Entry 689 of 824
By Think! Christiansburg On December 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM
At the Dec. 15 Christiansburg Town Council meeting, member D. Michael Barber let loose with another outburst.  He alleged a single citizen, or a group, was targeting him and trying to get him out of office early -- because of the referendum to move the vote and showing he missed the salient points entirely.

Let the record show this topic -- whether it saves money, increases candidate and voter participation, and is more convenient for citizens -- to move local elections from even-numbered years in May to odd-numbered years in November began shortly after Blacksburg made a similar change.  One of the stated benefits in Blacksburg was the possible dilution of special interest groups controlling elections.  There is one special interest group long active in Christiansburg politics where Mr. Barber is a member.  

Let the record show the Christiansburg Council had a consensus to do nothing, (without an actual vote) while pointing out that citizens could effect this change should they wish to do so.  And they did.  

Let the record show the Mayor (who now proclaims "enthusiastic support" for this change) after learning about an actual petition to put the question before voters -- had again sought legal counsel about allowing the question, but on a May ballot.  Nope, council could control the change, or it could be put before voters.

The State Code is clear on this change NOT happening during a May election, and by an elected body only through ordinance.  They knew this since town attorneys had prepared a report after former Councilman Steve Huppert brought it up for discussion, right?  Why was that May election suddenly important, since these show historically low voter turnout?  The referendum itself was clearly worded so new election dates would be held in odd-numbered years. 

Let the record show Councilman Barber has been consistently against this change from the get go.  He opposed it when it was first introduced and during candidate forums when he was running for reelection.  This shows he was aware of the topic, and potential for changing terms.

Citizens should know, too, that elected officials take a solemn oath of office to "uphold the Constitution of Virginia" -- and this includes what becomes law even after taking office.  Even when you personally disagree.   

This is known as democracy, giving the honor of representing public interests to those who will serve honorably.  The petition, the referendum, and now the resolution mean that all Council seats -- including the nonvoting except-in-a-tie Mayor -- will have different terms than in the past. 

This applies to those who won office in 2008 (Barber, Showalter and Vanhoozier) and those who will run during final May elections (seats now filled by Carter, Stipes and Wade plus the mayor's position).   Still, some may take this personally and that's their right.  Besides, who'd argue with this guy? 

The reality is that terms will shift by eight months for every elected Christiansburg official, barring a legal challenge by an individual or intervention by the General Assembly.  

Take the time to read the links (or "view" the last one for  the video).  Expect higher voter turn out in Christiansburg town elections after May 2010.  Whether a "group" controls the outcomes -- or decided by up to 13,000 individual voters -- is something the future holds.