In their own words

With less than one week until the Nov. 6 general election, the Henrico Citizen posed the same questions to each candidate for office in contested local and state races that impact Henrico County.

Henrico Board of Supervisors – Brookland District

1. Why should residents of your district vote for you as supervisor?
Danny Plaugher – I am running for Supervisor because I am committed to making Henrico and particularly Brookland the best place to live and create opportunity for everybody. We must be relentless working for the BEST public schools with the BEST teachers for EVERY child. That will be my No. 1 priority. I will work for good jobs with good wages and to ensure we have needed amenities like streetlights, sidewalks, adequate drainage, expanded recreational facilities, bike paths, and dog parks. Finally, I will bring transparency and open government that listens. I will be a responsive and visible representative who will insist on transparent processes with resident input on all county development decisions. We must eliminate backroom deals that favor connected insiders.
Dan Schmitt – I have a genuine passion for our community. For two decades I’ve strived to share this love in my actions as a job creator, engaged community volunteer, and ardent supporter of our county and the great people who call Brookland home.

2. What would be your top focus as a supervisor?
Plaugher – We must ensure that EVERY child in EVERY corner of Henrico has the opportunity to attend top notch schools with to- notch teachers to prepare them for college or job training. Public schools were my pathway out of poverty. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, for every dollar invested in public schools, home values increase by $20. The Wall Street Journal found that in districts with the best schools, home values were $10,000 more than comparable homes in struggling districts. Good public schools benefit everybody.
Schmitt – My top priority will be to serve as an ever-present listening ear and advocate for citizens of the district, so we can make Brookland an even better place to live, work, and play. I’ll be as accountable as I am accessible to the residents I serve.

3. What is the most critical issue: 1) facing your district? 2) facing Henrico? How do you propose to address these?
Plaugher – The most critical issue is ensuring that all students have access to a first-rate public education. We’ve had excellent schools here in Henrico but we need to keep it that way and improve those that lag. We need to ensure that every child in Henrico has access to a great education. We need the best and brightest teachers and that our schools have the needed resources. I will oppose cuts to education funding. We must consider school needs as we plan residential developments. I will introduce a proposal for School Board member representation on our county planning commission.
Schmitt – Our district and county are suffering from a development and school capacity imbalance. I will take an active role in ensuring we are making the best possible, long-term decisions to provide ALL of our children the best educational opportunities possible in first-class facilities not crowded trailers. Further, I’ll lead to ensure that our teachers and education professionals see improvement in class sizes, teacher support, professional development opportunities, and incentives to stay and teach right here in Henrico.

4. How will you involve citizens in Henrico government matters?
Plaugher – Henrico has a deserved reputation for well-run government. Yet, there can be a lack of transparency for citizens on critical decisions, including development, which may result in backroom deals for well-heeled insiders. I will be a responsive, visible supervisor who actively seeks citizen input and involves citizen in the decision-making process.
Schmitt – The same way that I have led RMC Events and a local non-profit (Glen Allen Youth Athletics Association) is the way I intend to serve the citizens of Henrico - by putting people first. My cell phone number, 804-723-1093, is on each piece of material we’ve shared and I fully encourage citizens to utilize it when they have a need. I work for them. My actions, on their behalf, begin with my ear to their needs. I’ve always been, and will continue to be, a visible presence in our community and my work begins and ends with the great people I would be so honored to serve.

5. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Plaugher – As of last month when he was born, my absolute favorite way to spend any weekend is with my newborn son and my wife, Jan. Raking leaves and planting tulip bulbs (my wife’s favorite) is in my near future.
Schmitt – Without a doubt, my favorite way to spend a weekend is with my wife, Sharon, and our son and daughter, Carter and Taylor. Whether Carter and Taylor are participating in an athletic activity, we’re visiting an area event/festival, or we’re volunteering in our community, our best weekends are those spent together. It is important to us to serve our community, and even more important to serve together as an entire family.

6. What personal or professional clubs or organizations are you a member of?
Plaugher – I serve on the board of RVA Rapid Transit which advocated for GRTC to Short Pump. I serve on the transportation working group for the Capital Region Collaborative, Virginia Conservation Network’s Land Use and Transportation Committee, and am a member of the VCU Alumni Association. I previously served as the President of the Rotary Club of Richmond and on the associate board of the William Byrd Community House. I was honored to serve on policy boards under Governors Warner, Kaine, and McAuliffe.
Schmitt – I am honored to have been a part of Glen Allen Youth Athletics Association as a member, volunteer, board member, and president for over a decade. My wife and I are members of the Hunton Civic and Recreation Association and I am a member of the West Richmond Businessmen’s Association and Virginia Association of Fairs. Formerly, I have served on boards for the VHSL Foundation and the DCJS Private Security Services Advisory Board, where I also had the privilege of serving for several years as chairman.

7. Additional information
Plaugher – I am executive director of Virginians for High Speed Rail. My wife Jan, an MCV employee, and I live in the Dumbarton neighborhood with our baby.
Schmitt – I’m eager to get to work to make quality amenities available in ALL corners of the district, address school overcrowding and our teacher work environment, and put my business experience to work to keep our tax rate low and our services high. Let’s work together to build an even better Brookland beginning Nov. 6!