Why Choose Chuck Again?

Chuck’s first five years on Town Council coincide with perhaps the most active period in Vienna Town Council history.  During his first two terms, Chuck has been active in almost every facet of town activity, including budget, police, parks and recreation, housing, fiscal policy, and public works.

He brings more planning and zoning experience to the table than any other candidate for Town Council.  From 2008 to 2014, he served on the Vienna Planning Commission, including a two-year term as Chair.  While on the Planning Commission, he chaired subcommittees on updating the Comprehensive Plan, assessing the feasibility of a Church Street parking garage, and developing a policy for locating cell towers. Chuck also served on the Malcolm Windover Heights Civic Association executive committee, and on the Windover Heights Board of Review.  He has held leadership positions in other organizations, including church and Boy Scouts.

On a number of contentious issues before Council, Chuck has been a positive force for consensus building and compromise.  He has worked with other council members to build consensus on such issues as police pay, Beulah Road property use, pickleball hours, and tree preservation.  And Chuck has taken a leading role in fighting the developers and gaming companies that want to build a casino next door, in Tysons.

In the past five years, Chuck has also built important bridges to other government officials, including the Fairfax County Supervisors Walter Alcorn, Jimmy Bierman and James Walkinshaw, current state delegate Holly Siebold, and State Senator Sadam Salim.  Chuck has used these personal relationships to make sure that Vienna’s needs are addressed.    

The Town generally has been and remains financially healthy.  Chuck will work to keep it that way. However, Chuck will be vigilant for signs that expenditures are getting out of hand. In particular, Chuck opposes the building of a new pool in Vienna with town funds.  For the past few years, the expanding tax base has allowed Vienna to spend fairly freely.  The good times, however, will not last forever.  Chuck will take a close look at expenditures to make sure that the budget remains as lean as possible.

Chuck will also focus on how the Town serves an increasingly diverse population.  He will also continue to press for more diversified housing options, so that people of all economic means can make Vienna their home.

Experience

When it comes to experience, I am still the candidate with the most background in planning and zoning issues.  Having served on the Vienna Planning Commission for eight years, including two years as Chair, ten years on the Windover Heights Board of Review, and having been a grass-roots leader in the fight against the excesses of the Maple Avenue Commercial zone, I will look critically at new development proposals that inevitably will arise following the passage of our new zoning ordinance.  I will also look at ways to increase less expensive housing in Vienna.  In addition, in the past five years on Town Council, I have delved deeply into such issues as budget transparency and reform, police/community relations, democracy strengthening, tree canopy, infrastructure maintenance, and parks and recreation.  The next town council will face many critical decisions in these areas, including whether or not to go forward with the plan to build an indoor aquatics facility.  My position on that central issue is clear:  I oppose the use of town funds only for this use.

Judgement

Chuck was born in West Virginia and grew up in rural southern Michigan.  He is a “small-towner” at heart and chose to move to Vienna because it reminded him of his boyhood home town.  Chuck graduated with a bachelor’s degree in American History and Political Science from Williams College (summa cum laude), and earned a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University, England.  Chuck has worked for the U.S. Government, and a public accounting firm.  In 1992, he co-founded Capital Trade, Incorporated, a consulting operation that specializes in international trade pricing and economics. 

Compassion

Compassion in action means representing the voices of those most in need.  As a long-time church member and cook for the homeless, I know that there are many in need in Northern Virginia.  On council, we need to work for solutions to find more diversity in housing and alternative transportation choices.  And we need to build sidewalks for those the rely on them, including children and the disabled.

Commitment

In the past five years, I think I have shown my commitment to the job.  I have missed only a handful of council meetings and conference sessions, out of hundreds during that time period.  I have come to meetings prepared, and have consistently shown up at events like ribbon cuttings, ceremonies, and civic meetings.  I have devoted substantial additional time in promoting Liberty Amendments Month. Vienna 250, and the No Casino grassroots movement.  I have spent the time needed to form relationships with county and other local officials, so that we can get stuff done.  If re-elected, I will continue to spend the time necessary to be a productive council member.  I am now fully retired, meaning that I have additional time to devote to public service.

I cannot do this without your help.  Please let me know if you would host a yard sign or wear a button.  And I will need volunteers to staff the polls and other events.  For more information on how how can help me and my candidacy, sign up at the bottom of my homepage.