Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Editorial: Johnson, Garst and Daulton for Salem
Salem has a fine slate of candidates to choose from in the May 6 city council election.
From the RoundTable blog
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Even with the late withdrawal of incumbent Chris Clemens from the race for Salem City Council, voters have several good candidates to choose from.
Clemens will have to give up his seat on council after receiving a temporary appointment to a General District Court judgeship.
That leaves five very qualified candidates running for three seats.
Of the five, we believe incumbent Jane Johnson, Lisa Garst and Vicki Daulton would serve Salem best.
Garst especially would bring a new energy and vitality to council, along with new ideas.
Like three other candidates, Garst is a small business owner. She stresses the need to research and plan before making a decision.
She is extremely well informed about the issues facing Salem, and her strong position in favor of open government is refreshing.
In her interview with The Roanoke Times editorial board, she stressed the need for Salem to take a leadership role in promoting regional partnerships.
Incumbent Johnson, also a local business owner, has done a good job in her four years on council. She has earned another term.
Had he remained in the race, we would have recommended Clemens for the third seat, but we believe Daulton has the background and experience to do a good job as well.
She has served eight years on the Salem Planning Commission, and has also worked on the storm water management commission and the Citizens for Greenways Right of Way Acquisition commission.
Like Garst, Daulton believes in the importance of planning. Salem has always been one of the best managed cities in the region, she said, but she thinks new people and new ideas can take the city even further.
Bill Jones, who owns Fast Signs, has some excellent ideas and well-placed priorities, and would undoubtedly make a good council member. Against a less stellar field, he would have gotten our endorsement.
Mike Akers, assistant principal at Andrew Lewis Middle School, knows a lot of people from his work in the school district. His ideas just weren't as compelling as the other candidates'.
Salem residents have always been justifiably proud of their city. They can also be proud of the current slate of candidates.
Johnson, Garst and Daulton are the best of an impressive lot.
