Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Local newspapers back staggered terms for Augusta County supervisors

An issue that was promoted by Supervisor Tracy Pyles last year was for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors to implement staggered terms like the ones used in for elected bodies in Staunton, Waynesboro, and every other Shenandoah Valley location.

Staggered terms would provide a rotation of the board so that all seven positions were not up for re-election at the same time. By having four seats up at one time and then three seats up two years later, there would be less chance of a complete turnover of the board and, thus, the loss of the wisdom and experience of previous supervisors.

On Sunday the Waynesboro News Virginian editorial agreed with staggered terms and today the Staunton News Leader's editorial also agreed with staggered terms.

Supervisor candidates Kurt Michael, Marshall Pattie, and David Karaffa along with Supervisor Pyles reiterated at last week's townhall meeting that they would like staggered terms.

Four incumbent supervisors are calling it quits. Tracy Pyles is the only one who has announced he will seek re-election. That leaves two supervisors who have not announced their intentions (although it has been widely rumored what their intentions are so will be interesting to see what happens).

Staggered terms ... it's about time for Augusta County.

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