April 2009 Archives
April 22, 2009
Campaign Platform: Does Anyone Have One? Comments (20)
Have any of the candidates laid out a clear view of what they want to accomplish and how they would go about accomplishing it?
As a voter, can you name one issue, if you knew it could be implemented, that would cause you to vote for that particular candidate?
April 17, 2009
NARFE Debate Comments (14)
No Fireworks as Vienna Council Candidates Debate
by Brian Trompeter April 16, 2009Video: http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/04/16/fairfax/news/fe879.txt
Given the dearth of disagreement between five candidates running for Vienna Town Council, the May 5 election may be decided based on experience, charisma and the amount of shoe leather expended on the campaign trail.
The candidates touted their credentials and hit their main talking points during an April 14 forum at the Vienna Community Center. The forum was hosted by the Vienna chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).
Council incumbents George Lovelace and Daniel Dellinger and challengers Laurie DiRocco, Mike Gadell and Howard Springsteen are competing for three available Town Council seats. Vienna elections are nonpartisan, and all council members serve at-large.
After being introduced by NARFE chapter president Kathy Arpa, candidates then spoke for five minutes about their backgrounds and goals if they were elected. Candidates did not have the chance to question each other.
Dellinger, a construction-project manager who has served on the council since 2006, said he had valuable professional experience dealing with budgets, architects and business owners.
Dellinger cited the need to maintain the town’s infrastructure and protect Vienna from encroaching developments in Fairfax County. The town also should carefully monitor Fairfax County Park Authority’s plans to include the town in its trail networks, he said.
“Unfortunately, what that’s going to do also is bring the other undesirables into our neighborhoods,” he said. “We need to talk to our supervisors and tell them, ‘No. We don’t want that.’”
DiRocco, a former adjunct finance professor at George Mason University who now chairs the Vienna Planning Commission, pledged to bolster the town’s commercial district and preserve residential neighborhoods and green space.
DiRocco urged the audience to cast their votes based upon the candidates’ accomplishments and engagement with the community.
“What I believe makes me a great candidate is my experience and active service in the town,” she said.
Gadell, an account manager with Marriott International who serves on the advisory board of Stratford University, said he would advocate for strong public-safety funding.
Gadell also favored shuttle-bus service between the Vienna Metrorail station and Tysons Corner to reduce traffic in the town.
“The time to do that is now, with foresight and planning, to be more strategic to ensure we have that plan in place before Phase 1 of this development is complete,” Gadell said.
Lovelace, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and former state delegate, has served on the council off and on since 1982.
Lovelace said he favored transportation improvements, would fight to preserve Vienna’s small-town character and would continue to be approachable and responsive to residents’ concerns.
“I believe I’ve gained the trust of our citizens,” Lovelace said.
Springsteen, a logistics manager with the Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services, serves on the Vienna Transportation Safety Commission and has been president of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department for nine years.
Springsteen said pledged to revamp the town’s water-and-sewer system and press for water-purchasing agreements that lowered costs for residents. He also supported redevelopment of the Maple Avenue business corridor.
Springsteen said his accomplishments included traffic-calming improvements around town and a renovated fire station.
“I tend to be aggressive and try to get things done,” he said.
The forum, which began behind schedule after a financial-planning presentation and subsequent 10-minute break, left time for only two queries in the question-and-answer session.
Vienna resident Fay Morrison said she supported Dellinger, but thought the field of candidates was impressive.
“I wish we could vote for all of them,” she said. “They’re all well-qualified.”
The candidates will face each other again at a Northeast Vienna Citizens Association debate on Wednesday, April 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center.
Vienna Town Council members serve two-year terms that are staggered. The mayor also serves a two-year term; that election will be held next spring.
April 15, 2009
Second Fatal House Fire in Vienna in Less Than Year Comments (3)
House Fire Leaves Vienna Woman Dead
by Brian Trompeter
April 14, 2009
An 81-year-old Vienna woman died after her house caught fire on April 8, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials said.
Firefighters responded at 12:50 a.m. to the single-family house fire at 911 Potterton Circle, S.W.
Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of the rambler-style home. Fire officials immediately sounded a second alarm, which brought more than 60 firefighters to the scene.
Firefighters quickly performed a primary search and found the deceased woman inside the home. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes.
There was no one else home when the fire broke out, and no smoke alarms were sounding in the home when firefighters arrived, officials said.
The victim, Frances Kelley, died of smoke inhalation, officials said. Her death was the county’s fourth fire fatality in 2009.
Damage to the house is estimated at $150,000. The fire apparently was accidental and was caused by an electrical anomaly in the kitchen ceiling, officials said.
April 09, 2009
Can Jane Seeman's Achievements Be Named? Comments (22)
Seriously, beyond occupying a seat, what does the Mayor of Vienna list as achievements?
