Supervisor King won't run
Commissioner Wilson may seek seat in Bermuda
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

King

Bermuda Supervisor Dickie King has decided not to run for re-election this fall. Jack Wilson, King's appointed planning commissioner from Bermuda District, is "seriously considering" seeking the Republican nomination from the Chesterfield Republican Committee.

King took 42 percent of the vote in the 2003 election, beating Democrat Ree Hart and incumbent Independent Jack McHale. King lost to McHale by about 300 votes in an unsuccessful campaign in the 1999 election.

"I've decided not to run for reasons of business, family and life," King told the Chesterfield Observer last Wednesday. "I'm stepping down gracefully to join my two stepchildren in our business."

King owns King's Korner Restaurant at the Chesterfield airport and a catering business. Though supervisors are paid as parttime employees, King and other supervisors consider the job a full-time position. King's two stepchildren have been helping him run the business that he started almost 25 years ago.

Some supporters of King said they expected the Richmond Times- Dispatch to slant its news coverage "to dump Dickie," as one friend put it. Friends and family members cautioned him about running.

Wilson

Earlier this year, the Richmond newspaper ran a front page story and photo of King and his new 22- year-old Russian-born wife. They married last November.

"I talked with my church and got their approval," explained King. "They're alright with it. It may be socially unacceptable, but we love each other."

"I've led less than a perfect life," he acknowledged, "but I've stayed focused to the principles which I pledged during my campaign - lowering taxes for the people and Chesterfield businesses and keeping our schools strong. I'm proof that you can lead less than a perfect life and still get to the top by hard work." King served as board chairman during 2006.

King's election changed control of the Board of Supervisors in 2004 when he teamed with Dale Supervisor Kelly Miller, a Republican, and Midlothian Supervisor Ed Barber to become the board majority. A number of Chesterfield Republicans were upset with the alliance since Barber was the board's lone Democrat.

Many in the business community supported King because he was a founding member of the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce, which started in 1999, and has since grown to 546 members. King served on the chamber's board of directors including being chairman.

King has had numerous assignments while serving on the board. They include: the Budget and Audit Committee; Capital Region Airport Commission; Crater Planning District Commission; Drug Court Committee; Richmond Area Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization; Richmond Regional Planning District Commission; Virginia's Gateway Region Board of Directors; Virginia's Gateway Region Business Council and Workforce Development Oversight Board.

"From a School Board perspective," said Bermuda School Board member Marshall Trammell Jr., who worked with King, "he was one of the most honorable members of the [county] board we dealt with. Dickie was always willing to talk things through before announcing his position. He stayed out of our areas of responsibility and didn't try to be a school board member."

"Dickie was a breath of fresh air," continued Trammell, "and was always willing to take the time to discuss differences. He worked very hard for the school system and to educate our children."

Though Republican insiders consider Wilson the favorite, if he runs, he'll have competition from Dorothy Jaeckle, who is expected to join the committee this week. She has previously announced her intentions to seek the party's nomination.

Wilson acknowledged that political, business and community leaders have urged him to run. "Dickie's done a wonderful job," he said.

Wilson is an attorney with Hunton & Williams specializing in land use and government affairs.

Earlier, Trammell considered running for supervisor but decided against it because of his state job. "I'd have to quit my job or change my job description," he joked. Trammell, a member of the Chesterfield Republican Committee, will run for the School Board again this fall.

Democrat Hart held a fundraiser last week to determine the interest in her candidacy. McHale has said he won't decide if he'll run until later this spring.