A New Vision for Board of Supervisors

Four Candidates who Matter Make a Statement


Dr. Marshall Pattie is running for the seat in the North River District.

Four candidates for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors will host a townhall meeting on June 15, 2011, the first of a series of such meetings hosted by the candidates to be held at the Government Center in Verona at 7:00 p.m. Their message is refreshing and straightforward, as evidenced by this joint statement:

"We believe in an open, responsive government that is smart enough to understand that hearing from our bosses, the voters, more often than every 4 years makes us a better government.

We believe that economic development needs to be more professionally driven than politically and bureaucratically driven.

We believe that Fire and Rescue needs to be more professionally driven and less politically and bureaucratically driven.

We believe that the Board of Supervisors has stumbled and failed to secure and provide the fair funding historically due the Augusta School Board.

We believe that delaying relief from land values done during the best of times hurts us now in these worst of times.

We hope to show that when people work together, putting aside party and personal interests, consensus can be reached with the people being the beneficiaries rather than those making the decisions. We hope to demonstrate the individual knowledge and principles of each of us such that the public will have confidence both in our corporate vision and our individual resolve."

--David Karaffa, Dr. Kurt Michael, Dr. Marshall Pattie, Supervisor Tracy Pyles

Lynn Has More [click to read]. If you have felt frustrated that your vote might not make a difference, Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 will be your day!

Jason Bibeau Enters Race for Treasurer

Confidendiality, Customer Service and Awareness


Jason Bibeau.

Jason is currently serving as a law enforcement supervisor, a US Army veteran, NRA life member, and a former volunteer rescue squad member. He has experience in the financial services industry and plans to bring his experience to bear on the operations of the treasurer's office.

Citing the need for confidentality, Bibeau says: "The treasure's office maintains large amounts of our citizen's financial data. I believe that it is of UTMOST importance to not share your information without proper and just legal cause." He plans to take concrete steps to assure treasury data is properly protected. Looking to his experience in the financial services market, he plans to aid compliance by improving the office's customer service. He sees a day when payment options will be available in partnership with your bank or credit union and the "trip to the window" will become a rare event.

Bibeau plans to report quarterly to the citizens of the county, letting them know the state of county affairs and generally making citizens aware of the function played by the revenues collected.

He and his wife, Angela, are members of Blue Ridge Church of Christ in Fishersville where they play an active part in children's ministries. Today he announced his Candidacy [click to read] at the County Government Center in Verona.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume III, Issue XVII

THYME's Guide to the Most Influential

If, as Jefferson states, "the most important level of politics is local," then it follows that the most important political figures are those who represent your own community.

While the 'other' weekly news magazine looks for its 100 most influential people, THYME went looking for the heroes of hometown politics. We didn't have far to go.

Augusta County, Virginia is situated at the junction of two major US interstates but is still a fine mix of rural and urban elements. Manufacturing, Agriculture and Transportation exist in a balance that makes the area desirable as home or as a potential business location.

The mix that makes Augusta rich in potential also creates unique challenges for local government. Old paradigms are not adequate for addressing these challenges.

Fortunately Augusta is seeing a renaissance in citizen involvement in the process that should inspire people across the fruited plain.

Every Election Matters Now

Typically 'off-year' elections were uninspiring events with low turnout and predictable outcomes. That was before Augusta's current board of supervisors rubber stamped a fatally flawed assessment and set in motion a citizen protest directed at their lack of having a voice in Verona [the seat of the Government Center].

The unrealistic assessment numbers resulted in reduced distribution of state revenues. Public safety and education resources were understandably stretched. Pastures supervisor Tracy Pyles is already in the fight, having previously introduced a motion to discard the new assessment. This election cycle sees some new candidates stepping forward to seek seats in other districts. David Karaffa is running for the position in the Beverley Manor District and Dr. Kurt Michael in adjoining Wayne.

Here are candidates who are stepping up to create solutions in such areas as fire protection. They are putting together real proposals for real problems. They deserve a hearing and your vote on November 8th.

Look for another important hat being thrown into the ring on April 30th. Augusta County will become a model for other localities to follow. Jason Bibeau invites all concerned citizens to come out to the Government Center at 9:00am this coming Saturday. THYME will have more on this important story as it unfolds.

Update:

Jason Bibeau, 38, a resident of Fishersville, will announce his candidacy for Augusta County Treasurer Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at the Augusta County Government Center, 16 Government Center Ln., Verona, VA, 24482

"Dutch Treat" Breakfast to follow announcement at Staunton Shoney's in front private dining room.