Vaughn for the Valley — People. Progress. Principles.

Frederick County stands at an important crossroads. We can embrace responsible progress while remaining true to the values that have made our community one of the best places in Virginia to live, work, raise a family, and build a business.

My name is Vaughn "Stanley" Whitacre. I was born and raised in Frederick County and have proudly called the Northern Shenandoah Valley home for more than 75 years. As your current Gainesboro District Planning Commissioner, I have spent years working to preserve our rural heritage while planning wisely for our future.

I believe government exists to serve the people—not special interests. Leadership should be grounded in integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. We can strengthen our economy, improve our infrastructure, and create opportunities for future generations without sacrificing the character of the place we call home.

My campaign is built on three guiding principles:

Pillar One

People

Government exists to serve its citizens.

Every decision should begin with one simple question: How does this benefit the people of Frederick County?

I believe citizens deserve elected officials who listen, communicate openly, and remain accountable to those they represent.

I will:

Put residents before politics and special interests.
Listen first and lead second.
Keep government transparent, accessible, and responsive.
Protect private property rights while respecting neighboring landowners.
Support our first responders, law enforcement, schools, parks, and community organizations.
Encourage meaningful citizen participation before major county decisions are made.
Respect individual rights, equal opportunity, and personal responsibility.

Government works best from the bottom up—not the top down.

Pillar Two

Progress

Progress should strengthen our community—not change its identity.

Frederick County can continue to grow and prosper through thoughtful planning that respects both our economy and our heritage.

Growth should occur where infrastructure exists, where it follows the Comprehensive Plan, and where it benefits the entire community—not just a few.

My priorities include:

Protecting the rural character of Gainesboro and Frederick County.
Supporting agriculture, agribusiness, and local small businesses.
Encouraging free enterprise and economic opportunity.
Investing wisely in roads, public safety, schools, parks, and infrastructure.
Ensuring new development pays its fair share of public costs.
Protecting farmland, forests, scenic views, and historic resources.
Requiring careful evaluation of impacts on roads, water resources, emergency services, neighboring property owners, and taxpayers before approving major projects.
Planning for future generations instead of reacting to short-term pressures.

Responsible growth creates opportunity while preserving the qualities that make Frederick County unique.

Pillar Three

Principles

Leadership begins with character.

The people deserve leaders who are honest, transparent, fiscally responsible, and willing to make difficult decisions based on facts, sound judgment, and community values.

I believe in:

Fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets.
Transparent government and open decision-making.
Accountability to taxpayers.
Constitutional government and the rule of law.
Limited government that respects individual liberty.
Respect for the Comprehensive Plan and established public processes.
Protecting Frederick County's rural heritage and natural resources.
Long-term stewardship rather than short-term political gain.
Working respectfully with others, even when we disagree.

Public office is a public trust.

Protecting What Makes Frederick County Special

Our farms, forests, open spaces, historic landscapes, and rural communities are not obstacles to progress—they are the very foundation of our identity and quality of life.

I will defend the integrity of rural zoning, preserve agricultural land, support family farms, protect scenic corridors and natural resources, and ensure development occurs in appropriate locations where infrastructure already exists and where citizens have been fully heard.

Good planning protects both today's residents and future generations.

Transparent Government

Citizens deserve confidence that county government operates openly and honestly.

I will:

Advocate for maximum transparency in county government.
Oppose unnecessary secrecy and closed-door decision-making.
Ensure adequate public notice and meaningful opportunities for citizen participation.
Support livestreaming, archiving, and improving public access to county meetings and documents.
Regularly communicate with constituents and explain the reasoning behind my votes.

Trust is earned through openness and accountability.

Fiscal Responsibility

Every tax dollar belongs to the taxpayers.

I will:

Carefully evaluate every proposal based on its long-term financial impact.
Support responsible budgeting and sound financial planning.
Prioritize funding for core county services.
Demand measurable results from economic development investments.
Oppose unnecessary spending that shifts costs to future generations.

Government should live within its means just as families and businesses do.

My Commitment

I believe Frederick County can remain a place where farms thrive, businesses succeed, families prosper, faith and community remain strong, taxpayer dollars are respected, and government serves the people with integrity.

I will always place People before Politics, Progress before Short-Term Gain, and Principles before Special Interests.

Together, we can preserve what makes Frederick County special while building a stronger future for the next generation.

Vaughn "Stanley" Whitacre

Candidate for Frederick County Board of Supervisors
Gainesboro District