Kudos to the Goochland Chamber of Commerce for its effort to stage a forum for local government candidates on October 12. Perhaps because it was held nearly three weeks after the start of early voting, attendance was light. Only opposed candidates spoke. They responded to two bland generic questions that they received in advance. There was no opportunity to explore the contentious nature of some local races.
Dr. Tracy Roof, a professor of political science at the
University of Richmond, served as moderator. Her role was to introduce the
candidates. Carol Taylor, Executive Director of the Goochland Chamber commended
those who step up to run for office.
Commonwealth’s Attorney
The contest for Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney between
incumbent Mike Caudill and challenger John Lumpkins has been perhaps the most
contentious local race.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney acts as the county’s prosecutor
in its Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.
Last winter, during a forum sponsored by the Goochland
Republican committee, Caudill, then a member of that organization, said he
would support the Republican candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney, because he
expected to be that candidate.
For some reason, Caudill allegedly never bothered to file
necessary paperwork to take part in the Republican candidate selection
process—a mass meeting—resigned from the committee and decided to run as an
independent. He has since been endorsed by the Goochland Democrat committee and
appears on its sample ballot. Yet, Caudill insists that he is the, or maybe a, Republican,
candidate for the office.
Caudill contended that his trial experience, especially successful
prosecutions of child pornography cases, will keep Goochlanders safe.
John Lumpkins, the candidate officially endorsed by the
Goochland Republican Committee, said he does have the legal experience and
credentials to fill the office. He rebutted contentions that he is “only” a trust
and estate lawyer, describing his work as a police officer, and extensive experience
as a criminal defense attorney and federal law clerk
Lumpkins said that in addition to technical skills, the ability
to work well with people is vital for the success of any organization.
Board of Supervisors
Only two of the five seats on the Board of Supervisors, Districts
1 and 4, are contested this year. Susan Lascolette, District 1, and Ken
Peterson, District 5 are retiring after 12 years of outstanding service to
Goochland. They were part of the 2011 “clean sweep” candidates who metaphorically
joined hands with then County Administrator Rebecca Dickson and walked through
fire to transform our local government from embarrassment to exemplar.
Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means that local
governments have only those powers given to them by the General Assembly.
Supervisors, though elected from each of the five districts, must work together
to make decisions and craft policy to benefit the entire county, despite
diverging viewpoints.
Supervisors often need to make difficult choices. No matter
how hard they work, half of their constituents will not be pleased. Their job
is to make sound decisions and set priorities to benefit the entire county.
District 1
Democrat Elisha Kizer, vice president of the Virginia
Wireless Association, declared that all of Goochland county suffers from a lack
of internet connectivity including wireless and fiber to the home options.
“I build towers and lay fiber every day,” she said contending
that her relationship with internet providers could speed up the process to
bring broadband to the entire community. (She did not mention the extensive
initiatives underway in the county to do that, admittedly far too slowly for
those not yet connected, or how those efforts would be funded.)
Kizer said that District 1 is considered a “food desert”
because it lacks a grocery store and wants to use county resources to somehow change
that. She said there is a need to
provide transportation for elderly residents in District 1.
She was pleased that the Centerville small area plan did not
go forward because the county needs to preserve rural character by
concentrating development in the designated growth areas.
Kizer contended a rural focus is important to preserve rural
character. She said that the “70 percent rural, 30 percent business” is a good
plan. (Her facts were a bit confused, the 70/30 is the goal of the county
revenue split between real estate and business tax. The current comprehensive
land use plan goal is to keep 85 percent of the county rural.)
Kizer wants to encourage businesses to hire locally to
increase jobs, even though Goochland has one of the lowest unemployment rates
in the region and area companies desperately need workers.
Kizer wants to make developers build less expensive houses
because average citizens cannot afford homes here. She supports agribusiness
like wineries and breweries and the tourism revenue they generate.
Republican Jonathan Christy lives on a 57-acre farm
to enjoy the freedom of rural living and allow his six-year-old daughter to grow
up in an agricultural environment.
He is a “massive” second amendment advocate and was pleased
with the 2019 Goochland Board of Supervisors’ decision to confirm its support
of the second amendment rather than declare the county a sanctuary.
Christy decided to run for supervisor to ensure that the
good government practices in place for twelve years continue. The internet, he
said, is coming to District 1, it has been approved, but cautioned that it will
bring developmental pressures to his mostly agricultural district. He supports
developing the east end of the county, which has the infrastructure to support commercial
growth necessary to bolster the tax base.
“If we do not grow at all, the economy will die, taxes will
go up.” He supports strategic limited
growth to retain the peaceful tranquility of most of Goochland. Christy said that higher taxes could force
citizens with large tracts of land to sell to developers for subdivisions.
District 4
Redistricting following the 2020 federal census, moved the
late Don Sharpe, who was elected in 2019, to District 3, leaving the D4 seat
open.
Democrat Steve Shawaroch decided to run for office
when he saw a version of the Centerville small area plan with a sea of tall buildings
that looked nothing like a rural area. Attending meetings about the plan, he
expected a give and take discussion, but instead heard what seemed to be
acceptance of a version of the plan that ignored extensive and constructive input
from citizens.
If elected, he will work with his neighbors and county staff
to develop a coherent Centerville plan and an updated transportation plan. The
latest iteration of the Centerville plan, he contended, made no provision for appropriate
roads, acquisition of rights of way, or any estimate of population increases.
Shawaroch said that he has the time to work with his
neighbors and county staff on this project. An attractive walkable Centerville
village will attract high quality business. Roads, he contended, are the key to
economic development and cannot be an afterthought. (Centerville currently has
some of the best roads in the county, admittedly not a very high bar, but mitigation
of the hazards on Fairground Road, for instance, should get high priority.)
He pledged to carefully review each land use application,
visit the site in question, and talk with its neighbors to ensure “quality”
development, which, he contended, benefits everyone.
Republican Charlie Vaughters “threw his hat in the
ring” last October to serve Goochland County, nothing more. He too seemed
unaware that the seat was open. He said
that he has had a servant mindset for his entire life and outlined his extensive
and stellar philanthropical activities, especially as board chair of Jacob’s
Ladder (ladder.org) an enrichment program for underprivileged children. (He did
not explain why this helps him govern Goochland.)
Vaughters contended that supervisor is not a full-time role,
rather it is one where you interact with your community. He believes in
balanced budgets and low taxes. Vaughters believes that knowing all
stakeholders—everyone involved—business or resident in a project is vital to
its success. “We have to bring people to the table and come up with ideas that
are creative and benefit all parties. “
Vaughters said he wants Goochland to see “the best” business
opportunities. “You don’t do that with a
‘just say no” mindset. The more opportunities we have the more we can talk
about the thoughtful growth that people talk about. I want the conversation to
be couched in verbs. Let’s get stuff done as a county.” Goochland, he contended,
is the best county in the Commonwealth for quality of life, which includes low
taxes, great schools, and services, which is open for good businesses.”
School board
Though a few of the eight candidates for contested school
board seats made thoughtful comments about contentious subjects, their remarks
were mostly praise for the continued excellence of our school division.
Given the vitriol surrounding the school board races, GOMM has
decided not to comment on them. Recordings of past school board meetings are
archived on the school division website https://www.goochlandschools.org/ select
school board from the menu and select livestream.
Candidates are:
Apparently some people do not understand that an endorsement in not the same as candidacy. Local political parties endorsed school board candidates who may be supported by voters with other political views.
(Letters indicate party endorsement. School Board candidates cannot run on party lines.)
District 1
Sandra Barefoot-Reid (D)
Lucy Meredith Moses (R)
District 2
Karen Horn (D)
K.M. Wirsing (R)
District 3
J. Adam Alford (D)
Angela Small Allen (R)
Distrist 4
Stephanie A. W. Maynard (D)
Michelle Faith Maxwell (R)
District 5
M. Ellen Robinson (R)
Do your research, vote your conscience.
6 comments:
John Lumpkins is completely unqualified for the job he seeks. Your article is total BS. The Sheriff and the former Sheriff do not like Mike and this is a personality conflict that has gotten out of hand. At the end of the day, this is a job interview, one candidate is completely qualified and the other is not. Period, end of story.
It's a shame that you didn't share some thoughts about the School Board candidates, as your opinion is usually very thoughtful and informed and I think readers would be interested. I'm disappointed that you included the party endorsements because it gives the illusion that this is a "party race," even though you include the disclaimer that it's non-partisan. Yes, Barefoot-Reid, Horn, Alford and Maynard have all received the endorsement from the Dems in Goochland, but they have widespread endorsements across the political spectrum including Dems and Reps and Independents. They also have endorsements from many people currently or previously affiliated with the schools - SB members, administration and leaders, teachers, etc. It's important that readers understand that these four candidates are truly independents and not being driven by special interest groups and forces outside of Goochland county.
Mr. Lumpkins is more than qualified. In fact, he is much more qualified than Mr. Caudill was when he first became CA and even as a CA now. Beating the “he’s inexperienced” drum is just a desperate grasping at straws. The culmination of Mr. Caudill’s “superior” experience was certainly on full display at the candidate forum. What did he do when he was called on to speak? He fumbled around, mumbling that he wasn’t to be the first speaker. So, what happened? The moderator moved on to Mr. Lumpkins, who enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to present his case as to why he is the best candidate. Mr. Lumpkins delivered his message with confidence and conviction. As for Mr. Caudill, his “don’t call on me first” response spoke volumes. Is this how he performs in front of a judge? Shuffling papers, mumbling, employing avoidance methods and delay tactics? If he was so experienced and such a fabulous candidate, you would think he would have jumped right in when called upon and grasped the opportunity to make a strong and powerful case for himself. Instead, he shirked that opportunity, acted like a middle schooler trying to avoid a teacher’s question, and then, after listening to his opponent’s forthright and sincere presentation, fluffs himself up and then tries to deliver an “experience, experience, experience” message with often inapplicable and somewhat inappropriate references to cases he has been involved in. As someone on the fence with the candidates going in to the forum, I left convinced that John Lumpkins is by far the most qualified and yes, experienced candidate. Mr. Caudill’s performance was weak, tired, and unconvincing. After hearing both sides of the case, this juror rules in favor of Mr. John Lumpkins. He proved himself at the forum and I look forward to having him as Goochland’s new CA - a CA who doesn’t cower or shirk his responsibilities, one who doesn’t cry out “I’m not going first”, but one steps up to the plate with confidence and strength every single day to fight for truth and justice.
By not reporting the “thoughtful comments about contentious subjects” made by a few school board candidates, and then sticking misleading Rs or Ds by their names, you have actually made contentious disingenuous comments of your own on a very contentious subject. Yes, you state by law they run as independents, but if you go to the early voting tents you can see there are four candidates truly running as independents, and the other 5 running as Republicans. The Independent School Board candidates tent shows an actual sample ballot with ALL candidates, the Republican tent only shows sample ballots with Republicans listed. By your “not commenting but assigning letters to them” you are perpetuating the disinformation thats being spread. A photo of a candidate invited to speak to the Democratic Committee with a Democratic banner behind them does NOT make them a Democrat, just like no Republican candidates showing up when invited to the NAACP Candidate Forum necessarily means they are racists, but they surely have bad political judgement. Contentious subjects didn’t stop you from commenting on the CA race in another blog post, but by not commenting here you are misleading people down a path to vote down a party line supporting inexperienced right-wing extremists that will drive the school system into a ditch. If this happens, at least you will have something negative to write about, how the schools used to be the best in the Richmond area 6 years in a row, and how people no longer want to move to Goochland for the schools, and how their property values are declining, and to continue to provide the level of service, their property taxes have to be raised. All from a huge disinformation campaign uncontested and unreported by you because it was, as is the CA race, “too contentious.”
Please show your conscience, correct your post and give misinformed people some useful information for this most important set of races. The whole country can suffer from a lack of voter information here by voters taking a misleading incomplete sample ballot when shoved at them and not having the benefit of some unbiased reporting on the school board races.
Methinks this commenter (& others) protesteth too mucheth. Egad! Since the dawn of sample ballots, every informed voter knows that a “sample” ballot distributed at any particular voting tent is going to favor the candidate/s represented there. It’s called marketing - just like a Pepsi/Coke vote - the Pepsi team will have only Pepsi on their side & the Coke team will have Coke on theirs. People need to lighten up a little - there are far too many Chicken Littles pointing fingers declaring “misinformation, misinformation”. These self-appointed purveyors of “truth” and “conscience” really seem to be quite full of themselves. What it must be like to believe that you alone know All and it is up to you to guide and inform the ignorant masses. What weight one must carry on one’s shoulders when the fate of the county, alas, the world, depends on your insight and your superior magnanimity. Talk about disingenuity and contentious self-importance. Most citizens are very capable of thinking for themselves and coming to their own conclusions without the constant noise of negative nay-sayers. The county suffers more from pretentious busybodies confusing differences in beliefs and opinion as being misinformed.
I'd like to know where Ms. Kiser was when we were working to get internet to Goochland? I guess she wants to get credit for all the work the Board and County employees have done to get to where we are. Her association did not lift a finger to help us. I personally lobbied senators and congressmen and even the Governor, but her association stood around protecting their own interests.
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