the botetourt view: oct. 22, 2010

8/7/2019 The Botetourt View: Oct. 22, 2010

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Friday, October 22, 2010The Roanoke Times 9

1. What is the most important issue facingBotetourt County during the next four years?

There will be many important issues facing BotetourtCounty over the next four years, many of whichwe are not even aware of at this time. I believe themost important ones concern fi nance and budget.Unfortunately with lower than expected real estate taxrevenues and continuing un-funded state mandates, wewill have to fi nd creative ways to fur ther control Countyexpenditures while properly maintaining core servicessuch as fi re and rescue, public safety and education.

2. How do you propose to deal with these issues?

I will encourage more creative ways for each countygovernment department to fi nd new cost-savingprocedures and provide fi nancial incentives to thosewhose ideas are adopted. I also want to make thecounty a friendlier place for small business owners, sothat we can encourage small business developmentand increase revenues without raising the tax rate.

3. What is the best decision Botetourt County hasmade in the last four years?

The countys commitment to providing the bestpossible equipment and response times for our

emergency vehicles. This was accomplished byincreasing the number of full-time, paid fi re and rescueemployees, and upgrading ambulances and other safetyequipment.

4. What is the worst decision that BotetourtCounty has made in the last four years and why?

The county has engaged in some ill-advised suits thathave been costly to the taxpayers of the county. Oneof these suits questioned the tax-exempt status ofThe Glebe, a non-profi t entity. I believe some of theseexpenditures could have been avoided had the countyreceived better legal interpretations.

5. What else should voters know about me beforethey vote?

I wish for voters to know of my strong commitmentto the future of Botetour t County. My wife and I havelived and raised our children here for over 30 years.Additionally, our business is located in Botetourt. Manyother issues prove my own commitment to the countysuch as placing a conservation land easement on myfarm. Therefore, as your representative, the decisions Imake will be fi ltered through the lens of what is best forthose in the Fincastle District and the entire county ofBotetourt.

1. What is the most important issue facing BotetourtCounty during the next four years?

Funding for core services is a major issue for Botetourt County. Citizenswant and expect the high quality services of the county school system,the diligent assistance of our fi re and rescue services, the promptand capable service and oversight from the sheriff s department andcounty administration, district libraries, and recreational activities forchildren. Cuts in funding from the state, business closings, and highunemployment have left Botetourt County in a vulnerable situation.

2. How do you propose to deal with these issues?

Strong, proactive economic development is the key to this problem.The Economic Development Study listed strategies to fully address this

area of concern. I support the proposal for a full-time person to workwith the BOS /county offi cials to intensify the search for businesses/industries to fi ll the industrial parks and to search out other sites forbusinesses. More aggressive marketing/promotion of our currentbusinesses is needed. To keep the county fi scally sound, citizens needto shop and spend locally.

3. What is the best decision Botetourt County has made in thelast four years?

The best decision that the county has made in the last few years hasbeen the willingness to share the budget process with the schoolsystem. The BOS, the county administrator, the school board, and the

school superintendent have forged a cohesive working relationshipthat has benefi tted the schools and the school children. Good schoolsare very instrumental in attracting good businesses. This eff ort of opencommunication has lead to a better understanding of the needs of theschool system and the ways and means of funding thoseneeds.

4. What is the worst decision that Botetourt County has madein the last four years and why?

In their eff orts to be green and have only certain types of industriesfor Greenfi eld, the county administration and BOS have forfeited otherbusinesses interested in those sites. The citizens of Botetourt Countyhave grumbled about this industrial, or lack thereof, location for years.The BOS has realized that in this current economic environment somerestrictions needed to be lifted and/or changed. These actions will nowoff er businesses more fl exibilit y and a quicker start-up.

5. What else should voters know about me before they vote?

I have been involved in county and community activities all of my adultlife. My volunteer work with church, the Eagle Rock Fire Department,PTA, booster club and the Ruritans has provided me with leadershipskills and a means to serve my community. I have seen the FincastleDistrict come together to support each other in times of need, suchas the fl ood of 85. Throughout my working career, I served the publicand enjoyed working with the public. I want to be part of the futuredecisions for growth and management of our county.

1. What is the most importantissue facing Botetourt County

during the next four years?

Many issues are on the horizonfor Botetourt, but I believe themost important will be the abilityto attract new business to thecounty. A municipality is much likea small business itself, and in today seconomic situation new growth isvital.

2. How do you propose to dealwith these issues?

I would suggest to the otherboard members and the countyadministration that a full timeeconomic development position becreated for the purpose of attractingbusiness to Botetourt County.

3. What is the best decisionBotetourt County has made inthe last four years?

The creation of a tourism departmentand the hir ing of a well qualifi ed

director is on the top of my list ofgood decisions. With the creation ofthis one position Botetourt has beenable to promote its natural resourcesand develop opportunities for manysmall businesses.

4. What is the worst decisionthat Botetourt County has madein the last four years and why?

The decision by the board ofsupervisors to extend the contractfor trash removal without openingthe process for bids was by far theworst decision. This resulted in a lawsuit fi led against Botetourt County.The county lost and the legal feescost the citizens thousands of dollars.

5. What else should voters knowabout me before they vote?

The voters should know that I am ahard-working honest person that willlisten to the citizens of the FincastleDistrict.

LarryCeola

Republican

SteveVaughn

Democrat

GwenIkenberry

Independent

MEET THE CANDIDATES

FINCASTLE DISTRICT SEAT ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS


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Friday, October 22, 2010The Roanoke Times 31

Family Time CrosswordThe (K) clues are for kids

Lord Botetourt cheerleaders

Hannah

Carlton

Photo by Scott

Craig,

Kate Nash Photo

by Robert Fuery,

Moments in Time

Annie Branco

Photo by Robert Fuery,

Moments in TimeStar City Shaggers meeting at PomegranateThe Star City Shaggers club is now meeting every Wednesday at Pomegranate in

Troutville.

Theres no cover charge and the dancing is free, said Diana Dixon, owner of

Pomegranate. The group of about 50 arrived by 7 p.m. for the fi rst Wednesday night

at Pomegrante. Simple step lessons for the dance are given from 7-7:45. Dancing

the night away begins every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the party room at

Pomegranate. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

For more information, call 966-6052 or email [email protected].


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the botetourt view: oct. 22, 2010

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