Gerry Connolly, the current Providence supervisor, is seeking election as chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Lynda Smyth, a Democrat and Connolly's appointee to the Planning Commission faces Jim Hyland, a Republican attorney.
Smyth is a thoughtful candidate with an intricate understanding of land use and its role in her constituents' lives. She knows the devil is in the details, and understands the details of zoning. This understanding gives her a grasp of the difficulties of transportation, schools and the environment as well.
Smyth, whose experience includes many years as a PTA volunteer, pledges to serve as a supervisor full time.
Jim Hyland signed the pledge cap property taxes at 5 percent while demonstrating a less than complete understanding of unmet human needs in the county. His financial priorities include schools, roads and public safety, and he advocates shrinking government around those core functions.