Rep. Goodlatte Works For Us
Posted: October 5, 2012
Rep. Bob Goodlattte is a public servant who has taken the
power entrusted to him and used it for the good of the
people he serves. (Photo by DN-R File)
I am a resident of Harrisonburg, and the wife of the former private investigator, Greg Brown. To remind you, Greg, was murdered; shot twice in the shoulder and once in the head, execution style. Greg had been hired by a local lawyer to deliver a divorce paper that the suspect, Ali Abid, did not want to receive. Police allege that after killing Greg, Abid threw Greg into the trunk of his car, and dropped the car at the Valley Mall, then fled the country. I owe it to the community, my family, myself and mainly to Greg, to see that Ali Abid is brought back and justice is done.
After a long period of grief, I became strong enough to take action. With help from our local leaders, I arranged a meeting with Rep. Goodlatte. He met with our family, the Harrisonburg Police Department’s Lt. Kurt Boshart, and Commonwealth Attorney, Marsha Garst. During the first meeting, Mr. Goodlatte showed care and concern as we shared our story with him. Since then he has helped secure resources that eventually can, and I believe will, help locate and return Ali Abid to the United States, to face the consequences for his unthinkable actions.
I have Mr. Goodlatte on several occasions that were unscheduled; he always takes time to listen, offer empathy, as well as let me know this is a top priority to him, as a congressman. I have received responses to letters that I have written to him, and personal phone calls from his staff letting me know the progress that is being made. When I see him, he reassures me that he continues to work on this case. Just last week, once again, he showed personal interest by sending a message that he would watch “America’s Most Wanted” when it aired the segment on Greg’s murder.
As I have talked and shared with people how Mr. Goodlatte has helped and supported us in this case, I’ve met others who have had similar experiences. One family of Democrats openly admit they reach across the aisle and vote for the congressman because in the past he has taken time to work for their personal situation and, as one family member put it, “He didn’t let go until he got what he was after.” This does not sound like the same Bob Goodlatte the young man above was talking about.
As I close, I share my heart with you and how Rep. Goodlatte has brought a ray of hope into a nightmare, a tragic situation filled with darkness, pain and sorrow. My family and friends greatly appreciate all that he has done, and will continue to do, as we await the return of Ali Abid. Rep. Bob Goodlattte is a public servant who has taken the power entrusted to him and used it for the good of the people he serves. This is the kind of leadership we need more of. We need real people willing to work for real people.
So, it is my pleasure to inform the citizens of the Sixth District of Virginia that Bob Goodlatte works for the people.
Debbie Brown lives in Harrisonburg.