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Participate 2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

Democrats Hope to Retain Control of VA Senate

A Get Out the Vote Rally at George Mason University focused on voter turnout and the importance of retaining control of the state Senate.

"Grab three or four or five of your friends and get out to vote," Senator Mark Warner told a crowd gathered outside the Johnson Center at George Mason University Monday afternoon. A virtual who's who of Virginia Democrats gathered to encourage voting in an election expected to have low turnout, with much at stake. Democrats took control of the Virginia Senate in 2007, for the first time in almost a century.  They hope to retain that control November 8.  If Republicans gain enough seats to win it back, the GOP would have complete dominance in Richmond. "The races will be determined by tens of votes, hundreds of votes," said Warner.  "If you will do your part [by voting], you will make a difference." According to the Virginia State Board of …

Terrence Dankel

6:45 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Surely there was no party politics in establishing the two new districts, eh?   more ›

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Governor Attends Get Out the Vote Rally

Fairfax Republicans rally, disperse to go door-to-door.

About 100 people gathered in Springfield Saturday to hear from Governor Bob McDonnell and other Republicans holding or running for office in Virginia. The '72 Hour Rally' was sponsored by the Republican Party of Virginia and the Fairfax County Republican Committee.  "Getting out the vote in the next 72 hours is critical," said Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.  "This is going to be a race with below 40 percent turnout, so every person who shows up [to vote] makes a bigger difference." A report Sunday on WTOP, not related to the rally, confirmed this.  George Mason University Public Policy Professor Mark Rozell told WTOP, "The party that is able to mobilized it's core constituency, the one that has the greater intensity on its side…

Friday, November 4, 2011

Voting for Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Board Members

Five candidates are vying for three seats on the NVSWCD board.

The Nov. 8 general election ballot includes candidates for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed of five members, three of whom are elected every four years. The two remaining directors are appointed by the board, one being a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent serving Fairfax County. Adria Bordas was appointed to that position in 2002. The NVSWCD was founded in 1945 by citizens concerned about protecting and conserving the county’s natural resources. The district has the same boundaries as Fairfax County, but does not include the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax or Falls Church.  NVSWCD is one of 47 conservation districts in Virginia and approximately 3,000…

Why Fire Fighters and Paramedics Endorse Candidates

Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics IAFF Local 2068 President John Niemiec answers a Patch reader's question.

A Patch reader asked why the local firefighter's union contributes to and endorses candidates. We asked Fairfax County (VA) Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics IAFF Local 2068 President John Niemiec.  He said: "Being an employee in a Right to Work state that specifically prohibits collective bargaining with management, we need to be particularly active in the political process to help get those politicians who understand the issues and needs of active and retired Fairfax County firefighters, fire inspectors, mechanics and communications professionals elected.  "Local 2068 is no different than any other special interest group that engages in political action, donates money to candidates, works at political fundraisers and puts signs in …

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Tonto

11:11 pm on Monday, November 14, 2011

Like all things mankind builds up...he then tears it down :(   more ›

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Aspiring Chairmen Address School Renovations

In their response to the fourth of six questions posed by Patch, the candidates for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors deliberate the school district's Capital Improvement Program.

The four candidates running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors answered six questions by email for Patch.  We will feature one question each day, with the unedited answers by each of the candidates. Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova (website, Facebook, Twitter) Independent Christopher DeCarlo (website, YouTube) Independent Will Radle (Facebook, YouTube) Republican Michael “Spike” Williams (website, Facebook) Question #4 - The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) school renovation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget currently receives nearly all funding from Fairfax County bonds.  FCPS Chief Operating Officer Dean Tistadt has repeatedly warned that current CIP funding levels are not sufficient. “The capital program …

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Will Radle

3:04 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thank you for your support! We can discuss improvements I need to make with the politics. I am listening and will take responsible action. Thanks, A. Will Radle, Jr. FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com   more ›

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Candidates Differ on VRE Funding

In their response to the third of six questions posed by Patch, the candidates for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors discuss funding for VRE.

The four candidates running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors answered six questions by email for Patch.  We will feature one question each day, with the unedited answers by each of the candidates. Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova (website, Facebook, Twitter) Independent Christopher DeCarlo (website, YouTube) Independent Will Radle (Facebook, YouTube) Republican Michael “Spike” Williams (website, Facebook) Question #3 - Virginia Railway Express CEO Dale Zehner says the system is at capacity, and money is needed to "maintain the service levels we have today in cleanliness, customer care and mechanical maintenance, while at the same time working toward adding more cars to the trains and more trains to the system."  How …

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Will Radle

10:37 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011

I remain the only candidate for Fairfax County Chairman who has presented a plan, vetted by state & local budget directors, to lower taxes and expand our investment in local priorities. VRE essentially takes 1 lane of highway traffic off heavily congested roadways every day. Everyone agrees we need to create more solutions to the nation's worst traffic. Thank you for letting me share. A. Will …   more ›

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Candidates Discuss $1.6 Billion Unfunded in Tysons

In response to the second of six questions posed by Patch, the candidates for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors discuss the $1.6 billion in unfunded costs in Tysons' development.

The four candidates running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors answered six questions by email for Patch.  We will feature one question each day, with the unedited answers by each of the candidates. Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova (website, Facebook, Twitter) Independent Christopher DeCarlo (website, YouTube) Independent Will Radle (Facebook, YouTube) Republican Michael “Spike” Williams (website, Facebook) Question #2:  According to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (Table 7 in the Tysons Comprehensive Plan), there are about $1.6 billion in unfunded road and transportation costs in the development of Tysons.  Who will be paying these unfunded costs?  Explain. Sharon Bulova It is important to remember …

Will Radle

10:03 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011

On this week's List of 10 lowlights at Washington Examiner, Fairfax County & VDOT admit they have no way to fund Tysons. Notice above, the incumbent chairman did not answer the question of how to fund Tysons. I am the only candidate who did. I welcome her or any surrogate to try refuting any of my public comments. Look at numbers 7 and 8: http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/…   more ›

Monday, October 31, 2011

Chairman Candidates Discuss Control of County Roads

In their response to the first of six questions posed by Patch, the candidates for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors discuss county versus state control of area roads.

The four candidates running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors answered six questions by email for Patch.  We will feature one question over the next six days, with the unedited answers by each of the candidates. Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova (website, Facebook, Twitter) Independent Christopher DeCarlo (website, YouTube) Republican Michael “Spike” Williams (website, Facebook) Independent Will Radle (Facebook, YouTube) Question #1: Should Fairfax County take local control of its roads, as some surrounding jurisdictions, or allow VDOT's continued control?  Explain. Sharon Bulova The State is increasingly making overtures about turning the road system (which is now pretty much entirely a State responsibility) over to …

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Will Radle

4:36 pm on Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Remember, to see whether taxes are increased, maintained or lowered, we need to look at the assessment and the rate. She has been increasing the dollars you pay. When I share my plan to lower real estate taxes from $1.07 to a target 93 cents, I am using a static number (using a specific point in time, specifically the budget we just adopted). Basically, we will lower real estate taxes you pay by …   more ›

Candidate for Chairman Raps on YouTube

True Democracy is Christopher DeCarlo's message in music.

Independent candidate Christopher DeCarlo, running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, posted a campaign video to YouTube on Sunday.  DeCarlo announced his candidacy on October 24, 2011, with this statement. "My name is Chris DeCarlo and I am a candidate for the office of Chairman. This campaign is directed to True Democracy. A place that promotes personal freedom and self responsibility. A place where financial influence does not corrupt the administrative and legislative processes. A place where you and I can have more weighted influence in the process of our form of self-government. As Chairman I will lead your County to this place where elected representatives are not obligated to provide financial and legislative …

ARG

10:01 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011

This is a creative reach of messaging, but for this member of the community, it would have resonated more in candidate support on Tuesday, November 8 if the video had been filmed in Fairfax County. The video is well done, but Mr. DeCarlo appears to be running for Congress with this rather than Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.   more ›

Sunday, October 23, 2011

League of Women Voters Hosts Candidate Forum at Sherwood Library

Want to chat before Election Day? These candidates are available to answer your questions.

Ready to learn more about where the candidates for various Fairfax County offices stand? The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area is hosting a series of candidate meet-and-greets this week to ensure that voters have all the information they need prior to the Nov. 8 election. Here is a list of events around the county, starting with the one closest to our area at Sherwood Regional Library: Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Sherwood Regional Library, 7-9 p.m. 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria 22306 Candidates Attending: 16 George L . Barker – Senate of Virginia 39th District Sheree A. Brown-Kaplan - School Board Member At-Large Christopher F. Decarlo – Board of Supervisors Chairman Adam P. Ebbin – Senate of Virginia 30th District Johna Good Gagnon…

Will Radle

9:16 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Hope to see you there! I look forward to spending time with my friends who are running as Democrats, Republicans and Independents. A. Will Radle, Jr. Independent Candidate for Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com YouTube.com/WillRadle1 571-358-9711   more ›

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