The Connection asked candidates in contested races to respond to the following questionnaire. This week's questionnaire features responses provided by George Hidy who is challenging incumbent Eugene Delgaudio for the Republican nomination for the Sterling District Supervisors' seat. The winner will face Democrat Jeanne West in November. The Republican Convention is slated for June 9, beginning at 9 a.m., at The Community Church in Ashburn. Some answers were edited for length. Complete responses are available on our Web site, www.connectionnewspapers.com.
What are the three biggest problems facing the Sterling district? How would you address each one?
Eugene Delgaudio, incumbent: As I promised you I am fighting overcrowded houses with the Delgaudio Ordinance limiting the number of people in a house. It’s the toughest language allowed by Virginia law. I also increased the number of enforcement inspectors. Report an overcrowded house at www.JoinEugene.com. I am the only candidate fighting the radically misnamed "smart growth" plan to replace our current Sterling homes with "density packed" high-rise condos. I am the only candidate fighting crime and illegal immigration with a sheriff’s substation to increase patrols and my program to deport illegal alien criminals.
George Hidy, challenger: The county population was near 60,000 in 1995 and projected to be 240,000 by the end of 2007. The Sheriff’s Office is handling 500,000 calls a year, and the Sterling Patrol District is the most populated. The patrol district needs to be resized with added patrols to the more populated area. Many delegates have suggested better lighting throughout the community, this is a great suggestion and should be look into. Many people are concerned about the overcrowding of homes and the condition of community. An ordnance requiring landlords to enforce the county housing ordnance as well as increasing the fine for violations to $2,000 is just a beginning. Rezoning of commercial property to residential development is at an all time high. Eugene Delgaudio has voted for every rezoning and since housing requires more in services then commercial property, voting yes only places a heavier tax burden on homeowners.
Besides receiving more funding from Richmond, what can be done at the local level to improve traffic and transportation in the county? Please provide an example.
Delgaudio: The improved Route 28 cuts 20 minutes off the average commute without a tax hike. We are now beginning Route 7 improvements to eliminate tie-ups. I promote traffic-busting transit systems like VRTA.
Hidy: Roads must be designed and proffers added to handle the additional volume of traffic created by the over development. Route 7 is slowly becoming grid lock and the people of Sterling cannot even venture out on Saturday; it just takes to long go anywhere. Independent engineering studies must be performed to verify and validate the developers’ offer for road improvements will meet the projected traffic to be added to the already strained road system. I do not want to make roads worse then they already are for the people of Sterling and Loudoun County.
How do you define smart growth and provide an example of a project, real or hypothetical, which you believes illustrates smart growth?
Delgaudio: The Comprehensive Plan defines it. It replaces our homes with density packed high-rise condos and crams thousands more people into Sterling, simply so Hunt Country activists won’t see neighbors from their marble porticos. I am the only candidate opposing plans to virtually bulldoze Sterling simply to spare the "view sheds" of Hunt Country political activists.
Hidy: The last four years taxes have gone up 88 percent, the people of Sterling cannot continue to pay such increases, I prefer "balanced growth." The commercial and retail tax base must grow with the 37,000 additional homes Eugene Delgaudio has voted to add to Loudoun County. As a mixed-used housing development is being constructed, restrictions should be placed on the number of residential units constructed compared to the development of the commercial and retail tax base. As the development progresses this balanced growth with be positive gain to the county tax base and current tax payers should not be overburdened with mixed use development.
How would you meet the rising needs of county departments, schools and citizens? Please provide an example.
Delgaudio: We are bringing a new sheriff’s substation here to increase patrols in Sterling Park. The Delgaudio Ordinance fighting overcrowded houses has more enforcement inspectors. I am working with my friend Congressman Wolf to boost anti-gang programs. As always, I am the only candidate fighting to cut your tax bill.
Hidy: For the last eight years, county services have not kept up with runaway housing construction. Residential growth must be slowed to let the commercial and retail business catch up with demand. This increase will result in more revenue for the county and jobs for the people of Sterling.
What is the key difference between you and your opponent?
Delgaudio: I am the only candidate opposing the Comprehensive Plan to replace current Sterling homes with Tysons Corner-style condo towers, simply so influential estate owners won’t see neighbors. I am the only candidate supporting deportation of illegal alien criminals and closing Herndon’s illegal alien job center on our county border. I am the only candidate working to cut tax bills. Please share your thoughts with me at www.JoinEugene.com and EugeneDelgaudio@erols.com.
Hidy: My opponent has 92 percent of his money from outside the district, 48 percent from developers and construction industry and voted against funding for women shelters, emergency services and improvement to the Sterling schools, but voted for adding more than 60,000 homes and increasing the density of many areas. Sparing the taxpayers a penny but spending billions of our future tax dollars is reckless. I will not be narrow sighted and will look at the total impact of my decisions not only on current taxpayers’ but future tax cost as well.