Two throw hats in the ring to succeed Gross as Mason Supervisor
Two local businessmen, Steve Lee and Reid Voss, told Annandale Today they plan to run for supervisor of Mason District, now that Penny Gross announced she will not seek re-election.
At the Dec. 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, Gross said she will retire at the end of 2023. Gross was first elected to the board in 1995.
At least two other people are reportedly in the running for the Democratic Primary in June, but have not confirmed their plans – and others are likely to jump in.
Related story: Supervisor Gross will not seek re-election
Lee has invested heavily in Annandale as the owner of Annandale Properties LLC, a real estate investment and management company, and the owner of ABC Financial Services, a commercial and residential real estate company.
His most recent projects include the development of 9292 Korean Barbecue and the building next door that houses Café V, which is run by his wife, Victoria, and 9292 Shabu.
As president of the Annandale-based Korean American Association of Greater Washington Metropolitan Area, Lee established the Korean Community Center on Little River Turnpike in Annandale, which provides meeting space for the entire community, and also worked on organizing the annual KORUS Festival.
He is a founding member of the Annandale-Mason Roundtable, a committee of stakeholders that organizes the Taste of Annandale; serves on the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee; and represents Mason District on the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Advisory Commission.
A 1982 graduate of Annandale High School, Lee immigrated to the area with his family from Korea when he was 13. He has been living and working in Annandale since 1977.
If elected, Lee vows to bring in more activity to revitalize Mason District and to have an open-access supervisor’s office focusing on serving constituents.
Reid Voss, is a real estate agent with Golston Real Estate, a company founded by former Washington Commander Kedric Golston. He also owns Kingsview Animal Hospital in Alexandria.
Voss grew up in Bailey’s Crossroads, where he attended Glen Forest Elementary School, Glasgow Middle School, and was in the Class of 2000 at Justice High School.
He is the only student representative elected to the Fairfax County School Board from Mason District, a position he held in 1999.
As a member of the board of the Lake Barcroft Association, Voss says he is “super proactive and engaged in the community.”
He’s running for supervisor because “I’m now in a position where I can give back to the community.” He says Mason District can do a lot better, especially with regard to transportation and schools. Voss plans to roll out a full platform by the end of the year.
I can see the campaign slogan now “free Korean barbecue chicken for everybody.”
Whoever gets in, I hope they bring the appropriate growth and investment strategies to this district that are sorely needed, bulldoze the Culmore ghetto, reduce crime, improve our schools and bring back the middle class.
This district sorely needs a booster vax!
when do you plan to announce your candidacy, vaxmax? or will you continue to spout from the sideline?
I’m past my prime for this. Penny squatted so long that it wiped out the chance for others to run years ago.
Spout on….
You dropped your dog whistle.
Two people with significant vested interest in controlling hyper local public policy… not a huge fan of that. But I like cafe V and at least Lee has a record of improving things in Annandale.
Improved things in Annandale? It’s all been Korean businesses and restaurants. We don’t need anymore.
So freakin’ what CB. You don’t like it? move or start your own “murican” business. The wide variety of Asian food is what makes us different from so much of the rest of cookie cutter NoVa. Mosaic is all of 5 minutes from here if you’re desperate for that sort of thing.
Adam G: Agreed. The small minded bigots, including the couple on here, are on the decline at least.
Why do you think they are on the decline?
Bummed out since Wendy’s closed….?
So weird that an area with a lot of ppl of Korean heritage has a lot of Korean businesses. Investigation needed.
You know that this area is heavily Korean, right?
Reid Voss would do an incredible job turning things around for Mason District. Great guy and a pillar within the community. Honest person with remarkable integrity
Voss is a Liar – Wolf in Sheep Costume – Not a Democrat – Lying to Voters During Campaign –
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2003/09/11/for-county-a-year-of-pocketbook-politics/a46080b4-3298-4cf5-a2e7-890a9b72108c/
https://www.rollcall.com/2004/02/20/davis-hires-promotes-subcommittee-staffers/
If he has integrity he should address what changed about his views since he was the campaign manager for a GOP candidate.
After 27 years, it is more than past due for some new leadership in Mason. And I’m not looking for the candidate who comes pre-packaged with endorsements from the Dem establishment. I don’t know any of these candidates (yet) but glad to see so many willing to run. With an open primary, I hope one of them makes an appeal to independents and Republicans who live in Mason.
I hope the next Mason District Supervisor wants to live in the 21st century as opposed to the district that time forgot. The ramshackle collection of decrepit buildings in downtown Annandale is just plain embarassing as is the dangerous stretch of Braddock road that is the same width that it was in 1750.
Reid Voss is not a nice person. He was rude to my husband and put him down as he was being waited on at a restaurant. You should treat everyone as an equal and now your behavior is going to come out. I will not be voting for you