Stevensburg farmer joins race for supervisor

Another person has emerged in the race for the Stevensburg District county supervisor seat, making the race a three-way competition so far.

F. Dewayne Payne is the third person to file and announce his candidacy for the elected seven member group that oversees the county. Records show Payne filed to run on May 4.

Along with Stevensburg-area resident Gardiner Mulford, Payne is challenging longtime incumbent Bill Chase. The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chase has served on the board for nearly 30 years and. He was unopposed in the last election.

Profile
Payne, 28, is a farmer and small business owner. He is a Culpeper native and has lived in the Stevensburg District his entire life. This is his first campaign for public office.

Today, Payne said he still resides on the family farm in Stevensburg and many of his extended family members also live in Culpeper.

“I grew up working on the family farm and took a more active role in managing the business and an ownership stake in the company when I graduated from college. In addition to my business, I am currently serving my fifth year on the county’s Planning Commission.”

Payne said he intends to run as a Republican. Mulford also told the Star-Exponent earlier that he too plans to campaign on the GOP ticket. Chase has filed as an independent.

The Star-Exponent submitted a list of questions to Payne by e-mail. Here are his responses:

Why are you running for this office?
“The county faces several challenges in the coming years, unlike those it has ever faced in its history. I am running to give the residents of the Stevensburg District a choice in who they want to lead them through these uncertain times. I believe that I have the qualifications and the ability to assess these challenges and make informed and sound decisions for the county.”

What qualifications do you think you’ll bring to the board?
My qualifications include a strong educational and professional background, as well as experience in serving the community. I have two business degrees (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) and more than 10 years experience in managing my own company. Moreover, I am currently serving my fifth year on the county’s planning commission.

Do you intend to continue in your career or occupation during and after your campaign?
“Yes. As a business owner, I am fortunate to have flexibility in my schedule. I worked full-time while both attending classes for my M.B.A. and serving as a planning commissioner. From these experiences, I have learned to balance my time between the farm, my family and my service to the community. I will continue to do so during after my campaign.”

Describe your campaign platform — what issues are important for you?
Among several important issues facing Culpeper County, the following are a few of my top priorities:

Planned manageable growth: “I will continue to support a vision of Culpeper County that preserves prime farm land, protects historical sites, and provides adequate infrastructure for residents and businesses.”

Encouraging local business: “I will continue to support a local environment that is conducive to both small and large businesses. I believe that economic incentives and transportation are essential to attracting and retaining local business. Agriculture also plays a major part of the Culpeper economy, so we must continue to support our local farmers. To this end, the local government must continue to utilize a tax structure that preserves farm land.” 

Education: “I am a proud graduate of the Culpeper County school system and will ensure that the students of today are provided with the same quality education that has served me well in my professional career.

Improving infrastructure: Although the county has current plans to improve the infrastructure of the community, it lacks the funding necessary to implement these much needed improvements. It is important that we continue to pursue all available opportunities to address our infrastructure needs.

Budget concerns: “I will approach the budget with a private sector mentality. Given the decreasing revenues faced by businesses and governments, we must work to operate in a more efficient and effective manner. The county must strive to deliver quality services to residents at a minimum cost.

What, if anything is the current board doing well?
“The current board has been successful in maintaining an adequate level of service to the residents of Culpeper during a severe economic downturn. Many other local governments are unable to claim this accomplishment.”

What, if anything, does the current board need to do better?
“While I believe that the current board is doing an excellent job, there is always room for improvement. There may be processes that can be improved and certain inefficiencies and redundancies that may be eliminated.

As a newcomer, if elected, would you be able to build collaboration with the current board members?
“I look forward to working with the current board and am confident in my ability to develop strong working relationship with the members.

“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many of the board members during my tenure as a member of the Culpeper Planning Commission, and believe that these experiences will assist in my smooth transition to the board if elected in November.”

What helped you reach your decision to run?
“Culpeper County faces many challenges in coming years and I would like to be a part of the process that shapes its future. A lifelong resident of the county, I aspire to serve the residents of Culpeper in whatever capacity I am needed. After being approached by many members of the community who asked whether I would consider running this November, I realized there was a need and that I had the qualification and ability to fulfill this need.”

What have friends, family and other community members said about your decision?
“My friends and family are as excited as I am about my decision, and I am so grateful for the outstanding support that I have received from the community. Numerous people have reached out to me asking how they can help, and for that I am very appreciative.“