State candidates speak at forum

The struggling economy and unemployment were the main issues discussed Friday at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce-sponsored General Assembly candidate forum.

Four candidates for Virginia Senate and two candidates for House of Delegates answered prepared questions in front of about 75 attendees at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center. Jim Charepich, Culpeper Chamber president, mediated the forum and said developing relationships with locally elected officials is important.

“The bipartisanship that we heard is reflective of what makes Virginia strong in the General Asembly,” said Charepich.

Among the candidates present, two were running unopposed — Emmett Hanger running for Senate in the 24^th district and Ed Scott running for House in the 30^th district. Also present were incumbent Edd Houck and Bryce Reeves running for Senate in the 17^th district, incumbent Jill Vogel running for Senate in the 27^th district and Bob Zwick running for the House open seat in the 18^th district. Zwick and Vogel’s opponents were unable to attend the forum.

When a question about the high foreclosure rate in Culpeper was posed, the candidates were in general agreement about the dire situation, but optimistic that it would resolve eventually.

Senator Houck said that Virginia needs to “wait for the economy to turn” and “not break away from those traditions that have served us so well for a long time.” His opponent Reeves, said, “Culpeper is a wonderful community to live, work and play. It will come back.”

Senator Vogel said that “being more focused on resources coming into our region” is a priority. With the Virginia Employment Commission recently closing its Culpeper office, candidates were questioned about high unemployment.

Despite the office closure, Del. Scott said, “We have been able to maintain the presence of the VEC.”

Reeves thinks high unemployment can be fixed at its foundation.

“It comes down to education and retooling the workforce,” he said.

Vogel echoed Reeves’ sentiments.

“This will not last forever,” said Vogel. She said that communities will succeed through retraining and education.

The candidates were also questioned about health care as it relates to business.

“Across the Commonwealth, the healthcare industry equates to 200,000 jobs,” said Houck.

He said it is important to keep the healthcare debate in context, as it is such an important facet of the Virginia economy.

Reeves said that small business owners couldn’t afford skyrocketing healthcare costs for employees.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to keep premiums low,” he said.

Many of the candidates felt there was a direct correlation between education and healthy employment numbers.

“Long term job growth will come from an educated workforce,” said Zwick. “Education is immensely important.”

Reeves said, “I think that education dollars have to go a lot further than they have in the past.”

Vogel added that education decisions need to be shifted to localities instead of unfunded federal and state mandates.

“The government closest to the people governs best,” she said.

Houck wants the state to be held accountable for mandates.

“If the state is going to have a requirement, then the state should provide funding to offset the cost,” he said.