We must be prepared to attract good jobs

Jobs? Jobs? Jobs?

It was the first question posed to the candidates at the Board of Supervisors Forum during the Fall Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Breakfast held on Friday at the Country Club of Culpeper. The answers were varied, as they should be among great candidates. Each had a depth of experience that related to the subject.

The consensus was that we need good jobs. We need to be prepared to attract or create jobs. And, then we need action to move this forward. Every other community is asking the same question as the solution to their economic challenges.

The good news for Culpeper is that we have invested in preparation to create jobs. Our leaders have been business friendly. We have invested in the infrastructure necessary to accommodate and support major employers. We have established Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center as a training facility for workforce development. We have facilitated an office in Culpeper for the Small Business Development Center. We have clearly developed the message that Culpeper is the “Hottest” business location.

The next steps are not to wait and see what happens. Granted, growth is coming our way. However, we need to be smart about the path that we take for creating opportunities. This election provides an opportunity to make your voice known regarding who you think can lead us thru this current economic environment. More importantly, it offers an opportunity to set the direction for our future.

Our direction is shaped one vote at a time. Our privilege to vote has been forged in the blood, courage and vision of the American Spirit for freedom. We honor the sacrifice of those before us and those that serve our great nation today with each vote. At the forum, I asked for a show of hands of those who voted in the last election and those who plan to vote in this election. I saw 100 percent of the hands go up. I applaud the audience as patriots in shaping the future of Culpeper.

Other issues that were addressed in the forum were related to the economy. Of course, the water and sewer agreement with the Town and County brought a variety of views. The issue of transportation impact fees brought the greatest diversity in views. The issue of probable budget cuts for the county and the impact on the schools was of great concern. Finally, the transportation issues brought discussion about the need for improvements in critical areas of the county.

As Bill Clinton put it during his campaign for president “It’s the economy stupid.” Not that I am referring to anyone in those terms. I am simply stating that jobs and an improved economy will solve many of the issues that we face as a community. We need solutions to this issue. We need action toward solving this issue. Our families, our schools, our businesses, and our quality of life depend on the results of our action. Step One – Vote! Step Two – Create Jobs! Step Three – Repeat Step Two until the issues change.

There is gold in the river of economic turbulence. It’s up to us to find it.