By Ed McMinn
Radford News Journal Editor
The Radford City Republican Committee hosted Delegate Jason Ballard and six candidates for local office during a meeting on July 20, 2022, and unanimously endorsed all six candidates.
Gloria Boyd, Chris Calfee, and Ed Dickenson were endorsed as candidates for the Radford City School Board.
Boyd and her husband, Dwight, are both lifelong residents of Radford. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren. She is a retired teacher with more than 30 years of service ranging from kindergarten to second grade in Pulaski County and Radford City Schools. Boyd will “provide families with a voice, protect our teachers, ensure a respectful school community, and ensure transparency.”
Calfee met his wife, Becky, both attended Radford City schools, and they “have been together ever since.” They have two children currently in the Radford City School system. Calfee has served more than 20 years in the financial and banking industries in the New River Valley. He has always felt that “giving back is not only an opportunity, but a happy obligation” and “pledges to always listen to parents and community members and then take that feedback to the other members of the school board”.
Dickenson grew up in Roanoke. Following high school, he earned a degree from Virginia Tech and began a career in the New River Valley. He is currently a licensed home inspector and business owner and a retired Army National Guardsman. Dickenson and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter in second grade in Radford City Schools. He will work to “open communication, ensure transparency, heighten security, and champion teacher support.”
Kelly Artrip, Bob Davis, and Seth Gillespie were endorsed as candidates for the Radford City Council.
Artrip grew up in Radford and is a graduate of Roanoke College and Radford University. She is a financial specialist and currently Audit Manager for National Bank of Blacksburg. She and her husband, Adam, are also property managers and parents of two young children. Artrip is a strong proponent of team work and pledges to “help provide transparency and promote accountability and sustainability.”
Davis has lived in Radford for more than 30 years. He has built a career in the restaurant business spanning many years and a variety of roles and responsibilities. Davis has experienced every aspect of business management and has demonstrated a strong commitment to “doing the right thing.” He intends to bring that mentality to local service and will “roll up his sleeves to see that accountability, team play, and transparency are prioritized.”
Gillespie is a lifelong resident of Radford and a graduate of Radford University. Following a decade as an enrolled agent in a Certified Public Accounting firm, he plunged into small business ownership through the purchase of Gates Flowers and Gifts and has spent the last two years growing the business. He and his wife, Kristie Marie, are expecting their first child in November. His priorities include “fiscal responsibility and accountability, enhanced relationship development with the local business community, and responding to population needs.”
All six of the endorsed candidates will be on the ballot in the Nov. 8, 2022 election, seeking the support of Radford City voters to fill three vacant school board seats and four vacant council seats.
Delegate Ballard spoke on the most recent term of the General Assembly and ended his remarks by saying, “I am here for Radford because Radford has been here for me.”
