Five questions: Bermuda District supe candidates

The Chesterfield Observer believes it's important for voters to be informed when they go to the polls on Nov. 6. During the weeks leading up to the election, we are running Q & A's featuring the candidates running for the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors from each district, so constituents can make a side-by-side comparison of where the candidates stand on some of the county's most important issues. This week, we focus on the supervisor candidates in the Bermuda District, Democrat Ree Hart, Republican Dorothy Jaeckle and Independent Roy Wallace. We asked them each the same five questions. Here are their responses.

Do you support the rezonings for Branner Station (4,998 homes and 470,000 square feet of retail) and Roseland (5,140 homes and 1.5 million square feet of office/retail)?

Roy Wallace

Hart: If elected, I will not approve any zoning case without ensuring that it does not compromise our infrastructure and natural resources and that development will not negatively impact those who already reside here. Specifically, questions about transportation issues in the Branner Station project should have been answered to citizen satisfaction before a decision was made. The Roseland development has a couple of issues which I would like to see addressed before I would support it. I am concerned about the ratio of residential to commercial; additionally, the developer has asked the county to provide roads that are normally the developer's responsibility.

Ree Hart

Jaeckle: Branner Station and Roseland are examples of planned growth with the developer contributing much of the infrastructure instead of a mish mash of developments with existing homeowners footing most of the infrastructure bill. Roseland has provided much detail to ensure the development turns out as it looks in pictures. They have also presented these details to the community. As supervisor, I would have asked for more documentation [from] the Branner Station developers and expected more community input. If those had been provided with satisfactory evidence that plans would be executed as promised, I would have approved both subdivisions.

Dorothy Jaeckle

Wallace: I [did] not support the rezoning for Branner Station. We need to have the infrastructure, roads, schools, water and power in place before any more development is started. We are talking about a small city if this is developed. To give the citizens an idea of the size in comparison, the city of Colonial Heights is eight square miles with a population of 17,000 people. It is too much growth too fast.

About $24 million in additional funding is necessary for a cloverleaf to provide direct access to I-295 for the Meadowville Technology Park. Should Chesterfield provide funding or financing for the cloverleaf?

Hart: No, I do not believe Chesterfield tax dollars should be used. Our resources are already strained. Rather, we need to explore obtaining state monies for this project. State IT workers are now located in Meadowville with Northrop Grumman which gives the commonwealth a greater financial responsibility. The Transportation Opportunity Fund, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, has given funds in other parts of the commonwealth, including Buchanan County, to jumpstart important economic enhancement projects. I will work with Gov. Kaine and our legislative delegation to make certain this technology park gets the access needed to succeed.

Jaeckle: Meadowville Technology Park is in a strategic location for business growth due to the growth at Fort Lee. There will be new housing going up in New Kent and Prince George that would provide an excellent commute for workers at Meadowville Technology Park. It is an opportunity for Chesterfield to increase commercial development without the accompanying residential development. I think it is necessary for Chesterfield to finance this interchange provided that the increase in tax revenue resulting from this development is used to pay off the financing.

Wallace: No, I do not think that Chesterfield County should provide the funding or financing for a cloverleaf for direct access to I-295 for Meadowville Technology Park. I think the money is needed in other areas.

How would you provide funding for Chesterfield County's road needs?

Hart: Roads are primarily a state responsibility. This past year, the board did not even give an agenda to our delegation, never told them what we needed. When I am on the board, I will make sure that our legislators know our specific needs and advocate for road money for Chesterfield. Chesterfield has only been getting about $8 million annually, which builds only one-mile of road. The county projects that over the next 15 years we will face $1 billion in road needs. Surely, with this kind of crisis, we should expect our elected officials to work together for us.

Jaeckle: The county needs to identify and prioritize specific road projects needed now and in the future to accommodate the growth identified in the comprehensive plan. Real estate assessments have increased 40 percent over the last four years with the real estate tax rate only being cut by 7 percent. We must scrutinize the resulting increase in spending and make appropriate cuts to dedicate funds in the future to transportation. CDAs and public-private partnerships should be used to finance infrastructure for any new development. I would also work hard with state officials to ensure it provides its fair share of funding.

Wallace: By controlling growth and letting growth support growth. The state should do its fair share and give more support to the county for the upkeep of our existing roads and new roads.

What property tax rate do you favor and why?

Hart: I am always in favor of lowering the tax burden on the citizens of Chesterfield whenever possible. The $.97 rate is fiscally appropriate and still maintains the services the citizens need and want. However, I would have set aside $.01 of that amount for transportation. Once again, our elected officials missed an opportunity to take a proactive approach to a vital issue and to plan for our present and future needs. Expecting the General Assembly to act on our behalf only delays action and increases the urgency of a solution. We cannot afford to continue down this path.

Jaeckle: I would vote for the $.95 real estate tax rate. I believe we need to control all taxes and fees, not just the real estate tax, though that is key. County revenues increased in all areas: personal property tax, local sales tax, vehicle registration, interest on investments and local recordation fee revenues. Chesterfield County must draw the line between wants and needs, or we will grow to expect more county services, and taxes will become more burdensome. I would like to see a penny go towards roads, but Chesterfield needs a road plan with specific, prioritized projects for these funds.

Wallace: If I was on the board of supervisors, I would have supported a tax rate of $.95 and possibly even further. I think the county needs to tighten its fiscal belt, and any rise in property assessments should be offset by a reduction in the property tax rate. I would look at the budget to eliminate waste and spend the taxpayers' money more efficiently. Any extra funds found should be spent on roads. We also need our local representatives at the General Assembly to address our road needs at the state level.

Should the board of supervisors be expanded to more than five members?

Hart: Yes, we need to increase the number of supervisors. The Chesterfield board has more direct influence on the lives of its citizens than any other level of government. Here in Bermuda, we have had the opportunity to know our supervisor personally and to call on him when the need arose. This has given each of us an opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Now, unfortunately, with the growth in the county, this process is challenged. The districts have become so large that citizens may no longer have the opportunity to actually personally interact with their supervisor.

Jaeckle: The board of supervisors should certainly look at expanding. On the plus side, more districts would give each board member more accessibility to constituents. However, increased board membership is not a panacea (e.g., nine Richmond City Council members representing 200,000 aren't necessarily more effective than our five representing 300,000). The variety of problems in each district is a factor. Is it harder for members of a larger board with smaller districts to see the county as a whole? The board should see if other localities have looked at this issue and weigh both sides before moving forward to change representation.

Wallace: Do I, a candidate for supervisor of the Bermuda District, think the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors should be expanded to more than five members?

Absolutely! Chesterfield County is a large and expanding county, which is going to need a substantial amount of guidance. Believe me! I know, because I have been going door-todoor campaigning, and I covered maybe half of the Bermuda District. With the Bermuda District growing by leaps and bounds, the county needs the extra leadership to provide solutions to the ever-growing population and the needed infrastructure to sustain the needs of the people

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