Jim Fitzsimmons releases statement on why he’s running for Board of Supervisors
Woodstock, VA – Here is Jim Fitzsimmons’ statement, as released:
“I would like to take this opportunity to let citizens know why I am running for the Shenandoah County District 4 Board of Supervisor (BOS) position. After all, I already committed ten years of my life to District 4 School Board. And now, after four years, why am I coming back?
I am concerned about the direction this current BOS is taking and how they are “doing the business of government”. From my vantage point, they are giving lip service to “Rural Living”, “Agricultural Community”, and securing safe haven for retired folks on fixed incomes who are living here with extended families.
More importantly, I am concerned of their capricious tone to the public and their disrespectful treatment of Sheriff Carter in public by humiliating him and criticizing him. In my opinion, he is doing a good job protecting our community.
The debt is rapidly increasing in a time when experts are saying, “don’t accumulate debt.” As a county we pay 5.6 million in debt service and this figure will double the next four years at the current rate of decision-making. This means property taxes will go up and this will create an enormous burden on families and retired folks.
The BOS has also passed zoning ordinances to facilitate growth on Route 11 by discouraging small shop owners and encouraging shopping malls. The BOS is ready to approve cluster development throughout Shenandoah. We are poised for major development and increase in taxes will force landowners on fixed incomes to sell to developers.
These actions of the BOS for last four years will change the character, values and landscape of Shenandoah County forever. I am neither liberal nor conservative and my view is pragmatic and preservationist. I like the way it is and want to keep it that way.
We have lost our representation. Their plans and decisions are made in private conferences, away from public view. Then comes time for vote and public comment, the public is limited to how much time to express viewpoints and to a BOS that has already made up their minds. Too much debt and lack of transparent governance makes time for a change, November 3rd.”
