Q&A with Bedford County candidates, District 1

Goodview resident Bill Thomasson said he is seeking to join the Bedford County board of supervisors because people in his district have told him they want to see change.

Perhaps no one in county government has seen more change in the past two decades than Dale Wheeler, his opponent in the Nov. 8 election.

The District 1 supervisor, known to incite laughter with his remarks at meetings, started serving in 1990 at age 36. At that time the county used one computer, he said.

Despite the recession that has caused the supervisors to trim more than $8 million from the budget since 2007, Wheeler said he believes the county is in good shape but still has more work ahead. 

“I’m real optimistic about the future and that’s why I’m going to run again,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of progress in 21 years, but I think the best is yet to come.”

Thomasson, a Republican backed by the area’s local party, said as a supervisor he would operate by a philosophy that money should be spent only when it is available. He would work to keep taxes affordable, he has said.

“The economy is not rosy by any means,” he said at a recent forum. “This county needs some help.”

District 1 is in southwestern Bedford County and borders Roanoke County; it is among four districts in the county that grew in population and land size due to redistricting from the 2010 Census.

The following is information on the candidates and some comments to questions from The News & Advance.

Dale Wheeler

Age: 58

Work history: Owner of two small businesses in Bedford County, self-employed

Education: Graduate of Staunton River High School and Virginia Western Community College.

Family: “As I am a Bedford County native, all of my family roots go back to before there was even a Bedford County.”

Political experience: Served as the District 1 supervisor since 1990 (has longest tenure among current members).

Bill Thomasson

Age: did not answer 

Work history: Currently a licensed real estate agent, retired as president and owner of an insurance agency for 31 years. Served more than 12 years on the Bedford County Economic Development Authority and six years in the U.S. Army.

Family: Married for 33 years, has two grown children

Political experience: Serves as vice chairman of Bedford’s Republican Party unit.

Recent budget debates in Bedford County have been contentious. What will you bring to the table?

Wheeler: “Twenty-one years of local government experience, in good and tough times. I understand budgets and the difference between a ‘want’ and a ‘need.’ I know how to long-range plan and then follow through with that plan. Plus as an Independent, I am not hampered by political party constraints. I only have to work for our taxpayers and do what is right for our collective future.”

Thomasson: “Budget debates don’t have to be contentious. As a former business owner, I understand a need to build a consensus with different departments and work to find solutions on issues, in a respectful manner.”

What are your thoughts on Bedford becoming a town and part of the county?

Wheeler: “I was born in the Town of Bedford and grew up in the Town of Bedford. Then they became a city. Now they choose to become, once again, a town. The state code says they have a right to revert. They did. The county has no say. So we worked out the best possible deal for both sides. Because of the increase in funds that will be coming to our school system and the merger of our water and sewer systems, we have a lot of new tools to better our whole area. We on the board of supervisors must now forget any ‘us vs. them’ ideals and work for the best future of all of Bedford’s citizens.”

Thomasson: “The city should have reverted back to town status in 1998 when the city and county were negotiating a joint economic development and growth sharing agreement, which gave the city 50 percent of sales tax, meals tax, real estate tax, personal property tax and consumer utility phone tax in four business zones in the county surrounding the city. The city’s share of these taxes from June 30, 1999 to June 30, 2011 was $7,174,103. If elected, I will work to build a consensus with the city and try to make the transition as unproblematic as possible to meet citizens’ expectations.”

Do you support a new middle school project in the Liberty attendance zone? Why or why not?

Wheeler: “I support building a new middle school in the Liberty attendance zone in order to provide ample space to house all of their 6th, 7th and 8th graders in one modern location. Plus, this is a key requirement of the reversion agreement between the city and county.”

Thomasson: “Yes, in accordance with the city/county reversion agreement. The board of supervisors agreed to build a new middle school and I believe contracts should be honored.”