S. Ann Robinson Announces Town Council Candidacy
Robinson is one of nine candidates who will appear on the ballot this November.
Photos
S. Ann Robinson has officially announced her candidacy for Leesburg Town Council, calling for a fuller representation of Leesburg’s diverse population to the council chambers.
“Low taxes, first-rate parks, and public safety are well done in Leesburg, and I applaud Mayor Umstattd and town manager John Wells," Robinson stated in a press release. "I will support their lead in continuing these policies, as well as the parades and events, which maintain our sense of shared community."
Leesburg was voted by CNN Money Magazine as one of the best places to live, which especially holds true if you are a young family with a high income, she said.
“Going forward, we need to be just as aware of all socio-economic demographics in our town," Robinson said. "A healthy, livable lifestyle should be possible for all who work and serve our quality of life, as well as those who are elderly and/or disabled."
Robinson was raised in a community Christian church, which taught her that "faith without works is dead." Symbols on the courthouse lawn are not enough, she said, and a moral government must consider "the least of these" among us.
Robinson said she would like to see public bus service in the evenings and on weekends, as well as a pedestrian bridge over Route 15 North. Walking and biking trails along the established roads, such as those currently available along South and North King streets should be extended and included on Market Street and Catoctin Circle, which would allow for a more walkable town, she said.
She also supports low, progressive water rates and would like to begin a conversation about living wages and find ways to bring economic fairness up to that level.
“I will support public/private partnerships with NGOs such as Master Gardeners and LaVoz, as well as others," Robinson said, adding that they serve the local community at a level that brings long-term vitality to everyone, either directly or indirectly.
Robinson said that she also supports all practical means of encouraging and promoting the town's local small businesses, calling them the sustaining feature of our economy.
She would also like to see low-impact development that preserves as much open space as possible, tree canopies, a thriving arts and entertainment district, live music and community theater downtown, and a children’s discovery museum.
"All of these are possible and can be ours,” she said.
Robinson has lived in Leesburg for 22 years. She graduated from The University of Texas, Austin, with honors. She earned a CPA rating in 1987 and has served as a business manager/comptroller for a defense contractor and a software developer.
She currently teaches Workforce Development accounting courses for Northern Virginia Community College and Frederick Community College. In addition she is a contributing writer for Swing County LLC and for the Shenandoah Press.
Robinson is a long-standing member of the NAACP and the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Loudoun. Her volunteer activities have included tutoring American Sign Language and English as a second language, as well as All Ages Reading Together.
joe brewer
6:48 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
I would say being a long standing member of the NAACP would not be anything to brag about.
Carol
2:58 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Nice write up, Ann. You've got my vote.
Maria Bergheim
10:25 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Great write up! You can count on my vote,
joe brewer
7:34 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Promise everything under the sun. great parks, low water costs, taking care of the elderly, preserve the open space... but I won't increase taxes. Same tired old spin by another spender. It is a spending issue with the government not a funding problem. Tell me you will cut 15% across the board and lower taxes, yahoooo!
Patti Maslinoff
1:44 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
I would say that being a long standing member of the NAACP most certainly is something to brag about. It demonstrates a firm commitment to the principle that people must not be judged by their race. Ann, I applaud your vision. Leesburg is a wonderful community and the ideas that you are promoting will only improve our lives here. Thank you.
joe brewer
2:24 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
There was a time when the NAACP was truly viewed as being non-partisan. They have become a totally ideological vehicle. They have gone from being the grandfather of the civil rights revolution to a political operation and a wing of the Democratic Party.
Patti Maslinoff
3:00 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Sorry but I don't see any problem with what you have said. The Democratic Party has been much more accepting of the goals of the NAACP so it is natural that it has gravitated to the Democrats. I am certain that if the Republican Party had been more receptive to the goals of the NAACP, the NAACP would have been thrilled. As for being a "totally idealogical vehicle", I have no idea what is wrong with being a vehicle to promote certain ideals.
Ann
3:56 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
To be clear, the NAACP is still nonpartisan. The fact that I am a member and a supporter does not change that fact. I support them. Whether or not the individuals in the organization vote for me as a candidate will depend upon whether or not they agree with my vision for Leesburg, as is true of any of the other organizations mentioned in my press release. And, the Town election is a nonpartisan election by statute.
As for the budget concerns, there is no reason to assume my vision would entail spending increases. It is a matter of priorities and inclusion -- not a matter of a spending increase.
Thanks for engaging. I appreciate this discussion, so we can all understand each other better. Ann
joe brewer
10:27 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Non-partisan c'mon?! Oj championed by the Naacp, Mikael Vick dog killer,Chrystal Gail boyfriend killer, L Sowers in jail voter fraud... I was going to do a dirty dozen that this benevolent organization supports but I already was depressed after just 4 of these criminals. The Naacp was founded by a group of diverse people of blacks, Jews, and some whites.
Their goal was to help eliminate racial prejudice against ALL people of color, and women.
I wonder how the rest of the people of color was excluded? Anyone silly enough to believe that the Naacp is non-partisan should not be in a government position of power or teaching children. Misguided at best, blind at worst, one of the other.
Ann
5:02 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Interesting, Joe. "Their goal was to help eliminate racial prejudice against ALL people of color." Are you saying that is not a nonpartisan goal? The local branch actually does include all of the diverse peoples you mention in your post -- and more. Possibly you'd like to attend a meeting and learn about us more thoughtfully.
Ann
12:05 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The truth is that the members of the Loudoun County NAACP branch who are my friends and colleagues are some of the finest, most honorable, ethical, compassionate and hard working individuals I have ever met. If you get a chance to get to know them, I am sure you will agree.
joe brewer
2:32 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
No! I have a appointment with my bartender. I am sure the people I work with are wonderful also still it does not allow for a non-profit to favor candidates. It does seem that some naacp leaders are willing to foster off the Asians and Latinos in favor of the blacks. Lets go out and save poor Darryl Jackson.
Ann
7:30 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Individual endorsements for my Town Council campaign keep rolling in. Here are a few: Jeff Barnett, (Ret. Colonel, USAF) 2010 Congressional candidate; Chuck Harris, Treasurer, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227 and Loudoun Co. Board of Supervisors 2000-2004; Rollie Winter, a 2008 Virginia Electoral College elector for Obama; Tamar Datan, former Chair, Loudoun County Economic Development Commission; Shawn Mitchell, 2011 candidate for Virginia Senate and CEO of Modern Mechanical; John Stevens, Loudoun Co School Board Chair 2007 - 2011; Jay Bose, Independent candidate for Loudoun Co. School Board 2011; Ron Campbell, Leesburg CEO, College Business Concepts; KD Kidder, owner of Photoworks in Downtown Leesburg; Robin Peacemaker, Leesburg Restaurant; Lovely Lall, Division Governor D29 Toastmasters...
Ann Robinson
Jonathan Erickson
7:17 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
LaVoz supports immigrant populations, does that mean legal immigrants and illegal aliens? Maybe a tax on the faith based community is in order to pay for these bike paths, museum, walking paths and would be money well collected and spent. What priorities would you cut in order to fund these improvements?
Ann
4:48 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Thank you for writing, Jonathan. I support LaVoz in its integration services to the legal immigrants community. I am also a volunteer.
I do not favor a tax on the faith based communities.
As the commercial tax base and property values rise, revenues can be prioritized.
I would spend less on trying to push projects such as form based code or S.15 widening.
Jonathan Erickson
8:22 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
I kinda like the idea of taxing faith based communities, campaign funds and the NFL. If Lavoz supports peoples who are in this country stands to reason that they are condonning breaking American laws. Impressive list of backers whats the breakdown between republicans and democrats? Are they all democrats if so maybe you need to diversify. Please if you can help us oust Reid from the Board of Spending.
Ann
2:21 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
I see we disagree, Jonathan -- lol I'm sure we could have a lively conversation!
My partial list of backers includes a mix of progressives, conservatives and independents. Not all are listed.
Jonathan Erickson
5:11 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
Individual endorsements above all are democrats except Robin Peacemaker and Lovely Lall I couldn't not find party affilations for those 2, how about listing some of the conservatives and independents? Seems to lean heavily to the democrat slate.