The Connection

Challenger Braddock Supervisor

Town of residence: Fairfax

Age: 68

Family: Husband, Walter, Sons, Mark and Eric

Education: BA, University of California at Davis, M.Ed. American University

Offices held, dates: Fairfax County School Board Member at Large, 2004-2008

Occupation and relevant experience: Legislative Assistant to Congressman John E. Moss, Legislative Aide to Delegate Kris Amundson, Legislative Aide to Delegate Kaye Kory, FCPS Teacher.

Community involvement: State Legislation Chair Virginia PTA, Fairfax County Council of PTA’s Legislation Chair, Robinson Secondary PTSA Legislation Chair, Northern Virginia Board Member, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership

Website: JanetForFairfax.com

Email address: janet@janetforfairfax.com

Twitter handle: @janetoleszek

Name three favorite endorsements: LiUna Mid-Atlantic, Northern Virginia Central Labor Council, LGBT Democrats of Virginia, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 301, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, Fairfax FOP Lodge 77, Virginia NOW, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 400, SMART Local 100

QUESTIONS:

What is one issue that defines your call to serve, why does it matter, and how will you tackle it?

Education is an issue that defines me. I have spent over 40 years as an advocate for our public schools here in Fairfax County. I worked at the PTA level, before my election to the Fairfax County School Board in 2003. I believe our schools must be our first priority.

What distinguishes you from your opponent(s) and why should voters choose you?

I am opposed to the Braddock Road expansion which John Cook has been an advocate for. The current county transportation plans seem to envision Braddock Road as a new major east-west roadway, similar to I-66 with an 8 lane layout. In my opinion this is a community road, not a transportation hub. I would strongly oppose the Braddock Road expansion and remove it from county transportation plans.

More than half of the county budget is devoted to the local school system. A significant budget gap looms for the next budget cycle, both for FCPS and Fairfax County. What are the top county priorities and how will you assure funding and manage the budget? What ideas do you have for increasing revenue? Name two areas/items you would cut or reduce.

It should concern voters that the budget gap anticipated for next year is because of structural issues and does not anticipate any additional funding or services. Our teachers, public safety and other public employees earn salaries that are falling behind neighboring localities and we are losing some of our best young talent because of that. My top priority will be to find the revenue needed to fix the long term structural issues in Fairfax County. I will support a meals tax referendum as a way to begin that process, but I know we will need to go well beyond that to balance Fairfax’s budget and meet our long term needs. One area that I would cut is part-time political employees of the County who earn full-time salaries. Taxpayers deserve a strong ethics reform in Fairfax County that prevents Supervisors like John Cook from pulling $95,000 a year salaries while working another full time job.

How many hours a week of outside employment do you anticipate while serving on the Board of Supervisors?

None. I will serve as a full-time Braddock District Supervisor.