Richmond Times Dispatch 

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Published: May 8, 2009

On an education tour of Virginia, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jon Bowerbank learned that progress sometimes is measured in big words.

Erica Coleman, a University of Richmond graduate mentoring underprivileged children at a learning center, said she knew she had made progress when a fourth-grader, reading at the second-grade level, began referring to reading as "tedious" rather than "boring."

Bowerbank, listening more than talking, brought his campaign to the low-income Delmont Plaza apartment complex in eastern Henrico County near Richmond International Raceway.

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Bristol Herald Courier
Published: May 6, 2009

BRISTOL, Va. – On what he is calling an education tour, Virginia lieutenant governor hopeful Jon Bowerbank paid a visit to Girls Inc. on Tuesday.
The local facility was honored with the “National Outstanding Affiliate of the Year” award, marking it as the top Girls Inc. in the country, out of 1,400 affiliates nationwide.

Touring the facility with the organization’s executive director, Amy Barker, Bowerbank said he wants the state to provide money for programs such as Girls Inc. as well for primary schools in what he calls a “portfolio approach” to funding Virginia’s education system.

“It’s going to take a team effort to fund these places,” Bowerbank said.

By giving money to quality programs such as Girls Inc., Bowerbank said, Virginia can improve the education system statewide.

A Russell County businessman, Bowerbank is one three Democrats seeking his party’s nomination for the lieutenant governor’s post. The lieutenant governor’s official duty is to serve as president of the state Senate in the General Assembly.