Town Council election experiences small voter turnout

The narrow patch of grass in front of the Culpeper County Library was littered with political signs Tuesday.
Town Council hopefuls Mike Olinger, Bobby Ryan, Pat Baker and William Platts greeted Culpeper constituents with smiles as they walked toward the portable polling booths inside the meeting room.
By noon, only eight percent of the 7,086 registered voters had turned out for Culpeper’s Town Council Election.
At the library, nearly 200 East Fairfax voters had cast their ballots before midday. Election volunteers said the traffic had been “slow and steady” so far.
Voters gave a number of reasons why they showed up to vote on Tuesday.
“I came out because of the illegal immigrant issue,” said Culpeper native Felix Maddox, 60. “They’re draining money out of the community. They are taking jobs that people here should have and they’re feeding off of the taxpayers.”
Carolyn Loving, who used a wheelchair to roll up to the booth, said it’s the American public’s duty to vote.
“If you don’t vote then don’t complain,” said the 82-year-old resident. “We are privileged to be able to vote. I think it’s a crime not to take advantage of what so many people would love to have the opportunity to do.”
Across the street, 365 voters had shown up at the West Fair-fax precinct by noon.
Candidates Chip Coleman, Chris Snider, Frank Reeves and Laurel Care shook hands and chatted with volunteers and voters in front of the Culpeper United Methodist Church.
“They are coming in spurts,” said one volunteer.
Willie Robson said the tax issue brought him out to the polls.
“I’m not in favor of them going up,” he said walking toward the church.
Reeves, standing next to outgoing council member Emma Richards, credits diversity and being a lifelong resident as his edge for capturing a council seat.
“I’ve been in the town for 55 years,” Reeves said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes.”
Coleman, displaying his usual playful antics, passed out choco-late “Chip” cookies to local residents exiting the polls.
Other hopefuls Jerry Beckett, Julie Peppe and Cecil Schoniwitz round out the 11 people vying for the four available seats on the nine-member board.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .