Deeds Country Tour Stops in Danville; Another Meet 'n' Greet Tomorrow

Denice Thibodeau dthibodeau@registerbee.com

Councilmember Larry Campbell introduces State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor, at Ballou Park on Monday.

Published: August 3, 2009

State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor, brought his “Deeds Country” tour to Danville on Monday, talking to about 100 supporters at Ballou Park after a stop at Short Sugar’s and a visit with supporters in Chatham.

Deeds was introduced to the crowd by Councilmember Larry Campbell, who fired up the crowd enough that Deeds threatened to “take the councilman with me on my campaign; he’ll be on my bus when I leave here.”

The candidate told the crowd Danville was special to him and his family because he learned to practice law in Danville, and his oldest daughter was born here.

“Danville will always be special to us,” he said.

Deeds said he wants to a governor for all of Virginia, not just the northern and southeastern areas that have most of the population and money.

“It’s easy to be a governor for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads — and you’ve got to be the governor for those areas, you’ve got to create success for those areas,” Deeds said. “But, frankly, we need a governor who’s going to work to create success everywhere and I promise you, as governor I’m going to get up every single morning looking to create opportunity, prosperity and hope in every single corner of Virginia.”

Deeds promised to come up with a transportation plan that will benefit everyone in the state, and though he did admit that northern Virginia and Hampton Roads have “huge problems,” he said infrastructure needs to be created that will support all of Virginia.

Higher education is another area Deeds said needs help, noting that college educations have become too expensive and not accessible enough for most people.

Having access to affordable higher education will help build the next economy, Deeds said — and he said the next economy will be based on new energy technology.

“There’s a way for all of us to participate in this economy,” Deeds said. “There’s a huge opportunity for rejuvenation of rural economic growth through the development of bio-solids technology and the creation of new energy sources.”

Since the governor of Virginia can only serve for four years at a time, Deeds said he will make the most of his time as governor.

“I’m going to focus on getting things done and creating the best long-term, sustainable future I can — for all of Virginia,” Deeds said.

Deeds’ press secretary said Deeds would talk about job creation and unemployment to supporters in downtown Danville on Tuesday at 9 a.m., at the corner of Main and Market streets.

http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/deeds_country_tour_stops_in_danville/12952/