March 20, 2009
Source: Tedd E. Povar
VA Institute of Government
VLGMA Support Administrator
(804) 371-0202
tep3e@virginia.edu
Smyth County native and county administrator Ed Whitmore has announced he has things to do besides run the Southwest Virginia locality. The former Marion Town Councilmember and political bon vivant has delighted those he has met through government and economic development activities for the best part of three decades.
Although a confirmed technophobe himself, Ed saw the information technology light decades ago, and has successfully transitioned the county from hand written forms to GPS and PCs.
Years ago, he offered, some said threatened to put the county on the map with its distinctive water tanks that are visible from the nearby Interstate. One reads "Hot" and the other, "Cold." He wanted to change those signs to read "Gin" and "Tonic" but in the conservative region that is home to Smyth Countians, that was not to be.
Struggling to promote economic development, education, and to grow the local economy as well as recruit former natives to return to the area, Whitmore has had his work cut out for him. Many have looked at Smyth County's efforts in those areas and been impressed by their successes. Others have been envious and tried to replicate their efforts.
The Virginia Review staff wishes Ed Whitmore a joyous workforce transition, for he is certainly too young to retire, and we hope to see more of him in the Holy City now that his work in Smyth County is soon to be done. Best wishes to a native son who stuck around and did something while others simply complained.
