Published: November 06, 2007 10:41 pm      

2 Tazewell supervisor incumbents victorious; White unseats Griffith

TAZEWELL, Va. — Two incumbents, and a political newcomer, were elected Tuesday to the Tazewell County Board of Super-visors.

Republi-can Seth White defeated incumbent Democrat Earl Griffith for the North-western District seat, according to unofficial returns. With all precincts reporting, White won with 694 votes to 555 for Griffith.

In the Eastern District, incumbent Republican David Anderson ran unopposed and won with 673 votes. In the Northern District, incumbent Democrat William B. “Bill” Rasnick also ran unopposed and won with 699 votes.

All of the county’s incumbent constitutional officers also ran unopposed and won Tuesday. The incumbent Demo-crats include Sheriff H.S. Caudill, who garnered 3,794 votes; Clerk of the Court James E. ‘Buddy” Blevins, 3,811; Treasurer Norman L. Cook, 4,014; Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Lee, 3,908; and Commissioner of Revenue Emma Hagy, 3,923.

White, the current mortgage director and assistant vice president of First Sentinel Bank at Claypool Hill, is a graduate of Richlands High School, Southwest Virginia Community College and Bluefield College. White has been a minister for the past nine years.

“Yes, we are very excited,” White said late Tuesday. “I’m just so thankful. Everyone worked really hard for us to win. I certainly didn’t do it on my own. We are just looking forward to seeing some changes, and looking forward to a bright future.”

White said he will work to bring new industry and jobs into Tazewell County, and will work to help renovate school facilities without raising taxes.

Anderson, who is beginning his second term on the Board of Supervisors, said he is eager to continue serving Bluefield, Va., Springville, the Eastern District and all of Tazewell County.

“I want to give God the glory for my success, and I want to thank the people of Tazewell County for allowing me to represent them for another four years,” Anderson, who previously served eight years on the Bluefield, Va. Town Council including two as mayor and four as vice mayor, said. “I don’t think people realize how much I love this area and the people of this area. I never want to take the people for granted. You need to make yourself accessible. That is what you are elected for.”

Anderson said the board will continue to fight for new economic development and growth over the next four years.

“I think we are turning the corner now,” Anderson said. “I’m a planner. I like to see things grow. Economic development has to go hand-in-hand with our educational system. We can’t continue to export our best and brightest out of this area.”

Multiple candidates were vying Tuesday for one of three seats on the non-partisan soil and water conservation board. The apparent winners were J.S. “Sandy” Etter, 2,307; Robert L. Moss Jr., 1,760; and Virginia Lou Turley, 1,392. Edward K. Neel garnered 1,254 votes; Ray J. Howell, 967; and Allen B. Hess, 881.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com