Centre View asked various, local leaders what they believe will be the top issues facing the local area in 2014. Below are their answers:
“The number one issue countywide is dealing with a flat economy with little hope near term for a strong recovery. The ripple effects run through our local economy, making it very difficult to address the challenges we are facing. We are also continuing to see cutbacks at the federal and state levels, putting increased budget pressures on the county government.
Locally, our biggest problem continues to be traffic. As Prince William and Loudoun counties continue to grow, and the business growth continues to be in Fairfax, we will see more traffic. And the longer the state delays finalizing a route and building a north-south connector road, the more our neighborhoods will be inundated.
Even the good news has a down side. 2014 will see the start of several needed projects — the bridge on Route 29 over the Little Rocky Run, the two-lane section of Walney Road between Route 28 and 50, and the Lee Road culvert near the Costco. However, the construction itself will cause some congestion, as we have seen over the last year along Stringfellow Road.”
— Michael R. Frey, Supervisor, Sully District
“We can no longer ignore the impact that mental-health issues have had on our community, our state and our nation. We must address depression, suicide, drug and/or alcohol addiction, bullying, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia at the local, state and national levels in order to prevent the tragedies that many in our community have suffered over the past few years.
As always, the bread-and-butter issues will be on the minds of most citizens: transportation, the economy, jobs and education. I do believe, however, that Pope Francis’s focus on social justice and economic inequality may resonate with many, along with the issues of immigration and civil rights for all.”
— Lu Ann McNabb, President, Angel Fund Board
“It is not easy to predict 2014's land-use controversies, but the Planning Commission [PC] and Board of Zoning Appeals [BZA] usually face a surprise or two.
Whatever else materializes, the PC will continue to review redevelopment applications in Tysons Corner, as Phase 1 of the Silver Line Metro extension comes online. The future grid of streets in Tysons also will start to take shape, as construction begins on the first wave of redevelopment approvals.
The PC will continue to evaluate amendments to the Comprehensive Plan dealing with green buildings, as well as policy recommendations for facilitating electric vehicle charging-station infrastructure. The PC also will begin a review of policies for energy consumption in buildings.
Upcoming zoning ordinance amendment topics in 2014 will include food trucks, electronic signs, riding lessons as a home occupation, and donation drop boxes.”
— Jim Hart, At-Large Planning Commissioner and Board of Zoning Appeals member
“2014 promises to be another year of people needing affordable housing, food and utility assistance. While more are working than in previous years, their wages are minimal and many do not have enough money to survive on month to month.
The majority of the calls to Fairfax County and to WFCM are for emergency food and rent or utilities, so we are grateful to be in a place where we can provide those services on an ongoing basis. We do not provide housing, but there still appears to be a shortage of available housing in the area, and there are still waiting lists for those awaiting vouchers.
Based on the great need for holiday assistance this year, it looks like there may be an increase in the number of clients looking for basic needs such as food and heat, and we are gearing up to serve as many as 50 new clients in the new year.
Thankfully, we have generous community donors and a well-stocked food pantry, plus some limited funding from The Fairfax County Consolidated Community Fund (CCFP) to help our community.”
— Melissa Jansen, Executive Director, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
“The overall economy for the county will be the number-one issue in 2014. Although the Sully District is slowly moving forward with new companies and jobs coming to the district, it will still be a financial challenge to try and provide all the services our residents and taxpayers are used to. The key is to keep broadening our tax base to increase revenues while holding taxes in check. This is the best approach to recover our economy.
The good news is that there will be three, significant road improvements started or completed in the Sully District in 2014. The widening of Route 50 west of Route 28 will finally be completed, the Route 29 bridge between Union Mill Road and Pickwick Road will be replaced and the narrow bridge on Walney Road will also be replaced.
These projects have been on the schedule for years and now it’s Sully’s turn for some road improvements. Next year at this time will see, hopefully, a significant improvement in traffic flow in these areas.”
— John Litzenberger, Planning Commissioner, Sully District
“Three of the major issues that will be coming before the General Assembly this session are mental health, K-12 education reform and ethics reform. The attack on Sen. Creigh Deeds, and the circumstances surrounding it, were a tragic reminder that Virginia must readdress how it deals with citizens suffering from mental-health issues.
With the $38.3 million in new funding for mental-health priorities proposed in the FY 2014-2015 budget, it is clear that mental-health policy should and will be looked at in a comprehensive fashion in 2014.
Education is always a major concern in Northern Virginia. Issues that need to be addressed include SOL reform, reducing class sizes and reducing the onerous paperwork regulations so that teachers have more time in the classroom.
Finally, the reform of gift disclosures and ethics laws is another top priority issue during this session. I believe that we must continue to make sure that the integrity of Virginia's government is preserved.”
— Del. Tim Hugo (R-40), Majority Caucus Chairman
“Because this area of the county has endured its growing pains in the past one to two decades – and for the most part is now built-out – I no longer see land use as a top issue. The Braddock-Pleasant Valley Roads intersection may command early-year headlines, particularly since it has not yet been resolved.
The county budget will continue to be an issue. While the focus will be on the revenue level provided to the school system, an emphasis must be placed on the continued funding reductions suffered by the human services system throughout Fairfax County.”
— Carol Hawn, Former member, WFCCA Land-Use Committee
“I believe the top issue — and one that’s contentious — will be the renewed focus on the roundabout [proposed for the Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads intersection]. I would hope that VDOT has or will give serious consideration to the alternative of the four-way stop, as many people and communities have suggested.
Yet another issue which I have only read about is the future of our libraries in Fairfax County. With the availability of so much information available via the Internet, one would think that library and book research would diminish. But I drive by the Centreville Regional Library on the weekends and the parking lot is always full.
And finally, budget problems for the county are always an issue. The need for community services continues to grow, and funds via taxes never seem to be sufficient.”
— Jim Katcham, Chairman, West Fairfax County Citizens Association Land-Use Committee