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Perfect day ends with no change
Tuesday blossomed into a perfect Culpeper morning. A morning for dreaming and, when all else failed, a little work. A morning to think and analyze self.
Or just watch it go by ...
Vagrant buzzards drifted a bluebird sky, a mocking bird made up stuff to tell the other songbirds.
Downtown was trying to bustle. Workers and their pylons were out in the march of cars, pickups, 18-wheelers. The aroma of the wood-fired ovens of Thyme Market; coffee perking somewhere.
A lawyer hurried to the courthouse, waiting impatiently for the light to change at Davis and Main, finally continuing on at double time. Deliveries were made, stores opened, the periodic tweet of a big truck in reverse.
It was another pleasant day for friendly, gentle Culpeper. A quaint town that lured so many because it appeared to be the ideal place to raise a family or step out of the big-city current or return to Americana’s strong roots.
Newcomers freely mingled with folks whose family generations that stretch all the way back to the days of George Washington. Families that endured history’s trespasses, celebrated its triumphs. Individuals who can look at the housing tracts and not only remember the fields but also the crops that once grew there.
Together, old and new, they have shaped this modern Culpeper. Their town council moves cautiously, slowly, but tackles every issue and chore laid before it. Tuesday's election was for four seats on that council.
More than 7,000 registered voters call the town home. All they had to do was step out of the routine for a few minutes and exercise what could be one of the most prized privileges in the world – voting in an American election.
Elections have become something akin to spiritless requirements. Too many believe their vote is irrelevant. Too many more believe politics is a game.
Town elections are largely ignored because they seldom embrace important issues. Too often they are little more than popularity contests or tributes to the rich and powerful.
This year Culpeper has issues.
One goes by the ugly name of illegal immigration. All 11 of the council candidates acknowledge this problem of people sneaking into the country belongs to federal jurisdiction. Beyond that, however, the opinions fork.
Down that way is the belief that only the federal government can enforce the laws that control the problem. Down the opposite fork is the belief that local government is obligated to address what federal has seemingly ignored.
Would the voters want the conservative approach of federal jurisdiction, or would they go after the more radical approach of booting those who cannot produce legitimate papers? The radical approach of going after anybody who makes an illegal immigrant's stay in town possible. Voters who believe these people are a damaging drain on local philanthropy.
By the time the sun went somewhere out west, the day was as it had begun, warm and serene.
And the council? It is as it was. The three incumbents held onto their seats. Bobby Ryan joined them. He is a native son and familiar figure in local politics.
The voters, all 1,261 of them, decided the town and its council are on a proper course.
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