Editor, Smithfield Times

The pivotal vote here in Isle of Wight County next Tuesday will be supervisor for the Windsor Election District. I urge the folks there to vote for challenger Joel Acree.

The current incumbent has been campaigning diligently to defend the many unpopular decisions made by the Board during her term. If re-elected, she will continue depending too much on county staff.

For the other two contested Supervisor seats (Smithfield and Newport) I see promise. In Smithfield, both seem good men, the difference being, one has a long record of local public service on which we can judge him but his opponent is a relative newcomer to the process and is untested.

In Newport, both my father (Albert Burckard) and his opponent have essentially taken like views when it comes to opposing government overreach. My dad has a long record of devotion to this county and conversely, his opponent has just recently decided to participate and naturally think my father, can do a much better job as Supervisor. But, if his opponent is elected, he could be a success if he will just hold to the principles he preaches.

The crucial seat remains Windsor. If the incumbent is re-elected it will be more of the same for the next two years — a 3-2 majority who depend on county staff for their ideas will be maintained for all significant decisions.

Joel Acree has demonstrated that independence we want in our elected officials. If he wins, and I think he will, our county can begin to roll back the overweening influence of the staff functionaries and reverse many of the bad decisions made in the past few years.

Amelia Jones
Carrollton