<sh>Candidates Tackle Traffic
<bt>With afternoon commuters rushing by, Democrat and delegate hopeful Steve Shannon outlined short-term solutions to the region's traffic woes at an Oct. 9 press conference in front of the Vienna-GMU Metrorail station.
"To say that we don't have enough money in the budget right now is not enough," said Shannon, who is seeking the House of Delegates seat representing the 35th District.
Supporting Shannon was Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D), who appeared at the press conference and said he was hopeful that he, Shannon and Gov. Mark Warner (D) could work together on such traffic solutions.
"We clearly need more teammates there," said Kaine, referring to the General Assembly.
Shannon's short-term ideas included restoring funding for VDOT Highway Safety Patrols so that there would be enough personnel to respond quickly to accidents along major roadways; implementing improved traffic-light synchronization by upgrading signal technology; and greater enforcing of HOV restrictions, so that repeat HOV offenders receive greater penalties.
Shannon also suggested "mid-term solutions" such as focusing on high-density, mixed-use development near Metrorail stations, giving tax incentives to businesses to promote telecommuting, and working with Warner to keep VDOT accountable.
"A lot of long-term solutions require a great deal of money," Shannon said.
Shannon's opponent, Robert McDowell (R). responded in an interview that while he agrees with and favors the short-term suggestions Shannon had stated, many of those ideas have already been universally accepted among Republicans and Democrats.
McDowell added that he would direct limited funds on choke areas or bottlenecks by prioritizing road projects, advocate for telecommuting, and support an amendment that requires a "super majority" or two-thirds of the General Assembly to approve borrowing against the Transportation Trust Fund. The amendment would also require strict terms of repayment.
"I think that's crucial," McDowell said.
<1b>— Joanna Franco
<sh>Public Hearing on George Mason Boulevard
<bt>The Fairfax City Council will host a public hearing next Tuesday, Oct. 28, to hear citizens' comments on plans to continue work on George Mason Boulevard. If completed, the road will connect Armstrong Street with the George Mason University (GMU) campus. A portion of University Drive which passes through a Fairfax neighborhood and curves around the border of GMU will be sealed off to all except local traffic should the project proceed. Pending discussion, the Council may pass a resolution approving continuation of the project.
For more information about George Mason Boulevard, call 703-385-7810. The Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers (third floor) of City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax.
<sh>Combating Halloween Drunken Driving
<bt>Because Halloween is deadlier than New Year’s Eve when it comes to drunken driving, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is sponsoring the Halloween SoberRide program on Friday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m.-4 a.m., as a way to keep the road safe from impaired drivers.
Area residents celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide phone number, 1-800-200-TAXI, and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $50 fare) safe way home. AT&T Wireless users can call #-TAXI for the same service. Local taxicab companies throughout the Washington, D.C., area provide this no-cost service to local residents 21 and older who otherwise may have attempted to drive home after drinking.
For more information, visit www.soberride.com.
<sh>Oakton Library Plans to Have Viewing
<bt>On Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Oakton Elementary School library, interested citizens may view preliminary plans of the proposed Oakton public library. The plans will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine, in celebration of VolunteerFest 2003.
The Oakton Elementary School is located at 2000 Chain Bridge Road in Oakton.
<sh>Park Authority Seeks Public Input
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority is inviting the public to comment on a draft Natural Resource Management Plan created to guide the agency in preserving and managing natural resources on parkland over the next five years.
The plan identifies 15 issues in seven topic areas concerning management of natural resources. The areas include planning, vegetation, wildlife, water resources, air quality, human impact and education. The plan proposes strategies to address each of the issues.
Overall, the focus of the plan is engaging partner organizations, volunteers and the community in developing methods to achieve excellence in managing Fairfax County’s park natural resources. The plan also notes that additional budgetary resources are necessary to fully achieve effective management of park natural resources.
A public meeting to introduce the plan and receive comments will take place on Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The meeting will be in Room 9/10 located on the main floor of the building.
The plan is available on the Park Authority Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks. Public comments will be accepted on the Park Authority Web site and by mail at Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Room 927, Fairfax, VA 22035 until Dec. 16, 2003. For more information about this plan or to request a printed copy of the plan, contact the Resource Management Division at 703-324-8676.