Southern-style fundraiser

By Denice Thibodeau

Published: August 23, 2008

More than 250 people attended a barbecue dinner/fundraiser for Congressman Virgil Goode on Friday night at the home of Coy Harville, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

“I’ve done this three or four times for Virgil,” Harville said. “He’s represented Southside really well. We want him to continue to work in Congress to make things better for everybody.”

Delegates Danny Marshall, R-Danville, and Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, were both in attendance to support their fellow Republican.

Marshall said that during the course of Goode’s political career, he has been a Democrat, Independent and a Republican.

“I’ve voted for him every time,” Marshall said. “He’s got those Southside values. He’s got a strong work ethic and he’ll do what’s in the best interest of the people.”

Merricks agreed, saying Goode is different than most politicians, who make promises without having a plan for how to pay to fulfill those promises.

“Virgil always asks, ‘Who’s going to pay for it,’” Merricks said. “I’m proud of what he’s done for Southside.”

Goode said his campaign is going well, and that he and his supporters are working hard to make his current campaign a success.

Asked why people should vote to keep him in office, Goode said:

“I am pro drilling for oil because it will have a positive impact on gas and diesel prices.”

“I have a track record of working with local governments for economic development and infrastructure improvements.”

“I am a proponent of the federal Marriage Protection Act, and was one of its first signers in 2003.”

“I have a clear record of fighting illegal immigration and the ‘anchor baby’ situation, which means babies of illegal immigrants are American citizens by birth and the parents get to stay. We need more people signed on to that bill (to make it an invalid reason for illegal immigrants to stay in this country).”

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.