Dianna Moorman is the Director of Elections and General Registrar, and has worked for the past 16 years and has been
the director since 2016. In the attached video she tells of her career and the changes in the operations of the elections
office. There have been major changes in the technology of voting, the time intervals involved in her office, and
the necessary staffing to manage the pre-election day voting. The video address is attached here:

https://www.eac.gov/videos/2021-womens-history-month-women-elections-interview-dianna-moorman

Jonathan Mellis was at the Capital Building on January 6, 2021. He admits to being on site, but he didn't kill anybody
or do any serious damage to the building. They came to his home in February and arrested him, and put him in the
DC jail. From there on, for more than two years, his story evolves about the treatment, the lack of legal rights being
honored, and simply horrific almost daily events that have changed his life forever.

He related stories of the guards on one side of building escorting folks in, directing them to the chambers, and a completely
opposite scenerio on the West side of building. The capital police being pretty civil, while the DCMetro police were very
combatant with guns drawn. Rubber bullets being shot a people short range, and rubber balls being shot from large
riot guns at people were were not doing any harm to facilities or engaged in any type of fighting. Jon's recount of the
happenings of January 6th are alarming to hear, since the newscasts and television coverages were a totally different
accounting. The celebrities, Tucker Carlson, Mitch McConnell, Pelosi, and many others were caught in telling stories
of varying truth and reality. Right down to a medical examiner's report, the actual truth was being twisted to support
the cause and dialect of the Dems and Media.

The J6ers have a website with much more information - WeAreGoodMen.com - Please go and read their stories,
and watch some of the podcasts which are available at the end of the narratives. While Jon's legal issues continue,
he has some videos and some pictures that disprove much of what the media has made up about the day's events.

Note: Jon was in jail & prison for over 2 years, for charges that would typically merit a bench ticket. He served
time in solitary, as well as endured in-human conditions. All of this has left him convinced that the political
machine of the then sitting party and leaders were corrupt, including all those involved with the hearings. He
is working on a book, but also hoping president elect Donald Trump will come to the J6ers aid.

John Curran's discussion with the luncheon group covered many topics. He has reiterated that he is not running for Lieutenant Governor as a stepping stone to the Governor's office. He explained how the governor, the lieutenant governor and the attorney general in Virginia are all separate races, and can produce elected persons from different party affiliations. John stated he would certainly look forward to working with others from the same party, but outcomes are unknown.

John has a long history of working with DC groups going back to Presiden Reagan, Bob Dole, etc. He noted that to run for a state wide office you need to get about 14,000 signatures + some incase ones. His campaign has selected a manager and beginning on January 2nd they will be beginning to collect signatures. He does not like the car tax and sees it as a penalty every year and would like it changed or eliminated.

John thanked CARMA for the local support and is prepared to work for all the people of the Commonwealth full time. Please view his website for all campaign updates and information: www.curranforvirginia.com

BIO INFO:
John R. Curran, Jr. is currently a Candidate for Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Curran had run for James City County Board of Supervisors, Berkeley District in 2023. John is an active community member, dedicated father, husband, and proud Navy veteran who cares deeply about the issues facing our community and is focused on improving the quality of life for his neighbors in James City County. He served on the Two River Country Club’s Board of Governors, is currently the Grand Knight with the St. Bede’s Council 6828 Knights of Columbus, and a Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Curran served in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed at Naval Telecommunications Command in Washington DC. During his time there he was detail to the Armed Forces Inauguration Committee to support President Reagan’s second Inauguration. Afterwards, John was requested for temporary duty to the President’s staff at the White House. During this time, Mr. Curran was transferred to the Pentagon to support the investigation and response to the Johnny Walker Spy case. Mr. Curran was then transferred to the Chief of Naval Operations where he served with the Counterterrorism Team. He then served onboard the USS Kittiwake, where he was involved in the recovery of the Space Shuttle Challenger after it exploded on Take off. Mr. Curran was also involved in multiple actions in South America and the Middle East. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Curran served in the US Navy reserve for an additional two years.

John has more than 30 years of business experience in government contracting, construction, environmental and alternative energy as well as, economic development around the world. Mr. Curran founded his own consulting business where he provides direct consulting services. Since then, Mr. Curran has provided support for President Clinton with his Welfare to Work efforts, President Bush on the efforts after 9/11, President Obama on his efforts with the Gang and Drug Violence Committee, as well as  President Trump on his efforts with Alternative Energy Infrastructure and Veterans Choice programs.

Mr. Curran also started Agri-Based Biofuels. The company that converted trash to fuels, primarily focusing on US military clients. This expanded into all types of alternative energy sources and integration. As the CEO Agri-Based then merged with Eco-Integrators that worked in agricultural fields as well as D3 a business that provided Economic Development support to small and developing countries around the world. Mr. Curran quickly became a well-known subject matter expert, and he was called on by the US Congress to testify multiple times on Energy and Environmental matters as well as the economic impact in those areas. Mr. Curran sold off the business to a Trust in the EU in 2018.

At this point Mr. Curran continued to consult with business and governments, mostly during their transition. Mr. Curran during this same time completed his bachelor’s degree in political science and his MBA in Economics, from The George Washington University.

Jeff Ryer spoke at length about the statistics and analysis done of the Presidential Election. His numerous points brought to life many of the items the packed house were seeking clarification for. While everyone was pleased with the election outcome, there were interesting changes in this election versus the 2020, and many elections before that.

Jeff began with some pure statistics from the country as a whole. Citing the popular vote as well as the electoral vote margins. 49 of the 50 states gave Trump a larger share of the popular vote. Average margin was about 4.5% more. It was obvious that there was a lot of split ticket voting, as many Senate and House elections that were democratic stayed that way. Senate races, for funding purposes, were divided into tiers and funding from the national party was only able to keep up with the Tier 1s and the remaining tiers were, to a lesser degree, provided assistance. The northern Virginia population has grown rapidly with the huge expansion of the Federal Govt. This resulted in a large percentage more Dem voters that either Obama or Biden had received.

In JCC, it initially appears that the instincts of the voters seems to follow their education levels with the Dems truly becoming the party of the elite. This is a change. Trump carried hispanic males and a bigger portion of black males. Jeff said we should expect a very noisy first 100 days. Jeff then went on to answer questions:

Q#1 - He believes some voters sat out the election. They aren't gone, just didn't vote in this one. He spoke of how a book has been written showing that the easier it is made to vote, that there will be people in bigger numbers who don't. Statistically accurate. The idea that some of this was due to a crack down on illegal voting was discussed, but no opinion was given.

Q#2 - Several methods of funding candidates are being reviewed. Straight out gift cards are not legal.

Q#3 - Interestingly, California is still counting votes.

Q#4 - Student voting trends...some schools are showing a shift to more conservative trends...Notre Dame survey sees a change from 3-1 Dem, to now about 1-1.

Q#5 - Percent of Jewish population that voted is up, for sure in New York and Pennsylvania.

Q#6 - Our voter roles in Virginia are cleaner than they were. Thanks to Youngkin and constant pressure on offices.

Q#7 - He believes that the 2025 campaign for Winsome-Sears & Miyares will be based on keeping the "good things" moving forward and with an agenda of more good things to come.

Jeff was thanked for his very detailed comments, and for being always available to the CARMA group.

A Brief Bio: Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Jeff Ryer grew up in nearby Beverly, home to the Lodge family and, at that time, the closest Massachusetts had to a reliably Republican city.

After fainting on the altar at the wedding of Beverly Mayor Peter Fortunato’s daughter, Jeff was dismissed as an altar boy at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, ending his plans to pursue an ecclesiastical life. Eventually overcoming this embarrassment, he went on to be elected president of his graduating classes at Briscoe Junior High School and Beverly High School. Stunning the faculty at Beverly High, Jeff was accepted to the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

There, much to the surprise of the administration and the consternation of Government Department faculty, he earned a degree in Government, while simultaneously developing lifelong loves of scotch whiskey, tobacco, and the music of Randy Newman.

Putting his liberal arts degree to use in the field for which it best prepared him, Jeff Ryer began a successful seven-year career in retail automotive sales and management, initially selling Renault, AMC, and Jeep vehicles in Newport News, Virginia.

During the 1990s, he began managing political campaigns, specializing in local and state races in Virginia. Jeff Ryer continues in that field today and is the “Broadway Danny Rose” of his profession, serving as a consultant to Virginia’s most politically challenged Republican candidates and office holders.

Since 2010, Jeff Ryer has served as Press Secretary for the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. A member of what is now the Williamsburg-James City County Republican Committee since 1993, Jeff was elected to the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia in 2016 and as Chairman of the First Congressional District Republican Committee in 2022.

The September 19, 2024 Luncheon Speaker Was Ruth Larson, JCC Board of Supervisors Chair

Biography: I live in the Greater First Colony neighborhood with my husband of 36 years, Craig. I also work with Craig on several ventures, including Cornerstone Hospitality, a business owned by Craig and his business partner here in Williamsburg. We have three wonderful grown children, all living in Virginia and working hard in their careers. I started my public service as a PTA mom. I got the bug to lead when others encouraged me to help the schools in a larger capacity, so I ran for School Board and served on that board for 10 years. I’m currently serving my 8th year on the Board of Supervisors. I am a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and The Virginia Association of Counties Supervisor Certification Program. I am also honored to be the 1st Vice President for the Virginia Association of Counties. This summer I represented James City County when our Comprehensive Plan received the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2023 Achievement Award for Best in Category for Planning. That national award recognizing outstanding planning represents why I’m running. 

Family Background: It is very important to me to give back to the place that has given so much to me and my family through the years. I mean that sincerely. Both of my parents are from here so my family goes way back. My great grandfather came here to be a silversmith at CW. My mom’s dad went to the Shipyard Apprentice School and spent his entire working career at the shipyard. My dad’s mom was ahead of her time as a professional woman in her role as one of the first bank officers for Peninsula Bank (now Truist). My dad spent his career at NASA and my mom is still working fulltime as an RN for Riverside Ask a Nurse. I was born here, married my very supportive husband Craig who lived in the neighborhood we now live in when he was in high school, and we brought up our three children here and they all graduated from Jamestown High School. I have longtime institutional memory for context on local issues, and a lot of neighbors know me personally. I am grateful for the roots I have here and I want to work to ensure that if my grandchildren live here one day, that they also have a wonderful place to call home.

Schools and Issues: In June 2023, the proposal made by the City of Williamsburg to split the 60+ year school contract made schools the most important issue facing the county. If not the most important, then it is the most urgent and potentially most expensive. I am fully aware that any changes we make will impact the taxpayer, families and 10,000 students in James City County in the next few years when the contract expires in 2026. I now serve as one of the two BOS members on the School Liaison committee, and if we should split, I believe there may be solutions other than building new schools, but that will require experience and understanding of the school system which I bring because of my 10-year tenure on the school board.

Growth is my top issue: This is a beautiful community that retains a much-appreciated rural feel. I am always trying to achieve a balance between growth in the tax base through attracting new businesses and visitors to our historic county, and retention of beautiful greenspace. I care about the residents here and want to enhance the environment we share through smart governance and planning. My 10 years of experience on the School Board and my current position as Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors makes me the most qualified candidate to shepherd the issues that are before the county right now.

Where do you stand on the separation of the school district?

I will continue to encourage open lines of communication between the government bodies, and If at the end of the day the City of Williamsburg decides that their citizens will be better served by a separation then I will do everything I can to make a smooth transition. There will be many contracts to negotiate about the physical properties shared that will need to be divided, like busses, school equipment, and our multi-million-dollar shared renovations at James Blair, administrative space, etc. Should there be a transition, my priorities will be to keep the students and WJCC school division employees in the forefront of our planning as we work through the process, and to protect the taxpayer from any unnecessary expenses.

How do you plan to manage growth while also protecting the quality-of-life residents bought into?

JCC is a fiscally well managed County. The last two fiscal years we took a penny off of our tax rate to help our citizens recover from the impact of Covid on the economy, and we continue to have a Triple A bond rating. That saves our citizens money while still providing them with high quality services. We will continue to have growth in JCC. For example, we have parcels that may be developed by right, we have permits that were previously pulled but not built on, we will also have applications come before us that may or may not be approved, and we have some opportunities for infill development. As these land use decisions come before us, I will continue to ask questions to ensure that we have an infrastructure plan to support any growth or land use decisions, as in: Are the roads able to handle the traffic volume? If not, how can we work with VDOT to ensure they have a plan in place? Do we have space in schools? Do we have the employees needed to address citizens’ needs (i.e. police, fire, emergency)? Additionally, we always keep water supply in mind and stay on top of any plans to address water use as we grow. Citizen Services are part of the growth balance, too, ensuring that we can support a high quality of life for our citizens through good education for our students, the best and the brightest in our law enforcement and fire/EMS departments, and supporting our incredible parks and recreation department for our citizens to enjoy living here. We are incredibly well served by all these departments, and I am so appreciative. We can provide for all these needs because the Board of Supervisors has been fiscally responsible, ensuring that we are using tax dollars in the most responsible way we can, always looking for the most efficient way to accomplish a task, encouraging employees to share ideas for a better more cost-effective way to provide for our citizens. I will continue to work toward smart growth and make it a priority.

What is your view on unlimited campaign contributions? Should that change?

My view is irrelevant. If I could limit campaign contributions I would, but on January 21, 2010 the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission reversed century-old campaign finance restrictions and enabled corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections. That said, in my humble opinion, it is obscene the amount of money that is going to advertising outlets for elections.