on property taxes. We must make way for economic development in Madison. The Economic Development Committee initially recommended in 2010 that we develop a “vision” and a “brand.” We need a sense of direction, a business identity and a marketing message to draw business and customers. We need a plan for helping businesses get started and stay in Madison.
County government can help by establishing an Economic Development Authority, including an ombudsman to shepherd budding businesses to success, a clearing house of information and resources, and a network with other organizations like the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development (TJPED) and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.
We could pull together and expand on the resources we already have. We joined a study of the TJPED that will measure how we can best integrate our workforce with regional needs, but we need to do much more. No farmers were appointed to the business development committee. They are our primary businessmen and women!
Farming is the largest part of Virginia’s and Madison’s economy. Farming/commodities are retaining and gaining in value in the global market. Madison is perfectly positioned in the middle of several well developed counties. It could be the agri-business and agri-tourism hub of the region. What if we built on that economic base with meat processors, tractor, farm and wood working suppliers, tack shops, farm-related arts & entertainment, a fresh food cooperative, a cooking school. How about internships program beyond 4-H and FFA for budding farmers, equine trainers, foresters, horticulturalists and vintners . . . and a farming museum? These are just ideas, but that’s what we need to grow a solid plan and attract investors and entrepreneurs.
County government can help by setting the tone for enterprise, establishing the Economic Development Authority, cleaning up the county code and fine-tuning zoning and permitting, but then it needs to get out of the way.
2. Restore dignity and integrity to our county government. Our county staff has been criticized for having a bad attitude. But what we have forgotten is they have endured transitions of two county administrators and a lack of leadership from our board of supervisors. They are the people on the front lines. They often take the brunt of public discontent about higher taxes, confusing regulations, and more fees.
Our elected officials and administrators are role models. They need to abide by the highest standards of conduct. They need to be fair, open, principled and deliberate. They need to listen to the people and think before they act.
We need to be careful about how we spend taxpayer’s money, and we need to find ways to be more efficient and cost effective. I want to cut the budget – eliminate some fees – build a better revenue base through building a solid compatible business community.
Why should people vote for you?
We may be facing tougher times ahead and we need representatives who seriously look for answers, guided by principles of fair play, and aren’t afraid to free up the natural impulse in people to grow and succeed. I understand Madison, and Madison is unique. I don’t necessarily think that Madison should do what everyone else is doing. I believe in the people’s ability to come up with answers.
I believe in limited, accountable government and lower taxes. Government is the arm of the people, not the head. I understand what is going on on the ground, where it counts. I will always listen and consider how decisions impact citizens. I will work with (or stand up to) state and federal legislators toward these ends.
For more information, go to: http://www.sites.google.com/site/lerithomas
•••
Name: Jonathon Weakley
Address: 760 Tryme Rd. Reva, VA 22735
Age: 32
Occupation: Chief operator of Water/Wastewater treatment for Culpeper County’s Department of Environmental Services
Educational background: 1997 graduate — Madison County High School / Associates Degree in Applied Science — Germanna Community College; currently pursuing Bachelor’s Degree
Spouse/children: Married to Cindy Weakley nine years; two children — our son Reagan and our daughter Addisonn
Church / clubs / civic organizations:
Attend church at The Summit and teach Sunday school; annual Relay For Life participant
Party affiliation: Republican/fiscal conservative
Name two challenges you would face if elected and what you would do in response to each of these challenges:
1. The first challenge would be to restore the lost confidence that citizens have towards the board of supervisors. One way to achieve this is to make sure all county business is conducted in scheduled open public meetings. If elected I intend to act in a fair, firm, consistent and prudent manner when handling county business.
2. The second challenge would be to establish a sound financial standing and budget. Some ideas to help meet this goal would be to look at current operating costs, to include county schools. It would be beneficial if we can eliminate any duplication of services between the two governing bodies. We have other contracts coming up for renewal such as our transfer station where we have a chance at potential costs savings. Regionalization of this service may be an option to consider along with any other ideas.
Why should people vote for you:
For the past 11 years I have worked in local government. During this time I have enjoyed working for the public, providing service and answers to any questions. I have been involved with budgetary planning and experienced in utility inspections which involves plan reviewing and project oversight.
Madison County has been my lifetime home. I am seeking election to the board of supervisors to serve all citizens of Madison County. My interests are just as many other county families. My two children will be entering our school system and participating in county programs for years to come. I want to help be a voice to support our schools and county programs. I believe with my civil service experience, deep family values, and determination to better the county and provide fresh ideas is what the citizens and our great county needs. Please remember to exercise your right to vote come November 8th and I would be honored to have your vote.
I hope I have provided clear responses to your questions. If you should have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at 540-718-2806. I appreciate your circulation of candidate responses and look forward to serving you.
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