Political notes: Bolling blasts rest stop closings

The job of lieutenant governor has its perks, but there are some things even statewide office can't help.

For example: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said last week that he has "a few choice words" every time he en-counters a shuttered highway rest area when he's in a time of need.

Yep, the man who must lead Virginia in the absence of the governor is shut out of the interstate outposts just like everyone else.

Speaking to local government and business leaders last week in Manassas, the Republican decried the closure of half of the Old Dominion's rest areas, which included those on interstates 95 and 66 in Prince William County.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said the closures had to come to save the state money. But Bolling said the Kaine admini-stration made the "unnecessary" move to make a political point: i.e., to blame the lack of road funding on the GOP.

"It was just a horrible, horrible decision," Bolling said at a roundtable discussion at Bowman Consult-ing on Godwin Drive.

The incumbent, who's being challenged this year by Democrat Jody Wagner, said a sign just over the Vir-ginia border says, "Welcome to North Carolina, where the rest stops are open."

That sign apparently won't be needed next year, though. Both gubernatorial candidates pledge to reopen the rest stops: Republican Robert F. McDonnell said he'd do it within 90 days; Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, within 60.

That move could help tourism in Virginia. But Bolling said he fears that moves by the federal government could hurt the state's business climate.

Specifically, he cited the potential for national health insurance, and "card check" and "cap-and-trade" legislation.

"These are federal issues, but they have a huge impact on Virginia," said Bolling, who served as chair-man of the Greater Richmond Economic Development Partnership while a Hanover County supervisor.

Under cap-and-trade, mandatory limits, or "caps," are put on greenhouse gases from businesses, but companies can buy and sell allowances for those emissions, ergo "trade."

"Card check" would give workers the ability to form labor unions by signing cards instead of holding a secret ballot election.

Bolling and McDonnell have said that the lieutenant governor would serve as the state's chief economic development and jobs creation officer if both win Nov. 3.

The candidates have the support of the chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.

After the meeting in Manassas, Corey A. Stewart said Bolling and McDonnell can help economic development by fixing transportation problems. He said he's encouraged by their plans.

"It has told me they are serious, and they are not interested in business as usual," the Republican said in a prepared statement.

Lingamfelter: How to win

In addition to the offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, the entire Virginia House of Dele-gates is up for election this year.

But it was a Prince William area delegate with no opponent who recently offered a key to success at the ballot box, at least in the House.

That was Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter. The Woodbridge Republican is unopposed in the 31st District.

He said the job of delegate is "all about constituent support."

In other words, it's great to work toward accomplishing lofty goals, but if you don't help the voters with the small problems of life, you'll have a hard time getting re-elected.

And, Lingamfelter said, "There are some guys serving right now who quite honestly have lousy constituent support programs."

Extracurricular activity

House candidate Jeanette Rishell continued her efforts on community service recently by talking to children at Securing Emergency Resources through Volunteer Efforts about government.

Rishell, a Democrat who is challenging Del. Jackson H. Miller, has made a point of completing service projects even as she campaigns in Manassas, Manassas Park and western Prince William.

"We talked about 'What is government?'" Rishell said. "We talked about 'What is democracy?' and that the United States is a democracy. ... We talked about [how] I'm a Democrat, and what I believe."

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.