Our coverage of the working of local governance was began in an effort to fill the void left by the shuttering and downsizing of traditional media sources.
Grandstanding, Politicking, or being the voice of the uninsured and humble poor?
The embattled 24-year-old Councilman Liam Watson is publicly voicing his concerns over Blacksburg policy more and more, voting no on this measure to raise resources for local emergency services by charging out-of-town uninsured patients.
The trial date for his Election Fraud case is looming, with the jury trial set for early 2025 and another motions hearing Dec 17.
Leslie Hager-Smith, Mayor of Blacksburg and Town Councilman Susan Anderson have been issued subpoenas regarding the charges.
Liam is the only renter on a Council made up of homeowners and landlords, and spoke with us about what can be done about SKYROCKETING housing costs in the town in our first POLITIC LOCAL in January 2023.
This was our first interview for our POLITIC LOCAL section after Blacksburg’s recount last January.
Election Day Editor’s Opinion:
Now is the time more-than-ever to EXPECT upcoming allegations of ELECTION FRAUD in close elections big and small, and we urge our readers to be mindful that fair US Elections are the foundation of our democracy. Exercise caution when making accusations towards fraud in our electoral system, and know that many media sources have a vested interest in such stories, as campaign finance is tied into media-ad buys through POLITICAL ADVERTISING.
An alleged Fraud from 2023 is an ongoing investigation involving Councilman Liam Watson , and court documents recently showed that four people have been issued subpoenas to appear in court and/or to present documents, including Town of Blacksburg Government Leslie Hager-Smith, Mayor of Blacksburg, Blacksburg Town Councilwoman Susan Anderson, Virginia Election Board Chairman John O’Bannon, and Montgomery County Voter Registrar Connie Viar.
Allegations have serious consequences, regardless of when the evidence, if any and in what form, comes to light.
I interviewed Councilman Watson three times since his election, and had breakfast with him once. From my interactions and research, I found Liam to be a young, smart, and engaging person excited about working in local politics. A rarity in modern American politics.
The courts will decide if any meddling or connivances occurred, but the right to a fair and speedy trial takes time in America, as can getting an election right. We’ll see how it unfolds in Blacksburg with another motions hearing scheduled for Dec 17.
Let’s get the count right, come together, agree to disagree, and let our great Melting Pot keep aiming to be the land of Meritocracy and Fairness for all.
Hart Fowler
