Two parties, two approaches, same message: Get involved

With about six weeks to go before Virginia’s Nov. 3 elections, Culpeper area political organizers — Republican and Democrat — are speaking out, urging area voters to step into action. Wednesday night, each party held events where party leaders were praised, ideas were exchanged, collaboration was encouraged and a few frustrations were tactfully vented.

Democrats hold group discussion on health care

The U.S. health care crisis was front and center in a meeting room at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

Organized by the area’s Democratic Party, about 40 people attended the word-of-mouth event to hear the perspective of local medical professionals Trice Gravette and Laurel Care Gravette.

Trice Gravette is a local family practice doctor. His wife, Laurel, is a career nurse with decades of experience and the former director of Culpeper Free Clinic.

After encouraging those attending to sign up to aid the campaigns of Democrats statewide, the floor opened for questions.

Although intended as a formal question-and-answer session with the Gravettes leading the discussion, the event transitioned into a passionate but tactful group conversation about what’s ailing the U.S. health care system.

“For every patient that we see in the free clinic, there are 10 patients we don’t see that are in trouble,” Trice Gravette said. He praised Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds, recalling how on visits to Richmond years ago, Deeds was one of the few state legislators who seemed to take the concerns of a relatively unknown local doctor seriously.

Referring to federal health care reforms under consideration, one man questioned the logic of legislating proper fiscal management into the system.

Unfortunately, Laurel Care Gravette said, with history as a guide, legislating waste and overspending out of the system might be the only way to make progress. Other questions followed about the overpricing of medicine, veterans care and rifts within the Democratic Party on what elements of health care reform were non-negotiable.

Northern Virginia delegate: ‘You work for victory’

Organized by Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Close, about 40 people gathered around the corner from St. Stephens at Raven’s Nest coffee shop on Davis Street earlier Wednesday evening.

Inside, the guests heard from northern Virginia Del. Scott Lingamfelter, who encouraged everyone to get engaged as November approaches. Del. Ed Scott, who introduced Lingamfelter, agreed.

“It’s gratifying to see people interested in our message and what it means,” Scott said.

Lingamfelter, who represents the state’s 31st District, spoke for about 15 minutes.

“You don’t wish for victory, you work for victory,” he said, warning that a reticence to get involved could be bad news for Virginians. “Do you want what’s going on in Washington to go on in Richmond?”

Other local leaders present included Culpeper County supervisors Larry Aylor, Steve Nixon and Sue Hansohn, Town Councilman Bobby Ryan and a handful of other past and present leaders from surrounding communities.

Also attending was Eileen Reinaman, a sister of Republican candidate for governor Bob McDonnell. She shared personal stories and assured the group that her brother is running for public office for the right reasons.

In the run-up to November, Hansohn and Close encouraged everyone to volunteer in whatever capacity they could. They also said the Culpeper GOP plans to open its campaign headquarters soon, although the opening date was not set as of Wednesday.