Wilson seeks supervisor seat in Bermuda District
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER
Bermuda Planning Commissioner Jack Wilson made it official last Friday, declaring his candidacy for the Republican nomination for supervisor. If another Republican runs in the Bermuda District, the Chesterfield Republican Committee will hold a primary on June 12.

Wilson

Committee member Dorothy Jaeckle has discussed the possibility of running, but party Chairman Sherman Litton said he isn't sure she will run. Last week, Litton said he was "very pleased" that his friend Wilson is a candidate. Litton also serves on the planning commission.

"We need to better manage our residential growth…by reviewing our comprehensive plans," said Wilson. "We should provide housing without overtaxing the infrastructure. From a planning perspective, a healthy growth rate is two percent a year, but that growth now is going into a few hot spots."

Branner Station, a huge planned community of 4,688 homes south of Chester, is still being reviewed by the planning staff. Though it is scheduled to come before the planning commission next month, Wilson expects another deferral. He likes that "road construction would occur before the development," but acknowledged residential growth is the county's biggest challenge. If approved, Branner Station will be twice the size of Bermuda District's two largest communities combined - River's Bend and Stoney Glen.

Wilson is calling for more job creation in the county. For the Meadowville Technology Park, he said, "Northrop Grumman is a jumpstart for more business opportunities…[but] we are looking for funding for an interchange to [Interstate] 295..[including] working with Congressman [Randy] Forbes for federal money. To get our economic engine running, we may need to invest some more [county] money."

Wilson is an attorney with the law firm of Hunton & Williams, specializing in land use and government affairs.

When asked what property tax rate he would favor if he was sitting on the Board of Supervisors now, Wilson responded, "In the 97 cent range would be appropriate, but we have to pay for core government functions like schools." The proposed county budget was prepared using a 99 cent tax rate.

Ree Hart is expected to run for supervisor as a Democrat in the Bermuda District, and Independent Jack McHale may also decide to run.