Four candidates vying for three seats on the Orange Town Council answered questions during a candidate forum Wednesday.
The forum was hosted by the Orange County Youth Council and consisted of prepared questions and questions from those in attendance ranging from the lighthearted “which Monopoly piece do you typically use with and why” to the more policy-focused “what is your stance on Flock cameras in town and what steps would you take to ensure any misuse has proper consequences.” Questions were asked by youth council members Sean Hughes, Amanti Lindsay, Gavin Barnes and Brynlee Grayson with candidates Zachary Ashworth, Jeff Crane, Sara Jaeger and Will Morton taking turns answering. Ashworth and incumbent Crane are on the November ballot, while Jaeger and Morton are running as write-ins. Orange County residents Sherri Page, Curtis Clark and Diana O’Connell served as moderators.
Candidates varied on the most pressing issue facing the town. Jaeger, who prefers the dog Monopoly piece, said the biggest issue is funding and determining how to increase revenue through responsible economic development. Crane, also preferring the dog, agreed, stating the town’s annual budget is approximately $8 million, but the current capital improvement plan includes nearly $100 million in projects. He said those projects must be carefully chosen with residents’ best interests at heart. Morton, who selected the top hat, said the town needs to decide what it wants to be 10, 20 or even 30 years down the road. He said he’d like to see an Orange that is more youth-friendly with facilities and things to engage the younger population. Ashworth, who chose the car, said he’d like to find a way to employ young people locally by attracting businesses to fill the town’s vacant buildings.
When asked how to keep the younger generation from leaving, Morton said the question isn’t if they’ll leave, it’s if they come back. He said he’s seen a lot of former high school classmates living in and around the town. He said there needs to be good entry level positions available and adequate job opportunities. Ashworth said there needs to be cheaper housing options in town such as starter homes and apartments. Plus, he said jobs need to be brought back to the area. Crane said with more than 60% of housing in the town being rentals, that needs to be reversed with more properties owned. He said the price of housing isn’t something the town could control since it’s impacted by the economy and proximity to Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Jaeger said the high school’s new entrepreneurship program and expanding career and technical education opportunities are a good start. She said more businesses need to be courted to fill empty buildings and more rental and single family homes would lower the overall cost. She said a nicer town with more amenities would make people want to come back to the area.
To increase the tax base, Ashworth again pointed to the high price of housing, saying everyone is getting priced out. Crane said the council needs to learn why businesses left town, such as American Woodmark. He also said there are lots of county offices occupying space on Main Street that at some point may need to be moved to free up retail space. Jaeger said more creative strategies are needed to bring businesses into underused spaces. She also said more tourism equals tax revenue that isn’t coming from residents. Morton said he didn’t have a specific plan to increase the tax base, but would need to consult with the town manager, mayor and other council members to create a cumulative decision.
To increase youth enrichment areas, Jaeger said there are lots of opportunities for youth, many of them free, particularly around the arts. She said better coordination is needed to publicize those activities and the maintenance of parks needs to be prioritized with more outdoor and indoor spaces provided for youth. Morton said not all youth are into ball and stick sports. He has been working to get a skate park in the town, along with a basketball court with lighting and benches to create an area dedicated toward youth and people of all ages to build a community. Ashworth agreed with the creation of a skate park in town to give kids something to do. Crane said the town has been searching for a piece of suitable land for a skate park. He said he recently secured $30,000 to renovate the baseball field next to Orange Elementary School. He also said he’d like to see the town have a community swimming pool.
When asked about Flock cameras in town the candidates all agreed that they’ve heard both sides of the ongoing debate surrounding the license plate readers. Crane acknowledged that they haven’t been popular, but said they do solve a lot of cases. Jaeger said while she agrees that law enforcement needs to have all tools at its disposal to be able to investigate and solve crime, localities must closely look at the companies operating the cameras. Morton said while he understands the usefulness of the cameras for law enforcement, they are too Orwellian for his liking and he would keep his finger on the pulse of how people feel and vote accordingly. Ashworth said he needed to do more research on the issue before stating an opinion.
As for their top two projects for the town, Jaeger said she’d like to see a moratorium on data centers until ordinances can be refined to protect utility costs and landscapes. She said she’d also like to work on the downtown streetscape and reenter the Main Street America program. Morton said he would focus on the skate park which could be funded through grants and fundraisers. Ashworth said he’d like to increase streetlights and sidewalks to make families feel safer in town. Crane said the town has been working to make improvements at the water treatment plant including a new liquid feed building and water tower replacement. He said water and sewer lines, some that are over 100 years old in the town, also need to be replaced.
When asked about their strengths and skills, Ashworth said by delivering mail in town for the past 3.5 years he’s grown to know the town and its people.
“I know every street, every business,” he said. “I love this town.”
Crane, who was born and raised in Orange, baptized and married on Main Street, said he, too, loves the town.
“It has a unique character and history I’m for preserving,” he said. “I want it to be clean, safe, fun and prosperous for all.”
Jaeger said she has great investigative and people skills, combined with a knowledge of policy.
“I think I would bring the perspective of my generation raising a family here and what we are currently facing,” she said.
Morton, a self described “blue collar working class man” who was born and raised in Orange said he would bring the perspective of the working class to the council.
“I have the perspective of what it feels like to live paycheck to paycheck and having that ability to really feel what the working class citizens of this town feel gives me a unique outlook,” he said.
Crane said he is a people person who likes helping others and feels he is well-qualified to assist and help in any way residents of Orange to make the town a better place to live, work and raise a family. Jaeger said she started becoming more educated on local politics when her eldest child entered public school. Pivoting away from her career as a veterinary technician gave her more time to focus on her family and become involved. Morton said he didn’t plan to run, but became motivated in his quest to build the skate park and create a sense of community. Ashworth said he’s listened to resident concerns and wanted to give back to his community any way he could.
When asked why someone should vote for them, Ashworth said he wants to keep Orange Orange while filling vacancies to bring back jobs and create more things for families to do. He also doesn’t want data centers, is for keeping the town’s historic character and would like to see more sidewalks and streetlights for families to feel safer.
“Being able to listen and knowing the town, I have a lot to bring to the table in a unique way,” Ashworth said.
Crane said he brings his people skills to table and is in town nearly every day. He’s also uniquely trained and prepared for natural disasters and emergencies, is the former vice chair of the Orange Planning Commission, a member of the Rotary Club and Virginia State Police Alumni, is on the Orange Parks and Recreation Board and is a freemason, deeply connected in public service.
Jaeger said she’s been in the town since she was 5 years old with her father’s family going back generations. She saw other small towns grow, but maintain their character, a conversation she wants to be a part of in Orange in order to help Orange stay Orange while having responsible growth to attract more people while staying to its roots.
Morton, who currently serves on the planning commission, said Orange needs to ask itself what it wants to be. He said he wants to invest in the youth, especially the older youth, and give them a place to hangout.
“If you like what I’ve had to say, I welcome your vote,” he said.
Early voting is ongoing with election day Tuesday, Nov. 3.
