Two Republicans Face Off in Wilson District for Supervisor Position

ABINGDON, Va. -- After a contentious nomination process earlier this year, two Republicans -- one now running as an independent -- are vying for the Wilson District seat on the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Vernon Smith, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is challenging 16-year incumbent Dulcie Mumpower to represent the area between Abingdon and Bristol.

Smith, of Abingdon, lost the Republican nomination to Mumpower, also of Abingdon, but is running against her as an independent, touting the need for stronger economic development efforts.

"I'm just not too happy with the way the Board of Supervisors is going right now," Smith said. "We're just losing too many industrial-type jobs here, high-paying jobs, and I'd like to turn that around."

The seat is one of three on the seven-member board up for election Nov. 3. The board sets policy and oversees county government, and its members are elected to staggered four-year terms. Supervisors receive $9,000 a year for their service, plus mileage for board-related expenses and the opportunity to participate in the county's health insurance plan.

Mumpower, a lab technician who has served on the board since 1993, was a leading force behind the county's recent demolition of the dilapidated Robert E. Lee Motel on Lee Highway near Interstate 81's Exit 10.

Smith, who served in Vietnam, has made a persistent effort this year to convince the Washington County School Board to allow parents -- not the school system -- to decide whether to post children's full names on school Web sites.

Smith said the board is failing to help businesses locate and grow in the county; he points to two incidents -- a truck stop that was turned down by a board vote and an ethanol plant that never made it to formal consideration -- as examples of those failures.

Mumpower said she's very proud of the board's efforts to attract and retain industrial jobs in Washington County -- but that doesn't mean accepting industries that negatively impact residents' health.

"We have the industrial sites, and we want to fill those sites, and jobs are needed so we can keep our young people," Mumpower said. "We are committed as a board to bring jobs to this area."

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Vernon Smith

Age: 59

Party affiliation: Republican, running as independent.

Elected offices: None

Occupation: Air Force retiree

Education: Degree in computer science and accounting from Troy State College

Religion: Baptist

Family: Wife, Doris; three grown children and two grandchildren

Reason for seeking office: "I just think that people should have a choice. When you go to vote and you just see one person on the ballot, you don't have a choice."

Priorities: Attracting business to the county and curbing wasteful local government spending

His message: "I just want them to think that I'm for them ... and that they'll have a voice that can be heard."

Dulcie Mumpower

Age: 63

Party affiliation: Republican

Elected offices: Four terms as a supervisor

Occupation: Lab technician

Education: 1964 graduate of John Battle High School, technical training from Johnston Memorial Hospital

Religion: Presbyterian

Family: Husband, Allen; three grown daughters and four grandchildren

Reason for seeking office: "My parents raised 10 of us children to love the Lord and the family and the community, and they taught us to give ourselves in service to others, and I'm passionate about that."

Priorities: Attracting jobs to the county, improving sewer service, working toward regional cooperation, continuing adequate funding for schools, and public safety.

Her message: "I am a people's representative. I am concerned about their issues and needs, and I am there ... to do everything I can to help."