Aug. 13-At a Barbeque picnic at DeHart Park in Stuart, VA, Senator Bill Stanley (R) of Franklin County, VA shared his thoughts with media from the Martinsville Bulletin and the WHEO news staff.

August 13, 2011 Sen. Bill Stanley Talks to Media in Stuart, VA Senator Bill Stanley (R) of Franklin County, VA spoke with the media at his campaign stop at DeHart Park in Stuart, VA He shared what his approach would be. He will put the people first and be a strong voice in Richmond. Concerning the completion of Rt. 58 from Stuart to Hillsville, he said he talked to the Governor yesterday about funding for this. Concerning the priorities of I-73 vs. Rt. 58, I-73 EPA studies have not been done. He says the studies on Rt. 58 are further along. One choice for financing is Garvey Bonds, in which the Federal Government pays the debt service on the project. He promises to be a strong voice and not go along. His committee assignments are General Laws, Local Government, Technology and Social Services. His desire is to be on any committee that is important to our area. He promises new ideas and new energies. The Commonwealth spends $10,000 per student per year on education. That’s $120,000 for 12 years of school and then the student moves out of our area and goes to other metropolitan areas such as Northern, Virginia. He said we have two top tier races in this district with Ward Armstrong and Charles Poindexter and himself and Roscoe Reynolds. This is an opportunity for the candidates to show how great our area is. He feels that Virginia Tourism has not been outspoken enough for our area. It seems we are a best kept secret for VA Tourism. We have a lot to offer the Tourism industry with Smith Mountain Lake, Philpott, Fairystone Park, the Crooked Road Music Trail, Heartwood, and the Fish Virginia Marketing program. He will work to keep the funding on these attractions. Story written by Tom Bishop, Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce