Fauber a no-show, but Campbell takes part in candidate forum on Staunton issues

STAUNTON — Adam Campbell sat at a table in front of about 50 people Tuesday night, the lone candidate to show up at what was supposed to be a chance to hear from both candidates running for Staunton City Council this year.

The forum, sponsored by the Staunton West End Business Association (SWEBA) and held at Marquis Memorial United Methodist Church, went on as scheduled despite the other candidate, Wilson Fauber, skipping the event.

Fauber backed out less than 24 hours earlier. Kim Harris, a member of the SWEBA board and the event's moderator Tuesday night, said Fauber's campaign manager, Kevin Linhares, emailed board members late Monday night saying Fauber would not appear.

"Last week, Mr. Fauber's campaign manager expressed to us concerns about the safety of Mr. Fauber and his family due to various social media posts," Harris said.

After those concerns were expressed, Harris said that SWEBA consulted with local law enforcement and church leadership, and followed all recommended measures to ensure everyone's safety. Despite those efforts, Fauber still chose not to show up.

Fauber has recently faced criticism for standing behind posts he made on Facebook in 2015 calling homosexuality an abomination. He also took a lot of criticism on his own campaign Facebook page for deciding not to show for the forum.

"Really unfortunate that this is happening," wrote Robert Clemmer, one of many commenting on Fauber's post about his decision. "I was looking forward to hearing you take questions from the community. It's sad that you're afraid of the people of Staunton. I think voters deserve someone more courageous."

Fauber also turned down an invitation for a September town hall sponsored by the Staunton Democratic Committee. Campbell attended that one also. It appears now, with Election Day less than four weeks away, that Campbell and Fauber will not share a stage to discuss issues facing the city.

Campbell, who currently is on the Staunton Planning Commission, introduced himself to the audience Tuesday night and then answered questions prepared by the board. There were no questions from the audience.

Campbell and Fauber are running for a one-year term to fill the seat left open when Andrea Oakes resigned from City Council at the beginning of the year. That seat, along with three others on council, will come open again during the 2024 election.

Campbell and his family have lived in Staunton for a decade after moving from Northern Virginia. He works at the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"It's been an amazing place to call home, to raise a family," Campbell said of Staunton. "Being in a small town environment with such a unique character like Staunton, it inspires, for me and my wife, giving back to the community, volunteering."

Campbell said one of his main objectives, if elected, is improving communication between the city and its citizens, and finding ways to get residents involved in the decision making. He also wants to continue the constructive communication between council members themselves.

"After our election last year, I think we've seen a great positive trend of cooperation on city council," Campbell said. "I am committed to continuing that positive trend that we're seeing."

Campbell said another of his priorities, if elected, is focusing more attention on other parts of the city outside of the downtown area, specifically mentioning the West End, Greenville Avenue and Uniontown. He said revenue from the success that Staunton has seen downtown can be used to help other parts to make sure the entire city is thriving.

He would like to see more resources for law enforcement to help those with mental health problems and substance abuse disorders. While Campbell said he realizes not all resources can go toward that, he would like to see the city have conversations with stakeholders to find out how Staunton can most efficiently help with those issues.

Campbell also wants to make sure fiscal resources are applied appropriately.

Part of the revitalization of the West End may hinge on the new juvenile and domestic relations court that will be built at the site of the former Chestnut Hills Shopping Center.

"It's a tremendous opportunity given the size and the location of that property to not only house the new juvenile and domestic relations court building," Campbell said, "but to create a masterplan campus for meeting various government facility needs for our city for the foreseeable future."

He said there is space to meet community needs at that location also, possibly a senior center or youth center, perhaps even some retail space. Campbell said he is excited about that prospect, but said it's only the first step in revitalizing the West End.

Campbell wants to look at collaboration on a regional level, looking at opportunities to work even more closely with Augusta County and Waynesboro. Specifically, he said Waynesboro and Staunton should partner more on tourism, highlighting Waynesboro's outdoor recreational assets and Staunton's cultural and historic assets.

In April, Staunton City Council approved an 89-cent real estate tax rate, down from 92 cents but still not low enough for some on council who voted against it. Campbell said the tax rate is cyclical and council can review that every year for potential adjustments.

"Even though we saw a significant increase in taxes this year because of the increase in our property assessments, we're still one of the lowest (tax rates) in the state in terms of independent cities," Campbell said.

Campbell said affordable housing is an issue in Staunton like it is in many parts of the country. He is encouraged by council's discussion about creating a housing commission, but he again pointed toward regional collaboration as a way of addressing the issues.

"It's being aware of the issues and then having the right stakeholders in the room, a think tank, to see where it can be addressed," Campbell said.

Campbell ended the night by telling those in the audience that he loves every opportunity he gets to speak with people in the community.

"I want to see our special city, its unique character, what makes us different from every other community, I want to see that success supported and expanded out to all parts of the city," Campbell said in his closing remarks.

Campbell remained after the forum to talk with residents and answer any questions they had for him.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and early voting is underway in Staunton.

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Fauber a no-show, but Campbell takes part in candidate forum on Staunton issues