May 8, 2009

Alexandria, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today finished up his 4 day, statewide Commonwealth Education Tour in Charlottesville and Northern Virginia with visits to the University of Virginia, Oak Hill Elementary School and Chantilly Academy.  Jon met with leaders of the Community Engagement Network at UVA, read to 4th graders at Oak Hill Elementary and toured Chantilly Academy's vocational education facilities.

At the University of Virginia, Jon spoke about the need for education and community partnerships.

"Partnerships between educational institutions and community organizations benefit the entire Commonwealth.  The community service programs that the University of Virginia offers through the Community Engagement Network are perfect examples of how these partnerships can benefit all groups involved, and we must do everything we can to support and foster these collaborations," Bowerbank said.

At Oak Hill Elementary School, Jon discussed the value of retaining and attracting high quality educators.

"Our educational personnel are a vital part of a child's education; they have the power to instill a love of learning in their students that will help them succeed in life.  As Lieutenant Governor I will be committed to making sure we have the absolute best teachers in our classrooms. On the Board of Supervisors I passed a 10% pay increase for teachers, and raising the salaries and benefits for Virginia's educators will be one of my priorities as Lieutenant Governor," Bowerbank said.

At Chantilly Academy, Jon talked about the importance of vocational education programs.

"Vocational education is often overlooked despite being one of the most important educational programs we can offer to many students.  Schools like Chantilly Academy offer programs that prepare students to begin successful careers right out of high school or with only a few years of additional training.  These programs not only benefit Virginia's youth, they benefit Virginia's economy, which cannot thrive without a skilled and trained workforce ready to do the jobs of tomorrow," Bowerbank said.

May 7, 2009

Norfolk, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today visited Richmond and Norfolk on his four-day, statewide Commonwealth Education Tour.  Jon toured the Youth Life Foundation of Richmond and the Norfolk State University RISE Campus.  He met with the organizations' staffs and discussed his recently released Education Plan.

In Richmond, Jon spoke about the importance of after school educational programs that help at-risk youth succeed.

"In order for our children to succeed, they need to be engaged outside the classroom as well as inside of it.  Youth programs that offer a safe, educational environment for kids lower drop out rates and improve academic performance.  The Youth Life Foundation of Richmond's commitment to helping at-risk youth learn and grow through mentoring and tutoring programs is a model for how charitable organizations can have a positive impact on communities," Bowerbank said.

In Norfolk, Jon discussed the need to invest in research programs at Virginia's universities.

"If Virginia is going to become a leader in the industries of tomorrow, we need research institutions and programs that will be instrumental to developing these fields.  New research facilities like Norfolk State University's RISE Campus that seek to foster partnerships between universities and government to produce innovative technological advancements are exactly the kind of programs Virginia needs," Bowerbank said.

May 6, 2009

Danville, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today visited Roanoke and Danville on his four-day, statewide Commonwealth Education Tour.  Jon toured a Head Start facility in Roanoke and the Danville Community College Workforce Services facilities in Danville.  He met with the organizations' staffs and discussed his recently released Education Plan.

In Roanoke, Jon discussed the importance of investing in early childhood education programs.

"Research shows that critical brain development occurs before a child is 5 years old, and that the education and instruction a child receives during that time affects his or her academic and social development for years to come.  Early childhood education does not just affect individual children - it also affects entire communities.  It reduces truancy and lowers unemployment and crime rates. There is no question that we need to invest in pre-k and early childhood education programs like TAP Head Start," Bowerbank said.

In Danville, Jon spoke about the role of community colleges and career training programs in growing Virginia's economy.

"In order to get Virginia's economy back on track, we need a skilled, trained workforce prepared to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.  Investing in our community colleges is the best way to reach this goal.  Career and workforce training programs like the ones offered at Danville Community College are a vital part of the Commonwealth's economic recovery, and we must make sure that they and their students succeed," said Bowerbank.

April 29, 2009

Alexandria, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today challenged his primary opponents to a series of debates across Virginia, calling on his opponents to concentrate on issues that affect Virginians every day.  Bowerbank's proposal requests debates in Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

"I spent last week, and the last 16 months, traveling around the Commonwealth talking about how to create jobs for Virginians and get our economy back on track.  As Virginians are losing their jobs, unable to make their mortgage payments, unable to afford college tuition, and facing so many other challenges, I am focusing on these issues and I hope my opponents will join me in three debates to discuss the formidable challenges facing our Commonwealth.  We need to get this election focused on the issues that make a difference in the lives of Virginians every day," Bowerbank said.

April 28, 2009

Alexandria, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today blasted Bill Bolling for releasing an energy plan that would exacerbate, rather than alleviate, Virginia's economic and energy crises.

"Bill Bolling's energy plan was not a plan at all, but rather read more like a history of the failed energy policies of the last eight years.  And given our current energy and economic crises, we cannot afford to repeat our mistakes of the past.  I have worked in the energy sector for 25 years, and I have the experience and expertise to know that drilling off Virginia's coast is not going to solve our energy problems. In fact, drilling off the coast of Virginia has the potential to damage our economy, a reckless risk in such uncertain economic times.  Unlike my primary opponents, I came out early and strongly against drilling off of Virginia's coast for exactly this reason. Let me be clear- there is not enough oil and natural gas in the area discussed off of Virginia's shore to be significantly commercially viable and under current federal law, not a dime of any revenue derived from these areas would go to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bill Bolling is pushing an agenda to curry favors with national Republican leaders at the expense of Virginia taxpayers who would bear the weight of all potential economic, environmental and tourism losses from this "Drill Baby, Drill" philosophy.   Bill Bolling either doesn't know the facts or chooses to ignore them and walk lock step with his party, and I don't know which is worse.

We need to be investing in energy sources that lead Virginia into the future of the energy industry, including making current energy production cleaner and more efficient and investing in renewable and non-conventional energy sources.  It is this industry that will create good paying jobs for Virginians and help get our economy back on track.  This approach of creating jobs through fostering and growing the renewable and non-conventional energy sectors in Virginia is the foundation of my Jobs Plan, and as Lieutenant Governor I will be an advocate for this energy and economic strategy," Bowerbank said.

April 22, 2009

Richlands, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today met with officials from Southwest Virginia Community College to discuss the college's career and workforce development programs and the important role community colleges play in getting Virginia's economy back on track.
 
The meeting today was led by Frank Horton the Dean of Workforce Development at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) and participants included Delegate Dan Bowling, Len Kogut, Vice President for Finance at SWCC, Larry Hughes, Project Director for Construction at SWCC, Randy Williams, Russell County Commissioner of Revenue, Lee Potter, of the United Mineworkers of America, Brian Patton, Russell County Commonwealth's Attorney, and Jan Bowling, Administrative Assistant for Engineering at SWCC.
 
"Community colleges are a vital part of Virginia's education system, and we need to invest in these institutions and ensure that students get the training they need to get good paying, high demand jobs when they graduate. Community colleges not only benefit the students who attend them, but also the businesses in the area, by producing knowledgeable and effective workers.  The work done by Southwest Virginia Community College's Career and Workforce Development program is a a great example of how community colleges can contribute to Virginia's economic recovery," Bowerbank said.

April 22, 2009

Roanoke, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today toured the facilities of the Roanoke Higher Education Center as part of his three day statewide Jobs Tour.  Bowerbank discussed the importance of expanding access to higher education and investing in career and workforce training.
 
The Roanoke Higher Education Center is an innovative educational institution that partners with a variety of academic institutions to offer a wide variety of educational services, including job training and career development, and helps students attain undergraduate degrees in disciplines related to regional job opportunities.
 
"Education is the foundation of opportunity, and improving the quality of education and expanding access to higher education is a crucial aspect of growing Virginia's economy.  If we want to create good paying jobs, we need to have a workforce ready and willing to take them.  Programs like those at the Roanoke Higher Education Center play a critical role in this process," Bowerbank said.

The Jobs Tour coincides with the release of Bowerbank's Jobs Plan, a detailed 27-page plan to create good paying jobs and get Virginia's economy back on track. Each stop on the Tour will emphasize a different aspect of Jon's Jobs Plan, from improving Virginia's infrastructure to investing in renewable and alternative energy solutions to fostering a positive business environment that benefits both workers and businesses to prioritizing innovation at our colleges and research centers.

The plan can be viewed at www.jb2009.com.
 
Jon Bowerbank is the owner of a successful energy services company that employs hundreds of people in Virginia and throughout the country. He has also served as an operations manager in a Fortune 10 company in numerous states, and has both a business and technical background. He currently serves as the at-large member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, and he is a member of the Virginia Association of Counties Finance and Transportation Committees.
 
Bowerbank has spent the last year traveling around Virginia spreading his message of change. As Lieutenant Governor, Jon will be committed to improving Virginia's infrastructure, investing in our schools and education programs, and using effective business practices to create jobs and transform Virginia's economy for a new energy future.