Candidates ask for support at Democratic meeting
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Independent Dan Gecker hardly mentioned his opponent last week when he campaigned in front of the Chesterfield Democratic Committee. The committee invited Gecker and Jim Holland, the Democratic challenger running against Board of Supervisors Chairman Kelly Miller in the Dale District, to speak to members during its monthly meeting at the Clover Hill Library.

Last year, Republican Don Sowder captured almost 54 percent of the vote in the Midlothian District supervisor race, defeating Gecker who was running as a Democrat.

"The board is more influenced by party than its citizens," Gecker told Democrats. "We're moving in the wrong direction on growth management," adding that the county board, Planning Commission and School Board are not functioning together. Gecker is the chairman of the commission. "If elected, one of the first things we'll do is sit down with the School Board," he said.

Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors twice voted to strip $750,000 in funding from the school system's budget that was to fund a new preschool program for at-risk four year olds. Some, including Gecker, felt the board overstepped its duties by cutting the funding. Ultimately, the school system used monies that were earmarked to hire new teachers and other staff to fund the program.

Gecker indicated the county's property tax rates are too high when adjusted for inflation and population growth. Using a 5 percent increase annually from January 2004, he said the property tax rate should be 78 cents per $100 of assessed value. Last April, the board dropped the rate from $1.04 to 97 cents.

Gecker senses that change is coming to the Chesterfield board, saying that is the real reason County Administrator Lane Ramsey is retiring. After 20 years on the job, Ramsey is retiring Aug. 13.

In contrast, Holland directly attacked Miller. He asked the committee to chant along with him, "Kelly Miller must go."

"Kelly Miller doesn't listen and is dismissive of citizens who come before the board," Holland charged. Holland was defeated in 1999 by Miller and also lost a special election last year to serve on the School Board after former Dale representative Beth Davis died.

Holland, a CPA and retired Phillip Morris employee, also criticized the board's rejection of the preschool program, calling the supervisors "out of touch. I will invest in our children," he said.

The county's $1 billion shortfall for necessary road building and improvements "is caused by county mismanagement," Holland alleged.

Both candidates took questions from the audience, and one party member wanted to know what Chesterfield is doing to stop illegal immigration, saying it was "draining" money from county school system.

The county is currently studying the financial impact of illegal immigrants in Chesterfield. The study was ordered by Miller.