FACT: Participation in Local Elections is typically very low.
FACT: You can make a big difference – by educating yourself, voting and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do so!
(and you can make an even bigger difference by volunteering on election day)
Your next opportunity is Tuesday, November 5th.
The old saying that “all politics is local” is very true in some ways…and Local Elections are extremely important. Here’s why I think so:
As a security professional, I still think a lot about our failure to “connect the dots” leading up to the horrendous attacks on 9/11 2001. Every administration – national and local – since then has worked to improve our ability to “connect the dots” by facilitating communication and cooperation in the law enforcement and intelligence community, and among our citizens. (Another FACT: safety and security starts at home, then extends to our neighborhood and beyond.) Today though, Democrat candidates are working hard to reverse that progress! They want to put measures in place to prevent law enforcement, intelligence and security professionals from working side-by-side with one another to enforce laws and protect our community. To me, this is sick! That’s why next week’s election of a Commonwealth’s Attorney is absolutely critical – and why I strongly support Jonathan Fahey.
But that’s just one way that election results can impact how we “connect the dots.” We have the opportunity (probably the best one we’ve had in a long time) to balance the Fairfax County School Board and offset the current situation where monumental policy initiatives are passed “behind closed doors” and without open and honest discussion. Check out the great information from Voices of Fairfax (http://www.voicesoffairfax.org). Any School Board – including Fairfax County – is responsible to provide for quality academic instruction, continuous improvement, meeting educational needs for all, and fiscal accountability. Not social engineering. Again, the Democrats don’t seem to “connect the dots…” Implementing radical ideas that cater to a small constituencies has huge side effects on everyone else – and interferes with OUR rights and OUR children’s education (which is so critical in the 21st Century competitive, high-tech environment).
And what about the “dots” that some people just don’t get? That unfettered development and expansion has tremendous side effects – negative ones – on our already stressed transportation system, local infrastructure and our quality of life. This is a big “dot” that is consistently ignored by the Democrats. Do we want international agencies and ultra-wealthy power brokers like George Soros deciding how we live our lives in our Fairfax neighborhood, our schools, our towns…even our churches? Or do we want responsible government leaders who “connect the dots” and understand you and me?
These are just a few examples, but here’s what you can do…
Research (objectively) (there are many sources), vote, encourage others and volunteer.
More information at www.fairfaxgop.org
IMPORTANT ELECTION INFORMATION
Ballots: Candidates for local offices including School Board and County Board of Supervisors are NOT listed by party affiliation. Therefore, you must know the names of individual candidates you wish to vote for. That is why picking up a sample ballot or endorsed-candidate list is so important. Do your homework.
School Board Election: Each voter will vote for 3 “At-Large” (county wide) candidates PLUS 1 candidate representing their specific district. Know your candidates! Our At-Large candidates are Cheryl Buford, Priscilla DeStefano, and Vinson Palathingal. You will also need to know who your District candidate is. For example, I’m in the Dranesville District so my additional candidate is Anastasia Karloutsos. All are very talented and top-notch people!
Soil and Water Director: Our 3 endorsed candidates are C. J. “Jane” Dudik, Christopher Bowen and Edward McGovern. You may vote for all three.
You will also vote for Board of Supervisors (according to your district), Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Commonwealth’s Attorney, House Delegate (in some districts) and State Senator (in some districts).
Please volunteer to distribute Sample Ballots and Materials at a Polling Place on election day. Again…this is important since local candidates are not listed by party affiliation on the actual ballot.
Please go to www.fairfaxgop.org to locate polling places.
PS I know that for some of you I’m preaching to the choir, but a little reminder never hurts…plus you can always pass it on if you wish.
PS2 I try to use what I call the VIP model to choose candidates to support. I do my best to evaluate their Values, Integrity and Policy Positions (in that order). All the candidates endorsed by the FCRC for this election absolutely pass that test in my opinion!