ABINGDON — Virginia 9th District congressional candidate Anthony Flaccavento said Tuesday that he will work for higher pay for first responders in Southwest Virginia and elsewhere if he is elected to office in next week’s election.
During a conference call held Tuesday with Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman and Russell County Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Patton, the Democratic candidate said if he takes office he would introduce legislation to increase the salaries of underpaid law enforcement and rescue personnel while providing greater job opportunities for veterans.
Flaccavento said he learned during a recent discussion with area sheriffs that many deputies and dispatchers are living at or near the poverty line.
“We should take care of the people who take care of us,” Flaccavento said. “In a predominantly rural district like the Ninth, sheriff’s deputies are almost always the first responders to an emergency.”