|
Supervisors' seats challenged in Bath
Byrd unopposed in Valley Springs district
BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER
 | | Richard Byrd |
|
ASHWOOD - Richard Byrd doesn't act like a candidate running unopposed for his fifth term as supervisor representing the Valley Springs District.
Byrd ended 28 years with The Homestead resort last year and now works as transportation manager at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va. The change, said Byrd, has not impacted how he votes or sees issues in the county. But it has added two hours a day of commuting to his busy schedule. Byrd has become a man on the run- balancing family, work, local political service and campaigning.
Even though unopposed, he still knocks on doors in his district, responds to constituent inquiries and attends as many meetings and events as his busy schedule will allow.
"I've heard some say, pull the gate down," Byrd said of protecting the culture and rural character of Bath County. "That is not my feeling," he added. Rather, he welcomes an increase in diversity along with reasonable, planned growth.
"We think too much, think it is all going to happen to us," said Byrd. In other words, he explains, citizens hear about something happening in Loudoun or another county and worry that it will happen in Bath. He believes Bath will "survive mostly in its present state."
But, says Byrd, supervisors must act to bring the land use regulations in line with the new comprehensive plan. He recognizes the plan is not the law and to stand up under court challenge, the land use regulations must be consistent with the plan.
Byrd has a positive outlook toward almost all issues facing the county in the next four years. "I hear we're broke," he said. "I disagree." He says Bath County is where 94 other local governments in the state would like to be. The county has a positive fund balance, budgeted schools at $11 million this year and has very few user fees for county services. Financially, Byrd said, Bath has access to a lot of money.
"We have to have the need, not the greed," Byrd said. This year's budget has no fat, he added. Like other supervisors, Byrd is concerned with the loss of revenue caused by the reduction in taxes from public service corporations, mostly Dominion/Virginia Power. But Byrd doesn't think more frequent reassessment is the answer. Instead, he feels the lean years between reassessments are good for the county. "The budget should be based on need," said Byrd. And then the county should look for the revenue.
Increasing the frequency of reassessments could generate an annual increase in revenue, Byrd points out. The incentive then, he fears, would be to find ways to spend the money rather than look closely at what the citizens of the county actually need. The county must find ways "to provide services in a way the cost doesn't continue to escalate." The county, Byrd says, can find ways to provide essential services to all and get "more stuff done with less money."
Bath County is a community based on tourism, said Byrd. "The Homestead is the engine that drives that train," he added. While he opposed to commercial wind turbines in the county, Byrd believes some development is essential.
"We're not going to have any ridge top," development, Byrd believes, and he said as a supervisor he will do what he can to deny that type of development in Bath.
On the recently contentious topic of horses in residential districts, Byrd said the county government doesn't have a good track record on enforcement of land use regulations. But, he said, the staffing is not there to enforce the regulations.
"We must figure out how to enforce (the regulations)," he said. The regulations are no good without enforcement and all enforcement needs to be fair, he said.
Byrd doesn't have the answer to the question of allowing horses in residential districts. He thinks the planning commission will come up with the solution in the new land use regulations and then the county must use enforcement to make that solution work rather than changing the code to deal with a particular incident.
Working in West Virginia is a challenge that touches Byrd in what he sees as his major weakness- the ability to use his time wisely. He must, he realizes, keep his priorities in order.
Byrd tries to keep his finger on the pulse of day-to-day operations of county government. While some people say a supervisor shouldn't be involved in the day-to-day operations of government, Byrd says his constituents feel strongly that elected officials should know what is going on.
He believes a good leader leads by example. And he feels the reason he is again unopposed is his constituents are mostly satisfied with the job he has done on the board for the past 16 years. Byrd doesn't see any reason to change his formula for success.
"Experience pays dividends," Byrd said.
About the candidate Richard Blane Byrd, 60 Transportation manager, Greenbrier Resort. 28 years at the Homestead Resort Grade 12 equivalent through U.S. Military. Ashwood United Methodist Church
| 
)