By Desiree Parker
Monday, March 15, 2010
Scott Foster
Scott Foster, a senior at William and Mary, is a country boy who says he’s found his new home in Williamsburg and wants to do what he can to preserve the quality of life.
Foster grew up in Highland County, in the mountains of western Virginia. His family has a cattle farm where Foster spent time working – he did a lot of barn painting while he was there, he recalls with a laugh.
His mom is a Kindergarten teacher at Highland Elementary, and his dad works at the Dominion Bath County Pumped Storage Station. His sister is still in high school.
Even in his small hometown of 2,500 people, Foster got a taste of what went on in government, acting as a student liaison to the school board when he was in high school. At college, Foster is currently a co-chair for the Student Conduct Council, which he’s served on for two years.
Though government has always interested him, Foster says he hadn’t contemplated running for city council until after he moved to Walnut Hills last summer. He got to know his neighbors, and got involved in the city discussions on changing the three-person rule. “It was an important discussion for people about improving the overall quality of life here,” Foster says.
He plans to go to law school at William and Mary (if he’s accepted), and his continuing role as a student will put him in a good position to work as a “lightning rod,” bridging issues between the city and students.
If he’s not accepted to law school, Foster still plans on staying in the city. If elected to council, he says he would consider applying to other graduate programs at the college. People relocate to the area because of the quality of life, he believes. “There’s that certain feeling you have when you walk through town, and walk around campus,” says Foster. “The same reason I came here is the same reason I’ll stay.”
Though he has no work experience to bring to the table, Foster says his job as a student means “I have no preconceived biases to bring to issues…my youth promotes objectivity.” He also says he’s been used to studying, researching, and thinking critically, because “as a student, you’re in the best mental shape of your life, ready to think through problems.”
Though town-gown relations are important to him, the big hurdles Foster sees for the city in the near future are the economic challenges due to a steep drop in revenues and economic development. He has met with many city officials to get a better understanding of issues the council currently faces. “Every time I have a meeting [with an official], I learn more,” he says, “ and I’m glad to listen. I am becoming extremely informed.”
Stabilizing the tourism dollars is one way he suggests helping the revenue issue. Some of the ways he suggests picking up more visitors is to focus on extending the stay for people who visit the college (including prospective students and their families); using college events to bring in people (for example, using the Matoaka Amphitheater more); drawing people who are visiting nearby areas like Norfolk and Virginia Beach; and supporting the creation of an arts district.
He also believes economic diversification will help the city. “We need to focus on more than just tourism,” he says. “Within the city there’s a lot we can do,” including using the intellectual capital available at the college. “There’s lots [of intellectual capital] here, we should tap into that.”
Foster, who was the first candidate to announce his intent to run and the first to have the requisite signatures turned in to the registrar, has a Facebook page with over 1,300 fans, a Twitter account, a YouTube channel and a campaign Web site.
On his Web site, he says: “The reasons that brought me to William and Mary and have made me decide to stay in Williamsburg are the same as those that have attracted and retained so many other folks, just like my neighbor: the quality of life.
“Everyone in Williamsburg has this interest in common. I want to attend to its maintenance and work to enhance it. We can do this through increased communication and collaboration among all parties in the city. This action is essential in furthering economic stability and development, healthy neighborhoods and long-term investment in the human capital of Williamsburg.
“The neighborhoods of Williamsburg are the best place to start. All folks living in Williamsburg benefit from a safe, clean, and peaceful living environment. This neighborhood environment is the core of a healthy community. Ensuring that these things are maintained and enhanced is essential.”
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