Politicians Visit Mason Neck Forum at Gunston Hall

There was no mistaking the theme last night as local politicians addressed a crowded meeting room in Gunston Hall on Mason Neck.

As guests of the Mason Neck Citizen's Association (MNCA) annual Candidates' Night, officials at the state, county and federal levels returned time and again to the struggling economy. Though Northern Virginia has not been as affected as negatively as some parts of the nation during the recession, particularly when it comes to unemployment rates, falling property values and rising public debt have left many in the area anxious for a recovery.

Federal

In recent years the MNCA has gained a reputation for being active and vocal in the issues that matter to them. The first speaker of the evening, Congressman Gerry Connolly, a Democrat, lauded attendees for their engagement in their community, which helped spare Mason Neck State Park from the budget knife earlier in the year.

Connolly was the only speaker who is up for re-election, an unenviable proposition with a wave of anti-incumbency fervor spreading across the nation. Recent polling shows Connolly trailing challenger Keith Fimian, a Republican, by between five and ten points.

Connolly referenced to his long period of service to the community, both as a Congressman and as part of the county Board of Supervisors and then to his accomplishments during that time. He cited the completion of the Fairfax County Parkway as merely the most recent.

He also reminded the audience that the country was on the brink of a second Great Depression when he took office in January of 2009.  The policies and spending, he said, that are now so unpopular, actually saved the automobile industry, the banking industry and other critical sectors. He noted that in January 2009 the economy was contracting, whereas now it is expanding.

"But it's not good enough," Connolly continued. "We need more robust growth."

Fimian spoke briefly at the end of the evening, his arrival delayed by car trouble, saying government spending could send the country "off a cliff." He also equated economic security with military security, saying it is absolutely critical for the long-term future of the country.

State

Delegate Dave Albo (R) and State Senator Toddy Puller (D) then shared the floor.

The first issue they addressed was the potential privatization of ABC stores throughout the state. Both Albo and Puller oppose the move, proposed by Governor Bob McDonnell.

"It is not a sound financial policy," Puller said. Albo concurred adding, "I'm a Bob McDonnell fan, but I have to think for myself. The numbers just don't add up."

Next up were the ballot issues facing Fairfax County voters on November 2nd, all of which pertain to Article X of the Virginia Constitution, Taxation and Finance.

The first question asks if the constitution should be amended to allow localities to determine limitations for the purposes of granting property tax relief for homeowners. The second question is related to the first, but with a veteran's component. It asks if the constitution should be amended to allow property tax relief for veterans who are disabled as a result of their service. The third question asks for expansion of the Revenue Stabilization Fund (i.e. The Rainy Day Fund) from 10 percent to 15 percent.

Puller and Albo favored all three.

Albo then spoke frankly about the State's budget woes, saying unlike previous recoveries that came quickly, this recovery will be slow, marked with periods of uncertainty, much like the period we are presently in.

Albo then spoke about the work he's doing to target child molesters and Medicare fraud. Last, he, and Puller discussed the $1.4 billion surplus that was discovered after the Virginia Department of Transportation was audited. He went on to say that the audit was something he had been requesting for some time, but the excess funds, though helpful, would not be enough to put a significant dent in budget shortfalls.

"It's not nearly enough to deal with, say, transportation," Albo said. Echoing Albo, Puller added, "If we don't do something serious (about transportation), I just can't imagine what traffic will be like in Northern Virginia."

County

Marcia Hanson, Ombudsperson for South County in the office of Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland then spoke on Hyland's behalf, who was absent due to last-minute travel out of town. Hanson mentioned upcoming events in the district, the latest on the Belmont Bay lawsuit, and the Visioning Task Force formed by Hyland last month.

Mount Vernon School Board Member Dan Storck returned to the budget theme. He said budget issues have caused scholl district salaries to be frozen for the previous two fiscal years. Storck also said that some contracts have been shortened. He does not expect the situation to improve in the coming year, indicating that it's possible teachers could be laid off. Other cuts, to language programs and to elementary extracurricular activities, such as band, are also being discussed, the latter of which is especially distasteful to Storck, as both he and his children participated in band.

On the positive side, he noted the strong performance of students on standardized tests and said he would do what he could to make sure teachers received a raise this year, even if it is a small one. "We owe it to our staff," Storck said. "They are doing a wonderful job."

Finally, Storck thanked the MNCA for their help in lobbying on behalf of the new middle school, which will open in 2012.