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Two veteran County Supervisors over the week-end announced their
intentions to seek re-election in the upcoming November General
Election.
ED#4 Supervisor Doug Bowman and ED#5 Supervisor James Edmunds, II
announced separately that each will run for another four year term
on
the County’s governing body.
Both men have played a key role in leading the County’s government
over
the past years.
Bowman has served as Finance Chairman for the Supervisors and has
headed the subcommittee working on the consolidation of water and
sewer
services for the urban area of the County. He has also been very
supportive of the construction of new and renovated schools. Edmunds
currently serves as vice chairman of the Board and has also headed
several subcommittees during his eight year tenure.
Edmunds has worked with the Recreation Commission, supporting youth
activities as well as being a strong advocate for public schools and
school construction.
Bowman writes in announcing his candidacy: “As my initial term winds
to
a close, I am announcing my intention to seek re-election for
another
four-year term from District Four to the Halifax County Board of
Supervisors.
“I am proud to have been a part of putting into motion some
significant
county accomplishments these last few years. The current county
supervisors have mutual respect for each other and, while we are not
expected to agree on all issues, we do communicate well about the
important county matters that come before us.
“In my role as chairman of the finance committee, I will keep close
tabs on the county budget and the increased debt incurred as a
result
of several significant capital projects.
“It has been a true privilege and a learning experience for me
during
this first term. If the constituents of District Four trust me to
continue to serve, I shall be pleased to do so.,” Bowman says.
In his announcement Edmunds says “To the residents of District 5 and
to
all residents of Halifax County: I am seeking re-election to the
Board
of Supervisors representing ED 5. It has been my pleasure and
privilege
to serve the citizens of Halifax County and the 5th district during
the
past 8 years and I would like to continue to help move Halifax
County
forward during the next 4 years. I have been very blessed to have
served in the past and I will use my experience to help lead Halifax
into the future. We have seen many changes over the years, but I do
feel that the accomplishments we have made during the last several
years are monumental for the direction of the County. There is no
doubt
that some tough decisions have been made and more are yet to come,
but
we have worked together to charge ahead into the future.
“I have served in many capacities as a member of the Board of
Supervisors during my tenure and I feel that I have represented my
constituents with fairness and equity. Some accomplishments that
have
been made during the last few years that I am very proud of are; (1)
School construction. While not without some architectural criticism,
I
am very proud of the fact that we, as a County, pulled ourselves up
by
the bootstraps and invested our hard-earned money into the best,
most
technologically up-to-date school facilities that we could buy! I
still
contend that no building is any better than the teachers in them,
but
with the outstanding teaching staff that we employ in our schools
combined with a modern teaching environment in which to learn, there
is
no place better in the world to be a student!
“(2) Economic development. We all know that this job will never be
finished, but I do feel that we have made great strides in the area
of
economic development in spite of textile closings and other
manufacturing closures. We have been able to retain some of our main
industries and have poised ourselves to become as competitive
technologically speaking as any metropolitan area in the county
while
maintaining our small town appeal. We are working together with the
towns of South Boston and Halifax like never before and are on the
verge of creating a water and sewer authority to place the entire
County on a level playing field concerning economic development. We
are
all moving forward together!
“(3) Tax relief for the elderly and disabled. I am very pleased that
we
were able to implement this program although I do wish that more
seniors on fixed incomes could quality.
“(4) Recreation. Perhaps I am most proud of the recreational
opportunities that the County has provided to all of its citizens,
especially our youth! We have expanded nearly every aspect of youth
sports and we have even developed a fantastic park that all of the
County has embraced.
“(5) Long-term planning. The County has taken a pro-active role in
one
of our most precious resources, our land! From developing a
comprehensive subdivision ordinance to creating the first web-based
GIS
mapping system in the State, Halifax County has become a leader in
technological advancements for long range land use planning.
“While there are numerous other accomplishments that have occurred
over
the last 8 years, there is still much work to be done and I believe
that my experience as a Board member will help lead us into the
future!
Thanks to all of the citizens of Halifax County, especially the
residents of ED 5 who have embraced me as their supervisor.
Personally,
I am very excited about the future of Halifax County and I do
believe
that the best is yet to come!” says Edmunds.