My fellow Radford residents. It’s time to prepare for the coming election by all possible means.
Don’t just rely on hearsay, known as the rumor mill, or the number of “vote for” signs displayed throughout the city.
Determine the qualifications of each candidate and make a sound informed decision as to who are the best candidates for each of the positions. Here are some suggestions.
Learn the responsibilities and functions for each of the positions: mayor, member of the city council and member of the school board.
Attend the “meet the candidates” and the City of Radford election forums. Ask questions of concern to you.
Listen and be attentive to the content of candidates’ presentations and evaluate their qualifications for the positions.
Use all possible data to determine which candidates are best qualified for each of the positions. Don’t just rely on the opinions of neighbors or friends.
Evaluate the quality of the candidates’ background and personal demeanor to determine how they have the competence to fulfill the responsibilities of the position being sought.
Assess how articulate and logical the candidates are in presenting specific content. Be wary of those candidates who are glib with little substance that is difficult to evaluate.
Determine how sincere the candidates are in seeking the position to enhance the quality of life in the City of Radford. Look out for those candidates who are seeking a position to boost their ego and recognition or have an axe to grind about an aggrieved issue.
Seek to ascertain the qualities of interpersonal relationships of the candidates with peers, co-workers, teachers, faculty, students and residents of the City of Radford.
Is there evidence of arrogance and an air of self-importance? Would their interpersonal relations be conducive to the functioning of the school board, city council and with the public-at-large?
Our current members of the school board, city council, and mayor are sincere, competent and committed to the welfare and well becoming of the City of Radford and its residents.
One current member of the city council, as well as other members, is Keith Marshall who has demonstrated expertise, sincerity and dedication on the city council as a member and vice mayor where he demonstrated solid knowledge of the needs and functioning of the City of Radford.
Under his leadership as elected mayor the health and welfare of the City of Radford and its residents will continue to grow as Radford’s population increased by 7.7 percent in 2017.
This is a call for all Radford residents to exercise their right and responsibility to VOTE and elect the most competent persons who will provide the leadership to enhance the recognition of the City of Radford as a significant historical city in the state of Virginia.
John R. Phillips,
Radford
