Andrew Overby, 42, is running for the Dan River District seat on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, where he will face Steve Ferring in the November election. Overby said the county’s financial struggles as a key challenge, particularly the need for debt reduction.
“At the end of the day, we have significant financial obligations, and there’s concern that both the school system and the county are spending too much,” Overby said.
He also believes more oversight is needed for the Department of Social Services (DSS), which has been at risk of state intervention. “We need to get DSS back on track,” he added.
Improving communication with residents is another priority for Overby. He criticized the current board for not addressing public concerns effectively.
“As a board and as a county, we don’t communicate well with our constituents, and that’s something I want to improve,” he said. “I don’t like the policy of the Board of Supervisors not addressing issues people bring to the board,” and if elected, he wants to alleviate some of the frustration residents feel.
To address the county’s challenges, Overby advocates for aggressively pursuing grant opportunities. He praised the county’s progress with broadband grants and believes the same approach can be applied to other areas.
Overby also wants to see better budget planning, citing the HVAC system at the Stuart library as an example of poor foresight. “That situation could have been avoided with proper budgeting,” he said.
He encourages residents to get more involved in local government and volunteer for positions on boards and committees, where vacancies are common. “We need more people to step up and help,” Overby said.
Transparency is another key issue for Overby. He supports making public information more accessible, particularly for those who may struggle with technology. “We could do a better job publicizing information,” he said, emphasizing the importance of accountability in local government.
Overby also sees potential in promoting the county’s recreational opportunities and local businesses, which he believes are underpublicized. “There are so many recreational activities and local businesses that people just don’t know about,” he said.
As a rural community, Overby acknowledges that Patrick County cannot offer the same resources as larger counties, but he believes that maintaining a balance between growth and preserving the county’s uniqueness is important. “Some people don’t want any change, but you can’t stay the same forever. You either improve or you fall behind,” he said.
Overby highlighted the need to improve medical services, particularly fire and emergency medical services (EMS). He advocates for ensuring that the county’s resources are being used effectively to serve residents.
Though the county no longer has a hospital, Overby noted that healthcare costs have dramatically increased, and running a hospital in the county isn’t feasible. “Healthcare is a business now, and unfortunately, Patrick County can’t support a hospital,” he said.
Overby believes his experience as a government employee, particularly in managerial roles, makes him a strong candidate. He has worked for the federal government as a supervisor security specialist and previously served as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. His background includes being a contracting officer representative, which he says gives him insight into how government contracts work.
A graduate of Patrick County High School, Overby has completed some college courses. He is married to his wife, Michelle, and they have two children and one stepchild. In his free time, Overby enjoys camping and his passion for firearms.
