Supervisor Gerry Hyland, a fixture on the Board of Supervisors for over 20 years, has been called the "Mayor" of Mount Vernon. Supporters and critics alike have characterized him as a master at compromise, energetic, likeable, hard working, and dedicated. He believes he has the best elected job in America. Recently, in a series of conversations with the Gazette he talked about the loss of his wife Carmen, his pride in his daughter GiGi, and the effect of his early years on his decision to eventually pursue a career in elected public office. In looking back on his many years as supervisor he talks about his accomplishments as well as the more frustrating issues which thus far have not been solved. Looking to the future, he outlines what he would like to accomplish during the remaining years of this, his record-setting sixth term representing the Mount Vernon Magisterial District.

Question: What’s it like to be a supervisor?
Hyland: Being supervisor is like being an alderman or mayor, or city councilman; the buck stops at your doorstep. It is making sure the snow is plowed; a stray cat is picked up. I have personally removed a five-foot-long black snake from inside a home; burned out a large tent caterpillar web at the top of a backyard tree; and sprayed Senator Warner’s fruit trees with dormant oil. One request in particular stands out in my mind. I was once asked to pass an ordinance banning barking dogs ... when I asked the constituent if she had suggested the idea to her homeowners association she said "oh, heavens no, they would never support it." In contrast one has to be able to grasp complex land use, tax, and human services policy issues with the patience and political acumen to arrive at a position supported by a majority of your constituents and a majority of the board.

Q: Before we get into discussing your past and present career as supervisor, let’s talk about your personal background starting out with your late wife, Carmen. How did you meet her; how important was she to your personal and professional life? Also, please comment on your relationship with your daughter, GiGi Hyland.
A: I met Carmen while attending Georgetown law school. There were only three women in a class of 300 at the time. She was a gem and I fell in love with her the moment I met her. But I had lots of competition. So, unlike the rest of her suitors I calculatedly paid only casual attention to her. The strategy worked. I won her heart. It was the most important thing I did in my life to marry her. Carmen was and is the love of my life. She was a beautiful person in every sense of the word, and she was an enormously important source of my happiness and the reason for who I am today. Whoever met her agreed with me that she was special. We worked effectively and compatibly in our family law firm. Also, she was a wonderful mother to our daughter GiGi. I miss her terribly. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her, the good times, and how important she was and continues to be in my life. Her courage and attitude in fighting a chronic debilitating disease for many years was something I will never forget. As for my daughter GiGi; I am very proud of her. She is a lawyer and is now serving a six-year term on the federal independent regulatory agency, the National Credit Union Board. Every time I look at GiGi I am reminded about her resemblance to my wife Carmen and what a beautiful person she is both inside and out. GiGi and I are very close and we talk frequently on the phone and get together when our respective busy schedules allow.

Q: When you are not serving as supervisor how do you spend your time? What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
A: I have a 42-acre farm on the eastern shore, 16 miles south of Chincoteague, Va. I lease a good part of the land to a local farmer who grows corn and soybeans. I have planted about 30 different fruit trees, and maintain a large vegetable garden. I enjoy canning, making apple cider, and wine. My favorite pastime is going out there for the weekend or longer and working the farm; going crabbing or fishing; and eating seafood that I caught, and the fresh fruit and vegetables I have raised on the farm. The quiet and solitude, and the ocean breeze relaxes and invigorates me. My personal needs outside of my life’s work are simple. I love the independence, beauty, and richness of life, the sense of timelessness that comes with working with my hands on the farm. I am in many ways truly blessed. I have a wonderful daughter, a job I enjoy, my farm, many memories of good times with Carmen, and the support and camaraderie of friends and family.

Q: Speaking about your family, tell me about your brothers and sisters, and your parents.
A: My mother gave birth to five children including two sets of twins. I have a twin sister, Carol, a brother, Ted, and my youngest sister, Christine. Another sister, Cecile, who was a twin to my brother Ted, passed away. Growing up I had all the benefits of an extended family. I had six uncles who worked in the state and local police force in Massachusetts, one uncle who was a fire marshal. I had the good fortune to have hardworking parents who always placed their children’s welfare first. My dad was a teaching golf pro. However, to make ends meet he always had a second job. My mom took care of our large family. She always found ways to provide for our needs. For example, I remember her canning sessions in which all of us pitched in to help. Later, in the winter, we all benefited from her hard work and foresight at the dinner table.

Q: How did you get interested in politics and public service. Growing up who was most influential in your life?
A: My uncle, William Shimkus, a Massachusetts State Police Officer who rose to become State Police Chief. He was my hero growing up. I remember him saying repeatedly to me: Gerry, what are you going to do when you grow up? You have to think about that. Also, his sister, my Aunt Albina Shimkus, was an important early influence on me. She was the first woman from New England to join the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II. Probably her military service influenced me to join the U.S. Air Force. Later on I stayed at her home when I moved to the Washington metro area. They were both wonderful people who I admired very much. There were others in my family who influenced me, but these two had a tremendous impact on my thinking at an early age. Later on while attending Georgetown Law School I worked as an elevator operator in the House of Representatives. There I had the unique experience of meeting many hard working influential members of Congress and staff. I came to know Congressman Carl Albert, who often worked until 11 p.m. at night. He always had time to stop and say hello. In addition, I became acquainted with Congressman Mo Udall who, when he discovered I was studying at Georgetown law school, gave me a copy of a law book written by his father. I was very impressed that these widely known public figures would take the time to stop and talk to an elevator operator in the middle of their busy schedule. The people I met on the Hill had an indelible impact on me and, coupled with my early experiences with my uncle, influenced me to run for public office.

Q: What has served as the core of your philosophy as supervisor?
A: To be a good listener; to give consideration to all sides of an issue; to maintain confidence in my constituents that I am there to help them solve their concerns and problems, and to make things happen. Being a supervisor is the same as being a councilman, or mayor; this is the level where an elected official is most directly accountable to the public. Stated differently, the buck stops right here at my doorstep every day. You can personally involve yourself and see that you can make a difference in the lives of people. I like that very much about this job and it is a big reason why I have stayed as supervisor all these years.

Q: Who during your career as supervisor have been important allies or role models for you?
A: Over the years I have come to admire and know as political allies and personal friends the late state Sen. Joe Gartlan and the late state Sen. Clive Duval. Clive was the modern day version of the Virginia Gentleman; gracious in defeat, and humble and self-effacing about his accomplishments. Supporters and critics alike respected Joe and Clive. Both men were conscientious public servants. They worked very hard at their jobs and were effective representatives of their constituents’ interests in the Virginia General Assembly. I miss them. In the private sector I admire Gerald Halpin, a successful businessman. I can always rely on his word. If I had decided not to go into politics I would have probably enjoyed the creativity and competitive life as a businessman, and Gerry Halpin would be my business role model. There are many more political and personal friends and allies, but these three men stand out in my mind.

Q: What private organizations have you come to rely on for help and advice in the Mount Vernon area?
A: There are many. Several stand out who do a very good job of helping the needy and have influenced my thinking. The United Community Ministries; New Hope Housing; Good Shepherd, and the Lorton Community Action Center. They are terrific to work with and I always remind myself how lucky we are to have these unselfish organizations, and the staff and many volunteers who work to make them effective at what they do. Also, the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations (MVCCA) is a terrific organization which has for many years provided me with thoughtful policy recommendations. Having said that there are other organizations and individuals who, over the years, have provided many many volunteer hours to various causes. What contributes to making Mt. Vernon special is the grassroots volunteerism that you find everywhere in our community.

Q: In your many years on the board what are some of your most gratifying accomplishments?
A: Perhaps my most important accomplishment is maintaining my constituents’ confidence in local government’s ability to be responsive to their needs. I feel my most important job is to be a good listener; and to provide an opportunity for public input into my and the board’s thinking and decision-making. However, there are some specific accomplishments that I am proud to have made a reality. They include:
* Keeping Mt. Vernon Hospital from being moved out of our community. The hospital is so important to the community; closing it down and moving it would have been a devastating blow. It is an important "anchor" in our close-knit community, and I am confident it will continue to be so for a long time to come.
* Establishing the Lorton Arts Foundation
* Transferring the Woodlawn Baseball Fields from the U.S. Army to the Fairfax County Park Authority
* Arranging for the Fairfax county purchasing agency to link up with the National Association of Counties’ (NACO) purchasing agency; this linkage is saving the County taxpayers millions of dollars annually through their joint purchasing power.
* Led the effort to provide money for flood studies for the Belleview/New Alexandria, and Cameron Run/Huntington communities
* Established the right of local communities to determine traffic safety signage decisions such as four way stops, children at play signs, etc.
* In one of my first acts as supervisor I arranged to bury a large unsafe open storm sewer culvert on Lafayette street.
* Led the recent effort to work out an arrangement with the School Board to elevate the priority of building a South County Middle School so that it will appear on the ballot this fall as part of the School Bond referendum.
* Bringing together the Pohick Bay Regional Park Authority with the Gunston community in a mutually beneficial partnership to save the local swimming pool from being closed.
* There are many others I could mention; these are representative of what a day in the life of a supervisor involves.

Q: What in your many years on the board have been some of the more frustrating things you have grappled with?
A: Overall, I have been frustrated by constituents who are not prepared to listen to all sides of the issue, but I guess that comes with the territory. In addition, major frustrations which form part of the basis for my current priorities:
* North Hill Development Site on Route 1. Despite years of debate and planning, is still not developed for its intended purposes: affordable housing at the southern end, and a park at the northern end.
* Huntington flooding. We funded the studies but so far no money has been found to pay for remedial construction work necessary to protect the residents from future flooding.
* Failure of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to fulfill its obligations to provide additional Route 1 transportation funds for design studies and funding for upgrading the Route 1 corridor transportation requirements, particularly to prepare for the massive influx of people and traffic with the BRAC realignment to Fort Belvoir when the new hospital, national Army Museum, and other functions open in 2011 and 2012.

Q: Looking back, what regrets have you; what would you like to have the opportunity to do over again?
A: I should have been able to bring a more enlightened approach to the Commercial and Industrial District regulations developed by the board back in the late 1980’s when Audrey Moore was chairman. The result of the board’s efforts to control development in designated C&I Districts was canceled out by the General Assembly with the strong lobbying efforts of the building industry. We should have been able to work something out; as it is the building industry continues to have more leeway in what they can do in these designated Districts than they should have. The result is it has placed an enormous amount of pressure on the county government to provide adequate infrastructure to these areas.
Also, I am very disappointed in where we find ourselves on the Kings Crossing development site on Route 1. Now, we are in a difficult position, and may have lost the leverage to influence the use of this property for its highest and best use. I regret not being a more effective and enlightened advocate for the long term commercial, residential, and office use of this site. On the other hand I don’t intend to give up trying to influence the use of this site.

Q: What is your position on the so-called Dillon Rule? (State law requiring local governments to seek state approval of changes in taxing and land use authorities, etc.)
A: I have and continue to support amending the Dillon Rule to allow Fairfax County greater latitude to raise money and make land use changes. When I served as president of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO) I and others met with the General Assembly leadership on this issue. Unfortunately, there was no interest in making any changes in what I believe is an anachronistic paternalistic law. Its continued existence places Fairfax County and other counties in Virginia in a difficult position of having to obtain Virginia General Assembly approval of policies to generate revenue or to make changes in land use policies. This is an unnecessary infringement on local government self-determination. We shouldn’t have to go to the General Assembly every time we want to take action to create a new policy to solve a local problem.

Q: Looking ahead what would you like to accomplish during the remaining years of your current term of office?
A: In addition to tackling the previously mentioned frustrating issues that have escaped resolution (North Hill Development; Route 1 Transportation Upgrade; finding money to remedy Huntington area flooding) I want to:
* Set a limit on the rate of real estate tax increases annually
* Control the infill "looming" problem by discouraging the building practice of building McMansions in older small lot neighborhoods.
* Make sure the impact of BRAC realignment at Fort Belvoir is minimally disruptive to the Mt. Vernon community
* Develop additional services for our rapidly growing senior population
* Educate our increasingly diverse population
* Reduce the real estate tax burden by finding other sources of revenue such as the meals tax. This would require placing the question to the voters in a ballot Referendum.
This fall I plan to establish an Advisory Commission on the Future of Mt. Vernon. The goal I have for the commission is to prepare a long-range plan that serves as a blueprint for citizens and county planners to use when establishing land use, human service, and other county government priorities. My charge to this group will be to think "out of the box", and to make bold recommendations to move the county’s thinking and planning toward a new concept of residential, commercial, and retail development for the future. I plan on encouraging the Advisory Commission to consult widely, to tap the expertise in our community and elsewhere for ideas and suggestions. In my view we need to rethink the way we plan communities. We need to design communities and services which will foster a sense of belonging, a sense of community, a sense of place in Mt. Vernon. Our present policies are not sufficiently geared to design people-oriented socially integrated communities. In many neighborhoods people don’t talk to each other; they don’t relate on any level to each other; there is a sense of social isolation among all age groups. My hope is this group will prepare a plan for a new order of physical/architectural, social, and land use development for the Mount Vernon community that promotes community cohesiveness.

Q: Looking at your years of public service to the community and on the board, what would you like to be best known for?
A: That I sincerely care about people and their problems; that I don’t take myself too seriously, nor do I attach too much self importance to the position of supervisor. But most importantly I hope people will say that I work hard to make a positive difference in the lives of people, and that I actually do.