Election 2011
With no less than twelve seats up for election and re-election, this is another big year in Montgomery County, Virginia. With the exception of Clerk of Circuit Court, all Constitutional Officers will be up for re-election. Several seats on the Montgomery County School Board and the Board of Supervisors are up, as well as seats representing parts of Montgomery County in the House of Delegates and State Senate.
Redistricting, based on the 2010 Census, will happen in Virginia (and other states) this year. Virginia's plan must be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, adding an interesting twist to the process.
This is the year to start participating, if you haven't done so in the past!
Democratic Candidates for the 2011 Election
Don Langrehr, House of Delegates 12th District
Our New River region continues to need a strong and reasonable voice that pursues fair, open decision making in Richmond. Like Jim Shuler, who served in Blacksburg before proceeding to the House of Delegates, my eight years of experience on Blacksburg’s Town Council, makes me intimately familiar with the effect of Richmond’s decisions on our local governments. Giles County, Radford City, Pulaski, Blacksburg, and Montgomery County share a common fiscal symptom: we all feel the increased strain placed by the General Assembly on our local budgets.
Continued cuts to law enforcement, education, and public works expenditures in our towns and counties can lead to a diminished level of security and quality of life for all of us in the 12th district. I will provide a clear and sensible voice in Richmond, offering realistic solutions based on my public service experience and the needs of our communities, rather than on opinion.
My experience includes:
Blacksburg Town Council Member (elected in 2004; re-elected in 2008). The council updates our town code regularly, based on General Assembly directives.
Blacksburg Planning Commission Member, with extensive experience in growth management, land use, and storm water management. These are issues that affect each locality in the 12th district.
Radford University professor, very familiar with the financial hardships faced by higher education students. Tuition increases and debt burdens negatively affect the availability of a college education.
Reading specialist with eleven years of successful, ongoing collaboration with the Radford City Schools in the area of reading instruction. My work with teachers and administrators in public and private schools throughout the Pulaski, Radford, Montgomery, and Giles school districts has provided me with extensive exposure to the needs, challenges, and goals of educators in each of these school districts.
Appointee to the Virginia Municipal League’s Environmental Quality Policy Committee. We regularly advise the General Assembly on statewide environmental regulations and initiatives.
Visit www.DonForDelegate.com for information on how to donate to the campaign and how to contact me.
J. T . "Tommy" Whitt, Sheriff
It has been an honor and privilege to serve Montgomery County as your Sheriff for the past 8 years. I have dedicated my entire adult life to serving the citizens of Montgomery County - a total of 35 years of law enforcement experience. Through strong leadership and teamwork, we will continue to provide you with the professional law enforcement services you deserve.
We will continue to be diligent with the existing programs such as Project LifeSaver, Citizen's Police Academy, School Resource Officers, DARE and Tactical Team. The Sheriff's Office takes great pride in their determination to work as a team. Therefore, we pledge to seek all federal and state grants in order to reduce costs to the taxpayers.
I respectfully ask for your support on November 8, 2011 and look forward to meeting you during my campaign. Visit my website at www.WhittForSheriff.com or send an email to VoteWhitt@yahoo.com.
W. Richard Shelton, Treasurer
My motto is "Together we can; together we have; together we will continue" to serve Montgomery County.
My first term began January 1, 2004. When I campaigned, I promised to create an office that is effective, efficient, and timely. I have delivered that promise.
A number of my accomplishments for the past 7 plus years are as follows:
I reinvested General Funds, generating more than 5 million dollars in interest revenues to our county.
The aggressive collection of delinquent accounts has netted the county 10 million dollars in actions taken.
Accepting Visa and MasterCard payments at no cost or fees to the taxpayer or county. Montgomery County was the first locality in Virginia to offer this service without cost.
Through my tenure I have eliminated the county decals and implemented the Motor Vehicle License Fee (MVL), saving the county over $25,000 per year.
Check out my website: SheltonForTreasurer.org. You can email me there or at wrichardshelton@SheltonForTreasurer.org.
I ask that you help to re-elect me as your treasurer on November 8, 2011, so that the county will continue to have an experienced treasurer and staff working to serve the needs of our county.
Helen Royal, Commissioner of the Revenue
Just because the Commissioner’s office has always done it "that way," doesn’t mean it's the best way to do something. We have to look to the future, and take action on new ideas.
Training, and awareness of new information, is key to the operation of the office. Too often only a small group of staff learns something, when the whole office would benefit from knowing.
The Commissioner of the Revenue’s office does a lot for the taxpayers of Montgomery County – from assessing new construction of real estate, to providing assistance with state income tax returns. To do all that, we need to listen to staff and customer ideas and concerns, and make improvements whenever possible.
Go to www.RoyalForCommissioner.com for more information. If you'd like to donate, please make checks out to Helen Royal for Commissioner of the Revenue and mail them to 632 Butterfly Lane, Christiansburg, VA 24073. You can also email me with questions, or to help with the campaign.
Johnny Puckett , Board of Supervisors (District B)
When I’m faced with a decision as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I will remember that any decision I make will affect the majority of the voters—just as it will affect me. I will remember my responsibility to look at the whole picture and vote for what is best for the people of our entire district, not just what’s best for a few.
One of my main goals is to find a way to get new businesses to locate here in Montgomery County. We need to create new jobs and increase revenue for our area. If our revenue base increases, county-wide, we can help fund our educational needs, thereby curbing tax increases beyond a reasonable level.
Visit www.PuckettForSupervisor.com for more information about me and how I hope to serve you on the Board of Supervisors. Help canvassing is needed and financial help is welcome, so we can buy more fliers and postcards. Please send checks payable to Johnny L. Puckett for Board of Supervisors to 1155 Scott Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073. Thank you for your support!
William H. "Bill" Brown, Board of Supervisors (District E)
Bill Brown currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors and is seeking his second term on the Board. His experience on the Board and as the Chief of Police in Blacksburg give him a unique perspective on how to tackle the problems of a growing county with increasing budget constraints.
Please contact Bill to help him canvass or to offer a donation to the campaign. Checks payable to Bill Brown for Supervisor may be mailed to 1766 Daisy Rd. Blacksburg, VA 24060.
Mary W. Biggs, Board of Supervisors (District F)
I have represented District F on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors for 4 terms. During my terms, I served as Chair for 3 years and Vice-Chair for 4 years. I look forward to continuing to work closely with my fellow board members to develop the best solutions and options for the issues that confront us. I will continue to work for your interests and encourage your participation in planning for our county’s future.
Please visit www.BiggsForSupervisor.com for additional information and how to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!
Matthew Gabriele, Board of Supervisors (District G)
This is a critical time in Montgomery County, with education and the government’s ability to provide basic services to its citizens now particularly pressing issues. I know how hard the supervisors, especially my fellow Democrats, have worked during these difficult last few years and I look forward to continuing that tradition.
Represent the interests of both Blacksburg and the county as a whole – thinking not just about my interest or your interest, but what's in our community’s best interest;
Ensure that our schools continue to be well-funded & have the facilities they need to thrive;
Support local law enforcement, which has been hit hard by state-level cuts;
Keep good, high-paying jobs in Montgomery County and help attract new employers.
For more information and to get involved, please visit www.G4Gabriele.com or email the campaign at G4Gabriele@Gmail.com. To donate to the campaign, please make checks out to "Friends of Matt Gabriele" and mail to Friends of Matt Gabriele, 213 Woodbine Dr., Blacksburg, VA 24060.
