Catherine ("Bundles") Murdock

1) Why are you running for Town Council?
Earlier, I had announced that I would not run for Town Council because I thought I had given enough time on various committees, commissions, and the council and that it was time for someone else. At 12 noon on the day of the deadline to register, there was only one candidate signed up to run. That meant the field was open for write-ins and I did not want to leave Middleburg in the position of having someone totally unqualified in my seat so I signed up.

2) What experience makes you qualified to run?
I've served many years on the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and Town Council and have spent a lifetime in and around Middleburg. I'm someone who remembers who built The Community Center, The American Legion hall, and where the old fire house was located. We must not forget the things that lie at the heart of our town and its history.

3) What are the top three problems you believe Town Council needs to solve in the next four years?
The first would be to continue to improve our financial situation. We have gone from a negative to a positive position in the last four years and we need to keep going in a positive direction. The second would be to continue to work on our ancient water lines and improve overall water quality for all the town's residents. The third would be keeping a careful eye on new building not only by Salamander but others as well.

4) Should the County run the town's water and sewer system. Why or why not?
We doubled the size of Middleburg when we annexed the Salamander property and soon will have huge demands on these systems. We must either double the size of our staff in those departments or join the Loudoun County Sewer Authority. LCSA will be cheaper and they have employees with all the necessary qualifications to run the new, highly sophisticated facilities we're building. We had a choice of a small town or a much larger town with a resort. We got the resort and the need for more services that come with it.

5) Council's current meeting structure does not allow immediate responses to questions raised by non-members at meetings. Would you favor adding a "New England Town Meeting" session to the agenda? Why or why not?
Yes it does. Mayor Davis does let Council speak to the public after the session has closed.

6) Anything else you'd like to say?
The Town of Middleburg is near and dear to my heart and I do not take the position of being on the Town Council lightly. I am committed, want to win and will work hard for the good of the town and especially for its citizens.

Sara ("Sally") Bolton

1) Why are you running for Town Council?
I'm running because I've been here, in this community, for years. I've done business in the Town for 28 years and I've been in the neighborhood for thirty-some years. I'm very fond of this town. I like it very much. And, it seems to me, rather than sitting back and criticizing what someone else does, it's better to make a commitment and do something yourself, especially if there's something you want to see changed.

2) What experience makes you qualified to run?
I've attended meetings and stood before Council on any number of occasions, and one of the things I've learned is . . . to shut up . . . that it's often better to listen and pay attention, than just become a mouthpiece. I've also learned that self-interest is not the right motivation for a candidate for public office. The good of the whole, what's good for everyone, should be what public office is all about.

3) What are the top three problems you believe Town Council needs to solve in the next four years?
I think the biggest issue we'll have to face is infrastructure, in particular the water system. It will absolutely have to be addressed, both in terms of conservation of our water resources and the upkeep and repair of the systems. Whether most people realize it or not, water is one of the top issues facing municipalities all over the country, not just here in Middleburg. We could introduce, for example, gray water systems . . . ways to allow us to use water we'd normally just waste. Conservation, care and maintenance. Those are the keys.

4) Should the County run the town's water and sewer system. Why or why not?
ABSOLUTELY not! Water will become more precious than oil, very shortly . . . and the last thing you want to do is give up your water rights. It would be like giving up your mineral rights if you were a country. It's absolutely the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. And, I think I'd have to say that the County has made some pretty horrific mistakes in its billing over the last six months . . . and Loudoun County is growing so fast, you don't want them to have ANY control over your water rights.

5) Council's current meeting structure does not allow immediate responses to questions raised by non-members at meetings. Would you favor adding a "New England Town Meeting" session to the agenda? Why or why not?
Of course! At least once a month . . . or every quarter at least . . . there should be a "Town Meeting" agenda.

6) Anything else you'd like to say?
I think sometimes we don't see the forest for the trees. I think I can bring some long-term perspective to council . . . look at things from a distance . . . and see how decisions about small things, over time, can produce profound . . . and sometimes surprising . . . effects . . . whether they be about water rights vs. maintenance costs . . . or a decision to drive away flocks of birds because they're making a mess on your car.

Trowbridge Littleton

1) Why are you running for Town Council?
I am a life-long resident of Middleburg and hope to help in continuing the preservation of its wonderful history while maintaining the quality of life for its citizens without a major tax or utility burden.

2) What experience makes you qualified to run?
I have previously served 21 years on the council and have encountered many of the problems we are now faced with. My construction experience has also been of great use on our capital improvement projects.

3) What are the top three problems Town Council you believe needs to solve in the next four years?
1. Conservative financial budget.
2. Repair and upgrade of water and sewer.
3. Healthy business community.

4) Should the County run the town's water and sewer system. Why or why not?
Yes, they should because it will be a financial saving and they will give technical and manpower support that we currently do not have.

5) Council's current meeting structure does not allow immediate responses to questions raised by nonmembers at meetings. Would you favor adding a "New England Town Meeting" session to the agenda? Why or why not?
I like the way our meetings are run now. They are efficient and still give our citizens the opportunity to voice their opinions.

6) Anything else you'd like to say?
I hope all our citizens will come out and vote!

Kathy Jo Shea

1) Why are you running for Town Council?
I have built a business in this community over the past 15 years and have lived here for the past two years. I have come to appreciate and care about Middleburg. Further, I believe all citizens should participate in their government and I hope to serve this community.

2) What experience makes you qualified to run?
My experience includes organizing and co-chairing a state wide organization, community development training, social service, political activity, and running a business for many years. On a personal level, I generally have a positive attitude, I am able to see different perspectives and I value being informed on topics.

3) What are the top three problems Town Council you believe needs to solve in the next four years?
The challenges that face the Town and therefore the Town Council, in my view, are: dealing with the aging infrastructure (i.e. water and sewer); preservation of our community and quality of life, in the face of growth and change; and since we have a small tax base, the budget.

4) Should the County run the town's water and sewer system. Why or why not?
At this point I have not studied any materials on which to base this decision, something that I would have to do as a Council Member. What I would consider in making the decision is the cost to the citizens over the long run, the resources and expertise available to both entities, and the quality of water and service that each could provide.

5) Council's current meeting structure does not allow immediate responses to questions raised by nonmembers at meetings. Would you favor adding a "New England Town Meeting" session to the agenda? Why or why not?
My unfamiliarity with the New England Town Meeting format means that I cannot respond directly to its use. However, I do believe that in a small town, discussion and direct communication are important and I would support some format for discussion.