Transportation, budget issues debated by candidates for Braddock District
 |
| Cook and Oleszek |
Braddock Supervisor John Cook (R) and challenger Janet Oleszek (D) clashed over taxes, spending, and transportation Oct. 9 at a forum
hosted by the League of Women Voters and other organizations.
hosted by the League of Women Voters and other organizations.
The is the second time Oleszek, a former school board
member, is trying to unseat Cook. In 2011, she came within 1 percentage point
of beating him. Cook was first elected in 2009. The format called for members
of the audience to submit written questions.
member, is trying to unseat Cook. In 2011, she came within 1 percentage point
of beating him. Cook was first elected in 2009. The format called for members
of the audience to submit written questions.
One issue that came up was about a controversial plan
under discussion to add express lanes to Braddock Road to relieve traffic
congestion.
A study under way by county staff with input from a citizens
committee is looking at the possibility of widening Braddock Road to add a bus
and carpool lane, but that is not expected to be in the final recommendations, Cook
said. Other ideas under consideration include fixing the entrance to the
beltway express lanes, improving various intersections, connecting trails, and
improving pedestrian crossings.
committee is looking at the possibility of widening Braddock Road to add a bus
and carpool lane, but that is not expected to be in the final recommendations, Cook
said. Other ideas under consideration include fixing the entrance to the
beltway express lanes, improving various intersections, connecting trails, and
improving pedestrian crossings.
Oleszek said she opposes expanding Braddock Road to add
express lanes but notes that the committee may well go in that direction, as
that topic is included in the group’s agenda and minutes. Representatives from
many affected communities were excluded from the citizen task force, she said.
express lanes but notes that the committee may well go in that direction, as
that topic is included in the group’s agenda and minutes. Representatives from
many affected communities were excluded from the citizen task force, she said.
“Turning two miles of Braddock Road into a highway” will
harm the Accotink watershed and “destroy
Braddock District,” Oleszek charged.
harm the Accotink watershed and “destroy
Braddock District,” Oleszek charged.
When asked about how the county can support the growing
needs of Fairfax County Public Schools in the face of a huge budget deficit, Oleszek said she supports a meals
tax as a means to raise revenue for the schools. She opposes increases in property
taxes, as that would hurt seniors, but “a meals tax is a choice.”
needs of Fairfax County Public Schools in the face of a huge budget deficit, Oleszek said she supports a meals
tax as a means to raise revenue for the schools. She opposes increases in property
taxes, as that would hurt seniors, but “a meals tax is a choice.”
Cook said he wants to increase the county’s transfer to the
schools but the board also needs to constrain spending and a meals tax won’t
solve the problem. He would hold the tax rate steady, increase spending on
public safety and mental health programs, hold the line on everything else, and
improve government efficiency.
schools but the board also needs to constrain spending and a meals tax won’t
solve the problem. He would hold the tax rate steady, increase spending on
public safety and mental health programs, hold the line on everything else, and
improve government efficiency.
When asked about efforts to boost the local economy, Cook
cited Inova’s purchase of the Exxon Mobil site for the development of a cancer
center and translational medicine facility, which will attract private technology
companies. He also called for more career and technical education in the
schools and said there’s a group exploring ideas for repurposing vacant office
buildings.
cited Inova’s purchase of the Exxon Mobil site for the development of a cancer
center and translational medicine facility, which will attract private technology
companies. He also called for more career and technical education in the
schools and said there’s a group exploring ideas for repurposing vacant office
buildings.
Oleszek said the key to economic growth is a high-quality
school system. Companies do a lot of research on the schools before deciding to
relocate here, she said. The county also needs more affordable housing to
ensure a stable workforce.
school system. Companies do a lot of research on the schools before deciding to
relocate here, she said. The county also needs more affordable housing to
ensure a stable workforce.
A member of the audience asked what should be done about the
vacant property that use to house Northern Virginia Training Center. Oleszek opposes development of the 88-acre property, which
is owned by the state. “We’ve known about this for five years
and heard nothing from the supervisors,” she said.
vacant property that use to house Northern Virginia Training Center. Oleszek opposes development of the 88-acre property, which
is owned by the state. “We’ve known about this for five years
and heard nothing from the supervisors,” she said.
The state will sell the property to developers, and
the county won’t be able to stop it, Cook said. If someone wants to develop it,
the proposal would go through a planning process with community involvement. Leaving
it empty would encourage crime and graffiti, he said.
the county won’t be able to stop it, Cook said. If someone wants to develop it,
the proposal would go through a planning process with community involvement. Leaving
it empty would encourage crime and graffiti, he said.
When it comes to stormwater, Cook noted the supervisors
passed a major stormwater ordinance last year that raises the bar for
developers. Oleskez called for the county to install more permeable surfaces to
reduce runoff on county buildings, noting, “we can lead by example.”
passed a major stormwater ordinance last year that raises the bar for
developers. Oleskez called for the county to install more permeable surfaces to
reduce runoff on county buildings, noting, “we can lead by example.”
Regarding police reform, Cook said his idea for crisis
intervention training is being adopted. Oleszek said the police department has
suffered from a lack of transparency and insufficient training for years and
blamed for the Board of Supervisors for not addressing the problem. She also
called for better retirement and benefits for police officers.
intervention training is being adopted. Oleszek said the police department has
suffered from a lack of transparency and insufficient training for years and
blamed for the Board of Supervisors for not addressing the problem. She also
called for better retirement and benefits for police officers.
The forum also offered an opportunity for the audience to
submit questions to Braddock school board member Megan McLaughlin. Her opponent,
Katherine Pettigrew, didn’t show up.
submit questions to Braddock school board member Megan McLaughlin. Her opponent,
Katherine Pettigrew, didn’t show up.
With FCPS struggling to deal with a large deficit,
McLaughlin called for more coordination of funding between the school board and
Board of Supervisors and more collaboration among various agencies in providing
services to children. Despite the deficit, she said, teacher raises are
critically needed, and “we need to safeguard the programs that meet the most
need.”
McLaughlin called for more coordination of funding between the school board and
Board of Supervisors and more collaboration among various agencies in providing
services to children. Despite the deficit, she said, teacher raises are
critically needed, and “we need to safeguard the programs that meet the most
need.”
McLaughlin expressed support for reducing class size, noting
some schools have as many 36 students, but said it’s important to provide
smaller classes for students with special needs.
some schools have as many 36 students, but said it’s important to provide
smaller classes for students with special needs.
In response to proposals to save money by switching high
schools from seven to six periods a day, McLaughlin said she is “very
committed” to maintaining seven periods, because students need opportunities
for electives, like art and career and technical programs, so they can discover what they’re passionate about.
schools from seven to six periods a day, McLaughlin said she is “very
committed” to maintaining seven periods, because students need opportunities
for electives, like art and career and technical programs, so they can discover what they’re passionate about.