S. Ann Robinson

S. Ann Robinson

S. Ann Robinson, a Leesburg resident for more than 20 years, brings decades of experience in accounting, small business management and workforce development training to the table.

“I am well-acquainted with many of the town’s communities, issues and people,” Robinson said.

She’s running on a platform of “Embracing Diversity, Promoting Justice – Serving the Whole Community.”

The candidate said she decided to run for office to help highlight several demographics in Leesburg who are being under served.

She believes that the recent voter referendum that moved the Leesburg Town Council elections from May to November allows candidates to reflect on a wider community – not just the 3,000 people who formerly voted in the spring election.

“There is a role for government to play in providing the tools of production (public infrastructure) to more Leesburg residents –  in order that the economic and social well-being of all of us can be elevated,” she said.

Robinson believes the biggest issue facing Leesburg is traffic and transportation.

“Our by-pass is already clogged in both the north and south parts of Town at rush hour. What will it be like when the Ashburn Metro station starts to be advertised as a selling point for homes and businesses west of here?” the candidate asked.

She said there is no way to move increased traffic through Leesburg’s crowded streets. Workers and families, she said, need comprehensive public bus transportation to move around Town in the evenings and on weekends to jobs, shopping, public meetings and volunteer activities.

Public transportation is also needed to connect as commuters to the Sycolin Road park and ride lot. Funding for these services can come from advertising space on buses and shelters and riders’ fees.

Robinson also believes the walking and biking trails alongside established roads should be a priority, such as what is already available on North King Street across from Ida lee Park.

“These trails must include a viable, safe way to cross the street at Route 15 North, where families and workers risk their lives getting to shops or to work (and traffic is already jammed parts of the day),” she said.

If elected, Robinson said she will strive to accomplish approval for public transportation and trials for residents. She will support and advocate for the Town’s small businesses, such as those in the Catoctin Crescent, the Downtown area, and elsewhere on East Market Street.

The Small Business Incubator,  “is a huge opportunity for Leesburg to thrive” and if elected, she said it will be “supported in every possible way.”

“I will also encourage the development of community theater in the Downtown area – hopefully partnering with county high schools, as well.”

Leesburg, Robinson said, has an enormous resource of talented citizens from many different races and cultures.

“I will endeavor to achieve more diversity in appointments to commissions and committees in order to broaden our public leadership throughout the community,” she said.

For more information on Robinson’s campaign, visit http://www.robinsonforleesburg.com .

Joesph Mydlinski

Joesph Mydlinski

Joesph Mydlinski, a write-in candidate has lived in Leesburg for 44 years with his three sons who attended Catoctin Elementary School, Simpson Middle School and Loudoun County High School.

He retired from the Central Intelligence Agency with more than 37 years of experience as an economist.

“Working with numbers and statistics gives me an ability to understand and digest the huge amount of data that the council receives. The daily commute to McClean every day for 37 years gives me an appreciation of the problems and frustrations of residents traveling to work,” Mydlinski said. “Tolls, congestion, the inability to get into or through Leesburg were part of my daily experience.”

The candidate is running on a platform of maintaining the quality of life residents enjoy in Leesburg – high quality services at a reasonable tax rate.

“Maintaining a high quality of life faces many challenges. Tax rates need to remain reasonable. Attracting new businesses increases the tax base and provides jobs that will keep rates low. Water rates need to be fair and equitable but the water utility needs to have at least a small surplus every year,” he said. “General tax revenues should not be used to subsidize general operating expenses.”

Mydlinski maintains volunteer activity in the community: weekly volunteer work at the Loudoun Interfaith Relief food pantry, as needed help at the YMCA and a lector and usher at Johns Catholic Church where he organizes the monthly food collection for Loudoun Interfaith Relief.

“As a past board member of Loudoun Interfaith Relief I gained experience working with other board members to identify and solve problems, plan for the future, and provide direction to the staff. My membership on the Leesburg Utility Rate Committee gives me an insight into the complex problems of setting rates fairly and equitably,” he said.

Mydlinski believes transportation will be a big issue facing Leesburg for years to come.

The new Sycolin overpass is a start, he said, but the town needs to study how the new Metro line will affect Leesburg and how does the town make best use of it.

“How will the new connector road with Prince William county affect Leesburg? These are all problems that will have to be discussed before solutions can be offered,” he said.

The candidate believes keeping the courthouse complex in Leesburg is vital to maintaining the economic health of downtown Leesburg.

“If elected I would work with the other council members, the Board of Supervisors and downtown business groups to ensure that the courthouse stays in Leesburg,” he said.

He also is running on a platform of maintaing quality of life issues such as the Parks and Recreation Department, seeing that the Town’s streets are maintained and that trash is removed, including yard waste, brush and tree limbs.

The Council, the candidate said,  needs to continue to create and implement new amenities such as the air pump for bikes on the W&OD trail and the dog park at the Issac Walton Park.

“All these contribute to a beautiful town and a good place to live,” Mydlinski said.

For past coverage of the Leesburg Town Council race see Leesburg Town Council, part 1 of 3