“I have a very strong sense of community,” Gooch said. “I want to make sure that I don’t just represent the Palmyra district but that I represent the entire county.”
Gooch was the Palmyra district supervisor from 2008 to 2011. He was defeated in his re-election campaign by Ullenbruch. For the 12 years prior to his tenure on the Board of Supervisors, Gooch served on the Fluvanna County School Board.
“I very much support emergency services, the school system, and county staff,” Gooch told the Review. “We definitely need to get some economic development in the county. Everybody keeps saying we need to do it. We need to put a concerted effort into making that happen.”
Gooch is in favor of the James River Water Authority water line project that will withdraw water from the James River in Columbia and pipe it to a station near Rt. 6. He also supports bringing water to Zion Crossroads. “We’re moving back in that direction and hopefully that will move forward,” he said.
In fact, bringing water to Zion Crossroads is going to be one of his major goals for his time on the Board if he is elected, he said. He also wants to “work on economic development.”
Born in Charlottesville, Gooch moved to Fluvanna when he was five years old. He works as an estimator for Fielder’s Choice Enterprises. Gooch and his wife Andileen have two grown children.
When asked why Palmyra voters should choose him, Gooch said, “I feel like I’ll be very responsible. I can work well with other people. My engineering background would be helpful in moving some of the water lines forward. I owned my own business for 15 years so I’d lend that experience as well.”
Patricia Eager has told the Review that she plans to run for Palmyra district supervisor. The winner of the Nov. 3 election will serve a four-year term.
