The Mordant Traditionalist

Connolly assails a citizen simply trying to read a statement

If the residents of Fairfax County needed another reason to remove Chairman Connolly from his post, then this video gives them one.  A citizen and resident of Fairfax County simply wanted to read into the record his opinion concerning the storage pods on private property.  Chairman Connolly does not even allow the man to really begin his statement before he begins to assail the man and assault him with question that have no relevance to the topic or the man's statement.

Local residents meet with County Evecutive to discuss overcrowding

Last night I attended a meeting between local residents and Deputy County Executive Robert Stalzer concerning the issue of overcrowding and illegal boarding houses and the newly created Fairfax County Enhanced Code Enforcement Strike Teams Task Force created to address the problem within the county.  I must say that a found the meeting to be very informative and well attended by local residents from all over Mason District in Fairfax County. 

Deputy County Executive Stalzer spent the first part of the meeting outlining the structure and purpose of the new Enhanced Code Enforcement Strike Teams.  Mr. Stalzer explained to those gathered at the meeting that the purpose of the new task force was to help relieve and remove the blight and illegal behavior within the county.  Some of those in attendance expressed their concern that the Board of Supervisors, which is the overseer of this task force, was only taking this action because of the fact that this is an election year.  Mr. Stalzer answered the question by explaining that the issue of overcrowding and code violations have been a concern of his office since 2002, but with the way things proceed in government, it often takes a long time and more public outrage to bring the issue to a boil before it results in effective action.  For those of you within Fairfax County who would like to report a situation of overcrowding or an illegal boarding house, you can file a complaint here.

Towards the end of the meeting the Mason District Board of Supervisors member Penny Gross arrived at the Government Center building, where her office is located and proceeded to stroll right by the meeting without taking a moment to pop in and say hello to some of her local constituents.  I did notice that Supervisor Gross lingered in her car as her local constituents left after the meeting.  After all the residents had left the meeting, Supervisor Gross mustered up enough courage to enter the meeting room and probably asked to be debriefed by Deputy County Executive Stalzer.  First, I find it somewhat disturbing that the district supervisor would not take the time to speech with her constituents and inquire as to what the meeting was about.  But, I have a feeling that Ms. Gross were what that meeting was about and was to fearful of resident outrage to step into the room while the meeting was ending. 

Free Concert at Mason Park featuring the Capitol Steps

Friends of Vellie Dietrich Hall
invite you to a
Meet and Greet on August 5

at the Mason District Park,
Picnic Area # 100

The Capitol Steps
is performing a political parody
and the concert is FREE!

Enjoy sizzling hot dogs and ice cold sodas.

  Meet and speak to Vellie and local GOP candidates.

The event will last from 3:30 to 6:00 pm, and will give you the chance to eat and talk politics before the performance.

Invite friends

RSVP to 571 830 6440

Mason District Candidate running hard against Incumbent

This year Mason district residents will have a strong candidate to compare incumbent Penny Gross against.  Vellie Dietrich Hall has been running strong and hard since announcing her campaign back in January of this year.  Vellie has been out there knocking on the doors of residents every week.  She has had face to face meetings with over 7,000 residents to date.  As she speaks with these residents, Vellie is hearing that the overriding concern of most of them is the rise in crime in the district over the past four years.  This rise in crime can be correlated to the increase in illegal immigrants that have found their way into the district. 

There is also an increase in the amount property damage and littering, along with loitering in the district.  While on its face these small crimes may seem innocuous, over time the fabric and quality of life within the district will begin to slowly erode away.  The incumbent Ms. Gross is very content with the way things are currently progressing in Mason District, as evidenced in her weekly All is well in Mason column.  Ms. Gross does not see a problem with the overcrowding in residential homes, Ms. Gross does not see a problem with the loitering and littering of the illegal immigrants in Mason District, and Ms. Gross does not seem to grasp the fact that crime is on the rise within the district, as she is under the opinion that crime is actually falling within the district, again as reported in her weekly All is well in Mason column.

It is time to change the course of Mason District and bring back a sense of community and safety to the residents of Mason District.  If you would like to have a Supervisor who seeks your input, a Supervisor who seeks to reduce the crime in Mason District and will not turn a blind eye to obvious violations of county ordinances and state laws, and finally, if you would like a Supervisor who understands what a being a citizen of this country is all about and who understands the duty and responsibility that comes with being a Supervisor, then Vote for Vellie Dietrich Hall for Mason District Supervisor in Fairfax County.

All eyes are now on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

One week after Prince William County blazed the trail and passed a resolution aimed at denying illegal immigrants access to local county services, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors followed suit and passed their own version of that resolution aimed at denying taxpayer funded services from being accessed by illegal immigrants.  The focus now switches to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the action they plan to take in light of what their neighboring counties have done.

If the Fairfax County BOS does not act and pass similar resolution, then the residents of Fairfax County should expect that their county will be overrun by illegal immigrants seeking a safe haven and a place to hide from the authorities in Loudoun and Prince William Counties.  This a golden opportunity for Chairmen Connolly and his fellow board members to show the residents of Fairfax County that they were against the Day Labor Center and that they are in fact a leading County when it comes to the rule of law and protecting that value of taxpayer dollars and the services that those dollars are earmarked to provide to those who are here legally and in true need of county services.  Let us sit back watch the action of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.  If there is not action similar to that Prince William and Loudoun Counties, then I suggest that you the taxpayer and voter consider showing your outrage at the ballot box and vote to elect Vellie Dietrich Hall in Mason, Pat Herrity in Springfield, and vote to elect Gary Baise as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and allow them to work to enact the rules and laws that you have come to expect from your elected officials in Fairfax County.

July 4th Parade with Mason Supervisor Candidate

I had the distinct pleasure to be a part of the Vellie Dietrich-Hall for Mason District Supervisor Lake Barcroft July 4th Parade contingent.  The Lake Barcroft Parade is an annual July 4th Parade that the residents of Lake Barcroft have each and every year.  The parade lasts for about 45 minutes as you parade from one beach location to another.  After the parade these is a huge annual July 4th celebration and later in the day they also have fireworks show.  This event is a great community run together that I thinks it represents what America and 4th of July are all about.

Vellie was the only candidate to actually march in the parade this year that I was aware of.  Vellie actually had about 30 volunteers in the parade marching with her and helping her to get her message of change out to the voters.  I did see her Democratic opponent and current Mason Supervisor Ms. Gross at the end of the parade.  I will say that when the Vellie Dietrich-Hall for Supervisor contingent arrived at the end point of the parade they were cheering and making alot of noise for Vellie.  I think that the residents of Lake Barcroft appreciated the fact that Vellie actually took the time to march in their parade with them on this 4th of July.  There other parades that Ms. Dietrich-Hall could marched in, like the Fairfax City parade to name one.  But, Ms. Dietrich-Hall decided to march in a parade right in the heart of her district and show the people that she cares about them and the issues that concern them.

I actually had a chance to speak to a couple of the Lake Barcroft residents and they stated that they were very much appreciative of the fact that Vellie chose to march in their July 4th parade.  A few of the people I spoke with actually had a chance to meet Vellie and spend a few moments chatting with her prior to the parade and came away from the discussion feeling that they spoke with someone who actually cares about the concerns and issues that confront them.  All and all the parade and events that followed made for a great day to spend with friends and/or neighbors.

Connolly continues with the Appearance of Impropiety

The Washington Post has an article in today's edition that shows how Gerry Connolly, D-VA, the current Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County.  Connolly appears to be working for the best interest of Gerry Connolly and not the best interests of the residents of Fairfax County.  In a prior post on Connolly, I have given an example of how Connolly is blatant with his steering of business to those who contribute to his campaign.  While it may not violate any laws of the County or the Commonwealth of Virginia, it does show that conflict of interest is not a concept that Connolly concerns himself with.

The article points out that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors did not vote on who received the lobbying contract, and the decision to award the contract was made by the Fairfax County Executive after receiving several bids for the contract.  Keep in mind that the Fairfax County Executive is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and serves at the pleasure of that very board, which is currently headed by Gerry Connolly.

Gary Baise to accept no Developer donations

Gary Baise has made a pledge in his campaign against Gerry Connolly for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to not accept any campaign contributions from developers in Fairfax County.  This stance alone will separate Baise from Connolly, as everyone already knows that Connolly is a developer's best friend.  Connolly has accepted contributions from developers and Real Estate investors while the board was awarding business to the very same developer or investor. This conflict of interest alone should cause voters to pause and ask the question of who does Connolly represent the County or the developer/investors that contribute to his campaigns.

Since Mr. Baise has decided not to accept contributions from developers, those of us who support his campaign and campaigns run on the principal of the people first and the developers and investors second.  Let's help Baise defeat Connolly and bring the board back to the people of Fairfax County. 

The FTA says no to the Tysons Corner Underground Transit Tunnel

The Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) has rejected the idea of building an underground transit tunnel through the Tysons Corner area stating that the proposed tunnel would cost more than the already approved above ground transit rail line.  This rejection is a setback for all those fighting to get the tunnel through Tysons instead of the rail.  The biggest loser is the Tysonstunnel.org group which was financed by The West Group and lobbied hard for the underground tunnel.  The biggest winner in this scenario is probably Congressman Tom Davis and Congressman Frank Wolf, as the $900 million in federal funding that they secured for the project may no longer be in jeopardy.  Read the article here.

Gary Baise for Fairfax County Chairman Campaign Kickoff

The Gary Baise for Fairfax County Chairman campaign has announced his official campaign kickoff that will feature a star studded cast of current and past local, state and federal republican leaders.  See below for details and to RSVP to the event.

Senator John Warner, Congressman Frank Wolf, Congressman Tom Davis, Former Senator George Allen,  State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis, State Senator Jay O’Brien, State Senator Ken Cuccinelli, Delegate Tom Rust, Delegate Tim Hugo,  Delegate Vince Callahan, Delegate Dave Albo, Clerk of Court John Frey, Supervisor Michael Frey, Supervisor Joan DuBois,  School Board Member Steve Hunt,  State Party Chairman Ed Gillespie, 10th District Chairman Jim Rich, 11th District Chairman Becky Stoeckel, 8th District Chairman David Avella, Fairfax County Chairman Jim Hyland, Former Lt Governor John Hager

RSVP

Cordially invite you to attend the

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

For

GARY BAISE

CHAIRMAN OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

On

June 8, 2007

6:30- 8:30 PM

At the
Richard Ernst Cultural Arts Center Forum

Northern Virginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike,
Annandale, VA 22003

RSVP

Overcrowded housing in Fairfax County, VA

Sunday's Washington Post had an article about the overcrowding of housing in Fairfax County, VA and the immigrant population that has exploded in the county resulting in traditional neighborhoods turning into 24/7 red light districts because of all the activity of people coming and going at all hours that results from having several adults who work various shifts living in a home built to house a single family and not single community.

The response from the current members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, remember this year all members of the board are up for reelection in 2007, is that times are changing and communities need to change along with the times.  The problem with that answer and response is that the county and Commonwealth have laws, rules and regulations that have not changed with the times.  When a person buys a home in Fairfax County they are looking at spending from $500k to over a $1 million to own such a home, and the homeowner should have an expectation that the investment in their new home is going to be protected by the county and Commonwealth by upholding existing laws, rules and regulations. 

The current members of the board should not be surprised if they find themselves on the outside looking in come November.  The voters of Fairfax County and the rest of Northern Virginia need to express their outrage and dissatisfaction with the Board of Supervisors and their elected officials by voting for change if they feel that their concerns and complaints are not being properly addressed.  While the issue may seem complicated, they really aren't.  This is a county and Commonwealth of laws, rules and regulations, and we need to have officials in place that will enforce those laws, rules and regulations.