The Shadow
Clifton Forge Va, A crowd of almost forty-five curious citizens attended a community gathering Thursday evening at 6:30 in the Historic Masonic Theater. Three local candidates running for two seats on the Clifton Forge Town Council this November agreed to answer questions submitted by the community about issues Clifton’s facing. Mrs. Autumn Morgan agreed to be the moderator and ask the questions for the small debate. Non incumbent Michael Foster and incumbent council members Shorty Wolfe and Jeff Irvine spent an hour giving detailed answers with the goal of making sure voters had a better understanding of the candidates they would be voting for in the November election.
The questions started off simply by having each candidate explain why they think they would be a good representative for the town council.
Mr. Foster answered first by explaining that while he is not from our area, he is from a small town a lot like Clifton Forge in Montana. his father who was a businessman taught him rom a young age the importance of listening. So, he thinks his ability to listen and really hear the community
makes him a great fit for town council. Jeff Irvine used the first question to remind everyone of his thirteen years of experience on the council, five of that being mayor and two of it being vice Mayor. It is his belief that being an easily approachable person makes it easy for the community to feel comfortable asking him questions and giving him ideas. He truly believes the citizens to be the most part of the government, because “that’s who elects me, that’s who I work for, and that’s who I try to listen to”. Mr. Wolfe started his two-minute response with “I love Clifton Forge, and I want to see the best for Clifton Forge. He the went on to say that during his 4 years in office they have accomplished a lot like receiving 8.7 million dollars in grants as well as the work on the water treatment plant that now provides Clifton Forge with the “best water in Virginia.”
The next question focused on each candidate’s vision for the town, also where they believe the town to currently be and where they believe its
headed. Mr. Foster once again started answering. He said that in the not- too-distant future the b believes Clifton Forge will be even more vibrant and beautiful than it is now. Mr. Foster’s vision is “for kit to have all of the store fronts on Main Street and Ridgeway filled”. He added that it has become his goal over the past eighteen or so months and there are ways to ensure that it happens. Mr. Irvine used his two minutes to suggest that he sees the town in the current time of growth and that it is growing in the right direction, but there is more that needs to be done. He wants to do things to bring more jobs into the town and general area and sees that as the key to a brighter future for the town. He agrees that the storefronts on Mainstreet need to be filled with new businesses. He thinks that bringing in more jobs to the area will bring in more of the money needed to do such things and ensure a brighter future for the town but is confident that everything is moving in the right direction. Shorty Wolfe thinks the key to fixing one of the major issues affecting the town “empty storefronts on main street” is to secure grants that will help with the renovation of the buildings which in turn will attract new businesses and create a thriving Clifton Forge economy. Mr. Wolfe says that A bustling economy will allow our children and grandchildren to stay in this area if they would like and that is what he sees for the future of the town.
There were more questions asked and others for which there was not time for, but each candidate got their chance to make sure everyone in
attendance knew where they stood on important issues.
Blue Ribbon Awards were presented to both Kristen McConnell and Wendy Huddler at the event. McConnel for renovating the old Sona Bank
building and Mrs. Hudler upgrades done to the Masonic amphitheater.
Elections for Clifton Forge Town Council along with many other positions, both state and federal, will be held on November 5, 2024.
Make sure you can get out and cast your vote for the future of this country.
