Elaine McConnell came to Fairfax County in 1961 with her husband and three children. In the 46 subsequent years, she raised her family, became a teacher, started her own business and was elected to the Fairfax County the Board of Supervisors. At the end of 2007, McConnell will step down from the board after representing the Springfield District for 24 years.
In that time, McConnell has seen many changes in her district, which extends from West Springfield through Fairfax Station and Clifton to the Fairfax Corner area. Here, she takes a few moments to talk about her life and the changes she has seen in Fairfax County.
Number of years in the community: We have lived in the community for over 40 years.
Family (spouse, children and/or pets): We have three children, nine grandchildren and 10 cats — Puffy, Flippen, Squeeker, Pixie, Screamer, Mama cat, Lady Bug, Pumpkin, BigFace and Old Mama. Seven of these are feral cats we had neutered and given necessary shots. They are beautiful, loving and content outside cats.
Education: After high school, I attend night school, later entered into a two-year kindergarten program and also college courses at night.
Your first job: My first job was when I was 14. I worked for an insurance company and did typing, filing and mail.
Current job/occupation: My primary occupation is supervisor of the Springfield District. I am also CEO of my own company, which is four private schools.
Activities/interests/hobbies: I serve on many boards and commissions, love music, writing poetry and am presently writing a book.
Favorite local restaurant or place in the community: In our immediate West Springfield community, I like the Asian Grill and Milano's restaurants. In the western part of my district, I enjoy Coastal Flats.
What are your community concerns? What are some ideas you have on ways to improve your community? I am concerned most about traffic and transportation problems. We need to continue to build and improve roads, increase our transit systems and control our traffic better.
What is the last book you read? The last movie you watched? I recently reread "The Lord's Horseman", the story of John Wesley's life and we enjoy the Marvin Hamlish concerts at the Kennedy Center.
What brought you here? My husband, Mac, was an ATF agent and was transferred to Washington from Jacksonville, Fla., so we moved here with our three children in l961.
What hidden treasure in the community do you think more people should know about? We have many parks in our district that is hidden treasures. One of the most beautiful is Fountainhead.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a teacher and to work with children.
If you were to take a road trip to anywhere right now, where would you go? I have traveled to most states, but never been to New England. I would enjoy a road trip to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
What are your personal goals? My goals are to continue to work in the field of early childhood education and the education of learning disabled and emotionally disturbed children.
How have you seen the community change over the years? When I came here in 1961, it was more of a rural community, both in Springfield and Centreville. It has definitely changed into a more urban area.
What do you miss most from when you first came here? I miss many of the long-gone landmarks that have disappeared over the years like restaurants I enjoyed dining at and small businesses I enjoyed shopping at.