By Jak Krouse
This year’s election doesn’t have any national races, but Rockbridge County voters will be filling several local government seats.
Here’s a preview of four key races:
Rockbridge County Treasurer
The current treasurer, Betty Trovato, will not be running for reelection this year. Two candidates, Melissa A. “Missy” Whitesell and Michele Clark, are looking to fill the position.
Whitesell, 55, said she has previously worked in the Rockbridge County school system, treasurer’s office and sheriff’s office. She is a lifelong resident of the county.
“I want to assure the citizens I will demand confidentiality, courtesy, professionalism, respect and customer service second to none from the treasurer’s office,” she said.
Whitesell also said she will take a hands-on approach and have an open-door policy for all citizens of the county if she becomes treasurer.
Clark, 52, also a lifelong resident of the county, works as the victim/witness director for the Buena Vista Commonwealth’s Attorney. She has over 10 years of banking experience, she said.
She plans to focus on customer service and strengthening the relationship between the commissioner and the treasurer, she said.
“I would bring leadership ability, banking ability, budgeting and knowledge of how to spend the county’s money wisely to the position,” Clark said.
Wendy B. Gilliam will appear as a third candidate on the ballot. But she decided to drop out of the race, citing family issues, she said.
Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors – Buffalo District
The board of supervisors has five members, each representing a different district. They serve staggered four-year terms.
This election, Leslie Ayers, 61, is running for another term on the board. Ayers, now vice-chair, said she is proud of reducing tax rates and improving support of volunteer fire and rescue squads.
Building stronger relationships with other local governments is key.
“I have a very good relationship with the other four supervisors. We are all pulling in the same direction, and I think that’s important.”
Mack Smith, 72, is running against Ayers for the Buffalo District seat. He has served on the board of supervisors and the county planning commission in the past.
A multi-generation farmer, Smith decided to run again to protect the values of the county. He also wants the board to do more to address drug and mental health issues.
“People will talk to me and that was really effective when I served on the board in the past,” he said.
Rockbridge County School Board – Buffalo District
The school board has members representing the same districts, and follows the same term cycles as the board of supervisors.
Lenna Ojure and Anne Russek are running for the Buffalo District school board seat.
Ojure, 75, has been working in education for 18 years. She said she is passionate about the schools’ recent advances in career and technical education and project-based learning.
“I think there’s a lot of really important new initiatives that the schools are trying to get off the ground,” she said. “They’re important and I want to be on the board to support them.”
Russek, 69, said she wants to see increased recognition for student achievements in all areas.
“Schools are a community within the bigger community. If these students started seeing each other for their uniqueness and their individual accomplishments, I think it would give the schools more of a sense of unity,” she said.
Glasgow Mayor
Paul Williams, 65, is looking to continue as mayor. He has served one term that started in 2022. He is a lifelong resident of Glasgow and a retired Rockbridge County teacher.
“I guess I don’t mind doing whatever needs to be done,” Williams said. “I cut a lot of grass for the town. If I need to, I can pitch in and help public works in any way I can. I don’t have a problem getting down in the hole and pushing some dirt to fix the water pipe.”
Opponent Joshua L. Fitz didn’t return repeated phone calls and emails from the Rockbridge Report.