Opinion
Recommendations for Nov. 4
By Bob Twigg, Editor, Loudoun Times-Mirror
[Oct. 21, 2003] This political year started out as the Year of the Black Machine. Not surprisingly, it's evolved into another year of mudslinging and finger pointing and blame laying. Not a lot of new ideas to interrupt the bitter barbs about the shortcomings of "my esteemed opponent."
Still, on Nov. 4, voters will try to look beyond the mud to find men and women to lead our county for the next four years.
There's not a Voters to Stop Sprawl organization spending a ton of money to promote its anti-growth agenda. The closest is the machine put together by Del. Richard Black, the eastern Loudoun Republican.
He is intent on using the elections to test his organization for his expected run for statewide office next year. He has to impress the party leaders that his organization truly is ready for prime time.
He found a bunch of like-minded folks - all newcomers who shared his extremely conservative social philosophy and affinity for allowing developers to do what they please. And his organization packed the local Republican Party to ensure it'd get its way in the primary election.
He even trotted out his wife, Barbara, to run for Commissioner on Revenue just months after he said she was near death. Fortunately, enough Republicans showed they were truly compassionate conservatives and gently sent her home.
But Black got the party's blessing for his slate for the Board of Supervisors: incumbent Eugene Delgaudio in Sterling, Geary Higgins in Catoctin, Steve Snow in Dulles, Lori Waters in Broad Run and Mick Staton, his future son-in-law, in Sugarland.
They've pretty much adhered to Black's standard campaign: Let developers develop and builders build and taxpayers pay for all the services needed. Oops, the part after "and" is not part of Black's line. It's only the result.
On Nov. 4, voters will decide whether the Black machine line works in small magisterial districts as well as Black's House district.
If you're not sold, here are our thoughts on the hottest races:
27th District Senate: Republican incumbent Russ Potts must be doing a good job if the party's extreme right felt it had to bring him down in order to get one of its own elevated to head of the state Senate Education Committee. We think the district - and children across the commonwealth - need Potts in Richmond for four more years.
Commonwealth's Attorney: Incumbent Bob Anderson, a Republican-turned-independent, runs a good operation that serves us well. Four more years, if you please.
Commissioner of Revenue: Republican Bob Wertz is No. 2 in the office now and is a worthy choice for elevation to the top spot over a guy who broadcasts a lack of knowledge about the job.
Sheriff: Incumbent Steve Simpson, a Republican, drew five opponents, a sign that many believed he was not doing a good job. But all those opponents work to his advantage. With so many choices, voters traditionally go with the name they know the incumbent. Still, independent Mark Davis is worthy of consideration.
Now, turning to Loudoun Board of Supervisors:
Sugarland Run: Incumbent independent Bill Bogard is an easy choice. Good man doing a good job.
Sterling: Democrat Doug Reimel leaves no doubt that his priority is Sterling, which certainly needs a supervisor who can deliver.
Broad Run: Incumbent Chuck Harris, a Democrat, has shown no sidewalk was too unimportant and no ball field too small. He's working for Loudoun, not for some outside organization.
Potomac: This new district would do well with the new voice of Democrat Afeefa Syeed.
Dulles: John Murphy, a Democrat, would be a terrific choice. He's already shown a willingness to step up for his community by organizing a regional recreation group to serve the area.
Blue Ridge: Incumbent Jim Burton, an independent, is fixated on growth controls. But there's more to government than that. Republican challenger Ben Weber deserves consideration.
Catoctin: Incumbent Democrat Sally Kurtz. Period. End of discussion.
Leesburg: Republican Jim Clem is trying to break his two-election losing streak while folks he really doesn't want to run. Kelly Burk has shown leadership with the county's teachers association. She would serve well.
Chairman: Incumbent Scott York, Republican-turned-independent, did what he said he would do four years ago. He led the redrawing of the county land-use plan to reduce the number of houses that could be built in coming years. But in some aspects, he let things go too far, such as killing the badly needed Western Bypass with a bridge across the Potomac and dropping other road proposals. Still, Mr. York deserves another four years.
- extreme. ineffective. dick black.