Sitting down with Chris Graham today for lunch on his nickel at Chickpeas just down Main Street from his office and The News Virginian’s, we found, as we already knew, that two people who agree on little in the world of politics can find much on which they agree when their attention shifts away from the Beltway.
The first involves the ribbing we take from our ideological pals for our working together on the River City 2020 economic visioning project. I neither took notes nor recorded the conversation, but Chris said something to the effect of: “People say to me, ‘How can you work with that guy?‘“ I hear the same.
The second point on which we agree answers the questions. We both believe in Waynesboro and the great economic promise this city holds.
Chris recognizes the importance of economic development in the life of Waynesboro. Where Republicans can be faulted for excessive emphasis on money matters, Democrats can be faulted for a want of practicality on the subject of money. Chris knows that however important other issues—like, say, the environment—might be, economic growth is a necessity in any community.
Here is where our views converge, and so we might expect, those of the people charged with leading this community: We are convinced that Waynesboro’s economic promise is real and bright, but we know that it cannot and will not be realized absent an active, concerted push to make things happen.
This is what River City 2020 is all about. And this is why two guys who likely can’t agree, politically, on the time of day have teamed with other smart, committed local business and community leaders to drive the effort.
We hope others will look with us beyond our differences to causes around which we can unite and rally. This is among the essentials in building a better Waynesboro.