Tag Archives: 2011 Elections

Smear Tactics Alive and Well in Braddock District Supervisor Race

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It looks like Janet Oleszek, who is challenging John Cook to represent Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors received the endorsement of Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Local 2068.  While this is not a surprise, the endorsement was also used as an attempt to smear Cook, but the reality is that it backfired against Oleszek.

Oleszek accused Cook of not funding a fourth firefighter position on the County ladder truck.  This issue has been debated for years, even going back to when former Board Chairman Gerry Connolly was in charge.  It was even mentioned in an October 2006 memorandum.  These positions were never filled, despite revenues increasing under Connolly and current Board Chairman, Sharon Bulova.

In a statement, Cook had this to say about Bulova’s accusations about not doing anything to create the firefighter position:

‘It’s sad that Ms. Oleszek is so desperate and so willing to throw her Democratic colleagues and every member of the Board of Supervisors for the last 10 years under the proverbial bus for a cheap press release and blog entry. The truth is, I am a proponent of Chairman Bulova’s fire and safety priorities. My commitment to fire fighters, EMS and other public safety is unquestioned. Traveling with local first responders during the annual August National Night Out events has provided me a great opportunity to see firsthand the critical role these invaluable professionals play in protecting our neighborhoods and community.”

So, Oleszek turned an opportunity to smear her opponent, and instead, it turned into an attack on her Democratic colleagues on the Board of Supervisors.  This is what I call really smart behavior from a political candidate.

 

 

 

Talk about a Conflict of Interest…

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What do you think of this scenario:  A political candidate wants to meet with public school teachers to discuss funding and to request support for their re-election campaign?  Sounds a little unethical or desperate, doesn’t it?

Well, this is occurring in a Northern Virginia State Senate race, as Toddy Puller’s campaign sent an email out to public school teachers in Prince William County about setting up private meetings in their schools.  Below is the email that was sent out by Megan Fitzgerald, who serves as Puller’s Field Director:

Hello,
  Toddy Puller, the State Senator for most of Prince William County is
reaching out to school in hopes of meeting with teachers to talk about
education and the importance of funding our future. My name is Megan and I’m
the regional field director for Prince William County. I would love the
chance to meet with you one-on-one to talk about Toddy Puller. I am very
interested in talking to students about local government and emphasizing
its importance. I know that you all are very busy and have a strict curriculum
but I do think it could be beneficial. Please let me know if there is a
time I could come into the school to talk to you more about the State Senator
(preferably before school starts).
–
Megan Fitzgerald
Toddy Puller for Senate
Puller is being challenged by Jeff Frederick in the November 8th General Election, and it seems that Puller is really fearing that this will be a tight race.   My guess is that she wanted to rally public school teachers to help her, but this also brings up another issue regarding transparency.   Since these will be held in the schools with teachers, these are closed meetings, thus meaning there is zero transparency to voters in the 36th District.
Frederick made the following comments regarding Puller’s meeting request:
“Why does a campaign operative need to discuss public school funding with teachers two months before an election. Why is Senator Puller sending her political campaign into our public schools to begin with?  And most importantly, if everything is above board, why do these meetings need to be in private?”
“If the Senator Puller would like to engage teachers and students in the democratic process, then we should debate the issues at every high school in the district.  However, clandestine political campaigning has no place in our public schools, and funding for our public schools should never be used as leverage with teachers.  Senator Puller owes the taxpayers an explanation as to what exactly her campaign operatives are doing in the public schools.”

Frederick is right about these meetings.  You would think that Puller would want her constituents to hear about her views on public school funding, instead it seems like she wants to keep these closed.

Michael "Spike" Williams Announces Candidacy for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

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There was some exciting news in Fairfax County today, as Michael “Spike” Williams announced his candidacy for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Williams will be a great candidate and will provide a strong challenge to current Chairman, Sharon Bulova. As a small business owner, who is active in the community, Williams will provide strong leadership for Fairfax County.

“The current majority on the Board of Supervisors has a spending problem,” stated Williams. “There is a lack of understanding of what it takes to create jobs and economic opportunity for Fairfax County, and they have not provided the visionary leadership necessary to move us forward. Oppressive traffic congestion caused by poor planning, an ever expanding bureaucracy bent on being the largest landlord in the county, and a government that wants to absorb the private sector instead of supporting it, are just a few examples.”

Fairfax County has been lacking in leadership for several years now, and with taxes rising across the board, change is needed. You can read more about Williams’ candidacy by clicking here to learn about his plan for moving the county forward.

Northern Virginia Dems Vote Against Transportation

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If you live in Northern Virginia, then you know the agony of sitting in gridlock traffic day after day. Traffic is at a stand still most of the time, and it feels like nothing is being done to address the problem. Instead, the gridlock has apparently infected the minds of Northern Virginia Democrats in the House of Delegates.

In a vote Monday, the House of Delegates voted 65-33 in favor of HB 2527, which focuses on Governor Bob McDonnell’s plan to improve transportation through various projects within the Commonwealth. This bill will establish the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which establishes funding for transportation projects, specifically in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia regions.

The big surprise is that all of the Delegates in Fairfax County voted against the bill, including four, who are in swing districts. By voting against this bill, they are proving that they would rather have their constituents sitting in gridlock, than spending time with their families. It is even more ironic that they are ignoring the number one issue on the minds of voters in their districts. These delegates include: Mark Keam (D-Oakton), Vivian Watts (D-Fairfax), David Bulova (D-Fairfax), Eileen Filler-Corn (Springfield), Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), Jim Scott (D-Falls Church), and Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon).

Whatever the reason for voting against this legislation, they are certain to face tough races in November. With transportation being the number one issue, many of these Delegates might be replaced with those who will have their constituents’ concerns at mind.