Opinion
Community Matters: Appreciation for Candidates Who Showed Up to Engage
I debated attending the Candidates Forum held last night because I am a county resident and do not live within the town limits. But I thought what happened in Front Royal affected the county, so I went. I was a little disappointed that some candidates did not attend, but the three who showed up were very informative, and it was nice to hear their points of view. Thanks, Walt Mabe, Glenn Wood (Town Council Candidates), and Tom Eshelman (Mayoral Candidate), for a better understanding of your positions on town government, your reasons for running, and for answering questions from the audience. Thanks to Rob McDougal for coordinating the event through FRIBA (Front Royal Independent Business Alliance), Rick Novak and Royal Cinemas for a place to hold the event, and Mike McCool for being the Moderator.
Like I said, I can’t vote in town, but I’d like to say a few things about Tom Eshelman. I met Tom when I attended his Middle of Main Auctions about 20 years ago. I love in-person auctions and often found myself going just for the entertainment, as he and Terri were like the Pat Sajak and Vanna White of Auctions. It was always a fun evening, and coming home with a new treasure I’d purchased was great, too. He was one of the first businesses on Main St that began revitalizing our historic Main Street and cared for and invested in downtown. He’s a smart businessman, and when I think of how I would characterize him, I would also add that he’s always family first, business next, and his love of Front Royal and our community would be third.
In 2007 I was involved in the planning for a Bachelor Auction to raise funds for local wounded Army Ranger Bunky Woods. We needed an Auctioneer for the evening and I asked Tom, and without hesitation he said “I would love to be a part of this”. He and Terri were entertaining and hysterically funny, and we sold 50 Bachelors over a 4-hour event that raised nearly $80,000 to help this wounded soldier and his family buy a handicap van. He has often donated his time as an auctioneer and helped countless organizations through his charitable work. As a businessman, he would bring a great depth of knowledge to the position of Mayor, as the Town of Front Royal is a business and needs to work for all the people. He’s an Independent, and I hope you will consider Tom Eshelman for Mayor when you vote next Tuesday.
Martha Buracker
Browntown, VA
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