Powhatan Today - News: Bustos is in, but where does he stand?

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Bustos is in, but where does he stand?
Published: October 21, 2009

By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

Powhatan Today Staff Writer Michael Copley asked Bustos about the recent outcry over his appointment and about his plans for handling the issues facing the county in the immediate future:

Do you think there would have been the same reaction from citizens if you were a republican?
“I can’t answer that, there’s no way for me to know. I’d like to think that’s not the case. Those who spoke out really did want input. I thought the board did a great job explaining [why they handled things the way they did] and I think deep down people heard what the board said and understood where it was coming from.”

How will the board’s handling of the replacement process and peoples’ sentiment towards it effect your ability to represent the citizens of the second district?
“More than ever I need to try to communicate the best I know how- to talk to [residents] directly, whether its phone calls or emails or in person. I need to communicate that I’ll take care of their needs. I was not elected, I was appointed, and I’ll always work with an eye to what Charlie would have wanted.”

Why did you not- as some called on you to do- turn down the board’s offer under the circumstances and push for an open process?
“I got a call Wednesday [Oct. 7] from the chairman of the board and was asked to replace Charlie. I had gotten to know Charlie and [Cosby] asked me to serve for twelve months and then face an election. In my heart, I never thought it was inappropriate. But now I need to reach out to everyone who feels disenfranchised by the process. I saw it [the board’s reason for handling the process as it did] the way the board saw it — it was seamless and fair. I did get second place. And I kept in touch with Charlie and I have a feel for what he wanted. It would have been more destructive if we had done it the way some wanted. I thought it made sense and now we can get the next twelve months over with. I respect the other opinion, I really do, but anything else was an unrealistic scenario.”

Because looking at the Powhatan democrats’ Web site, the second complaint that group takes with the current board is its failure to listen to citizens in the county. How will you work to make the board more transparent to fix the problems your political party has pointed out?
“As of this moment, my commitment to the democrats has to be viewed through the much more intense commitment to the residents of District 2. This is not going to be a democratic agenda. This is Charlie Green’s agenda. The democratic agenda will have to be put on the back burner for 12 months. And I think the [Powhatan Democrats] understand that. I have got to do this party-blind. My commitment is to every voter in my district regardless of their stripes.”

A lot has been made of the content that appeared on the Powhatan Democrat’s web site under your leadership. Your comment on the issue?
“I was not cognizant of the hurt that web site caused. We have some vocal democrats who enjoy their freedom of speech. But I bare full responsibility. Maybe the website went overboard. There probably was a line we crossed where we were hurtful. All we can do is say we’re sorry and move forward. You know I met Charlie on election day two years ago, and the dude was better. I was joyous the next day when he won. Nothing good will come from being this confrontational. I’m afraid that Web site caused some real hurt.”

Weigh in on Walmart.
“We’re still in the information gathering phase. Charlie [Green] wasn’t going to make a decision until he had tried to hear from everyone. All we’re going to do now [by conjecturing] is upset people. I’m going to listen to every citizen in District 2, or try to. I may have to go door-to-door again and ask people what they think. But always with one eye on what Charlie would have done. That’s my responsibility.”

Some think the county should cap building sizes. Some have suggested 50,000 square feet is an appropriate size to keep big-box retailers out of Powhatan. What are your thoughts?
“We’ll have to look at the comprehensive plan when it comes out and in light of that plan decide how to approach big boxes.
But I can’t speak about that before we see the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is the sheet of granite everyone should march by. I encourage all residents to look at the plan when it becomes available and express how you feel.”

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Angry of Powhatan

Oct. 22, 2009, 08:39 AM

Every democrat who knew the article about the “Filthy Republicans” owes each and every Republican in Powhatan County an appology. Don’t tell me it was a surprise to Bustos, Ownby, and others! If it was, they need a new web site coordinator. Things like this split people - maybe the Democrats don’t see this as mud slinging. I for one will remember that this came along about the time the WalMart issue and the filling of the vacancy in District 2. What kind of message are the Democrats sending out? Elections - not selections!!!

The people of District 2 didn’t even get a chance to be heard as the BOS had made their mind up before they ever walked into Powhatan High School that night…do you remember these words…
Do you hear the people sing…
Singing the song of angry men…

rodney king of midlothian/powhatan

Oct. 21, 2009, 11:23 PM

I’m all for Walmart in Powhatan, because tents are cheap there and I’m tired of living out of a POD in Midlothian.

And can’t we all just get along?

A. Ownby of Powhatan

Oct. 21, 2009, 11:15 PM

C.Dickson where do you get your quote? What is the documentation Mr.Bustos said that in 2007?
Mr.Cosby is the only member of the board to go on record that he is voting no.

Mr. Griffen to clear the air I never used the words offended or insulted.
I am against WalMart comming to Powhatan and Marsell is a friend, he told ME that he would have to talk to the people of district 2 before he decided how he was going to vote. That is why he is going to be a good supervisor, I truely am sorry the process has made you feel disenfranchised, I have felt that way about our government many times myself.
I do however think that the board was honest with the fact that yes, they had thier mind made up and even if they opened the process up and went through the motions you wanted them to go through they would have still chosen Marsell, they were not open to having thier minds changed.It would have been worse if they had kept thier choice to themselves and gone through the motions of public imput for apperance sake only. If it is the process you are so upset over why are you making it so personal against Marsell? If you live in District 2 why not give him a call and talk to him about what you would like to see him do as a memeber of the board?

c. dickson of midlothian/powhatan

Oct. 21, 2009, 10:44 PM

Amen, Mr. Griffin!

I am still stunned that the four men on the Board of Supervisors, without soliciting any feedback from the residents of District 2, would make such an appointment.

It is bad enough that the law deprived District 2 of their voting rights, but to have absolutely no voice or participation in the process goes beyond the pale.

Darrell Griffin

Oct. 21, 2009, 09:32 PM

“I was NOT cognizant of the hurt that web site caused.” (even though I was the chairman) “MAYBE the website went overboard”
“There PROBABLY was a line we crossed where we were hurtful.” ” You know I met Charlie on election day two years ago, and the DUDE was better.”

Yeah, really sounds like responsible, informed, thoughtful, and intelligent leadership to me. Is that supposed to be an apology ?

“We’re still in the information gathering phase. ” “All we’re going to do now [by conjecturing] is upset people.”

Then why sir, are you on record as saying “No Walmart” before any proposal was on the table ?

Respecfully Mrs. Rrose, do not presume to tell me or anyone else to be quiet. There is enough of that going around from the goverment, and I would submit that is PRECISELY why some folks such as myself are fired up over this.

Voters and informed citizens asking for and demanding transparency and access is not just a right, it’s our responsibility. The only persons you have seen villified are those who have had the oddasity to speak up. Almost every post raising objection has been articulate, polite and well spoken.

It’s the folks basically saying “shut up and sit down” that are out of line. Personally, as a rule, the more I am told to be quiet and ignore something, to “just see how he will do”, the more questions I begin to ask. ESPECIALLY when it pertains to govt.

c. dickson of midlothian/powhatan

Oct. 21, 2009, 09:11 PM

“There will be no WalMart in Powhatan”...
Marsell Bustos, 2007

Funny how things work out sometimes.

Civics Nerd of Powhatan- District 2

Oct. 21, 2009, 08:17 PM

Thank you Concerned Resident. My thoughts exactly! We’ve all made our opinions known and it’s time to see what Mr. Bustos can offer to the county!! :)

Rrose Se'levy

Oct. 21, 2009, 07:31 PM

ladies and gentlemen
albeit everyone can voice all the options you want
STOP IT….this is a great county that does the best it can with what it was given to work with….
stop vilifying one another….and stop kicking a dead horse .....
play nice and support the people that need it the most…the elderly,poor and the forgotten
as Gandhi said….
Be the change you want to see

Rrose has said her peace and is done with this…
thanks for listening

County Resident of Powhatan, VA

Oct. 21, 2009, 07:15 PM

I think it was in a back issue of the Goochland-Powhatan Gazette which came before the Powhatan Gazette

Concerned Resident

Oct. 21, 2009, 05:57 PM

Ever wonder how many times you should beat a dead horse? I’m sure the answer is in a back issue of Powhatan Gazette, 1981. I KNOW its there, don’t tell me its not!

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