Newsroom Archive for 10/26, 2007

Delegate Jennifer McClellan of Richmond was a guest on "Charlottesville—Right Now!" yesterday afternoon. She discussed the recent public spat between Mayor Wilder and the City School Board, her run for re-election to the House of Delegates, and the GA races overall.

Jennifer is a member of the Sorensen Institute's State Advisory Board, a graduate of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2001, and a graduate of the Candidate Training Program Class of 2005.

Name:  Mark Seymour
Age:  49
Born:  I was born in 1958 in Arlington.  I grew up in Nokesville, Virginia.  Nokesville had a population of 150 when I left.
Current Digs: My family and I live in Broadway, Virginia (northern Rockingham County).  Although my office is in Staunton, my job also takes me to the conveniently-located 30 adjoining counties.
Occupation:   I am a Human Rights Advocate with the Office of Human Rights (Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services).
Favorite part about the job:  In this position I am able to represent individuals who have the least voice and least choice in their daily lives.                  
First job ever?  My first official job was at age 15 at Buckland Farm in Fauquier County.  I shoveled horse manure.  Any similarities with a future in politics are purely coincidental.
Favorite book?  For enjoyment of language and subtle humor, I would choose anything by Mark Twain.  For something more provocative and academic, I would choose the writings of philosopher-theologian-cultural critic Stanley Hauerwas.
Favorite movie?  It's a Wonderful Life.  This movie never grows old, and allows the viewer to experience a near full range of emotions.
Must-see TV?  After 25 years of owning near-death, primitive televisions given to us by well-meaning family members, my wife and I finally bought a nice television, only to realize that we had been conditioned not to watch TV.
Comfort food?  My wife hates this choice, but to my palate, sardines in oil represent the ultimate in comfort food.
What's in your car CD player right now?  B.B. King and Eric Clapton.
Favorite vacation spot?  Either the outer Banks of North Carolina or the area around Kilmarnock, Virginia.
Last gift you received?  A tin rooster.  You can't go wrong with roosters, tin or otherwise.
Best advice you ever got?  My father always had a practice of throwing away the directions to anything he was assembling.  I think the message in this advice was that ultimately you have to take ownership in what you do in life...you can't blame the directions for the outcome.
Whom do you admire and why?  My family and I were recently privileged
to hear Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu speak.  From his speech and
self-deprecating humor, it was evident that he has maintained his sense
of optimism and humility, even in the face of circumstances which could
very likely form a person into a pessimistic self-promoter.  I hope
that I (and all of us) can exude a measure of Mr. Tutu's seemingly
tireless work on behalf of others while at the same time not growing
judgmental of others through constant contact with individuals who
share different goals, values, and visions.   
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why?  I would have dinner with my family...my wife, our two sons in their 20's and our youngest son who is 13.  If we also invite the dog to the table with us, things get even more interesting.
Describe a perfect day.  A perfect day would be one in which I accomplish the things I normally do at work (assist others in protecting their rights), but by accident rather than by design.  This gives the sense of doing the right thing not because it is my job, but just because it's the rights thing...it also presupposes that I have the day off, which is the real answer to this question.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you?  I have a Master of Divinity degree, which has actually proven to be a good, all-around degree in a variety of fields.
Ambition, political or otherwise?  I think there is much to be said for serving in a political office which is relatively local in scope and, for me, this would be House of Delegates, 26th district.
 
 

The Sorensen Institute's Executive Director Sean O'Brien was a guest on "Charlottesville—Right Now!" yesterday. He discussed Congressman Tom Davis' announcement that he would not seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, as a result of the party's decision to opt for a convention over a primary. Sean also talked about the application process for next year's Sorensen programs, our recent alumni awards, and the race to succeed the late Jo Ann Davis in Virginia's First Congressional District.