2009.10.28
Going after the Sonic vote
The council race in Blacksburg has heated up considerably. Two blocs of candidates have emerged, and a few candidates are stuck in the middle. Voters may vote for four people this year to fill four open seats (one of which is a partial term resulting from a vacancy).
On one side are what can loosely be called the pro-development candidates: Frank Lau, Tom Rogers, Krisha Chachra and Greg Fansler.
On the other are the smart-growth candidates who largely fall in with the Blacksburg United for Responsible Growth (BURG) crowd: Susan Anderson, Cecile Newcomb and John Bush.
In the middle are Bryce Carter (who leans toward BURG), Michael Sutphin (in my opinion, the sharpest of all the candidates) and Paul Lancaster (who, unfortunately, is no longer actively campaigning).
The four pro-development candidates are facing criticism in town over a letter they distributed to homes. It contained more than 100 signatories who supposedly support the quartet. Only it's turning out that many of the names on the list did not know they were signing onto any letter and in fact only expressed support for one or two candidates, not all four. Indeed, one of them, Paula Williams, had a letter to the editor a few weeks ago supporting Newcomb.
Meanwhile, everywhere one looks campaign signs urge residents to vote for someone.
Well most of the signs support someone. There's a big banner in front of First & Main that appears to be against a candidate. (Sorry about the lousy quality of the photo, I took it last night with my cell phone in the rain.)
(If you can't make it out, it reads, "On Sonic - Susan Anderson Voted NO!")
Seriously? They're going after the Sonic vote? I didn't even know that was a constituency.
Besides, Anderson, the only incumbent in the race, voted for the Sonic after she voted against it. The drive-in eventually received unanimous approval to open from council, it just has not exercised that right. If Sonic fans want to blame anyone, blame Sonic. (Our editorial from the time, and my column.)
The banner was paid for by one Joe Turney. I'm still trying to pin down who he is. Rumor has it he is a coal mine operator from West Virginia. Maybe he's tired of driving all the way to Christiansburg for his Sonic fix.
There are a lot of serious issues confronting Blacksburg more important than whether Sonic opened at First & Main. If you are going to base your vote on having to drive to Christiansburg for a burger and limeade, that's your right, but you will severely disappoint the Founding Fathers.
Instead, think about what sort of development you want in town, what you want done with the Old Blacksburg Middle School, whether the town should seek an agreement with Virginia Tech to pay the meals and hotel taxes on some of their operations like the Inn at Virginia Tech. Then look for candidates who would take the town in the direction you want.
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Cecile Newcomb, John Bush, Michael Sutphin and Bryce Carters are not members of BURG and have never made contributions to the organization.
Comment by MB — October 28, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
I didn't see where it said they were. The funny part about this is calling what BURG advocates "smart growth." How about anti-growth or no-growth?
Comment by Another Chris — October 28, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
My response to BURG was to move out. The best campaign sign in Blacksburg is a "for sale" sign in the front yard.
Comment by Mike — October 28, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Chris, you are wrong. Smart growth, controlled growth, sustainable growth is not no growth or anti growth. Period.
Comment by John Bush — October 29, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I voted for it after I voted against it...where have I heard that before?
The facts are that against the urging of Paul Lancaster and Mayor Rordam, the BURG bloc of town council members voted against Sonic, knowing that a lawsuit would ensue. When the lawsuit came, they had to quickly make an exception to allow Sonic to resubmit early so they could approve and end the lawsuit. The minor changes to the SUP/CUP were totally cosmetic, and put in solely for political cover, so Anderson et al could claim victory.
Comment by NRJMike — October 30, 2009 @ 11:10 am
Smart growth might not be anti-growth in its true definition, but they are very closely linked in Blacksburg. Facts are facts, and that is a fact. As long as the growth in Blacksburg is of a local nature, or somehow tied to a national granola brand, it will be ok. If you want to bring a national chain store to town, save the gas and stop in C'burg.
Comment by Other John — October 30, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
You make the mistake of assuming the "sonic vote" is about sonic. The sonic issue is about the role of business in Blacksburg and whether we have an elected body capable of representing the citizens interests and not just their own narrow agenda. Someone once remarked that the only business proposal this council would fully support in Blacksburg is a walk-up granola stand. Sadly, that's the truth. The fact that the original sonic vote was also a vindictive slap just points to the petty level some have sunk to with regard to business issues...and why its time for voters to remind them that our town and its citizens deserve MUCH better.
Besides, it's interesting that you characterize the Susan Anderson sign as negative...her supporters probably view her vote as a badge of honor. After all, that sign is just stating her position. In fact, if her supporters feel as strongly as they once did about her Sonic vote, it may help her increase turnout...so why are they so worried?
You can make all the snide cracks you want about sonic, but it doesn't change the fact that the council's handling of that issue was the FINAL straw for many who were already extremely unhappy with the council's "management" of Blacksburg's economic development opportunities.
Comment by Blacksburg Native — October 31, 2009 @ 12:19 am