James Glenn thinks that the Republican Party has the correct policy line, yet he still wanted to hear what the candidates had to say at last week's Candidates Night Community Forum, held at the South County Center.
"I'm hoping to hear what the issues are," said Glenn. "I'm oriented in a certain way but am always open."
Glenn's wife, Angie Bracht, also supports the Republican Party but said, "I have an open mind. I vote for individuals based on their credentials."
Shannon Dubicki said that she was at the forum to "sort of put a name and face together. I've pretty much made up my mind, but I want to hear it from the candidates."
Johnny Collins has also pretty much made up his mind, saying, "We're going to re-elect Ms. Puller for senator."
Collins was pleased with the work that Puller did in getting a Veterans Administration specialist to come to this area. "It was the first time I went to a public official, and there was no hesitation," he said. However, Collins did say that he was still interested in what the candidates had to say.
Another member in the audience, Sonja Caison, said, "I want to learn more about the candidates' views and make sure that I'm making informed decisions. I've been to two other chamber events and have to make up my mind soon, since I'm doing an absentee vote."
Robena Reid was glad that she had come because she didn't even know what district she was in. She said, "One of the things was that I hadn't even seen a sample ballot. I didn't know what the questions were." Copies of "What's on the ballot?" an overview of Senate, House, Sheriff, Board of Supervisors and School Board races, were available at the forum.
APPEARING FIRST on the agenda were Toddy Puller and Chris Braunlich, candidates for the Senate representing the 36th District. They spoke about what they have accomplished and what they hope to do if elected. They also answered questions about taxes, cutting of programs, positions on the tobacco tax, priorities for the future, and options for preventing repetitive juvenile delinquency issues.
Jay O'Brien, Republican candidate for the Senate in the 39th District, spoke about some of his past accomplishments and answered questions on taxing authority for localities and the reason for large donations by immigrant lawyers to his opponent, Greg Galligan. He surmised that that was probably due to his support of the mandate by DMV to require proof of citizenship.
Next up were the candidates for the House of Delegate races. Vying for the spot in the 43rd District are Tom Bolvin and Mark Sickles. Bolvin said that he's running again because it was "my honor to serve you" and is proud of his record.
Sickles said that his goals, if elected, are to work on Route 1 transportation issues, smarter growth and property tax reductions.
Kris Amundson and David Kennedy, candidates for the 44th District, then took the podium. Kris spoke about her experience as School Board member and as delegate; she also mentioned the different types of legislation she's worked on —school, environmental, women's health, government reform and transportation.
Kennedy said that most of the concerns he's heard from the people he's met with have been about property taxes, traffic congestion and schools.
He said, "I am here to say that we pay enough [taxes] and we need a government that lives within its means."
THE FINAL DELEGATE candidates to face off were Robert J. "Jay" Test and Marian Van Landingham, from the 45th District. Test said he believes that delegates from Northern Virginia need to pool their resources and work together in a bipartisan way. Van Landingham, based on her experience with the Appropriations Committee since 1985, tried to explain how the School Composite Index works.
The candidates for sheriff also faced off, followed by candidates for soil and water, and the School Board at-large candidates.
Throughout it all, Chamber vice president Dan Rinzel kept the candidates’ comments short and to the point by timing their opening and closing statements and response to questions. Several of the candidates thanked the audience for coming and acknowledged that the crowd (of about 100) was the largest gathering for a forum to date.