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Change is in the air!
Dear Friends:
Welcome to my web site and I hope you are having a pleasant autumn.
The Nov. 3 elections show a desire for serious change in Virginia -- and the nation. I congratulate incoming Governor Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who was re-elected, and our new Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, along with new Loudoun Delegates Thomas 'Tag' Greason and Jim LeMunyon.
My hearty thanks to voters for re-electing Delegates Joe May and Tom Rust, who have consistently fought for new funds for our massive transportation needs in Loudoun County. It is no secret that I supported all of these fine folks for election.
As a Rutgers grad who grew up in Princeton, NJ, I wish to congratulate Chris Christie as New Jersey's new governor and hope he will flush out the big spending and corruption in what was once a nice place to live.
The economy is still bad, regardless of how well the stock market is doing and regardless of the hype and spin out of Washington about how many so-called "jobs" the stimulus has saved or created.
When people come to me, a local Council member, seeking help to find work, what does that tell you?
This is why voters voted for change in Virginia and New Jersey
Gas prices are on their way up, too. Loudoun County is facing another major deficit -- meaning higher taxes and higher rates and cuts in schools. Our County board says they are for business and jobs, but what have they really done to improve our transportation system and regulatory climate?
More government and regulation, except to protect health, safety and our investments, is NOT the answer, but private initiative to create jobs, tax revenue for schools and roads, and a better quality of life, are parts of the solution.
Virginia will benefit from off-shore drilling and less red tape on folks finding federal jobs and contracting opportunities.
The concept of private initiative, however, has been lost on the folks in Washington, who seek to bring government and big spending into everything we do -- including taking over our health care system.
They have forgotten that in the U.S., the people tell the government and politicians what to do -- not the other way around. Government exists of the people, by the people and for the people.
I will do my part to hold down Leesburg town taxes and regulation. Town residents are double taxed since they pay town taxes, county taxes and HOA fees.
But we need a Town Council more interested in effective private sector solutions and willing to say "no" to continued spending on wasteful staff positions and programs.
Only two of us on Council, myself and Tom Dunn, voted against the tax rate increase from 18 to 19.5 cents. Homeowners saw reductions ONLY because their assessments dropped, but the increase socked it to 40% of property owners in Leesburg (primarily business owners) whose assessments went UP.
Now, the town manager is talking about a 20 cent rate for 2010.
However, it is up to the citizens of Leesburg to get involved in the upcoming Town elections this spring to bring the same kind of change we saw Nov. 3.
If you were involved in the recent campaigns in Virginia, stay involved on the local and county level.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns and ideas on ensuring Leesburg is the greatest place to live, work and play!
Thank you!
Ken Reid
CouncilmanReid@FDAINFO.com
(703) 779-8777 |