Alleged misconduct in District 5 election hangs over hopefuls

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By Sally Voth and Elizabeth Wilkerson -- svoth@nvdaily.comewilkerson@nvdaily.com

TOMS BROOK -- On Tuesday, District 5 voters will decide once and for all whether to affirm or refute Board of Supervisors candidate Mark Prince's allegations of misconduct against incumbent Dennis Morris.

For several years, Prince has doggedly pursued conflict-of-interest claims against Morris, a Republican who has sat on the panel for 32 years.

The conflict accusations center around the role played by late developer Chuck Maddox on the county's economic development committee while his Toms Brook property was being promoted by the county to outdoors outfitter Recreational Equipment Inc. Morris and Maddox were also involved in a land deal in Strasburg.

Prince's allegations haven't resulted in any charges against Morris, despite his taking them to the governor, the state attorney general, the FBI, the state police, the Shenandoah County commonwealth's attorney's office and a local grand jury.

"I think that speaks for itself," Morris, 58, said Thursday of the lack of charges.

"That has been knocked around for years and years, and he has probed and probed," Morris said. "I'm not going to be negative. I'm going to concentrate on things that we're doing positive, the issues and concerns of my constituents. I'm not going to do any personal attacks.

"Am I comfortable that I've done everything ethically? Absolutely. There's a whole lot of misinformation out there, a whole lot of issues that were twisted and turned."

Retired from both the Marine Corps and the commercial airline industry, Prince, 49, said in a recent interview he had the time to put into research and Virginia Freedom of Information requests.

"I actually supported Mr. Morris in his last run for office," said Prince, who is running as an independent. "I was fooled. I was a very busy man. ... I trusted our government. I do not trust our government now. I've seen lies, I've seen unethicalness, and I've seen cover-up.

"People do not trust our government. It is an inherent thought that our county's government is corrupt and that needs to change.

"It's changed by having a transparency and open meetings and open decision-making processes. ... The decision-making process needs to be transparent, and there's nothing wrong with that."

Besides a lack of public confidence, Prince said serious issues facing Shenandoah County include a financial crisis, unbridled spending and too little being spent on economic development. He said Shenandoah is dead last among adjacent counties when it comes to putting money into economic development.

"How do you develop your economic base unless you spend to advertise?" Prince asked. "The only way to develop a new business is to advertise, and then, also be truthful."

Additionally, he said he is concerned about the effects of taxes on senior citizens.

Prince and Morris blame each other for REI's decision not to come to Shenandoah County.

Morris, a farmer, said he initially considered not seeking re-election, but said as the filing deadline neared, he was encouraged by many of his constituents to run again.

He also cited the economic climate as a major issue facing the county.

"The state cutbacks are a real concern," Morris said, adding that the county has twice been asked to return money to the state.

"I hope that things are going to turn around with the economy and we can get back on track," he said. "It's tough on the local level. Ultimately, I think we're pretty sound as far as debt service."

Morris said there is $8 million in the county's "rainy day fund" that is being properly invested.

The old Woodstock High School and the former Safeway building are both being renovated, which are both positive developments, Morris said. And, the courthouse project was spurred by a court injunction, he said.

"I'm a very dedicated supervisor to the extent that I look after my people, I respond," Morris said. "I take my job very seriously. I put my constituents first. Experience, dedicated leadership, that's what I'm trying to provide to my constituents."