10th HOD: Candidates answers on Metro

I have responses from both candidates in the 10th HOD race, so I'm posting them here together.

Dave Butler (D)

I am, and always have been, a strong supporter of Metro to Loudoun. Public transportation reduces traffic on the roads and is almost certainly a less stressfull way to commute. I think it's an abolutely essential step in Loudoun's 21st century transportation infrastructure. As a Loudoun resident, I would be appalled if the next BoS does not support Metro to Loudoun, and as a member of the General Assembly, I would push for a more active role by the state in providing potential funding support.

Dave

Randy Minchew (R)

I believe that the extension of Metro-integrated rail service to the primary airport serving the capital of the Free World should become a reality.
This rail extension was envisioned back during the Eisenhower Administration when Dulles Airport was sited and designed and, given that we can now actually see the Phase I portion of Dulles Rail being constructed to Reston, I believe that this project should be completed to the Rt. 772 rail station in Loudoun County as planned with an above-ground station serving the Saarinen Terminal at Dulles Airport. While I fully understand and appreciate the grave concerns that many leaders have with the high capital needs projections of Phase II, the harmful cost-increase attributes of having Project Labor Agreements and Davis-Bacon Act mandates as a part of this project, and MWAA's poor leadership and oversight over Phase II, I do not think that a termination of the Dulles Rail project at Reston is an acceptable conclusion.

That being said, based on the information I have now, I would not support legislation suggested by MWAA increasing Virginia's contribution to the Phase II project by $150 Million and do not take kindly to MWAA's veiled threat of increasing Dulles Airport Access Road tolls if this enhanced funding is not made available.

Thank you for e-mail.

Best Regards,

Randy

Candidates are answering the question

You can read the answers on the Metro page. I apologize for the unattractive appearance of that page. I'll work on making it look better later.

So far I have answers from:

• Malcolm Baldwin (BOS Catoctin)
• Tom Bellanca (BOS Chair)
• Shaun Broy (27th Sen)
• Jim Burton (BOS Blue Ridge)
• Dave Butler (10th HOD)
• Pamela Danner (34th HOD)
• Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling)
• Cliff Keirce (BOS Broad Run)
• Mike Kondratick (87th HOD)
• Donald Marro (27th Sen)
• Andrea McGimsey (BOS Broad Run)
• Randy Minchew (10th HOD)
• Ali Shahriari (BOS Sterling)

Thank you to all who have responded and also to the several who have told me that they will respond.

Where Do You Stand on Metro to Loudoun

An open letter to Board of Supervisors and State Candidates:

People have been asking me if I know where each of you stands on Metro to Loudoun. Since the decision about whether to go forward with the project will rest with the next board and the next legislature, it's important to know what your position is on what could be the most important decision of the next four years.

I will create a page like the one I have with Campaign Websites, listing every candidate with his or her completely unedited answer to this one question:

Where Do You Stand On Metro?



The text of this post will be sent to each campaign, and as each answer arrives, I will post it.

PAY ATTENTION

Metro to Loudoun's fate will be decided by the Board of Supervisor that we are electing this November 8th. Because the change to the (less expensive) site at Dulles Airport means doing new site plans, which won't be done until January at the earliest.

This means that it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ask the candidates where they stand on metro.

The League of Women's Voters won't be doing debates this year so it is UP TO YOU to get answers to your questions directly from the candidates.

Each of them has a website, use it to contact them and find out where they stand on Metro.

This is the single most important decision the next BOS will make. Make sure you know where the candidates stand.

Passing the baton

It may surprise you to hear it, but lots of people are hesitant about canvassing. They're nervous that people will react negatively to them, that they'll have doors slammed in their faces. That's where the Doorbell Queen excels. I make canvassing look fun and easy. Because to me, it IS fun and easy.

This year, I've taken several first-time canvassers out with me. And I saw them, in the course of a couple of hours, go from being hesitant and nervous, to doing doors with verve and elan. I love hearing about father-daughter canvassing competitions. I love hearing from my co-workers all over the district that Cliff Keirce was at their doors. I love hearing from Jennifer Wexton that a 200-door day is becoming the norm for her.

And I especially love pictures like this:

Yellow Shirts for the Win!

That's Cliff's wife and daughter at Mill Run Elementary's Back to School Night. Cliff's been having such a good time, that they had to join in!

I love seeing that my love of canvassing is infectious. There is no cure for the love of doors.