Touring Ashland
Adam White, our new regional political director, sent in this update from Governor Warner's Hometown Day visit to Ashland yesterday:
Governor Warner continued our Hometown Days with visits to schools, businesses, offices, and restaurants. Nearly 50 people showed up for a lunchtime meet and greet at the Ashland Coffee and Tea. Governor Warner got to shake hands and meet with everybody in the restaurant before Mayor Faye Prichard of Ashland welcomed him.
The Ashland Coffee and Tea, a great local coffee and sandwich shop with a diverse clientèle and a critically acclaimed listening room, was packed with old friends and new acquaintances. After telling stories of past bike rides through “The Center of the Universe”, as it is affectionately known by its citizens, and sampling the great coffee, sandwiches, and excellent peppermint milkshakes, Governor Warner and some of his friends were off on a walk through downtown Ashland.
Governor Warner, escorted by Ashland District Board of Supervisors representative Ed Via, Town Manager Charles Hartgrove, Lee and Susan Chambers, Buddy Kelly, and Mayor Prichard visited the Ashland Feed Store, the Ashland Public Library, the ice cream store, the bike shop, and several local restaurants.
Customers and lunchtime patrons alike were thrilled to see the Governor visiting their city and taking the time to say hello. Governor Warner met many store owners who said businesses was going well, met a former elementary school principal at the public library, and discussed local history with the owner of the Feed Store and a friend.
After walking back and forth through downtown, Governor Warner was welcomed into a political communications class at Randolph-Macon College in Washington and Franklin Hall near downtown Ashland. The Governor spoke briefly about his personal and political history as well as his run for the United States Senate this year before asking the students for questions. Governor Warner answered questions ranging from energy alternatives to the state of America in the eyes of other nations.