Marty Gordon
Three seats are up for grabs on Christiansburg Town Council this November. Incumbents Henry Showalter and Sam Bishop seek re-election and two newcomers, Deveron Milne and Johanna Hicks, have filed to run. Each candidate spoke to the News Messenger describing his and her experience and goals.
(Incumbent Harry Collins is also running. See News Messenger, March 6, 2019 issue.)
Sam Bishop
Bishop said his number one reason for running again is the fact he wishes to continue to serve and represent the community of Christiansburg.
“One thing I wish to accomplish is to continue to work with committees on improving the looks of the town such as facades on older buildings as well as art projects. I will continue to listen to the concerns of the community and work with them as close as possible,” he said.
Bishop has served on town council since 2014. He said he has learned many things since then about how local government works.
“It took me many attempts to get a seat on town council, but I did not give up. With my military and law enforcement experience, I’m able to maintain a cool head and make what I feel are the best decisions for the community.”
Bishop is a lifelong resident of Christiansburg and served for 21 years in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and in the reserves. He is a life member of the Christiansburg Rescue Squad and attends Asbury United Methodist Church.
Bishop holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management of human resources from Bluefield College and served with the Blacksburg Police Department for 28 years, retiring with the rank of captain.
Bishop feels the town has made great improvements in its transparency and works well together.
“The town has worked hard with persons/companies who wished to bring more jobs/business to town, and I feel that the town council works as one. We have differences, but we do what we feel is best for the community,” he concluded.
Johanna Hicks
Hicks, a local realtor, is attempting her first run for local office. She believes her small business background will be an asset.
“I decided to run because I have experienced a lot of the issues affecting the small businesses in the Christiansburg community, and because there is a lack of leadership and business experience on council,” she said Thursday.
Her plan is “to change the attitude permeating town hall.” An attitude, she said, that small businesses do not matter and do not need to be looked out for.
“My goal is to get town hall on a budget and to work more and spend budgeted money back with the local businesses,” she said.
Hicks says that one of the town’s weaknesses is the lack of business acumen and experience—a lack of care in throwing money around and not trying to save. Hicks also said there is a problem within the town’s hiring practices.
“Friends and family members are employed while more qualified men and women are being looked over for jobs in town hall. Also, all contracts and deals need to be done in the open, not behind closed doors and deals in secret,” Hicks said.
“The budget is large, and there’s a lot of tax dollars coming in. It just needs to be (handled) better, more frugally and wisely spent.”
Deveron Milne
Milne, who is a paramedic formerly active with the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, is a newcomer to local government.
“Upon the completion of volunteering over 15 years of much needed emergency medical services to the local community, I am now able to explore new ways to remain involved and active in my Christiansburg community. Serving on the local town council is a great way to continue serving the community,” he said.
Increased congestion in the town, according to Milne, is indicative of growth, which has outpaced infrastructural support.
“Christiansburg residents enjoy quiet, safe, close-knit communities and neighborhoods with access to natural surroundings, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The strong regional economy has resulted in faster growth than some have expected and, with this has come an increased demand for infrastructural support. Without such support, this growth may impact the local serenity,” he said.
One way he distinguishes himself from the other candidates is by bringing a fresh approach to the post.
“I will be a new face on the town council. I am a candidate with extensive and varied travel, business experience, and IT knowledge and experience, which allows me to continue the great action already in place, yet at the same time bring in new ideas.
In a professional capacity, Milne has worked the past 18 years as a member of a management team guiding the growth of a technology-driven company to provide a U.S.-developed software solution for the global market.
Henry Showalter
Showalter, who has been on the council for the past seven years, is a native of Christiansburg and feels he has successfully worked on behalf of residents through several terms, and hopes to continue to serve them in the future.
“We have come a long way with open government since my first election. Back then, and not so long ago, the town had no real web presence. If you wanted to know what was going on, you had to go to town hall. Now, we have an informative and interactive web page, media devices in our rec facilities, a social media presence, and more. If anyone wants information or input there are multiple convenient instruments available to them, but we must stay diligent to continue to evolve making it easier for our citizens to get info and contribute,” he said.
If re-elected to another term, Showalter hopes to help maintain the current infrastructure and services.
“We must also continue a high level of transparency, stay fiscally sound, and ensure that our current and future facilities stay financially viable and up to date, so as to be assets to our community.”
Some specific items he delineates are: Continue expansion of the Huckleberry Trail allowing easier access throughout town; make certain the new park does not burden, but exceed the needs of current and future residents (an inclusive playground, a large open green space, trails, recreation fields, a dog park); back the new arts initiative, and encourage additional events downtown.”
In addition, Showalter cites several positive things council has been able to accomplish during his time on the governmental body. They include:
- Creating a fund-balance policy to maintain an unassigned reserve between 30 percent and 45 percent of prior-year operating expenditures.
- Sponsoring the election change from the May single precinct to the traditional November cycle we use now. Switching the date reduced cost and increased voter turnout.
- Curbside recycling
- The Farmer’s Market
- Aided in the creation of our current Grant and Event request applications.
- Supported the development of our technology platform: web information (local /emergency), community engagement, jobs, etc.
- Co-created the town’s Tourism Map
He cites an extreme passion for his hometown as a reason that sets him apart from other candidates.
“Growing up and living here has made my performance thrive. Over my past terms, I have asked questions, spoken out, and listened in order to help this great town, which I know and love, flourish.”
