Although SONs as a group, and the Executive Committee, more specifically, have taken no outright position on ANY election position, we still have a few opinions. These are the opinions only of the Executive Committee and are simply passed along to the Group to be helpful, if you are undecided. We respect everyone’s right to make whatever choice they feel is appropriate and we encourage everyone to vote next Tuesday.

No candidate has asked for our endorsement. These suggestions are simply our own. Now… getting right to the meat and potatoes:

Of course, we endorse Phil McCaleb in District 9, running against Reneta Major. This is simply a clear choice. Phil is a far better qualified candidate in every way. His knowledge of issues, his understanding of the problems in D9, his business experience and his many volunteer positions over many years make him the obvious choice.

For Supervisor in District 8, which includes our neighbors to the north, we endorse Mickey Mouse. Mickey has a vast amount of experience with difficult situations, generally doesn’t wallow in the wind, makes important decisions based upon what direction the wind is blowing and comes to and stays at most meetings. We heartily endorse Mickey’s stated objective that he will not accept the $35 fee paid to his predecessor for his many committee meetings. Mickey also promises to stop eating at Burger King. We advocate Mickey as a write-in candidate in D8 against his arch-nemesis, Donald Hart.

On a more serious note, the Executive Committee endorses Leslie Martin Lewis for Commissioner of the Revenue. It is high time that we had somebody with real qualifications in this office. Not a single one of the other candidates for this office is professionally qualified. Leslie has significant professional qualifications, including business and audit experience while working for Goodman and Co. in Norfolk. She is a licensed and experienced Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and will bring professionalism and integrity to this job. We urge your vote for Leslie Martin Lewis. She is, in our opinion, the ONLY candidate who is qualified.

The race in District 5 is a close one but we support Tammy James over Jack Gray. Tammy is perhaps the smartest candidate to come down the pike in ages. She cares about the Shore and has a real vision for preserving and protecting what is important. She was born and raised here and lives on her family land, which they have occupied for over 150 years. Jack Gray has few credentials, seems to favor wide-open development, chants the property rights mantra as if it were the only criteria, and is completely unfamiliar with the issues. Tammy has been coming to Board meetings for several years, listens, understand and has a thoughtful response. Tammy is the best choice for Supervisor in District 5.

Last, but not least, for those of you voting on Chincoteague, (yes, we have many members from the Island), we endorse Terry Elliott in D1. We have watched his race evolve with Wanda Thornton and watched as Thornton willingly resorted to personal bad-mouthing and the most negative campaign in memory. Terry has stayed on the moral high ground and has dealt with the issues. He has been forced by Thornton’s misrepresentations, half-truths and paper waving, to stay out of a one on one battle with her. We think this was a smart move since nobody can make up facts on the fly as quickly as WT. Terry’s experience as a contract manager at Wallops, running multi-million dollar annual budgets, his honesty and openness make him the clear choice. Terry Elliott is the best choice for District 1.