The county’s five constitutional officers announced they will run for re-election in Nov. 2007.
Clerk of Circuit Court Gary Clemens, Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman, Sheriff Steve Simpson, Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz and Treasurer Roger Zurn announced their joint bid Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Leesburg Fire House. The five constitutional officers, who have run together in the past, said they will campaign this year as a team.
"We work well together," Simpson said. "We made the announcement together to show unity."
Constitutional officers are elected by the voters at large. Each officer serves a four-year term, with the exception of the clerk of the Circuit Court, who serves an eight-year term.
THE SHERIFF, who took office in 1996, said he would like to continue his efforts in some of the county’s "problem" areas, including gang activity, homeland security and highway safety.
"Gang violence is a growing problem in our area," Simpson said.
Simpson began the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit two years ago. The unit’s primary responsibility is to educate themselves about local gangs and inform the public about them.
The community continues to worry about local gangs since two teenagers pleaded guilty to a series of drive-by shootings this summer that were gang related.
"Now is not the time for a rookie sheriff," Simpson said. "Loudoun County is changing. I want to help make it safer."
Simpson also serves on a handful of state and national committees, including the Virginia Highway Safety Committee and the National Sheriffs Association.
The veteran sheriff said he has made a lot of connections through various committees and associations he belongs to, which will help Loudoun County in the long run.
CLEMENS TOO, would like to continue working on a handful of projects he has worked on for the past eight years.
Clemens has made several technological improvements to the Circuit Court, including a new Web site. Clemens also opened the law library in Leesburg.
He will also implement public-service kiosks in his office and on the Internet that will allow residents to complete applications for things like marriage licenses and Notary Public.
"I want to continue to improve our services," he said.
WERTZ SAID four years is just not enough time to accomplish everything he hopes to do for the county.
The commissioner of the revenue said he would like to expand Internet services for taxpayers.
Over the past three years, he has implemented services that allow residents to review and update their personal property taxes. By next year, businesses will be able to renew their licenses online.
One of Wertz’s main goals, if he is re-elected, is to implement additional services available in Spanish and English.
SIMPSON SAID he has not heard of anyone running against the team.
"It’s still pretty early," he said.