Senator discusses state tax reform

Chris Graham

Column by Emmett Hanger  Wait a minute! We are talking about reforming Virginia’s antiquated tax system, and I mean really, actually debating the pros and cons of revising Virginia’s tax structure. For years, the need has been there, but it was more convenient to sweep things under the carpet rather than talk about it. Now it’s…

Voters value experience in clerk races

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham  Voters in the circuit-court clerk races in Staunton and Waynesboro wanted more of the same. That was the message on Tuesday – as Staunton voters re-elected Democratic incumbent Tom Roberts by a wide margin, and Waynesboro voters gave the nod to deputy circuit-court clerk Nikki Armentrout in her bid to replace…

Farmers for Hanger: Farm bureau endorses Republican’s re-election bid

Chris Graham

Column by Chris Graham  For Emmett Hanger, being conversant in agricultural issues isn’t an election-year strategy. It’s a way of life. “I think he’s more effective because he understands the realities that we face out here every day,” said Gerald Garber, a Weyers Cave farmer who remembers Hanger, a Mount Solon Republican, from their days…

Addressing the issues in the Wayne

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham The final candidate forum of the 2003 local election season – featuring the three candidates for the Wayne District seat on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors – drew 105 people to the Wilson Memorial High School auditorium Thursday night. Republican incumbent Tom Sikes and independent challengers Wendell Coleman and Larry…

Circuit-court clerk candidates speak out

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham The six candidates vying for the soon-to-be-open Waynesboro circuit-court clerk job agree on … just about everything. None would institute major changes in the way the office is being run; all would stress customer service as a top priority; and all hope the voters of Waynesboro turn out to the polls…

County leaders share vision for future

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham  Candidates for the six of the seven seats on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors that are up for election on Nov. 4 took part in a candidates forum held at Verona Elementary School Thursday night. The forum, sponsored by the Augusta Community Partnership, focused on issues related to agriculture and…