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Barlow for Shenandoah Co. School Board, New Market, VA (2026)

11/10/2021

“SOREN KIERKEGAARD, MEET LITTLE CLARA STEPHENS!”
or “WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION WAS ALL ABOUT.”

Kierkegaard is my hero-philosopher. He believed that the greatest truths are those grounded in subjectivity. He'd say for instance, that your love for your child is less provable - but much more important than the objective fact that trees are made of wood.

That simple fact hit home for me about 10 days before election day.

We had a picnic rally at New Market Community Park, and beautiful day though it was, I was trying to put all the pieces together in what had been an eventful, jam-packed, and very emotional 7 months.

The events were whirring around in my head, when suddenly little Clara Stephens, unknown and unbidden, was standing right in front of me, demanding that I time her as she raced around the picnic tables. I timed her fast times and her slow-motion times; she got a kick out of that. Then we played catch with a rubber ball (I am a sucker for any kind of ball game) and then we settled into a short but serious discussion.

“How do you know that cat is so old?” she asked, after I had taken a wild stab at a cat’s age. “Because I’m very smart!” I responded, trying to sound overly serious. She immediately shot back, “So am I! I know how to show pigs!”

As I looked into the eyes of this fresh-faced and eager child, I drew inspiration from her confidence, enthusiasm and energy. I knew why I wanted to pursue this mission. It was to give to the Claras all across America the chance to grow up in a country that would value her intelligence, cheer on her innovation, encourage her own identity, and provide her every opportunity to develop herself without denigrating her heritage, individuality, independence, or her God.

I knew then that my mission was clear if not easy. If we fail Clara, we will fail as a culture, country and civilization. We must not abandon her generation to the secularists, Marxists, racists and haters who would condemn us to overweening government control based on their skewed and twisted view of the world.

We must do all we can to make certain that Clara and her generation be given the keys to the open all the opportunities which have been – and must again be – America’s birthright.

11/08/2021

NO TIME FOR A CARETAKER!

Hugh Hewitt makes a great point in this article in the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/08/glenn-youngkin-virginia-education-speed-results/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_opinions&utm_campaign=wp_opinions

Education is at the epicenter of the battle of for the soul of America. Glenn Youngkin must select aggressive and energetic appointees for Secretary of Education and Superintendant of Schools. They must work in tandem and not at cross purposes. The local school boards need to have strong and decisive policy guidance as soon as possible. We cannot afford months of deliberating; we need strong and effective leadership on education from Richmond ASAP!

11/05/2021

ELECTION DAY WAS WET, WINDY...AND WONDERFUL!

I soaked two coats through, but got a chance to talk to scores of voters who were motivated to come out and vote for the future of our kids, our culture, and our country! That night, I got a chance to "warm up" at our victory party.

While the grind of the campaign and the negativism sometimes grew depressing, it was the enthusiasm of Shenandoah County voters which kept me buoyed up and "in the game."

They are long-suffering citizens whose only wish is to leave their legacy of freedom and patriotic heritage to their descendents.

In the end we won by over 16%! I take that as a mandate to return the control of our schools to our parents and taxpayers; one of the key goals of the Glenn Youngkin administration!

More transparency; and more access for Shenandoah County citizens!

11/02/2021

What an honor to meet so many amazing Virginians today! Don’t let the weather discourage you— if you haven’t already, come out to vote and turn Virginia in the right direction! Barlow in District 1 and the rest of the GOP around the Commonwealth!

10/31/2021

Dennis' unique background and goals-- pass along to your friends in District One. This election is too important to the future of the Valley.

10/28/2021

THE THREE CARICATURES OF DENNIS BARLOW

I’ve spent a few moments over the past two months, trying to figure out what my opponent’s followers don’t like about me. It’s not difficult, bless their hearts; they are nothing if not vocal - with continually ripening opinions based on almost any issue which strikes their collective fancy – with or without evidence, desperate to be part of the conversation.

So first, I find that I’m a bureaucrat (sometimes they even spell it correctly). As a successful coach, teacher, Army officer, and international diplomat, it’s hard to figure out where they came by that criticism. I guess it’s because I had to plan, talk and write effectively to accomplish my missions. I suppose thinking and discussing options smacks of bureaucracy to some people, but I promise you that just because I can listen, talk, reason and write, I am not Caspar Milquetoast.

Second, I am (apparently) as old as dirt. Keven even refers to me as in my 80’s, though he knows my exact age. Not only that but I have surmised by reading their learned comments, that I am extremely sickly and quite likely not to make it to the end of this sentence. My daily regimen is actually pretty robust and my circuit at New Market Park has kept me in fine shape. Whenever I do my curls or presses, I think of one of my detractors; it motivates me to squeeze out just one more rep.

Finally, my legendary sojourn up Congress St and down John Sevier Rd has gained me quite the reputation as a latter-day Viking marauder. Grown men quake; fathers hide their daughters, and I hear that home security sales are through the roof! However, I still don’t comprehend how the very sight of me (an elderly man!) in my docker khakis and dress shirt, packing my lethal iphone is terrifying. As my grandsons would say, my only crime is wearing those “Dad pants."

But as I put it all together, I do think I get it. I am not a one-dimensional person– I have had a lifetime of valuable experiences which provide me with knowledge and wisdom that I’d like to share. I’ve been trained to organize, plan, and manage projects and decisions. Isn’t that a good thing? And as for facing up to controversies (real or cooked up by a propagandist), haven’t we reached the point where we need the courage to confront the very real threats to our educational system and not pretend that life is all sunshine and lollipops?

–DB

10/27/2021

Proudly endorsed by honorable Virginians who will help turn this mess around. VOTE!

10/25/2021

BARLOW'S TOP 10 PRIORITIES FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD!

1) Return to objective academic rigor in the classroom!
2) Give parents, taxpayers, teachers, and students more input and access into school board issues and planning.
3) Reject the forces of chaos which are using Critical Race Theory and Transgender issues to divide and destroy us.
4) Eliminate political indoctrination and judgements based on racial characteristics.
5) Encourage ethical behaviors: set guidelines to eliminate sexually offensive classroom materials, consider the Weekday Religious Education supplement.
6) Reform Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives to allow more creative and effective learning strategies.
7) Boost teacher salaries.
8) Invest more in special education.
9) Add more advanced and innovative techniques into technical, agriculture, and trade education classes.
10) Expand the number of charter schools; making use of greater private-public relationships.

10/22/2021

The winning team!

Vote early, vote Republican!

10/22/2021

THE FUTURE OF WEEKDAY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN SHENANDOAH COUNTY.

Tonight, I attended the third of three information briefings presented by The Shenandoah County Weekday Religious Education group. The group is dedicated to providing faith-based Christian education to interested public school students.

George Bowers and his steering committee have presented this concept to the school board for months now and it seems to be gaining more adherents every day!

My personal view is that: 1) a civilization that turns its back on its spiritual roots is doomed, 2) we are in dire need of moral education for our children (and adults?), and 3) it is a Constitutional right which we should not be denied.

When I first heard “the pitch,” I wanted to know more, so I interviewed George at some length, putting together tough questions from skeptics of the program. His thoughtful answers form the basis of an informative interview which can be found on the Shenandoah County Weekday Religious Education’s website, https://weekdayreligiouseducation.com/.

I urge you to visit the site and read carefully though the Q and A's. I believe that you will agree that much thought and planning has gone into this effort and that it is a plan which we should give a “THUMBS UP!” when it comes up for a vote by the school board!

10/21/2021

FAKE NEWS PROPAGANDA POSING AS JOURNALISM

When I received my copy of The Freedom Press, today I was shocked but not surprised at the level of dishonesty and fabrication which the editors: Keven Walker himself and Mike Scheibe printed in this edition. Last year, the publication had the earmarks of a fine local investigative paper; now it has descended into crass and demeaning deception in order to play to the candidacy of Mr. Walker.

There is a long article about me and an “altercation” I had with two of Walker’s supporters and tenants (I assume that they are tenants of The Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation).

Here’s the true story of what happened. I was concerned that Walker’s yard signs were placed on SVBF and church properties in New Market town in violation of Federal Election laws. So, I started walking north on Siever Rd taking pictures of his signs illegally placed. As I crossed to Congress St, a man and woman challenged me and I asked them if they owned the property and got a confused reply. At that point the woman started shouting, “You’re one of those Biden guys.” I decided this was going nowhere and crossed the street, continued walking north, taking pictures of the offending signs on my way.

I turned south on Sevier and noticed the man stalking me; I continued on until I reached the corner at Old Cross Rd where officer Collins, then officer Smoot stopped me and questioned me about my activity. I explained exactly what I was doing and they sent me on my way. I verified with Chief of Police Rinker that if there had been any reason to suspect me of doing something wrong, they would have dealt with it. They, of course, did not.

The first thing to notice about this article is that it is anonymous. So, I guess the writer did not want to take responsibility for the piece. The second thing is that the author did not question me or the policemen, but only Walker’s neighbors. Finally, the article attacks John Chroniger, but once again does not interview him.

Hit piece! You bet your bippy! This article is a total smear but conveniently leaves Walker out of the picture. This is the way he works, folks.

These are pictures I took that day of illegal Walker signs on the parsonage and the SVBF building.

Anyone who knows me knows that the kind of behavior described in the FP article is not me. When most people hear about my life’s work, they usually thank me for my service. With Keven it’s all about him. I guess he was serious when he told me at the candidate’s forum that he would find a way to steal the election from me.

Barlow for Shenandoah Co. School Board

11/10/2021

11/08/2021

11/05/2021

11/02/2021

10/31/2021

10/28/2021

10/27/2021

10/25/2021

10/22/2021

10/22/2021

10/21/2021

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