Office sought: Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Party Affiliation: Republican
Previous offices held; please include dates: First run for public office.
Occupation and Current employment: Currently campaigning full-time.
Previous employment: General Counsel, Washington Redskins
Education: University of Colorado,1970-1973, double major in History (Summa Cum Laude) and Russian.
Georgetown University Law School 1974-1978, law degree (JD),Masterís Degree (Master of Science in Foreign Service) from Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service.
Community ties:
ENDORSEMENTS: I am proud to be endorsed by Virginia Republican US Senators John Warner and George Allen, 10th District Congressman Frank Wolf, Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, State Senator Bill Mims, State Delegates Dick Black, Tom Rust and Joe May.
1. What is your top public-service accomplishment?
ANSWER: Playing an instrumental role, as a Planning Commissioner, in the development of Loudoun County's 1993 Zoning Ordinance. I have had the honor of serving on the Loudoun County Planning Commission, several County blue ribbon panels and I currently serve on the County's Economic Development Commission. I believe that this public service coupled with my wide ranging life experiences makes me the most qualified candidate in the Chairman's race.
2. What are the top five problems facing your constituents and what approaches will you use to solve them? Describe one challenge (or more) in your district that is different than other parts of the county.
ANSWER: (I am running County-wide, these priorities are County-wide)
Traffic- We are sitting in more traffic than we were four years ago. Fixing missing links in the transportation system is my top priority. I will also work with regional leaders and businesses to encourage telecommuting and flexible work hours.
Taxes- Our residential tax bills increase an alarming 69% over the past four years. I will initiate a department by department, program by program review of the County budget in order to identify and eliminate wasteful spending.
Uncontrolled Growth- The current Board of Supervisors has done little to limit and control residential growth while in office. In order to control growth I will make builders and developers pay their share and also encourage sound planned communities rather than hap-hazard by "right" development.
Gang Activity-We need to fund and support a regional approach to prevention of organized gang activity, and we should have a "zero tolerance" policy for gang-related graffiti.
A Healthy Business Climate-I will work to promote a healthy and diverse business community, with a government process that attracts and supports local business.
3. What qualities, qualifications and characteristics will you bring to this office?
ANSWER: Bob Gordon has an extensive background of achievement and common sense solutions. Eagle Scout, distinguished career in private law practice, General Counsel for the Washington Redskins. Service on the County Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, numerous blue ribbon panels. Part owner of the Ashburn Ice House. Extensive business and finance experience. For a complete biography, read "About Bob" www.voteforgordon.com.
4. How will voters best distinguish between you and your opponent(s)?
ANSWER: The choice for the voters is simple. They have a choice between continued failed leadership or fresh, common-sense solutions. I feel that my experience makes me uniquely qualified for the position of Chairman and I humbly ask for the voters' support on November 4th.
5. What specific solutions will you propose for the transportation dilemma? Please address funding, prioritization, air quality, bus service and other non-rail public transportation solutions, expansion of rail service, and any other possible approach.
ANSWER: There is no silver bullet solution to transportation problems, but we must (i) make road improvements a priority, (ii) make better use of proffered transportation funds in hand; (iii) support legislation to prevent the State from diverting funds from the state's Transportation Trust Fund, (iv) work more effectively in Richmond to get more of our tax dollars returned to Loudoun County for road improvements.
6. The majority on the current Board of Supervisors have followed a "Smart Growth" policy. How has it been successful? How has it failed? What remains to be done?
ANSWER:
In 1999 the voters were told that Smart Growth would result in lower taxes, less traffic, and less residential development. Measured against these promises, Mr. York and the Board of supervisors have failed. Growth has skyrocketed, residential tax bills have gone up , people are sitting in more traffic than they ever have and our children are forced to deal with overcrowded schools.
Much remains to be done. I will limit and control residential growth by having the builders pay their fair share, I will fix missing links in the transportation system which will being to alleviate traffic on our roads, I identify wasteful spending in County Government and increase the commercial tax base to keep taxes low and I will offer a renewed focus on giving our children the quality education that they deserve.
7. What are your top environmental priorities? Please address air quality, water quality, open space, etc.
ANSWER: I treasure the rural character of Loudoun County. I served on the Goose Creek Scenic River Advisory Board and have voluntarily placed my land in an open space easement. I will work for ways to preserve trees in developing areas, to encourage tree planting in rural subdivisions, and to improve the process for storm water management.
8. Are residents safe enough? How do public safety officials balance new demands of "homeland security" with other safety and quality of life issues?
ANSWER: Gang activity is an increasing concern to many Loudoun residents, especially those in the Sterling, Sugarland Run and Leesburg areas. I will take a tough stance on gang activity and will work closely with our Sheriff to eradicate gangs in Loudoun County.
9. Do you have any concerns about civil liberties and public access to information in the wake of the Patriot Act and other responses to Sept. 11?
ANSWER: Yes. The Patriot Act is a federal law, not a local Loudoun County ordinance, but based on my limited knowledge of that law, I am concerned about it's impact on the individual freedoms that we cherish, particularly the Patriot Act's impact on our local Muslim community.
10. Working poor families in Northern Virginia face a daunting cost of living, with little in the way of affordable housing, health care, child care and transportation. Are low-wage workers important to the local economy? What do you propose to address the needs of these families?
ANSWER: Moderate income workers are vital to the diversity of our community, and perform many essential functions. I will work to create a diverse and vibrant business base, so as to create more and better paying job opportunities, and to implement recommendations made by our Economic Development Commission for the promotion of workforce housing.
11. Should counties have the taxing authority of cities?
ANSWER: Yes.
12. What proposals do you have for mitigating the effects of soaring property values and related taxes?
ANSWER: Out of control growth experienced over the past four years has led to a high tax rate. Limiting and controlling residential growth and conducting an extensive review of the County budget will keep taxes low for the hard working residents of Loudoun.
13. What campaign finance reform do you support? How should the county avoid conflict of interest, or even the appearance of conflict, given the Board's role in approving development and zoning changes and contributions by development interests?
ANSWER: I believe the existing state and local ordinances and procedures are adequate. Campaign contributions support our democratic process and do not influence my decisions. My priorities are solving transportation problems, holding the line on spending, suppressing gang activity, funding education, and doing a better job of getting more money back from Richmond.