Agenda for Wednesday, October 17, 2001, Candidates Night Meeting

At the Candidates Night meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2001, the candidates will have up to five minutes for opening statements, followed by a question and answer period for each panel. In order to promote increased public participation, individual questions will be limited to 45 seconds and candidate responses will be limited to 2 minutes for each question. The first three questions for each session will be from BVSCA members, followed by questions from non-members or BVSCA members attending the meeting.

We urge all citizens in our Ballston-Virginia Square neighborhood to attend these sessions and take this opportunity to meet personally with the candidates, and to learn more about the issues which will be the basis for casting your votes in the Tuesday, November 6, 2001 General Election.

Panel 1: Commonwealth of Virginia's House of Delegates 47th District Office Candidates, James F. Almand (D), Incumbent; Christine E. Austen (L); and Michael E. Peck (R) (7:30 to 8:30 p.m.).

Panel 2: Arlington County Board Candidates, Jay Fisette (D), Incumbent; and Michael W. Clancy (Independent, Republican - endorsed) (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.).

9:30 pm Adjournment

Candidate Background Information

Panel 1: Commonwealth of Virginia's House of Delegates 47th District Office Candidates

October 12, 2001, Statement of James F. Almand (D), Incumbent

Jim Almand has compiled an outstanding record of achievement in his 24 years of service in the House of Delegates. Over 300 of Delegate Jim Almand's proposals have become law including:

• extended leases for elderly and disabled tenants facing condominium conversion;
• the one handgun a month bill to end Virginia's reputation as the chief gun-running state on the east coast;
• expanded requirements for the use of safety seats for vehicles transporting children;
• another bill provided a state tax credit of up to $500.00 for persons who make their homes accessible to persons with disabilities;
• Virginia's "use and lose" laws to curb teen drug and alcohol abuse by suspension of their drivers license;
• patroned the Virginia Victims and Witnesses Rights Act;

• fully fund the educational standards of quality, promote technology training for teachers and students and raise teachers salaries;
• improve the Virginia transportation funding formula so the money goes where the traffic is;
• eliminate cost over runs and waste in VDOT, and promote more transit;
• acquire more open space through annual state expenditures; and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Delegate Almand is Co-Chair of the Courts of Justice Committee and chairs the Housing Subcommittee of the General Laws Committee. His legislative memberships include the Finance Committee, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and he is Chairman of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program Commission.

Delegate Almand has received the William L. Winston Award for community service from the Arlington Bar Foundation and was named a Legislative Hero by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

Delegate Jim Almand, a life long Arlington resident, and his wife Cindy have three children, Andrew and Clare who attend Yorktown High School and Brady, who is in pre-school.

It has been a great honor serving Arlington citizens in the House of Delegates. I have experience and ability to continue to provide excellent representation for Arlington residents and would very much appreciate your vote on November 6th.

Panel 2: Arlington County Board Candidates

October 15, 2001, Statement of Jay Fisette (D), Incumbent

Democratic Candidate for Arlington County Board
Ballston-Virginia Square Candidate Forum
October 17, 2001

In four years on the Board, I have attempted to fulfill my campaign promises - both in style and on policy. I work collaboratively and am able to listen to varying points of view. I think Arlington is a terrific community with a top quality of life because we are a balanced community. Arlington works, great communities work, because all the pieces work.

I have worked to ensure strong schools. I have supported a 30% increase in funding for the schools over the past 4 years, supported establishment of the Partnership for Children Youth and Families, and the Safe Routes to School initiative. I have been endorsed by the Arlington Education Association.

I am an avid environmentalist, and pleased to have the endorsement of the Sierra Club. Arlington enjoys terrific parks and bike trails, and this year we added many miles of on-street bicycle lanes throughout Arlington. I have also supported a review of our Open Space Master Plan.

Our economic growth is healthy and concentrated in only 5% of our land - primarily along our metro corridors - with lively entertainment and easy access to everywhere. I am committed to further refinement of our Urban Village concept, to include improved urban design and pedestrian safety.

Our neighborhoods are vibrant and families feel safe. Public safety is one of my priorities. Community policing has taken hold, and in 2000, we experienced the second lowest crime rate in 20 years. Additionally, we continue to have exceptional involvement in our unique neighborhood conservation program.

I am committed to fiscal responsibility. Our real estate taxes are the lowest of any major jurisdiction and service standards are high- the best value around. In 2001, we became a triple triple A bond rated community, a distinction shared by only 20 counties in the United States.

I am committed to ensuring that we continue Arlington's proud, progressive tradition that respects and celebrates our differences. Those very differences add to the richness of our community. Human rights belong to all of us.

And the folks who live and work here are bright, caring and engaged. Arlington is a great hometown.

This year, as Chairman, I have focused new attention on technology and e-government capabilities - an area that I felt was weak. My efforts are meant to achieve three goals: (1) Improve service delivery; (2) Bridge the digital divide; (3) Expand participation in decision making.

This year, I also instituted Walking Town Meetings and monthly on-line forums to promote our tradition of civic participation.

Arlington is a good fit for me. for my values. And I look forward to working with you to help Arlington become even better.

October 15, 2001, Statement of Michael W. Clancy (Independent)

BVSCA

Occupation: Attorney

Education: B.A. (Government), with high honors, University of Notre Dame; J.D., with honors, George Washington University Law School

Endorsements:

• Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedic Assoc.
• Arlington Coalition of Police

Community Service:

Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science

• Economic Development Advisory Committee
• Law and Technology Advisory Committee

Arlington Food Assistance Center Volunteer

Arlington County Parks & Recreation -- Volunteer Basketball Coach

AHC, Inc. (Arlington Housing Corporation) -- Affiliate Board Member

Jamestown PTA - Volunteer

Arlington Civic Federation Delegate

Ballston Towne West Community Association - Past President

Awards

Superior Performance Award and Commendation for Outstanding Achievement, Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel

CLANCY'S CAMPAIGN PLATFORM

I entered this campaign because it is time for new independent leadership and an independent voice to overcome the one-party, partisan control of the County Board and to provide the leadership the County needs on public safety, education and neighborhood issues.

Specifically, I will work to:

• increase funding for neighborhood projects through the Neighborhood Conservation program;

• make our neighborhood streets safe through traffic control measures, including four-way stop signs;

• protect our neighborhoods from increasing crime and traffic congestion;

• increase staffing for fire-fighting trucks to meet minimum national staffing requirements that will enable the Fire Department to more effectively respond to fire emergencies and effect rescues (which was identified as an immediate priority by an independent study last year and which my opponent still refuses to fund);

• increase EMS staffing to provide 24-hour coverage across the entire County and to meet the growing workload associated with all the new high density development in the County;

• increase fire inspection staffing to enable the fire department to conduct the required inspections (approximately 60% of the facilities required to be inspected are not inspected due to the current staffing shortage);

• increase police staffing to address the growing crime rate;

• provide fair, compensation/retirement/disability benefits for our police and firefighters (who were heroes not only on September 11, but are heroes every day as they protect our community and our families) that is competitive with surrounding counties;

• provide improved compensation for our teachers so that we can attract and retain the best teachers; and

• work to control skyrocketing property tax increases, which place heavy economic pressures on seniors with fixed incomes, low income home owners and families.

WHY MIKE CLANCY AND NOT HIS INCUMBENT OPPONENT

I will bring independent leadership and an independent voice to the County Board. I will put people first. My opponent talks about bond ratings and statistics. My focus is on people and public safety and improving our neighborhoods as outlined above.

Most importantly, I am the candidate that can best provide the leadership we need on public safety in these turbulent times. I have been endorsed by the firefighter, paramedic and police organizations because I best understand the public safety needs of our community and can best ensure that we meet these critical needs.

Additional Information

Public Announcement: The Arlington County Bicentennial Task Force Cordially Invites You to Attend Arlington's Bicentennial Interfaith Service, Saturday, October 20, 2001, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Hosted by:
The Most Reverend Bishop Paul S. Loverde, D.D., S.T.L., J.C.L. Bishop of Arlington

THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT THOMAS MORE
3901 Cathedral Lane Arlington VA 22203

Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association 2000-2001 Executive Committee

Ben Axleroad, President
3800 North Fairfax Dr., #205, Arlington, VA 22203
703-525-3083
Dennis Burr, Vice President
David Ryan, Secretary
DeAndra Beck, Treasurer
1301 N. Taylor St., Arlington, VA 22201
Theresa Smith, NCAC Representative
Ken Hughes
Jeffrey Green
Kate Wilson

How to Join the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association or Renew Your Membership

All individual persons who are residents of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association's area or who in their individual capacity own residential property located therein, shall be eligible for membership in the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association. For the purposes of this organization, the boundaries of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association are Kirkwood Road on the east, Glebe Road on the west, Wilson Boulevard on the south, and the I-66 right of way on the north.

If interested in joining the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association, please complete the BVSCA Membership Application Form below and send your application and dues to Jeffrey Green, Treasurer, Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association, at the address below.

Dues are payable when first joining and are renewable each year on or before the annual anniversary of that date. New members and members who have not paid their dues within the three preceding Association years must pay their dues 30 days before they receive voting privileges. Former members who have been members in good standing within any of the three immediately preceding Association years may be reinstated as voting members by paying their dues for that year.

All members of the Association are volunteers. Dues are used to help fund the Association's activities and sponsored events. Please join the Association today, or renew your dues paid membership. Visit us at (http://www.bvsca.org)

Please make checks payable to BVSCA.