Strongly Urges Board to Increase Teacher Pay
Russell County, VA - Jon Bowerbank, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Russell County Board of Supervisors At-Large member, secured passage of $1.6 million in General Obligation school bonds for the purpose of financing capital projects for education at last night's Russell County Board of Supervisors meeting. One of the areas the funding will go to is improving school buildings and making them more safe, modern, and energy efficient. "As the parent of three children, two who currently attend Russell County Public Schools, I am pleased to approve these bonds which will provide funding for education projects that our schools so desperately need. Like so many other parents, I depend on the public education system to prepare my children for the future, and nothing is more important to me. In fact, my son, Sean Thomas, currently attends Elk Garden Elementary school, which is one of the oldest continually used public school buildings in Virginia. Our children are competing in a modern global economy, and they should be learning in a 21st century educational environment. This money will help ensure our children have that chance," Bowerbank said.
Bowerbank also advocated for an increase in teacher pay for Russell County Public School teachers.
"I am proud that we were able to raise teacher salaries by double-digits in Russell County last year. This year is going to be more difficult. With the economy struggling and revenues down an increase this year is no guarantee. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. It is my priority, and the priority of all of our board members, to improve our schools and that means paying the people who teach our children the salary they deserve.
Russell County should be a leader in the effort to raise teacher pay and I am running for Lieutenant Governor because I want to be able to reward teachers across the Commonwealth for their service and commitment to my children and all of our children," said Bowerbank.
"I am grateful that Jon Bowerbank and the rest of the Board were able to secure so much funding for our schools, especially given the economic climate," said Richard Hess, a Russell County public school teacher and former President of the Russell County Education Association. "I also appreciated Jon's speech in favor of increasing teacher pay; Jon is fighting hard to get that in the budget. It shows that Jon understands the value of teachers and our struggle to stay in the profession while also making ends meet and providing for our families. This is a huge win for educators, parents and children in Russell County."
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Only Candidate with Experience Creating High Wage, High Skill Jobs March 29, 2009
Charlottesville, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today highlighted his impressive record of creating high wage, high skills jobs and vowed to use his business experience to create good jobs all across Virginia as Lieutenant Governor.
"We need a Lieutenant Governor in Richmond who has a proven track record of creating jobs, and I am that candidate. I helped transform an entire region in Southwest Virginia by turning it into a hub of non conventional energy production and innovation, and I created and grew my own energy company that now employs hundreds of Virginians across the Commonwealth. As Lieutenant Governor I will use this model of job creation through alternative energy innovation to get Virginia's economy back on track. That's the kind of new energy we need in Richmond," Bowerbank said.
Bowerbank's business experience and ideas for creating good paying jobs resonated with the forum audience.
"Jon's business experience was very clearly highlighted in this forum. That's an issue that's going to resonate well with young people. I admired the way he took strong positions on issues and I felt like I knew where he stood. This was clearly a good day for Jon Bowerbank," Virginia Young Democrat Isaac Sarver said.
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Applauds Bipartisan Cooperation on Budget Compromise
Alexandria, VA - On Saturday the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate reached a bipartisan agreement that allowed a proposal to balance the state budget to pass both chambers. The bill now moves to Governor Kaine for approval. Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank issued the following statement in response:
"I would like to applaud the efforts of Governor Kaine and the General Assembly who worked diligently to pass this budget proposal in a cooperative and timely manner. Cuts to valuable programs were unavoidable, but without federal economic stimulus money Virginia's budget would have faced over $1 billion in additional cuts that would have affected our public schools, state colleges, and health care programs and facilities. I was sorely disappointed that during these challenging economic times, instead of putting the people of Virginia first, Bill Bolling once again chose to play politics and oppose federal funding for these valuable programs. That's not the kind of leadership Virginians deserve.
As a successful business owner, I know what it takes to grow the economy and create good paying jobs all while balancing the books and taking care of essential needs and services. The economic and fiscal challenges Virginia faces aren't going to be fixed with Bill Bolling's partisan games. We need a Lieutenant Governor who has the experience and leadership to work with our state and federal representatives to help move the Commonwealth through these difficult times, and I plan to bring that leadership to Richmond."
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Calls $2.6 billion in cuts the "inevitable result of partisan obstructionists"
Russell County, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate and Virginia Association of Counties Transportation Committee member Jon Bowerbank today criticized the partisan bickering that has stalled transportation reform in Richmond. Bowerbank's statement follows last week's announced budget reductions by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
"VDOT's cuts are the inevitable result of partisan obstructionists in Richmond led by Bill Bolling. Their failure to cooperate on finding common sense transportation solutions has led to the regretful cuts VDOT was forced to make. Bolling has had numerous opportunities to support bipartisan transportation reform. Now Virginians will pay the price for his obstruction as we remain gridlocked. As a member of the VACo Transportation Committee I am working with people on both sides of the aisle to get the resources we need to fix this problem, and I will continue this work as Lieutenant Governor," Bowerbank said.
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Talks with Democrats and Republicans About How the Two Parties Can Better Work Together to Get More Done in Richmond
Prince William County, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today attended a bipartisan dinner and forum hosted by the Prince William County Committee of 100. The forum featured a panel of leaders from both parties and focused on the differences and similarities of the Democratic and Republican parties and whether America's two-party system benefits or hinders our government.
Members of the Committee of 100 panel included Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, Delegate Jeffrey Frederick, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Pete Frisbie, chairman of the Prince William County Democratic Committee, and Lyle Beefelt, chairman of the Prince William County Republican Committee.
"It is all too clear that partisan bickering impedes the legislative process. While there is no question that there are significant differences between Democrats and Republicans, we still need to find a way to work together to leave a better Virginia for our children. I think that goal is something we can all unite behind, no matter what party we identify with," Bowerbank said.
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Fairfax City, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank spoke to a full house of Democrats today at a Fairfax City Democratic Committee breakfast event held at the Old Country Buffet in Fairfax City.
Gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds and Delegate David Bulova also attended the event.
During his remarks Jon discussed his campaign and his plans to bring change to Richmond as Lieutenant Governor.
"We need to bring a business approach to our government in Richmond. As the owner of a business that has created over 200 high paying jobs throughout the Commonwealth, I know what we need to do to get Virginia's economy back on track and create jobs. As a member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Association of Counties Transportation Committee, I understand the infrastructure challenges facing our communities, and I know that the infrastructure needs of Southwest Virginia aren't the same as those in Fairfax City. Our state government needs to understand that as well, and I plan to bring this local government perspective to Richmond as Lieutenant Governor," Bowerbank said.
Joseph Harmon, chairman of the Fairfax City Democratic Committee, called Jon a "leader with the business experience we desperately need to get our economy going again," and said "he's the best candidate to beat Bill Bolling in November."
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Highlights Commitment to Creating High Paying Jobs, Better Education Systems, and Improving Virginia's Infrastructure
Alexandria, VA — Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today spoke to members of the Mt. Vernon District Democratic Committee about his candidacy and the change he will bring to Richmond as Lieutenant Governor.
During his remarks, Jon highlighted his success in business and experience in local government, promising to use his skills to get Virginia's economy back on track.
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"We Need New Energy in Richmond"
Russell County, VA — Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today spoke to a room full of Democrats at the Scott County Democratic Committee meeting in Gate City, Virginia. During his remarks Jon emphasized his business background and experience in the energy sector, as well as his commitment to improving the Commonwealth's infrastructure.
"The challenges Virginia faces are all areas where I have expertise. We need to get Virginia's economy back on track. I have run a business and balanced the books, and I've already created over 200 high-paying jobs right here in Virginia. I know what we need to do to make Virginia a leader in renewable and alternative energy and invest in our infrastructure because I deal with energy and infrastructure issues every day.
"This campaign started in this part of Virginia, and your support has put us in the top tier of the race. Now people all over the Commonwealth are getting on board. We have endorsements from elected officials and committee chairs in every corner of Virginia and with that momentum and your hard work we are going to carry this campaign to victory on June 9th," Bowerbank said. |
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