Blog Archives
John Cook on Cox Media
Recently, Braddock Supervisor John Cook appeared on Cox Local Edition to discuss his activity with the community and his service in the County Board of Supervisors. This will appear on CNN’s Headline News for local viewers.
Story Time and More Taxes?
Fairfax County will be facing increased taxes in the coming year. Thanks to a 7-3 party line vote on the budget during yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Residents will be paying more in car taxes, as the decal fee is back, and an increased sewer tax. This will bring $11.7 million back to the county, but it will definitely place more economic strain on residents. The funds received from the car tax increase will not go to transportation improvements, rather it will go back into the general fund.
Braddock Supervisor John Cook stated it quite eloquently when he said, “The only way a homeowner pays less in this budget is if [they] don’t own a car and [they] don’t flush [their] toilet.”
Aside from the bad news, there was something strange going on prior to the start of the session though. Chairwoman Sharon Bulova decided to open the session with story time. As you can see in this video (fast forward to the 5:10 mark for the story), story time should make all of us feel good about tax increases, right? Wrong. Despite the fact that Fairfax County is one of the most expensive places in the country to live, tax increases only add to the frustrations of those in the area, especially when they find out that unnecessary programs were not sent to the chopping block before considering such a plan.
Perhaps, Chairwoman Bulova and her fellow Democrats on the Board of Supervisors should read the new story, “Welcome to Fairfax County: The Nightmares Caused by Increased Taxes.” I think the best line from this story is the lost revenue caused by residents fed up and moving to counties with lower taxes.
How does Fairfax County Plan to Spend Stimulus $$?
Brian over at Snapped Shot reports that Fairfax County is spending its stimulus money on yet another wasteful project, which is not bad considering that the county has a hugebudget deficit.
So, what is Fairfax County spending their money on this time? How about purchasing a vacant commercial retail space and planning on burning it down to create *tada* a commuter parking lot? That’s right, they plan to use the old Circuit City building, only to burn it down, and create yet another parking lot. This is considered wasteful in one particular way, as the Franconia/Springfield Metro Parking Lot is less than a mile away and the Old Keene Mill Road lot, which is up the street and is never filled to capacity.
One would think Fairfax County would spend their stimulus dollars on something useful, like possibly eliminating the $33 vehicle decal fee, which is proposed to be brought back to help address the deficits. This is just another example of your county government at work.
Update on the Special Elections in Fairfax
We are looking at an automatic recount in the 41st House District, where Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn is leading Republican Kerry Bolognese by 37 votes. I will be following this closely and keeping you updated once the recount is finished.
Meanwhile, in the Mason District, Samantha Rucker lost her race to fill the open school board seat, once held by Kaye Kory. Rucker ran against Sandy Evans. Evans won with 56% of the vote, while Rucker only had 43%.
Tax Increases on the Horizon in Fairfax County
At a Board of Supervisors hearing on Tuesday, Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin released his budget recommendations for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010 and goes through June 30, 2011. It should come as no surprise that the recommendations include bringing back the vehicle registration fee and a real estate tax increase. While the budget recommendations do have some cuts, such as no pay raises for county employees, there is one key agency that is requesting additional funds and it might contribute to more tax increases.
Now, it might not seem odd that the Fairfax County School Board is requesting additional funds, but the economic situation requires cuts in this agency as well. For example, Fairfax County is seeking more funds to pay for pensions and better health care coverage. Meanwhile, there are taxpayers struggling to keep their health care coverage. While public education is an essential service, the school board should look over their own specific budget and tailor it accordingly.
Speaking on the budget recommendations, Arthur Purves, President of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, said:
The county and school system went on a spending binge during the housing bubble. County and school salary increases far exceeded private-sector salary increases. In addition, county and school employee benefits costs soared to pay for pensions and generous health insurance, while the private sector-taxpayer is losing pensions and health insurance.
Specifically, the school board has a one-year $98M increase in employee benefits costs, of which $71M is for pensions, $15M is for retiree healthcare, and the rest for health insurance. If they do not get a tax increase, the school board will lay off teachers, increase class size, and cut band and sports to free up $98M. This is after an eight-year period where school salaries increased faster than taxpayer salaries.
The county also has a $35M increase in pension costs.
We believe it is unfair to raise taxes so that the county employees can be better compensated than the taxpayers. Instead, the county and schools should cut salaries to free up money to pay for employee benefits increases.
Perhaps, it is time to look at each department in Fairfax County and evaluate their budgets carefully. It is not the time for tax increases, rather it is the time to find where there is excessive spending and find ways to reduce it.
Samantha Rucker for School Board Fundraiser
On Friday, December 18th, Samantha Rucker will be holding a fundraiser with special guest, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell. This fundraising reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on the 18th. Rucker is running for the open seat (which has not yet been vacated by Kaye Kory, who won election as Delegate in the 38th District) representing Mason District on the Fairfax County School Board. For more details, click here.
Rucker touts an impressive resume, as she is active within the Mason District community and being active in public education. Aside from her community involvement, Rucker is a fellow graduate of the Jennifer Byler Institute, which is an excellent program ran by the Republican Party of Virginia geared towards getting Republican women prepared for public service. You can learn more about her credentials and campaign here.
Tom Rust Endorsed by Fairfax Firefighters and Paramedics
Del. Tom Rust received the endorsement of the Fairfax County Firefighters and Paramedics yesterday. Rust has been supportive of professional fire fighter and paramedic issues, and this earned the endorsement from the IAFF-Local 2688.
Rust said, in his statement, that he appreciates the support from the local fire fighters and paramedics. “Public safety is one of the core responsibilities of government, and I will continue to work with our local firefighters and paramedics in keeping us safe.”
Landfill and Shady Dealings from Fairfax County
Could there be a new landfill in Lorton? According to the South County Chronicle, Fairfax County officials are working behind the scenes to get a landfill built in the Lorton area. Lorton used to be referred to as “the armpit of Fairfax County,” and it is now becoming an area revitalized with luxury homes. Residents have definitely been opposed to the building of new landfills, and hopefully, they will be able to fight this landfill from being built.
But, this doesn’t even scratch the surface, as the decision has been kept secret by county officials. The talks have been going on since 2007, and it was not until late February until Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity and Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland heard about the status of the landfill proposal. However, the community did not know of the landfill proposal, and they deserved transparency in the process. The community has every right to be angered by this decision.
In fact, the South County Federation sent a letter to Hyland sharing their outrage and demanding that he oppose the landfill. Hyland said, “It does concern me that it could be a disincentive for private investment. However, there is no legal prohibition in the Public-Private Education and Facilities Act from doing so. In connection with CDD landfilling, I would expect to know that the county and our residents’ interest would be well served before entertaining such a proposal.”
Meanwhile, Herrity said that he was bothered by the fact that the landfill had gone to this point without community involvement. Exactly! Where is the transparency? Fairfax County is supposed to be one of the best managed counties in Virginia, yet the community was not informed about the proposed landfill or even had the chance to adequately oppose it, due to the shady nature of the County Executive, Department of Public Works, and others.
Fairfax County Approves ISA Popes Head Site
Tonight, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors abandoned safety, as they approved the expansion of the Islamic Saudi Academy (the same school that educated an extremist who tried to assassinate President George W. Bush) site on Popes Head Road. For those who live in Fairfax County, many can tell you of the dangerous conditions on Popes Head Road. Many tragic accidents have taken place on this road, and there is no doubt that the conditions will only become much more treacherous with the increased traffic.
The vote was 6-4. Those voting for the expansion: Sully Supervisor Michael Frey, Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland, Lee Supervisor Jeff McKay, Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity voted against the expansion, as did Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Sharon Bulova, Braddock Supervisor John Cook, and Providence Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth.
Recap from Tonight's Board of Supervisors Hearing
For those who follow me on Twitter, you had the opportunity to read my live tweet feed of tonight’s Fairfax County Board of Supervisors hearing on the Islamic Saudi Academy’s request to expand their facilities on Popes Head Road tonight. If you don’t follow me on Twitter, then here is the live blog of tonight’s hearing.
The hearing began at 6:25 p.m. Several people spoke on behalf of the expansion, while a majority spoke against the expansion citing traffic concerns, safety issues, the environmental impact, as well as, citing the teachings of the school. It was quite contentious.
6:29: James Lafferty of the Virginia Anti-Sharia Task Force addressed the Board. Lafferty said, “We should object any teaching that undermines the Constitution of the United States. At the last hearing, Lafferty mentioned how former Board of Supervisors Chairman, Gerry Connolly called him a “Religious Bigot” for being against the ISA expansion.
Following Mr. Lafferty was Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition. Ms. Lafferty inquired about the exact use of the land being acquired by the ISA, and she made a point that after the last hearing how one of the speakers was arrested for covering up child abuse.
Two HOA Presidents (Glennilough and Beech Ridge) addressed the Board citing the concerns of how the school will bring increased traffic volume. This volume will only contribute to more traffic accidents, which is a commonality on Popes Head Road. Along with both HOA Presidents, several residents raised the same concerns about traffic.
After hearing about traffic, several parents, teachers, and community leaders spoke out in defense of the school. One speaker indicated that the school does not teach hatred or Sharia law, rather they provide an education that is based on peace and tolerance of others. A few of the school officials indicated that there would not be the increase in traffic or any safety issues with the school site.
Then, the meeting started to become contentious. After hearing from the school’s supporters, more speakers came out to indicate their anger of an Islamic academy being in operation, citing how the school would compromise national security, the ties with the Saudi government, and how two recent alumni were arrested for assassination attempt. One speaker mentioned how under Sharia law, Americans would lose ALL fundamental rights. This brought up the question: Why should Fairfax County support the expansion of ISA? Why should such a school be in operation?
After the hearing, there was one common theme mentioned by several of those against the ISA expansion that was directed to members of the Board of Supervisors. “We elected Members of the BoS in Fairfax County to represent US…not the special interests.” Agreed. So, on August 3rd, when the final decision is made, the voters of Fairfax County will be watching.
