2015 BizVotes Questionnaire Results Board of Supervisors ... District - Delgaudio-Sai… · KORAN SAINES (D): I think the number one issue facing the Board of Supervisors is making

LOUDOUN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2015 BizVotes Questionnaire Results

Board of Supervisors – Sterling District

Eugene Delgaudio (R) / Koran Saines (D)

Answer is consistent with Loudoun Chamber’s Position

Answer is inconsistent with Loudoun Chamber’s Position or nonresponsive to the question

Answer is partly consistent with Loudoun Chamber’s Position

1) What is the biggest issue/challenge you believe Loudoun County faces in the

upcoming term?

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): Taxes are too high and there is too much spending by

Leesburg. The Loudoun board spends too much on wasteful programs like millions for

retrofiting old buildings with "energy efficiency" and a Public Firing range that has

trippled in costs. Sterling needs to complete planned and funded renovations of the old

Sterling Fire and Rescue Station for the safety of its volunteers. Reckless spending puts

that at risk. Sterling has overcrowded houses that threaten the single family zoning of

Sterling and "overcrowding regulations" must be tightened up to speed up "next day

zoning inspector visits" for serial violators.

KORAN SAINES (D): I think the number one issue facing the Board of Supervisors is

making sure we are controlling our growth in a smart and logical way. We need to ensure

that as we build, we are constructing the necessary infrastructure before we are building

new homes or office parks. I will work with businesses and business leaders, to ensure that

we are using smart growth plans and implementation. We need to bring more businesses

and job centers to Loudoun. Doing so will create an environment where our residents can

truly live, work, and play. Maintaining our high education standards and improving

transportation would secure Loudoun's attractiveness in the business community.

Increasing our business footprint will help equalize the tax burden on homeowners.

2) How do you propose to address this challenge?


EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I promise not to vote to raise taxes. I have not for 16 years and

will not in the next 4 years if I win my firth term. I will continue to also make sure Sterling is not

ignored as I have won both Democratic and Republican majorities to achieve that in 4 terms.

Services to Sterling will continue to be the number one goal—Sterling residents will get what we

pay for when it comes to transportation, schools, and facilities like the counties first rec center: the

"new" Claude Moore Recreation Center, the completely funded 15,000 square foot Sterling

Library, the new Sterling Fire and Rescue Station and the funded Community Center in the

downtown. Business must be unleashed and sign and other regulations must be streamlined.

KORAN SAINES (D): Loudoun should embrace the economic opportunity that Metro

brings and the broadening of the commercial tax base that comes with it. We need to

ensure that we are focusing on building multi-use development around Metro to encourage

smart growth. We should also be working to bring commercial headquarters to Loudoun

such as the Marriot Hotel. Bringing business headquarters to Loudoun ensure that

businesses come to stay, and stimulate the economy

3) Please detail the specific opportunities or regulatory measures that, if elected, you

will work to see implemented to support the private sector’s efforts to create jobs and

make commercial investment in Loudoun County.

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports significant investment in economic

development and an aggressive effort to market Loudoun to recruit increased commercial

investment. The Chamber supports a common sense regulatory environment that allows

businesses to grow and invest in our community.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): The direction I have led the board in on financial

management as past Chairman of the Finance Committee in my 2nd term or as team player

with Chairman York and a pro-business majority in my fourth term is the kind of

economic stability business leaders seek. I opposed destructive Chesapeake Bay

Ordinances which would saddle Loudoun companies and residents with new costs. I

supported streamlined sign ordinances. I defend and will protect Chamber and business

leaders being involved in government at public forums and in formal partnerships. I moved

to remove "affordable housing requirements" completely and got a 4 vote minority support

of the board. I have hailed new ideas and voted for them!

KORAN SAINES (D): First, I would like to see a rejuvenation of Sterling’s economy.

I want to work with community organizations and business leaders to update the retail and

commercial space in Sterling, especially the area along Sterling Boulevard. I am a strong

supporter of the Silver Line Metro, and will work with my colleagues to ensure that we

bring the proper mix of residential and commercial development around the Silver Line. I


am also a strong supporter of telecommuting incentives which will eliminate commutes for

some and help alleviate congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

Shortening the commute of Loudoun’s workforce will make businesses more efficient and

help cut costs to business for parking and tolls.

4) What is your vision for supporting and growing the tourism industry in Loudoun

County to better support the success and growth of tourism and related economic

development that can come with it?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports Visit Loudoun as the Destination Marketing

Organization for Loudoun County and supports a well-funded approach to marketing

Loudoun as a visitor destination. The Chamber supports public investments in the

activities and assets that generate the most tax revenue and create economic opportunities

for existing businesses.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): There is an 80 -20 split with residential housing

paying 80 per cent of the revenues and commercial properties paying 20 per cent of the

Loudoun County revenues. We need tourism dollars for more "occupancy taxes" and

customers for Loudoun retail. I worked to bring minor league baseball to Loudoun and

worked to keep the Redskins-Loudoun partnership, I think bringing minor league baseball

and other sports facilities to Loudoun will result in higher response from tourists. I worked

for 16 years to streamline bed and breakfast regs, and many other pro-tourist proposals. I

distribute 2,000 Farm Brochures door to door each year for past 4 years.

KORAN SAINES (D): The tourism industry is an integral party of Loudoun’s

economy. I want to ensure that Loudoun is not only a wonderful place to live, but also an

exciting and engaging place to visit. Our regional park system, equestrian centers,

wineries, and breweries are all great reasons to visit Loudoun. Historical sites in Loudoun

also present a great opportunity for the county to work directly with the tourism industry to

drive visitors to Loudoun. We need to do a better job of partnering with the tourism

industry to advertise the many great opportunities in the county. We need to improve

quality public transportation, while also working to reduce traffic congestion so our tourist

attractions are easily accessible for new visitors. Bus and Metro service from Dulles

Airport are also an integral part of making sure visitors can travel with ease.

5) How do you believe Loudoun County should prioritize local transportation funds

to ensure citizens and businesses have an efficient multimodal transportation system?


Chamber Position: The Chamber supports performance-based prioritization of

transportation projects with emphasis on congestion reduction, economic development and

time savings. The Chamber also supports VDOT granting Loudoun County officials

authority to design and construct transportation projects.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): For 16 years I have worked as a Supervisor to make

sure the planned Route 28 Tax District road improvements continue. Over $600 million in

improvements including 4 new massive interchanges for Sterling have been built. There

are $10 million in improvements coming with a new acceleration lane at Sterling

Boulevard and Route 28 (southbound) and a new secondary road has been finished to ease

cut-through by Magnolia Road and got the Glenn Road Extension built. For the first time,

I got passed the selling of surplus county land to pay for dedicated turn lanes at Sterling

Boulevard and Route 7. I support new methods including general obligation bonds,

community development authorities, special commercial tax districts, and proffers. Mass

transit like an efficient bus rapid transit, slug lines and HOT lanes should be promoted. I

have promoted buses to Metro at Delgaudio’s “Sterling Transit Center" on Dranesville

Road.

KORAN SAINES (D): Loudoun’s transportation fund should be prioritized for use in

maintaining and expanding our highways and bi-ways. We need to build roads and make

them more efficient for incoming development, not waiting until the roads are already

overcrowded. Loudoun needs to focus on diversifying and building up its transportation

options. There is a clear lack of public transportation options available to Loudoun’s

citizens. We must increase the availability of our bus system on the weekends, and expand

options for our seniors and the ADA community. Additionally, the inclusion of clearly

marked bike lanes on county and state roads should be encouraged wherever possible, and

maintained where already available.

6) What role do you believe mixed-use development and availability of affordable and

diverse housing choices has in the County’s economic development success? What

policies would you implement to support your position?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports land use policies and designations that reflect

the current and future business needs, including developing the full potential of transit

station areas and creating walkable urban mixed-use environments. The Chamber supports

a comprehensive county-wide Housing Plan that addresses the need for market rate,

workforce and affordable housing And reform of the County code to achieve this result.


EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I have asked for better plans and do not want

additional pressures on the service level in Sterling. I have opposed density packing

Sterling and Eastern Loudoun. I have supported planned development using a mixed use

including residential components at the Kincora and One Loudoun developments.

KORAN SAINES (D): Mixed-use development and the availability of affordable and

diverse housing choices are critical to the County’s economic development success, and a

challenge for Loudoun families on a daily basis. We must do more to reduce the cost

living in Loudoun by creating more “live, work, play” options. In terms of Affordable

Housing at the county level, I would support the Affordable Dwelling Unit Program, the

Affordable Market Purchase Program, the Loudoun County Home Improvement Program,

Housing Choice Voucher Program, and promoting and expanding Loudoun County

Housing Funds. I agree with the need to create a separate Housing and Community

Development Department, and introduce incentives for employer-provided and military

housing assistance. There should be an easy, logical process in order to evaluate

applicants’ unique circumstances. For example, two teachers who are going to be married

should not be forbidden to participate in the program because of their combined income.

7) What specific initiatives do you support to enable access to the reliable, affordable

energy required to support the needs of Loudoun’s businesses and to sustain our

community’s high quality of life?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports a County-wide energy plan that emphasizes

energy generation, transmission and conservation. The Chamber supports Loudoun

County implementing a PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loan program, to allow

property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I voted for the Hybrid Power plant and recently voted

for a "secure data center". Both proposals will generate 100 million dollars in annual tax

revenue in commercial real estate value in their plans. This provides major companies

with reliable power from a plentiful local source with very little pollution. I worked for

years to pair Loudoun Water with Luckstone Quarries to pass the giant reservoir to supply

all of Loudoun's water even during the worst drought. I worked to help build and finance

the $600 million water treatment plant in Ashburn. Cheap water keeps energy costs down.

There are no-growth anti-prosperity leftists running in this election, who threaten and

attack these gigantic proposals. The thought of alternative power independent of the

traditional electric power grid has arrived and is also extremely valuable to businesses

seeking to keep their costs down. Phoney baloney "green" regs and costs must be

opposed.


KORAN SAINES (D): Having access to reliable and affordable energy is

indispensable in supporting the needs of Loudoun’s businesses and maintaining our

community’s high quality of life. We need to do more to produce our own energy here in

Loudoun in order to secure our future cost of energy for Loudoun’s homes and businesses.

Investing in wind and solar has the potential to be a boom for Loudoun’s economy while

also providing energy security for the future of Loudoun. We should partner with local

schools to create solar farms on school property, and encourage research wind farms to

bring renewable energy research to Loudoun. Loudoun’s participation in the Virginia

Energy Purchasing Governmental Association is also central to preserving low energy

costs, as any increase in wind or solar will take time to have any significant impact on cost

of energy in Loudoun.

8) What is your position on the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and the Total

Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process, and what would you do to make these or any

other proposed environmental regulation or strategy “Loudoun appropriate” given

the diversity of land types and uses in Loudoun County?

Chamber Position: The Chamber objects to unfunded and onerous Federal and State

water quality mandates that diminish economic growth. The Chamber supports an

environmental strategy that is flexible, uses market-based incentives and is tailored to

Loudoun’s unique needs and businesses.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I oppose the CBPO vigorously at the board level

because boiler-plate legislation like the CBPO doesn’t make sense for Loudoun. We the

people of Loudoun are capable of pulling together a contingency of highly qualified

people to address water quality without inviting the federal government in to tell us what

we should do. Businesses and farmers in Loudoun are nervous about the CBPO. They

cannot invest today into this endeavor when the economy is so fragile. Homeowners are

unsettled when they hear that it will cost them an additional $6700 to add a pool or patio,

garage or shed, playhouse or retaining wall as they would be required to hire professionals

to map, at their own expense, the required resource protection areas of their property. I

think the board should join the other municipalities -- about half a dozen -- in the law suit

to stop the regulations.

KORAN SAINES (D): The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act is an essential part of

protecting the Bay economy. Protecting our resources is not only important to the future of

our county but the future of our planet. TMDL is a process that I would support working

with county and state leaders to ensure that it is fair for Loudoun. We need to make sure

that different industries are being given individual assessments when it comes to TMDL.


Loudoun’s farms should garner a different set of rules than an industrial park. We need to

ensure that we protect the environment and our bay economy, while also ensuring fairness

for Loudoun’s businesses and agricultural communities.

9) Do you believe that Loudoun County’s Comprehensive Plan should be revised

given Northern Virginia is predicted to attract both significant numbers of jobs and

residents over the next 20 years? What specific policies would you like to see

incorporated in a revised Comprehensive Plan?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports regular updates to Loudoun’s Comprehensive

Plan, in part to allow for the full complement of current and future market demands, such

as for walkable urban mixed-use environments.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I have been part of a Comprehensive Plan revision in

my first term. This is a routine but massive undertaking that the next board should do. Like

two epic redistricting (year 2000 and year 2010), Loudoun can survive taking on this

challenge.

KORAN SAINES (D): I would like to see Loudoun’s comprehensive plan be

reflective of the future of Loudoun. We need to reassess the Comprehensive Plan and its

effectiveness in dealing with controlling and ensuring growth in smart way, while also

protecting Loudoun history. A focus on multi-use development is necessary in securing an

effective Comprehensive Plan, while addressing the impact that growth is likely to have

over the next 20 years. Focusing on redevelopment is also very important to me.

Specifically, I think that many shopping centers within Sterling should be re-developed to

create more family-friendly, walkable areas. Shopping centers that were built decades ago

do not meet the standards that we should be using within our zoning and planning

ordinances. If we redevelop these areas, we will bring more businesses, jobs, and an

economic boost to Loudoun. I will also work to ensure that we follow our planning and

zoning ordinances.

10) How do you propose to ensure that there are adequate schools, parks and

recreational facilities for current and future residents in Loudoun County?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports working with developers to encourage and

sustainable development and development of schools, parks and recreational facilities,

without burdening the development process.


EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): Apply the same reasoning that county supervisors use

in reducing spending in order to have money for essential services. The first step would be

to have a budget that both Supervisors can work from and the School Board can work

from. For 16 years I have voted to fund renovations and new schools in Sterling Park.

With my active sponsorship Loudoun taxpayers invested $64.5 million in capital

improvements to the schools that serve Sterling. Capital improvements include the new

Forest Grove Elementary School, four separate renovations to Sterling Middle School, a

new lobby at Park View High School and a new gym at Rolling Ridge elementary school.

I have also raised $250,000 in private funds for honor roll students, a Discovery park

playground and new lights for a private youth sports league. I have been the most

supportive of capital programs for School construction over the entire 16 years.

KORAN SAINES (D): By expanding and supporting our commercial tax-base, we

can safeguard the future of Loudoun’s schools, parks, and recreational facilities. Full

funding our schools should be one of Loudoun’s top priorities, since strong schools

promote a strong community. Parks and recreational facilities are also a valuable asset that

needs to be protected and expanded to meet future demands where possible. We need to

stay on top of new developments and look at the big picture during long term planning.

We can stay ahead of the curve by building new facilities ahead of time, and being pro-

active rather than reactive. We should not allow a school to become overcrowded due to

lack of anticipation of population growth. Additionally we should set standards to ensure

that we protect our parks and recreational facilities, and expand and construct new

facilities when and where appropriate.

11) How do you propose to address the increasing funding requests by Loudoun

County Public Schools to ensure our children receive a quality education?

Chamber Position: The Chamber believes Loudoun County Public Schools, the School

Board and the Board of Supervisors must implement cost reduction and operational

efficiencies within our school system. The Chamber strongly supports a review of local

education spending to identify areas where efficiencies can be implemented.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): I have many ideas on keeping costs down by focusing

on some proven methods of financial planning, accounting and budget consolidation.

Average taxpayers and most current School system staff know full well that there are some

efficiencies that make sense. I proposed and is now routine for several financial practices

that saved over $300 million: returning unused portions of leftover funds from projects,

scheduling the actual "as-needed" debt over the life of projects, limiting the actual total

debt annually, combining construction projects for schools and other education facilities,


co-locating schools, buying land ahead of time, reducing the county subsidy of retirement

pay to the legal required amount. These many reforms are a start and I hope to continue

with ideas like "joint building and construction planning" and "joint payroll operations"

and many other ideas in my fifth term.

KORAN SAINES (D): I believe that funding our schools should be a priority for

Loudoun County. To ensure the best future for Loudoun’s 70,000+ students and almost

10,000 faculty and staff, we need a strong commercial tax base, while also making sure

that individual citizens pay their fair share. Collecting every dollar owed is an important

piece of ensuring that Loudoun has adequate funds to pay for a strong school system. The

expansion of our commercial tax base through industry and mixed-use development will

be critical in safeguarding the future of education in Loudoun County.

12) Given the increasing number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in the

county, how do you propose to increase access to affordable health care in Loudoun

County?

Chamber Position: The Chamber supports expansion of healthcare infrastructure to meet

community need; appropriate local planning for emergency preparedness and public-

private partnerships to address pandemic preparedness; and expanding services offered by

safety net healthcare providers.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): Obamacare is a nightmare without end and the costs

are increasingly burdensome. I have worked to limit the number of illegal aliens forced on

Sterling and Loudoun so as to provide some relief to overburdened emergency rooms and

health clinics designed and funded to handle poor Americans living in Loudoun. I asked

for President Obama to reimburse Loudoun for the costs of illegal alien "children" in

Loudoun and hope to collect on that through state legislation.

KORAN SAINES (D): Increasing access to healthcare is directly related to

controlling the cost of health care. I fully support our state leaders who are working to

expanded Medicaid in Virginia. While the majority of people still receive health insurance

through their employer, under the Affordable Care Act even more people have been able

to gain access to plans that would be otherwise inaccessible. Leaders in Loudoun should

work to provide as much information and support as possible to ensure all those who are

eligible and can afford it, sign up for a plan. If possible, I believe that incentives should be

given to encourage businesses in Loudoun to offer a health care plan that is affordable for


the employer and employee. Loudoun Free Clinic is also a chief part of taking care of

Loudoun’s citizens who are currently not covered.

13) How would you assess the County’s efforts to engage the Loudoun business

community on important public policy issues and how would you improve or

otherwise change those efforts?

Chamber Position: The Chamber believes government must be responsive to its citizens

and businesses and believes that Loudoun County's business community must have the

opportunity to work with government officials to develop and implement legislative and

regulatory policies that will impact Loudoun’s economy and quality of life.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): Make sure through my public statements and through

other lawful means business leaders, government workers and economic thinkers in this

county are aware of free market principles and capitalist lessons so that they resist the lure

of corporate welfare, regulatory favors from government and quickie tax breaks that

destroy the entire fabric and foundation of true economic liberty and provide unfair and

dangerous advantage at the expense of their competition to benefit a few select Big CEOs.

Subsidizing through tax breaks to large corporations makes it hard for small business or

companies of equal size or comparable size to compete.

KORAN SAINES (D): Loudoun’s economy currently lacks the diversity needed to

avoid the pitfall of a loss of one major entity. Loudoun should be doing everything it can

to support established businesses and strive to be constantly attracting new interest. We

need to ensure that we make starting a small business affordable and doable for those who

wish to do so. We need to have programs and incentives in place to help new businesses

grow. We also need to ensure that we leave no stone un-turned when it comes to attracting

new business. Loudoun should make full use of its assets including being an international

hub to ensure that we remain leaders in business.

14) Please briefly describe what best qualifies you to hold the office for which you are

running.

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): One of the greatest attributes is the "total skill level" which

includes: Experience. I have learned how to work with elected leaders on the board in both

major parties or independents and at all the many levels of government. When crime

threatened to overwhelm Sterling and Loudoun, it took every bit of teamwork to summon

federal, state and local efforts including various elements of the news media with a


genuine partnership with hundreds of citizens. Sterling united and turned it all around.

Accessibility, Accountability, Performance.

KORAN SAINES (D): I am running to bring true representation to the Sterling District.

As a Human Resources manager by trade, and with Loudoun having hundreds of

employees, I bring indispensable experience that will ensure that our employment policies

are up-to-date and effective. I also work on budgets and policies every day, which gives

me collaboration experience which is critical to sitting on the Board of Supervisors. I will

make sure that Sterling residents are the number one factor in every vote I make. I will

listen to the input of every department and person involved in making changes to policy so

that we can collaborate and come to an agreement on the best possible solution. I also

believe it is critical to work closely with the School Board to ensure that we have an open

discussion with them about their budget and improving our school system all year long.

15) What is the chief factor that differentiates you from your opponent(s) (if you have

one)?

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): Accessibility. I am able to attend most of the frequent

meetings of the board of supervisors over the past 16 years and respond to emergencies.

My regular job as president of a non-profit allows me to do both jobs. Accountability. I

work every day on Sterling issues and am able to respond to all my responsibilities using

the internet, familiarity with existing problems and knowing many people and their

particular projects or issues. Many people know I am making progress. Performance. I

have routinely proposed legislation that solves and beats back problems no matter how

hard or unsolvable.

KORAN SAINES (D): I am running to truly represent the residents of Sterling and

Loudoun as a whole. My opponent has made it clear that his priorities are elsewhere. If I

am elected I will make Sterling and Loudoun my number one priority. I am fighting for

Sterling because it is my home and I want to ensure a bright future for all of Loudoun. I

believe that my Human Resources experience gives me the ability to make impartial

decisions, and provides me with the ability to listen to constituent’s needs regardless of

party affiliation.

16) Is there any other personal or professional information you would like the

business community to know about you that is not already covered?

EUGENE DELGAUDIO (R): If you have always wanted a bright orange hat with your

own name on it I recommend the company All in Stiches 877-678 4724.


KORAN SAINES (D): I am running for office because I want to improve the lives of

Sterling and Loudoun residents. I believe that Sterling has been underrepresented on the

Board of Supervisors and I believe it is time for change. I want to make sure that our

county has the best education, infrastructure, transportation, and services in the nation.

Campaign Committee Information:

Candidate’s Name (as it will appear on ballot): Eugene A. Delgaudio

Campaign Manager: Eugene Delgaudio

Campaign Address: P.O. Box 1222 Sterling, Va. 20164

Campaign Phone: 703-421-4599

Campaign Website: http://joineugene.com

Campaign Twitter: @eugenedelgaudio

Candidate’s Current Occupation: CEO non-profit organization Public Advocate of the

U.S. Inc.

Candidate’s Political Experience: First campaign 1965 as surogate speaker for Mayor

candidate Vito Battista

Candidate’s Business Experience: 33 years of managing grass roots $1.4 million

average annual budget foundation promoting free enterprise, limited government and

religious liberty

Campaign Committee Information:

Candidate’s Name (as it will appear on ballot): Koran T. Saines

Campaign Manager: Matt Leslie

Campaign Address: PO Box 44, Sterling, VA 20167

Campaign Phone: 703-625-5180

Campaign Website: https://koransaines.ngpvanhost.com/

Campaign Twitter: Koran4sterling

Candidate’s Current Occupation: Human Resources

Candidate’s Political Experience: 2009 - Present

Candidate’s Business Experience: 2003 - Present


Documents

2015 BizVotes Questionnaire Results Board of Supervisors ... District - Delgaudio-Sai… · KORAN SAINES (D): I think the number one issue facing the Board of Supervisors is making