Andres Jimenez is reaching out to Mason residents to hear their concerns
Andres Jimenez, the Democratic candidate for Mason District supervisor, is spending the months leading up to the Nov. 7 election getting to know the community and listening to residents.
“It’s not enough to have a seat at the table. You have to have a voice at the table,” Jimenez said at a meeting of the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation Aug. 16.
Jimenez beat three other candidates in the Democratic Primary in June. If elected, he would replace long-time Mason Supervisor Penny Gross on Jan. 1, 2024.
He will face independent candidate Terry Modglin on Election Day. Modglin previously ran, unsuccessfully, for the House of Delegates in 2021, 2019, and 2013 and for the Virginia Senate in 2015.
Jimenez said he is taking a less active role in his job as executive director of the environmental nonprofit, Green 2.0, to concentrate on Mason District and prepare for serving on the Board of Supervisors. He is currently an at-large member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Related story: Andres Jimenez wins Democratic Primary for Mason District supervisor
Over the next couple of months, Jimenez said he plans to work hard to get out the vote “to elect a leader that works with the community, that understands the needs of the community and all of Fairfax County.”
He believes it’s important to take a broader view because, “What Fairfax County does, impacts Mason.”
In Mason District, “We have so much opportunity and potential,” he said. “We need to look at all of Mason, not just certain parts. We’re incorporating the voices of everyone in Mason.”
Noting that “revitalization is key,” Jimenez said, there are three main areas that need attention right away – Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, and Annandale.
“How do we make Mason a place that we’re not just driving by, but actually a destination point?” he said. “How can we encourage folks to really tell a story, to have a spotlight on what Mason has to offer?”
Citing the great restaurants, culture, and diversity in Mason District, he said, we should be telling people in the region, “This is why you should come here. This is what we have to offer.”
“There is a story to tell about Mason,” Jimenez said. “I have a vision of what that story looks like.” Getting there requires stakeholders at the table listening to one another. “I don’t do this alone by sharing my vision. We need to be listening to the community.”
Hundreds of thousands of us call Mason District home. Like he said, it’s not just a place to drive by or through. We need streets, plazas and other public areas adjacent to thriving businesses so we can walk or ride a bike or stroller to where we need to go without being threatened by careless drivers on badly designed streets.
I can only hope he will make this a full time position. We need all the support we are entitled to. And someone concentrating on Mason District’s potential
Just look at the new construction on Columbia Pike at Baileys Dominion Resources has installed at least 25 new telephone poles and the ry are double the height of the current poles. Absolutely ugly. Go several blocks east into Arlington County and there are NO poles. Annandale will never be beautiful as long as there is inadequate oversight at the County leveled
I hope he focuses on quality of life issues. If he does, he can really bring positive to change to Mason. I’m not holding my breath.
Supervisor-elect, here is the reality that so few on the board of supervisors seem to understand. The basics first, highly effective, efficient, enabled, & properly resourced: firefighters, police officers, trash collectors, and water/ sewer workers and roads. The two weakest of these are Trash and Police – both because of politics. Without security via police nothing else will work – allowing police to be fully effective and resourced is foundational but lately county politics on policing is worried about a “kinder and gentler” approach that serves only bad actors. Trash, the country is the worst I’ve ever seen with the unequal services, poor oversight, unfunded mandates on industry and horrible policies (paper yard waste bags have been one of the worst). On roads it’s also transport, Fairfax is car dependent and will be for at least next 50+ years or longer. Arlington development stole most of the highend/wealth growth and killed metro /trolley down the Pike, and no $ for other transit is coming or available – bus is a minimal means but doesn’t help economically empower or grow Mason. Start with fixing the basics and recognize reality.
Second, audit FCPS. We never have enough money for schools but a ton of the money for kids is spent on luxuries or nice to haves across the county. Mason seems to get short end. Just for facilities, look at conditions at Annandale high school vs Woodson, Edison, Justice or others in county. The last boundary change by FCPS to Annandale really hurt the school body too. Test scores and achievements are way down in FCPS. It’s achievement first, but that has slipped to second and social is now first. The Board of Supervisors needs to hold the Schools & school board more accountable for academics- you control the money in the BoS.
Third, Sorry but so many special interest continue to push wasteful spending. Resist and repeal them. Why is Fairfax looking or building a “Covid” memorial – nice but a waste and Covid is not over.
Finally, once the aforementioned items are in better control – then other things are possible with common sense (which seems to be more and more uncommon). Example, Developers and others want more affordable housing, including you, fine via zoning but increase parking not decrease it because we are and will be car dependent and often multiple drivers/families are in more affordable housing area.
i second your point about auditing fcps! less than 10 years ago the principal at Poe Middle School was arrested for embezzlement!
Jimenez is spot on that it’s the main three shopping areas that need the most attention, though I would consider Lincolnia as a fourth. The general gist that most people here agree with is to be focused on the major shopping areas whereas the residential areas like to be left alone aside from the basic necessities. It will be interesting to see what specific plans the BOS will have in making them resemble more redeveloped areas like Mosaic and Tysons.
How about some affordable high speed internet and not a monopoly built arround Cox Communications stoping any fiber buildouts??? Tysons, Arlington, Alexandria have all fostered in affordable and competitive fiber networks – which brings in businesses, improves schools, etc- Mason has been spending money on not solving crime or infrastructure, and not helping the area grow. There are so many unused offices, etc that could really help Annandale/Mason be a huge hub that they ignore for stupid political projects