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Holland battles against Miller in Dale District
Though retired CPA Jim Holland thinks he has the issues, he had only raised $2,525 as of Oct. 15 and can't afford to get his message out. He has to depend on debates where he can talk about his opponent's record and do the same with what free press is made available to him. But Kelly Miller gets even more press because he has been board chairman twice in the past four years, been on the county board for eight years and served on the planning commission before that. Miller has taken on the touchy issue of illegal immigration (see story on front page), and during board meetings, he has struck some citizens as abrupt when he cuts to the issues or enforces time limits on speakers. Even if he didn't have name recognition, Miller raised almost $20,000 this election cycle, including contributions from the development community. After loaning his campaign $350, Holland had just $50 left over on Oct. 15.
On the issues, Holland points at the growth and blames Miller for overcrowded schools and congested roads. Though Miller often supports property rights, last month, he was the lone vote against the 5,000-home Branner Station development in nearby Bermuda District. When the Chesterfield Observer recently asked both candidates to comment on how they would approach the issue of future road funding, Holland wrote about the road problems but didn't provide any recommendations. Miller listed seven options currently under consideration by the county. Asked "what property tax rate would you favor and why?," Holland called for lower taxes. Every year, Miller has pushed fellow board members to lower the rate, falling just one vote short last April of a 95 cent rate instead of the adopted 97 cent rate. On expanding the number of board members, Holland said, "I may be in favor of increasing the number of supervisors from five to seven." Miller opposed it, saying additional supervisors would cost taxpayers more money. Both candidates agree on the need for providing a cloverleaf connection for Meadowville Technology Park to I-295. Dale District candidate bios Jim Holland Career: Retired from Philip Morris USA; owner of consulting firm Holland & Company since 1993; has taught accounting at Virginia Commonwealth University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Education: Bachelor's degree from Fayetteville State University; MBA from North Carolina Central University; served in the U.S. Army from 1972-74 Background: Twenty-year resident of Chesterfield County, mostly in Dale District; appointed to the Virginia Public School Authority by Gov. Mark Warner; served on the Chesterfield County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Task Force and the boards of directors of the Chesterfield Friends of the Library and county PTAs Family: Married with two adult children Kelly Miller Career: Served as general attorney with the U.S. Defense Department and four years as assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia; engaged in private practice of law since 1969; has maintained a law office in the Meadowbrook area of the Dale District for the past 20 years. Education: Bachelor's degree from Guilford College; law degree from Tulane University Background: Thirty-year resident of the Dale District; served 18 years as a member of the Chesterfield Planning Commission; elected to the board of supervisors in 2000; has served as chairman of the board twice in the last four years Family: Married with two adult children |
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Holiday Celebrations 2008
Fall & Winter Guide 2008-09
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