Q & A: Town Council Candidate Rob Zoldos

Ten candidates will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot when the Town of Leesburg holds its first fall election next week.

Eight candidates are looking to fill a council member's seat. Among them is former Town Council member Bob Zoldos, who served from 1998 to 2006. Below are his responses to a list of questions asked by Leesburg Patch:

Q: What made you decide to run for Town Council?
A: I strongly believe in conservative values and conservative ideas. Residents' tax dollars must be used wisely for the needs of the town citizens. The town, in these austere times, must get “the best bang for the buck.”

Leesburg has been a great place to call home and has provided a safe environment for our children to grow. I want to give back to the community by serving once again on the Town Council as your public servant.

Q: After speaking with the voters during your campaign, what is one concern that you've heard the most and how would you address it?
A: Town’s Fiscal Management – Probably the most important issue that looms not too far in the future is the 2017 Debt Service. Actions/decisions must be made now to ensure that the town does not default on its obligation(s).

Resident’s tax dollars must be used wisely for the needs of the town citizens and not on “wants.” A review of every town department must be undertaken to identify where savings may be obtained and duplication eliminated. Until such a review is conducted, it would be difficult to determine what services would need to be added or reduced, and/or eliminated.

Q: A recent debate in the town has been the possible relocation of the court system from downtown Leesburg. What are your views on this topic as well as your position?
A: Downtown Leesburg businesses will not survive if the Court complex is moved from the downtown area. It is incumbent upon the Town Council to obtain residents input and guidance, obtain the facts, pose solutions, and determine the impact and then move forward on the agreed upon plan of action.

The closing of Church Street in not a viable solution, however a pedestrian walkway to connect the expanded court facilities is acceptable to accomplish the same goals. Some of the new courtrooms need not be as large as current facilities.

Additionally, the use of evening hours could accommodate those court cases until the expanded court system can be constructed. Actions and discussions need to begin to take place now between the Town Council and the County Board of Supervisors to keep the Courts system in Leesburg. The court system must remain in downtown Leesburg where they have been for hundreds of years.

Q: How do you feel about the upcoming election? How has your campaign been going and do you have any big events planned prior to Nov. 6?
A: I was fortunate to be chosen by the residents of Leesburg to represent them as a member of the Town Council in 1998 and again in 2002, serving until 2006, for a total of eight years. During my two terms on council I served on most commissions and/or committees helped in making decisions such as: prioritizing the issues facing the Town, posing solutions to those identified problems, gathering the facts to be informed and determine what the impact would be to our residents prior to implementation. In other words “doing the right thing” for residents, using a common sense approach.

Q: What is one thing that you would like the voters to know about you before heading to the polls in November?
A: I have been a resident of Leesburg for the past forty-four years. During that time I have observed numerous changes to the Town, some good, some not so good. I married my best friend, Kay, and we raised two sons, Bobby and Tom. We now have three grandchildren, Kathleen, Bobby and Ida.

I have been employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the past thirty-seven years as an Air Traffic Controller, Supervisor and facility Manager and Branch Manager.

In addition, I have eight years of working in private industry as a project manager. My professional experiences have taught me invaluable skills in getting things done. I plan on retiring in December of this year and will give full attention to the needs of the town as a member of council.

I hold a B.A. degree from Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia and am a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, (UVA) Charlottesville, VA.

I have been involved in many community endeavors including Central Loudoun Little League as a past president, the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company as a firefighter, President and Fire Chief and a member of St John’s Church.

To read more about Bob Zoldos check out his campaign coverage on Leesburg Patch

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Leesburg Patch will continue to share Q & A's each week leading up to the Nov. 6 election. Did you miss one? You can find more campaign coverage here. And, don't forget to submit your questions to the candidates.