Warner visits local restaurant, patrons

FREDERICKSBURG — Last week saw former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner visit one of his “favorite restaurants” as he continues his campaign to win a seat in the U.S. Senate.

On Oct. 8, Warner visited the Fredericksburg restaurant La Petite Auberge to meet and speak with area citizens.

Stafford resident Sue Henderson said: “I think he was a superb governor. He’s going to be a terrific senator.”

Warner served as governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006.

Fredericksburg resident Sandra Regelbrugge, a “reformed Republican” commented, “Warner was an excellent governor. He really pulled the state out of a slump.”

Larry Knisley, an Alexandria native and Fredericksburg tourist, said that it was “an unexpected pleasure — an honor” — to meet Warner. Neither he nor his wife knew that Warner would be at La Petite, their favorite Fredericksburg restaurant.

After Warner greeted the patrons of the restaurant, Fredericksburg Mayor Thomas Tomzak introduced him to the restaurant, and asked him to say a few words.

Warner glanced at a table of Republicans and informed the customers that that table had promised him their votes if he could keep the speech short. He promised to keep the speech to four minutes, and did.

Warner commented that “Washington needs somebody who can read a balance sheet,” and drew laughs from the audience.

He then stated that this election “is the most important election since 1932.” In 1932, the Great Depression was still in full swing, and Franklin D. Roosevelt was campaigning against President Herbert Hoover.

Warner strongly supports a 30-year plan to invest in the United States’ infrastructure, and to put in an order for government cars to be American-made, 100 mpg cars by 2011 or 2012, to encourage companies to actually create cars like these, rather than just concept cars.

His financial stewardship and willingness to cross party lines impressed both Knisleys.

“This is historic,” said Larry Knisley. “ It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”

Megan Sweeney is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com.