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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

VOTERS' GUIDE

Last Day to Register to Vote in the May 6 Election
Monday, April 7, 2003

Candidates for Alexandria Mayor

Candidates for Alexandria City Council

  Click on the links above to read go to the candidates' responses.

Judy McVay, Republican

Biography: I have lived in Alexandria for 28 years.  I’ve been an activist for nearly 20 years.  I’ve worked to protect neighborhoods by supporting smart growth principles that would result in reduced traffic, less air pollution, more open space, and a better environment in which to live and raise a family. www.judymcvay.org

1.What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?

Assessments are likely to continue to rise but not as dramatically as they have this year.

Use some of the increased revenue to provide additional tax relief for low- and fixed-income households and for full implementation of the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force.

2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be?
(If yes or no, amplify your answer.)

See above.

3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?

By fully funding the capital improvement budget requests of our elected School Board and being certain to properly maintain the structures.

4. Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city? What are your priorities?

Our Metro stations must be easily accessible. The DASH system must work together with Metro so that everyone in the city can easily and conveniently catch a bus and get to and from a Metro station.

Future development must be pedestrian friendly with wide sidewalks with street level retail and restaurants. There should be very little or, preferably, no commuter parking. We should be discouraging workers from driving their cars into the city.

5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

The consequences of the enormous amount of development planned for the Eisenhower Valley and Potomac Yard. There'll be an estimated 56,000 car trips generated by the PTO the day it opens. There has been no traffic study to assess the impact on streets outside of the Eisenhower Valley. A thorough, city-wide traffic study is imperative.

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Matthew T. Natale, Republican

Biography: Matthew Natale is President of Alexandria Crime Solvers and of the Parkfairfax Association, where he oversaw perhaps the largest environmental cleanup in Alexandria history. He is an Economic Opportunities Commission member, a Eugene Lang College of the New School University graduate, and works as a consultant to veteran non-profit groups. www.voteformatthew.org

1. What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?
2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be?
(If yes or no, amplify your answer.)
3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?
4. Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city? What are your priorities?
5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

With so many candidates, a limit of 200 words for answers to all questions is understandable. Rather than spread my words thinly over five challenging questions, or seem to show preference to one area of concern over another, I'll concentrate my words on this question, which is always the most important one.

We must protect our neighborhoods and quality of life. This is the great challenge for Alexandria's next generation of leaders. I believe to protect our neighborhoods is to care for our whole City and to honor our bedrock belief in community and volunteerism.

We must continue to fully invest in our public schools, focus on building one TC, and make it a shining example of enlightened construction and forward-thinking values. Our infrastructure needs help.

We must nurture development that compliments the character of existing neighborhoods. We must protect our small, locally-owned businesses and create jobs this way.

And simply because the one-person, one-car lifestyle is deeply engrained does not mean we should ever waver in emphasizing DASH, Metro, and mass transportation as viable alternatives.

We must insist that all citizens be treated with the respect and compassion they deserve from Council. Council must always pass this test.

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Redella S. "Del" Pepper, Democrat

Biography:

  • Born in Omaha, Nebraska
  • Bachelor's degree from Grinnell College
  • Have lived in Alexandria 34 years with husband, Dr. F. J. Pepper
  • One married son, Murphy
  • City activist and former aide to Mayor Charles Beatlely
  • Served as full-time councilmember since elected in 1985.
  • Former vice mayor.
  • www.delpepper.com

     
1. What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?

Assessments increased approximately 20% this year, but with a 3 cent cut in the tax rate, will yield an increase of almost $27 million in revenue from real estate taxes. I hope to cut the tax rate further, but any increase should be used to maintain present levels of city services; increase compensation and benefits for personnel; increase funding of WMATA and DASH; and for the construction of a new high school and police headquarters.

2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be?

We may not solve this problem, unless there is quite a decline in the market, (which for other reasons we might not want), but we can ease it by increased use of the Housing Trust funds, the Employer Assisted Housing program, the Housing Opportunities program, etc. Also, we must maintain the stock of affordable and subsidized units we have now.

3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?

We built a new elementary school in 2000 and are about to build a high school. Within this last year we expanded both middle schools and are about to expand Minnie Howard.

4. Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city?

I advocate purchasing more DASH buses, creating more routes, and building a Metro stop at Potomac Yards.

5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

Revenue. Look for alternate sources, pressure the state, increase tourism and attract new businesses.

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John Reardon, Republican

Biography: I am the President and CEO of an Alexandria-based wireless communications company named Mobex Communications, Inc. I believe my experience in overseeing a multimillion dollar budget will serve taxpayers of this City well. I graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD in 1993 and earned my BA, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa, from Boston University, in 1989. No Website; Email: Inreardon@aol.com.

1. What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?

The City's own budget for 2003, available on its website, shows a $5 Million surplus if property values had increased just 7%. With the 25% increase in property values, the City is realizing a windfall of $35 Million. To calculate this number, simply take the $3.2 Billion total increase in all property values, and multiply that by the tax rate of $1.08 per $100 value of fair market value. This means the City realized an approximately $35 Million windfall. I would refund $25 Million of this $35 Million windfall, and save $10 Million for a rainy day, or refund it at the end of the year if there is still a surplus.

I think City spending also needs to be trimmed.

2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be? (If yes or no, amplify your answer.)

As indicated above, I would refund most of the $35 Million surplus back to taxpayers. This is the number one affordable housing item in the City.

3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?

I think the City should keep the current high school and simply build a second high school. I believe it would cost less money than $79 Million, and provide kids with a better and smaller school environment in which to learn. We have two middle schools, which are diverse institutions. We could have two high schools, as well.

4. Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city? What are your priorities?

I believe the City needs to synchronize traffic lights, improve Route 1, and work with the State to update 395 and 495 so cars do not divert off major throughways and into our neighborhoods

5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

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Paul C. Smedberg, Democrat

Biography:

  • Member of City's Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, Northeast Citizens Association Board.
  • Headed Community Partners for Children and Alexandria Democratic Committee.
  • Professional: Director, Policy & Public Affairs, American Society of Nephrology (fighting kidney disease).
  • Education: economics/history degrees from Allegheny College; Fellow, UVA's Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership.
  • www.paulsmedberg.org

1.  What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?

As a member of the City's Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, I agree with the ALWV that the City should diversify its revenue base, reducing to the extent we can, the growing dependence on real estate tax. Revenues have recently increased but will decline in coming years. For 2004, I support full funding for schools and investment in needed capital projects, while reducing the tax rate by 3 cents or more.

2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be?

We should better utilize existing programs and encourage developers to participate in public/private partnerships. We should find innovative models, like Montgomery County's moderate priced housing program, and work with neighboring jurisdictions to increase affordable housing on a regional basis.

3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?

The City has made substantial capital investments in our schools, which I support. I would work with the School Board to address any remaining problems.

4.  Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city? What are your priorities?

We need a range of options. I support: innovative measures to make streets more pedestrian friendly; increasing/improving mass transit opportunities; and regional cooperation to address traffic congestion.

5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

Responsible redevelopment, safe/healthy neighborhoods and excellent education for our children. To meet these challenges, we need strong fiscal management, responsive local government and regional cooperation.

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Patrick R. "Pat" Troy, Independent

As of April 2, 200, Mr. Troy had not provided responses to the questions.

Website: www.friendsofpattroy.org
 

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Joyce Woodson, Democrat

Biography:

  • 28 year Alexandria resident, married, 3 children, 1 dog
  • City Council member
  • Housing Commissioner
  • Chairman, COG Metropolitan Development Committee
  • PTA President; member 20 years; ACPS volunteer 15 years
  • Del Ray Civic; NAACP
  • Initiatives:
  • Teen internship
  • New affordable housing policy
  • Expand tax deferral
  • Education:
  • BA Columbia University, 1975
  • Occupation: Marketing Consultant
  • www.joycewoodson.net

1. What are your projections regarding the increased value of real estate assessments, and what use would you envision for this increased revenue?

I expect the assessments to level off in 2 to 3 years, as the housing market cools off. Tax rate adjustments will keep revenue within actual needs.

2. Do you foresee a solution to affordable housing? What would it be?

Market forces make affordable housing difficult to achieve. A Community Development Corporation could build affordable rental and ownership properties and keep them affordable. Re-sales would be allowed to only low to moderate income purchasers. The faith-based community could invest their endowment in rental housing to maintain an affordable stock.

3. How would you fix conditions/overcrowding of our public schools?

These conditions will fix themselves as poorer families leave the city due to housing costs. I have supported the school budgets and their expansion plans.

4. Do you have alternative choices/solutions for transit/transportation within the city? What are your priorities?

I think smaller, more fuel efficient Dash Buses should be added to the fleet to serve the entire city better. I believe all governments must underwrite transit, aggressively market car pooling/ride sharing alternatives, support tele-work centers, and encourage tele-working in city departments.

5. What is the greatest challenge you see facing City Council and how would you address it?

Revenue diversification. We cannot continue to rely upon real estate taxes as the primary source of revenue. We must push the General Assembly to grant greater authority to the city to raise revenue in appropriately. We must continue to support our commercial real estate to increase its value and contribution to the tax base.

 

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