Newspaper man runs for public office ... conflict of interest?

A newspaper reporter is running for public office. His wife, who is the publisher of their self-owned small newspaper, is his campaign manager. Is this ethical?

Waynesboro City Council: Frank Lucente to run for reelection

"I see a lot of people coming to the trough for special interests, and it's the people that aren't there, the taxpayers, that have to pay for this." --Waynesboro Councilman Frank Lucente

Waynesboro Councilman and businessman Frank Lucente, 62, has announced he will run for reelection for the seat he was appointed to in 2006.

The seat was won by Chuck Ricketts in 2004 but, when he was tapped two years later to be a judge in Waynesboro's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Lucente was selected to replace him.

Lucente, founder of the Sam's Hot Dogs franchises, has been a fiscally conservative voice on council along with Tim Williams and former Councilman Reo Hatfield. As reported in the Waynesboro News Virginian:

He said a big thing he's learned is that a small number of people representing special interests can be influential in pursuing money for their interests, while he believes the average citizen sits quiet.

An active community leader, Lucente has served on the boards of many civic groups.

City Council elections will be held in May.

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com

Waynesboro Councilman Tim Williams will seek reelection

Waynesboro Councilman Tim Williams has announced he will seek reelection in May which is good news for conservatives in that city. As reported in today's Waynesboro News Virginian:

The often conservative Councilman Tim Williams has announced a re-election bid to keep his Ward A seat for a second term. At-large Councilman Frank Lucente, at times the lone person siding with Williams on hot issues, said he too has considered running for another term.

With the retirement of Tom Reynolds who often voted with Nancy Dowdy and Lorie Smith, the dynamics of the council could return to a more conservative voice.

Waynesboro mayor will not seek reelection

Mayor Tom Reynolds, 58, of Waynesboro has announced he will not seek reelection in May. In today's Waynesboro News Virginian, Reynolds said he had been working on a divinity degree and would become a full-time minister at Jolivue United Methodist Church south of Staunton.

Republican Bruce Allen, 55, a longtime Waynesboro civic leader and lifelong resident, announced earlier this month that he would run for the Ward B seat.

Cross-posted to SixtyFour81.com

Allen announces candidacy for Waynesboro City Council

Bruce Allen, a longtime Waynesboro civic leader and lifelong resident, announced Thursday he will be running for the Ward B seat on City Council in the May 2008 elections.

In announcing his candidacy, Allen said, “I love our city and I want to play a part in insuring that our City Council continues to put all citizens’ interests first when making decisions. We need to prioritize our needs and our desires so that we will make the best possible decisions for our community. The decisions that the current and next Council will be making will affect the citizens of Waynesboro for generations to come.”

Allen, 55, retired in 2004 with over 25 years of service to the City of Waynesboro working for the Police and City Sheriff’s Departments. He currently works as a Commercial and Residential Property Manager. He is married to Debra Allen and has two daughters at home, Taryn and Katie Fitzgerald, who attend Waynesboro High School. His oldest daughter Brittany currently resides with her husband and son in Stuarts Draft.

In his many years of civic service in Waynesboro, Allen has served as the Treasurer and Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Charter Board Member and Board Chairman of the Waynesboro Staunton Augusta Boys and Girls Club, President of the Waynesboro Lions Club, Exalted Ruler of the Waynesboro Elks Lodge, and Salvation Army Advisory Board Member. He is a member of Main Street United Methodist Church where he serves on several committees.

“I believe that my lifelong experience in Waynesboro and my personal commitment to the taxpayers can make a difference. I intend for my campaign to recognize everything that we have accomplished as a community and to focus on what we can do to make Waynesboro what it should be; a responsible city whose main purpose is to improve and to enhance the quality of life for all its’ citizens.”

Related story in Waynesboro News-Virginian
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com