Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
The series of candidate forums hosted by the NAACP and League of Women Voters for Montgomery County elections continued Thursday, September 21 with Tiffany Couch and Cody Rush competing for Clerk of Court, Mary Weaver for Treasurer, and Tara Cochran Vance and Brenda Winkle opposing for Commissioner of Revenue.
The five candidates running for elected offices shared their experience and skills along with their priorities and plans for their potential positions serving the citizens of Montgomery County.
Winkle has over 23 years of experience in the Commissioner’s office, beginning her career there as a tax technician.
“I’m over the tax relief program and have been since, I guess, the last 12 ½ years,” Winkle said. “I love tax relief. That’s my favorite part. Taking care of the elderly and disabled and the veterans.”
Vance shared her management and leadership experience, as well as her background in database and financial management skills.
“With my financial background, I am the candidate that can work with the Director of Budget Management to ensure we can provide the Board of Supervisors with the best data for decision-making and be able to present options to keep our tax rates as low as possible,” Vance said.
The Clerk of Court candidate Rush discussed his skills and experience in information technology and how it relates to the office with their programming systems as well as his background in leadership as a major in the military.
“I am comfortable implementing emerging technologies to better serve our citizens,” Rush said. “The Clerk’s office is responsible for over 800 duties and responsibilities found in the Virginia code. I understand that leaders of organizations are hired to build teams and empower them to accomplish their mission through organized planning, training, and resources.”
Couch serves as the current interim Clerk of Court, where they provide technology that she said they are “lucky to have…because they make the lives of our citizens a lot easier whenever they come into our office to find our very important records from 1773 to today.”
Staying up-to-date with emerging technology, strong relationships between the administrative offices and elected officials in the County, and accountability were some of the top priorities mentioned by the candidates.
Small businesses feeling underrepresented and overtaxed is something Vance wants to address and improve if selected as Commissioner of Revenue. Opponent for Commissioner of Revenue Winkle wants to continue meeting with the needs of the local citizens while also maintaining strong relationships with the other county and local town offices.
Couch shared with the audience a passion for maintaining and preserving documents kept in the County office, Clerk of Courts, while her opponent Rush is running a campaign of accountability and transparency.
Up-to-date technology to meet the customers’ needs as well as the office of Treasurer was Weaver’s top priorities.
“I want to make sure we address the technology needs as we upgrade our software and that we provide the most convenient options for our citizens to conduct business within the Treasurer’s office,” Weaver said.
Implementing and leading programs in the county is an important part of the duties and responsibilities of elected officials serving Montgomery County as well.
In response to an audience member’s question about which programs candidates have implemented or that they would implement if elected, Rush proposed a ceremony for swearing in law enforcement with their colleagues and families present “to show them the respect that they deserve.”
Couch responded that the current office does provide these services already, adding that she has been on ride-a longs with law enforcement officers to “see what it’s like for them on a daily basis.”
A program Couch has implemented is an online marriage license application that provides an option for Spanish-speaking individuals. Additionally, the office is working on renewals for concealed handgun permits.
Online programs for citizens to pay bills was also a program that Weaver had been involved with in her time in the Treasurer’s office.
Private companies make cost-savings a top priority according to Vance. Digital storage in the Munis system would be a preferable option for the Commissioner of Revenue. Vance’s opponent, Winkle, wishes to improve upon the deed program.
Currently, the county elected officials work with not only Montgomery County but also the elected officials and offices in the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Candidates responded to how they would maintain these relationships to manage their offices efficiently.
Vance thought that a quarterly meeting would be a good opportunity for officials in the various county and town administration offices, which could discuss areas that could be improved upon.
Rush’s candidacy proposes strengthening bipartisan relationships with elected officials as a top priority.
“I would like to establish a relationship with our school board” Couch said. “I’d like to start the tours of our records room and workshops on knowing how to find these documents from your own family records.”
The next candidate forum will happen on Sept. 28 at the Montgomery County Government Building, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg starting at 7 p.m. The candidates for Montgomery County’s Commonwealth Attorney and Sheriff will be available to answer questions.
