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ISSUES


ANEMIC ECONOMY AND POOR JOB MARKETS - The most important issues facing us today are the anemic economy and poor job markets. People are hurting, businesses, small and large, are hanging on… We need to get this economy moving, get people back to work. Most of the unemployed folks in our region want to get back to living productive and fulfilling lives.

LIMITED GOVERNMENT, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILTY - One of the most important things that we can do is return to the principles of our founding fathers. These principles have served our country well, making the United States a world leader for almost 230 years. Protection of States rights, limited government, low taxes, personal responsibilities, and fewer government regulations are essential to a private sector job creation, which drives our economy.”

REGIONAL COOPERATION - I am a strong proponent of regional cooperation. As a member of City Council, the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority and the Danville-Pittsylvania County Metropolitan Planning Organization, I have seen and experienced the results that can be achieved through municipalities working together. Since serving in these capacities, the southside region has seen about $436 million dollars invested and 1280 jobs announced over the past 3 years. And these numbers do not include the development of the 3700 acre regional Mega Park currently being designed and marketed by Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville. This concept being created by the two municipalities can be used as an example to follow all across the 19th District.

URANIUM MINING, MILLING AND STORAGE - Another important issue facing our region is the statewide decision to consider lifting the Uranium moratorium.

Ultimately, this will be decision made in Richmond by the members of the Senate and the House of Delegates and based on an unbiased Technical (Scientific) Study performed by world renowned scientist, engineers and experts, other technical studies such as the one by Virginia Beach, and the various Socioeconomic Studies.

I believe it is very important issue to our region, which includes the entire 19th District, and our entire State. It involves unique climate and environmental conditions, complicated surface water models and modeling of other environmental processes. The studies will highlight risks and benefits to Virginia, and more importantly our region.

As a civil engineer, I believe it is important to have technically trained professionals included in the mix of eyes reviewing these reports and the data contained therein. I believe I can work along with our local delegates to clearly interpret the data and make responsible decisions for our citizens.

As I have done with my constituents while serving on City Council and the Planning Commission, I will always be guided by the duty and responsibility of protecting the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of our region.

While I believe it is unlikely that mining, milling and storing uranium and its tailings is safe with the current technologies, I am well aware of the fact that I am not an expert in the field, and that is why a study or better yet, a series of studies by world renowned scientist, engineers and experts is appropriate.

INFRASTRUCTURE - When I talk about infrastructure, I am talking about adequate roads, water, gas, sewer systems, dams, canals, and railroads. We have aging systems of infrastructure and are behind in planning for and actually working on replacements and upgrades. 





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Dedicated to limited government, low taxes and fewer government regulations

which are essential to private sector job creation that  drives our economy

 

Authorized by Friends for Fred Shanks, 509 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 2454, John R. Shanks, Treasurer
© Copyright 2010 Committee to Elect Fred Shanks