VOTERS' GUIDE
On November 4, 2003, Alexandrians will have an opportunity to
vote for candidates for the General Assembly and for the Alexandria Clerk of the
Court.
Before they can cast a ballot, all voters are required to provide an identification. Acceptable
forms of identification are: Virginia voter identification card, Virginia
driver's license or special ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles,
a Valid United States passport, Military ID, any Federal, state or local
government-issued ID, employer-issued photo ID card, or your Social Security
Card. A voter who fails to bring acceptable ID to the polls may still vote but
will be required to sign, under oath, an Affirmation of Identity.
About this Guide
This Guide is produced by The League of Women Voters of
Alexandria to help Alexandria citizens make more informed choices in the General
Election on November 4, 2003.
An expanded version of the Guide, which will include candidates for the Fairfax
Area, Arlington and Loudoun Counties will be published by
The Connection
Newspapers during the week of October 27th, 2003. The City of Falls
Church Guide will be published by The Falls Church News-Press on October
30th.
Northern Virginia Leagues are again cooperating with
NBC4
 which has posted links to
all of our Voters' Guides.
This Alexandria Guide presents information about the candidates for the Virginia
General Assembly from the following districts: Senate: 30th and 35th Districts;
House of Delegates: 45th,
46th, and 49th Districts, and the City of Alexandria Clerk of the Court. If you
live within the City of Alexandria, you will choose among the candidates listed
here. If you live outside the city limits and you're not sure of your voting
district, visit the
Virginia State Board of Elections Voter Information Page and make use of the search tool you will find there.
If you're unsure of where you vote, check your voter registration card
or telephone the General Registrar at 703-838-4050 or click here to find your
polling location. NOTE: The information you enter in the search form is case
sensitive, so be sure to follow instructions carefully.
The Questions
Questionnaires were sent to all candidates whose names were certified to appear
on the November 4 ballot. Answers to the questions appear as written by the
candidates and are not edited except to comply with newspaper style and
stipulated space limitations. The candidates' original replies are on file with
the League of Women Voters.
TAXES: Virginia is required to have a balanced budget.
What increases in taxes and fees, or reductions in programs and services, would
you support to do this?
EDUCATION: How do you propose to meet Virginia's educational needs and
mandates in the 21st Century?
CLEAN AIR: The Clean Air Act requires that we improve the region's air
quality by 2005 or lose federal transportation funding. What actions will you
propose and/or support in the General Assembly to retain federal funding?
OTHER ISSUES: What other state issues would you like to discuss?
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO READ
THE CANDIDATES' RESPONSES TO THE LEAGUE'S QUESTIONS
VIRGINIA SENATE
30th District
Patsy Ticer: Democrat - Incumbent - Unopposed
36th District
Richard L. “Dick” Saslaw:
Democrat – Incumbent
C.W. "Levi"
Levy:
Independent - Challenger
VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES
45th District
Robert J. Test: Republican - Challenger
Marian Van Landingham:
Democrat – Incumbent
46th District
Brian J. Moran: Democrat – Incumbent - Unopposed
49th District
Adam P. Ebbin:
Democrat - Unopposed
ALEXANDRIA CLERK OF THE COURT
Edward Semonian: Democrat - Incumbent - Unopposed
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 Candidates
for Virginia Senate
Term: Four years
Salary: $18,000
Duties: Legislative power in the Commonwealth of Virginia is vested in a
General
Assembly consisting of a Senate and a House of Delegates. Chief responsibilities
are to make laws, levy taxes and adopt the state budget.
30th District
Patricia Ticer
Democrat - Incumbent - Unopposed
Biography:
Married to Jack Ticer, four children and five grandchildren. Graduated from
George Washington High School; B.A. Sweet Briar College. Elected to Alexandria
City Council 1982, two times Vice-Mayor, ran for
Mayor 1991, elected and served until 1996 when elected to State Senate. Served
in State Senate 1996-2003.
TAXES: The constitutional requirement for a balanced budget is appropriate.
This governor has restored responsible revenue forecasting and fiscal integrity
after the failed policies of incorrect forecasting and tax breaks by the
previous two governors and a downturn in the economy. The budget is at a bone
level since this governor and the legislature have been required to cut the
budget by 6 billion dollars in the last two years and at the same time
restructuring the operation of the government to operate more efficiently. In
2003, the governor held harmless from cuts K-12 education and even increased
that investment. We must preserve what infrastructure we have, human and
physical, as necessary investment for the future. I would support a higher
cigarette tax, tax restructuring to reduce reliance on the regressive real
estate tax, and oppose further cuts in environmental quality and health.
EDUCATION: The State must fund our educational system more fully and fairly
– early childhood through college. Education is the great equalizer and
prevention program, which can guarantee Virginia’s continued success as a
Commonwealth. Technology and public/private partnerships have assisted in
meeting needs for the future and must be expanded. Our public university system
has been starved since the early 90’s and could lose its high ranking and
ability to meet the needs of increased population. The reputation of our
university system and its research capacity contributes significantly to our
economic health.
CLEAN AIR: I will support all measures required to meet our regional
necessity to remediate a severe non-attainment status by 2005 and reduce ozone
and nox levels in state. The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Plan has been
submitted and is in the approval process. The State must support use of clean,
alternative fuels, more transit, mixed use development, pedestrian amenities, to
reduce health risk to citizens and pollution sediment deposited in bay.
OTHER ISSUES: Candidate did not give a response to this question.
Contact information:
patsy@tidalwave.net
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35th District
Vote for only one.
Richard L. “Dick” Saslaw
Democrat – Incumbent
Biography:
Senate Minority Leader; Owner and Operator of Service
Stations in VA & Maryland;
BS in Economics from University of Maryland; Married to Eleanor;
Have one daughter; Member of the VA Senate 1980- present; House
of Delegates 1976-1980
TAXES: The budgetary process will ultimately be part of
the so-called “tax reform.” With respect to that, I have not
made any pledges as to what tax increases I would or would not
support or any programs and services I would not cut. However,
there are very few programs in VA that can sustain additional
cuts.
EDUCATION: With respect to our educational needs and
mandates, we should not retreat from the Standards of Learning,
although the SOLs will have to be continually modified to meet
an ever-changing educational environment. A major component of
these needs and mandates will be significantly increased funding
and increased accountability to go with this funding.
CLEAN AIR: The only realistic approach to reducing air
pollution is to provide a usable mass transit system while
making it available to a wider segment of the population. The
beltway (495) has become jammed to the point where we are ten
years away from needing an appointment to gain entry onto it.
Tightening the emission standards on cars will help, but will
not by itself solve the problem.
OTHER ISSUES: Candidate did not give a response to this question.
Contact information: R.L. Saslaw, P.O. Box 1254,
Springfield, VA 22151
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C. W. "Levi"
Levy
Independent - Challenger
Biography:
Politician, cat lover and dreamer.
TAXES: No tax increases.
EDUCATION: Use school buildings 24 hours a day.
CLEAN AIR: Use less coal.
OTHER ISSUES: Folks, Levi Levy says you have a right to
happiness and there’s only one way you're going to get it.
You'll have to fight for it. You and I know that those people in
power are trying to hang on to it. Some of them have been in
office for decades. There is one issue they can't get around
folks; they're blocking your happiness. No matter what they say
they’re going to do to change things, the question is what have
they done to make you happy? If they claim that they're going to
do things to change things, why haven't they done them? They’ve
been in power so long. When are they going to do something to
make you happy? You have a right to happiness and the way you're
going to get it is to vote. Vote for independent candidate Levi
Levy. Vote for your own happiness. Levi Levy says you have a
right to happiness. Fight for it.
Let’s be specific, folks, issue by issue. What have the people
in power done to solve the transportation problems of Northern
Virginia? Levi Levy says that they haven’t done as much to solve
these problems as a chicken scratching in the dust. Levi Levy
asks where’s the clean air that we’ve been promised for decades?
Let’s face it folks, these people in power will promise anything
to stay in office.
Contact Information: Levy Levi, P.O. Box 11544,
Alexandria VA 22312-0544
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Candidates
for Virginia House of Delegates
Term: Two years
Salary: $17,640
Duties: Legislative power in the Commonwealth of Virginia is
vested in a General
Assembly consisting of a Senate and a House of Delegates. Chief
responsibilities are to make laws, levy taxes and adopt the state
budget.
45th District
Vote for only one.
Robert J. Test
Republican - Challenger
Biography:
Jay Test was born and raised in Northern Virginia. He is
currently a local businessman and attorney. Prior to this Jay
served his community as a schoolteacher and his country in the
Army. Jay has been married to his wife Jan for 31 years, and is
the father of four.
TAXES: The Virginia Tax code is in desperate need of
reform, and is currently being addressed by the Commission on
the Revision of Virginia's State Tax Code. Until the findings
and recommendations of the commission are known and Governor
Warner releases his tax plan to the public, it would be
premature to make any decisions.
EDUCATION: I believe that K-12 education funding is not
fairly distributed through the Commonwealth. Northern Virginia
has not received its fair share of the state’s education
dollars. I will work to change the funding formula that
penalizes Northern Virginia, and put more money in our schools.
I also believe these adjustments should occur prior to any other
wholesale reform to education funding.
CLEAN AIR: Vehicle exhaust is a leading factor in
degrading air quality, which is why I support reducing the
overall number of cars on the road. I believe this can be done
in two ways; by increasing the use of mass transit and
high-speed rail and by giving additional tax benefits to
individuals who buy hybrid vehicles.
OTHER ISSUES: Northern Virginia has not received its fair
share of state funding for far too long. As a result, our local
property taxes are among the highest in the state. These taxes
are a burden on homeowners and prevent many from owning and
keeping their own homes. It is time we addressed this unbalance
before property taxes rise to the level where only a few can
afford to own homes.
Contact Information:
www.jaytestfordelegate.com
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Marian Van Landingham
Democrat – Incumbent
Biography:
B.A., M.A. Political Science; legislator/professional
artist; Delegate 1982-present.
Committees: Privileges and Elections (former chair);
Appropriations--Public Education, Transportation, Health/Human
Services Subcommittees; Militia Police and Public Safety. Member
of Education Committee for 18 years. Recipient of numerous
awards for legislative service and for founding the Torpedo
Factory Art Center.
TAXES: We must do general re-structuring to make our state
tax system fairer and fit the modern economy. Included should be
a close look at a vast array of tax exemptions. While many
assist valuable non-profits and vulnerable citizens, some might
be eliminated. We’ve already cut $6 billion in state spending in
the last two years, and used up our Rainy Day Fund. The chair of
Senate Finance, John Chichester, R, has warned of "stealth
damage" to our services that will not be visible for years
unless we address real revenue needs.
EDUCATION: The State Board of Education recommends
increasing support through upgrading the Standards of Quality
school funding formula at a cost of $323.8 million annually. We
should begin phasing this in with the 05-06 budget. We must also
provide for increased enrollment, projected to cost a minimum of
$525 million in the next two years. If the state shoulders its
responsibilities, this will be a great help to school systems
and local property tax payers. I’ve been named "Top in the
Class" by Fairfax PTA Councils for my support of education. We
must resist additional cuts to higher education since these
result in increased tuitions, few class offerings, and reduced
research and development budgets. By 2010, it’s estimated that
there will be 30,000 more students than are now in the system.
CLEAN AIR: This is primarily a metropolitan Washington
regional problem with COG as a lead agency. The state should
back COG efforts. The state legislature should also give more
planning tools to localities to help them channel growth and
development to reduce transportation and congestion problems. I
strongly support more state transportation money devoted to mass
transit. Recognition: 2001 - Delegate of the Year by the
Virginia Transit Association; 2002, 2003 - Legislative Hero
Awards by the League of Conversation Voters.
OTHER ISSUES: Candidate did not give a response to this
question
Contact information:
www.delegatevanlandingham.com
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46th District
Brian J. Moran
Democrat – Incumbent - Unopposed
Biography:
Brian has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 1995.
Brian is an attorney and has an office in the West End of Alexandria.
Prior to being elected in 1995, he was Assistant Commonwealth's
Attorney in Arlington, Virginia. He is a graduate of Catholic
University School of Law and Framingham State College.
TAXES: Over the last two years Virginia has faced multi-billion
dollar budget
shortfalls. Governor Warner has led the effort to adopt budget
reforms, better
revenue forecasting and fiscal discipline. Rising real estate taxes in
Northern Virginia dictate tax restructuring before we ask more from
taxpayers.
EDUCATION: Our economic prosperity and quality of life depend
on a first-class education system. We need to have programs like PASS
in place so that children are healthy and ready to learn. The key to a
school’s success requires a
collaboration of parents, businesses, and the community. The General
Assembly must stop imposing mandatory programs or standards on our
localities unless they intend to assume the financial obligation
associated with those programs.
CLEAN AIR: I support increased use of public transit to reduce
vehicle emissions.
Improved planning and land use decisions are an integral component of
a
comprehensive air quality effort. I am very proud that the League of
Conservation Voters Network recognized me with a legislative award and
gave me
OTHER ISSUES: As a Democratic leader in the House I support the
Governor’s goals in restructuring of the tax code, having quality
healthcare for our children and
the elderly, as well as providing a quality education so that we can
have a well-prepared and trained workforce. We cannot achieve these
goals if a majority of our time in Richmond is spent imposing a
conservative social agenda that threatens the rights of all
Virginians, including women, the elderly, children and our new
Americans.
Contact information:
www.brianmoran.com
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49th District
Adam P. Ebbin
Democrat - Unopposed
Biography:
An American University graduate, Adam Ebbin moved to Northern Virginia
in 1989. Adam was appointed by Governor Warner as Chief Deputy
Commissioner of the state Department of Labor and Industry and has
served on the Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals. Adam has served on
Democratic Party Diversity and Outreach Committees.
TAXES: Virginia is overdue for comprehensive and fair tax
reform. We need to establish a progressive income tax system where
those who earn millions pay a higher rate than those who earn less
than $20,000. The sales tax on groceries should be eliminated and
local governments should be given revenue options that would allow
them to lower real estate taxes that are particularly burdensome for
seniors and those on fixed incomes. I want to avoid additional cuts in
essential programs like public safety, mental health and education.
EDUCATION: More funding is required to meet education needs and
mandates. Formulas need to become fairer for Northern Virginia. We
must not continue to neglect Virginia's outstanding public university
system. I will support state-funded programs to get kids at risk of
not graduating High School extra help. I will also support an emphasis
on vocational education to help students who choose not to go to
college learn lifelong career skills.
CLEAN AIR: I support increased transit options, including light
rail or enhanced bus
service in the Columbia Pike and Route 1 corridors. Incentives for use
of hybrid and
cleaner vehicles are helpful. We must work with industry and utilities
for cleaner energy generation and manufacturing. Policies that
discourage sprawl and encourage efficient planning will also make a
difference.
OTHER ISSUES: I will fight to see that all at-risk Virginia
pre-school students get the help they need with the Virginia
Pre-School Initiative. It is important that all
children, including English as a Second Language kids, are on a level
playing field and able to learn together when they begin elementary
school. I will seek common ground among Virginians from all walks of
life and common sense solutions in Richmond. I will work to see that
all Virginians regardless of national origin, race, religion, gender
and sexual orientation are treated fairly.
For more information voters can visit my website:
www.adamebbin.com
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Candidates
for Alexandria Clerk of the Court
Edward Semonian
Democrat - Incumbent - Unopposed
Biography:
Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1980 to present; Awarded the designation
Certified Circuit Court Clerk by the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper
Center for Public Service; Attorney at Law; Chairman, Alexandria Sanitation
Authority. Formerly head of local bank trust department and staff member
with an international management-consulting firm.
Question: What is the most Important Issue Facing the Clerk's Office?
The most significant challenge for the office of the Clerk of the Circuit
Court of the
City of Alexandria will be to consider making court records internet
accessible in the next one to two years. This will entail the Clerk's staff
fully implementing the new scanning and indexing system, Alexandria Justice
Information System (AJIS), for all criminal and civil records. This system
has been under development in house for the last five years and went live in
June 2003. It will also be necessary for the land records department of the
office to complete the conversion of older documents and indexes to a
scanned format to make the documents internet accessible along with newer
daily scanned land records.
The Clerk's Office relies on various software systems from the State of
Virginia as well as our own in house AJIS system. It will be necessary for
the Clerk's Office to work not only with the AJIS staff but also with the
ITS staff of the Supreme Court of Virginia to implement the internet
conversion. It is an arduous effort but the future looks bright for internet
access for court documents in the next one to two years.
Contact information: Edward Semonian, 409 Green Street, Alexandria,
VA 22314
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