Candidates

Candidates

for Va. House

address issues

By MARK SCOLFORO

Rappahannock New* Staff Writer

Democrat Jerry Wood and Republican Bob Darby this week clarified their positions on a variety of issues facing the House of Delegates’ 31st District.

One issue on which the candidates hold basically convergent opinions is abortion rights.

Mr, .Wood says he is personally opposed to abortion, but as a legislator he would support Pro-choice positions. k' . ■ . Although Mr. Darby has been characterized as Pro-life by local church groups, in reality he resists either label (he says he’s been called Pro-life and Prochoice).

“People are going to draw their own conclusions, and I guess there are shades,” he said.

He does not want abortions to become criminal acts, and supports parental consent when minors are seeking abortions. Should performing abortions without parental consent be a crime? Mr. Darby said he will have to research that.

In short, said Mr. Darby, he would not favor a change in Virginia law that would make most or all abortions illegal. ' . v

Mr. Wood is personally against abortions except in the case of rape or incest, but said he would “hate to °judge other people’s decisions, I really would.”

Both candidates have received some criticism from the preservationist community in the Fauquier-Warren-Rappahannock area for not having been involved in the issue.

Mr. Darby belongs to the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection, and said he intends to keep his 154 acres in Woodville (Rappahannock County) in land-use.

He admitted that he told reporters that he opposes the use W impact fees during the present recession. “I shouldn’t have said that,” said Mr. Darby this week, saying he actually supports them.

“My position is as I stated to (the Rappahannock News). Development exactions are appropriate, and

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