Bruce E. Tulloch*

Office sought: Potomac Supervisor
Party: Republican
Age: 49
Residence: CountrySide.
Web site:
http://TullochForPotomac.com
E-mail:
Tulloch4Potomac@aol.com

* Incumbent

Occupaton: Executive area general manager, Sodexho; Potomac District supervisor/vice chairman, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

Education: Course work, Northern Virginia Community College.

Elected offices/civic activities: Vice chairman, member, Potomac District, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, 2004-present; president, Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions; past member and president, CountrySide Homeowners Association board of directors; member and past officer, Loudoun County Republican Committee; 10th District GOP delegate; founding member, Republican Business Roundtable.

Questions & Answers

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

A: Yes, I would sign an ethics agreement to ensure that all public matters are given fair consideration, and to ensure that public office is not used for personal gain or advantage. Specifically, I support prohibiting public servants of Loudoun County from participating in activities that present a conflict between their personal interests and the best interests of the County.

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: Illegal immigration is a major issue that could impact the quality of life in Loudoun. I believe that through cooperation with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) we can make a difference in the Potomac district and not become a haven for illegal activities. Specifically, I support implementing the federal 287(g) program which allows local law enforcement to process, and when appropriate, detain immigration offenders they encounter during their regular, daily law-enforcement activity. Giving our zoning enforcement officers the tools, resources and legal support to confront illegal boarding houses as well as working to increase the penalties for illegal boarding houses are additional actions that will strengthen our neighborhoods and communities. Finally, we must continue to reach out to our legal immigrants and ethnic communities for support in action we take on this important issue. Those here legally, bring with them a diverse culture and strong work ethic, and serve as an important part of our Loudoun family. As Supervisor, I will continue to work to protect our families and defend our neighborhoods from activities that threaten our daily quality of life.

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 support the General Assembly’s effort to make transportation funding a priority and to give Northern Virginia the tools to raise and spend its own revenue on our own critical transportation needs. Richmond gave us the ability to spend more than $400 million per year in new revenue to meet our region transportation needs. We face a congestion crisis in Loudoun and in Northern Virginia and I have been working to provide real solutions. As Supervisor, I have worked to improve access to mass transit, bring metro to Dulles Airport, improve bus service, encourage telecommuting, and make our communities safely accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. We must take action to reduce the number of cars on our roads. Additionally, I championed Loudoun’s only transportation bond referendum that raised $50 million for our transportation infrastructure needs.

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: I support Loudoun County’s current comprehensive plan, which is intended to serve as a guide for development of one of the nation's fastest-growing counties over the next twenty years. After several years of extensive study and public input, including community meetings, public hearings, and public comment, the County adopted the current Comprehensive Plan, which includes the General Plan and Countywide Transportation Plan. The Countywide Transportation plan is currently under review to ensure that proper transportation planning is linked sound land use policies. The goals of the plan include promoting reasonable residential growth, alleviating future traffic congestion, promoting a diverse economy, protecting the rural economy, and preserving environmental and historical features. In order to provide affordable and cost-effective public services for county residents and help build a quality community, the comprehensive plan promotes development that is orderly, in compact communities, and in the right locations.

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: One of the most critical issues facing Loudoun County is managing new growth and development in order to ensure our schools aren’t overcrowded and traffic congestion doesn’t get worse while we continue to address transportation needs. We must slow our growth by using tools like the comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision regulations, and capital improvement budgeting. I support increasing local governments powers over zoning that would allow supervisors to reject development plans if roads in the area and the region are too congested to support them. Additionally, we must protect Loudoun County by connecting our land use decisions with transportation decisions. In fact, as Supervisor, I have made linking transportation to land use decisions one of my top priorities. We shouldn't just automatically rezone and develop everything when the transportation infrastructure isn't in place to support it. Realistic growth policies should invest in our suburban lifestyle, be committed to preserving our rural identity that is an integral part of our quality of life, and contribute to transportation solutions that make it easier for us to get to our destinations.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?