The Radford City Council has five candidates running to fill two seats in the May 1 election. Council members serve four-year terms, which will begin July 1.
The Radford News Journal sent questionnaires to the candidates who were asked to answer five questions in approximately 100 words each.
Answers appear as the candidates submitted them with only minimal formatting adjustments.
Precincts are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters must have a valid ID. For more information, visit www.elections.virginia.gov or call the registrar’s office at 540-731-3639.
Vaughn
Why do you want to be on the Radford City Council?
I have a genuine love for Radford because this is where I grew up. Seeing how my mother Zelda Vaughn, the former Clerk of Circuit Court, served the community of Radford is also inspiring.
I believe that greatness is measured by how well we serve. I’m prepared to serve our residents by doing the requisite work to continue in the long tradition those serving on council of continuously improving Radford.
It is exciting to be part of Radford and to see how it has changed in my lifetime. I hope voters will let me be part of this continuous work.
Why are you qualified to be the council?
Living in Radford for most of my life gives me a better perspective than a new resident. I also have pervious military experience; therefore, I understand working in a complex organization.
I served as an officer in the Virginia Army National Guard. My last assignment was as the chaplain to the 2-183 Cavalry Squadron in Portsmouth, VA.
I love people; thus, my joy is to help people and bring forth their full potential. I believe that the residents of Radford want someone who will listen to their concerns and also make solutions happen. I will be a catalyst for change.
What do you believe to be the city’s biggest strengths?
Radford’s greatest strength are the residents. The strength of any organization comes from its people. We have a diverse and resilient community with many talents. When the foundry closed Radford continued to grow.
I believe that the future holds continued growth and that as a community we will overcome the obstacles that we face. Radford must soar with its strengths! We should continue expanding the tax base,
I believe that this can come transiently from new construction while we focus on bringing in industry. When someone chooses to make Radford their home it is a big win for the city.
What are the city’s biggest challenges?
The biggest challenges in Radford comes from the budget. Radford has been in a financial funk lately. With the use of the reserve fund and continued cuts to the budget, it is no secret that we are hurting.
I don’t believe that raising property taxes and borrowing money are the silver-bullets that so many think they are. People that win the lottery often go bankrupt. What matters most is what we do with tax revenue and growing the tax base.
Despite the challenges we face, I am optimistic about the future of Radford. I look forward to working through those challenges with real solutions.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I want voters to know that I’m all about making results happen for the city. I have experience in turning around struggling organizations. I know that better results can be achieved by improving the budget.
Let’s set the best hierarchy of priorities for the city and improve the budget so that we can reach those goals. If I am elected, Radford residents can expect the city to be in a better position, success will be apparent in the numbers. I am not offering empty campaign promises.
Please come out on May 1 and vote your values by voting for Vaughn.
Critterton
Why do you want to be on the Radford City Council? (answer for question 2 as well)
I believe that I can be an asset to the city as a council member, because I have experience as an elected official managing large budgets, optimizing shrinking allocations, maximizing resources, as well as reinventing and innovating processes.
What do you believe to be the city’s biggest strengths?
Radford, like any other community, wants to provide a good quality of life for all of our citizens. We look to provide basic needs and services for our population all while ensuring we have opportunities to bring us together as a community.
We need to continue to seek economic and business development growth to sustain the revenues necessary to provide those services for our population.
The citizens of Radford hold very dear to them that we are an independent city. While our tax base is obviously smaller than a traditional county, our population to serve is also smaller.
Larger counties see shortcomings in their budgets as well and face many of the same challenges that we do.
My goal would be to keep Radford’s strong tradition as an independent city preserved while constantly assessing and utilizing our many assets (Radford citizens, the New River, Interstate 81, Radford University and Virginia Tech, infrastructure – fiber and roadways, public utilities, existing land for industrial park, engineering and development firms etc.) to their maximum potential.
What are the city’s biggest challenges?
At present, we are having difficulty meeting the fiscal needs of the city. We have dipped into reserves and must find a way to be solvent without doing so further.
It is imperative that we evaluate our current property and user tax fees while strongly encouraging entrepreneurship through rezoning, small business ventures and corporate partnerships.
If we sincerely do not want to have to merge with a neighboring county, we need to ensure that a multifaceted solution is in place to distribute the financial burden equitably and all of our community assets fully developed.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I have been a resident of Radford for 9 years and am the proud mother of 3 incredible young men. Spenser and Reis are currently at University and Avery is a sophomore at RHS.
I graduated from Indiana University Kokomo, where I achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. My major was political science as I have always felt the pull of community service.
As a veteran, I proudly served my country 6 years active-2 years inactive in the Army National Guard. I held a Top Secret Security Clearance as a Counter Intelligence Agent, stationed outside of Washington D.C. It was this experience that taught me the true meaning of discipline, teamwork, perseverance, sacrifice, servitude, and the ability to work under pressure.
I am a small business owner, founding MedReach 2 years ago. MedReach is a sales and marketing company providing professional consultation to medical practices. Relying heavily on hard work and determination, it has grown into a full-time position with a waiting list for services.
It has been my honor for the last 4 years to serve this community as an elected member of the Radford City School Board. My combined past experience has prepared me to serve the community as a viable and visionary city council member with proven results.
Turk
Why do you want to be on the Radford City Council?
Having grown up in Radford where the pride and joy of our community was our school system and our tight knit community, I feel strayed from that path.
I would like to see a lot more economic opportunities made available to where our kids would have an opportunity to move back to Radford for employment and raise their families.
Why are you qualified to be the council?
Having spent the last 4 years on council, I feel I have gained the much needed time and experience to help move the city forward in a positive way.
Working at Cooks Clean Center allows me to talk to a good cross section of citizens and gives me a good perspective on their feelings about our city.
My business minded approach to things is much needed on council.
What do you believe to be the city’s biggest strengths?
Radford University, NRCC and Virginia Tech. Working together with these schools to strengthen our school system is a perfect way to give our children a big advantage for their future. They can also provide an employee base to draw more businesses to our city.
Our park and pathways along the river are also a big positive.
What are the city’s biggest challenges?
Economic Development and Poverty Rate.
With the right economic and business approach we can turn the biggest challenges into our biggest strength. The time is NOW.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I’m a fiscal conservative that believes in cutting wasteful spending and finding other ways of generating revenue before raising taxes. With the right Economic Development approach we can put the city back in great financial shape and make our city one of envy again. I’m ready for the challenge.
Huntington
Why do you want to be on the Radford City Council?
I believe my perspective is crucial for our city’s long-term success. I moved to Radford in 2013 to begin my career as an attorney.
I found a community of people to call my own and fell in love with the advantages of living in our small city on the river.
Now, I see the community that I have come to call home at a crossroads. Unfortunately, Radford is struggling to attract and retain skilled workers, recent graduates, young professionals, and new families.
We need these people to expand our tax base and attract new businesses. I believe it is crucial that city council have a voice from my generation to help bridge that gap.
Why are you qualified to be the council?
I grew up in the New River Valley before attending the University of Virginia for my undergraduate education and Wake Forest for law school.
I began my career as a prosecutor in Pulaski County. Now, I practice criminal defense work. As an attorney, I understand the importance of basing my decisions on research, facts, and the law.
My career has trained me to ask hard questions and make tough calls. I currently serve on Radford’s Tourism Commission, which has given me insight into the ways Radford can improve our marketing to attract more visitors and residents alike. I am dedicated to public service and driven to see Radford thrive.
What do you believe to be the city’s biggest strengths?
When you run for office, you spend a lot of time knocking on doors, meeting new people, and talking with your neighbors. One thing is clear: Radford citizens care about this city.
Living in Radford, you appreciate what the city has to offer: a tight knit community, a school system with a stellar reputation, locally owned businesses, new and old, beautiful parks, and access to the New River in our own backyard.
We have all the tools we need to move forward. Our greatest strength is our passionate community that is driven to help Radford succeed. Now, we need a city council that will leverage our resources to move Radford forward.
What are the city’s biggest challenges?
Radford’s financial position is taking a toll on our city employees, leaving positions unfilled, teachers without raises, and our employees budgeting down to the last office supply.
It is hard for them to do their jobs when the budget is this tight. If we don’t improve our financial position, we won’t have the resources we need to invest in our school system.
Now is past time to begin increasing our city revenue with a small tax increase as a part of our overall economic development strategy. Our financial position will not improve overnight, but we will enhance our ability to make improvements that will help attract new businesses and community members to our city.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I am a newcomer to the Radford political scene, but I am passionate about serving our community.
I believe that a city council with a variety of perspectives will be stronger than one with only one view.
I do not have all of the answers, but I am willing to put in the work to find them. Radford needs innovative thinking to reach our full potential.
If I am elected, I will spend every day using my skills to move Radford forward.
Bess
Why do you want to be on the Radford City Council?
As a native Radford and son of former Mayor Ted Bess, I learned from an early age what a truly great city and community we live in.
In my opinion, the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. After having been interested in serving in this capacity for many years but unable to do so, I’m now in a position which would allow me the time to diligently serve as a councilman and contribute to the decision making for the continued progress of Radford.
I have a desire to give back to the city that has given so much to me and my family for many generations.
Why are you qualified to be on the Council?
I love people! My outgoing personality lends itself well to serving the citizens of Radford with energy and passion.
Additionally, my former career in retail store management provided me with an understanding and love for customer service. With over 20 years in business management, I obtained a vast knowledge of establishing and executing multi-million dollar budgets.
I have a proven track record of success of being able to operate within set budgets to ensure and increase profitability.
I am an effective communicator, which has allowed me success at building teams to accomplish established goals. I believe all of these traits, are essential traits for the position of City Council.
What do you believe to be the city’s biggest strengths?
I believe that Radford City Public Schools, the Parks and Rec facilities, and our entire city staff are among the best in the business.
As a father of five and with children actively attending RCPS, I have vested interest in the continued growth and success of our schools.
I am amazed at and grateful for the educators and staff at all of our school facilities and library.
As the proud recipient of the endorsement for Council by the Radford Education Association Political Action Committee, it remains my sincere desire to promote and advocate for the continued growth, safety, and development of the schools and school facilities within the city.
What are the city’s biggest challenges?
One of the biggest challenges we are faced with is increasing revenue for the City.
I feel, an area of great opportunity that would make a significant impact with minimal, if any, impact to our current residents is slight increases in luxury taxes such as cigarette and transient lodging tax that parallel some of our bordering municipalities.
We may need to revisit some current zoning ordinances and also need to exhaust every avenue to increase construction on single family homes and small businesses, both of which would help our economic position.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I would want all citizens to know that I not only have a love, but a passion for the city of Radford and our status as an independent city.
In running, I bring a proven track record of business success and leadership characteristics.
I am adept at making budgets, encourage 2 way open and honest communications, foster business relationships, and thrive in engaging people.
My family and I attend Radford Worship Center where we serve on the First Impressions Team and I am a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
I encourage all citizens to exercise your right to vote on May 1st and would sincerely appreciate your support.
