BACK BAY — I was thrilled to learn Chris Piper, formerly the commonwealth’s elections commissioner, is the new executive director of the Virginia Public Access Project following the retirement in June of David Poole, who founded the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that makes public life and politics more transparent.
I’ve known Piper professionally since my time as a reporter at The Virginian-Pilot in the early 2000s, and I’ve admired his dedication to public service and to the citizens whose lives are shaped by processes we use to select our local and state leaders.
And I value what the Virginia Public Access Project built under Poole’s leadership. It is an exceptional resource that presents information about politics and the influence of money upon our elections and public policy. I urge you to seek it out.
“I’ve been training my whole career for this,” Piper told me when we spoke briefly this past month. “One of my biggest priorities is making sure we continue to provide information that’s of value to journalists.”
Which I love, but VPAP does a whole lot more than help bums like me look reasonably competent.
Piper’s background in elections, including as commissioner and back during his days as campaign finance manager for the state, gives him insight into strengths and weaknesses of politics and government – and how to explain complex ideas.
My words, by the way. Not his.
“It’s an opportunity to do that service in a slightly different way,” Piper said of his new role. “I’ve worked in campaign finance, worked in ethics and worked in elections. It’s all of the areas VPAP touches. … I’ve always believed if the electorate is informed, they can make better decisions. They can hold their leaders accountable. Participatory government is important. VPAP is a tool to make that happen.”
Piper has said in interviews, including in an excellent story by our friends at The Virginia Mercury, that he also has plans to grow the organization’s footprint.
“Virginia is blessed and lucky to have a VPAP,” Piper told me. “I’m curious as to why it hasn’t been replicated across the country.”
The Indy doesn’t do as much campaign finance reporting as I’d like, but VPAP is a regular first stop in my reporting about local and state legislative elections. It’s a great way to look for patterns in data before verifying information against the original records, as well as to see which campaigns are doing what in which races.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
To great things ahead for Piper and an important resource for all Virginians.
We are approaching our summer production break, and the next print edition is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 13.
This has been a challenging year for many of us, but I am grateful for the support by readers and advertisers for our little newspaper. I don’t take for granted that you all let us keep doing this thing a little while longer.
Thank you for that.
We have a new store at the website, where you can buy merch and the new printing of Farmer John’s book, but I’ll tell you about that next time.
Or just check it out in the meantime.
Gone fishing.
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