Office sought: Broad Run District, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Previous offices held; please include dates: Chair of a K-12 school advisory board (1988-1990) - US Army, Kwajalein Atoll
Incumbents: when elected to this position: elected to Board of Supervisors 1999
Occupation: Engineer/Project Manager
Current employment: MITRE Corp., 7515 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102-7508 (3.5 years)
Previous employment: Retired US Army, 26.5 years - retired 1992
Education: Kansas State University, MS in Industrial Engineering - 1984; Baylor University, BA in Sociology and Environmental Studies double major - 1977; Defense Systems Management College, Program Management Course - 1990; Command and General Staff College - 1984; FAA commercial, instrument pilot ratings for multi-engine airplane and helicopter, US Army and private flight schools 1967-1971, Command Pilot with over 3,100 hours
Community ties:
Past service includes:
President, Ashburn Girls Softball League
Board of Directors, Loudoun Youth Lacrosse Association
Member, National Youth Sports Coaches Association
Board of Directors, Keep Loudoun Beautiful
Core Member, Sustainable Loudoun Network
Vice Chair, Great Falls Group of the Sierra Club
Broad Run District Chair and Vice Chair Loudoun County Democratic Committee
ENDORSEMENTS: Loudoun Education Association, Voters to Stop Sprawl, Affordable Shelter Political Action Committee
1. What is your top public-service accomplishment? Incumbents: Describe the top accomplishment of your last term. Why shouldn't voters blame you for current problems in your district?
When I ran for the Board of Supervisors, I promised to support policies that ensured responsible development of our communities. I promised to: champion initiatives for public-private road construction, make development pay its fair share of road and school infrastructure costs, preserve our environment, enhance open space, and to fully support our public schools. I have delivered on all my promises. And I have done this by listening to all parties involved, especially local citizens.
Our revised Comprehensive Plan preserves Loudoun's diversity and culture that feeds our tourism industry, saves future public infrastructure costs of $1.8 billion, and enhances environmental standards especially as they relate to clean water and green infrastructure.
2. What are the top five problems facing your constituents and what approaches will you use to solve them? Describe one challenge (or more) in your district that is different than other parts of the county.
1) Continued work to maximize construction of road networks early using existing funds, resources, and creative ideas and approaches as accomplished on Loudoun County Parkway, 2) Continued work with Fire and Rescue to address significant challenges due to growth and Home Land Security needs, 3) Implenting the workforce housing initiatives the Economic Development Commission has recommended, 4) Working to ensure broad based, sound economic development is attracted to Loudoun 5) Working with Chris Jones and the new leadership he'll bring to the Sheriff's department to implement community policing.
3. What qualities, qualifications and characteristics will you bring to this office?
I am endorsed by both Voters to Stop Sprawl (VSS), a grass roots citizens group advocating "smart growth;" and the Affordable Shelter Political Action Committee, a PAC representing local home building and developer interests. This is a great achievement and exemplifies my ability to work with everyone to accomplish optimum solutions for Loudoun County and the Broad Run District. During the revision of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances, VSS and the building industry didn't agree on much, but I am proud they both agree that I should be re-elected to serve Broad Run citizens.
4. How will voters best distinguish between you and your opponent(s)?
I, my family with 3 kids have lived, worked, gone to school, and played in the Broad Run District for over 11 years; my opponent just moved here. I have more years of: 1) formal education, 2) leadership and management experience, and 3) direct involvement in managing multi-million dollar budgets than my opponent has years as a high school graduate. My leadership experience includes being an air mission commander in combat, commanding nuclear missiles in Europe, teaching Leadership and Management at Trinity University, and many community activities. I bring broad-based experience to bear in my working for Broad Run residents.
5. What specific solutions will you propose for the transportation dilemma? Please address funding, prioritization, air quality, bus service and other non-rail public transportation solutions, expansion of rail service, and any other possible approach.
I have been a leader in "road club" formulation. Soon after taking office in 2000 I hosted a "Route 7 Summit" to identify disconnects in proffered Route 7 interchanges and related road networks. As a direct result, action was initiated to coordinate the early completion of Loudoun County Parkway between Route 7 and the W&OD as a four lane divided road using the Route 28 Public Private Partnership contract for the construction. This will save a tremendous amount of time and money. I have a history of strongly supporting our commuter bus system and advocating rail to Loudoun.
6. The majority on the current Board of Supervisors have followed a "Smart Growth" policy. How has it been successful? How has it failed? What remains to be done?
Our revised Comprehensive Plan preserves Loudoun's diversity and culture that feeds our tourism industry, saves future public infrastructure costs of $1.8 billion, upped Loudoun's bond rating to AA+, and enhances environmental standards.
Remaining to be done:
Revise the use list in zoning categories to add more business uses by-right
Streamline processing of commercial applications
Actively participate in ensuring open communications among all stakeholders
Look at the creation of more Community Development Authorities (CDAs) to fund infrastructure in newly developed areas ñ look at the possibilities for redevelopment as well.
Defend the Revised Comprehensive Plan in court.
7. What are your top environmental priorities? Please address air quality, water quality, open space, etc.
Virginia's Constitution states: "It shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth." We have this obligation.
Through Purchase of Development Rights we have permanently preserved nearly 5 square miles of open space in Loudoun including 36 acres along the W&OD in Ashburn. This includes a 900-acres along the Blue Ridge that is now Loudoun's largest park.
"Think not forever of yourselves, O Chiefs, nor of your own generation. Think of continuing generations or our families,' an Iroquois Chief.
8. Are residents safe enough? How do public safety officials balance new demands of "homeland security" with other safety and quality of life issues?
There is much that has not been done for homeland security. We do not have enough hospital beds, nor the facilities to address biological/chemical-terrorism and the accompanying decontamination and isolation issues. Much work remains in communication and notification processes and needed infrastructure, emergency response capabilities, and a variety of other areas.
There is more we can do for public safety in the area of community policing, such as:
Deputies permanently assigned and accountable to each community
Police and citizens joining together as partners committed to problem solving centered on the causes of crime, vandalism, traffic violations and gang activity
9. Do you have any concerns about civil liberties and public access to information in the wake of the Patriot Act and other responses to Sept. 11?
Yes - I believe that basic civil liberties must be preserved and protected as the nation seeks to guard against terrorism and other threats to national security. The need to protect against security threats to America must be balanced with the need to preserve the liberties that are the foundation of this country. I am concerned that Congress went too far in 2001 and the extreme provisions of the Patriot Act should be amended. New efforts proposed by the Bush administration to further expand governmental powers that infringe on civil liberties in my opinion will undermine the fundamental liberties guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution.
10. Working poor families in Northern Virginia face a daunting cost of living, with little in the way of affordable housing, health care, child care and transportation. Are low-wage workers important to the local economy? What do you propose to address the needs of these families?
The revised comprehensive plan has over 20 policy recommendations that require immediate attention. To this end, the Board of Supervisors directed the Economic Development Commission and County staff prepare a series of recommendations. These recommendations include: 1) Establish a Housing Advisory Board, 2) Establish Employer-Assisted Housing Programs, 3) Re-energize the Linked Deposits Affordable Housing Program, 4) Attract Non-Profit and For-Profit Housing Development Partnerships, 5) Partner with Industrial Development Authority in lieu of a Housing authority, 6) Expand Revitalization Tax Program, 7) Amend Affordable Dwelling Unit Program, and 8) Establish a Housing Trust. Work is underway to bring these to life.
11. Should counties have the taxing authority of cities?
Yes - But we need to get our fair share from Richmond as well. Loudoun County is one of the Northern Virginia leaders in economic development and the state needs to help us invest in adequate infrastructure if we are to be able to continue providing the economic engine the state needs.
12. What proposals do you have for mitigating the effects of soaring property values and related taxes?
Soaring property values can be a good thing. Buying a home is the most important investment many make. This is helping to send my son to college. The current tax rate of $1.11 is the same as when I was elected. Loudoun's tax rate is virtually the lowest in the region and remains a great value. Each year during my term, average staff increases have been 29% for Fire/Rescue, 19% for Sheriff Deputies, and 15% for school staff. Local tax funding for schools has increased 28% each year including the building of 16 new schools, 5 opened this year.
13. What campaign finance reform do you support? How should the county avoid conflict of interest, or even the appearance of conflict, given the Board's role in approving development and zoning changes and contributions by development interests?
Limit the amount of out of state contributions one can raise. National organizations should not decide local elections by buying the staff, the advertising, and paying the candidates themselves.