In Virginia, there is a very clear line dividing what local government can do and what state governments can do . . . its called the Dillon Rule. But I must say, its perplexing that Janet Oleszek's campaign has yet to fully prep her on this . . . or as someone who has been active for so long in local politics, she doesn't know this herself.
So here I was this afternoon, perplexed at why Democrat progressives feel the need to shove her down our throats cycle after cycle watching her debate John Cook. The first mistake Oleszek made was claiming that libraries are closed on Sundays and John Cook should be ashamed for taking this away from the kids and the seniors, et al. The usual Maude Flanders routine from Oleszek. But a quick look at the Fairfax County website shows that, yes, there are reduced hours but there ARE libraries open on Sundays: Centreville, Chantilly, City of Fairfax, George Mason Regional, Pohick (IN BURKE!), Reston Regional, Sherwood, Tysons-Pimmet, and the Virginia Room. Oops. So again, entirely unprepared and for someone that claims her local knowledge is a strength she didn't even know some of the libraries in the district are open on Sundays.
Second, and more telling, was Oleszek's attack on John over roads. The question from the audience was about what we can do to fix the tall grass, uncut grass, dead trees, and such on the median strips across the district. Janet attacked John for being, essentially, a do-nothing supervisor on the issue. John responded, correctly, that Janet was dead wrong because the STATE controls all roads in Virginia, not the county, and thus it is up to VDOT to clear the roads. And this was right after Oleszek had attacked John's proposal for local control of roads - so which is it? John's point for local control of local road is basically that all of the money we could use for things like beautification are sent downstate and most of it does not come back. By making our roads local, the county gets to control these things, just as it should be. But that would take an act from the General Assembly (I believe). And it should be noted that both Arlington and Henrico Counties do this, with much success.
So this is where it gets interesting. Oleszek's campaign manager tweeted that this was a huge error on John's part because the Sheriff's office has allowed inmates in the county jail to come out and clear the roads, and that the Board cut that off. Technically correct, but there are three responses to that. First, that is to the total discretion of the Sheriff, Democrat Stan Berry, as to what can be done with inmates. Second, the budget that cut those services was approved 7-3, with Cook being a dissenter, all seven Democrats voting yes. Third, the very point NLS points to just proves John correct . . . what the hell are we doing relying on inmates to clean our roads to begin with? If we had local control, which Janet doesn't want (or does, I can't figure it out, I guess it depends on how to attack John), we would be able to handle these issues seamlessly. So just to recap - John wants local control for local roads so we can keep all the money in Braddock, something with which both Bob McDonnell and Sean Connaughton seemed inclined to do. Simple. That means whether its potholes or debris, it can be handled easily and locally. Janet is for . . . clearing our roads through action as a supervisor, but can't because its a state issue, but still wants it done. But then she doesn't want local control for local roads because . . . um . . . because John is for it? My head is hurting . . .
Its funny to watch Janet attack John on what the Board has done because everything is run by the Democrats and Sharon Bulova, who despite Janet bragging was endorsing her, did everything in her power to make sure she wasn't the nominee and has only come to her rescue because she has too.
Another terrible performance from a terrible candidate. I feel bad because I think she's a nice lady who really does love her community . . . but she just is not competent enough. She isn't. She doesn't know the difference between local and state pension systems; local and state responsibilities for transportation. Retirement and roads, two of the KEY issues facing Fairfax County, and Janet Oleszek just doesn't know the issues. Why people keep convincing her to run is beyond me. There was a point where Janet stood up to offer a rebuttal to John (I can't remember what it was) and she rambled on incoherently until she was out of time, stopped mid-sentence, and then sat down without even making her point. I mean, I had to look down at times I just couldn't watch it.
John Cook, on the other hand, was cool and confident. He shrugged off attacks, spoke clearly about the need for strong neighborhoods that are his boss, not, as he put it, that the supervisor would be the "dictator" of the district. He spoke about his unparalleled outreach and imput from the community to his office, centering around his Citizens Governance Initiative that is unprecedented in reaching out to local community leaders and groups. This is an even starker contrast that Janet's campaign against Ken Cuccinelli because she could lean on the terrible mood of the country towards Republicans. She has none of that.
So expect the line of attack from the Dems is that John supports closing libraries and against road beautification. When in reality, libraries are open but the budget writing wrest solely with the super-majority Democrat Board of Supervisors; and that John's proposal for local control of local roads would be local government can clean and clear roads and median strips (along with pot hole repair, et al).
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