Time to Consider Structural Change

I have been a long-time resident of Front Royal-Warren County.  I was not born and fully raised locally, but I consider this my home and despite the negativity and nefarious actions of a few in recent past, I’m still optimistic about continuing to call this my home.

Over the decades, I have been involved in various town and county organizations.  Having served 8 years of the Front Royal Board of Architectural Review, I witnessed and dealt with the ongoing issues of dilapidated buildings, absentee landlords & property owners allowing their properties to advance the blight in the historic district, and conversely, more responsible property owners wanting to improve their homes and businesses, but not knowing the proper channels, processes, and procedures to do so.

Most recently, having been frustrated with the political climate and advent of the EDA scandal and the advancement of such, I found myself constantly stewing in what appeared and has proven to be a monumental issue for this community.  I found myself personally lashing out to the Board of Supervisors both from an emotional standpoint, and from a more measured approach on what I viewed as being cultural and structural issues with the EDA.  The Board of Supervisors seized upon my energy and frustration and through weeks of dialogue persuaded me to apply for an open board position.  My legacy will yet be determined as the organization still has issues to resolve.  We are dealing with full time issues with a part time but fully dedicated and engaged Board of Directors.  It fair to state that my optimism, although cautious, extends to this organization as well.

As the recent indictments were announced involving a cadre of current high-level Warren County officials and current and past EDA members, I reflect to a conversation that I had with at least 2 current Board of Supervisor Members.  The general theme was that it is difficult to find qualified, competent and willing candidates to run for elected seats.  (This does not include the current slate of individuals currently running.)  When a community has a systemic problem of engaging people to serve their community at the highest level, one must evaluate the possible root causes of such a problem.

Upon closer examination, I feel that the current structure of the Board of Supervisors should be examined to help promote and facilitate a larger pool of candidates in participating at all level of elected or appointed governmental roles.  Our commuting town and bedroom community provides little opportunity beyond entry level service positions.  Professional services, skilled trades, tech, mid to high level managerial roles, and federal contracting jobs are 45 miles down the road but requires 3 hours minimum of commuting time. However, leaders don’t necessarily have to commute.  As I have witnessed crew leaders at fast food chains that I would be privileged to work under.  However, those leaders are rare, and by having a large populace commuting to earn a reasonable living wage, eliminates a large pool of potential candidates with outstanding leadership ability.  I encourage and ask the current BOS, stated candidates, and the public to make recommendations on how meetings times, committee assignments, and other necessary functions can be restructured for greater effectiveness and efficiency for promoting greater participation in these elected roles.

Note:

My views are stated as a citizen of Warren County and as an active member of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority.  My statements are not representative as an official statement or position for the FR-WC EDA Board of Directors.

Greg Harold
Front Royal, VA  22630