No debate for supervisor seat
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Gecker

Thus far, there will not be a debate between the candidates running for Midlothian supervisor. Republican Don Sowder said his campaign schedule is already full, so he cannot debate Democrat Dan Gecker.

"I'm not interested in a debate," Sowder said. "I have two or three functions every night, and I'm choosing the best way to get my message out. Dan is well-known throughout the community, and I have to choose my way of communicating."

When Gecker was asked last month if he'd be willing to debate Sowder, he responded, "Tell me where and when, and I'll show up." A Gecker press release last week proposed multiple debates. "I would ask my opponent to join me throughout Midlothian for debates," the release read. "I would ask the civic associations and other organizations in the district to sponsor debates and forums to allow the citizenry to know the issues and our positions on them...I hope my opponent will join me in this important dialogue."

Sowder said no group has proposed a debate, "so I haven't refused to debate." Gecker's Campaign Manager Lynne Cooper said she has mailed requests to about 20 community associations requesting that they sponsor debates.

Sowder

According to Sara Capelli, Sowder's campaign manager, the Republican is conducting "a grass roots campaign" that includes "attending football games, meet and greets, civic associations and going door-to-door."

"We're not responding to Gecker's press release," added Capelli. "We're running a positive campaign."

Both opponents have agreed to participate in a candidate's forum on Oct. 17 before a joint meeting of the Chesterfield Business Council (CBC) and the Western Chesterfield Business Alliance. Sowder and Gecker will be provided 10-15 possible written questions in advance. CBC's Cassandra Peters said questions from the audience will not be permitted in the allotted 30-45 minutes of the program.

One candidate will be asked a question first and have two minutes to respond. The second candidate will have 90 seconds for his response. The second candidate would then answer the next question for two minutes followed by a 90 second response from the first candidate.

"We have appeared jointly before some groups," explained Sowder. "It wasn't a debate, but we could have been asked the same questions [for a comparison.]"

In a prepared statement, Gecker was also critical of "developers [who] have called the shots and their financial wellbeing has taken precedence over the wellbeing of the residents. I will not be swayed by developer dollars, but rather by citizen concerns."

Following its routine procedures, the Home Building Association of Richmond's (HBAR) Political Action Committee (PAC) interviewed Sowder and later endorsed him. HBAR spokesman Tyler Craddock said the PAC contributed $2,500 to Sowder's campaign and "could contribute more."

"I'm accepting contributions from a number of sources...and not excluding any people or groups," Sowder responded.

Gecker was scheduled to be interviewed by HBAR, but cancelled the morning of the interview, according to Craddock. Gecker told this newspaper he would not accept campaign donations from PACs, but would accept donations from individual developers.

"I'm not looking for more than $100 from any person or group, [so they don't] think they are buying a special favor," said Gecker.

Republican Sowder wants the county to "work harder to attract new businesses, reenergizing our economic development department. Because we continually lose prospects to Henrico County, we've got the highest property tax rate of any of the surrounding counties."

When asked why the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, which has been dominated by Republicans for years, hasn't put more emphasis on business development, Sowder replied, "I can only speak for myself and not for the current board."

A Sowder press release emphasized the "marketing and recruiting of corporate headquarters, high-end and high-tech businesses to our area and to present our county as a business-friendly community."

Part of the county's business development plan includes a major office park and regional shopping center at the intersection of routes 288/60. State Senator John Watkins of Chesterfield, a Republican and family spokesperson for the landowners of the routes 288/60 development, expressed frustration more than once, though Gecker voted for the rezoning when it came before the planning commission earlier this year. Still, Gecker had some differences with the case because of the retail competition it posed to Chesterfield Towne Center and not enough guarantees of what was going to be built. The CBC supported the project.

"Gecker was doing everything to block the Watkins Centre, which I think is critical to Chesterfield's economic development," charged Tom Van Auken, a Sowder supporter and ex-officio member of the executive committee of the Chesterfield Republican Committee. "I think Dan has been part of Chesterfield's business development problem, not its solution."

Gecker has been the Midlothian planning commissioner since 2000. A real estate developer, Gecker described his work as "historic rehabilitation" and doesn't have projects in Chesterfield County.

Sowder was endorsed last month by 20 Republicans. The list includes U.S. Senator George Allen, Congressman Eric Cantor, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, State Senator Steve Martin and delegates Kirk Cox, Riley Ingram, Sam Nixon and Lee Ware. In Chesterfield, four supervisors- Dickie King, Kelly Miller, Renny Humphrey and Art Warren-and two school board members-Jim Schroeder and Dianne Pettitt-support Sowder. The endorsement list also includes Commonwealth Attorney Billy Davenport, Sheriff Clarence Williams, Commissioner of the Revenue Joe Horbal and former Midlothian Planning Commissioner Will Shewmake.