Several candidates for local offices returned a questionnaire we emailed on Sept. 30 with a return date no later than Oct. 21. The responses we received are printed verbatim. Their names appear as printed on the ballot.
BUCHANAN
Craig S. Bryant, candidate for Buchanan mayor
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
The Town of Buchanan is working through fiscal year 20/21 with the challenge of sustaining a budget with a balance of expenses and revenues. Town Council will need to have routine budget review sessions and work together to develop action plans that help reverse revenue shortfalls through creative and sustainable initiatives.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
Town of Buchanan’s Main St. is healthy in an environment where many localities and small towns are struggling with the effects of the pandemic and the competition of online shopping. Main St. remains successful and growing through the efforts of local support, entrepreneurship, business development grants, and programs such as the Gauntlet. Just like our own individual health assessment, the descriptor healthy and successful is a snapshot in time. In order to remain healthy and successful it requires continual support, nurturing, and adapting to changes and needs in our environment and community.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
The Town of Buchanan’s elected body continues to work well together and takes open government very seriously. My job as Mayor will be to encourage citizens to participate in any of the following ways to be part of their Town Council’s decision-making process. These options include having an engaged and responsive town staff during business hours, establishing a cadence of work sessions that allow for open discussion and transparency of topics, making sure numerous work sessions and monthly council meetings are open, inviting, and structured so all that attend can speak to their Town Council, and most importantly being visible and inviting to residents and our business owners whether it be while jogging, at a special event or while visiting our many places in Town and in turn encouraging them to put their ideas in to action.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
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- Continuous financial reviews and detailed analysis;
- Develop and implement council and community supported action plans for new and sustainable revenue generation; and
- Develop and implement council and community supported change management strategies to be competitive with the limited resources
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
A grant of this size would be great to establish a program that focuses on the foundations of a healthy and sustainable community for our residents. In general, this program would focus on areas such as developing a strategy for new ideas to spawn and be developed, residential street improvement and access initiatives, building rehabilitation initiatives, and public/private initiatives to help make sure our residents continue to have a safe and sustainable place to live for years to come.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
The entire town is my neighborhood. As Mayor, my role is to represent everyone and be that unbiased voice of working together to decide what is best for the short term and long-term viability of the town. One of my favorite activities is to jog around town admiring the different styles of homes and buildings, waving at residents sitting on their porch as well as spending time visiting and enjoying the sights of the river, swinging bridge, Fairview Cemetery, Main St’s store fronts, and the beautiful flowers and trees throughout the town.
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Gerald “Chris” Petty, candidate for Buchanan Town Council
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
Lack of businesses. Acquire property to entice new business. Create jobs so Buchanan will continue to grow.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that?
If so, why is it heathy and successful? Somewhat healthy. Bring in more businesses.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
Show them that their opinion matters and they need to attend Council meetings.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
Acquire real estate for new business. Try to build on what the town already offers (tourism and history). Search for Grants for revitalization.
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
Upgrade equipment to better maintain the town.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
2nd Street. Close to where I grew up. Housing was affordable and having town water and sewer was a plus. Favorites are the river, theater, history and the festivals.
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James L. “Jamie” Manspile, candidate for Buchanan Town Council
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
It’s not just a single issue in my eyes. Depending on which issue you take the greatest interest in, there is a housing shortage for sure and we have a problem with blighted properties within town limits that could open up space for new construction. There will also in the future be a sewer rehabilitation project but it will need to be done in stages.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
Main Street comes and goes but I think it is about as stable as it can be. We are having a lot of visitors and customers coming into town because of the businesses on Main Street. Keep in mind that Main Street stretches the length of town and we have businesses all along it not just in downtown where the focus has been for well over 25 years. More attention needs to be given to the north and south ends of Main Street such as lighting at the intersections for starters.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
The doors and invitation is open, the open government ideology has paid off in that the citizens know they will get an answer from town staff or council member even though it may not be the one they thought they would get.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
I have worked continually since being elected to my first term in 2017 to saving tax dollars and have done so with numerous water and sewer projects we have done in-house with very minimal or no outside help at all and I will continue to do so.
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
How nice this would be. There are quite a few things that come to mind, but 2 stand out in front for me. One being that the town set up a parcel of land and prepare it for commercial development, where we have a pad ready for development with it being at least leveled and the utilities on location ready for hookup. The second would be get the sewer rehabilitation project started.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
I live on the north end of town, which would be the Pattonsburg side of the river. I have lived here all my life, made the choice to stay here and raise a family here. My family enjoys the Buchanan Theater and Limestone pool and most of my non-work time is tied up with my farm.
FINCASTLE
Philip J. Bartocci, candidate for Fincastle town council
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
Town events in the time of Covid-19. Due to the pandemic there have been numerous town events that have had to been canceled or changed due to public safety concerns. We discuss these on a case by case basis and make the decision we feel is most responsible at that time.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
Yes, I believe Main Street/Downtown is healthy and successful but can always be improved. There has been growth downtown in the last 1.5 years and I try to support the downtown businesses as much as I can.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
All town council meetings are open to the public, this is the best way to have your voice heard.
My job as a town councilman is to listen to the feedback and concerns of the residents of Fincastle use that to make the best decision possible.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
Fincastle is a small town with a small budget, three things we are doing to improve finances are:
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Re-evaluating water/sewer new connection fees to bring prices more in line with state averages
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Continuing to monitor/adjust water sewer rates
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Personally, supporting local businesses, try to shop local when possible because the shops are awesome
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If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
I would like to increase sidewalks on the western side of 220 and have a better solution to cross 220. It would be nice to improve walking access to “downtown” Fincastle.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
I live on Ridgley Lane in the Santillane Phase 4 division (behind the Fire Dept.). Some of my favorite places to spend time in town are at the walking track at Breckinridge Elementary school walking my dog as well as the Downtown Rooftop bar although I do not get there as much as I would like to.
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Tyler D. Flinchum, candidate for Fincastle Town Council.
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
The largest issue for Fincastle for the next several years is ensuring that the town keeps pace with the residential and business growth seen in Botetourt County and nearby Daleville. As the county seat, we must work to ensure that the town receives proper budgetary consideration from the county, as well as work to drive business into downtown to support the ongoing revitalization.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
Downtown is improving with the addition of the Fincastle Cafe/Pie Shoppe and the 1772 Rooftop bar, but more needs to be done to fill empty storefronts and drive traffic downtown. A social media presence is missing and necessary, and a marketing push in accordance with the new Mountain Region of Virginia designation to which Fincastle belongs would go a long way towards bringing people near and far to the town.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
Resident involvement could be improved with a social media push ensuring that town residents know the issues to be discussed at Council. This could greatly improve attendance and involvement, especially with newer residents in Santillane and in the newly annexed area.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
If elected, I would put Fincastle on firmer financial footing by 1. Working to ensure that the town shares in the unprecedented revenue recently generated by Botetourt County. 2. Advocating for business growth downtown by working with local landlords and business owners to see what they need for growth. 3. Helping to Implement advertising, marketing, and social media engagement to drive traffic downtown.
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
I would use the funds to improve the existing and develop the recently acquired land at Big Spring Park. I would like to see the pond filled, and a walking trail system developed from the Park to Breckenridge elementary that could be used by residents as well as the school. The trail system would serve as an attraction for residents County-wide. I would use the remaining funds if any, to repair and improve the sidewalks downtown.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
I live at the intersection of Herndon St and Factory St on the West Side of 220. I enjoy Fincastle by going on walks through downtown and the park. I also quite enjoy a pepperoni pizza from Leonardo’s, Roast Beef Sandwich from the Heritage Family Market, and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie from the Pie Shoppe.
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William B. “Bill” Gaul, candidate for Fincastle Town Council
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
The town has already acquired the parcel of land next to Big Spring Park which includes a small pond. In addition, we are in the process of acquiring a large part of the Honts tract. This will extend the town park land across the small stream, Borden Run, and wrap around the back of the Honts house up to the edge of the Breckenridge ballfields.
This extra land gives us the potential to create a great park for folks here to enjoy and use. The challenge is figuring out the best way to develop this area. We are a very small town, and our resources are not limitless, and so we will be looking to create a great recreational area in an efficient manner.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
It could always be better, but it has been worse. All small-town business districts are facing challenges, especially with the increase in on-line shopping. We need to recruit and encourage those types of specialty businesses that can draw folks in from the area.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
I enjoy talking to folks that I encounter walking around town. They are the ones who really appreciate what we have here.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
Actually, our financial situation in not too bad. The mayor, town manager and council have done a good job keeping expenses down, and, while our tax base has taken a hit, it has not been as affected by Covid-19 as with some other communities. Probably the biggest challenge down the road will be the eventual refurbishment/replacement of the sewage treatment plant. We are in the process of getting an Idea of that possible cost and will use those numbers to plan future budgets.
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
Big Spring Park. See the previous answer.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
I am not sure if this is really applicable for such a small town, but I live in and enjoy the historical district, in a house built over a century ago.
John L. Thomas, candidate for Fincastle Town Council
What is the biggest issue your town is facing and what course of action is needed to address the issue?
Fincastle is facing the restoration of the Circuit Court House in The Town of Fincastle. I would like to see the town and county work together to make sure that the court house, county offices and other buildings maintain their historical appeal to the downtown area.
Do you think your main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? If so, why is it heathy and successful?
After reading the countywide market analysis conducted by S. Patx and Associates, Inc. of Potomac Falls, Virginia for Botetourt County I have concluded that Main Street and the downtown area is slowly becoming more successful. While I would welcome and support continued downtown development, Fincastle’s Main Street and downtown area are somewhat limited to expansion and continued development due to the small size and current infrastructure.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in your town?
The citizens need to be made aware of the Town Council issues either by direct mailings, printed material and or /social media. Citizens should be made aware of openings on town council and when council positions are up for reelection. I also think citizens need to be informed when large expenditures are being considered. I would welcome citizen input on any town related issue.
If elected, what three steps would you take to put your town on a firmer financial footing?
Fincastle is currently in favorable financial standing. I would be an advocate for paying off current debt and would be committed to being a diligent steward of the financial resources the town currently possesses as well as seeking opportunities for continued financial development.
If your town received a $500,000 grant to use any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
I would like to see Fincastle use solar panels on street lights and pay for the continued preventive maintenance on sidewalks and other town infrastructure instead of waiting until the cost of repair surmounts. I would also consider hiring a part-time maintenance person for the town and also upgrade Big Spring Park in an effort to provide a place all Fincastle citizens could enjoy.
What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in your town?
I live in Fincastle proper with my wife, Susan. I was born and raised in Botetourt County and was eager to return back home following my thirty-year military career. Fincastle has been and will always be home!
