2015 SVBC Board Election

This month (February 2015), three of SVBC’s nine board members will see their terms expire. This year’s election Begins on February 28 and is open through March 7 and once confirmed, board members will be active for a 3 year term starting March 9.

Please submit your ballot by filling out the below form. You can also submit a ballot by regular mail to (Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition) PO Box 1014, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. Please vote for a maximum of three nominees. Ballots must be received by March 7, 2015 to be counted.

The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition would like to sincerely thank Suzi Carter, Jason Burch and Jack Broaddus for their time on the board and their years of service in support of local cycling. As an all volunteer non-profit, the SVBC is only as powerful and effective as our members and the leadership of our board.

ONE VOTE PER SVBC MEMBER (MUST BE a Current Member to Vote)- Please use the email address that you have on file with the SVBC so that we can verify your membership with your vote. Not sure if you are a current member? You can check and renew through our online membership system: https://svbcbackup.dreamhosters.com/join-renew/

You can Vote Here: 2015 Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition Board Election

Now to introduce our Candidates:

Dan Finseth

I have enjoyed cycling in the Shenandoah Valley since moving here from Boston in 1996.  I love telling people that we live where others vacation.  If asked to pick a favorite between riding on the road or in the mountains, I’d have to say it is either the last ride I was on or the next one I am going to take.  I have been involved with numerous non-profit organizations for almost 30 years, most often serving in a financial role.  I am currently on the board of Generations Crossing and the Harrisonburg Police Foundation.  I also volunteer with the United Way on agency certifications.  Over the years I have seen the SVBC evolve into a dynamic organization committed to and making lasting change in the community.  I welcome the opportunity to make my small contribution to the larger objectives and success of the organization.

Tim Cupp

A few years ago, my son called from college and announced that he had decided to ride a bicycle across the country that summer with a group called Bike and Build. His group ventured from Providence to Seattle, stopping once a week or so to work on a Habitat for Humanity build site. I followed their progress on-line every day for over two months until they reached the Pacific Northwest. Before the time they had departed Rhode Island, I realized that my own interest in biking had been rekindled.

I started working towards some personal riding goals that summer. There were setbacks, wrecks, tweaked hamstrings, numb arms, sores, cramps, bruises, wind, rain, heat, and other things like that. As with most things, though, the more I pushed, the more I attained. I joined SVBC and have participated in some of the rides it sponsors. However, my focus has been less on the group and more on my own riding development, such as it is.

Reflecting on the Bike and Build model of service and achievement of goals, it seemed appropriate to offer to serve (if chosen), while at the same time working with a community of people with common interests in the development of biking here in the central Shenandoah Valley.

I am grateful to my son for reintroducing me to biking. I am grateful to the local biking community for the work it has done to foster a bike culture here that is inclusive of all levels of experience. Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Charlie Chenault

I have lived in Harrisonburg my entire life and have been cycling for as long as I can remember and continue to do so at 63 years of age.  Hopefully some of you have seen me struggling around the city.  I recently left city council after 8 and ½ years of service and I served on the recreation commission for 12 years.  I hope I have been an advocate of bicycle and pedestrian issues from both a recreation and transportation standpoint.  It would suit me if Reservoir Street was the last road the city built for a while so it could concentrate on trail and sidewalk construction.  The Cale trail and its extension to the high school is an essential element of new school construction.  At the end of the day, all I can say is I will do my best – Charlie