To the Editor:
In response to the "Where Was Cathy Belter?" (Oct. 23-29.) letter in The Connection Newspapers, I have a very simple response: She has been right here, working her tail off for three decades for our kids, and I, for one, am very grateful for her efforts.
The more salient question is "Where was Scott Martin?" Where was Scott Martin when he held a seat on the Superintendent's Community Advisory Council (the only item on his resume related to Fairfax County Schools) but only managed to attend one meeting out of 10? What does this attendance record say about Mr. Martin's commitment to our children?
Cathy has been there for us, has supported the needs of the kids in Fairfax County and especially in Springfield. Ms. Renate's letter seeks to equate success on the School Board solely with the number of items included in the upcoming bond for a single district. It is short-sighted to base a job appraisal on one single criterion, particularly one as divisive as what did my district get on this year's bond. Secondly, Ms. Renate and her colleagues with the Martin campaign have the facts wrong in this letter when they state that "not one of our schools is included in the bond referendum." For the record, both Greenbriar East and West renewals are funded, West Springfield High School received technical upgrade funding in the 2001 bond, and there is planning money in this year's bond for modulars for Chantilly High School. More significantly, if money secured for one district were a valid criterion, then Cathy Belter should win hands down. Cathy was instrumental in working with community leaders in my area to get approval for the public/private partnership that is building the South County High School, an item not on the bond but which is extremely important to parents and kids in the south county. Those are tangible results that make a difference for our kids and our families. Again, where was Mr. Martin during these struggles? I've yet to see him at any community meetings or School Board meetings.
Finally, I know Cathy to be principled and honest. I've worked on school issues with Cathy for a number of years, and while we've not always shared the same perspective on specific policy questions, she has always been willing to listen, has sought the counsel of her constituents and has refrained from "playing politics" with critical issues. We deserve Cathy's leadership, and she deserves our support! I hope you will join me in getting behind Cathy and will help me actively support her in the coming month!
David B. Collins
Fairfax Station