Virginia Wood on the Issues
On the Economy
Our regional economy has been hurt by the crash of the dot.com economy, but there is hope on the horizon. New corporations are moving to the area, which should provide a much needed shot in the arm. But local Main Streets still suffer from 'mall mania' with people traveling great distances to the mall rather than frequenting their local independent stores. Efforts need to be focused on developing and supporting local niche economies, as well as insuring the large corporations that are the cash cows to the day time economy stay in the communities in which they reside.
- - - Read Virginia Wood's Economic Policy Statement
On Education
Education is the most critical investment we can make in the future. Due to the Internet and the capabilities it provides for conducting business anywhere in the world, we now live in a globally connected economy. Our competition is no longer just in neighboring communities, but around the world. In order for the United States to be a leader, we need to provide the best 21st Century education possible for all of our children.
- - - Read Virginia Wood's Education Policy Statement
On the Environment
Think globally - act locally is more important today than it has ever been. Our environment is threatened from a variety of sources, global warming being the most serious, but the impacts of local development, such as the loss of agricultural and wild lands as well the effect that development has on endangered and threatened species also are a concern. In our daily actions we need to support and encourage efforts of sustainability, and understand that how we treat our environment today will be felt for a lifetime.
- - - Read Virginia Wood's Environmental Policy Statement