VSSPWC ENDORSEMENTS
for PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BOARD of SUPERVISORS
Voters to Stop Sprawl (Prince William
County), a registered PAC, is pleased to announce its
endorsement of Corey Stewart for the
Chairmanship of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors
(BOCS). For Occoquan District Supervisor VSS endorses
Michael May. For Woodbridge District
Supervisor VSS endorses Steve Keen. VSS
did not make endorsements for the four races that are
uncontested (Brentsville, Coles, Dumfries, Neabsco) or
in the Gainesville District, because of resource constraints.
These endorsements follow a review of
the public record of positions taken and statements made
by the candidates, as well as in-depth interviews with
committees of VSS (Prince William) volunteers. For more
detailed information on the VSSPWC evaluation process
see www.VSSPWC.net.
Corey Stewart has served as a Supervisor
for the past four years, and has unflinchingly demonstrated
his commitment to fighting sprawl, promoting smarter growth,
and conserving the environment of Prince William County.
He has consistently been a leader on the BOCS in opposing
excessive new subdivisions. Since he became Chairman he
has pushed for higher proffer guidelines so that taxpayers
will not subsidize developers, and he has championed a
long-range plan to dramatically increase the public open
spaces of the County. Although these last two initiatives
were not approved by the full Board, his reelection will
give him a mandate to try again. During his VSS interview,
Stewart demonstrated his in-depth knowledge of the numerous
issues of concern to Voters to Stop Sprawl, and his intention
to vigorously continue efforts to control growth and improve
quality of life in the County.
In endorsing Corey Stewart over his challenger
Sharon Pandak, VSS notes that Pandak also supports most
of the VSS anti-sprawl agenda. Since the 2006 campaign
she has clarified her positions on several issues of concern
to VSS and has signed the Rural Crescent Pledge. However,
Stewart has actually served as a Supervisor and has repeatedly
demonstrated his ability to withstand pressure from developers.
Also, Stewart is more clearly in line with several important
VSS positions, notably his unequivocal opposition to the
proposed Bi-County Parkway which would compromise the
Manassas National Battlefield and expose large new areas
to development.
For the Occoquan District, VSS endorses
Mike May, the incumbent Supervisor. In his short tenure
he has already demonstrated that he is dedicated to controlling
sprawl – in the recent vote to raise proffer guidelines
he cast one of the “yes” votes in this so-far-unsuccessful
effort to make developers pay their share of infrastructure
costs. The in-depth knowledge he gained as a PWC Planning
Commissioner has enabled him to quickly engage in important
growth-related issues. May has taken special interest
in the long-range plan to increase the amount of publicly-accessible
open space in Prince William County, and in his next term
he can be expected to be a leader in approving and implementing
the plan. In his interview with the VSS interview committee
May expressed several innovative ideas for the County’s
growth problems, and will be a forward-looking smart-growth
Supervisor.
For the Woodbridge District VSS endorses
Steve Keen, a former member of the School Board. Keen’s
primary goal is to prevent deterioration of the Woodbridge
area caused by overcrowded homes in violation of zoning
laws, illegally parked trucks and equipment in residential
streets, and high-density construction in the Route 1
corridor without adequate transportation. In addition
he has made clear that he supports VSS positions on county-wide
issues regarding sprawl and smart growth. Keen’s
focus on revitalization of older areas is consistent with
Smart Growth, as the alternative to abandoning deteriorating
areas for new development elsewhere. VSS also supports
his opposition to increasing density in his district until
adequate mass transit is installed. During Keen’s
interview with VSS, the committee was impressed with his
absolute candor, his dedication to community service,
and his total independence from developer influence.
Corey Stewart, Mike May, and Steve Keen
are hereby authorized to include the VSS (Prince William)
endorsement in their campaign literature and to post this
endorsement statement. Further, VSS (Prince William) will
expend its best efforts and resources to support and promote
their election.
Patrick
MacAuley, Chairman
Voters
to Stop Sprawl PWC
PO Box 339, Catharpin,VA 20143
ANNOUNCEMENT August 8, 2007
REVIEW OF CANDIDATES
FOR
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
A total of fourteen candidates are running for the eight
seats on the County Board of Supervisors. VSSPWC will
evaluate the candidates, as we did in 2003 and 2007, with
all candidates given an opportunity to be interviewed
by a committee of non-partisan anti-sprawl activists.
VSSPWC expects to make its endorsements about October
1. Election Day is November 6, 2007.
The candidates are:
Chairman (At Large)
Sharon E. Pandak
Corey A. Stewart, Incumbent
Brentsville
W.S. “Wally” Covington, Incumbent
Coles
Martin E. Nohe, Incumbent
Dumfries
Maureen S. Caddigan, Incumbent
Gainesville
Corey R. Riley
John T. Stirrup, Incumbent
Neabsco
John D. Jenkins, Incumbent
Occoquan
Michael C. “Mike” May, Incumbent
John S. Gray
Woodbridge
Frank J. Principi
Chris A. Royse
Stephen Keen
Luis Ramirez
PRESS
RELEASE January 17, 2007
VOTERS
TO STOP SPRAWL PWC ASSESSES OCCOQUAN
SUPERVISOR CANDIDATES
Voters to Stop Sprawl (Prince William
County), a nonpartisan registered PAC, has completed its
assessment of the candidates for Occoquan District Supervisor,
Mike May and Jeff Dion. After long interviews with both
candidates and careful reviews of their records, VSSPWC
has concluded that both candidates are equally committed
to anti-sprawl and environmental conservation issues.
Both candidates appear to be excellent choices who would
do well in office and be supportive of Chairman Stewart’s
growth control and anti-sprawl policies. For these reasons
VSSPWC is not recommending one candidate above the other,
but is informing the voters of our opinion that either
candidate can be expected to serve them well with respect
to growth and development issues.
Voters to Stop Sprawl thanks both candidates
for their honest and whole-hearted participation in the
evaluation process. Each candidate participated in a two-hour
interview with the VSS interview committee, and both candidates
appeared to give clear and direct answers to the extent
of their knowledge. After the interviews were completed,
the VSS steering committee further evaluated the interview
committee’s conclusions in the context of community
participation, prior statements of the candidates, and
voting record.
Both candidates have made Growth Control
a top priority issue, and are advocating ‘Smart
Growth’ solutions instead of uncontrolled sprawl.
Both candidates have expressed strong support for the
County Comprehensive Plan, both are committed to preserving
open space, and both want to make developers pay higher
impact fees. Both candidates expressed strong support
for environmental conservation. Both candidates have signed
the Rural Crescent pledge. With respect to transportation,
both candidates seem to understand the difference between
road improvements which improve traffic flow as distinct
from roads which promote development.
Regardless of the outcome of the the election,
it appears that Occoquan District voters will be well-served
on Development Issues by either of these fine candidates.
Please vote for one of them on January 30.
Patrick
MacAuley, Chairman
Voters
to Stop Sprawl PWC
PO Box 339, Catharpin,VA 20143
Voters
to Stop Sprawl (Prince William County), a registered PAC,
is pleased to announce its endorsement of Corey Stewart
for the Chairmanship of the Prince William Board of County
Supervisors (BOCS), over Sharon Pandak. This endorsement
follows a review of the public record, of positions taken
and statements made by the candidates, both in the public
arena and during in-depth interviews with the VSS (Prince
William) endorsement committee. VSSPWC wishes to take this
opportunity to thank both candidates for their participation
in our interview process. And VSS also thanks the five interview
committee members for their time and efforts.
Mr.
Stewart earned this endorsement not only in consideration
of his public record, but also by giving clear, concise
and direct answers to the interview panel's questions.
He left no doubt as to his grasp of specific issues, and
his commitment to either support or oppose those elements
of governmental policies and practices of importance to
county citizens. Conversely, Ms. Pandak seldom gave clear
and direct answers and seemed unwilling to commit to any
specific positions. Some of the most telling findings
of the endorsement interview committee are:
1.
Mr. Stewart demonstrated a firm and clear commitment to
protect the Rural Crescent from higher density development.
Ms. Pandak declined several opportunities to make such
a clear commitment.
2. Mr. Stewart demonstrated a clear, firm, and realistic
commitment to promote and protect open spaces in the county.
Ms. Pandak's proposal is for the county taxpayers to borrow
money to acquire open space.
3. Mr. Stewart gave specific proposed solutions to the
county's transportation difficulties.
4. Mr. Stewart spoke to the impact of sprawl on citizen
tax burdens.
5. Mr. Stewart made clear and specific commitments to
protecting citizen interests in governmental process against
outside and special interests. Ms. Pandak did not make
clear how she would act to protect citizen interests.
6. Mr. Stewart demonstrated a clear understanding of the
difference between transportation proposals that relieve
gridlock, and transportation proposals that induce sprawl.
While Ms. Pandak acknowledged past mistakes, including
her own role in decisions that resulted in worsening gridlock,
she did not take a firm position on either of these types
of roads projects.
7. Mr. Stewart demonstrated a thorough understanding of
the challenges, demands and responsibilities of political
leadership and offered a clear description of his leadership
vision.
Therefore,
VSS (Prince William) concludes Mr. Stewart has the experience
and the skills to be an effective and successful political
leader. He is fully prepared to serve Prince William County
citizens by championing positions of great importance
to the prevention of unbridled sprawl.
Mr.
Corey Stewart is hereby authorized to include the VSS
(Prince William) endorsement in his campaign literature.
His campaign is authorized to post this endorsement statement.
Further, VSS (Prince William) will expend its best efforts
and resources to support and promote Mr. Stewart's candidacy.
Patrick
MacAuley, Chairman
Voters
to Stop Sprawl PWC
PO Box 339, Catharpin,VA 20143
Prince
William County
formed in 2003 as a registered Virginia Political Action Committe
(PAC), is a nonpartisan citizens' volunteer organization dedicated
to electing candidates for public office who are committed to
stopping overdevelopment in Prince William County.
VSSPWC
recognizes the negative impacts of sprawl on schools, taxes, traffic,
open space and the environment and helps voters identify the best,
most dedicated and trustworthy Anti-Sprawl candidates, regardless
of political party, and helps them get elected to office.
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