[JYO] Leesburg's Candidates Speak Out - Airport/Annexation Question is #4
- From: FlyboyEd@xxxxxxx
- To: jyo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 13:57:12 EDT
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Leesburg's Candidates Speak Out
_Molly Novotny_ (mailto:)
05/01/2006 -- In an effort to help voters learn more about the views of the
candidates for three seats on the Leesburg Town Council, Leesburg Today asked
them to provide written answers to eight questions covering a range of
issues. Incumbent Mayor Kristen Umstattd, who is running unopposed on the
ballot,
also was asked to provide responses.
Dave Butler
Date of Birth: Jan. 17, 1958
Address: 211 Jennings Ct. SE
How long have you lived in Leesburg? 4 years
Occupation: Chief Security Officer for N.E.W. Customer Service Companies,
Inc.
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: None
Frank H. Holtz
Date of Birth: Oct. 4, 1959
Address: 103 Bridgette Place, NE
How long have you lived in Leesburg: 11 years
Occupation: United States Capitol Police
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: None
Tom Marshall
Date of Birth: Oct. 24, 1940
Address: 315 Ayrlee Avenue, NW
How Long have you lived in Leesburg: 15 years
Occupation: Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Leesburg; Retired from Fairfax
County Public Schools after 30 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator.
Previous campaigns: sought Leesburg District School Board seat in 2004.
Service on town commissions:Thomas Balch Library Commission.
Fernando âMartyâ Martinez
Date of Birth: October 3, 1952
Address: 704 Bellview Court NE
How long have you lived in Leesburg?: 13 years
Occupation: System Engineer
Previous campaigns: Elected to Town Council in 2002.
Service on town commissions: Parks & Recreation, Airport, Information
Technologies, Cable Commission
David C. Miles
Date of Birth: 1945
Address: 206 Wirt Street, NW
How long have you lived in Leesburg? 15 years
Occupation: Chairman, Miles LeHane Group, Leesburg
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: None
Ken Reid
Date of Birth: Sept. 8, 1958
Address: 607 Talmadge Court SE
How long have you lived in Leesburg? 4 years
Occupation: Publisher and President of Washington Information Source Company
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission;
volunteered for Leesburg Crossroads and new Southeast/Southwest trails task
force
Todd Severance
Date of Birth: Aug. 22, 1969
Address: 406 Dodd Court NW
How long have you lived in Leesburg? 2 Years
Occupation: Business Consultant (F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program)
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: None
Steve Skirkanich
Date of Birth: Aug. 24, 1966
Address: 1704 Revere Ct, NE
How long have you lived in Leesburg? 1991-1994 and 2002 to present
Occupation: Owner of Real Estate Appraisal Company
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: None
Kevin D Wright
Date of Birth: August 14, 1973
Address: 109 Pershing Avenue NW
How long have you lived in Leesburg?: 18 years
Occupation: Corporate Real Estate & Facilities Manager
Previous campaigns: None
Service on town commissions: Chairman, Planning Commission; Urban Growth
Area/Joint Land Management Area Joint Subcommittee; Liaison to Board of
Architectural Review
Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd
Date of Birth: May 18, 1954
Address: 353 Foxridge Drive, SW
How long have you lived in Leesburg?: 19 years
Occupation: attorney
Previous campaigns: State Senate, County Chairman At Large, Town Council,
Mayor
Service on town commissions: Planning Commission as Council liaison
1. Why are you running for Council?
Butler: We must create a vision. In 10, 20, 50 years, I donât want Leesburg
to be just strip malls, gas stations, tract housing, and high taxes. Iâm
running for Town Council so that I can help the town create a vision and get
firmly on the path to reaching it.
Holtz: I am concerned about Leesburgâs future and the quality of life in our
town. I want to bring back trust, accessibility, order and leadership to
local government.
Marshall: Simply because I love Leesburg and I want to do something
significant for the town. I think people find me to be open and honest with no
particular agenda other than being a good steward to the responsibilities of
governing our town wisely and a willingness to work cooperatively with all
interested parties, especially the residents, in keeping Leesburg uniquely
ours.
Martinez: To continue serving Leesburg as I have for the last 4 years. To
continue on the initiatives I am working on such on transportation, growth,
protecting transition area between town and county, etc.
Miles: During my business career I have demonstrated strong skills in
leadership, fiscal management, strategic planning, and the art of compromise.
The
Town Council needs all of these skills. As a Leesburg resident and business
owner for 15 years, I am now able to give my expertise back to my town.
Reid: Because I love this town and its residents. Living in a historic and
charming community such as Leesburg is a dream for all of us, so I wish to
preserve the Leesburg dream for all residents. I especially want to work to
reduce traffic congestion and taxes, and broaden our business and jobs base
thus
lessening the burden of the property tax.
Severance: I was imbued with service above self in a military family and
serving in the U.S. Navyâit taught me to continuously seek improvement on
current ideas. My family settled in LeesburgâI want to help shape a
structured,
vibrant town that is affordable and maintains its historic charm.
Skirkanich: I see an opportunity. An opportunity to lead, participate and
help shape our town. For the last 15 years I have been using my leadership,
business and analytical skills to start, grow and run small businesses. My
entrepreneurial skills, knowledge of land use and the local economy give me the
skills to bring leadership to the Town Council.
Umstattd: I am running for reelection as mayor to keep town government
focused on solving transportation issues; to provide a voice for citizens
concerned about too-rapid growth; to continue to lower the real property tax
rate;
and to keep Town government civil, open and responsive to the public.
Wright: As an 18-year town resident and lifelong county resident, I want to
help foster a cooperative, non-partisan environment in which to debate issues
that results in the best solutions for our community. I want to serve the
families of Leesburg, and will work within the council to keep the dialogue
constructive.
2. What distinguishes you from other candidates?
Butler: For 25 years, I've managed large departments and budgets, and
negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts with vendors. They remind me of
developers. I donât mind if developers make money. However, they wonât make
too many
nickels from me. I have the experience and political will to make sure that
doesnât happen.
Holtz: My extensive background in public safety, my access to Congressional
staff, my approachability and training to consider all facts prior to making
decisions.
Marshall: What distinguishes me, perhaps, from the others is that I have a
counseling background, which has taught me to be a good listener with an
inclination to find win-win solutions that are sensible, fair and fiscally
sound.
Martinez: Experience on council. Involvement in the community that covers
schools, recreation, social services and community services.
Miles: My background spans almost 40 years in corporate management melding
leadership, strategic planning, and fiscal management to help create the best
results both for the near-term and long-term objectives. Leesburg faces major
challenges and needs someone with this background to help shape the current
and future solutions for the town.
Reid: I have been actively engaged in Leesburg town issues for three years. I
co-founded the Coalition to Complete Battlefield Parkway, serve on the
Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission, where I worked on business
recycling
and opposing power lines near Leesburgâs neighborhoods, and on the
countyâs
Transportation Safety Commission, where I got legislation passed to raise the
fines on overlength trucks using Rt. 15.
Severance: Iâve lived in myriad towns with similar challenges facing Leesburg
âseen what they did well and otherwise. That experience and my strategic
visionâsmall business revitalization in downtown to help offset real estate
tax
burdens, transportation efficiency and improved resident connectivity through
trailsâwill enhance our town fabric.
Skirkanich: Vision, leadership and commitment. My vision for Leesburg is to
have a town in which people can live, work and play. I believe in order to
grow, risks must be taken. I will lead with courage to tackle issues head on,
take risks to improve our town, be accountable to the public for my actions
and
decisions and govern in an open, honest forum.
Umstattd: I am optimistic that the new council will work as a team and will
be as professional, as fiscally conservative, and as responsive to our
citizens as the outgoing council.
Wright: Experience. I am the only candidate who has the training and
experience as a town planning commissioner to fully assess one of the most
complex
aspects of the councilâs job, reviewing land use applications. As an 18-year
town resident and lifelong county resident, I have a strong knowledge of town
issues.
3. Could the town better communicate with its residents? If so, in what way
and what steps would you take to improve the exchange of information?
Butler: I would improve the likelihood and opportunity for residents to
participate in the town government by holding frequent, informal citizen input
sessions at clubhouses, coffeehouses and restaurants, and by adjusting the
schedule for important public hearings and votes so that theyâre not too late
at
night.
Holtz: We should always look for ways to improve communication. I would work
with the local media, public safety officials and community leaders to ensure
that information is disseminated to the residents. I would organize locally
focused open forums to hear and address neighborhood concerns.
Marshall: Good communication is essential. Target communication is
cost-effective. However, a general town newsletter would be costly, but it
might be a
good idea to have one produced monthly in limited numbers for pick-up at
specific sites and available from the town via e-mail. Council members might
want
to consider "office hours" for their constituency.
Martinez: We can always find betters ways to improve the exchange of
communication. On the IT Commission we are working on an interface to our Web
site
that will give residents easier access to town information. Newsletters are
being published on recreation and capital projects.
Miles: Produce quarterly printed âReport Cardsâ on key issues; produce and
distribute advance copies of budget summaries prior to scheduled budget
meetings and e-mail or fax the agenda for each town meeting, one week in
advance.
Reid: I believe the town staff is great to work with and accessible. We make
better use of our boards and commissions than the County. I would like to
grow the town Web site and provide an e-mail alert of news to any resident who
signs up. The Council also could hold some neighborhood-based meetings.
Severance: Yes - we are all stakeholders in Leesburg. One step is to provide
households with a summarized annual report of what our town government has
done, how they allocated funds, and the general course in the next one, five
and 10 years. This generates resident buy in and improves awareness and
participation.
Skirkanich: Yes, I think the town could communicate better. Unfortunately,
communication is a two-way street. No matter what the council does to improve
communication, residents only hear specific pieces related to their issues. I
think there is a perception that the council is unapproachable. I would work
to dispel that perception by being open, honest and forthright as I confront
the issues.
Umstattd: We need to continue to make our citizens feel valued and respected
when they contact town government. Traditionally, Leesburg citizens have
rejected local government newsletters as self-serving, political propaganda
meant to enhance incumbentsâ reelection chances at taxpayer expense. However,
newsletters to neighborhoods, updating them on capital projects, are
worthwhile.
Wright: The town needs to actively get more information to citizens. The town
must throw open the doors through creating an annual report, sending e-mail
alerts, online access to the full council packet, and quickly posting meeting
reports to the public. Council members must clearly explain the issues,
implications and decisions to citizens.
4. Do you support annexation and if so, for what reasons?
Butler: Annexation is about control. I firmly believe that Leesburg is in the
best position to decide what should happen to land near its boundaries. We
should consider annexing land that can produce more in tax revenue than it
costs in services, or land that improves our quality of life.
Holtz: I would support annexation for commercial development in the Leesburg
Executive Regional Airport area, which could become a self-supporting center
for private aviationâthis would help reduce residential taxes.
Marshall: At this time, I support annexation only to protect the land near
the airport from residential development.
Martinez: I support protecting and/or expanding the boundaries using all tool
available which could include annexation. The town needs to have input on
what happens to our town boundaries.
Miles: Selected annexation is the most desirable. Examples include buffering
the airport, to preserve natural areas and enhance parks and possibly some
commercial areas.
Reid: Leesburg needs to make better use of the undeveloped parcels it has
before annexing more territory, by focusing these parcels for high-wage
employment centers, such as research and development. Land around the airport,
though, should be protected from residential development.
Severance: Itâs a useful tool provided it is for a purpose. It allows the
town land utilization control rather than relying on county desires, provides
us
added margin to restructure the tax base, and prepares us for the option to
undertake city status without a potential hefty tax burden on homeowners.
Skirkanich: Yes, I think annexation can be a very important tool in the Town
of Leesburgâs growth. Annexation can add to the tax base by bringing in
businesses that already service the town with minimal impact on infrastructure
cost. Annexation can offer benefits to residents and organizations such as the
Central Loudoun Little Leagueâs Good Times Park.
Umstattd: No. Inevitably, any annexed land will result in more residential
growth in the town. The annexations of the mid-1980s were rationalized as being
necessary for commercial development; however both the Harper Park/Potomac
Station rezoning (1992) and the KSI Villages at Leesburg rezoning (2005) took
large areas of those commercially planned tracts and turned them into more
residential units.
Wright: If the areas near our airport are used for high-quality economic
development that provides significant transportation improvements then
annexation would be beneficial to the town. However, there are applications
before the
county that could have significant impacts on Leesburg, our top priority
must be to become a formal partner in the review process.
5. What individual project(s) do you plan to initiate or accomplish during
your four-year term and what steps will you take to make that happen?
Butler: The biggest project would be to remove Leesburg from the county,
ending double taxation. Property taxes could be reduced by 20 percent to 25
percent, or $1,500 per home, and we would no longer be at the mercy of the
countyâ
s policies. This would be difficult, but we are up to the task.
Holtz: We need to apply greater resources to be able to challenge developers
when we believe their plans are not in Leesburgâs best interest. I would also
focus on lobbying our state legislators to put some teeth into our local
laws so that we donât waste precious tax dollars defending our decisions.
Marshall: I want to study the duplication or replication of services provided
by the town and the county. I want the county to provide more services to
the town residents in the area of social services and in supporting our parks
and recreational facilities. I want to see the Crescent District Master Plan
implemented.
Martinez: Work with state legislators, county transportation and localities
in Loudoun County to create a regional strategy on transportation and what we
can do to alleviate gridlock. Also work with county in joint planning on the
UGA and other transition areas.
Miles: Adopt an active communications program to all households on issues to
encourage dialogue with the council, rather than just rely on Monday work
sessions and Tuesday voting, and create a shared vision of what Leesburg should
be in 20 years, encouraging citizen involvement.
Reid: I will push for faster completion of Battlefield Parkway, removing
dangerous intersections on the Bypass; getting Sycolin Road, Evergreen Mill
Road
and U.S. 15 south of the bypass improved. I want the town to be more business
friendly. On taxes, I am the only candidate running who has actively opposed
higher property taxes the last two years.
Severance: Historic Downtown small business revitalization similar to
Williamsburg. Work with the Planning Commission on parking solutions and with
the
EDC to conduct in depth, town resident surveys to determine what businesses
would draw people downtown, provide tax and start up cost relief to those
identified businesses to entice them to locate downtown.
Skirkanich: Try and bring more businesses to Leesburg. In order for Leesburg
to be a place of prosperity for the residents there needs to be additional
business growth. Leesburg needs the tax revenue from businesses to offset the
tax burden that is on the residents via real estate taxes.
Umstattd: My top priority is the completion of Battlefield Parkway from
Potomac Crossing to Meade Drive.
Wright: I will work to increase transportation funds from all development, to
identify and implement goals to grow our business tax base, to reduce water
connection fees for restaurants, to implement the action items in our Town
Plan, and to complete new trail connections especially in long overlooked
south
Leesburg.
6. With money now earmarked for the completion of Battlefield Parkway, what
is your top transportation project?
Butler: We need to focus on making the Bypass interchanges limited-access,
especially at Sycolin Road and the outlet mall, and implementing trails south
of the bypass into town. In addition, due to the massive growth to our west
and north, we may need to consider a Leesburg beltway, outside of Battlefield
Parkway.
Holtz: Building an overpass interchange to alleviate gridlock at the Rt. 15
intersections with Fort Evans Road and Edwards Ferry Road. The town approved
the zoning that allowed for a heavy concentration of retail business in one
location. Now we must implement a plan to alleviate shopper and commuter
gridlock.
Marshall: After the completion of Battlefield Parkway, the top transportation
project should be the Sycolin overpass, but that is a state responsibility.
We need our representatives in the General Assembly working hard to get that
funding for us and the town should be exerting more and consistent pressure.
Martinez: Sycolin Road, Bypass, Market & King intersection, Interchanges at
Battlefield, Edwards Ferry, Sycolin and the Bypass, Pedestrian overpasses at
the Bypass and 15 south. Take your pick; they all need to be seriously looked
at.
Miles: First, Battlefield does need to be completed. Then I advocate widening
South King Street/Rt. 15, and simultaneously with that, to examine
alternatives for downtown traffic flow.
Reid: Completing Battlefield between Ft. Evans Road and Edwards Ferry Road. I
also wish to find a permanent commuter park-and-ride lot in Leesburg
corporate limits and bring more bike trails, especially from South Leesburg
across
the Bypass. I also wish to help alleviate traffic in the Historic District and
effectively manage our downtown parking.
Severance: Battlefield Parkway to Rt. 15 is in the proposed 2007 budget with
over $8 million in funding slated in 2009. To compliment that, I would like
to work with VDOT to synchronize traffic lights on Route 7/East Market and
with State and Federal levels to achieve Rt. 15 improvements.
Skirkanich: Work on a plan to move commuter traffic to the north and west
with the smallest impact on the town. The Sycolin flyover is a good place to
start. Work on starting much-needed traffic projects like the improvements at
the Edwards Ferry/Rt. 15 Bypass interchange. Widening Rt. 15 (S. King St.) and
the Dry Mill road improvements.
Umstattd: The town does not yet have all the funding required to complete
Battlefield Parkway. Once Battlefield Parkway is complete, South King Street
and
Sycolin Road will become top priorities; however, both of these will be
rendered irrelevant if the state does not do something about congestion on the
Route 7/15 Bypass between the Greenway exits and Clarkeâs Gap.
Wright: My top priority will be to follow through and get Battlefield built
ASAP; the job is not done yet. My next goal will be to work on the flyover at
Sycolin and the Bypass, planning to replace lights on Rt. 7 and the Bypass
with interchanges as planned.
7. What is the greatest achievement for the current town council?
Butler: The greatest achievement is the Town Plan, a terrific document if
followed.
Holtz: The greatest achievement would be the completion of the Battlefield
Parkway transportation project.
Marshall: I think the Town Council's work in producing the Crescent District
Plan and its continuous support for the implementation of the master plan is
exemplary. In dealing with the issues that face the town, the Town Council is
much more civil and more responsive than other local deliberative bodies and
I would hope that would continue.
Martinez: Controlling growth in the southwest, redevelopment in the Barber &
Ross site, seeing Battlefield Parkway completion on the horizon, Public
Safety, Citizens becoming more involved in neighborhood issues.
Miles: The greatest accomplishment is bringing civility into the council
meetings that have encouraged more comprehensive discussions on all sides of
issues.
Reid: The greatest achievement of the current town council was making
Battlefield Parkway (between Kincaid Blvd. and Rt. 7) as the highest
transportation
priority.
Severance: Adoption of the Harrison Park Project, a good first step to
downtown revitalization.
Skirkanich: Getting the KSI-Wegmans Project approved. That approval shows
that the current town council is acting in the best interest of the town by
trying to bring in additional tax revenue from businesses that blend well in
the
suburban landscape.
Umstattd: The Councilâs dedication to solving transportation problems and
willingness to allocate resources to long-delayed storm drainage projects are
efforts the Town should be proud of. To its credit, this Council will have
lowered the real property tax rate two years in a row, bringing it to the
lowest
rate since 1990.
Wright: The selection of John Wells as town manager was an excellent
decision. He has been a positive force of change.
8. What is the biggest disappointment for the current town council?
Butler: The biggest disappointment has to be the utility rate decision,
putting almost the entire water/sewer increase on the backs of 2,700
homeowners.
Bad politics, bad for Leesburg, and a bad way to govern. Not how I would
govern.
Holtz: The biggest disappointment is the handling of the civic organizations
signs.
Marshall: There are no major disappointments. We need to scrutinize the costs
vs revenue with respect to the airport.
Martinez: Biggest disappointment is the inability to get past the countyâs
reservation on working with the town on planning issues in the UGA.
Miles: The greatest disappointment is too many closed sessions.
Reid: The greatest disappointment was the council's inability to control
spending and tax rates, plus dwelling too much on petty squabbles and avoiding
big-picture issues.
Severance: The perception, whether correct or not, that town government has
not been as open to the public as it should be. Democracy requires public
accessâgovernment must always be cognizant of that.
Skirkanich: No Response
Umstattd: No Response.
Wright: The greatest disappointment is the 32 percent growth of the townâs
general fund budget with a 43 percent growth in residential taxes over the past
four years, increasing the burden on Leesburg families.
8. Does the town provide enough servicesârecreational, mentoring, outreachâ
for Leesburgâs youth? If not, what is the town lacking and how would you
work
to fill that gap?
Butler: We need youth centers to provide safe, supervised activities, and
they need to be effectively promoted. This is a high priority for me, as it is
one of the best ways to prevent gang involvement. We should partner
appropriately with the county as part of its Loudoun Youth Initiative.
Holtz: Existing youth programs must be expanded to incorporate âlife
skillsâ
classes and anti-gang intervention education. We should apply for state and
federal grants to assist us with youth outreach programs. I would encourage
local businesses to help the town create a more extensive Summer Jobs Program.
Marshall: It is a county function to provide social services; it is a town
function to provide municipal services, which it does. The town has wonderful
recreational services in Ida Lee and Freedom Park with little help from the
county. The town police do have programs for some disadvantaged youth, but I am
not sure there are not programs in the county that shouldn't be doing this.
Martinez: The town does a lot for the amount of resources available, although
there is always more we can do. We need to do more, while maintaining the
balance between what we need to do and what we should ask the taxpayers to fund
for those needs. Also social issues transcend borders so we should also look
to community groups, county, state and federal for help.
Miles: There are never enough youth services. Leesburg is growing faster than
the existing services infrastructure can handle. The obvious vehicle is to
expand services through Ida Lee. Additionally, Leesburg needs to rededicate
itself to working with the county to establish shared facilities/programs, such
as additional skate parks.
Reid: Leesburg has excellent recreation facilities, and an outdoor pool built
at Ida Lee and more practice and playing fields for youth would make a great
addition. We also could use a skating rink, which could be privately run. A
youth center for teens would be desirable, too.
Severance: We can be more proactive. Town government should work along with
local civic and neighborhood organizations, churches, and county programs to
help identify outreach program gaps for youth and seek where government
funding would be most effective. Specifically concerned with an emerging gang
problem and how to stem that.
Skirkanich: Continue to support programs like ROCK and create additional
programs that benefit the residents while getting local business involved to
offset the town costs associated with these programs.
Umstattd: In the absence of county services, the town has spent millions of
dollars to increase the number of ball fields at Ida Lee, to accelerate the
opening of the ball fields at Freedom Park, to open and operate the skate park,
to set up the midnight basketball program at Douglass Community Center and
the ROCK program last summer. To do more would drive taxes higher.
Wright: The town has outstanding Parks and Recreation offerings and must
build upon this to provide more teen focused options. Some wonderful groups
such
as the NE Coalition/ROCK have helped provide mentoring and activities for our
at-risk youth. Additional mentoring activities should be coordinated with
the schools and the countyâs Youth Advisory groups.
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- » [JYO] Leesburg's Candidates Speak Out - Airport/Annexation Question is #4