Thursday, October 22, 2009
Editorial: Ware's the better choice in the 11th
Ware leaves his party and voters underwhelmed, but his opponent offers no credible choice.
From the RoundTable blog
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Onzlee Ware isn't the type of delegate to draw attention, except at election time. He has distanced some members of his own Democratic Party for reasons that appear to have more to do with personality than any specified shortcomings in office. So it went again this year. Ware breezed past a primary challenger but not before being bruised by allegations that his campaign finance reports were irregular.
Ware's response explains a lot about the politician and the man. "I did nothing wrong with my expenditures," he said, a claim largely substantiated by elections officials. Yet, he still wants to introduce legislation to bring more clarity to the reporting system.
Ware's general election opponent, Republican Troy Bird, isn't launching a venomous verbal onslaught. The 27year-old conservative is running a low-budget, low-key campaign, touting an agenda that centers on school choice and opposition to taxes.
Bird relies mostly on what people have told him anecdotally, rather than knowledge founded in experience or even verification.
Ware undoubtedly will be returned to office. Though not a flashy legislator, he does sponsor bills that benefit his district, often at the request of Roanoke or Roanoke County officials. Things like tax credits for environmentally friendly buildings. "It's not sexy stuff ... but it touches people's lives," Ware said.
Ware is one of the few delegates who will candidly entertain the idea new revenue is needed to address transportation problems.
"I happen to think people aren't opposed to taxes if it's used specifically for the thing you say it's going for," he said.
Ware also has a realistic view of the issues facing his constituents and a pragmatic approach to what is needed.
Job security and health care are top issues in this campaign. "I tell them we need health care reform. Just like our transportation problem, it doesn't go away by ignoring it."
Ware favors looking for incentives to encourage insurance companies and businesses to find more affordable plans for working people who can't afford high premiums.
Ware seeks his third term out of a sense that he still can be an effective representative.
"I really want to see this valley blossom into what I see as a center of activity," Ware said.
We trust he will use the next two years to work on that vision.
