Lori L. Waters*

Office sought: Broad Run Supervisor
Party: Republican
Age: 33
Residence: Lansdowne on the Potomac.
Web site:
http://www.votelori.com
E-mail:
lori@votelori.com

* Incumbent

Occupaton: Broad Run District Supervisor, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors; retired, executive director of Eagle Forum.

Education: BA, political science, Furman University.

Elected offices/civic activities: Broad Run District Supervisor, 2004-present; newsletter editor, Mothers of Preschoolers; member, Loudoun Moms; past member, Sunrise Community Church Music and Worship Team; past member, Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; past member, Alexandria Early Childhood Commission.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do you support the transportation package passed by the General Assembly this year? What other ideas do you have for generating money to pay for road improvements in Loudoun?

A: I do not support the transportation package (HB 3202) adopted by the General Assembly. I, along with my eight colleagues, voted against the seven taxes and fees that the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is seeking to raise for transportation improvements. I also voted to challenge the constitutionality of HB3202 because I do not believe that an unelected, unaccountable body (the NVTA) has the authority to impose new taxes and fees. While I recognize that transportation is a regional issue, HB 3202 again collects taxes from our residents and sends the majority of the funds elsewhere, which leaves many of Loudoun’s needs still unmet. I support using every tool available, except for HB 3202, to improve transportation: 1. Lobbying Richmond for more money: I support a change in state funding formulas, which would send us back more tax dollars. 2. Road Bonds: In 2006, I led Board efforts to use bonding authority for design and construction of several transportation projects, including construction of the Loudoun County Parkway/Route 7 interchange. The voters responded overwhelmingly in favor by approving the two transportation bond questions. 3. Proffers: I forced the One Loudoun developer to agree to design and construct upfront the Ashburn Village Blvd./Route 7 interchange because the state nor any other developer was on the hook for it. Russell Branch Parkway and Gloucester Parkway will also be extended from Ashburn Village to Loudoun County Parkway as a result of upfront proffer negotiations. 4. Public-Private Partnerships: I sit on the Route 28 Tax District Commission, which oversees the expansion and interchange projects on Route 28. The last of the five interchange projects (Nokes Blvd./Route 28) is now under construction ahead of schedule. 5. Telework: Finally, building roads is timely and costly, but telework initiatives can provide immediate relief to some commutes. I have led the County's effort to facilitate broadband expansion so more residents can telework. I have also championed the County's telework efforts and made it a higher priority for every County department.

Q: Did you sign the Board of Supervisors' ethics agreement? Would you sign it if elected? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I signed the Code of Ethics presented to the Board on March 25, 2005. I also co-sponsored a revised and updated Code of Ethics as well as reinstated disclosure policies in February 2007, both of which were adopted by the full Board. I believe that the Code of Ethics and disclosure policies build public trust, provide a framework for a better working relationship among colleagues, staff, and the public, and provide consequences for failing to act in a manner unbecoming of an elected official.

Q: What is the appropriate role for local government in enforcement of federal immigration laws, and how do you view the current debate in Loudoun on the issue of illegal immigration?

A: The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors cannot alone solve the illegal immigration problem, but we are on the front lines of dealing with it. The federal government’s failure to secure the borders and enforce current laws has resulted localities like Loudoun suffering the consequences from gang crime to higher taxes to pay for services, many of which cannot be denied based on immigration status. Even asking for information on what services could be denied has gotten us national attention. But in reality, as revealed in the County Administrator’s recent report, the local Board of Supervisors is quite limited in what actions it can take. We can start by requiring county contractors to certify that their workers are legal. This would protect our tax payers from subsidizing illegal labor. An environment that permits illegal labor practices breeds mistreatment of illegals from coyote fees, less pay for work, and even unsafe working conditions as well as harms law-abiding businesses that are undercut in bids. Further research and discussion is needed on the list of “optional” county services that could be denied. Implementation may be difficult and present legal land mines, so action should be taken based on a well-conceived and deliberate path, not for political splash. The County should also be clear in distinguishing that this effort is not about intimidation of legal residents and legal immigrants, but rather about adopting policies that protect our quality-of-life and that send a message that illegal aliens will not have safe haven in our community. Furthermore, I support the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office entering into an agreement with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency through the 287(g) program to remove criminal aliens from our communities. The 287(g) program will better equip Loudoun's deputies to crack down on gangs, drug dealers, and other criminal illegal aliens. Finally, if more counties come forward to discuss this issue and band together, the state and federal governments will be pressured to do their jobs and address the illegal immigration problem.

Q: Do you support the county's current comprehensive plan and the notion that Loudoun should be suburban in the east and rural in the west, with a transition area in between? If not, what do you think is a better approach?

A: Yes. The Comprehensive Plan recognizes that a suburban east, rural west, and a transition in between will maintain Loudoun’s character, that this diversity is among our greatest assets, and that this balance is what attracted many businesses and residents to come here in the first place. I have a consistent record supporting and defending this vision. 1. The Plan encourages mixed-use projects in the suburban area, and I have supported two projects in the Broad Run District that help deliver on that vision which integrates housing, shopping, jobs, parks and trails, and other civic amenities. I led the Board’s efforts in negotiating the Lansdowne Town Center, which passed 8 to 1, and the One Loudoun World Trade Center, which passed 7 to 2. While in the town center design like that of Reston, these projects embrace suburban density levels that match and compliment the current communities. Both projects include substantial upfront proffers especially for transportation and education, pedestrian-friendly paths and trails, affordable housing, phased and linked development to ensure residential, retail, office, and other amenities track together, and build up our commercial tax base by offering large and small businesses Class A locations with amenities at their doorstep. 2. I voted NO on the Dulles South, Creekside, and Ridgewater Park comprehensive plan amendments, which sought to dump tens of thousands of new houses into the Transition Area. While these projects also included university or other business opportunities, they would have resulted in more residents, traffic, and taxes, which would have brought more burdens than benefits. 3. With a goal to keep western Loudoun rural for both residents choosing that lifestyle and for rural economy businesses, I worked across party lines for nearly two years on the Clem-Burton Plan after the Virginia Supreme Court reinstated A-3 (one house per three acres) zoning. After many hearings and meetings, I recognized that the Clem-Burton Plan was the right one to keep western Loudoun rural, was in the best interests of my constituents from a traffic and tax perspective, and was the Plan embraced by the majority of western Loudoun residents.

Q: Do you believe that any additional steps are needed to control the pace of growth in Loudoun? What would you do to create more of a balance between new homes and new jobs in the county?

A: I am pleased to hand over the title of “Fastest Growing County in the Nation.” We need time to catch our breath and catch up in delivering services to residents who are here now. While the county cannot completely control the pace of growth, the Board can embrace the balanced growth vision in the Comprehensive Plan (as discussed in the second question), enforce proffers which includes shutting down building permits when developers fail to comply with proffers, embrace impact fees for by-right development, require upfront proffers for rezoning applications that bring benefits to current residents, and link transportation and land use decisions. After nearly eight years of the Board dealing primarily with residential-related land use, the Board of Supervisors should focus more on pro-business efforts. As chair of the Board’s Economic Development Committee, I have worked for nearly four years to grow Loudoun’s commercial tax base and provide more job opportunities for those who already live in Loudoun, and the results are very positive. Over 11 million square feet of commercial space has been permitted for construction over the last three years, yet vacancy rates are low. Money Magazine just ranked Loudoun County 5th in the nation for job growth from 2000 to 2006. Unemployment hovers around 2 percent, which is among the lowest in the state and country. Loudoun County has a healthy, growing commercial tax base, and we must continue along this path. 1. I would continue to ensure that Loudoun is viewed as welcoming to new businesses and appreciative of the businesses currently here. Many businesses choose Loudoun because of the quality-of-life in our communities. We can attract more jobs not only through proactive marketing but also by addressing workforce issues such as transportation, housing, education, and reasonable taxation. 2. One of my first economic development initiatives was to develop a modified process in which qualifying companies could obtain county administrative approvals and permits concurrently and on shortened timeframes. The county can use non-financial incentives, such as a modified process, to woo new businesses and remain competitive. I will continue to explore ways to improve administrative approval processes that bring reliability while ensuring the public trust. 3. Having a diverse economy is essential to surviving the ups and downs of the market. With 83 percent of county businesses having under 20 employees, addressing small business concerns is vital to our economy and tax base. I would also support exploring incubator space opportunities for bio-tech companies to further expand this industry cluster. 4. I have been at the forefront of developing and promoting the County’s international business strategy, and with Dulles Airport expanding, the opportunities are global. Dozens of international companies have offices in the County and more are looking. The county’s strategy also helps Loudoun companies expand into international markets. Loudoun County will have a new asset in the development of the One Loudoun World Trade Center, which will make us even more globally competitive. 5. A 21st Century workforce demands technology. I have led county and regional efforts to expand broadband. The county should continue to identify ways and facilitate bringing more fiber and wireless options to the entire county.

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