On the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 1988, incumbent candidate for chairman Sharon Bulova is familiar with running for office. But she also loves actual running.
“She can totally outrun me,” says Gretchen Bulova, Chairman Bulova’s daughter-in-law. She says Bulova jogs between five and ten miles each morning before going to work, where, Chairman Bulova says, she works as hard as she runs.
“I think that I’ve done a good job navigating through a very difficult period of time,” she said.
Bulova, the Democratic candidate, is defending her record against opponents like Republican Spike Williams, Independent and Green Party candidate Glenda Gail Parker. Bulova says she has lead the county through the recession and lukewarm recovery since her election to chairman in 2009.
“The nation has been rocked by a very serious recession, and Fairfax County has emerged, I think, in a way where our quality of life is intact,” she said.
Bulova Fairfax County for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process that is expected to increase traffic around Fort Belvoir and Alexandria’s Mark Center.
While Williams claims that she has failed to lead on the issue, Bulova says she worked with U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D) on finding additional transportation funding. Bulova also points to leading to Fort Belvoir as a sign that she’s helped soften BRAC’s impact.
Much of the future Bulova sees for the county is transportation-related. Bulova aims, if re-elected, to use “smart growth” strategies to Tyson’s Corner development less reliant on cars.
She also says she’s looking forward to seeing the Dulles Metro rail project finished, while keeping toll road fees low for drivers.
Business groups with their own interests in the Metro project have donated large sums to Bulova. Her campaign fund, which held more than $210,000 at the end of June, received $35,000 from a developer with property along the proposed line, as of the last reporting period.
Bulova says she isn’t swayed by such donations because the Dulles line has been planned for so long, and adds that she’s happy to have the support of businesses.
Bulova relieves stress by hosting large dinners for her family, according to Gretchen Bulova, the wife of Bulova’s son , Virginia Delegate David Bulova.
“They’re almost mini-holiday dinners,” she said.
While Bulova has lived in Fairfax County since 1966 and been a county supervisor for more than 20 years, she says being chairman is a whole other level of work.
“I’m peddling faster,” she said.
Traffic is already backing up and we have yet to get a 1000 of these federal workers in the building! If this is an example of her success - she needs to be voted out.
-Liz McCoy Political Director, Spike Williams for Chairman
We do very strongly encourage our readers to use their real names in comments to ensure there aren't confusions like these or falsely attributed statements. Unfortunately, it's difficult for us to verify identities. Thanks for clarifying the above comments for our readers. Beth Lawton, Regional Editor
The incumbent has been cutting education and quality of life services that attract employers to our community. I advised the creation of 42 needed firefighter jobs to bring Fairfax County up to public safety standards; she did nothing. We remain our nation's only large locality not meeting this standard. We are accountable as an integral part of our national capital region. Our Board has no excuse for failing to meet standards when we send men and women into harm's way to protect our community. See my speech http://www.youtube.com/willradle1 She is not an effective advocate and has shown a disturbing lack of commonsense in dealing with the waste-to-energy plant, Dulles rail and BRAC. Despite her record, she implies Fairfax County would crumble without her. Thousands of volunteers throughout Fairfax County quietly make the difference in our community every day. With over 20 years experience serving on state, regional and local public committees as well as nonprofit boards, my focus remains working with people across political and ideological lines to create effective, sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting our community. As chairman, I will advocate for our community and deliver transparent, accountable government and commonsense.
She made a promise of "low tolls for drivers", and provided no means to deliver. I made the same commitment and showed how I will keep it. Only 1 candidate is advocating for accountable government and providing measurable objectives. A. Will Radle, Jr. Independent Candidate for Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1