Sunday, November 01, 2009
Editorial: Local election endorsements
We round up our endorsements in New River Valley races.
From the RoundTable blog
Read the latest entries
The Roanoke Times editorial board endorsed candidates in races for Blacksburg Town Council and Montgomery County School Board, as well as a referendum in Christiansburg. We interviewed the candidates, studied the issues and recommended those whom we believe will best serve their communities.
Blacksburg Town Council
Michael Sutphin, Susan Anderson, Cecile Newcomb and John Bush
Perhaps the most hotly contested race of the season in the New River Valley, 10 candidates appear on the ballot vying for four seats. Each voter may vote for up to four candidates, though they may vote for fewer if they wish.
This is the first November election for the town, so many people will be watching turnout and how it affects the outcome.
Sutphin has the best chance of all the candidates to build relations between the Virginia Tech community and the town. That he is sharp and has done his homework makes him all the more appealing.
Anderson is the only incumbent in the race. It would be foolhardy to hand a council majority to four neophytes. Plus she performed well enough during her first term.
Newcomb and Bush both possess considerable experience serving on town committees.
Montgomery County School Board
Phyllis Albritton and Jamie Bond
For District A, we recommend Albritton. She has been on the board for two years and has served well during some tough times. Meanwhile, her opponent cannot even commit to remaining in the region after he completes his Ph.D. at Tech.
For District D, we recommend Bond. She also is an incumbent but has never particularly impressed us during her time on the board. However, too many questions linger about her opponent's sheriff-escorted departure from his job as principal of Auburn Middle School.
In District C, no one filed to run for the seat. Drema Foster is the only write-in candidate seeking the job about whom we have heard. We neither endorse nor oppose her, knowing very little about her qualifications.
Christiansburg council election referendum
Yes
Voters in Christiansburg will decide whether to move town council elections from May to November. They should vote yes.
The switch would save taxpayer money. It also would increase citizen participation in their local electoral process, making it more difficult for special-interest organizations to shape the council to their liking.
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Finally, we urge all residents of the New River Valley to exercise their right to vote. The ballot contains more than just local races. Virginians also will choose delegates, a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Our endorsements in those races appear in today's Horizon Section.
The polls will open on Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If you do not know where your precinct's polling place is, contact your local voter registrar's office.
Of special note, voters in Montgomery County's E-1 precinct will vote at Kipps Elementary on Prices Fork Road. The new site was deemed more convenient and to have better parking than the old voting location at St. Michael's Church.
Blacksburg Transit will operate special Election Day bus service to and from town voting locations. A schedule of departures is available online at www.btransit.org.
