Editor, Smithfield Times

Congratulations or condolences (depending how each views his or her own win or loss) to all the candidates for local Isle of Wight County elective offices.

By now, the “winners” and “losers” are known. But know this, too, there are no losers! By putting your life, family and reputation out in the public domain, no matter the election outcome you have proven you are a leader and that you have faith in the system and the people.

I myself hope, of course, for a new direction for the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors, one that pays attention to, and acts on, the expressed desires of our talented residents rather than the machinations of an outrageously overblown staff bureaucracy.

I also hope we can begin to drawn on the incredible talent of our county’s own residents rather than paying ever higher salaries to attract outside “experts” to convince us they know what is better for us than we ourselves do.

I hope all the campaign “promises” made will be fulfilled. Well, most of them anyway.

That’s probably way too many “I hopes…”

But I do believe in the bright future of Isle of Wight County. The bravery and talent of all the candidates for local offices are cause for that hope.

Albert Burckard
Carrollton