Sunday morning in the South

 

I love going to church, being with friends, coming home and watching NASCAR. I love where I live.

Ninth District politics

While Delegate Morgan Griffith will pick up the Ninth District GOP nod to run against Rick Boucher and has extensive experience within the House of Delegates, I submit that politics as usual will not cut it in the Ninth this year. Need an example? This year is the first in recent memory that a true independent candidate is running. Jeremiah Heaton has already been on the stump in significant ways.

Traditionally, the Ninth has reelected Boucher on the strength of his efforts in the coalfield counties such as Buchanan, Wise and Dickenson. Why does Boucher perform well in coal country? He’s in the pocket of Cecil Roberts and the UMWA. Boucher will spend most of his time in District in Abingdon or in the coal counties. I can understand that, one has to keep his bread buttered. I submit that this year may present a different outcome.

Current dissatisfaction with Congress is not necessarily limited to just Democrats. Anger with incumbents reach across party lines. Mr. Morgan, Mr. Heaton and Mr. Boucher would all be well advised to remember this. The American people and the people of the Ninth District want real solutions. They want real, good paying jobs in the manufacturing sector. They want our coal jobs to remain where they are, in the Ninth District. The people of the Ninth District do not want politics as usual.

Washington County is in dire need of good manufacturing jobs to bolster a sagging economy. The new Lowe’s has provided much needed jobs, but we have several industrial parks sitting empty with infrastructure available to companies who would be willing to invest in the site and in the community. Companies rumored to have been interested are TRW, Toyota among others. Why is the Glade Highlands Industrial Park sitting empty? Where are the good paying jobs Mr. Boucher assured us would come.

Perhaps the most indicative indicator is Mr. Boucher’s support of the so-called Cap and Trade legislation. According to the Heritage Foundation, Virginia will lose 26,604 jobs while raising electricity prices by $532.18 per household. These numbers are for the timeframe 2012 – 2035, or 23 years.On average, Virginia will lose almost 1,200 jobs a year. Why did Boucher vote for Cap and Tax?

Last year, Crystal Clear Conservative asked if Boucher could kiss his seat goodbye. At the time, I was skeptical. Now, not so much.

Local, Local races

Well, it is getting close to election day. Yes, that’s right Virginia, there is an election being held on May 4. In Abingdon, there are several seats up for grabs which includes long time Council Member Dr. French Moore. Carl Mallory, Rick Humphreys and Bob Howard. Very little is being done by any of the candidates to be honest and the one who has made door knocks is the one candidate I think I’m less inclined to support. He’s a personable fellow and have reviewed his literature and bio sketch. There may be more candidates in the wood works, but doubtful since filing time has passed. I know what I get with Dr. Moore, but the appeal of fresh ideas on the town council is pretty intense as well. I look forward to seeing them get out more.

In my view, if the election were decided to day, here’s my top 3:

1. French Moore

2. Bob Howard

3. Rick Humphreys

 

Abingdon politics is a fluttering with this upcoming election, but will it flutter afterward or will we see more of the same. We want to see real jobs come to the outlying areas of town such as across from the new Lowe’s. We’d like to see a larger industrial base move into some of our older shell buildings. We’d like to see a company like TRW move to the Glade Spring Industrial Park where only Utility Trailer now resides.

Something to think about. When businesses want to relocate or open in Abingdon, why does the zoning commission and architectural review dictate why businesses should blend in to these quaint little antique shoppes when we really need is a large company with capital to invest in a site and also in the community. We should be actively searching for these kinds of opportunities. Instead, we quivel over the color of the paint or the tone of the masonry work. I hope Abingdon makes smart moves this May.

Washington County Sheriff up for US Marshal post

According to the BHC, Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman is in the running for the US Marshal for the Western District of Virginia. Many of you know that I wholeheartedly endorsed Sheriff Newman in his reelection bid for Sheriff. I have found Fred Newman to be competent, dedicated and focused on law enforcement in Washington County. During his tenure as sheriff, WCSO became the second regional law enforcement agency to achieve full accreditation and has recently began a mounted patrol unit. It would be an honor for Sheriff  Newman to be named US Marshal for the Western District of Virginia, but I would hate to see him have to step down as sheriff of Washington County.