Meet the Orange Town Council candidates

Seal, Cluff, Crane and Carroll respond to Byrd Street's questions

Orange Town Council will have two new members joining its ranks after this year’s election. Competing for the open seats are Delmer Seal, Harrison Cluff, Jeff Crane and Rita Carroll. Byrd Street sent all four candidates a set of questions reflecting significant input from residents of the Town of Orange.

The candidates:

Delmer Seal, 58, graduated from Orange County High School and has served nearly 40 years in the military. He works as Comcast’s construction manager for Virginia and West Virginia.

Harrison Cluff, 58, graduated from Orange County High School and earned a degree in communications from James Madison University. He is operator and co-owner, with his sister, of C&G Car Wash in Orange.

Jeff Crane, 67, graduated from Orange County High School and attended Ferrum College. He graduated from the Department of State Police State Trooper Academy and the Virginia Forensic Science Academy and completed training at the Virginia School of Polygraph. He is a licensed polygraph examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Rita Carroll, 63, graduated from Annandale High School and George Mason University with a degree in computer science. She is the director of Red Hat’s Public Sales Executives, Federal division.

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Do you live in the Town of Orange? Do you believe that all members of Orange Town Council should live full-time in town? 

Delmer Seal: I live in the Town of Orange. I strongly believe that all members of the council should be full-time residents in the Town of Orange. Furthermore, I feel it should be a part of the Town’s policy.

Harrison Cluff: Yes, I do. Yes, but the idea of what constitutes a full-time, town resident needs to be clearly defined. For example, if a retiree has a second home and lives there two months of the year, does 10 months residing here in the Town of Orange qualify as a full-time resident? The most important thing would be to follow the established ordinances and state codes.

Jeff Crane: Yes. Yes.

Rita Carroll: I live in the Town of Orange. I believe everyone running should follow all the rules, one of which is having your primary domicile (residence) in the town limits. No one is above the law.

Do you support the Town applying for more grants for infrastructure, parks and other development projects? If so, who in the Town administration do you see taking the lead on grant applications and grant management (or management of third-party grant administrators)?

Delmer Seal: I support applying for grants for infrastructure, parks, and other development projects. Applying for grants can be a great way for Orange to fund these projects without relying solely on local taxes. Such grants should benefit all and not a select group. We also need to be cautious which grants we apply for as each one comes with a different set of rules and time constraints. It would be beneficial to designate someone within the Town administration to take the lead on grant applications and management such as the town attorney or the finance director.

Harrison Cluff: Yes, one thousand percent. I would hope that the new economic development manager would possess that skillset or, if not, know of someone skilled at writing grant applications. This would be a great area of growth for me as I learn the minutiae of this process.

Jeff Crane: Yes. Orange town manager with the assistance of the director of community development.

Rita Carroll: Yes. Greg Woods, the town manager, is the lead on managing our budget. He has done an amazing job and has recently hired Anthony Schienschang as our business development manager for the town. One of Anthony's roles, in this new position, is to apply and manage new grants. I would look forward to working with both to collaborate on grants and other ways to promote our town and increase our economic development initiatives.

What will you do to expedite the completion of the proposed skate park on Blue Ridge Drive? 

Delmer Seal: I will work closely with local authorities to expedite the permit and approval processes for the skate park construction. This may involve identifying any potential roadblocks early on and addressing them proactively. I will maintain clear and regular communication with all stakeholders involved in the project, including local residents, skaters, town officials, and construction contractors. Transparency about project timelines and progress helps manage expectations and reduces delays.

Harrison Cluff: Turn Dani Rivera [cofounder of Just Orange] loose on any obstacle that arises! All joking aside, though, work closely with Just Orange to overcome any obstacles that present themselves, such as if the environmental report does not come out favorably or if there would be potential delays due to differences between their group and the town in equipment styles or multi-use plans.

Jeff Crane: The site toxic report has not been released yet. If the site passes, I would get it on the agenda for a vote asap. I would encourage my fellow council members to approve the skate park.

Rita Carroll: I would add it to the official Town Council agenda, as a first step, in order to move the process along. In December of 2023, the existing Town Council authorized an environmental study for the proposed land use. In April of 2024, the town hired Total Environmental Concepts to complete the study. I believe the study was completed in early August, and the Town is undergoing a Q&A with Total Environmental Concepts. There is no public disclosure, to my knowledge, to date.

Do you support the Town applying for grant funds to make railroad grade crossings safer and then applying for a “quiet zone” that would stop the 16 horn blows that each train through town currently must make?

Delmer Seal: The town railroad crossings may benefit from safety improvements such as better signals and barriers. These enhancements can significantly reduce the risk of accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. If there is a grant available to implement these safety improvements, I would like the opportunity to review what it entails and what would be the town’s responsibility. As for the train whistle, I have lived in the town my whole life, and I feel it is a part of the town that I know and love. If any citizen feels strongly about ceasing the train-whistle horn, then I encourage him or her to put it on the ballot and allow citizens to decide.

Harrison Cluff: Yes, I support that. In addition, if funds are available, I’d like to see improvements made next to the train station so that a daily north and southbound Amtrak passenger stop could once again be available in Orange.

Jeff Crane:  If grant funds are available, yes. If not, no. According to the Federal Department of Transportation, there are no federal funds for quiet zones. Cost is up to the locality at a cost range per crossing $30,000 to a million dollars.

Rita Carroll: Yes! Absolutely! Although we have become used to the 20+ train crossings that go through town (320 blasts a day and more), our visitors find this disturbing. Our town has a good deal of tourism, which is a significant part of our economy. We must listen to our “customers.” We need to support our local economy and make Orange a premier (and quieter sleeping) destination.

Vehicle exhaust systems modified to be louder than factory-made are illegal in Virginia, yet many such vehicles regularly disturb the peace in downtown Orange and potentially drive off entrepreneurs looking for Main Street business locations. What will you do to address this problem?

Delmer Seal: The first step I will take to address this issue is to give the town police the tools needed to enforce the noise ordinance that currently exist. Secondly, I will educate the town residents of the noise ordinance, and that modified vehicle exhaust systems fall under this ordinance. While this is a valid issue to be addressed, it is not one that residents of the town have brought to my attention. I have been asked how I can address the issues of people running stop signs and speeding through the town. These are issues that create a safety hazard for every resident and tourist and should be on the top of the list to solve.

Harrison Cluff: I would sit down with the chief of police and the town manager and ask what would be necessary to increase the enforcement of this code. If financially possible, if local law enforcement is properly equipped (decibel level meter, etc.), and if there is a legally enforceable definition of what too loud is, then it should be enforced as any other traffic violation would be.

Jeff Crane: Obvious answer, stricter enforcement by law enforcement. Not so obvious answer, tighter annual state vehicle inspections to not pass the vehicles so equipped.

Rita Carroll: I recently took the 115th Certified Planning Commissioners class offered by Virginia Commonwealth University. One of the things we learned was that in smaller communities like ours, enforcement is a way to accomplish many things. Noise violations, littering and other ordinance issues can be addressed by a mix of affordable cameras and active enforcement. We can implement an organized “neighborhood watch” of volunteers, working with the town officials, and recordings, to effectively enforce these violations.

What will you do to help bring a viable, locally staffed newspaper to our community?

Delmer Seal: If a grant exists for this type of community connection, this is one to apply for. We need to engage the community leaders, residents and local businesses to help support the effort of bringing a staffed newspaper to the Town of Orange. I will help create forums or surveys to gather feedback on desired content, format and frequency. I will help to develop a sustainable business model for the newspaper, including revenue streams such as subscriptions, advertising, sponsored content and community partnerships. The efforts can include digital and print options to reach a mass audience. I long for the days when the Orange Review was all about Orange.

Harrison Cluff: Wow! That is a difficult question, but one near and dear to me having worked in TV news and later for the digital department of a newspaper company. The Orange County Review was so integral in our community for so many years. I really miss it. On the municipal side of things, I’m not sure there is much we can directly do other than to provide an environment that the town can thrive in, both commercially and culturally. If that is the case, then I believe we can market the town to smaller regional companies.

Jeff Crane: Contact the journalism departments at colleges and universities to notify graduates of the town's need of a locally staffed newspaper.

Rita Carroll: As I walk around, door to door, the newspaper keeps coming up. I used to love the comics, the food section and getting all the headlines on one page without having to search for them or visit websites. This is a huge opportunity for our local writers, artists, photographers and young journalists to build their resumes; a venue for the amazing cooks in our area to share their recipes. Maybe even an annual “TOO (Town of Orange) good” cookbook! I personally would start with contributing volunteers in organized sections, fact checkers and a small contingent to sell advertising to cover costs, evaluate, correct and go forward. This may be a business opportunity for a local entrepreneur, if not in the charter of the town plan or under the umbrella of the council.

What will you do as a council member to support and enhance the arts and cultural life in the Town of Orange?

Delmer Seal: I will encourage collaboration with schools and organizations to offer art education programs, workshops and mentorship opportunities to the young and adult artists. This can include organized workshops and classes for people of all ages who are interested in arts and crafts, providing a platform for skill development and creative expression. As for the cultural life in the town, I will advocate for funding and resources to preserve and maintain historical landmarks, museums, libraries, churches and art galleries that contribute to Orange’s heritage. Just remember, art comes in many forms, and what some may view as art, others may not see as art.

Harrison Cluff: The arts are essential in expanding a child’s creative development, and I will do what I have done since I was 3 years old. I will participate in the local performing arts community as a singer/instrumentalist. They are also a large part of a community's cultural enrichment. As a council member, perhaps we could investigate ways to expand the current performance offerings. I remember as a child attending concerts at Culpeper High School that hosted a series each year. Even saw Count Basie perform there! I’ll need to research more to understand the options available to municipal governments on this issue.

Jeff Crane: Town-sponsored annual Art Festival and sponsor celebrations on cultural holidays. Continued support of the “Music in the Park” series.

Rita Carroll: Currently the Town Planning Commission is writing the next 20-year comprehensive plan. I am one of the planning commissioners. The arts are one of 11 themes in the plan. Our town is so gifted and has such a rich heritage in culture and arts! I have volunteered to lead this group focusing on development of the arts, and as a council member, I would help implement the plan and move it forward. We have outstanding music, theater, dance, fine arts and beyond. I would work with Anthony [Schienschang], and our local experts, who have achieved a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, to promote our valuable cultural assets beyond our town borders, both monetarily and to draw more people into town to experience our offerings. This will require all the local arts community leaders to work together to define short-, mid- and long-term goals we can reach together. I will lead this effort.

Are you running as an Independent? Why or why not?

Delmer Seal: This campaign should not be swayed by one’s political affiliation. I am running for a position on Orange Town Council to represent all citizens of Orange, whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent. I will hear the voices of all citizens.

Harrison Cluff: Yes, I am running as an Independent. I believe, and it has been reinforced through many conversations in town, that it is vital to take an independent approach. We operate on a very personal, face-to-face level in small-town government, and we must seek our common ground first on issues facing the town. If not, we run the risk of accomplishing nothing. I will represent everyone in this town fairly and with integrity.

Jeff Crane:  Yes, it is a simpler process, and I have friends from different points of view.

Rita Carroll: I am running as an Independent because the Town Council’s mission is to represent the townspeople equally and should not have any political affiliations. Every individual’s political beliefs are private and should stay that way. This position is a listen-first role, and act upon the requirements of all the citizens. The job is to represent the community, not myself or any single entity. I come with no strings attached! I do not take campaign contributions and am not beholden to any political body, company or individual. We are making decisions on how to make our town better, not foreign policy.

Do you currently post partisan political content on your social media pages, including Facebook? If elected, do you plan to keep doing so?

Delmer Seal: I am likely among the few who have never had a Facebook, Instagram or TikTok account, so you will not see any post from me on political content. I do have my lovely wife post pictures to the Orange County Historical Society’s Facebook page as I am an avid collector of anything from Orange. I have always felt my free time is better spent doing things around the house or watching the kids and grandkids play sports than following social media.

Harrison Cluff: No. No.

Jeff Crane: Yes. Yes, promotes healthy debate between friends on the issues at hand.

Rita Carroll: I do not post partisan political content, and I don’t ever intend to. Most of my social media postings are about my personal passions of my family (two boys, a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter), historic restoration, food, farming, oil painting and my two cats, one dog, varying amounts of chickens and the foxes I continually battle with. I have posted once about the violation of exposing classified information and the repercussions associated with it. I plan to keep doing exactly the same! If something is wrong, we all need to call it out, intelligently and without bias.

If elected, who’s the first person you’re going to call to help make the Town of Orange a better place to live?

Delmer Seal: To make the Town of Orange a better place, it starts with me. I will first call upon myself to listen to the citizens of the town and take their concerns back to the council for discussion and feedback. No one person in the town has all the answers. If that was the case, any issues would have been solved years ago.

Harrison Cluff: My first calls would be to [Town Manager] Greg Woods, [Director of Community Development] John Cooley and/or the new Economic Development Manager and get on the same page with them. Then seek input and ideas from as many in town as will participate in a survey to harvest new ideas and expand our thinking as a council and town government.

Jeff Crane: The Chief Executive Officer of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain.

Rita Carroll: Because of the style and formation of our town charter, the first person will be Greg Woods, our town manager, then my council member peers, my planning team and the 10 other theme leads we will have identified in our comprehensive plan initiative.

(1) Jeff Crane; (2) Rita Carroll; (3) Harrison Cluff: (4) Delmer Seal. Photos 1-2 supplied by candidates; photos 3-4 by Hilary Holladay.