Graham to remain Rappahannock revenue commissioner
Uncontested results for sheriff, commonwealth’s attorney, treasurer
Mary Graham has won election as the Rappahannock Revenue Commissioner, handily defeating a bid by candidate Lavonne Adkins.
According to preliminary results, Graham, who has been the county’s acting commissioner, received 1,774 votes (63 percent) to Adkins’ 1,052 (37 percent). Voting in Rappahannock County and around the state was described as steady to robust, unusual for an off-year election.
“I am relieved and I’m looking forward to being able to concentrate on my work,” Graham told the Rappahannock News Wednesday afternoon, after she had spent the early morning hours pulling up campaign signs around the county. “I was really encouraged by visiting each of the firehouses [on Election Day] and seeing the voter turnout. I want to thank all of the people who supported me.”
Graham ran a campaign that addressed significant strides she has made in upgrading computers in the Courthouse Row office, having also announced during a recent forum her personal goal to analyze and crunch county numbers for the first time ever in hopes it would assist the BOS in better understanding the financial makeup of the county.
In addition, running uncontested for re-election were Rappahannock Sheriff Connie Compton, who received 2,820 votes (79 write-ins); Commonwealth’s Attorney Art Goff, who secured 2,535 votes (114 write-ins); and Treasurer Debra Knick garnered 2,714 votes (27 write-ins).
Like Graham, Knick during her campaign addressed substantial strides after inheriting an arguably antiquated office, bringing it up to 21st century speed and efficiency, while making huge inroads with delinquent tax payments and collections.
Since assuming her position in 2014,
Knick and her staff have fully utilized a new computer system for cash collections and online payments, while the office at the same time assumed the role of accounts payable. In addition, office collections have improved 98.2 percent for real estate and 93.4 percent for personal property. And delinquent collections increased 28 percent since 2014, improving the county’s cash position.
Also under Knick’s guidance the Treasurer’s office produced first-ever detailed financial statements for the county.
Meanwhile, running unopposed for re-election to the school board were incumbents John Wesley “Wes” Mills of the Jackson district, capturing 275 votes; Lucy “Pud” Maeyer of Hampton, with 660 votes; and Chris Ubben of Wakefield (473 votes). Mills ran as a write-in, and currently is chairman of the board.
Winning seats to become directors of the Culpeper Soil and Water District were Mike Biniek (1,957 votes) and Mike Sands (1,233 votes).