Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: Struggles with affordable housing, internet and firefighters Entry Credit: Shannon Clark Judge Comment: The author of these three stories demonstrates the ability to delve into a story topic of public importance and disseminate the information, despite the government's reluctance to share details.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: Warrenton Town officials OK tree-clearing before new rules protecting endangered bats took effect Entry Credit: Peter Cary Judge Comment: Story one: Sharing residents' concerns when they feel like the local government isn't listening gives them an official outlet to be heard. The author does an excellent job of presenting the issue and allowing residential experts to do the same.
Story two was a good follow-through from story one as the issue with the Amazon development continued.
Story three: The author demonstrates the use of the FOIA to bring government negligence to light.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Crozet Gazette Entry Title: Lisa Martin Government Writing Portfolio Entry Credit: Lisa Martin Judge Comment: The author demonstrates the ability to delve into various projects that have met citizen opposition by presenting the plans for the projects and citizens' concerns.
