Walter J. Mabe, an Independent, announces his candidacy for the Warren County Board of Supervisors from the Shenandoah District

Meet Walter J. Mabe.

Walt is an Independent candidate running for the Warren County Board of Supervisors from the Shenandoah District.  His opponent is Thomas S. Sayre, the Republican incumbent. He recently stopped by our studio and talked with Royal Examiner publisher Mike McCool.

Here’s was a few questions he answered:

Q: What is the biggest problem facing Warren County at the present time?
The loss of confidence in local government because of the EDA scandal.

Q: Why do you believe the EDA scandal occurred?
1. The EDA Board was negligent in monitoring Jennifer McDonald.
2. The Warren County Board of Supervisors — that created and appointed the EDA Board — was derelict in responding to obvious signals that things were amiss with the EDA board.
3. The Front Royal Town Council was derelict in loaning I.T. Federal a $10 million bridge loan with a) no stipulation that the money be spent in Front Royal, and b) not validating I.T. Federal’s business assets.

Q: What one question would you like to ask Mr. Sayre during a debate in the upcoming campaign?
“Mr. Sayre, why did you allow the EDA scandal to occur? Why did you not follow through on the well-publicized exposure of I.T. Federal possibly not having $140 million in U.S. governments contracts before the town of Front Royal loaned the company $10 million with no stipulation that the money be spent in Warren County?”

Q: What motivates you to get into local politics at the age of 65 instead of enjoying retirement?
Our community is in disarray because citizens feel betrayed. They are angry. They want a voice on the Board of Supervisors that is willing to listen — and then act. I am that person. I believe that I have the skills to bring people together. I’ve solved problems for 21 years as a project manager in the private sector. I can do it for Warren County as a Board of Supervisor member/leader.

Q: How relevant is your project-management experience in the private sector in your decision to run for the Board of Supervisors?
Very relevant. After my arrival in Warren County in 2014, I became aware of the many problems confronting the Board of Supervisors — including the appalling EDA Board scandal. I felt then — and I feel now — that my years of project-management experience solving problems in the telecommunications industry would enable me to make a valuable contribution to my community by solving problems confronting Warren County and its citizens.

Q: Will you hold frequent meetings with constituents?
Yes. I am eager to make my constituents aware of the power THEY have as individual citizens to solve local problems. At public meetings, which I promise to hold frequently, I will explain problems confronting Warren County — and then ask for and answer questions from my constituents. There are 8,100 residents and 5600 plus or minus registered voters in the Shenandoah District. I am eager to meet all of them in some form or another.

Q: Are you willing to engage Mr. Sayre in debates during the campaign?
Absolutely. I hope Mr. Sayre will join me in several debates between now and the election on November 5th.

Q: What kind of campaign will you run?
I will run a positive campaign.

Q: Will you allow details of the EDA scandal to be swept under the rug?
No.

Q: What role should “party politics” play in the Front Royal community?
None at all. I feel very strongly about this! Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all have ideas on how to solve local problems. Elected officials at the local level should not be concerned with party politics — but determining what ideas will work best for the community.

Q: Are you a conservative?
Yes, absolutely.

Q: Mr. Sayre is a strong anti-abortion advocate. Are you pro-life?
Yes.

Q: Why are you running as an Independent instead of a Republican?
I do not want to be beholden to a political party. I will work for the people of Warren County — responding directly to them, not through an intermediary such as a political party.