On March 8, Larysa Kautz, one of four candidates running for Lee District supervisor, challenged the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board to change the name of two buildings in Lee District.
Kautz demands the changes be implemented before she potentially enters office in 2020.
Please note changing the name of a Fairfax County school in 2017-2018 cost $428,000.
Though she requires quick action in meeting her demand costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, Kautz has no solution when asked how to fund it.
Responsible for an $8.86 billion budget, service on Fairfax County Board of Supervisors requires thoughtful, deliberative leadership. Good government requires fact-based decision-making and community awareness.
Kautz issued her challenge three days after Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise no possible increase in the real estate tax rate.
In making their unanimous decision to retain tax rates, Supervisors identified unmet needs to fund early childhood education, to equip police officers with body cameras, and to protect residents against stormwater.
We must not only recognize the direct costs, but with competing priorities and finite resources we must understand the opportunity costs. If we expend hundreds of thousands of dollars to change names on buildings, we will not, for example, have those resources to help children access early childhood education.
Lee District needs a representative who works best with others on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Unfunded demands with quick deadlines for expensive changes not matching community priorities does not portend well for these important relationships.
With decades of successful experience serving Fairfax County supporting a spectrum of community priorities from economic development, to affordable housing and human services, Rodney Lusk is the candidate most ready and qualified to serve as Lee District Supervisor. Vote June 11.
Will Radle
Franconia