Where is the plan?

The following statement is what I call a tough conversation.  Albeit, it is one way, but it deserves attention and the community expects and deserves answers, so we know that our future elected leaders have the proper skill set to lead us from the paths of publicly aware incompetence and corruption.

After a few weeks of travel, I have been able to take a few moments to sit down, read, listen, and watch what some of the current political candidates have established as their election platform.  I recently viewed the Royal Examiner’s video featuring Councilman Tewalt’s interview and his thoughts on the status of Front Royal, Warren County, and the EDA.  I believe that Councilman Tewalt brings a well-balanced professional and political career to the area.  His decades of service have brought a sense of reason and thorough understanding of the important issues in this community.

However, Mr. Tewalt was given 21 minutes and 53 seconds of unfettered “air” time to speak to the community on the issues that are currently plaguing us.  Mr. Tewalt spoke in very high-level generalizations about today’s problems, which are quite obvious, but sadly failed to communicate his specific plans for action, goals and timeline for attempting the work to remedy these issues.  Mr. Tewalt was given 21 minutes and 53 seconds to explain to the community how he was going to improve inter-governmental relations but failed to do so.  Town & County talk of working closer together is a cheap and recycled political theme that is used year after year after year with no measurable results.  Mr. Tewalt also expressed concerns about expanding the commercial tax base in Front Royal and the need to address dilapidated structures.  Okay great.  What is your plan?  You have served in various political positions for years, and these same buildings are still standing, only in worse condition. To add insult to injury, there was support for a Property Maintenance Code but you voted against it.  What will you do differently that you haven’t done yet to get this passed, funded, and implemented?

Mr. Tewalt, I believe you are a good person and aim to serve the community to the best of your ability.  For the citizens of Front Royal, and Warren County, we already know what the problems are.  We are fully aware of the difficulties ahead with water, sewer, power, higher taxes, improved services, etc…. The citizens are owed and expect concrete ideas, an actionable plan, measurable results, and a timeline for performance.  These are the duties of an elected leader, including the Mayor of Front Royal.

Note: My views are stated as a citizen of Warren County. My statements are not representative as an official statement or position for the FR-WC EDA Board of Directors.

Greg Harold
Front Royal, Virginia