Initial thoughts on Christiansburg's candidate forum was that all five individuals "got" that revenues derived from meals, lodging and the town's portion of state sales taxes were good.
Helps keep real estate taxes low. One candidate seemed to believe only residents paid those taxes, implying businesses did not. Another candidate knew exactly which tax sources were "The Big Three" for Christiansburg.
In discussing how to fill numerous vacant commercial buildings, one thought being the chairman of a totaly inactive committee was good for business operators while another thought residents should brainstorm about the stores they'd like to see downtown (Blacksburg spends about $100 grand a year on retail and business recruitment, exclusive of staff time).
The county's recent landing of a new business, and being able to use town reserves to help sweeten the deal, was also mentioned. Money derived, in part, by businesses already invested in this community.
For a town known as the retail hub of the NRV, not one candidate found it incongruent the new business was a shopping fulfillment center.
That doesn't have a single brick and mortar store because all shopping happens over the internet (and may not even have to collect sales taxes).
If you missed the forum, brochures stated a video would be broadcast on "Christiansburg cable tv" (Alive Channel 12). Who knew there was a Christiansburg Cable Corporation, or that Shentel (which has the single town cable franchise) interrupted broadcasting religious programs on channel 12 to air government candidate forums?