Leadership needed: The future is at stake
The news that the county’s largest landowner, Lane Industries, is looking at its options for future use or development of its 7,600-acre Eldon Farms only serves to emphasize what major challenges may lie ahead for the people in charge of Rappahannock County government.
The Lane executives may ultimately decide to keep Eldon Farms as an agricultural operation, or to find a more profitable use, possibly including residential development, for this crown jewel of our scenic, rural county. Whatever they ultimately decide, the fact that they are reviewing this question simply underlines the economic forces that are pushing in on our little rural enclave from nearly every direction on the compass.
Development has changed the character of every county bordering Rappahannock, turning once-sleepy little towns into outer suburbs of the Washington Metro area, and converting cattle pastures to subdivisions full of moms, dads, and kids who need more schools, more playgrounds, more stores, more roads, more parking lots–and let’s not forget McDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee joints.
That is a vision that nearly everyone who lives in this county does not want for the future of Rappahannock. And yet, probably most of the people of Culpeper or Fauquier or Loudoun County didn’t really want it either, but it happened because of powerful economic, demographic and political forces.
Is Rappahannock County immune from these forces? Don’t kid yourself. It is only by wise and strong leadership, and a clear-headed vision, that this county–virtually alone in this region–has managed to maintain its rural, scenic, historic character and its low-stress lifestyle. Wise leaders, with guts and vision, have carried us this far, with the help of able servants, such as County Administrator John McCarthy.
Which brings us to a question immediately at hand. The power to steer the good ship Rappahannock into the choppy waters of the future rests primarily in the hands of five people–the members of the county’s Board of Supervisors. It is an awesome responsibility for which we taxpayers pay them almost nothing to carry. They do it because they care about Rappahannock and its people, and they are willing to devote their time and energy–and take the guff and grief that goes with the job–because they too want to preserve what we have.
We owe all of them who have served in this role a debt of thanks. And we all must be exceedingly careful about our choices in filling these five seats on the Board of Supervisors.
On Tuesday, November 7, the voters of the county’s Piedmont District will go to the polls to select a candidate to fill the Piedmont seat on the board that was long held by the late Charles K. “Pete” Estes–one of those guardians to whom we owe much–and temporarily warmed by Tom Taylor, who decided not to run for the job he was appointed to.
Fortunately, the Piedmont District voters have been given a choice among three qualified candidates–Eddie Wayland, Monira Rifaat, and Mr. Estes’ daughter, Kim Estes Baader. Too often in the past, voters were given no choice when only the incumbent ran for re-election, and no one stood to challenge him. This is a real election, not a coronation.
The Rappahannock Voice is not of a mind to tell voters how to vote. We don’t think “endorsements” by journalists are worth much, frankly, and we aren’t going to pretend otherwise. We think what we can and should do, however, is to remind everyone how important it is to choose wisely–and to consider carefully your reasons for that choice. This is not a popularity contest, or a matter of who’s your friend, of who you might have gone to school with.
This is a matter of handing authority and responsibility to someone who can wisely guide Rappahannock County into the future–buffeted by all the winds of change and the powerful forces bearing in on her. Who has the vision to see a path to the future we want? Who has the guts to stand up to powerful interests who plan another future for us? Who’s willing to do the homework to study the complex issues involved, to sit through endless, meandering meetings, to go to every potluck and picnic to hear what the people have to say?
From our observation and knowledge, we know that these qualities are true of Monira Rifaat, because she has already demonstrated them in serving in several appointive posts, and because we have seen her regularly at meetings of the Board of Supervisors–raising important questions, offering ideas, standing up and speaking out strongly for actions to protect and preserve Rappahannock County. She would not go along gently with the prevailing winds of change if they were blowing in the wrong direction. If she were a man, she’d be called “a stand-up guy.”
Eddie Wayland, a man rooted in Rappahannock County, has many admirers and supporters, and a reputation for integrity and community-mindedness. He has been less visible in public meetings and governmental affairs than Dr. Rifaat, but during this brief campaign he has outlined ideas and positions that show he shares the right vision for the county.
Kim Estes Baader has the advantage of having grown up in the household of her father, and knows Rappahannock well, but it is less clear in her case what she stands for and whether she has the time–given her full-time job in another county–to carry this responsibility.
The decision belongs to the people of Piedmont District. Only a few votes may decide the outcome. But the result will matter to every one of us who lives in Rappahannock County. Let us all pray that they choose wisely and well. At stake is our future.
-- James P. GannonComments
Comment from carmolar
Time: October 28, 2006, 9:48 pm
We agree that it is critical to vote in the Piedmont district election for a candidate who has a commitment to the preservation of the rural character of Rappahannock County. However, the election in the Piedmont district is not a vote for The Lone Ranger. It’s for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, and the person elected needs to build consensus, be persuasive, and act as a part of a united front against outside pressures. A strident and aggressive Piedmont representative would be met with resistance, and divisive and disrupted group dynamics could actually cripple the efficacy of the board. This would be a loss for the whole county in this crucial time of increasing developmental pressures. Eddie Wayland is the candidate who matches the integrity, vision and toughness to stand against outside forces coupled with the ability to work with a team towards a critical goal. Vote for Eddie Wayland, he will be the most effective leader, not the loudest speaker.
–Carrie Mowatt-Larssen
Comment from monira
Time: October 30, 2006, 4:19 pm
In response to the comment from Mowatt-Larssen:
As the supervisor to represent Piedmont District, I will join the board recognizing how it needs to be strengthened to face increasing challenges from development. We do not need more, placid, go-along-with-the-group thinking. Diversity of thought and experience is the best thing that could happen to this Board. That is why I am running for supervisor.
To portray candidate strength as disruptive to board deliberations is silly.
Think about how representative government works. The chair of any board needs clearly spoken, and knowledgeable input from his board members covering varying informed points of view. Our planning commission is a great example of just this kind of strong deliberative body. Consensus building is not impeded by strength of character and informed deliberation. Consensus building thrives in this environment. So does good problem solving and decision making.
I am the candidate endorsed by those who want a strong board that will protect the county from aggressive outside development interests.
Monira Rifaat, candidate for Piedmont supervisor
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