Sully supervisor contest illustrates ‘the man in the arena’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The campaign for the Republican nomination for Sully District supervisor in Fairfax County was held Saturday, resulting in a low turnout that saw the winner garner 478 votes. Congratulations to John Guerava who now moves on to the general election against Democratic candidate Kathy Smith.

Thank you to Brian Schoeneman and John Litzenberger and all candidates who step into the arena. For those who do not make it, remember that you play an important part in the political process. We appreciate your service. You are the man in the arena….

Sully Supervisor: Brian Schoeneman has proven leadership – Updated

By Lynn R. Mitchell

In politics, I don’t want to hear what you don’t like about the other candidate. I want to hear what you like about yours.

Brian Schoeneman is running for Sully District supervisor in Fairfax County. A friend and fellow blogger, we were colleagues during my years at Bearing Drift. I have respected his pragmatic Republican leadership at a time when politics has become very polarizing. He is upfront with people and honest, something that has been criticized by supporters of one of his opponents. But isn’t that what we say we want in a candidate?

Saturday, April 25, is the Firehouse Primary at Westfield High School in Chantilly from 10am-4pm. I hope you will consider voting for Brian Schoeneman.

Schoeneman ends fundraising quarter with 85% from small donors

Brian Schoeneman and Delegate Dave Albo

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman’s first quarter fundraising numbers reflect a strong grassroots system with more than 85 percent of contributions from small donors for his Fairfax County Sully supervisor race. Final filing with the State Board of Elections will be April 15 but here are the unofficial results of the period covering January 1 through March 31, 2015, as provided on April 2 by the Schoeneman campaign:

• 161 unique donors $100 and under
• 188 unique donors total
• 85.6% of contributions were of $100 or less
• Average donation was approximately $46.53
• Total raised: $26,871.38
• Cash-on-hand: $12,585.47

‘I look like them’ (but I’m better)

By Tito A. Munoz
Guest Post

Stressing outreach as a measure for candidate qualification has become a new preoccupation for some. Why?

The real question is: who is the best qualified candidate for the job of Sully District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors? A question which has nothing to do with ethnicity and everything to do with knowledge, tenacity and ability. But for the sake of argument, because the subject’s been raised, let’s look at what benefit skin tone actually has in helping attract new participation in the Republican Party. The fact is it takes more than “looking like them,” a term one candidate is fond of using. Growing participation and membership takes relating on a basic level and not seeing them as “them.”

The candidate who uses these words says he relates to Hispanics, yet sees himself as different, or better than them.

Del. Dave Albo endorses Brian Schoeneman for Fairfax Sully District supervisor

 

Brian Schoeneman, Dave Albo

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman picked up another big endorsement this week when Delegate Dave Albo endorsed him for Fairfax County Sully District supervisor.

Brian Schoeneman for Sully Supervisor released the following:

Brian Schoeneman reception at Capitol Hill Club tonight

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Schoeneman would donate BOS pay increase to 4 community organizations

Brian Schoeneman

By Lynn R. Mitchell

When Fairfax County supervisors voted themselves a pay increase on March 3, Sully District Republican candidate Brian Schoeneman responded:

On March 3, 2015, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to raise their salary from $75,000 to $95,000 a year. As The Washington Post reports, “The increase, which will take effect in January, comes in a tough budget year for Fairfax, where county officials are working to balance a budget after projecting a revenue gap of nearly $90 million”. Read more of The Washington Post’s article here.

At a time when we are cutting services and seeing tax increases through rising property tax assessments, it is hard to justify to the taxpayers in Fairfax County raising Supervisor salaries – especially since the raises have more fiscal impact than just the increased pay itself. There are pension and benefit implications as well.

Elections matter. This was a 6-4 vote, and one additional vote would have been sufficient to block the raise. If I had been on the Board, I would have voted no on this pay increase and it would have failed.

Today Brian announced that if elected to the board he will donate the additional $20,000 pay increase to four Fairfax County community organizations, commenting:

Schoeneman campaign updates

Brian Schoeneman

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman, Republican candidate for Sully District’s supervisor seat in Fairfax County, announced an upcoming Campaign Open House and other events as well as a response to a recent supervisor vote.

After supervisors voted for a salary increase earlier this week, Brian responded:

On March 3, 2015, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to raise their salary from $75,000 to $95,000 a year. As The Washington Post reports, “The increase, which will take effect in January, comes in a tough budget year for Fairfax, where county officials are working to balance a budget after projecting a revenue gap of nearly $90 million”. Read more of The Washington Post’s article here.

At a time when we are cutting services and seeing tax increases through rising property tax assessments, it is hard to justify to the taxpayers in Fairfax County raising Supervisor salaries – especially since the raises have more fiscal impact than just the increased pay itself. There are pension and benefit implications as well.

Elections matter. This was a 6-4 vote, and one additional vote would have been sufficient to block the raise. If I had been on the Board, I would have voted no on this pay increase and it would have failed.

Brian Schoeneman’s big campaign kick-off for Fairfax supervisor

By Deborah Bornstein Munoz
Guest Post

Brian Schoeneman kicked off his campaign for Fairfax County Sully District supervisor Tuesday night with a big crowd of supporters at Backyard Grill in Chantilly. Here Brian addresses the crowd while Supervisor Pat Herrity and former school board member Steve Hunt, who have both endorsed him, listen to his remarks. Brian gave an excellent speech about growing business and strengthening the tax base in Sully and, for business owners, it was good to hear he would continue the tradition of a business-friendly board of supervisors since many consider Sully to be the Tysons Corner for site construction products and other industries.

Brian Schoeneman hosts campaign kick-off on Tuesday

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman will kick off his campaign for Fairfax County’s Sully District Supervisor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at the Backyard Grille in Chantilly (see Brian Schoeneman to run for Fairfax County supervisor). All are invited … RSVP instructions are on the announcement below.  Brian has been endorsed by Supervisor Pat Herrity who will be his special guest at tomorrow night’s kick-off.

Be sure to check out Brian’s website for info on endorsements, issues, events, and more: BrianForSupervisor.com