The Shadow
U.S. Senator Mark Warner met with government officials and concerned citizens at The Historic Masonic Theatre where he delivered opening remarks and fielded questions on Sat., July 16.
Warner was born in Indianapolis on Dec. 15, 1954, graduated from Rockville High School in Md. in 1973, earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science from George Washington University in 1977 and received his juris doctor’s degree from Harvard Law School in 1980.
As founder and manager of Columbia, a venture capital firm, he was an early investor in Nextel and in other tech companies. He is listed as the second wealthiest member of U.S. Senate with his $214.1 million, trailing only Rick Scott whose wealth is listed at $259.7 million.
Warner became the 69th governor of Virginia and served in Richmond from 2002-2006.
He has represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate since Jan. 3, 2009, and currently, he is the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus and the chair of the Senate’s Intelligence Committee.
Warner presented his views on national and international affairs, touching on inflation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East, and appropriations from the federal government to battle COVID-19.
He has gone on record about former President Trump being right in his criticism of Tik Tok, and Warner pointed out the danger that China now poses, especially as a threat to Taiwan that produces the highest percentage of the world’s computer chips.
Warner, whose background in technology gives him keen insight into the problem caused by the shortage of computer chips that has resulted in a negative impact on the U.S. supply chain, explained to the near capacity gathering in the Thomas P. Dean/Racey & Dean, Inc. Underground that Taiwan’s freedom is vital to the U.S. economy.
He cited as an example the way a shortage of computer chips has hindered the automobile industry, noting that motor vehicles depend on computer chips and that an interruption in the supply chain hinders the production process.
Susan Goings, a member of The Historic Masonic Theatre’s board of directors, asked if the federal government is considering helping theatres again the way it did by providing funds for shuttered venues during the pandemic.
Warner responded sympathetically to the plight of theatres in small towns across Virginia but offered little encouragement that more federal monies will be forthcoming due to the current political climate in Washington D.C.
Asked if he was scared on Jan. 6, Warner said that he did not feel endangered but that he was shocked more than anything else to see the Capitol being overrun by protestors.
He admitted that the excessive federal spending during COVID-19 years that provided workers with more money to stay home than they were receiving on their jobs created a harmful backlash that has resulted in difficulty for businesses to fill needed positions.
Kristen McConnell, a Clifton Forge attorney who helps veterans file benefit claims and assists them in appealing their cases, explained the problems she encounters in dealing with the VA, and Warner responded sympathetically, indicating that he would look into the matter.
From the discussion about the VA, the problem she identified tends mainly to stem from contractors hired by the VA, rather than directly from the VA. McConnell pointed out that added expenses result from the convoluted method of operation that has contractors positioned between the VA and the veterans. In other words, red tape results in delays and added operational expenses.
Following the question and answer portion of his visit, Warner posed for photographs.
He presented Matt Garten, chairman of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, with an official recognition plaque for the Bicentennial of Alleghany County, 1822-2022.
The official celebration has been scheduled at Mountain Gateway Community College on Sat., Sept. 17.
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce presented a donation in the name of Warner in support of the theatre.
Warner posed with Dr. John Rainone, president of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism who is also president of Mountain Gateway Community College; as Rainone presented the check to Justin Reiter, executive director of The Historic Masonic Theatre. Gayle Hillert, president of the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation, and Warner observed the presentation.
Following the photo shoot, Reiter escorted Warner to the elevator where a tour of the theatre began.
