Potential candidates for local offices emerged at the Mass Meeting of the Patrick County Republican Committee held in Meadows of Dan on Thursday.

There, Eric O’Connell and Vance Agee said they plan to seek seats on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.

Amy Walker and Betthney O’Connell will seek posts on the Patrick County School Board.

Eric O’Connell

A Floyd County native, O’Connell said he plans to seek the Peters Creek District seat. Currently, he said he works for the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office. He began his career in law enforcement as a Virginia State Trooper assigned to Henry County.

As soon as the state police removed the residency requirement for troopers, O’Connell said he moved to Patrick County.

“The people of this county embraced me,” O’Connell said, adding that when incumbent Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith offered him a job, “what he was offering me was the opportunity to make a difference.”

O’Connell said he accepted the post and began his employment with the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office 11 years ago as the supervisor of major crimes.

O’Connell said he also co-owns a “thriving business, an outpatient day care clinic” with his wife, Betthney O’Connell, who is seeking a seat on the school board. The business, Chatterbox Speech and Language Therapy, is located in Stuart.

“I love this county,” O’Connell said, adding that he also had donated “a huge amount of time” and his own money to help build a $250,000, 20-mile trail. There is no charge to use the trail that is open to everyone, he added.

“Now, more than ever, we need a professional appearance on the board. I am a squeaky-wheel. I am a Type A personality,” O’Connell said. “I think I would be a good candidate, and I appreciate your support.”

Agee

Agee said he plans to seek the Mayo River District seat on the local governing body.

A Patrick County native, Agee said he and some of his family members have operated several businesses throughout the years, including the three stores (two in Patrick County, one in Henry County) that he currently operates as well as a car wash, laundromat and rental property.

Throughout, “I have had some good times, and I have had some bad times,” Agee said, adding that the county must put the things that have happened in the past and move forward.

“This county is in dire financial straits,” Agree said, adding that the county must prioritize and better handle revenues.

Like O’Connell, Agee said he was approached and asked to seek office. Because of those votes of confidence and his belief the county can improve, “I feel I’m obligated at least to accept the opportunity to run for office,” he added.

Walker

Amy Walker announced that she plans to seek the Mayo River District seat on the Patrick County School Board.

Walker, also a Patrick County native, said that although she was born and raised in Patrick County, she also had the opportunity to live in other areas and get a “real world education.” After having lived areas that included in St. Louis, Ms. and Danville, she returned to Patrick County and accepted a position in the Patrick County Administration Office.

That, she said, has been “an eye-opening experience.”

Walker said she was encouraged to seek a post on the board by many people and factors, including the fact that her 4-year-old soon will start school in Patrick and a cousin who is a member of the Franklin County School Board.

“My heart runs around outside my body all day long,” she said of her son. “I want to do what’s best for him and all the kids in Patrick County. I really feel like I’m drawn to the school board to make a difference there.”

A background in customer service easily parlays to public service, which Walker said is customer service.

Walker said she knows her duties on the board will not be all “butterflies and rainbows,” but rather to do what is right and in the best interests of the county and students.

“I want out kids to be successful” and to return to Patrick County “and have a successful life” as she did, Walker said.

Betthney O’Connell

Betthney O’Connell, who hopes to represent the Peters Creek District on the Patrick County School Board, said her background and experiences will give her a leg up in representing her district on the board.

“I’ve worked in a public school setting for over 11 years and been a part of” the budget process, planning and allocating funds, she said. “With a background in these areas, I can help change” what is needed and give direction in several areas.

The wife of Eric O’Connell, Betthney O’Connell said she and other employees in the family business work in schools in Patrick and Henry counties.

In Patrick, she said she sees the need for professional development opportunities as a way to retain staff in various schools.

“We’re in a small area, and unless you’re born and raised here,” and often lose talented staff members, as well as local graduates, to other areas, Betthney O’Connell said.

She said she has witnessed burnout among some who while they have the knowledge to do their respective jobs, didn’t feel comfortable in doing them due to a lack of professional development opportunities.

“I know the connections to get the resources we need, and a lot of them are free” and would be at no cost to the county, she said. “I think I have some of the experience and knowledge of resources to go in those directions.”

The 35 people attending the meeting also discussed the possibility of local candidates running by party, which may provide benefits such as funding, poll workers and other perks.

If the move is approved, prospective candidates in contested races must submit the required information and signatures by March 28 to be on the ballot in the June primary.

The group also discussed creating a Meadows of Dan subcommittee.