The Smithfield Times will be taking a different approach to Smithfield Town Council candidate questionnaires this year. Rather than sending a list of questions and publishing all questions and responses in the same print edition and online, the Times will send the candidates a single question once per week.

There will be 12 questions in total, with two weeks and up to 250 words to respond to each, through Oct. 23. For the second week, we asked, “What is one challenge or opportunity for the town that has not received enough attention? Why is it important?”

• First week, Aug. 7: What will be your top priority if elected?

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Mary Ellen Bebermeyer

One challenge that has not received enough attention in Smithfield is reaching and engaging citizens who are unable to attend monthly Council meetings or Planning Commission meetings. My priority will be to reach out to all citizens, regardless of their age, income, or neighborhood. The recent livestreaming of meetings is a huge improvement, but more can be done to make the information more accessible.

Public forums, and meeting with neighborhoods, and community and civic groups would be a positive step to allow citizens to voice their ideas, share concerns and have dialog with town officials about the future of Smithfield. 

Although there is a ‘public comment’ time during Town Council and Planning Commission meetings there are limited opportunities for citizens to ask questions and get answers from public officials, except during election season.  These concerns are often dismissed after the election happens. Citizens deserve to be heard so they know where and how their taxpayer dollars are being spent.

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Jim Collins

An awesome opportunity that our town has in front of us is to collectively manage the outstanding financial position that we are currently appreciating.  I believe we can really dive into our Comprehensive Plan and expand our Capital Improvements Plan that will benefit the entire town.  Many times, discussions revolve around the historic district, which is a vital part of our town.  However, that area makes up 7% of Smithfield and decisions need to be made that will benefit the entire town. 

A challenge to some in our town is to stop berating the Town Council for personal gain.  Disagreements are fair points and are welcomed anytime to discuss.  But the combative rhetoric that we watch on the nightly news is bleeding into our community.  Keyboard warriors are referencing the term “transparency” but cannot back up many accusations with facts and that erodes trust trying to make political points.  Backroom deal accusations are being asserted and are quickly followed by the phrase “needing more transparency,” which is trying to entice people to believe something is happening behind the scenes when in reality there is not.  All of this because someone doesn’t like the outcome and rather researching the facts they attack the process. Throughout my 21 years of military service, followed by 19 years of building several successful commercial businesses, I have always been committed to being fully open and honest.  I am honored to serve our town and believe that the unsupported allegations need to stop. 

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Darren Cutler

Challenge – Infrastructure:  While often discussed in the Town Council, infrastructure does not receive the attention it deserves.  Modification of town-maintained infrastructure and new infrastructure for incoming growth have hidden and rising costs, particularly costs now that are not yet supported by taxpayers who may one day fill those homes.  There can be substantial upfront cost to current citizens that can take years to be realized in tax revenue.  Schools in particular, which Smithfield citizens support through taxes, require Town Council action and attention in the name of managing the infrastructure cost of growth.

Opportunity – Cost of Living and our Changing Town:  I have heard some of our current council members advocate for “affordable housing”.  Their voting records on recent developments contradict that position.  Neither of the two recently approved developments (Mallory Scott and Grange and 10Main) will offer affordable housing to our residents.   It is critical that we make a more concerted effort to not price out or drive out residents who grew the character of Smithfield and are the backbone of our town.  In a recent discussion I had with a lifelong Smithfield resident, he said he is regretfully moving to western Virginia due to the rising cost of housing, taxes, and increasing density.  I have seen this sentiment in social media and other discussions as well.  I believe decisions on change and growth must represent primarily the voice of and impact on residents and businesses paying taxes today.

 

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Raynard Gibbs

Creating and preserving affordable housing is one challenge for the town that is receiving attention but requires more. The government defines affordable housing as any home, rented or owned, in which costs comprise less than 30 percent of the household’s monthly income. At the same time, the Government owns and manages public housing to support  low-income families.  Many of our teachers and first responders do not live in the area because there is limited housing stock and less density, which makes affordability a critical issue for residents and families.

 By rehabilitating properties and preserving the long-term affordability of rural housing, we’re ensuring residents have access to quality, stable housing that allows them to continue living, working, and engaging in the community of their choice. Affordable housing is a local issue, and if elected, I’m deeply committed to solving it one family at a time. This commitment means understanding and addressing the complex challenges unique to the Town of Smithfield, aiming to benefit and serve our residents and families.

 

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Bill Harris

One  great opportunity for the town that has not received enough attention is the possibility of the town buying the Bank of Southside Virginia building on Main Street. The purchase of the BSV building could have a number of excellent benefits for the town so it seems worthwhile for town leadership to evaluate all the pros and cons of such a purchase. 

The primary benefit to the town would be that we could finally house all the offices of municipal government in one place. Currently, municipal offices are housed in a number of different buildings. Having the offices of the Mayor, the Town Manager, Treasurer, etc. all in one central location would not only help municipal government to work more efficiently, it also would make it much easier for citizens to visit with their town leadership in person.

A second potential benefit of owning the building is that the possibility would now exist for Smithfield’s Farmer’s Market to have a permanent home on town-owned property. If the market  remains where it is, taxpayers would no longer be required to pay up to $1.4 million to support the moving of the market to The Grange at 10Main (Wouldn’t it be great if the  price of BSV was less than the $1.4 million taxpayers have been asked by the developer to provide for the moving of the market?) This great opportunity should be investigated to the fullest. If elected to  Council, I will urge my colleagues to do just that. 

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Mike Smith

Day to day operations of a town like Smithfield poses many challenges.  There are multiple things that citizens take for granted that go on behind the scenes.   The public works department works hard at all the challenges that they are faced with every day. The bottle quality water we drink doesn’t just happen and the sewer facilities doesn’t just operate at the flip of a switch.   The police department doesn’t just meet for coffee and donuts; they do a stellar job keeping citizens safe.  The planning department doesn’t just make things up and allow developers and citizens do as they please. All these things happen because of responsible individuals with great work ethic and dedication to the town.  With all the approved development on the books  (1400 units) and more developers seeking approval, the town will be challenged with hiring new staff and purchasing new equipment and supplies.  Town leadership will be challenged with attracting qualified individuals to keep the town operations running smoothly.   We need to offer competitive pay and benefits to attract these individuals.  There aren’t many towns growing as quickly as Smithfield, and attracting and keeping qualified staff is imperative.  Our departments work hard at what they do and we need to support their efforts with solid compensation. Smith for Smithfield.