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In May 2004, a landslide election victory changed the majority composition of Blacksburg Town Council. The reforms begun then will be an important backdrop for November's council election.

Prior to 2004, questionable actions by town government were not uncommon. For example, in 1999, it purchased the Brown Farm for $1.15 million from a friend of a town official, although the listed market price was $650,000. Nor was it rare then for council to disregard near-unanimous citizen views expressed at crowded public hearings.

In 2003, council attempted to defy the public will again with a push for a central sewer system in the Toms Creek Basin using an antiquated 1968 plan unsuited to the area's terrain. This system, the former town manager declared, was needed to fix a sewer capacity crisis in the North Main sector of town. Adding gravitas to this deception, approvals for some development permits in the area were withheld.

The capacity problem was fixed in 2005 by a minor sewer repair under Webb Street, known back in 2003 to have been the actual bottleneck.

Also, bogus cost figures were presented to citizens, state regulators and a court, with the actual costs later revealed in town documents. These spurious costs and this contrived crisis highlighted the absence of public merit to this project. The issue was not one of opposition to growth, as the defeated slate tried to portray it, but of open and responsive government, as citizens overwhelmingly affirmed in the 2004 election outcome.

Town council has made continued strides toward good government since that historic election. There is consensus in Blacksburg government today that preservation of our natural heritage, neighborhoods and balanced growth guided by the town's comprehensive plan are intrinsic to our quality of life and also to our economic growth. These draw and retain both business owners and skilled employees.

Council has continued to promote quality of life and economic development through projects including the rehabilitation of the Motor Company Building to LEED platinum standards, the Odd Fellows Hall restoration, the new Farmer's Market, and signs for the historic 16 squares. Blacksburg has fared as well as any regional municipality during this recession, unburdened by millions of dollars in repair costs for gravity sewers in a flood plain.

Two years ago, citizen concern was again aroused when a developer sought to construct a large-format retailer, likely a Wal-Mart Supercenter, in the First & Main development. The problem was that commercial rezoning had been obtained from council based on a different, detailed plan for mixed-use development. That original plan had gained not only public approval, but public buy-in that would have boosted its prospects for success.

Earlier this year, the Virginia Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the town, requiring the developer to obtain a special use permit for a big-box store to be built. The fundamental issue, once again, was one of fidelity to the public trust.

Incumbent Councilwoman Susan Anderson has been a dynamic leader in the open and responsive Blacksburg government of recent years that has served citizens so well. She has done this while continuing two decades of other exemplary civic service and merits our vote.

I support other candidates who likewise have deep roots in Blacksburg, strong records of civic, neighborhood and town government service, and who value citizen input. Candidates known by friends and neighbors who reach you through volunteers rather than direct-mailed glossy brochures are more likely to serve you better than those with deep-pocketed contributors.

Let us ensure that any large campaign donors are welcome partners but not behind-the-scenes masters of our town affairs.

I appreciate the opportunity for broadening this election to include more young voters, inspired by the candidacy of students in the race. This bodes well for increased civic engagement in town decisions.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary council service of Al Leighton and Tom Sherman, who are declining re-election bids.

Both worked tirelessly over the years to enhance every aspect of town life. They will continue to make integral contributions to our vibrant town fabric.

David Scheim is an author and medical research systems developer who lives in Blacksburg.