EDITOR’S NOTE — The original version of this story inadvertently linked to Wayne Drewry to his opponent’s website. This error has been corrected. WYDaily apologizes for the error.
YORK COUNTY — ‘Transparency’ was the buzzword during the York County Board of Supervisors community debate held at the Hellenic Center on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Hosted by the Conserve York County Foundation and co-moderated by WYDaily, four candidates participated: Douglas Holroyd (R), Dalila Johnson (D), Wayne Drewry (I) and Robert Holloway (I). Everyone on the Board of Supervisors ballot was invited to attend.
The audience of about 75 community members included Chad Green, who is running for House of Delegates and Sheriff Ron Montgomery. The event was also live-streamed.
The panel was moderated by WYDaily editor Chris Six and Steven Kennedy, Vice President of Conserve York County Foundation.
Opening remarks began with each candidate introducing themselves.
Holroyd, who is running for the District 1 seat, stated he got into politics when he saw a sign about a planning commission meeting for the Fenton Mill project and felt a strong opposition to both the development and how the commission handled communication with citizens.
“I call that the tipping point,” Holroyd said. “I want to protect the quality of life, preserve the integrity and character of our neighborhoods. I want to conserve our natural space rather than clearing out the remaining undeveloped land. I want to focus on taxation. I want to reach a conscience with my peers. And, I want to focus on transparency.”
“I am running for Board of Supervisors because our district is due for change, a fresh voice and perspective,” stated Johnson, a Navy veteran and York County school teacher, who wants to represent District 2. “If elected, first, I will introduce a code of ethics to the Board of Supervisors that will allow impartiality and transparency.”
District 3 candidate Drewry, a lifelong resident of the county and local business owner, told the audience during his opening remarks, “I want to be led by what really matters, your voice. I am running for the good of the county and its people.” Drewry continued, “There has been a lack of transparency and accountability on the board, special interest groups have been influencing the board and it is time for us to take a stand.”
Holloway, the District 4 candidate, opened his remarks by stating “Nothing special about me whatsoever, I am just a regular working stiff.” Telling the audience that his business in marine construction was what drew him into politics, “After being poorly treated by our officials, I began to dig into county business. I became an expert on the Freedom of Information Act and have used it for years to obtain information that our leaders refuse to share with citizens. With the help of social media, I have been able to keep citizens informed of how their tax money is being used and show that elected officials are not being transparent.”
Questions that were asked of the candidates included their stance on the impending port visits by Princess Cruises ships and how citizen concerns regarding that program have been addressed. Each representative reiterated that the current administration did not appear to be forthcoming with information and, again, felt a lack of transparency was a vital issue.
Each candidate felt the county needed to put more resources and funding into education, police, fire and rescue programs, with Drewry expressing that “there are three things we need to protect in York County; our deputies, our fire and rescue and our students.”
The topic of a new dockmaster’s building on the waterfront along with the longevity and cost of the project, was a disappointment to all but applause from the audience arose when Holloway quipped, “It is simply a case where we have two bathrooms that were built ADA standards 20 years ago and now need to be brought up to new standards. How much could it cost to make two bathrooms the right size and ADA-compliant today? They [the current board] took this as an excuse to build a huge building with a conference room, five offices and a nice kitchen. Let’s just spend the money to make it like it needs to be and forget it.”
County development and rezoning were a major topic. All the candidates stated a need for more direction and consideration. Holroyd addressed the NorthPoint Development warehouse project off Lightfoot Road near the existing Pottery Factory, “We have been had. It is unacceptable that those decisions are being made, I call it squirreled between the ordnance rules to avoid public involvement. It’s wrong!”
Drewry added, “We have zoning codes and regulations and you stick to it. Stop all the rezoning. I think we need to protect our county from the growth. I always say, it’s got to be calculated and measured. Calculated and measured means you put together a comprehensive plan and you stick to it. Stop circumventing the plan that you approved.”
Circling back to a code of ethics not being in place for the current board, Johnson held up a copy of one while stating she would work to have it implemented as soon as possible. When discussing the transparency and accountability of the current representatives Johnson said, “Well, the fact that only the people that are challenging are here says it all to me. If you were transparent you would be here defending whatever it is you are stating. You would have made the time.”
In closing remarks, each participant thanked the organizers, and attendees and asked for consideration.
A recording of the live stream is available through the Conserve York County Foundation Facebook page.
Find more information regarding voting sites and ballots for the 2023 York County election here.
