Dear editor,
Christiansburg has been blessed with excellent leaders. It’s become the shopping hub for a huge region of Southwest Virginia. Folks come from as far away as Bluefield to shop in our stores. We’re blessed with a mixture of restaurants including several excellent locally owned places like Dudes and The Summit plus a healthy mixture of nationally recognized restaurant chains. Our recreation facilities are the envy of the state: ball fields for baseball, soccer and football, indoor recreation center with a track and a world class aquatic center. Αs a former business owner in downtown Christiansburg, I know our town benefits from visitors who shop, eat in our restaurants and stay in our hotels.
I wish I could vote for mayor and town council members this November. But I now live in Warm Hearth Village in Montgomery County. Nevertheless, here’s my take on the best candidates for mayor and town council.
Mike Barber is a lifelong resident of Christiansburg. After receiving a degree in banking from UVA he had an amazing 42-year career in local banking. He brought years of financial experience with him when he was first elected mayor. A top priority is to continue to carefully use Christiansburg’s resources to maintain our infrastructure: street paving, snow removal, water, sewer, police, fire and EMS services without needlessly raising taxes. Christiansburg has continued to flourish under his leadership as our mayor.
Beth Umberger has my endorsement for town council. She raised her family here. Over the years she’s been active in beautification projects around the town. She single-handedly created the beautiful rock garden in the intersection island of Depot and College Ave. She’s served on three town committees. Umberger is passionate about getting fellow citizens involved in local government by volunteering on town committees and attending town council meetings.
Tonya Hackett is a current member of the town council. She is running for re-election “…out of love, not out of anger or opposition.” Hackett brings 18 years’ experience serving local governments, higher education, nonprofits and the private sector as an emergency manager. She deserves our vote for another term on the council.
Your vote is especially important during these turbulent times. Regardless of whom you support, please cast your ballot. Early voting begins Sept. 19. Please use your American right to cast your ballot!
Ernie & Sue Bentley
Blacksburg
