Elton Van Welton
For Strasburg Town Council
Tested Leadership • Compassionate Service • Community Focused
Introduction Video
Multi-Issue Candidate
Responsible Growth
I support responsible growth that strengthens Strasburg’s economy while protecting the small-town character and quality of life we value. New development should expand our tax base, create opportunities, and make productive use of our properties, while recognizing the demands growth places on our water, wastewater, public safety, public works, and other essential services. I believe that with tested leadership to guide the way, Strasburg can welcome new investment and opportunity without losing the qualities that make our community a special place to call home.
Infrastructure Investment
Strasburg must maintain and modernize the infrastructure our residents depend on every day. We must prioritize our most important infrastructure needs, prepare responsibly for the costs of meeting those needs, and protect our residents from carrying more of that financial burden than necessary.
I believe my experience will allow me to bring thoughtful judgment, careful attention to detail, and fiscal discipline to the Capital Improvement Program—the Town’s 5 year plan, to address major infrastructure and capital needs.
Economic Development
A strong local economy is the key to a strong community. It is essential therefore that we attract new businesses / private investment both to our downtown and our outlying areas.
I believe the best way to secure new business is through the creation of a new Economic Development Authority just for Strasburg. We need a Office which will broadcast that our Town is open for business. This way, we will fill our empty buildings, spread our tax base, and generate the revenue needed to address our infrastructure.
Data Center Position:
Overall Position. I am not Pro-Data Center. I am not Anti-Data Center. If elected, I want to engage a data center based on the facts, the law, and the circumstances before the Council relevant to each individual data center.
Position on the Takanock Development. My position on Project Tallmadge begins with the law and the facts. The Town has determined that the project has by-right status. I believe those established legal rights must be respected. I do not believe however, that the by-right status gives the project a blank check. Council must ensure that Takanock complies with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and be held accountable for the commitments it has made.
Position on Future Data Center Applications. On July 1, 2025, the Strasburg Town Council amended its Uniform Development Ordinance to require new data center applications to need a Special Use Permit (SUP) for approval. For future data centers, I support the Special Use Permit process because it provides a public process in which both the rights of the property owner and the concerns of the community can be heard and considered. A landowner should have the opportunity to propose a lawful use of his or her property, while the citizens who may be affected should have the opportunity to address issues such as water, infrastructure, noise, environmental impacts, and quality of life. An SUP does not predetermine the answer; it provides a process for considering the particular proposal, receiving public input, and determining whether appropriate safeguards and conditions are warranted under the law.