BOS Sterling: Candidates answers on Metro

I have answers from all three candidates for the Board of Supervisors Sterling seat so I'm posting them here for your convenience:

Eugene Delgaudio (R)

Dear Liz Miller

Thanks for writing.  The topic of metro is important to many people.

I have made many statements regarding metro and they are below and I am opposed to it as I prefer a more flexible and far cheaper system of buses.

ENTIRE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT STANDS WITH DELGAUDIO NOW ON RECKLESS METRO SPENDING
http://joineugene.com/news/article.php?article=6838

Government Is Spending Without Limits
http://joineugene.com/news/article.php?article=6714


I give permission to quote the posted statements or simply to link to them is okay with me.

Al Nevarez (D)

We need to complete the second phase of the Dulles Metro project as quickly and in as cost-effective a manner as possible. Sterling has a lot of commuters; speaking as one of them, I can assure you we’re anxious to see the Metro expanded into Loudoun County. As a Loudoun taxpayer, I’m excited about the Metro bringing a whole new source of tourist and retail revenue into the area. And as a resident and driver, I’m looking forward to the reduction in traffic that will come with public transportation options taking cars off the road.

I am absolutely in support of the Metro.

L. Ali Shahriari (I)

I must first reaffirm my commitment to citizen participation in this and in all matters that affect the people of Loudoun. The residents of Loudoun should be those who make the ultimate decisions regarding metro expansion with the BOS only implementing the people's wishes. Nonetheless, I will give my personal opinion on this issue.

I declare my full support of the extension of metro rail to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County. Rail service is an efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to automobile transportation. Metro Rail is urgently needed and long overdue for the Dulles Corridor area. As the population in Loudoun and the surrounding area increases, the demand for accessible transportation to the Washington Metro Area and vice versa is undeniable.

I will address four key issues that I believe are important in this debate:

Firstly; the airlines and companies that make use of Dulles Airport (IAD) should contribute in some form or another towards metro expansion. This could be through mandatory or voluntary contribution.

Secondly; if parking garages are financed by the county, they should be operated by the county and the revenue generated should go towards county financed design and building costs.

Thirdly; a toll structure based on car occupancy should be taken into consideration. This would encourage use of public transit and personal responsibility among travelers. Regardless, future tolls should be decided by the people.

Fourthly; project costs, labor agreements, and construction contracts must be transparent and reasonable. All project related expenditures should be audited by an independent or citizen led committee. Local companies should be utilized to provide construction services and laborers should be from the local area.

Again, although I personally support the expansion of metro into Loudoun, I believe this issue, like all issues, is for the people to decide on and for the BOS to act upon only with popular support.

-Ali