Besides voting for mayor – and Councilwoman Laurie DiRocco is the only candidate – Vienna residents will choose three Town Council members in the May 6 election. All Council candidates except responded to The Connection’s questionnaire.
Mike Cheselka
Mike Cheselka’s lived in Vienna for 38 years. He and wife Sue have a daughter, Janelle. Owner of Hometown Enterprises home improvements.
Why are you running for election?
As a long- time resident, I want to help shape the vision for future development, as well as address quality-of-life issues and needs of our town residents.
Qualifications?
I currently sit on the Architectural Review Board and Historic Vienna Inc. Board of Directors. I served on the Town/Business Liaison Committee and the VYI Board of Directors. This insight has helped me see the importance of fresh ideas with regard to the vision and development of our Town, the importance of fostering support and growth for our local businesses, and the need to improve youth programs, opportunities and facilities.
Platform/issues:
I would support the longstanding policy of limited growth and low density zoning which has given us an authentic small town, unique in Fairfax County and the surrounding areas. I realize that we must be pro-active in our response to surrounding development, particularly with Tysons Corner and the Silver Line Corridor. It will no doubt have an adverse effect on our traffic situation. I will explore ways to improve traffic calming on our off Main Street neighborhoods. I will support and help shape a progressive approach to upgrading services, infrastructure, recreational programs and facilities.
Why vote for you?
I possess a solid level of common sense and practicality. Having owned and operated a small business here in Town for 32 years, I have developed skills that would serve me well as a council member. I want our quality of life and our future development to be 21st century pro-active, but still maintain a small-town flavor.
Linda Jane Colbert
She’s lived in Vienna from 1968-1988 and 2000-now. She’s a math tutor and math SAT teacher. Husband Mike is an electronics engineer, Madison High football and track coach; daughters Hannah, 17 and Heather, 13.
Why are you running for election?
Having grown up in Vienna, I have a strong sense of its spirit. I loved the town I grew up in, but change in inevitable. Church Street is continuing to improve with its period architecture, brick sidewalks and new shops and restaurants. Maple Avenue Vision is a project that dedicated citizens and staff have put many hours into crafting.
Qualifications?
I currently serve on the Transportation Safety Commission and have gained valuable insight into some new, innovative solutions to traffic problems and pedestrian safety.
Platform/issues:
If elected, I would like to work on acquiring a centrally located parking garage and encourage businesses to have underground parking or share parking spaces with neighboring buildings.
Why vote for you?
My family is involved in many activities in the town, so I talk with citizens about things they like and dislike. Vienna has always been my home, and my husband and I have no plans to leave. I have the dedication, enthusiasm, insight and love for Vienna that would make me a good Councilperson. It would be an honor to serve Vienna.
Pasha Majdi
Vienna is his hometown. He and wife Jayme have a son, Maxwell Majdi, 7 months. He was on the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, but left in March to campaign full time.
Why are you running for election?
Vienna is my hometown [and] I want to keep Vienna a small town. Tysons Corner is projected to bring in 100,000 new residents over the next decade. Right now, the Town Council is discussing rezoning Maple Avenue and will likely vote on a new plan after the election. We need to be smart and prepare for the future, but we can’t lose Vienna’s small businesses to Tysons Corner development. If I’m on the Town Council, I’ll support the plan that keeps Vienna’s small businesses and small-town charm.
Qualifications?
As a member of the Town Business Liaison Committee and the Vienna Business Association, I know how important small businesses are to Vienna and I will fight to keep small businesses on Maple Avenue and Church Street. If we lose them, we lose Vienna’s small-town charm.
My professional background also includes law school and government contracts. But most importantly, I grew up in Vienna. I’m a Vienna citizen, a Vienna father, a Vienna son and a Vienna grandson. I understand issues that all generations are facing because we face the same issues in my own family.
Platform/issues:
Keep Vienna a small town. As the Town Council rezones Maple Avenue, the new zoning requirements need to keep the small, mom-and-pop shops on Maple Avenue and Church Street. If we lose them, we lose the heart of Vienna.
Walkability. Traffic on Route 123 is unbearable. We can’t get rid of the traffic, but we can get around it. We need Maple Avenue to be accessible to walkers and bikers so we can enjoy our town without sitting in traffic with Tysons commuters. Walkability should be the town’s top priority as it rezones Maple Avenue.
Centralized parking. Right now, if you want to pick up dry cleaning, have dinner, and stop by your favorite shop in Vienna, you have to get back on Route 123 and park again each and every time – in terrible traffic. Why? We need centralized parking hubs so that we can park once, walk to all three stops, then walk back to the car and drive home.
Why vote for you?
Vienna is my hometown and I’m going to fight to keep Vienna a small town.
Dennis Rice
He’s lived in the Town for about 10 years and in the greater Vienna area since 1987. Married, two daughters, three stepchildren.
Why are you running for election?
I am running for Town Council because I feel I can bring a wealth of construction and development experience to the Town.
Qualifications?
I have been in the construction industry for over 27 years. I have experience in residential, commercial and industrial construction, as well as land development and working with Fairfax County and VDOT on land issues.
Platform/issues:
- Increase efficiency of town government to reduce spending. 2. Work to reduce residential real-estate taxes. 3. Improve our roads. 4. Install sidewalks to provide citizens a safe means to get around town.
Why vote for you?
People should vote for me because of my unique perspective and skill set. My work as a custom homebuilder has given me a strong understanding of Town of Vienna land use, as well as zoning and development issues within the Town, Fairfax County and Commonwealth of Virginia. I would use my private-sector experience to design workable budgets and personnel programs and to complete projects on schedule and under budget.
Tara L. Voigt
She’s lived in Vienna since 2000. She’s the lead teacher at FB Meekins Preschool in Vienna. She and husband Chris have three children, Alex, 22, Sarah, 19, and Eric, 16.
Why are you running for election?
I was drawn to the appeal of Vienna even before my family moved here over 14 years ago. As a parent of three, homeowner, patron and employee within Vienna ever since, I’ve remained active in the community and take advantage of many of the town’s services and activities. I am committed to serving the community in which I live. I have been involved in Vienna government at the commission level and am ready to take my commitment to the next level by running for Town Council.
Qualifications?
Vienna Transportation Safety Commission, Chairperson, 2007; Vienna Transportation Safety Commission, Commissioner, 2005-present; Marshall Road Elementary PTA, President, 2003-2005; Marshall Road PTA, Fundraising, 2005-2010; La Leche League leader, 2003-present; James Madison Crew Parents Boosters, Hospitality Chair, 2012-2013.
James Madison High School PTSA, Student Directory Production, 2008-present; James Madison Band, Band Lunch Coordinator, 2007-present; Vienna Aquatic Club, Board of Directors, 2007-present; Vienna Youth Soccer coach, 2002-2007; FB Meekins Preschool Board, President, 2001-2002; Girl Scout assistant leader, 2001-2007.
Platform/issues:
Maintaining walk- and bike-ability of Vienna; keeping Vienna’s endearing qualities while supporting purposeful growth; listening to citizens’ concerns.
Why vote for you?
I am truly committed to the citizens of Vienna. Although I am new to running for Town Council, I am familiar with current issues within the Town. I’ve sat on the Transportation Safety Commission since 2005, working to find new and innovative ways to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe and help keep traffic moving in and around Vienna.
I’ve invested my personal time to gain a greater understanding of the mechanics and concerns of Town Council. I attended both budget work sessions and numerous Council meetings. I have the passion and commitment to serve the citizens of Vienna.
Edythe Frankel Kelleher
An incumbent, she’s a 12-year Town Council member who’s lived in Vienna 20 years. She’s executive director of a small nonprofit, Southeast Fairfax Development Corp., working on revitalization. She and husband Gary have three college-age sons.
Why running for reelection?
I enjoy serving my community on the Town Council. In the last six months, two Council members announced their retirements and our Mayor passed away in office. I feel that my experience will be valuable to the Town as we transition forward.
Qualifications?
Twelve years on a Council team that managed the Town and its finances extremely well, for example, improving our bond rating twice to AAA. Including my experience on staff to Supervisor Penny Gross, I have devoted more than 18 years to local government.
Platform/issues:
Better access for pedestrians and bicyclists (sidewalks, bike racks); improved communications with residents (cable TV channel; Vienna Alerts); lowered water rates; traffic calming; providing alternative housing styles for older and younger people and opportunities for shared parking, fewer curb cuts, an improved business climate, and public spaces through implementing the Maple Avenue Vision.
Why vote for you?
I have worked diligently to provide the high-quality services residents expect, while being responsible to them as taxpayers. I supported maintaining the Town tax rate to offset changes in property assessments, and I have pushed for solutions to high water rates. After 18 years working in local government, I have knowledge and experience in how proper regulations and policies can affect positive change in communities.