Delegate Jay Katzen, running unopposed for the GOP nomination for lt. governor, campaigned here Friday and left with the area's economic development needs on his mind.
Meeting with economic development officials, businessmen and chamber of commerce representatives, Katzen left "really impressed by the spirit of the people" he had met and aware that the area wants to diversify its economic base.
Technology and education were Katzen's twin topics.
Katzen hopes to expand Route 58 for transportation and "to get a fiber optic grid down along 58" all the way to Bristol to open technology jobs.
"These are great jobs," Katzen said.
He described moving work displaced women through community college into technology jobs. "Now when a computer crashes, someone in Tazewell answers (the call) rather than Fairfax.
"These are the kinds of opportunities we can offer people who are displaced, offer career as well as part-time jobs.
"Virginia can be on the cutting edge. I feel very strongly about the need to do that," Katzen said.
In fact, Katzen, a Fauquier County resident, earned honorary citizenship of Bluefield for his efforts to bring Unisys to Tazewell County.
Discussing education, the four-term delegate advocates a $500 per year tax credit for someone contributing to a 501 C3 foundation.
The foundation bundles those contributions, a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, and comes up with a total of $3,100 per youngster accepted at an alternative public school, a private school or a parochial school, if the student is otherwise competitive, explained Katzen.
"The youngster has to be otherwise acceptable by the school," said the delegate.
Wouldn't all students flock to the top schools?
Katzen said that empirical data from Arizona, Minnesota, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Cleveland and elsewhere have shown that students who are in good schools, or schools that are compatible with their performance, are not going to leave.
"It is youngsters who are not happy or who are not being well served or who are, frankly, in failing schools, and let's face it some schools are failing. We want to keep high funding into our public schools but rather than making sure our youngsters are good enough for our schools, we have to make sure that our schools are good enough for our youngsters.
"The maximum number of youngsters likely to leave is probably, over time, in the area of about 8 percent," Katzen said.
And the public schools are freed up to a great degree because of the improved student/teacher ratio since some of those youngsters, according to Katzen, who are often times discipline problems are leaving those schools.
Katzen hopes the bill will pass next year.
The candidate also addressed the criticism that money is being taken away from public education.
"The high courts of Minnesota and Arizona have said no, that that is your money that still is in your purse and my wallet and that it does not belong to the state treasurer and therefore is not public money being taken away from anything at all.
Discussing overall transportation, Katzen wants to see 58 completed, a third crossing of the Hampton Roads area, getting a rail line along 81 with a piggyback load-up in Chattanooga and a discharge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, moving trucks east to the ports of New York and Newark, among others.
"And we could relieve up to 75 percent of the truckload which is in transit and the 25 percent which is destined for Virginia could go up to Warren County and then down to ports in Hampton Roads," explained Katzen.
Wrapping up his emphasis on education and job opportunities, Katzen said, "We have to make sure that the advantages of double-digit growth which are affecting parts of Virginia, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, are extended to parts of Virginia where there is still double-digit unemployment.
"And that is where the sense of commonwealth needs to be applied. We need to complete the road building on 58 and we have to continue to offer tax cuts to the people of Virginia as we do these other things... We have to protect the gains we have made in the past eight years in education, in law enforcement and welfare reform."
Katzen, who served as a U.S. Foreign Service officer for 24 years, has served four terms in the General Assembly. His district includes Fauquier, Rappahannock and Warren counties.
Katzen will face one of three democrats, Alan Diamonstein, Jerrauld Jones or Tim Kaine, in the general election. All three are seeking their party's nomination in the June 12 Democratic Primary.

A crowd estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 people failed to let an early morning downpour deter their quest for good food, crafts and entertainment at Virgilina's annual Summerfest on Saturday, a day that quickly turned in favor of outdoor fun.
The Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 50-year anniversary in conjunction with this year's event, which raised in excess of $12,000, according to Virgilina Fire Chief Waverly Morris.
Overcast skies began to part just in time for the 11 a.m. parade. Three charter members of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department - Owen Murray, Fraser Murray and Jack Slagle - served as Grand Marshalls aboard the original fire truck used by the department, a 1930-model Brockway.
For this occasion, the fire truck was hauled aboard a trailer pulled by Roger Slagle Jr. and Charles Slagle, whose grandfather Bill and great-uncle Jack Slagle made the trip to Hillandale, Maryland to pick up the truck fifty years ago along with Walter Snead and Dick Guill.
"It was a good feeling coming up the hill toward the intersection and seeing all those umbrellas and people," said Morris of the crowd that saw the parade under overcast skies.
Fire trucks from Richmond, Blackstone, Granville and Person Counties, as well as from areas throughout Halifax County, joined Virgilina's newest fire truck in the parade, which also featured floats, antique cars and horseback riders.
The float sponsored by Union United Church of Christ in Virgilina won first-place in the float competition, with the float sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 40 of Virgilina in second-place.
Saturday's crowd grew larger in anticipation of sampling the ever-popular Fire Department stew, which sold out in little more than an hour.
"I have to give credit to 'stewmaster' Billy Murray," said Morris. "People were saying it was the best ever."
Morris also thanked Ralph Murray and his "kitchen crew," who prepared the bar-b-que pork and chicken, which also sold out by early evening.
"Someone told me it would just melt in your mouth!" added Morris.
Bands including The Young Believers, Gospel Lights, Key of Love, Union UCC Praise Band, along with musicians Wayne Blackwell and Cecil Fisher provided afternoon entertainment until the Midnight Movers took the stage at 6 p.m.
A good crowd enjoyed the Midnight Movers, a band which played a variety of music, from older hits to more contemporary songs, according to Morris.
Winners of the money raffle were announced earlier in the day, with Shane Farrar of Nelson winning $350, Phyllis Hudson of Virgilina winning $150 and Dale Elliott of Bullock winning $100.
Wayne Conner of South Boston won the raffle for the Star of Bethlehem Quilt.
Morris expressed his thanks to everyone, from the Virgilina Fire Department members and volunteers to the Summerfest sponsors, the vendors and the community, for their help in making this event a success.
He also thanked the various fire departments, both locally and from Virginia and North Carolina, who participated in the parade.
Morris extended special thanks to Jack Slagle, who arranged for several antique fire trucks from Blackstone to appear in the parade, and to Gary Slagle, current owner of the 1930-model Brockway, for use in the parade of the original fire truck of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department.

A Republican was sent a "thank you" note and a South Boston democrat lost her seat on the Fifth District Committee during the district's convention Saturday.
Democrats unanimously agreed to send a thank you card to U.S. Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont for his decision last week to leave the National Republican Party.
Jeffords' decision shifted the balance of power in the United States Senate to National Democratic leadership.
Fifth District democrats also supported the Association of Democratic City and County Chairs' initiative to have all local Democratic chairs automatically become members of their district committee.
"After a healthy dialogue from the convention floor, and in light of the fact that this resolution was not passed by the State Central Committee, the resolution was passed by the 5th Congressional District Convention," explained Greg Poirier, vice chair and communications director of the Halifax County Democratic Party.
In other business, new members were elected to the 5th District Committee.
However, current Halifax County Democratic Party Chairman Josephine Marshall lost her seat on the committee.
Fifth District Chairman Carl Eggleston's slate, which did not include Marshall, won. However, his handling of the balloting process was criticized, according to Poirier.
Poirier charged that while ballots were being distributed, Eggleston "rushed a last minute slate of his chosen candidates out onto the convention floor, creating lots of confusion" at the Saturday event.
"Before the announcement of results were made by the lead teller addressing the delegates from the podium, a criticism of the chairman's handling of the process was made and received more applause than the announcement of the election of the chairman's chosen slate," Poirier said.
"While the Halifax County Democratic Party has been openly critical of weak leadership in the 5th District for sometime now, some members blaming it for the loss of Virgil Goode from the Democratic Party, Josephine Marshall will remain a strong voice for area Democrats moving forward, and is still a member of the statewide central committee by virtue of also being the state chairwoman of the Democratic Black Caucus," explained Poirier.
June 12 Primary
Seventeen Halifax County democrats were among the 150 delegates attending the Democratic Convention in Buchanan on Saturday.
The Democratic Party of Virginia is holding its first open primary in recent memory to elect the statewide ticket on Tuesday, June 12. Most of the candidates spoke at the 5th District Convention.
Northern Virginia businessman Mark Warner, who is running uncontested for his party's gubernatorial slot, addressed the convention.
Two of the three candidates seeking the Democratic slot for lt. governor, Del. Alan Diamonstein and Richmond Mayor Tim Kaine, spoke. However Jerrauld Jones did not.
All four candidates seeking the party's attorney general slot spoke at the 5th District Convention, including delegates Whitt Clement, John Edwards and Donald McEachin. Candidate and Richmond attorney Sylvia Clute arrived late but campaigned at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner event that followed the convention, according to Poirier.

A registered voter unable to go to the polls to vote in the June 12 Democratic Primary due to health reasons, out-of-town business or school may vote by absentee ballot.
The Halifax County Registrar's Office, located in the courthouse annex building in Halifax, will be open Saturday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this purpose. Normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The last day that an absentee ballot can be mailed for registrants is Thursday, June 7. Saturday, June 9, is the last day that in person absentee voting can be done.
Voters with Internet access can enter http://www.sbe.state.va.us/ and locate their polling place for Election Day or they may call (804) 476-3322.

Edwin B. Dunn, 83, of Medford, OR, died Tuesday, May 22 at his home.
Mr. Dunn was born in Halifax County on April 17, 1918. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was a member of the First Methodist Church.
His survivors include his wife: Betty Dunn; two daughters: Leslie Dunn-Antelyes of Poughkeepsie, NY and Linda Dunn Croll of Cambridge, MA and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five sisters and brothers.

Mrs. Virginia Dare Moorefield Bown of 2149 L. P. Bailey Memorial Hwy., Halifax, died May 26, 2001 at her home.
She was born in Campbell County on July 20, 1930 and was 71 years old. She was the daughter of Eugene Jackson Moorefield and Irene Ferrell Moorefield and was married to Wilmer Ross Brown.
She was a membr of the Center United Church of Christ.
Mrs. Brown is survived by two daughters: Patricia Brown-Hall and husband, Kim, of South Boston; Janet Brown McKinney, of High Point, N. C.; one sister: Mrs. Cecil Cheek, of Halifax; two brothers: Walter J. Moorefield, of Nathalie; Eugene G. Moorefield, of Nathalie; three grandchildren: Charles Gregory Moore, of Halifax; Cameron Shay Hughes, of South Boston; Donald Franklin McKinney, Jr., of Halifax; three great grandchildren: Robbie and Malcolm Hughes, of South Boston; Jacob McKinney, of Halifax; five step grandchidlren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Brown will be held today, (Monday, May 28) at 2:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Wilder and the Rev. Melvin Brandshaw conducting the service.
Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
For memorials the family request you consider the Halifax Regional Hospice.