THIS ARTICLE IS COMMENTARY AND PUBLISHED IN OUR EDITORIAL SECTION.
Commissioner of the Revenue’s race featured in first ‘debate’
By Randy Arrington, publisher
LURAY, Sept. 20 — Today, Page Valley News is publishing the first of four planned “debates” among candidates in contested races in Page County on its new YouTube channel. The first debate focuses on the race for Commissioner of the Revenue; however, only independent candidate Thomas Bauserman showed up for the inaugural event recorded at Laurel Ridge’s Jenkins Hall in Luray one week ago.
Two-term incumbent Commissioner of the Revenue Becky Smith declined our invitation.
“Mr. Arrington, I will not be participating in any debates against my challenger, recorded or otherwise. I believe that my record over the past eight years, along with the tremendous outpouring of support I have gotten from the community, speaks volumes,” Smith replied to the invite for the PVN debate.
“I can assure you that my 35 years of experience and Master Certification has prepared me to ‘speak intelligently on issues that are relevant and important to the office’ I am seeking,” Smith stated in her reply. “My door is always open to my constituents; I can also be reached via email, Facebook, or phone. I love speaking to my fellow residents, sharing stories, and helping them with any questions they may have. A recorded political debate is not an appropriate forum in which to do so.”
Below, you can find concrete answers to tough questions delivered by Bauserman in-person on Wednesday, Sept. 13, during this recording of this “debate turned interview” from the conference room on the second floor of Jenkins Hall.
Our second “debate” for the District 2 seat on the Page County Board of Supervisors will be filmed this evening at Jenkins Hall and will air next Wednesday, Sept. 27. Races for Clerk of the Court and Sheriff of Page County will follow and be featured on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, respectively.
It’s up to each individual voter, as to how much weight they will place on a candidate’s decision to not participate in these debates, or the decision to not participate in the Sept. 7 public forum held at Trackside Theater, or both…and we know a lot of people are considering these factors.
We firmly believe that candidates for public office should be subject to public questioning about their intentions, their agendas and their motivations for seeking public office.
Those who run from that opportunity, simply generate more questions than answers.
Our YouTube channel only has two videos at this time, but we intend to grow the offerings in the near future — launching first with this four-part “debate” series covering the 2023 election in Page County.
You can reach our YouTube channel by clicking the YouTube icon in the upper right of the Home page, and then please remember to hit the “Subscribe” button on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@PageValleyNews
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The letter states the debate proposal was turned down, so there never was a debate – except maybe in the editors imagination. Post truth journalism strikes again with willing accomplices.
LOL…Yes, a “debate” turned into a “conversation” because the incumbent had more important things to do, that namely being nothing. Got it. Regardless, I am very impressed with Mr. Bauserman, so I can say that over the past few weeks my vote has changed, and I feel pretty sure I am not the only…but yes, “post truth journalism”, doesn’t that sound fancy and cute, whoever that is…
Does the label really matter? Please call it an interview or “discussion” as we did in the recording several times. I guess “debate” was a hopeful term that didn’t account for incumbents resistance to being questioned in public.
No need to guess. The letter from Ms. Smith turned the event down yet you still labeled it a debate. That was your choice. I find it slimy, but not unsurprising. Politics tends to bring out unscrupulous behavior.
I would never vote for anyone who is unwilling to debate. What is the person trying to hide?
I wouldn’t participate either and I like fighting. It’s just another thing being tried by the PVN to create more revenue. Information and truth is secondary and might even happen, but it’s too risky.
Mr. Sanford, I feel I need to point out that the “debates” or interviews that we have aired (and will air) on YouTube are not sponsored. We will not make a penny on them, despite the time and effort being put into it. The purpose is simply to help inform the voters and create a dialogue. The resistance we have encountered just shows how much of a “new” concept this is to this community. Open discourse really is a concept that needs to be adopted if we are to help ensure the best candidates get elected. The only excuse for not participating is either a desire to not reveal incompetence or an arrogance that the exercise is beneath them because of the backing of the ruling party. When seven or eight out of 10 people identify as being conservative, doesn’t that make pretty much everyone a Republican? There is only one Democrat on the ballot, and she is unopposed. So if basically everyone is a conservative, what difference do party labels matter at the local level? Thye only serve to divide, as the local GOP committee can attest to given the cuurent state of the local committee.
I know PNC isn’t sponsored. I left it open. PNC will get exposure on the Tube that can be monitized.
See how the media can steer the narrative in a way advantageous to them?
Just to clarify … we are not associated with the Page News and Courier (PNC).
I understand if an incumbent doesn’t want to debate a challenger.
The challenger has the 20-20 hindsight for every problem the incumbent had and will use it against them whether the problem was solved or not for a series of Attacks or “Gotcha” moments.
And people just are not as polite and relish in sensationalism these days.
Although the lack of politeness does appear to sell ratings or “clicks”
Randy Arrington. Why thank you. That’s good to know.