By Patrick Hurston
Moorefield will hold its municipal General Election on June 10, 2025. Among those on the ballot are six candidates vying for two Town Council seats. This is the fifth in a series of conversations with all seven candidates, each of whom was given the same set of questions, and the same deadline in which to respond. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 3-5 sentences. Today we talk with Ta-Yare Meade. Responses have been lightly edited for brevity.
Moorefield Examiner (ME): Please provide a brief personal statement about your candidacy, priorities and vision for the Town of Moorefield.
Ta-Yare Meade: Over the years, I have been actively involved in our community, gaining a deep understanding of our citizens’ needs. Whether it be volunteering, planning and hosting events, providing resources in someone’s time of need, raising awareness for issues close to my heart and those affecting our community, advocating for the rights of all individuals, spearheading juvenile justice reform, or educating our elected officials through data reports and current statistics, I have always kept the community of Moorefield at the forefront of my actions. Serving the community has always been a part of who I am. I have lived in Moorefield my entire life, and I love being from a small town. I genuinely believe we have a good community and want to try to make the best of Moorefield for my son, family, friends, and all its residents. I am known for my fairness, dedication, teamwork, and not being afraid to voice my thoughts and opinions, even when doing so is unfavorable.
ME: What initiative, program, project, or issue (infrastructure, public safety/services, economic development, etc.) would you spearhead if elected?
Meade: I plan to spearhead a Citizen Engagement program. This initiative is not just about me being your voice at the table; it’s about empowering you to be seen, heard, and active in your local government. I want to create a two-way communication system between citizens and local government officials that informs citizens and improves decision-making toward community interests. I want to create citizen advisory boards.
These boards, task forces, or committees would allow members of the public to weigh in on policy issues in a variety of areas and help develop solutions. Your active engagement will make you feel valued, creating greater satisfaction and pride in Moorefield. It will lead to services that better meet your needs, ensuring resources are directed effectively.
ME: Given recent controversies involving the Moorefield Police Department, how would you work to enhance transparency and accountability in town government and strengthen public trust in the Council and local law enforcement?
Meade: The Town Council and Moorefield Police Department need to publicly acknowledge their failures in handling recent controversies and take the necessary steps to prevent them from happening again. Our local government officials hold their positions only because the people of Moorefield elected them. They were elected to provide services to the community, manage public resources, and make decisions that affect people’s lives. It is imperative that our local government officials carry out these tasks responsibly and be held accountable for their actions, and that can only be done through transparency. Our Town Council and police officers must model the behavior they expect from one another, demonstrating a commitment to ethical and professional conduct.
ME: What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing Moorefield and its residents and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Meade: It is my opinion that the most pressing issue facing Moorefield is strained resources and challenges for the community created by the high influx of immigrant workers. The increase in the demand for housing has led to higher rents. Language barriers impair our schools, businesses, and emergency services, often leading to frustration. The budgets of our community agencies and non-profits are stretched thinly, unable to meet everyone’s needs. Our water, sanitation, transportation systems, and electric grids also feel the strain. I plan to further invest in or develop cultural orientation programs to help immigrant workers integrate better into our community. I want to seriously explore investing in better translation services, hiring multilingual persons, and implementing a system of open communication between immigrant communities and long-term residents of Moorefield.
ME: The Council is just finishing/just finished its budgeting for FY 2025/26. How would you prioritize budgeting and balancing public safety needs with other municipal responsibilities such as cultural and recreational activities; public works and infrastructure; and economic development?
Meade: I fully understand that if I am elected to the Town Council, I will be tasked with working with a budget I had no input on. My priority is to understand the budget and the overall financial health of the Town of Moorefield. I need to know the revenue sources and how they are allocated. I want to carefully examine the budget, spending plan, and supporting documentation to determine which services, projects, and programs are prioritized and why. If elected, I want to ensure that the allocated funds can be adjusted to change priorities or respond to unforeseen circumstances, are used responsibly and appropriately, and meet our community’s goals and needs.
