It's nauseating.

Every time you drive around the New River Valley, you see yard signs -- a plethora of them, all the same size and shape, but with different colors and names. It seems as if we just had an election.

After last November's historic national race, many maybe thinking today's local election is irrelevant. But these races may be more important because they affect you directly.

Unfortunately, partisan-party politics acts as a filter when selecting candidates. You are either one or the other.

However, may I recommend you consider voting region first.

What does this mean?

At the state level, it means which candidate has the best opportunity to positively affect our region.

Seniority is vitally important in Richmond as is which party in power is setting the agenda. A local candidate with seniority or a member of the party in power is essential to our region's ability to secure our fair share of the pork.

As districts are redrawn every 10 years across the commonwealth because of population increases, our region is at a disadvantage with a slower growth rate than Northern Virginia.

As a result, we may not have as much representation in the General Assembly moving forward. It's why we must be strategic in whom we send to Richmond.

It's not about Democrats and Republicans. It's about our region versus other regions in the commonwealth.

At the town level, it means selecting candidates who have the big, long-term picture in mind. Every single issue is relevant and important, but none is more important than the sum of the whole.

Representing as many legitimate and mainstream constituent points of view is critical in creating a diverse community that must attract and retain people and businesses to thrive and not dive.

No one community or candidate in the New River Valley can stand alone. They are all connected to create and shape our region. The ability for local candidates to realize this will sustain and enhance the lifestyle we enjoy for the future.

Stuart Meese is an enthusiast for the New River and Roanoke valleys who lives in Christiansburg and works for a Blacksburg technology firm.