Archive: Politics
UPDATED /7: Municipal Election Results
Updated 5/7 An article about the results of yesterday's elections is here. Full results are here. Originally posted 5/1 Municipal Elections in the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and the towns of Clifton, Herndon and Vienna are highlighted in today's Fairfax Extra. Pick up a copy of the print edition inside today's Home section for complete coverage including information on each of the candidates....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 7, 2008; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
Day-Labor Issues Still Figure in Herndon Politics
Even though it isn't the hot issue it was two years ago, the issues of day laborers and the town's now shuttered laborer hiring center are still at the forefront of many voters' minds on the eve of the municipal election. Read about it in this article from yesterday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 5, 2008; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)
Municipal Elections Preview
With elections for local officials in Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Herndon and Vienna set for two months from today, the Metro today section offers this preview of the races here and in neighboring Loudoun and Prince William Counties....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 6, 2008; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (4)
UPDATE 2/7: Connolly To Announce Run for Congress Today
Updated 2/7 Read this article from today's Metro section about the Chairman's plans. Updated 1/3 Today's Metro section has more on Connolly's exploratory committee, while the Chairman himself authors this week's Voices of Fairfax column in the Fairfax Extra, writing about why he thinks that Fairfax County government is effective. Originally posted 1/2 The Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' scheduled announcement today is the latest signal that he has his eye on the 11th District seat currently held by another former Board Chairman, Tom Davis. Read more here....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 7, 2008; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (0)
Congressman Tom Davis Announces Retirement
The announcement from the 12-term Republican, made today, is in this article....
By Focus on Fairfax | January 30, 2008; 02:27 PM ET | Comments (0)
County: No Figure for Cost of Services For Illegal Immigrants
Fairfax County officials can't put a dollar amount on the amount of money the local governement spends on services used by illegal immigrants they say, partly because many of those services are "universal access;"required by federal law to be open to anyone, regardless of immigration status.The officials also cite the difficulty of counting how many undocumented immigrants live in here. This is in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 27, 2007; 10:01 AM ET | Comments (2)
UPDATE 11/27: Cuccinelli Is Declared the Victor in Close Race
Updated 11/27 From today's Metro section: Virginia election officials officially certified Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax) yesterday as the winner in the race to represent the 37th District of Fairfax County. His Democratic opponent, Janet S. Oleszek, plans to file a lawsuit in Fairfax County Circuit Court tomorrow asking for a recount of the more than 37,000 votes cast in the Nov. 6 election. She has 10 days to file the suit. Cuccinelli was declared the winner by 92 votes in Virginia's tightest General Assembly race this year. State law entitles any candidate to ask for a taxpayer-funded recount if the margin of victory is less than half a percentage point. A panel of state judges will be set up to monitor the recount. Most ballots are electronically tabulated. Under state law, recount officials review those votes using printouts. A smaller number of votes, such as absentee ballots, were tabulated...
By Focus on Fairfax | November 27, 2007; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (2)
Post-Election Analysis
Two stories appeared in the pages of the Washington Post this weekend that offered some context for how things stand politically in Fairfax County following last week's election. First, this article from Saturday's Style section examined what the defeat of State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis means for the political careers of her and her husband, U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, who sources say may not run for reelection. Then, Sunday's Metro section ran this piece on the county Board of Supervisors and what issues await it....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 12, 2007; 09:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 11/8: Byrne Wants Her Seat Back
Updated 11/8 From today's Metro section: Democrat Leslie L. Byrne, who in 1992 became the first woman to represent Virginia in Congress, said yesterday that she has filed papers to run for the U.S. House seat in the 11th Congressional District that she lost more than a decade ago. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R), who recently announced he would not run for the U.S. Senate, has not said whether he will run for reelection in the 11th District, which includes parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties. Byrne said, "When I decided to do this, I decided to do this based on what I could bring to the race and to the 11th District.'' Byrne, who said she hopes to work on consumer, budget and environmental issues, lost to Davis in 1994 in a national Republican landslide. She narrowly lost a race for lieutenant governor two years ago. Davis's...
By Focus on Fairfax | November 8, 2007; 10:07 AM ET | Comments (3)
Fairfax Prosecutor Race
Yesterday's Metro section offered this look at the race for the county's top prosecutor's post which pits Republican Patrick A. McDade versus Democrat Raymond F. Morrogh. Morrogh says that he would continue successful practices of his longtime boss, retiring prosecutor Robert F. Horan Jr., while McDade promises a fresh perspective....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 5, 2007; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (4)
Devolites Davis Ads Are Targeted
From today's Metro section: The Virginia Democratic Party has asked the State Board of Elections and the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Fairfax) and her husband, U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), violated election laws by using his political money to pay for her TV and direct-mail ads. According to Devolites Davis's most recent campaign finance reports, her husband's political committee paid for airtime for her TV ad and for several of her mailers, even though Devolites Davis claimed in the ads to have paid for them. Democrats said the ads should have stated that they were paid for by a congressional political committee. Devolites Davis said she disclosed her husband's contributions on her finance reports and wasn't trying to hide anything. She said her own campaign paid for the production of her TV ad and the initial purchase of airtime. -Amy Gardner...
By Focus on Fairfax | November 5, 2007; 10:45 AM ET | Email a Comment
Kingstowne Developer Contributed $35,000 To Lee District Candidate
According to this article from Saturday's Metro section, Jeff C. McKay, the Democratic candidate for Lee District supervisor, has received $35,000 in contributions from a developer who is seeking changes in his agreement with the county which would allow the construction of four office buildings in Kingstowne. McKay said the contributions have not influenced on his decision to support the developers proposal which is supported by the Lee District's Land Use Advisory Committee. McKay said had the ommittee not supported the proposal he also would have opposed it....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 5, 2007; 10:15 AM ET | Email a Comment
Davis Gets Endorsement From NYC Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg (I), the mayor of New York has taken the unusual step of making an endorsement in a Virginia Senate race and lending his support to incumbent state Sen. Devolites Davis (R). Bloomberg cites Davis's support of tougher gun laws as evidence of "common-sense thinking" as a reason for his endorsement. Find out more in this article from today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 2, 2007; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (1)
Article Details Connolly's Drive and Forceful Style
The second of two profile pieces on the candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, this article takes a look at Gerald E. Connolly (D), his background and defining traits as a leader. Look below for yesterday's story on Gary H. Baise....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 2, 2007; 09:49 AM ET | Email a Comment
The Voters Guide
Looking to cram for Tuesday's election? Today's Fairfax Extra has information about all of the races, candidates and ballot questions that voters will be faced with when they go to the polls. Each of the articles provides readers with a chance to comment on the particular race, but Focus on Fairfax invites comments in this space on the election as a whole. Have some predictions or some thoughts about the most important issues that voters will be thinking about as they step up their touch screens? Post them here....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 1, 2007; 10:17 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Challenger a Freshman Politician at 66
Today's Metro section has a profile of Gary H. Baise, the GOP candidate for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors who, at 66, is running for elected office for the first time. Read the article to find out more about the candidate and look for a profile of Democrat Gerald E. Connolly tomorrow....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 1, 2007; 09:41 AM ET | Comments (1)
Firefighters Lead Contributors in Supes Race
The leading contributors to the political campaign for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is the local branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The union has put up more than $100,000 over the last four years, most of it going to the incumbents. The details are in this article from today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 31, 2007; 09:36 AM ET | Email a Comment
Early Distribution of Election Flier Prompts Calls For Investigation
A a door hanger distributed this past weekend urging people to "vote today" by the campaign of State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis (R-Fairfax) has prompted calls for an investigation from her Democratic opponent, J. Chapman "Chap" Peterson, into whether the Devolites-Davis campaign was deliberately attempting to deceive voters. The story is here. Other news about the same race from today's Metro section: Coalition Keeps Devolites Davis Endorsement The Virginia Coalition of Police and Deputy Sheriffs will stand by its endorsement of state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R), coalition President Josh David said yesterday. The coalition had considered rescinding the endorsement after Devolites Davis's opponent, Democrat J. Chapman Petersen, complained last week about a campaign mailer that published his home address and family members' names. David said Devolites Davis has a strong voting record on behalf of law enforcement, so the coalition will not change its position. -- Amy Gardner...
By Focus on Fairfax | October 30, 2007; 09:31 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax GOP Candidates Say They Can Cut Taxes and Expand Programs
The Republican candidates for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors say that it is possible to expand county programs and even pay for new ones while still lowering property taxes and that they know how to get it done. Their Democratic opponents say they don't believe it. Read the story from yesterday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 29, 2007; 10:04 AM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 10/23: Connolly, Baise on Immigration
Updated 10/23 Candidates for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors spoke about their approach to local enforcement of federal immigration laws in a meeting yesterday with Washington Post reporters and editors . Gerald E. Connolly (D) said that he would not follow Prince Williams County's lead and try to cut off services for illegal immigrants. Gary H. Baise (R) said he would seek participation by county police in a program operated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to help them identify illegal immigrants. Read more about what the candidates said at the meeting here. Originally posted 8/24 Talk Radio host Chris Core yesterday asked his listeners to call Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Gerald E. Connolly's office to ask why Connolly didn't support the type on anti-illegal immigrant actions that neighboring Prince William County is attempting to enforce. Connolly has maintained that it is not...
By Focus on Fairfax | October 23, 2007; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (3)
Race for Fairfax School Board
Today's Metro section has a detailed look at the issues and candidates that voters will consider for the Fairfax County School Board. Elsewhere in the paper, the Washington Post's editorial board -- a completely separate division of the Washington Post from the news division -- has endorsed a slate of candidates for the school board positions that can be found here....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 22, 2007; 11:19 AM ET | Email a Comment
Does Control of State Senate Hinge on Results Here?
According to this article from yesterday's front page, a Democratic sweep in Fairfax could "transfer unprecedented power to a handful of senior Northern Virginia lawmakers." Read the article and share your thoughts on it here. Also in political news, an article from Saturday's Metro section reports that Democratic candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have outraised their Republican counterparts by nearly two to one in campaign contributions....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 22, 2007; 11:08 AM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 10/22: Fisher on Fairfax Senate Race
Updated 10/22 Metro opinion columnist Marc Fisher yesterday took a look at the race for state Senate in Fairfax, noting that the candidates' party-affiliations aren't easy to deduce by their rhetoric alone. Originally posted 10/3 According to this story from today's Metro section, not much distinguishes the Republican and Democratic candidates for the 34th District seat in the Virginia Senate when it comes to issues important to gay voters. That both parties' candidates are flying the gay rights flag is seen by some as a further sign of Northern Virginia's move from conservative toward progressive politics....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 22, 2007; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (1)
Volunteers (2,200 of Them) Needed For Elections
Northern Virginia's local governments are asking for volunteers to man the polls in the upcoming election on Nov. 6. Read this story in the Fairfax Extra to find how you can help....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 18, 2007; 11:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
GOP Candidates for Supervisor Issue Position Paper
According to this article from today's Metro section, five of the six Republican candidates for The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have signed a position paper pledging to cut taxers, raise ethical standards and require developers to offer public improvements before their projects are approved. Some incumbent supervisors said the positions outlined in the paper differ little from an agenda the board has already been pursuing....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 17, 2007; 10:11 AM ET | Email a Comment
The Connolly Approach
This morning's Metro section offers this look at Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly and his approach to government; how he uses his office to steer policy and achieve his goals. Admirers of the Chairman have some things to say about all that, as do his critics. Feel free to share your view in the comments section....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 15, 2007; 09:58 AM ET | Email a Comment
Chairman Candidates Disagree on Spending
Gary H. Baise and Gerald E. Connelly clashed on tax and budget issues during a debate last night, with Basie advocating caps on real estate assessments and Connelly calling such measures, "ideas that sound good but have terrible long-term consequences." The details are in this article from today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 9, 2007; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (2)
Baise Accepted Farm Subsidies
Today's Washington Post reports that Gary H. Baise, the Republican candidate for Board of Supervisors chairman and a vocal proponent of limited government, reduced taxation and less spending, accepted more than $300,000 in federal subsidies for his Illinois farm from 1995 -2205. The story from today's front page is here....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 4, 2007; 10:18 AM ET | Comments (1)
Candidates For Chairman Lob Abramoff Accusations
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) and Gary H. Baise, Connolly's Republican challenger, each tried to associate his opponent with disgraced (and incarcerated) lobbyist Jack Abramoff at a debate Tuesday. But according to this article in today's Metro section neither accusation has much substance....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 28, 2007; 09:41 AM ET | Email a Comment
Baise and the Environment
Republican candidate for the chairmanship of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gary H. Baise says he is "one of the original environmentalists" citing his time as the chief of staff to the EPA's founding administrator among other credentials. But some who have followed Basie's career as a lawyer representing corporations governments, developers and farmers who have run afoul of environmental regulations, say the truth is more complicated. Get the details in this article from today's front page....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 25, 2007; 10:02 AM ET | Comments (1)
Connolly and Baise Square Off in Debate
The candidates for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors met yesterday in Tysons Corner for their first full-blown debate of the campaign. The Washington Post's coverage is here. For other Fairfax political news check out out the new Virginia Politics blog....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 19, 2007; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (2)
Chairman's Race Prompts Question on Position
With the race for the chairmanship of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors heating up, some voices are asking if the time has come to invest the office with real power and to make the board's Chairman an elected chief executive. The details are in this piece from Sunday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 17, 2007; 11:09 AM ET | Email a Comment
Jewish Groups Criticize Moran's Comments To Mag
Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) told a California-based Jewish magazine that the "extraordinarily powerful" pro-Israel lobby has promoted the war in Iraq, drawing fire from some Jewish groups who lambasted the Congressman's comments for using "anti-Semitic images" and being "downright dangerous." The story was in Saturday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 17, 2007; 10:45 AM ET | Email a Comment
Davis Says He's in No Rush To Declare For Senate
Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) is signaling his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen John W. Warner (R), but is in no hurry to make an official announcement according to this article from Saturday's Metro section. One reason for Davis' reticence to start ramping a Senate push, according to another story in today's Metro section is his reluctance to distract himself and others from the reelection campaign of his wife, state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Fairfax)....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 17, 2007; 10:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
Cuccinelli Needs Conservative GOP Turnout
Leaders of both parties, and the state Senator himself, agree that if Ken Cuccinelli doesn't motivate his base of conservative Republicans to turn out on election day, he may well be defeated by Democratic challenger Janet S. Oleszek. Get the details in this article from this morning's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | September 6, 2007; 10:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 8/30: New Nominee Is Chosen for Clerk
Updated 8/30 Fairfax County Democrats nominated McLean real estate agent Dale A. Evans this week to replace David H. Miller as the party's candidate for clerk of the Circuit Court. Miller withdrew from the race in July after court documents showed that he owed more than $38,000 in federal income taxes. Evans, 60, was nominated by acclamation at a brief convention Tuesday at the Fairfax County Government Center. Evans, a native of Flint, Mich., served as chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners before relocating to Virginia in 1990 when his wife accepted a job on the staff of U.S. Sen. Donald W. Riegle (D-Mich.). Evans has been on the boards of the McLean Community Center and the McLean Little League and was chairman of the Dranesville Democratic Committee. The clerk is the chief administrative officer of the Circuit Court, with a staff of about 160 who manage land...
By Focus on Fairfax | August 30, 2007; 10:10 AM ET | Comments (1)
UPDATE 8/16: Herndon Will Operate Day-Labor Center
Updated 8/29 Unable to find a suitable private contractor, town officials say the center will be operated by the town government. The news is here. Updated 8/16 The Herndon town council voted last night to continue the operation of the day-labor center, but not to renew Project Hope and Harmony's operating contract. Now the council will renew the heretofore unsuccessful search for a new operator who will pledge to check workers' immigration status. The story is here. Originally posted 8/15 According to this article, last night's scheduled vote by the Herndon Town Council on the fate of the town's day-labor employment center was postponed after public testimony drove the council's meeting late into the night. The vote is now set for tonight....
By Focus on Fairfax | August 29, 2007; 02:43 PM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 8/27: Northern Virginia's Muslims Show Political Clout
Updated 8/27 A report from the picnic was in yesterday's Metro section. Originally posted 8/24 Showing evidence of what, according to this article from today's Metro section, is the growing political influence of Northern Virginia's Islamic community, more than 50 candidates for office are expected to attend a political picnic in Reston tomorrow, organized by a group of local mosques. Read about it in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | August 27, 2007; 09:51 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Politics
Remember those complaints Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland (D-Mount Vernon) said he was receiving about violations of home height restrictions in his district? It turns out his daughter lives next door to one of the houses in question and some neighbors are asking whether that has prompted the Supervisor's recent interest in a problem they have been complaining about for at least a year. Also in this week's Fairfax Politics column you can find items about a tiff over performance evaluations on the Falls Church City Council, Del. David B. Albo's (R-Fairfax) likely relief at running unopposed at a time when other supporters of Virginia's "abusive driver" fines are feeling the heat, and an end to the standoff between the Herndon Town Council and former mayor Carol Bruce over the status of her business license....
By Focus on Fairfax | August 2, 2007; 01:10 PM ET | Email a Comment
Politics: Life after Callahan and the Race to Unseat Wolf
Two stories appeared on the Metro section's front this morning that are likely to be of interest to those that follow Fairfax politics. First there is this look at the 40 year career of Vincent F. Callahan Jr. as a Republican lawmaker in the Virginia House of Delegates and an analysis of how his coming retirement affects the political landscape in Northern Virginia. Then there is this article about the increasingly crowded field of candidates looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) in the 2008 elections. Two Democrats and two Republicans (including Wolf) have their hats in the ring....
By Focus on Fairfax | July 10, 2007; 11:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
Connolly's Job with Tysons Corporation Provokes Criticism
"Totally inappropriate" is how one of Gerald E. Connolly's fellow Democrats, McLean Citizen's association vice president Susan Turner, describes the Board of Supervisors chairman's work for SAIC, the area's fourth largest employer and major stake holder in decisions affecting land use and transportation issues in Tysons Corner. But Turner and other critics of Connolly's position with the company have not been able to cite any violation of the state's conflict of interest laws and the chairman says he has done everything above board, including recusing himself from votes that directly affect SAIC property. This article from yesterday's front page details Connolly's defense of his "other" job in the face of what some say is at least "a problem of appearances."...
By Focus on Fairfax | July 9, 2007; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (1)
Local GOP Faces Challenges
Two stories in today's Fairfax Extra illustrate the struggles the once dominant Republican party is having in Northern Virginia. This article details the shifting allegiances to the Democrats of even the county's once reliably red Springfield district. And the Virginia Notebook column explores the difficulties the state Republican party is having without a clear leader....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 21, 2007; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (4)
Allen's Endorsement Still Has Currency with GOP
Today's Fairfax Extra politics news reports that despite his loss in the last election, former Senator George Allen is still someone that local Republican candidates want in their corner. That and other local political news including readers' thoughts on overgrown medians and political signs can be found here. Before (Richard A. Lipski) After (Amy Gardner)...
By Focus on Fairfax | June 14, 2007; 04:47 PM ET | Comments (2)
Primary Election Results
The results of yesterday's primary elections are discussed in this article from this morning's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 13, 2007; 10:14 AM ET | Email a Comment
Baise to Launch Bid against Connolly for Supervisor
Republican Gary H. Baise plans to announce formally today his candidacy for the Chairmanship of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Baise, a McLean lawyer is pledging to decline financial support from developers, saying that to do so creates an apparent conflict of interest since the board makes land use decisions. Baise, who said that by developers he means only the actual applicants for land use decisions, not associated attorneys, engineers, construction companies, surveyors or real estate management firms, has criticized incumbent board chair Gerald E. Connolly for his close financial ties to developers. Connolly has been critical of what he described Baise's "troubling" association with an organization opposed to the liberal environmental movement and to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 8, 2007; 09:47 AM ET | Comments (1)
Voter's Guide
Find out what you need to know before you head to the polls for Tuesday's primary elections by following these links to articles from today's Fairfax Extra Providence District Democratic Primary Springfield District Republican Primary Virginia Senate, 39th District Democratic Primary Virginia House of Delegates, 34th District Democratic Primary Virginia House of Delegates 40th District, Democratic Primary Also take a look at today's Virginia Notebook column which examines how social issues factor in for candidates for the Virginia Senate....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 7, 2007; 11:21 AM ET | Email a Comment
Feder Announces Second Bid To Unseat Wolf
Democrat Judy Feder said yesterday she plans to run in next year's election against incumbent Republican Frank R. Wolf for Virginia's 10th Congressional District. Feder made a a strong showing with a similar bid last year. The story is in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 5, 2007; 10:46 AM ET | Email a Comment
Springfield GOP Candidates on the Issues
The Republican candidates for the Springfield seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Pat S. Herrity and Stan L. Reid, have similar positions on issues of development but differ on the continued existence of the Fairfax County Development Authority; Herrity likes it, Reid doesn't. Read more on the candidates platforms in this article from yesterday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | June 4, 2007; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (2)
Politics Anyone? About the Debate, etc.
Issues in the news in today's Fairfax Politics column include last week's debate between the Democratic candidates for the Providence District Supervisor's seat which left a bitter taste in the mouths of many attendees. Also of note is an item on the Fairfax Electoral Board's interoffice email advising staff to lay low on complaints about how Vienna's town elections are managed and latest on Herndon's hard-line stance on immigration issues. Check out the column in today's Fairfax Extra....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 31, 2007; 01:03 PM ET | Comments (1)
Providence Primary: a Hint of Connolly's Future?
According to this article from today's Metro section, the primary election for the Democratic candidate for the Providence District Supervisor's seat between incumbent Linda Q. Smyth and challenger Charles W. Hall could foreshadow how things will play out for Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly who has guided Smyth throughout her political career. The story is here....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 29, 2007; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (4)
And The Green Grass Grew All Around, All Around
Tall grass in medians and along public roadways in Fairfax County is generating many complaints to county supervisors' offices. But mowing is the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation, not the county. Tall grass, un-mowed on the median strip along Braddock Road blocks a clear view of the west bound traffic wishing to turn left off Braddock Road into a subdivision. (Photo by Richard A. Lipski ) But it's an election year and being seen as responsive is important, so local leaders are adding their voices to the hue and cry. The news from the Post's Metro section is here....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 29, 2007; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (1)
UPDATE 5/7: Some Voters Complain of Irregularities in Vienna Town Election
Updated 5/7 This article from yesterday's Metro section cataloged some of the complaints form voters and candidates about how the election came off. Originally posted 5/4 Three incumbent Vienna Town Council members were returned to their seats yesterday in a town election that saw 22 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The story is in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 7, 2007; 10:20 AM ET | Comments (2)
Comedy Central Focuses on Fairfax, Tom Davis
Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's satiric news commentary show, "The Colbert Report" took a look at Virginia's 11th Congressional District last night, complete with an interview with Rep. Tom Davis (R). Watch the video here....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 4, 2007; 11:52 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Politics
Today's Fairfax Politics column tells of a former Herndon Town Council Member who is defying the a new town law and refusing to prove her legal immigration status to get a license for her small private business. Carol Bruce says her defiance is a protest and sets up a potential legal challenge to the law. Also, Democrat Jeff Kaye is juggling his chief of staff duties for retiring Lee District Supervisor T. Dana Kauffman (D) even as he campaigns for Kauffman's seat. Finally, there is James E. Hyland, the new chair of the Fairfax County GOP. All in the Politics column by Bill Turque in today's Fairfax Extra....
By Focus on Fairfax | May 3, 2007; 10:27 AM ET | Email a Comment
Financial Reports Cite Builders as Top Donors to Connolly Campaign
Gerald E. Connolly (D) has received $808,293 since the beginning of 2004 for his reelection campaign for the Chairman's seat of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, according to a report from the Virginia Public Access Project. More than a third of that money has come from real estate development and construction companies. Connolly says he receives broad support from the business community and that focusing on the development dollars distorts perceptions of his donor base. The story was in yesterday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | April 30, 2007; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (1)
Growth is Top Issue in Vienna Council Race
Five candidates will vie for three seats on the Vienna Town Council in a town election set for May 1. Growth issues and how Vienna's leaders hope to maintain the town's sense of identity amidst development pressures have emerged as the central issues of the campaign. Today's Fairfax Extra has the story....
By Focus on Fairfax | April 19, 2007; 11:47 AM ET | Comments (1)
UPDATE 4/16: More on Retiring Prosecutor
Updated 4/16 The race to see who will be elected to replace retiring Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney, Robert F. Horan is already heating up according to this article in Saturday's paper. More on Horan and his 40-year career was in yesterday's Metro section. Updated 4/10 Horan announced his retirement this morning. Originally posted 4/9 Robert F. Horan, a fixture as Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney for 40 years is considering retirement. According to this article from Saturday's Metro section, he will make his decision by next week....
By Focus on Fairfax | April 9, 2007; 10:25 AM ET | Email a Comment
McConnell Makes It Official: She's Not Running. So....
Springfield District Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell's (R) official announcement on Sunday that she would not seek reelection prompted this article in today's paper which takes a look at how the field of candidates is shaping up with regard to this fall's election. Two seats are now open with incumbents McConnell and T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) opting not to run. Gerald D. Hyland (D-Mount Vernon) is still weighing his decision....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 27, 2007; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (1)
Politics: Local Pols Debate Transportation; Other Items
Today's Fairfax Politics column focuses on what's going on behind the scenes and behind closed doors as local leaders discuss transportation issues. Read about it and tell us what you think; what more could leaders at the county and city level of government be doing to help the state fix our transportation woes?...
By Focus on Fairfax | March 22, 2007; 02:47 PM ET | Comments (1)
Connolly Keeps Door Open for 2008 Congressional Run
Even as he announced his reelection bid for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerald E. Connolly (D) declined to say that he would commit to serving all four years if Rep. Thomas R. Davis III (R) decides to run for Senate or steps down. The story is in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 20, 2007; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (1)
Hopeful Wants More Diverse Fairfax County Board
Vellie Dietrich Hall, a native of the Philippines and a Republican candidate for the Mason District Supervisor's seat says she would like to see the faces on the Board of Supervisors reflect more of the diversity of the county. Read about Hall and her campaign in this story from yesterday's front page....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 12, 2007; 09:36 AM ET | Comments (2)
Public Appearances Rule Connolly's Schedule
This week's Fairfax politics column takes a look at a recent and fairly typical Saturday for Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly, a day packed with 12 hours of public appearances....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 8, 2007; 12:54 PM ET | Email a Comment
Political Action Committee Sows Grass Roots in a Clifton Basement
Metro opinion columnist Marc Fisher writes today about the Next Generation Democrats political action committee which from a suburban basement in Clifton is trying to grow the influence of Democrats and young people in Virginia's politics....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 8, 2007; 12:24 PM ET | Email a Comment
Baise Edges Closer to Challenging Connolly
Attorney and former Nixon Administration official Gary H. Baise is edging closer to becoming a Republican candidate in the 2007 race for chairman of the Fairfax County Board. Sources say Baise has commissioned a poll to determine what issues might provide the basis for an effective challenge to incumbent Democrat Gerald E. Connolly. Baise, a Falls Church resident, has been meeting with potential supporters and says he will make a decision most likely within the next 30 days. He declined to discuss the poll: "I wouldn't want to comment at this point." Baise is a litigator for the Washington firm Kilpatrick Stockton, where he specializes in environmental and land use issues. He held a string of top federal jobs in early 1970s, as chief of staff to the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, William D. Ruckelshaus, executive assistant to the acting director of the FBI and acting deputy...
By Bill Turque | March 6, 2007; 10:53 AM ET | Comments (7)
Callahan Set To Retire From Va. House
After 40 years in the General Assembly, Fairfax Republican Vincent F. Callahan Jr. said yesterday, "...it is time to move on." Read the news in today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | March 6, 2007; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (1)
Supes Line Up to Add Proposals to Budget
Members of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors are lining up with proposed additions to the new budget presented on Monday by County Executive Anthony H. Griffin. Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence) wants $600,000 to improve the county's ability to enforce promises made by developers to limit traffic. In exchange for approval of projects, companies often agree to offer workers parking discounts, encourage car and van pooling, and subsidize Metro or VRE fares, all in the name of what planners call "transportation demand management" (TDM). But Fairfax County has done little to enforce these agreements, which have proliferated in recent years. Smyth said there are currently 140 TDM "proffers," or promises from developers, that need monitoring. She wants $177,638 to fund two positions in the county Department of Transportation for officials to scrutinize and enforce TDM commitments. She also wants spend $250,000 a year for marketing and outreach consultants to help...
By Bill Turque | March 1, 2007; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (1)
Kauffman Fumes
Since announcing last month that he would not seek re-election to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, Dana Kauffman's long-simmering frustration with County Executive Anthony H. Griffin and his staff has bubbled to the surface. The ordinarily soft-spoken Kauffman (D-Lee) was visably furious on Monday over the inclusion on the agenda of a $767,000 contract award for the renovation and expansion of the Richard Byrd Community Library in Springfield. Kauffman said he had asked county staff repeatedly in recent weeks whether the architectural and engineering contract would allow for the eventual addition of a second story, but that he got nowhere. When he saw the item on the agenda before the Feb. 26 meeting, he angrily confronted Griffin. The matter was pulled from consideration. "It's one of the reasons there will be a new Lee District supervisor here next year," Kauffman fumed during the meeting. Kauffman is exasperated with what he...
By Bill Turque | February 28, 2007; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (1)
Blogging The Tunnel
The ongoing saga of the proposed Tysons Metro tunnel is of interest to other bloggers too. Check out today's Fairfax Politics column for that story, as well as a news on recent decisions that effect gun laws and a look at another GOP hopeful for the Springfield supervisor's seat....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 22, 2007; 11:24 AM ET | Comments (1)
Filing Fee Is Hurdle for Young Hopeful
Adam Boltik would like to put his name on the Republican primary ballot for the Springfield District Supervisors' seat. But the College of William and Mary junior says that the $1,180 filing fee to enter the race is beyond his current means and unfair. Read the story here....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 20, 2007; 10:59 AM ET | Email a Comment
Tunnel of Love
Brangelina they're not. But for close followers of Virginia politics, State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Fairfax) and Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va) are Fun Couple number one. As The Post's Alec MacGillis reported this morning, Davis' newfound ardor for the Tysons Corner tunnel is widely thought to be motivated by his desire to indemnify not only himself but his wife against a voter backlash. She faces a challenge from Democrat and former delegate Chap Petersen. Davis says the idea is "ridiculous." Devolites Davis hastens to point out that not all of their political manuevering is a joint venture. At a Richmond reception Tuesday night she said she is supporting former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for the GOP presidential nomination, while her husband has thrown in with Sen. John McCain She said Davis is grateful for McCain's travel and help in raising money when Davis was chairman of the...
By Bill Turque | February 15, 2007; 05:23 PM ET | Comments (6)
Albo Room
Maybe he thinks the party will suck, too? Nearly the entire Fairfax state legislative delegation has RSVP'd for this evening's Board of Supervisors reception in Richmond. One conspicuous exception is Del. David Albo (R-Springfield), who didn't win many friends on the board when he announced last month that the county's current form of government "sucks." This was by way of introducing a bill (HJ 654) directing the board to examine whether changes are needed. Albo would like to see the board chairman given executive powers, along the lines of Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, able to introduce a budget and veto legislation. "Our current form of government in Fairfax sucks, for lack of a better word,' Albo told The Examiner. "It's the same form of government as when it was a dairy farm county." Albo believes the county's nine magisterial districts are operated by supervisors "like little fiefdoms." Board Chairman...
By Bill Turque | February 13, 2007; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (4)
Webb's Name, Face, Becoming Familiar to Nation
Virginia's newly-elected junior Senator has a personality that has been described as combative and standoffish. But since he offered the Democratic response to the President's State of the Union address last month, Jim Webb's has been a popular name in newspapers and an often-seen face on television. What's driving the media's fascination with the Senator? Michael D. Shear looks at the phenomenon today in his Virginia Notebook column....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 8, 2007; 01:12 PM ET | Comments (5)
GMU College Dems Help Obama Kickoff Campaign
Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D) is expected to officially announce his run for the White House this weekend. But last week, some students at George Mason University helped the presidential hopeful get an early start. Read about how the university's College Democrats helped put together Obama's first rally since forming his exploratory committee here....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 8, 2007; 12:36 PM ET | Email a Comment
What's More Fun Than A Barrell Of Studies?
What isn't? That's the likely answer from 60 recipients -- mostly elected officials and government appointees -- who received deliveries of giant cardboard cylinders filled to the brim with the 40 pounds of documents that make up the preliminary engineering design for a Tysons Corner Metrorail Tunnel. The packages we're sent at a cost of about $15,000 by the coalition of businesses and residents trying to get the tunnel option reconsidered now that officials are preparing to move ahead with an over head design for the rail line. Read about it in the Fairfax Extra's politics column....
By Focus on Fairfax | February 1, 2007; 03:27 PM ET | Email a Comment
Davis, Connolly Point Up Shared Positions
Republican Congressman Thomas M. Davis III and the Democratic Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerald E. Connolly were stressing the common ground they share politically at a recent meeting of the Mantua Citizens' Association. Find out what's going on with the two long-time political adversaries in this article from today's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | January 25, 2007; 10:14 AM ET | Email a Comment
UPDATE 1/25: Kauffman Won't Seek Another Term
Updated 1/25 More on Kauffman and his decision not to run is in today's Fairfax Extra. Originally posted 1/23 From today's Metro section: Fairfax County Supervisor T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) announced yesterday that he would not seek a fourth four-year term. Kauffman, 50, who also served as Metro board chairman in 2005, cited a mix of reasons for giving up his seat, including family obligations, satisfaction with having met important objectives and disappointment over lack of progress on other issues. Mostly, he said, it was time to leave. "I'd rather leave with folks wondering why I'm going than leave with folks wondering why I'm here," he said. Kauffman said he has no immediate career plans but is interested in remaining in the public sector or working for a nonprofit organization. -- Bill Turque...
By Focus on Fairfax | January 23, 2007; 09:35 AM ET | Email a Comment
State Lawmakers Aware of Voters' Ire Over Traffic
Virginia's state Delegates and Senators say they are acutely aware of how transportation and growth problems are fueling voter dissatisfaction in the Commonwealth and the potential political consequences they face if they fail to address the issues. The story was in yesterday's Metro section....
By Focus on Fairfax | January 8, 2007; 10:49 AM ET | Comments (1)
Connolly's Ambitions Influence Board's Tone?
According to sources quoted in this article from yesterday's Metro section, Fairfax County Board of Supervisor's Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) is working to ensure that nothing the county government does rocks the boat so hard as to upset his possible plans to run for higher political office. What do Focus on Fairfax readers think? Is the Chairman's influence on the board a positive one? Do you think his ambitions are having any impact on how the Board of Supervisors is governing?...
By Focus on Fairfax | December 11, 2006; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (54)
McConnell Considers Stepping Down
Elaine N. McConnell (R- Springfield), a fixture of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 23 years, says in today's Fairfax Politics column that next year may be the year to consider retiring from the board....
By Focus on Fairfax | December 7, 2006; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (16)
The Virginia Divide--Still Have Thoughts?
This article from yesterday's Washington Post on the political and cultural divide between Northern (and other urban areas of Virginia) and other parts of the state drew dozens of comments. Focus on Fairfax readers can continue the discussion--or join it--here....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 17, 2006; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (3)
Thoughts about the Election?
While all of the incumbent members of the U.S. House of Representatives whose districts include parts of Fairfax County retained their seats, the Democratic shift in Northern Virginia is seen by some as an important factor in the apparent Jim Webb Senate victory over Sen. George Allen. What are your predictions about the future of the Virginia political scene, how do you think it will factor into the national picture and what do you think it means for Fairfax?...
By Focus on Fairfax | November 9, 2006; 08:50 AM ET | Comments (4)
How Did Your Precinct Vote?
This morning's Washington Post provides this overview of yesterday's election results and this analysis of the trend in the Washington suburbs. For specific information about how your precinct voted, check out this page of unofficial numbers as provided by the county....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 8, 2006; 10:37 AM ET | Email a Comment
Your Fairfax Voters Guide
Today's Fairfax Extra offers a comprehensive look at the candidates, questions and issues that face voters in Tuesday's elections. Be sure to check the articles on the Virginia Senate race, the Congressional contests (8th District, 10th District, 11th District) and Fairfax County's bond referenda....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 2, 2006; 11:35 AM ET | Email a Comment
Democrats Gather Strength in Fairfax
This article focuses on the growing power of Democratic politics in the county, where the GOP once was clearly dominant. In Clifton, long a Republican sure bet, a women's organization of democratic activists nowboasts 300 members....
By Focus on Fairfax | November 2, 2006; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (5)
Allen, Webb Debate: What's Your Take?
Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and Democratic challenger Jim Webb squared off in a televised debate last night. You have seen the debate, seen or heard radio and TV and read about this in the old fashioned newspaper or on the web. Forget all that and tell us what Focus on Fairfax readers think. How did the candidates fare? And what did the debate do for people trying to figure out whom to vote for? One thing: no ad hominem attacks....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 10, 2006; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (11)
From Chairman to Congressman?
Is Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly planning to follow in the footsteps of former board Chairman Thomas M. Davis III (R) and run for a congressional seat? This Fairfax Extra article looks at the evidence so far that Connolly is laying the ground work for a run to succeed Davis as the 11th District representative should Davis pursue a spot in the U.S. Senate. Of course, Andrew Hurst is a first hurdle that Davis faces to being around then....
By Focus on Fairfax | October 6, 2006; 03:49 PM ET | Comments (18)
UPDATE 9/12: Day Care Cuts May Be Solved
Updated 9/12 According to this article from this morning's Metro section, the county will not be dropping children from its subsidized child-care rolls, but it also will not offer its own money to keep the program going. The Board of Supervisor's is insisting that the state continue to back the program. Updated 8/28 Elizabeth Page, the executive director of the Falls Church-McLean Children's Center, wrote about this issue in an opinion column in yesterday's Washington Post. Originally posted 7/11 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) yesterday criticized Virginia's Republican-controlled General Assembly for their refusal to pass a budget that would provide funding for day care for about 1,900 low-income children in the county. The story is in today's Metro section....
By | September 12, 2006; 10:38 AM ET | Comments (18)
Allen to Speak at GOP Rally for Ethnic Groups
From today's Metro section: Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) is scheduled to speak Sept. 9 at a rally for ethnic groups sponsored by the Fairfax County Republican Party, officials said yesterday. Allen has been under fire for remarks to S.A. Sidarth, a Fairfax native of Indian descent and volunteer for Allen's foe, James Webb. Sidarth recorded Allen on video calling him "macaca" and welcoming him "to America and the real world of Virginia." Macaca is the scientific name of a genus of monkeys, and it is a slur in some cultures. Allen apologized to Sidarth. Fairfax GOP Chairman Eric Lundberg said Allen had been previously scheduled to speak at the rally. -- Lisa Rein...
By | August 30, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (5)
S.R. Sidarth on Allen's "Macaca" Remarks
Fairfax native and Jim Webb campaign volunteer said in an interview in this morning's Metro section that what hurt more than "macaca" was being sarcastically welcomed to his own country....
By | August 25, 2006; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (17)
Virginia Is Best State For Business
So says Forbes magazine. An article from today's Extras questions what this might mean for Mark Warner's presidential aspirations....
By | August 24, 2006; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (1)
Amendment May Make Some Gay Virginians Leave
Some gay Virginians say that the proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw same sex marriages and civil unions of any kind makes them wonder whether to continue to make their homes in the commonwealth.The Metro story is here....
By | August 7, 2006; 10:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
Challengers for Congress Focus on Oil and War
This article from the Fairfax Extra looks at the issues that challengers to well-established and popular incumbents like Frank Wolf and Tom Davis are using to sell their candidacies....
By | August 4, 2006; 09:10 AM ET | Comments (1)
Gay Marriage
Activists on both sides of Virginia's proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions are starting to ramp up their efforts to get their messages out to the electorate. Read about it in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | July 13, 2006; 10:56 AM ET | Email a Comment
Feder Launches Bid To Unseat Wolf
Judy Feder, dean of Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute and a McLean resident, has launched her campaign for Virginia's 10th District Congressional seat. The democrat, who will take on popular Republican incumbent Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), said that her opponent is an ally of big oil interests and bears some blame for the nation's dependence on oil, high gas prices and war in the Middle East according to this article from today's Metro section....
By | July 12, 2006; 10:08 AM ET | Email a Comment
Hyland Helped Developer With Tax Break
Have you followed the easement issue? What do you think? Focus on Fairfax posted this item about a court case in which a developer's conservation easement was declared invalid. Sunday's Metro section reports that Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland (D-Mt. Vernon) aided the developer in seeking federal tax write-offs that went with the easement....
By | June 19, 2006; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (8)
Falls Church Lawyer to Challenge Connolly?
With their sites set on the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' seat, Republican leaders are asking longtime Falls Church lawyer and former Nixon administration official Gary H. Baise to consider running as a the GOP candidate to oppose Democratic incumbent Gerald E. Connolly in next year's election. The Metro section article from today is here....
By | June 5, 2006; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (5)
Herndon Mayor-Elect Faces Tough Issues
According to a story in today's Metro section Steve J. DeBenedittis, the mayor-elect of Herndon and a political novice, is likely to find his term defined by the contentious immigration issues that set the stage for the sweeping changes in the town's leadership that came out of the recent election results....
By | May 24, 2006; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (2)
Dem Candidates Target GOP Culture, Leadership
Democratic candidates for the 11th Congressional District used a debate between Ken Longmeyer and Andrew Hurst to hit Republicans with fierce criticism; incumbent Thomas M. Davis III (R) was described as epitomizing Washington's "culture of corruption." President Bush's leadership in the Iraq war was denounced. Post coverage of the debate is here....
By | May 8, 2006; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (4)
Falls Church Election Brings New Faces to Council, School Board
Three new faces were elected to each the Falls Church City Council and the city's school board yesterday. Election results are here....
By | May 3, 2006; 10:25 AM ET | Email a Comment
Incumbents Prevail in Vienna and Fairfax City As Growth Issues Dominate Regional Election Results
Read about the results in this article from this morning's Metro section. A look at the results in Fairfax City is here....
By | May 3, 2006; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (3)
Herndon Voters Select New Mayor, Unseat Day Laborer Center Supporters
Updated 5/4 According to a story in this morning's Metro section, anti-immigration groups are saying the that the results of the election should send message to politicians elsewhere, while immigration rights groups are downplaying the significance of the Herndon election's larger implications. Originally posted 5/3 Washington Post coverage of the Herndon election results are here....
By | May 3, 2006; 10:05 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax Mayor Is Unopposed
Fairfax City mayor Robert F. Lederer has received his fair-share of criticism for his anti-growth stance, but in tomorrow's election Lederer's name will represent the only mayoral candidate on the ballot. Read about Lederer and the election here....
By | May 1, 2006; 11:33 AM ET | Email a Comment
Outreach To Latino Voters Underway in Herndon
With the town's mayor and city council election less than 24 hours away, a get-out-the-vote effort is targeting Herndon's Latino voters. Read about it here....
By | May 1, 2006; 11:26 AM ET | Email a Comment
Fairfax: The 2006 Guide
An Introduction To The Guide Trying to make sense of Fairfax? Join our club. To help newcomers learn and old-timers discover new possibilities, here's The Guide for 2006. We know how easy it is to get confused here, because there are about a million people -- more people than seven states have -- and trying to make sense of the governing machinery can be tricky. The local governments include those of the county and two cities, the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church, each with its own idiosyncrasies and treasures. What you'll find in these pages is our attempt to lead you to old favorites you had not thought of for a while or to what might become favorites. There's golfing and fishing and biking and walking, just to name a few leisure pursuits. If you have students in the family, there's a place within the county...
By | April 28, 2006; 09:51 AM ET | Email a Comment
Herndon Candidates Forum: Question 1
Focus on Fairfax is proud to present this online candidate forum, with each candidate answering three questions from Washington Post Reporter Bill Turque. Question 1: As matters stand today, would you vote to renew the permit for the day labor center when it comes up for renewal next year? If not, what alternative do you propose? Mayoral Candidate Steve J. DeBenedittis: Among the many alternatives are: - the current site operator could come into compliance with all Federal and State laws, - use of legal, private for-profit labor "temp agencies", and - those seeking employment can use the Virginia Employment Commission. Mayoral Candidate Michael L. O'Reilly: I would renew the permit. The permit was granted for a two year period with 3 possible one year extensions. The establishment of the regulated site has allowed Herndon to clean up an area of Town where we used to have over 100 workers...
By | April 27, 2006; 09:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
Herndon Candidates Forum: Question 2
Focus on Fairfax is proud to present this online candidate forum, with each candidate answering three questions from Washington Post Reporter Bill Turque. Question 2: Should the crackdown on overcrowded housing be augmented by some kind of effort to find affordable housing for those who are being forced from these homes? Mayoral Candidate Steve J. DeBenedittis: Virginia is a "Dillon Rule" state - that is: Herndon has only the authority specifically granted to it by the Virginia legislature. Provision of affordable housing is outside of our Town charter and not authorized to towns by the state legislature. When an overcrowded house is abated the occupants are not "forced from their home." They are leaving a situation that is unhealthy and unsafe for them as well as detrimental for the neighborhood. Those who profit from creating overcrowded boarding houses are not giving the occupants homes; they are exploiting people for their...
By | April 27, 2006; 08:58 AM ET | Email a Comment
Herndon Candidates Forum: Question 3
Focus on Fairfax is proud to present this online candidate forum, with each candidate answering three questions from Washington Post Reporter Bill Turque. Question 3: Do you have a hero or heroine in politics? Or if not, then a role model or source of inspiration? Answers: Mayoral Candidate Steve J. DeBenedittis: My parents and family are role models and inspiration for me in my daily life. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s efforts to gain equality for all US citizens, his respect for the rule of law, and his peaceful and articulate persuasion put him among my political heroes. Mayoral Candidate Michael L. O'Reilly: I often reflect on the wise words of President John F. Kennedy. His kindness and compassion for humanity were insurmountable. During the Commencement Address at American University in Washington, D.C., on June 10, 1963, he spoke these fine words, "For, in the final analysis, our most basic...
By | April 27, 2006; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (1)
Fisher: Agitators Gone. Now Herndon Voters Decide.
In a weekend Metro column, Marc Fisher sizes up the elections in Herndon, depicted as a model for the nation's immigration problems after debate over the town's day laborer site....
By | April 24, 2006; 10:27 AM ET | Email a Comment
Voters Guide in Fairfax Extra
Today's Fairfax Extra takes a look at who's running on May 2....
By | April 20, 2006; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (93)
McLean Resident Will Run Against Allen
Democrat Harris Miller officially began his bid yesterday to unseat Republican Senator George Allen, saying that Allen had "done nothing to ease gridlock for commuters here in Northern Virginia, nothing to provide health care for a single family in Tidewater, nothing to provide good jobs for those who have lost jobs in Southside or southwest Virginia." The Metro section article is here....
By | April 19, 2006; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (4)
Falls Church City Council Candidates Running Unopposed
No opposition in Falls Church? Is that the result of the work of a local political machine, the good work of the incumbents or a dearth of candidates for a job with its demands of time and effort? Read the Metro section article and weigh in....
By | April 13, 2006; 10:10 AM ET | Comments (2)
Day Laborer Issue Dominates Herndon Race
As Herndon municipal elections approach (May 2), the heat from immigration issues and the town's official workers center has yet to dissipate. Read the article about the upcoming elections--in today's Metro section....
By | April 10, 2006; 11:36 AM ET | Comments (4)
Can These Guys Beat George Allen?
Updated 4/12 News from the Allen campaign is here. Originally posted 4/10Local Democratic leaders are going to bat for their choices as nominee to face Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) in November. Voters will choose between Harris Miller and James H. Webb in June's primary. Post coverage here....
By | April 10, 2006; 11:21 AM ET | Comments (6)
Democrat Blogosphere Abuzz About Upcoming Elections
Michael D. Shear reports in this week's Fairfax Extra that Virginia's Democrat bloggers are already on fire about this year's mid-term elections and about what an early straw poll result could mean....
By | March 24, 2006; 04:06 PM ET | Comments (3)
Hanley On Deck To Advise Kaine On Appointments
Update 1:20 p.m.The official notice of Hanley's appointment has been released by the governor's office. It reads:GOVERNOR KAINE APPOINTS SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH~ Former Fairfax Board Chair Hanley to advise on appointments, other matters ~ RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today appointed Katherine K. Hanley, a former Fairfax County board chairman, to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Secretary advises the Governor in his appointments of over 4,000 individuals to serve on various Virginia boards and commissions, and the Secretary's office processes annual disclosure reports required by lobbyists, applications for restoration of voting rights, and other ministerial functions. Hanley, 63, served on the Fairfax County School Board from 1984 to 1986, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1986 to 2004. She also served a combined 14 years on the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates one of...
By | March 20, 2006; 10:32 AM ET | Comments (5)
Region's Traffic Woes Win Shrugs From Many Lawmakers
Caught (again) in traffic and wonder if rural lawmakers care? Try this quote from Del. Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania): "The way I look at it, it seems that it really is a huge amount of time, a huge amount of fuel people waste sitting in traffic in Northern Virginia. But that's not our issue." Read the entire article in this morning's Metro section....
By | March 13, 2006; 11:19 AM ET | Comments (6)
Connolly vs. Devolites Davis in War of Words
The long political rivalry between Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly and state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis erupted in heated statements: Connolly accused Devolites Davis of casting the deciding vote to kill a bill to ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving. Read about the battle here....
By | March 13, 2006; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (23)
In Praise of Density
Post editorial writer Lee Hockstader wrote this op-ed Monday: Say the word "density" to a local homeowners association and brace yourself for brickbats. Say it to a group of Washington area business, development and political leaders, as economist Richard Florida did at a conference the other day, and you get a spontaneous burst of applause....
By Steve Fehr | March 7, 2006; 04:46 PM ET | Comments (56)
A Tale of Two Properties
Fairfax County officials have been inconsistent in their approach to development around the Vienna Metro station, as the people of the Poplar Terrace neighborhood will tell you....
By Steve Fehr | March 5, 2006; 02:57 PM ET | Comments (23)
Suburban Concerns Shaping 2006 General Assembly Session
Some Northern Virginians complain that "Richmond just doesn't get it" on issues that affect lives in the communities of the nation's capital. But an article in yesterday's Metro section shows that concerns of suburban Virginians seem to be on lawmakers' minds this year....
By | February 27, 2006; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (2)
Democrats Hopeful As Election Preparation Begins
As local Democratic leaders begin to prepare their candidates to challenge popular Republican Reps. Thomas M. Davis and Frank R. Wolf in 2006, they say that GOP corruption scandals may help them to get voters to consider a change. A detailed article is in today's Fairfax Extra....
By | February 23, 2006; 02:18 PM ET | Email a Comment
Kaine's Slow-Growth Proposals, Now You See 'Em, Now You Don't
Michael D. Shear's Virginia Notebook column in this week's Fairfax Extra explains the mystery of the living dead bill....
By | February 17, 2006; 01:48 PM ET | Comments (11)
Please Read: Rules Issued for Commenting on Fairfax Focus Blog
Some readers of this blog have recently raised questions about the role of The Washington Post in policing Fairfax Focus. I have deleted a few blog posts because they did not meet The Post's standards for fairness. For more clarity about how to play by the rules, Jim Brady, the executive editor of washingtonpost.com has posted a message explaining the rules for readers participating in the site's Live Online discussions, discussion forums and for posting comments on the company's blogs. The complete list of rules is here. --Steve Fehr, Fairfax Extra Editor...
By | February 17, 2006; 01:06 PM ET | Comments (2)
Connolly Proposes End to Auto Decal Tax
In his annual state of the county address tonight, Gerald E. Connolly said he wants to eliminate the decals and tax forever. Here is the text of a news release just issued:...
By Steve Fehr | February 13, 2006; 08:00 PM ET | Comments (13)