Political expression, community planning and activism are an important part of the Warrenton scene. I am proud to actively encourage people to be a part of the solution, to become or stay engaged in volunteer efforts to better our town and protect our quality of life and natural treasures.  

As an elected water commissioner and chairman for watershed and trail groups, I work with teams that take action to protect wetlands, water quality and to builds trails, parks and public access. My wife, Jann, and I received the city of Warrenton Richard Ford Distinguished Service Award in 2011, and recognize we do these things as a group, with the quiet support of hundreds of people who regularly use the city trails, dog park and river access.  

We all benefit from volunteerism that creates real public service from the fire department and soccer fields to clean water and healthy outdoor fun. The impacts of good planning and citizen involvement are enshrined in the very first State Goal for Planning that requires planning agencies: to develop a citizen involvement program that insures the opportunity for citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning process.   

Why should citizens wait until a public hearing is under way to know about what Walmart has been planning for years? Why would anyone want to seriously discourage citizens from participating in Warrenton elections and basic democracy?  

When we consider what planning, elections and democracy mean to being a citizen, we recognize that differing perspectives and the loyal opposition are critical for crafting policy that represent the full spectrum of ideas in a community. In our current election cycle we note large signs and letters to the editor suggesting that volunteerism and participation in the democratic process are somehow suspect and not worthy of the local insider label.  

Any attempt to silence, disenfranchise or reduce the support of our community volunteers is an unworthy effort that seems predictably parochial. The best solutions for our shared problems will arise from recognition that we are in this together. We all benefit from public education, good jobs, clean air and well-planned infrastructure. The impacts of decisions made in Warrenton City Hall do not end at the city limits or at the end of one persons time in office.  

This election cycle is coming to a close, and I ask all of us to be the citizens who will continue to participate by voting, volunteering and being part of planning for a brighter tomorrow. I hope the flag-waving patriots of Warrenton remember there is only one candidate for Commissioner, Position 2, who served his country in war: Roble Anderson.