On Feb. 1, I pledged that I would lead an effort aimed at Moving Waynesboro Forward. Hundreds of hours of hard work put in by my wife and myself and many of you didn’t end the way we wanted it to on May 6, but I remain committed to the pledge that I laid out earlier this year.

Moving Waynesboro Forward will take more than what any one city resident or even any one member of Waynesboro City Council can bring to the cause. Our community has great potential, but we also face enormous challenges as we work to realize the opportunities that we have to work toward a better future. We must commit ourselves to an ever-improving public-education system first and foremost. We must also devise and implement wise economic-growth strategies that emphasize low-impact, high-tech development. We must see through long-needed improvements to our public infrastructure.

We have a lot in store as the second half of 2008 approaches. We will be working to form a Moving Waynesboro Forward political action committee that will give our effort a continuing voice in civic affairs here in Waynesboro. I will also be active in the local Democratic Party with my new role as the chair of the Waynesboro Democratic Committee, to which I hope to recruit many of you, the people who have made Moving Waynesboro Forward what it is today.

I’d love to hear from you as we work to make our vision for Waynesboro into a reality. Take a moment to drop me a line at movingwaynesboroforward@gmail.com. And thank you for your continuing support.

- “Candidates take the money and run,” May 4 News Virginian

- “Graham will speak with people’s voice,” May 3 News Leader

- “What should be done to revitalize downtown? Ward B candidates respond,” May 1 News Virginian

- “Do you favor raising the real-estate tax? Ward B candidates respond,” May 1 News Virginian

- “How do you propose that the city pay for its stormwater program? Ward B candidates respond,” May 1 News Virginian

- “Graham’s experience good for Waynesboro,” April 29 News Leader

A 30-second TV spot featuring the Chris Graham for City Council campaign will debut on Comcast Cable in Waynesboro on April 29.

Get a sneak peek at the commercial here …

- “Support Graham with vote to City Council,” April 28 News Leader

- “Mayor endorses Graham for council,” April 28 News Leader

The leaders of an employees union at the Invista plant have decided to offer an endorsement for one of my Ward B opponents, Bruce Allen, based on what they know of his position on funding for the city’s stormwater-mitigation program.

I think it’s great for the union to get involved in the local election process, personally. According to a newspaper reporter who just called to get comment from me about the endorsement, this is the first time in the union’s 71-year history that it has endorsed any candidate for Waynesboro City Council.

I would have welcomed the opportunity to have engaged the union to explain my position on stormwater funding. Unfortunately, I was not given this opportunity.

That oversight notwithstanding, I pledge to reach out to the union and management when I’m elected to get their input and make sure that their positions are represented in the final solution to our city’s longstanding stormwater problem.

From “Graham has vision for city,” Monday, April 28, News Virginian …

“[O]nly Graham displays a vivid understanding of what needs to be done to help Waynesboro realize its true promise as a gem in the Valley. For this reason above all others, Graham gets our nod in Ward B. ”

Read the rest of the endorsement editorial here.