Please vote… wisely

We now have the opportunity to exercise one of our most important rights–the right to vote. This will likely be the most important local election ever for the citizens of Warren County.

I’m sure everyone has learned that some of our elected and/or appointed officials allegedly stole $21 million (or more). This theft was not only from the taxes which we have paid, but also from monies received from other sources for the benefit of Warren County. We will never be able to recoup this money, and future programs and projects will undoubtedly require increases in County revenue… which will mean dipping further into the citizens’ pockets for more tax money, or will result in reducing services provided to County residents.

A number of County officials, including the members of the Board of Supervisors, were recently indicted with counts of misfeasance and nonfeasance, based on their alleged “knowledge of and inaction of the EDA’s mismanagement of funds”. In simple terms, this means that they FAILED to adequately perform their jobs, resulting in gross “mismanagement of funds” (translation: theft). Even while they are under indictment, they are asking us to re-elect them! Do they think we are so stupid that we would give them another opportunity to allow our money to disappear?

The money stolen from Warren County equates to approximately $525 per person, or almost $1,500 per household. Ask yourself, “If you hired an employee and he/she stole that much of your money, would you continue to trust them with what was left of your finances?” All rational people would say, “Hell, NO!” So why should we even consider returning them to the positions that they have proven they are not capable to perform?

We need to send a message loud and clear: No matter who you are, no matter how nice you are, we no longer trust you! We would be fools to vote you back into office! Please… fellow citizens of Warren County… do NOT prove us to be fools.

Wanda Edwards
Front Royal, Virginia