Bibeau to challenge for treasurer job

Longtime police officer and Army veteran Jason Bibeau said Tuesday he will seek the Augusta County Treasurer’s post now held by two-term incumbent Richard Homes.

Bibeau, 38, of Fishersville, works as a sergeant for the Lake Monticello Police Department.

He has ambitious plans if he wins in November. Bibeau said he would work to develop business-community partnerships that would allow county residents to pay taxes at their community bank or a city hall and would also hold quarterly forums which he would call “state of the treasurer” meetings.

In addition to discussing county investment and collection rates, Bibeau said the meetings would offer him a chance to better communicate about the office to Augusta County residents.

“No one knows who the treasurer is,” said Bibeau, a Maine native who also has worked as a Sheriff’s deputy in Fluvanna and Augusta counties.

Bibeau spent eight years in the Army, working in a variety of capacities including with the military police and as an administrative specialist.

Bibeau describes Homes “as a gentleman and a statesman.”

But he said Homes, Augusta County Commissioner of the Revenue Jean Shrewsbury and the Augusta County Board of Supervisors didn’t listen to county residents two years ago about their frustration over the county reassessment.

“They could have said, ‘let’s take another look.’ When that many people are clearly upset take a second look. They didn’t take a second look,” said Bibeau, referring to petitions with 10,000 signatures of county residents protesting the reassessment.

Homes said Bibeau told him last week of the challenge.

“I’m a little shocked based on his expertise, which is in law enforcement,” Homes said. “I don’t think he has the experience or background.”

Homes said the treasurer’s office has been updated numerous times during his tenure. The office began scanning payment checks years ago to get money more quickly deposited. And now, taxpayers can pay their bills online with credit cards.

“I have faith in the county voters,” Homes said. “They will choose the most qualified individual to be treasurer. If it’s me, it’s me, if it is not, it is not. I think my experience and qualifications in this field are superior.”

Homes suffered serious injuries last summer in an all-terrain vehicle crash in western Augusta County.

 He recovered from the broken ribs, head injuries and blood clots after treatment at both the University of Virginia Medical Center and Augusta Health.

Homes returned to full-time work in October of last year and announced his re-election earlier this month.