Susan Klimek Buckley

Office sought: Sugarland Run Supervisor
Party: Democrat
Age: 45
Residence: Cascades
Web site:
http://www.buckley4loudoun.com
E-mail:
susan@buckley4loudoun.com

Occupaton: Homemaker, former assistant Fairfax County attorney.

Education: BA, business administration (finance), JD, University of Texas.

Elected offices/civic activities: Founder, Eastern Loudoun Schools Association, Concerned Citizens of Sugarland Run; past vice president, Lowes Island Elementary School PTO; past volunteer coordinator, Lowes Island ES/Sugarland ES; chairman, Law Related Education Committee, SELF Coalition; at-large member and vice chairman, Loudoun County Commission on Women.

Questions & Answers

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 the notion that Loudoun should be suburban in the east and rural in the west with a transition area in between. My family and I live in suburban eastern Loudoun and love it. I know residents of western Loudoun who love it there, as well. That's what makes Loudoun County such a unique and special place to reside. As Supervisor, I will work to protect residents' quality of life in our existing communities.

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: Because the federal government has failed to act on the problem of illegal immigration, Loudoun County must take action. I support the resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors to asses the illegal immigration problem in Loudoun County and study ways to address it. Further action must focus on the best use of Loudoun's limited resources to deal with this national problem. As Supervisor, I would take action against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement so that our Sheriff's Office is authorized to enforce federal immigration laws, work with the Sheriff's Office to shut down document mills that illegally produce phony identification, and enforce zoning ordinances to prevent the overcrowding of homes. I support and recognize the value of legal immigration. We must ensure that while we're combatting illegal immigration, we are not alienating the many people who have followed the rules and have come to this country legally. We live in a diverse community, and only by working together can we achieve a better Loudoun.

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

A: If elected Supervisor, I would proudly sign the ethics pledge on my first day of office. Representing Sugarland Run with the highest ethical standards is necessary to restore credibility to the Board of Supervisors. It is crucial that Loudoun citizens be able to trust that their elected officials are acting in citizens' best interests.

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: Loudoun residents spend too much time in their cars away from their families, and we desperately need better roads to ease traffic gridlock. Increasing transportation funding to northern Virginia is an absolute necessity, but I do not support the transportation package as is because it places an unfair burden on Loudoun residents. Future action must focus on (1) stopping overdevelopment to reduce the need for more roads; (2) securing sustainable revenue sources from Richmond and allowing Loudoun to keep the revenue it generates to fix Loudoun's transportation problems; (3) allowing Loudoun to fairly distribute the costs of road improvements so developers pay their fair share; (4) working with the Loudoun business community through public-private agreements and other innovative initiatives to help pay for roads; and (5) using incentives to encourage Loudoun businesses to participate in improving our traffic situation. We must work to reduce the burden on Loudoun residents for paying for roads.

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 believe that the greatest problem facing Loudoun is overdevelopment. Loudoun County is growing too fast, resulting in Sugarland Run residents facing more traffic gridlock, higher taxes, and an overburdened school system. As Supervisor, I will reject development plans that increase traffic, overburden our schools, and threaten the quality of our neighborhoods. I also will ensure that developers pay their fair share so citizens aren't overburdened by the costs associated with development. Our business community, however, is not growing at the same pace, meaning that more and more residents commute to jobs elsewhere. I will work to foster a business environment that encourages the expansion of existing businesses and attracts new businesses to Loudoun so Loudoun becomes a globally competitive community. Traffic congestion is, however, a significant impediment to our ability to stimulate business development. To address this issue, I would work to increase telecommuting and public transportation options, make roads more pedestrian friendly, fix traffic choke points, and expand road capacity. Above all, I will work to improve our quality of life and shape Loudoun's future for the better.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?