Candidates on the Gloucester ballot in this year’s general election gathered for a pair of forums in the past week to introduce themselves to the community, express their platforms and answer questions.

NAACP forum

The first of these forums, hosted by the Gloucester branch of the NAACP, was held last Wednesday at the T.C. Walker Education Center.

To kick off the evening, Senate of Virginia 26th District Democratic candidate Pamela R. Garner and House of Delegates’ 68th District Republican candidate M. Keith Hodges took to the stage. Hodges is running unopposed for the House seat; Garner is opposing Republican incumbent Ryan McDougle, who was not in attendance.

Garner, a Gloucester resident, has taught math and physics, holds bachelor’s degrees in both math and physics and also holds a master’s in physics. She is a small business owner, co-founder of the new Gloucester-based nonprofit B.C. United Outreach and a newly retired Air Force lieutenant colonel where she served for 32 years.

As part of her platform, Garner is focused on women’s reproductive freedom, sensible gun safety laws and strong public schools.

When asked her thoughts about how to spend Virginia’s budget surplus, she said her funding priorities would be focused on strengthening schools, climate change research, opioid and fentanyl prevention and reliable broadband.

Hodges, of Urbanna, had been the owner of Gloucester Pharmacy; he is currently a working pharmacist in the county. He is one of two providers in the General Assembly, where he is able to weigh in on health care policy and provide health care expertise. He has served as representative since 2012.

Issues that Hodges wants to focus on are good-paying jobs, environmental challenges related to flooding, economic development, increasing the health care workforce, tax relief, education and mental health.

Next to the stage were Commissioner of the Revenue candidates Jo Anne Harris and Sarah A. Narron, incumbent Treasurer Tara L. Thomas and Amanda S. Armstrong, who is running for the Soil and Water Conservation Tidewater District seat.

When asked how she would balance her situation as an elected officer with the responsibility to audit local businesses that might be underreporting their revenue, Harris said, “If it appears that a business is underreporting, then it’s my duty and my responsibility to audit that business to make sure they come into compliance with the law. And that means for all businesses.”

In response to the same question, Narron said that “This role has a responsibility to serve the best interests of all residents in the county, and this includes ensuring that all businesses are paying their fair share of taxes.”

In response to that same question, Thomas said, “My job is to be fair and equitable. And I would rather lose my job because I was doing it the right way, than to keep it because I wasn’t doing it the right way.”

Next to speak was Armstrong who discussed the importance of facing challenges with erosion and flooding with both rural and coastal land. She also said that outreach and education is an important responsibility in this role.

Board of supervisors’ candidates Ashley C. Chriscoe (At-Large), M.A. “Tony” Nicosia (Ware), John C. Meyer Jr. (Abingdon), Robert “JJ” Orth (Abingdon) and C.A. “Chris” Hutson (Gloucester Point) took to the stage next. Meyer and Orth are the only two opposed candidates.

One contentious topic discussed was what the county should do with the old Page Middle School site. Nicosia said that it should be a multi-use facility with multi-use fields as a community site, especially for the local youth.

Meyer said the board should look at the property for economic development, possibly something light industrial, an office park or a technology incubator. “Commercial things to bring money into the county,” said Meyer.

Orth also mentioned his vision of economic development at the site. He would like to use the property to attract businesses to the county and bring in good-paying jobs.

Hutson said the county needs to find the best possible use for the property and get the best benefit for the county, whether that be for economic development or a multi-use facility.

Chriscoe said he would gladly partner with the right business for the property.

School board

The school board candidates were given two opportunities to appear this past week. Cindy M. Saulman (At-Large), Deborah L. McDonough (At-Large for unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2025), Leonne M. Arsenovic (Ware), James W. “Jim” Pike Jr. (Ware), Kari E. Scruggs (Abingdon) and Troy M. Andersen (Gloucester Point) appeared at the NAACP event on Sept. 13.

When asked how he would help to increase compliance of disruptive citizens and increase civility between board members and citizens at school board meetings, Pike said board members must serve as an example of civility and public comment should be limited to citizens of Gloucester only. Pike also said that citizens who wish to speak should fill out a card and be called up one at a time to speak to ensure order.

Arsenovic disagreed with one aspect of Pike’s comments. She agreed that board members should serve as an example of civility, but she said citizens should be able to approach the podium spontaneously during public comment period whether or not they fill out a comment card at the start of the meeting.

McDonough said she learned how to defuse situations and get the topic back on track while serving for the Department of Corrections as a senior parole officer. She said the board could have measures in place to monitor citizens’ behavior during meetings or the board itself could set the example for them.

Saulman said that there needs to be more unity and collaboration between board members and citizens need to see board members working as a team.

Andersen said he would like to see, from both citizens and board members, people to focus on facts and come up with a policy that lays out clear rules, goals and expectations for both board members and the public during citizen comment period.

Scruggs said both sides should be civil and show respect to each other and possibly pursuing a meeting code of ethics.

GURA forum

School board candidates had another chance to speak to the public Monday night at Shepherdsville Baptist Church, which was hosted by the church and the Gloucester Union Relief Association of Missionary Baptist. Those in attendance were Saulman, Fred A. Brewer Jr. (At-Large for unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2025), McDonough, Arsenovic, Pike and Andersen. Each candidate was able to speak for and answer questions within a 15-minute time period.

Arsenovic spoke first, citing her main priorities as student academic achievement, school safety, parental rights, and teacher/staff compensation and retention.

“I will focus on issues that matter to you,” said Arsenovic.

Saulman had the opportunity to speak next. As a recently retired DARE officer for the school system, she said she can bring firsthand knowledge on several issues into her role as a board member, from school safety to drug prevention. She also said that, if elected, she would focus on student achievement, parental involvement, and chronic student absenteeism.

“Classroom instruction is important and they need to be there,” she said.

As a recently retired educator and library specialist, McDonough said she is aware of teacher needs. She would also like to focus on school safety, student absenteeism, and working to help each student.

“There’s more that we can do,” said McDonough.

If elected, Pike would focus on school safety and help students learn essential life skills. Pike also said that he has seen firsthand how students disrespect teachers and school property by working in the information technology department in Newport News City Public Schools.

“Kids will do whatever they want,” said Pike. “We need rules.”

If reelected, Andersen said his future goals are continuing to serve as the board’s career and technical education committee representative, to make sure students are either college or career ready by the time they graduate, and focus on teacher retention, student discipline, student achievement, and maintaining a good relationship with the board of supervisors.

Brewer previously served on the Hampton City School Board. “I bring some of that on-the-job training,” said Brewer. He also said that the board is responsible for three major issues—the hiring of the superintendent, policy making and approving a budget.

Though Scruggs was not in attendance, Cathy Phillips read the Gazette-Journal article about her candidacy which appeared in the Aug. 31 issue.

School board candidates Darren P. Post (At-Large), Matthew Ray Nash (At-Large for unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2025), David Conway Seabolt (Ware), Ted W. Engquist (Abingdon) and Jenn D. Baker (Gloucester Point) did not appear at either forum.