Monday, April 28, 2008
Editorial: For Vinton council, Fidler and Nance
Vinton voters have several good candidates to choose from, but only two seats to fill.
From the RoundTable blog
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Come May 6, Vinton voters have a problem, but it's a good problem to have.
There are five names on the ballot for town council, but only two seats to fill.
The choice won't be easy. The candidates, by and large, are experienced and committed to Vinton.
We think the two top choices are incumbent Carolyn Fidler and W.W. "Wes" Nance, a longtime Vinton resident who serves as a prosecutor in Bedford County.
Fidler, a legislative aide to former Del. Richard Cranwell, has been on council for four years. She has earned four more.
She helped shepherd the renovation and expansion of the Vinton War Memorial, which has become the town's centerpiece, and construction of a long-needed public safety building.
Her dedication to the town is apparent to anyone who speaks with her.
Nance, who moved to Vinton at age 9, says he would bring a unique mix to council: youth and experience.
He has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals and has obviously paid close attention to town business.
Nance knows Vinton and appreciates its character, but he also has a vision for what it could be. He says he doesn't want to change what Vinton is, but he does want the town to become all that it can be.
Its location near Smith Mountain Lake and the Blue Ridge Parkway give it plenty of untapped potential, he says.
The other candidates -- I.D. "Doug" Adams Jr., Roy McCarty Jr. and Jon Merchant Sr. -- are all also very committed to Vinton.
Adams has done much for the town, volunteering on the town rescue squad and serving as its chief and running the town's Needy Family Program.
McCarty served on council eight years ago, and would like to come back.
Merchant, a relative newcomer who moved to Vinton 10 years ago, has some good ideas about regional cooperation.
Vinton residents should feel very good about the quality of candidates attracted to serve.
Of the good choices the voters have, Fidler and Nance are the best.
