Midweek briefing

Another runner in the race

Out come the defenders of Waynesboro’s treasurer candidates and in strides another runner, all while a puddle of muddle remains over who ought to manage the city’s books.

Retired retail store manager Jim Serba announced Monday that he’s a write-in candidate for treasurer, a development he says was inspired by reports about Sandra “Sandee” Dixon’s string of four straight thumps in state audits over miscues as inane as failing repeatedly to lock up money. Dixon’s ballot opponent is the same one as 2005, Stephanie Beverage, who received a sound thumping in the public forum over a 1997 bankruptcy.

Defenders of Dixon and Beverage are emerging in these pages and elsewhere. To them, we say this: the city treasurer is paid $72,034 annually, as determined by the state. That’s more than a third higher than the average annual pay in this town. For that, taxpayers should expect and demand competence. Candidates who disdain the sting of public scrutiny have a simple option: forgo public office.

In the meantime, let’s hope that if there’s a next time, a more compelling cast of candidates seeks the part. Serba remains largely an unknown, which in this case is an advantage though hardly the kind of inspiring stuff to drive a write-in push. We’ll be looking to fill in blanks as the election draws near.

The City Council could end the discussion before the 2013 election by letting voters decide whether to abolish the Treasurer’s Office and make it an appointed position. We don’t know whether that’s the right answer, but we’d like to learn more. We’ll be snooping and we again urge the City Council to take a closer look.

Matters at hand, please

Somebody, please, rescue the gubernatorial campaign from maddening freefall.

The debate has devolved from one over jobs to one over what Republican Robert F. McDonnell thinks of contraceptives to one over whether Democrat R. Creigh Deeds’ speech impediment is real, contrived, convenient or simply nonexistent.

The latest turn toward the cave era follows the rippling wake of TV queen Sheila Johnson’s mockery of the now infamous Deeds stutter. Johnson, the billionaire cofounder of Black Entertainment Television, made fun of Deeds’ supposed impediment during a GOP fundraiser.

Trouble is, Deeds’ campaign later admitted he’d never sought medical help for his condition, whatever it is. Johnson’s comments were decidedly in poor taste. But Deeds is a tad late in claiming a disability. Might we now get back to issues?

We’re waiting, Sen. Deeds

Speaking of Deeds’ speaking, we’re wondering when the Democratic candidate might get round to sitting down with The News Virginian to discuss his candidacy. He’s been extended offers for two sitdowns with the newspaper’s editorial board, one after a visit this summer by McDonnell and another for an endorsement interview. So far, no dates have been set. So tell us, do we offend, Sen. Deeds?