Countywide candidates outline priorities
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| Left to right: Clerk of the Court candidate Bettina Lawton, Board of Supervisors chair Sharon Bulova, and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid. |
The county budget, Interstate 66 tolls, and police reforms
are among the top issues in the election for chair of the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors.
are among the top issues in the election for chair of the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors.
The Democratic incumbent, Sharon Bulova, told the Annandale blogger it’s important to “make sure taxes are affordable while continuing to
provide services.”
provide services.”
Bulova, along with two other candidates for countywide
offices – Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and clerk of the court candidate Bettina Lawton
– spoke about their priorities at a Democratic fundraiser in Springfield a few
days before the Nov. 3 election.
Bulova, who’s served as board chair since 2009, has minimal
opposition. Running against her are a Republican candidate, Arthur Purves,
president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, and Gail Parker of the
Independent Green Party.
opposition. Running against her are a Republican candidate, Arthur Purves,
president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, and Gail Parker of the
Independent Green Party.
The Board of Supervisors is facing increased pressure to raise revenue or cut spending. The county’s economy has yet to fully recover from the
recession. Office vacancy rates remain high, while there is growing pressure to
increase the county’s share of the budget that goes to public schools.
recession. Office vacancy rates remain high, while there is growing pressure to
increase the county’s share of the budget that goes to public schools.
Regarding a state proposal to reduce congestion on I-66 by
imposing tolls, Bulova said, “we need some improvements on I-66, but not $17
tolls.” Widening the highway inside the beltway isn’t feasible, she said.
imposing tolls, Bulova said, “we need some improvements on I-66, but not $17
tolls.” Widening the highway inside the beltway isn’t feasible, she said.
The Republicans have mounted a last-ditch effort to
discredit Democrats by claiming they support tolls for all I-66 drivers that would
amount to $17 a day.
discredit Democrats by claiming they support tolls for all I-66 drivers that would
amount to $17 a day.
In fact, the only ones who would pay a toll would be solo
rush-hour drivers inside the beltway during peak times. Drivers with multiple
passengers would be exempt. The toll prices would depend on traffic volume, as
they are now for the express lanes on the beltway.
rush-hour drivers inside the beltway during peak times. Drivers with multiple
passengers would be exempt. The toll prices would depend on traffic volume, as
they are now for the express lanes on the beltway.
Solo drivers have never been permitted on I-66 inside the
beltway during rush hour. Those who violate that ban face fines starting at $25 and
rising to $1,000 for the fourth fine in five years.
beltway during rush hour. Those who violate that ban face fines starting at $25 and
rising to $1,000 for the fourth fine in five years.
Bulova lauded the final report of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission released last month, which proposes dozens of recommendations
to improve accountability and transparency and temper the use of force within
the Fairfax County Police Department. Bulova had formed the commission
last March.
to improve accountability and transparency and temper the use of force within
the Fairfax County Police Department. Bulova had formed the commission
last March.
The BoS had been criticized for waiting over a year
before addressing fatal shooting of an armed citizen, John Geer by police officer Adam Torres in 2013 – and refusing to require the FCPD to publicly identify the officer.
before addressing fatal shooting of an armed citizen, John Geer by police officer Adam Torres in 2013 – and refusing to require the FCPD to publicly identify the officer.
That incident showed “the board’s policies and practices no
longer serve us well,” Bulova said.
longer serve us well,” Bulova said.
The police chief’s policy called for the names of officers involved in shooting incidents to be
withheld until the commonwealth attorney decides to indict the officer, she
said. “That’s old fashioned in this day and age when people expect to have
information immediately.” Then when federal investigators stepped in, the board was
concerned that releasing information would interfere with that investigation.
withheld until the commonwealth attorney decides to indict the officer, she
said. “That’s old fashioned in this day and age when people expect to have
information immediately.” Then when federal investigators stepped in, the board was
concerned that releasing information would interfere with that investigation.
Bulova said she supports the concept of body cameras,
another recommendation in the report, but said a number of complex issues need
to be worked out, including protecting the privacy of those not charged. People
who call 911, for example, might not want to be recorded.
another recommendation in the report, but said a number of complex issues need
to be worked out, including protecting the privacy of those not charged. People
who call 911, for example, might not want to be recorded.
She supports a more compassionate approach to dealing with
the mentally ill, as epitomized by the county’s new Diversion First program,
which directs people who break the law when mentally ill to treatment programs
rather than tossing them into the criminal justice system.
the mentally ill, as epitomized by the county’s new Diversion First program,
which directs people who break the law when mentally ill to treatment programs
rather than tossing them into the criminal justice system.
Mental health reform is the top issue for Kincaid, who was
elected sheriff in a special election two years ago. Her Republican opponent
then, Bryan Wolfe, is running now, as well.
elected sheriff in a special election two years ago. Her Republican opponent
then, Bryan Wolfe, is running now, as well.
Kincaid said the Diversion First initiative, which takes
effect Jan. 1, would prevent tragedies like what happened with Natasha McKenna,
an inmate who died in the Adult Detention Center while being repeatedly
subjected to tasers during a psychotic episode.
effect Jan. 1, would prevent tragedies like what happened with Natasha McKenna,
an inmate who died in the Adult Detention Center while being repeatedly
subjected to tasers during a psychotic episode.
“She should not have been in jail,” Kincaid said. “It’s
unacceptable to bring people with mental breakdowns to the jail for treatment,”
when they should instead be directed to programs provided by the Community Services Board. More than 40 percent of the 1,130 inmates in the jail
are mentally ill or have substance abuse issues.
unacceptable to bring people with mental breakdowns to the jail for treatment,”
when they should instead be directed to programs provided by the Community Services Board. More than 40 percent of the 1,130 inmates in the jail
are mentally ill or have substance abuse issues.
The sheriff’s office “has to become more transparent to earn
back the trust we have lost,” Kincaid said.
back the trust we have lost,” Kincaid said.
Some changes have already been made, she said. In the past,
inmates who completed their time in jail were released at midnight, when there
is no transportation, no services available, and for many, nowhere to go. Now,
they’re released in the morning.
inmates who completed their time in jail were released at midnight, when there
is no transportation, no services available, and for many, nowhere to go. Now,
they’re released in the morning.
In other improvements, women with mental illness have been
moved to an area in the jail with larger rooms closer to therapeutic services, inmates now
have 24/7 access to tele-psychiatric services, and staff is receiving training in effective crisis
intervention.
moved to an area in the jail with larger rooms closer to therapeutic services, inmates now
have 24/7 access to tele-psychiatric services, and staff is receiving training in effective crisis
intervention.
Bettina Lawton, who is running for clerk of the court
against the Republican incumbent John Frey, wants to make court services more
accessible to the public.
against the Republican incumbent John Frey, wants to make court services more
accessible to the public.
Currently, the court is only open on weekdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., for
marriage licenses, name changes, land records, and other services. Lawton would
expand the hours to evenings and Saturdays. She would also improve online
services and suggests bringing court services to remote locations periodically,
such as DMVs.
marriage licenses, name changes, land records, and other services. Lawton would
expand the hours to evenings and Saturdays. She would also improve online
services and suggests bringing court services to remote locations periodically,
such as DMVs.
11 responses to “Countywide candidates outline priorities”
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I don't like being at the mercy of a gang of Democratic tax and spenders, but that's the direction we're headed. Sharon Bulova wins by default and the Dems will likely pick up Republican Michael Frey's seat in Sully. Since John Cook is a Republicrat, that makes Fairfax even more of a one party state. I'm hoping that Penny doesn't succeed in riding to reelection on Sharon Bulova's coattails. I suspect she's counting on party affiliation to overcome her sad record and that strategy may work for no other reason than too many voters don't follow her antics. We'll see, but it looks like we're headed for another four rocky years.
Bulova enables Penny. Vote both Bulova and Gross out on Nov. 3.
You know what Anonymous 3:00PM, you have just persuaded me. I always turn to the comments of this rag to determine who I vote for: thanks for the guidance. Go whoever the person running against Penny! Go whoever the person running against Sharon!
Wow thanks for the one sided view on the election. I guess it's true again that this blog is meant to push someones agenda and views as opposed to inform the public of Annandale. I don't care which way you vote, but I hope the voters will take time to look somewhere for the facts on all the candidates and issues.
You are entitled to your opinion just as you are entitled to read/not read this blog. Having done some door knocking for Mollie and chatted up friends and neighbors, many (30%) have little/no clue about election issues. A significant portion of the electorate is disengaged. Just pushin' my agenda ;^)
Anonymous11/2/15, 6:56 PM,
You should look up what a blog is. The owners of this blog are entitled to post and say almost anything by law. Some news sources are less biased than others but all news sources are biased in some way.
If you do not understand that then you are living in a fantasy land.
Hey 7 Corners and mgates. How did that election turn out for you? How is your agenda coming, lol.
@626, you're a real cool dude. M & 7C7 are just defending Ellie's right to post what she likes.
Ellie can't catch a break with you people. She posts stuff on the dem candidate? one-sided rag. Posts Mollie stuff? libertarian bandwagon supporter. why can't you just read it for the sweet Halloween posts and calm the hell down.
Perhaps she could use headlines that are more accurate of the story that follows.
Are they not candidates from the county?