Buckingham Reelects Kidd
Published 5:06 pm Thursday, November 10, 2011
BUCKINGHAM – Tuesday was definitely a busy day for the county's poll workers. Over 50 percent of Buckingham's 9,710 active registered voters turned out to cast their votes for contested races for sheriff and commissioner of the revenue.
Likewise, Buckingham voters demonstrated similar interest in who would represent them on the Board of Supervisors and the School Board.
When reviewing the results for each candidate, Voter Registrar Margaret Thomas reminded that numbers are considered unofficial until the Electoral Board completes and verifies the process of the final canvass count. However, she noted that any changes at this point would be minor.
Incumbent William G. “Billy” Kidd, running as an independent, won reelection with 2,682 votes, gaining 51.71 percent of the 5,187 votes cast in the sheriff's race.
His Democratic opponent Gerald K. Washington drew 2,139 votes, 41.22 percent.
James Tyree pulled in 290 votes; and, William H. “Bill” Merritt garnered 76 votes.
On Wednesday, Sheriff Kidd shared, “I am very grateful to the voters. I appreciate their support and the help I received from many, many citizens.”
Kidd offered, “Hopefully, we can put the campaign behind us and move on to work together toward the common goal of a safer community for all Buckingham residents.” He added, “I will continue to strive to make a good department even better.”
The only other contested race for a constitutional office was also won by the incumbent. Stephanie Midkiff, running as a Democrat, won with 2,984 votes.
Her challenger, RoShelle L. “Rocky” Harris, an independent candidate, received 1,999 votes.
Midkiff shared, “It is an honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Buckingham County as Commissioner.” She added, “Words cannot express my gratitude for the support I received.”
She assured, “I plan to continue to serve fairly, efficiently and provide excellent service to the citizens of Buckingham County.”
Running unopposed for the office of commonwealth's attorney, incumbent E. M. Wright, Jr. garnered support from 3,968 voters.
Likewise, incumbent Christy L. Christian was unopposed in her bid for re-election as treasurer but 4,384 voters demonstrated their confidence in her with their vote.
Incumbent Danny R. Allen, who represents District 7, Gold Hill Precinct, ran unopposed in his bid for reelection but drew 473 votes from his constituents.
Donald E. “Donnie” Bryan, running as an independent, was the only candidate seeking to represent District 2, White Hall Precinct. Responding to his candidacy, 423 voters supported him. Danny LeSueur who currently represents that district did not seek re-election.
In District 1, New Canton and Georgia Creek precincts, incumbent I. Monroe Snoddy was victorious in a challenge from former supervisor Robert C. “Bobby” Jones. Snoddy received 457 votes and Jones 329.
Incumbent E. A. “Bill” Talbert also proved victorious in a challenge from Pete R Kapuscinski for the seat representing District 3, New Store and Curdsville precincts. Talbert, who currently serves as chairman, garnered 528 votes and Kapuscinski 307.
Voters in District 4, Maysville Precinct, had three independent candidates on their ballot. Vying for the seat currently occupied by John D. Kitchen were E. Morgan Dunnavant, Henry P. “Hank” Hagenau, and John N. Staton.
Staton won with 366 votes while Dunnavant drew 258 and Hagenau garnered 256.
Taking pride in handling his campaign “the old-fashioned way,” Staton said he visited over 900 voters in his district. Not counting the gas he used while making those visits, Staton shared that he spent just under $200 for campaign flyers/handouts and sample ballots. And-he didn't put out any campaign signs.
“Hopefully, I can change by example the tenor of the way business is done,” said Staton, offering that he would like to see members of the board state the reasons they are for or against an issue so the public knows about the issues and where their representatives stands. “I don't have to own it and I'll speak to you the next day,” he assured.
Staton shared, “I enjoyed the campaign. I enjoyed working with the constituents of District 4, Maysville, and with my opponents.” He stated, “The real work has already begun. And, as I stated in the campaign-the literature I passed out has my phone number, my correct full name, and my address on it-I am open to my constituents at any reasonable time.”
Continuing, Staton offered, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for all the help and kindness shown to me during this campaign.” He shared, “I pray that I am up to the task.”
In District 5, Glenmore and Wrights precincts, three candidates, Robert L. “Fooey” Anderson, Joyce Kidd Smith, and Cassandra L. Stish vied for the seat being vacated by incumbent Brian Bates.
Stish proved victorious with 298 votes. However, Smith was only 13 votes behind with 285. Anderson received 153 votes.
On Wednesday, Stish stated, “I really appreciate all of the support.” She added, “I am very much looking forward to working with the rest of the board-forming some new alliances and new friendships and greater opportunities for prosperity for our county.”
Stish said she is very interested in having a dedicated blog site and Facebook page for her district to offer better communication options.
Reflecting on the election, Stish offered, “I would like to help pull us all together because I feel like united we stand and divided we are going to have a tough row to hoe.” She added, “I would like to see us be able to work together more for all of our sakes-more collaboration.”
She shared, “We all have a common goal. Everybody wants to see something good happen for the county.” She added, “If we keep that in mind all of the time…then it leaves the possibility open for finding solutions that work.”
In District 6, Slate River Precinct, incumbent Joe Chambers, a Democrat, did not have an opponent until several weeks before the election when Raymond E. Banton announced he was running as a write-in candidate.
However, Chambers was victorious with 400 votes. Banton garnered 169 write-in votes.
Although the State Board of Elections website indicated 189 write-in votes for Banton, Buckingham's Voter Registrar reported on Wednesday afternoon that the number of verified write-in votes for Banton is 169.
Thomas explained the initial count included votes for other write-ins as well as some ballots for Banton that the Electoral Board deemed invalid because only the last name was included.
Russell P. “Pete” Gowin was the only school board incumbent facing opposition. Gowin, who represents District 4, Maysville Precinct, faced challengers John D. Kitchen, Jr. and Walter E. “Wes” Saxon, Jr.
Gowin, like incumbents in the county's other contested races, proved victorious with 423 votes. Saxon, a former school board member, received 321 votes; and Kitchen, who currently serves on the board of supervisors, garnered 195 votes.
Following Wednesday's school board meeting, Gowin shared, “I am thrilled that people have confidence in me returning to this board.” He added, "I look forward to working the next four years with my fellow board members to provide our youth with the best possible instruction and the best facilities we can afford.”
Gowin offered, “I truly appreciate the opportunity to be able to see the completion of some of the projects this board started.” He added, “I want to thank all those who supported me with their votes.”
Vote counts for school board incumbents running unopposed include 657 for David W. Christian, District 1; 451 for Kathy F. “Sis” Midkiff, District 2; 721 votes for H. Ed Wise, Jr., District 3; 674 votes for Sherry S. Ragland, District 5; 545 for T. W. “Hut” Hutcherson, Jr., District 6; and 477 votes for F. Acie Allen, Jr., District 7, Gold Hill.
Incumbent Mayor J. Ervin Toney ran unopposed but drew 128 votes.
Dillwyn's ballot also included seven candidates vying for the six at-large seats on Town Council. All ran as independents.
Although incumbent Diane Holman James did not seek re-election, five incumbent councilors, Bill Lewis Moss, Karen Sue Moss, Sandra F. Moss, Linda Venable Paige, and Sarah D. Walker were on the ballot. Also vying for seats on council were Alan Leatherwood and Tora LaTonya Jones.
With the victors being the six candidates that drew the highest number of votes, council's newest member will be Tora LaTonya Jones, who garnered 99 votes.
Vote counts for the returning incumbents include 92 votes for Linda V. Paige; 89 votes for Karen Sue Moss; 88 votes for Sandra F. Moss; 83 votes for Sarah D. Walker; and 82 votes for Bill Lewis Moss. Leatherwood drew 68 votes.
Jones stated, “First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone in the Town of Dillwyn who came out and supported me while I was knocking on their door or if I saw them in the community; and, for those who actually came out and voted for me. I really do appreciate their support.”
Noting that she has lived in Dillwyn for 38 of her 40 years, Jones said she decided to run for Council in hopes of bringing some fresh ideas.
“I remember when we actually had stores within the Town,” shared Jones as she reminisced about the dime store and Pearson's. “I want to see that back,” she said, sharing her enthusiasm about the current efforts to revitalize the Town. “There is a lot of potential in Dillwyn.”
Jones said she also wants to focus on the youth in the Town and work to establish activities for them. “And, I'd like to get the young people involved in government, per se, because we are not going to remain young forever,” she stated.
Explaining that she would like to host town hall-type meetings for town residents of all ages so she can hear what they have to say, Jones offered, “That's why people elected us-so we can hear their voice.”
She concluded, “I really want to give back to the community.”
David Wade Ball and James F. McDaniel, Jr., incumbents on the board of directors for the Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District will be returning to that board. Ball drew 2,402 votes and McDaniel 3287 votes.
