AGE: 44
FAMILY: Two daughters — Melissa, 12, and Julianne, 10
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 10826, Alexandria, VA 22310
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-921-0301
E-MAIL: jford@rongrignol.com
WEBSITE: www.rongrignol.com
OCCUPATION: Engineering Consultant
EMPLOYMENT: CSC
EDUCATION: B.S., Electrical Engineering, Virginia Tech
QUALIFICATIONS: Have done extensive advocating in the General Assembly
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
Advancing the cause of shared parenting. Both parents being involved with their children after family break-up.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidate in the race?
I have a more diverse experience and can appeal to more voters of different backgrounds.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
Raise taxes.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Taxes. Cap the property tax; repeal the increase in taxes on retirement income; and getting rid of the car tax.
5. Is there any additional legislation in regard to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws and regulation about abortion in Virginia?
I support both the fetal pain bill, which would apply anesthesia prior to abortions for second and third trimesters. I also support abortion clinics meeting the same health standards as other medical clinics.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
In Fairfax, they should have less taxing authority because I don't believe they can say no to any tax increase. I support a 5 percent property tax cap.
7. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
Cap property tax to no more than 5 percent of last year's value. The property should not be assessed until it is sold.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
Same-sex couples should be treated by the state the same way unmarried heterosexual couples who have had no children together are treated.
9. What are your views about public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to privatize Virginia’s highway system? What are the caveats you would identify as we move forward with this process?
I support public-private partnerships and I believe High-Occupancy Toll lanes are a good way to start.
10. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why, and what should be done?
Illegal immigration is a problem because it creates a huge underground economy that encourages law breaking. The federal government needs to solve this problem. We should be open to and document anybody who wants to come to the United States for work provided we can verify they have no criminal record or are not associated with terrorist organizations.