LTE: Voting for the person, not the party

I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. In the 2017 state elections cycle, I repeated those very words numerous times during my run for state delegate and have not changed since. I vote for the best candidate, not party, and am disappointed by both political parties for creating and driving home such a partisan divide. 

When it comes to politics, I like the notion of sticking to local races that have a significant impact on my daily life. Not being a single-issue voter, I prefer to look at the sum of all parts when looking at a local candidate. For me, Del. Mike Webert has met the majority of my needs. 

Let me start by saying I don’t agree with all of his stances, and I feel you never should totally agree with any one politician. However, I can say Mike and I developed a mutual respect during public events held in 2017. Twice, we were the only candidates to show. We often talked at public events, including a Culpeper Youth Forum and a Marshall Business and Residents Association Meeting. At the event in Marshall, we solidified our respect while mutually discussing industrial hemp. 

Although Mike is not a veteran, he has family and close friends that are veterans. He has worked with several organizations to support the needs, even co-sponsoring a bill last year by the Joint Leadership Council. 

These are but two examples of Mike’s total body of work. This November, please vote for the best candidate. 

Will King 

Bealeton 

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 30th, 2019.

LTE: Why I Support Michael Webert

Michael Webert is running for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates where he has represented the 18th district since 2011. As a farmer, Mr. Webert has been a strong voice in environmental and conservation issues and was instrumental along with his fellow delegates in securing $84 million to help conserve our water resources and reduce the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other pollutants entering our water. 

Mr. Webert is a family man with a track record of helping the innocent. He is pro-life and vigorously supported Republican efforts in the General Assembly that successfully blocked legislation allowing for late-term abortions up to the moment of birth, even when a woman was in labor.  

Further, Mr. Webert helped pass legislation to require repeat domestic abusers to spend a minimum of two months in jail so victims could get the safety and space they need from violence in the home. Regrettably, Gov. (Ralph) Northam vetoed that bill and Democrats stood with Northam. 

Mr. Webert continues to fight for better funding in our school systems throughout the commonwealth and was instrumental in securing a 5 percent teacher pay raise in the 2019 General Assembly. 

He worked to block $1.2 billion in higher taxes proposed by the Democrats, and instead he and his colleagues successfully provided $1 billion in tax relief that actually lowered taxes for middle-class families. 

We need to keep Michael Webert in the House of Delegates. Please vote on Nov. 5. 

Phil Kasky 

Warrenton 

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 30, 2019.

LTE: Letter: Mike Webert has proven he’s earned another term

Please join me and thousands of supporters in voting for Del. Mike Webert for Virginia Delegate this Nov. 5. First and foremost, Mike is a man of integrity and honesty. He is a principled proponent of individual freedom and opportunity for all.  

His past service has been excellent, and he is gaining in seniority so that he can do even more for Fauquier residents.  

As a lawyer, I can get by with saying we probably have enough lawyers in the General Assembly. Mike Webert is a professional farmer working over 2,000 acres in Fauquier, thereby contributing much to our economic output. So I think it is beneficial to have a farmer in Richmond; after all, agriculture is still Virginia’s #1 industry and a big part of Fauquier’s economy.  

Mike has been in a real leader in promoting our very important equine industry.  He cares about our quality and rural way of life. Mike’s oldest boy attends Fauquier public schools (and so will his youngest boy when he is old enough) so our educational system is definitely a priority for him along with health care, transportation and keeping us from being over-taxed and overregulated.  

Let’s rehire him for another term. You know the old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” 

James Rich 

The Plains 

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 28th, 2019.

Warren County Delegation Announces Legislative Initiative for Economic Development Authority

October 28, 2019

Contact: 540-999-8218

Fauquier, VA – Today, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham), Delegate Chris Collins (R-Winchester), Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Mount Jackson), and Delegate Michael Webert (R-Fauquier) announced that they are working towards improving accountability, transparency, and oversight within the Warren County Economic Development Authority.

“Delegates Collins and Gilbert and I are closely monitoring the situation in Warren County,” said Delegate Webert, “We have begun conversations with attorneys at the ethics council, and will continue to craft legislation as more details of this case emerge. Transparency and accountability are needed more than ever right now to restore the public trust in local government. The legislative package we are working on will be laser-focused on addressing these issues so that we catch bad actors beforehand.”

Delegate C. Todd Gilbert one of the authors of Virginia’s ethics reform laws who also serves on the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, stated, “Having worked on these issues for years, it is clear to me that we can and must do more to provide oversight and accountability to these economic development authorities. We are already in discussions about potential legislation and await the outcome of pending cases to ensure we have the best information available as to how to proceed.”

“I look forward to bringing integrity back to local government,” said Delegate Chris Collins (R-Winchester), “and making sure that we have the proper checks balances and accounting to ensure that we bring confidence to the citizens that this does not happen again. It is a priority for our delegation to find a solution to this oversight problem, and we will be working together to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Senator Mark Obenshain commented, “I am committed to passing legislation that will increase local government transparency and accountability that will help prevent another EDA scandal from ever happening again. Last year my bills (SB 1430 and SB 1431) passed that required local elected officials to receive Conflict of Interest and Freedom of Information training, and next year I want that to be expanded to cover appointed officials, including EDA members.”

Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegates Chris Collins, C. Todd Gilbert, and Michael Webert all represent Warren County in the Virginia General Assembly. The next General Assembly legislative session begins in January 2020.

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LTE: Del. Michael Webert has been a strong supporter of public safety efforts

From traffic safety, school safety to combating the opioid crisis, Del. Michael Webert has been supportive of law enforcement every step of the way.  

In 2017, Delegate Webert worked hard to pass HB 1392. This bill allowed for select former law enforcement officers to carry firearms in our schools, giving them the ability to protect our children by working as armed School Security Officers. In 2019, he co-sponsored HB 2721, which allowed us to expand our recruitment efforts for SSOs to again help with school safety.  

When it comes to the opioid crisis, Del. Webert has worked with us regarding requests for funding to ensure we have the resources we need. He’s been an advocate for Fauquier County and worked diligently, being part of the solution to the challenges we face.   

Del. Webert has sponsored legislation that enables law enforcement to better protect our children though enhanced penalties for individuals who pass stopped school buses and continues to advocate for laws that would allow us to focus our traffic enforcement efforts on distracted driving, making our roadways safer.   

Mike has a proven track record of success as a legislator and advocate for Fauquier County, the 18th District and our law enforcement community. When you go to the polls on Nov. 5, I hope you will join me in voting for Michael Webert for Delegate. 

Sheriff Bob Mosier 

Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office 

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 23, 2019.

LTE: Del. Michael Webert a champion for local issues

On Sept. 24, 2018, I witnessed a near-tragedy here in the Town of Warrenton. Two vehicles passed a school bus with the red lights flashing and stop arm extended while children were boarding the bus. One driver, talking on her cellphone, didn’t even realize what she did until she had already passed the stopped bus. 

That morning I called Del. Michael Webert and expressed my frustration with this growing problem, not only here in our community, but also the commonwealth. He immediately began to make phone calls and started working on legislation to ensure harsher penalties on those that place our children in danger.  

Del. Webert has also been a strong advocate and partner in our fight against the opioid epidemic in our region. During his time in office, he has championed legislation that will help our first responders and law enforcement officers eliminate barriers to communication, fought for funding for our town so that we can continue to battle this epidemic, and has been a fierce advocate for our firemen by co-sponsoring the cancer presumption legislation this past year.   

At the local level our residents don’t care about red or blue, we care about results and representatives that stand up and fight for us! Del. Webert has stood up for us, and I hope you will stand with me and vote for Del. Michael Webert on Nov. 5! 

Sean Polster 

Warrenton  

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 23, 2019.

LTE: Del. Mike Webert’s values represent Fauquier well

By Amy Cassandra
Bealeton

Del. Mike Webert (R-18th/Marshall) has served our community well as a champion for Fauquier values in Richmond, where his voice drives legislation that’s important to our community.

The political ads hitting our mailboxes unfairly attacking Mike’s character don’t describe the representative we all know. Mike cares deeply about making life better for families in our community. And he’s not afraid of hard work or standing up for what’s right, even when it isn’t easy.

Mike and his family have deep roots in this community, so he understands his constituents and their families, careers, and priorities better than anyone else on the ballot.

Mike’s family values are second to none. If you’ve seen him with his darling sons or supportive wife for even a minute, you understand what I mean. Even when the General Assembly is in session and Mike is fighting for us in Richmond, he returns home in the evenings and leaves again before dawn to be there for his family. Early mornings, long days and compassionate tenacity are natural for a farmer like Mike.

Mike’s defense of the Second Amendment and support for law enforcement keeps the citizens of Fauquier safe. He knows Fauquier values quality public education, small businesses prosperity and the prudent spending of our tax dollars. He has demonstrated his commitment to those principles during his last eight years representing us.

These are just a few reasons why I’m voting for Mike on November 5th, and you should, too.

Note: This letter originally appeared in Fauquier Now on October 21, 2019.

LTE: Laura Galante does not have necessary experience for delegate

I read the letter from Ina Hall of Marshall regarding the candidates forum on Sept. 25 in Marshall with great interest. I agree with her that Ms. Galante was energetic. I believe that her energy should be put to good use in some capacity at the county level to develop her seasoning as a potential delegate. However, not this time. She has clearly no public sector experience. The idea of going to Richmond to “change things” smacks of the arrogance that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought to Washington.  

I am not sure what her cyber security experience has to do with local affairs. She even elevates her 4-H experience to be on a par with actual farming. As a former 4-Her, I agree that having  

4-H experience is wholesome and develops an appreciation for many aspects of agriculture and homemaking. Equating it to farming is a real stretch because it simply is not. Del.(Michael) Webert(R-18th)is a genuine farmer with all the issues of dealing with weather, animal husbandry and, of course, profit and loss.  

Mr. Webert’s responses were seasoned, experienced responses. He did not seem tired. It seems that Ms. Hall and Ms. Galante are not familiar with the sausage-making aspect of making law. The presenting and compromising that every bill undergoes before it comes up for a vote and then passed to the Senate to undergo its scrutiny, joint house compromise and then, if it passes muster, on to the governor for signature or veto. This is the abbreviated version. The real version can be found at: https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/virginiaLegislature.php?secid=20&activesec=2#!hb=1&mainContentTabs=4&content=4,includes/contentTemplate.php%3Ftid%3D52%26ctype%3Db%26cid%3D90&in=1. 

In the case of this summer’s session with gun control legislation under consideration, let us be clear. It was Gov. Ralph Northam who killed the legislative session with no further work on gun control legislation pending the outcome of the Virginia Beach tragedy, for which unfortunately no gun control legislation could have prevented.  

I support Ms. Galante in an attempt to run for school board or the board of supervisors. I strongly suggest gaining some public sector county level legislative experience before taking on the business of the commonwealth.  

I hope you will join me in supporting Michael Webert on Nov. 5!  

John P. Moliere 

Hume 

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Fauquier Times on October 18th, 2019.

LTE: Fighting on our behalf

Since Delegate [Michael] Webert was first elected I’ve personally gotten to know him because he takes every chance he gets to engage with all members of the community, including our students at RCPS. 

He is a family man, a farmer and a sportsman like so many of his constituents. He sees the challenges inside the district and then he heads down to Richmond to fight on our behalf. His track record of working across party lines to bring about common sense governance benefits Virginians and residents of the 18th District.

He is the founding member and co-chairman of the Virginia Business Development Caucus. His legislation reduced red tape and was crucial in Virginia being named the most business-friendly state in the nation. He has worked at the forefront to bring horse racing back to Virginia that brought jobs and revenue.

I know that Mike represents my best interests at all times because he takes a deep interest in the 18th District and is so deeply vested in our community. On Tuesday, November 5th, I hope that you will join me in voting for the only candidate that understands what it takes to represent Rappahannock, the 18th District, and Virginia.

Hodge Miller

Washington

Note: This letter originally appeared in the Rappahannock News on October 4, 2019.