Lynchburg GOP nominates three

The Lynchburg Republican Committee formally endorsed candidates Hunsdon “H.” Cary, Don Good and Ted Hannon as its nominees for Lynchburg City Council on Monday night.

The three, who are running together as one slate, were unanimously affirmed during a mass meeting held at the Lynchburg Public Library and attended by more than 130 people — an unusually strong turnout, organizers said.

Each of the candidates made a brief address to the crowd, emphasizing their belief in fiscal conservatism and eschewing spending on “pet projects” such as the Bluffwalk Center and Fifth Street roundabout.

“The current council majority has run us so far into the ditch, they think the wheels spinning is progress,” Hannon said, adding it was time to put an end to the mentality of “spend, spend, spend.”

The candidates reiterated their support for a fully funded public safety division, their desire for a lower tax rate and belief that education dollars must be kept in the classroom. They also took aim at certain candidates and current council members who describe themselves as political independents.

“We are proud to call ourselves Republicans and be known for the Republican principles that we stand by,” Cary said. “Our opponents on the other side call themselves independents. But is there any doubt in your mind who’s funding their campaigns? There isn’t in mine.”

Good noted that councilmen Jeff Helgeson and Turner Perrow, both members of the local Republican committee, currently make up a minority on council.

“But we can change that with this election,” he said. “… The Democrats, I’m sorry, the independents, because they leave their political hats at the door, have been in control for far too long.”

Hannon, who is a native of Berkley, Calif., said his hometown was ruined when college students gained the right to vote in the 1960s and Democrats were swept into power.

“They ran our town into the ground,” he said. “We’re going to do it exactly the opposite way here in Lynchburg … They talk about leaving politics at the door? We’re going to bring the right kind of politics to the city.”

The candidates also renewed their pledge to listen to all sectors of the community and represent the city as a whole without favoritism or bias. Cary, Good and Hannon are running for the three at-large council seats that will be up for grabs May 4. They described their campaign as a bid for a return to conservative principles and a government that lives within its means.

“This is about the future of Lynchburg,” Good said. “I hope you will join us in our campaign to restore common sense, conservative values to Lynchburg City government.”

Cary, noting the importance of this election, announced he retired Monday from his position as CEO of Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg in order to focus on the race. Cary had already declared his intent to retire but was not scheduled to do so until July.

A total of seven candidates had filed for the City Council election as of Monday. Cary, Good and Hannon are the only ones to seek a party nomination.

Hunsdon Cary

Don Good

Ted Hannon