Everything from the sales-tax referendum to road closings at Fort Belvoir to United Nations inspectors going back to Iraq was touched on Monday night by U.S. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) when he spoke to the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce.
In a joint gathering with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, members of both organizations heard Warner proclaim, "I'll be working with the governor to get the referendum passed. We constantly have to plead with EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] not to take our money away because of air pollution."
Joining Warner at the Holiday Inn on First Street in Alexandria were two of his staff, Ben Cassidy, who specializes in defense legislation, and Ann Loomis, his chief of legislation and specialist in transportation. Each spoke on his or her particular area of expertise.
When introducing Cassidy, Warner pointed out that Virginia ranks No. 1 on a per capita basis in reaping the economic benefits of defense spending by the federal government. Cassidy then noted that $5 million had been allocated to "conduct a study by the Army" concerning the road closings at Fort Belvoir.
Warner also took credit for making sure that the proposed U.S. Army Museum came to Belvoir. "It was already on its way to Maryland, and I said no," he proclaimed. But in answer to a question about its exact location, he admitted, "I got it here, but I can't guarantee where it will actually be placed."
Mount Vernon District supervisor and vice chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerald W. Hyland, emphasized to Warner, "The Army chief of staff has indicated he wants the museum near Telegraph Road. It's not the right site."
HYLAND NOTED that in early discussions about the museum and in a recent meeting with the Belvoir garrison commander, the site most desired was near the main gate just off Route 1. He pointed out that the museum is just part of a total plan to bring Metro to that area and serve as a tourism stimulus.
Turning to transportation and highways, Warner bragged, "I did the biggest hijacking in the history of the Senate when I got $2 billion appropriated for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project." Then he turned the floor over to Loomis.
She explained that the T-21 legislation, the national highway legislation that comes up for renewal every six years, would be on the calendar next year. "This is a must-pass bill because without it there is no federal money for any of the 50 states," she insisted.
"Although most of the money goes to maintaining the interstate system, there are many local projects included," she said. "For every cent you pay in gasoline tax, the money is spent the next year on highway projects. We raised the Virginia share of the Federal Highway Trust Fund by 40 percent."
ADDRESSING THE EPA requirement to withhold highway funds for areas that do not meet air-pollution-reduction standards, Loomis insisted, "We're always working for ways to enhance mass transportation capabilities. In the past two years we have made great progress."
As for the creation of a mass-transit capability to Dulles Airport, she claimed, "We see momentum building to get Metro to Dulles. Hopefully within the next decade." When asked about light rail, Warner injected, "Light rail is just a euphemism for Metro."
Loomis admitted, "Our problems (congestion and air pollution) are primarily caused by the automobile." But she also emphasized the need for more roads to move traffic better.
When one questioner asked about the possibility of a southern bypass for I-95 traffic to remove some of it from the metropolitan area, Warner insisted, "We have looked into the possibility of a so-called south bridge tying into Route 301 in Maryland, but it will never happen due to the rural political strength in Maryland. They're the toughest bunch I've come across in all my years in politics."
ON THE INTERNATIONAL scene, Warner was emphatic in pushing for a United Nations resolution requiring Iraq to admit weapons inspectors. When asked to comment on Iraq's latest announcement that a U.N. resolution was not necessary because inspectors are free to come in and conduct unfettered inspection, Warner stated, "I think it is imperative that the Security Council and/or the General Assembly act to require inspectors."
He further explained that Iraq, quite different from many other Middle Eastern areas such as Afghanistan, diverges from others in two critical ways. "One, Iraq has a very educated portion of their population. And, two, Iraq sits on the second largest oil reserve in the world."
When questioned as to whether he thought Iraq might fracture into three warring elements if Saddam Hussein were removed, Warner answered, "I am convinced they will stay together as one state. But the thing that worries me the most is weapons of mass destruction in the wrong hands." He announced his Senate committee will start a series of hearings on the Iraqi situation this week.
IN A LIGHTER vein, Warner admitted, "It was always my desire to live in Old Town Alexandria. My father was a doctor, and I used to come here as a boy when he worked with another doctor. I used to bring my dog and let him run free in the streets while I played. My, how things have changed."
He noted, "I now live here. I took two small one-bedroom units and combined them, and I'm as happy as I can be." He also thanked those assembled for allowing him to walk the streets and attend the Saturday morning farmers market "in my old clothes and unshaven."
Before the dinner and Warner's presentation, the two Chambers held a joint networking reception. Both Richard F. "Rick" Neal, president of the Mount Vernon/Lee chamber, and Huey Battle, chairman of the Alexandria chamber, participated in the evening's agenda.