Republican US Senate candidate George Allen, made a campaign stop in Greene County Friday afternoon to talk jobs and the growth of small businesses.
After a breakfast in Staunton Friday morning, George Allen headed to what many consider the heart of Greene County - the small downtown businesses.
"Washington isn't paying attention to the values and voices of people in Virginia," said Allen.
That's what he is hoping to change. He says the voices of rural areas are often over looked by lawmakers in Washington.
"A lot of times politicians bypass small towns and I think they are the heart and wholesomeness of our commonwealth, they have been and should be in the future as well,'' stated the candidate.
A future that Greene County Sheriff Steve Smith hopes is both safer and more prosperous. He says that the support of politicians like Allen have the power of changing small counties like Greene.
"It shows that the people running for office are about the people. They come out and have that personal touch with them, they want to see what their problems and concerns are," said Smith.
One of the biggest concerns for small businesses in Greene County is just getting off the ground.
Onsight Optical owner Howard Jadofsky said, "It's difficult a lot of times because you have trouble with finances starting up, especially in today's market."
George Allen says it is those kinds of concerns that make his stops valuable. "What's going on in Washington seems to be so much against especially small businesses, that's where most of the jobs are created and I envision a better future for our country," he stated.
Allen wrapped up his small business tour at the Blue Ridge Café in Ruckersville. He also made an appearance in Albemarle County late Friday afternoon.
