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LTE: Believing In a Better Future

Leesburg Town Council candidate reaches out to voters one final time before the Nov. 6 election.

Dear Editor,

If you care as deeply as I do about continuing a path of opportunity and Equal Rights for Women, then vote for qualified women Tuesday, November 6.  

Women holding office and serving the public in leadership roles are two of the most effective ways to ensure a place for our daughters and granddaughters in America's future.

There are two women running nonpartisan campaigns for Leesburg Town Council. All other candidates are male partisans -- some of whom tried to pit the two independent women against each other.  

If you believe women should not consent to being pawns of party politics, then vote for us. It is time for women to stop asking for power, and use the power we have.

It is also time to recognize the many talented, skilled citizens we have living in Leesburg who are of diverse racial and cultural heritage and are ready to serve. If you want to crack open the door of opportunity in the town's commissions for a broader leadership role, then vote for me on November 6. I will appreciate the diverse talent available when making appointments.

It is time to respect the many workers we have in our community who perform vital and necessary jobs well at minimal wages. If you believe, as I do, that all work has dignity, and we are morally bound to allow everyone a seat at the table of public access, then vote for me on November 6.

It is time to commit ourselves to a green future. If you believe as I do that the quality of life depends on this commitment, then vote for me on November 6.

It is time to honor our young people who want to serve their highest ideals by participating in civic processes. We must reject their intimidation by partisan rancor.  

If you believe, as I do, that critical thinking should still be taught in the schools, and that teachers who encourage engagement and independence should be valued, not denigrated, then vote for me on November 6.

It is time to decide if Leesburg can choose its leaders based on their qualifications, history in the community, ideas and ideals, as well as the current local issues of the day -- rather than forever being mere attachments to national political disputes. If you believe, as I do, that Leesburg is too important for that demotion, then vote for me on November 6.

It is time to decide if we will build roots of common cause with our local small businesses and choose to encourage their effort and contribution when commercial development decisions are being made. If you believe, as I do that our local businesses are the lifeblood of this community and we should be fully engaged in their success, then vote for me on Tuesday.

I am grateful that I live in a land where I can, at this time, express my highest ideals -- the principles and values that I have worked a lifetime to ensure -- in this public debate.

I want to thank the many hundreds of people who have welcomed me into their conversations, their churches, their community centers and their homes -- who are greeting the process with goodwill and good hearts and sharing their dreams.  

I want to thank the many volunteers of varying abilities who are giving what they can to promote a platform of Embracing Diversity. And most especially, I want to thank the many young people who have encouraged my campaign and sparked my spirit. You deserve the very best.

Sincerely,

S. Ann Robinson
www.robinsonforleesburg.com

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joe brewer November 5, 2012 at 01:29 pm
So you are in favor of diversithy as long as it does not include democrats or republicans? Sounds like political partisan rancor to me.
Ann November 5, 2012 at 02:04 pm
ahhh Joe! Always a joy to hear from you. ;) I have endorsements and supporters (and people I also support) who are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Partisanship by definition means that a person is pre-judged by the color of shirt they wear (blue or red?) and not by their ideas or issues promoted. Loyalty oaths are signed.... people shy away from being seen with the "wrong" color shirt. Good faith discussions and negotiations end. Strings are attached to endorsements that include behaving in this manner. Such over-arching control of our Town will not lead to good government.
joe brewer November 5, 2012 at 04:11 pm
A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation be it republican, democrat or independent is nonsensical. Diversity for the sake of diversity over the most qualified be they all of one color, race is in of itself self defeating .
Ann November 5, 2012 at 06:21 pm
Joe, you are putting words in my mouth that I did not say. We have plenty of highly qualified persons who are part of a diverse community. No one is talking about favoring anyone who is less than the best qualified. Unfortunately, as it stands now, many are not considered for appointment who actually are the most qualified, too. Ann
Chris Stevens November 5, 2012 at 07:24 pm
Ann,
You speak of several great ideals. However, I would like to hear more about how you would affect some of these lofty goals. For instance, the schools are part of Loudoun County not the Town of Leesburg, so how do you propose to make changes in the school system? Also, what are your plans for a greener Leesburg?
Ann November 5, 2012 at 07:53 pm
Thanks for writing, Chris! The goal regarding the school system is this: If we refuse to elect partisan candidates to Town Council, then perhaps we won't have a repeat of a local HS Club's receiving "ugly" and "not pretty blowback" for daring to engage in critical thinking and choosing to endorse a candidate that is nonpartisan.
Plans for a greener Leesburg means that preserving tree canopies and parks are a priority. Technologies that reduce pollution, as well as use less energy will be pursued. High mileage vehicles. Recycling. Thoughtful pursuit of new methods and knowledge to continually improve our efficient use of nonrenewable resources.
joe brewer November 5, 2012 at 08:03 pm
One thing I would do Chris is charge for school bus service depending on household income. Green is good but not at the silly cost of like the Chevy Volt. It cost 50 k minus tax cuts by Obama to the people who can afford the Volt.
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Winchester June 7, 2013 at 02:38 am
HB2313 is the first step in many years towards improving significant Virginia transportation issues.Read More It very importantly provides money for neglected safety inspections of bridges, roads and tunnels - to avoid recent disastrous situations like the Minnesota and Washington bridge collapses. 3800 bridges in Virginia have already been deemed sub-standard. HB2313 also significantly increases the percentage of new infrastructure transportation funds raised in and allocated to NoVa, from 30% to 100%. It also provides funding for the estimated $1B in state construction needs (increasing at a yearly rate of $500M). Finally, the tax increases (and decreases) involved are a small percentage of the already very low Virginia transportation budget and low state taxes (compared to most other states). Delegate May has said in recent interviews that he is usually not in favor of raising taxes - though transportation safety is extremely important - as is keeping NoVa transportation dollars in NoVa. He also said he will ensure there is very careful scrutiny of how the money raised by this bill will be spent.
Michael June 10, 2013 at 03:11 am
The $6.1B in additional tax revenues from transportation bill HB2313 are to be generated over theRead More next five years - which works out to about an additional $145 per person per year - less than the cost of one night at a nice hotel....
Susan June 3, 2013 at 02:34 pm
Interesting article. What worked for me was a program by nutritionist Isabel De Los Rios. If itRead More helps anybody else details of her weight loss plan can be found here: http://www.wowitworked.com/fast-weight-loss/
Ken Wall June 3, 2013 at 02:05 am
Previously there has been nowhere near enough money in the Virginia budget to address current localRead More transportation issues - Virginia transportation spending has continually been almost the lowest in the country (45th of 50 states in 2011) - and the significant local population and economic growth rates have made the issue worse quickly. Note Virginia taxes are also some of the lowest in the country (34th of 50 states in 2011). A large number of politicians across Virginia are involved in resolving the complex and expensive transportation issues in our area - no one person alone is completely responsible - significant negotiating, compromising and patience - traits and skills which LaRock does not possess - are required. A significant step forward was made with recent HB2313, with the help of Delegate May, which allocates significantly more transportation money to our district.
Michael June 10, 2013 at 03:11 am
The $6.1B in additional tax revenues from transportation bill HB2313 are to be generated over theRead More next five years - which works out to about an additional $145 per person per year - less than the cost of one night at a nice hotel....
joe brewer June 11, 2013 at 09:31 am
The 17.5 cent gas tax has been reduced a few cents for a year or two but will be back up there asRead More the wholesale gas tax increases automatically. Northern Virginia will be getting about 180 million of this new tax burden. Using the Pacific Blvd numbers that's 10 miles worth of road. Being shortchanged for 20 years with Northern Virginia getting back 30 cents on a dollar for roads is on Joe May. He did not work to get the formula adjusted. The gas tax was a tax on people who bought gas the new bill and the numbers above include every man, woman and child being taxed 145 dollars a increase of 50% over the gas tax alone plus the additional tax base.