Notes to the Elected

I know you people are waiting for my comments on the election. Here we go.

Dear Chris, Bill, Mary and Matt,
It’s nice to see a couple of newbies on the board. With new faces needs to come new ideas. Yes, you represent a particular district in Montgomery County, but remember that Mont Co is more than just Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Times are changing and so are the ways we communicate. Embrace new technology and let the sun shine on your meetings.

Dear Penny, Wendell, Joe and Sarah,
You guys have had a rough time of it the past couple of years with schools falling apart and budgeting. Once again remember that Mont Co is more than just Blacksburg and Christiansburg. How about televising your meetings or streaming them so people can watch them at home? You also need to let a little more sun shine in on your proceedings.

Dear Helen and Richard,
You guys don’t have much to improve on. All I ask is that you look into electronic payments.

Dear Tommy,
It was a harsh race, and honestly, I didn’t vote for you. But you won by A LOT, so people must think you are doing a good job. I think though you need to be more open about the goings on in the sheriff’s office. Let people enjoy their first amendment rights when people speak ill of the department. And when something major happens – an inmate escaping, a double murder – let the citizens know as much as you can without hindering the investigation. You really need to work on the communications thing.

Dear Brad,
Keep on keeping on.

Dear John, Leslie and Michael,
John and Leslie – first let me say that when you guys were first elected, I was thinking “here we go again.” Well, I may not agree with your decisions, but I know that you do not make them lightly or follow in lockstep with certain special interest groups. Although I  know I will roll my eyes at some of your decisions, I know that you made them intelligently. I honestly have a lot of respect for you.
Michael – I preferred another candidate. Not to say anything negative about you, just more positive about him. However, that being said, I am glad to have someone with closer ties to the student community. I know certain special interest groups backed you. I hope however that you will think for yourself on council and not follow their every need and desire.
To all three – please, work with businesses who want to settle here – no matter what their size or name. To this day, I swear if it was not Wal-Mart that wanted to come in, but a business like Costco or Whole Foods who have a tendency to be more liberal politically, then Ordinance 1450 never would have been an issue. I am not saying we should allow anyone who wants to come in to Blacksburg do business, but it would be nice to be able to go shopping somewhere in town to get underwear, clothes for normal people, children’s clothes, etc without having to go to a thrift store or spending an entire paycheck. And it doesn’t take a business task force to see why Blacksburg has that anti-business reputation.

To Michael, Henry and Jim,
Christiansburg is getting there. You guys are becoming more transparent and that is awesome. I hope by you remaining on council that you will continue to work on being more open. The only thing I ask is that you try to bring down the good old boy network. Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean it should continue to be so.

Dear John Edwards,
Remember that you represent more than Blacksburg.

Dear Joseph Yost,
I am ecstatic that you won. Believe me. But here is a little lecture for you. The GOP in the NRV sucks at marketing and public relations. Why you never showed up for a debate is beyond comprehension. You didn’t win because of who YOU are but because of what your opponent represents – anti-business, fair wage, etc. He is one of the main reasons First & Main is failing. He is immature and lacks respect for anyone who cannot help him push his agenda. Hell, I could have won against him, but you only won by just under 600 votes. So you need to work your tail off in the House of Delegates to reassure reelection. Be open and transparent. And my message to you is a little different than the others – don’t forget that Blacksburg is in  your district. Blacksburg has a reputation for being elitist, (perhaps another reason why Don did not win). However, just because the elected officials have that reputation does not mean its citizens are elitist. Represent your entire district and do them proud.

 

Advertisement