Green, Columbia Show Support for Bush

The Daily Progess ^ | 03/20/2003 | Austin Graham and and Olympia Meola / Daily Progress staff writers

[Cassanova Frankenstein]

Greene, Columbia show support for Bush

By Austin Graham and and Olympia Meola / Daily Progress staff writers

March 20, 2003

STANARDSVILLE - Two Central Virginia localities have proclaimed their support for U.S. troops, with one aiming to balance out Charlottesville’s anti-war sentiment and the other poking fun at it.

In a special meeting Wednesday, the Greene County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution in support of President Bush, Congress and military personnel in Iraq.

Less seriously, perhaps, councilors in the tiny 50-person Fluvanna County town of Columbia voted 3-0, with one abstention, earlier this week to support Bush and the war.

Both declarations were prompted, in part, by an anti-war resolution adopted by Charlottesville’s City Council in February. City councilors voted 4-1, with Councilor Rob Schilling dissenting, to oppose the war with Iraq.

“Charlottesville has gotten a lot of attention, so we don’t want this region to be looked at only in that light,” said Kenneth W. Lawson, chairman of the Greene County Board of Supervisors. “Certainly a lot of people in Central Virginia understand what needs to be done and why.”

While Columbia has only one resident serving in the military - in Virginia’s National Guard - Mayor Jay Anderson said its council’s vote is significant nonetheless.

Saying that he “thought it was kind of a joke” upon hearing that other municipalities have passed resolutions condemning military action in the Persian Gulf region, Anderson said Columbia’s vote was intended as “a bit of an in-your-face” move.

“Foreign policy is in the realm of the federal government, and local governments really have no business getting involved. It applies to us, Charlottesville, San Francisco,” Anderson said. “If they can do it, why not have the smallest jurisdiction in Virginia show them we can do it, too, and do it in the other direction?”

According to Cities for Peace, Alexandria is the only other Virginian city to pass a resolution opposing a U.S.-led war with Iraq.

[Cassanova Frankenstein]

While in the grand scheme of things, this is not such a big deal. It is nice to see my way too Leftist home town get slapped around once in a while.

[Buck W.]

My son was christened in Columbia.

[laconic]

Charlottesville is the most self-important place (with the fewest reasons to be so) that I've ever visited. Not surprising; but the area around it (Albemarle, etc.) is just great with very fine people.

[Cosmo]

As an Albermarle resident, I thank you. You couldn't have been more accurate. I do wish I were a city resident at times because I'd just love to run for council

[Ligeia]

Saying that he “thought it was kind of a joke” upon hearing that other municipalities have passed resolutions condemning military action in the Persian Gulf region, Anderson said Columbia’s vote was intended as “a bit of an in-your-face” move.

What a great story! Thank goodness the true Virginia still exists and she hasn't been totally fouled by the Jim Moran carpetbaggers and scalawags of the world who have no love for her who dominate my area. Thanks for the post!