Rich C. Williamson (I)

Education

• BA, foreign service, Baylor University
• MBA, University of Mississippi

Offices and positions held

• President, Colonial Heights Homeowners Association 2002-03
• Treasurer, Colonial Heights Homeowners Association 2001
• Secretary, Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission 2003
• IT Committee, Carpenter's Shelter

What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

Services are being cut for the most vulnerable of our population, even as taxes are being raised for all residents. Extensive development has not proven to be able to offset the average taxpayer's burden for maintaining services and infrastructure investments. City government spent on services as if home values would forever increase, and now the bill is due. Our challenge is to retain a quality school system, critical services and continue responsible infrastructure improvements even as home prices decline and foreclosures increase. Now is the time for responsible financial management. As council member I will make this happen.

Why should voters elect you?

I am an independent, proven problem solver. I am a long-time resident, community leader and will bring a results based approach to government.

Under what circumstances, if any, would you increase property taxes to protect social services or other government spending?

Alexandria government must learn to live within its means. As I campaign across the city, I am finding some homeowners with taxes close to $10,000 or $20,000 and also fluctuating $1,000 within a year. The city must present a sustainable tax plan. I plan on implementing Average Tax Values, which allows the city to charge with minimal randomness of the market, so citizens and city alike can plan in advance for taxes. I heard business leaders tell me that Alexandria is perceived as a difficult city to do business in. In a recession, we must focus on truly learning the priorities the taxpayers have set before us, and deliver those services efficiently. In addition, we must diversify the city to include more sustainable commercial properties. This will allow the city to prosper in any economic situation and remove the tax burden from the average citizen. It is time to learn the priorities of the taxpayers, freeze taxes to a sustainable level, and then live within our means.

What types of redevelopment, if any, would you favor in the west end of Alexandria?

Alexandria is an urban city, not a rural industrial park. We cannot have industrial activities within 50 yards of an elementary school. In addition, we must maximize the value of the Van Dorn Metro and the excellent access to interstates that is provided by the Landmark Corridor. I propose an economic rebirth of the West End, to bring mass transit between Alexandria-Shirlington and Pentagon City, and between Landmark and the Van Dorn Station. The Western two-thirds of the city needs the fast transit made available by Metrorail, making Alexandria a regional transit powerhouse, including a critical Amtrak station.

What are your plans for increasing the commercial tax base in the city?

We need to follow in the footsteps of those counties that have been more successful in luring businesses to their county. Regulation, turnaround time and an "insider" cryptic system make it difficult for businesses. I heard recently of a business owner who, just to move a wholesale business a few doors down, had to hire a special lawyer to work with city officials. Why is Alexandria such a difficult place for business? We should heed those who call for Alexandria to fully leverage its unique cultural, intellectual and land availability to make Alexandria a commercial hub. With BRAC movements occurring in the next few years, Alexandria is poised to headquarter many of the biggest federal contractors as well as service federal installations. We need to tell businesses that Alexandria offers transit, business and regulatory amenities that are welcoming to business. Taxes must be made attractive. Citizens must continue to receive an ever-increasing quality of education, and we must continue to invest in mass transit that makes our city attractive regionally and nationally. We need to continue to be known as the nation's association headquarters and play all our advantages in that arena.

What is the most critical area of need for Alexandria's youths?

We need to begin to see school as more of a community rather than something that students do all day, then go home and are unproductive. We need to encourage children to work with their parents to realize their full potential. America's youth are slipping behind many nations, and the responsibility for that rests with us, the keepers of the city's trust. The city council must do whatever is needed to increase graduation rates above the current level where only just slightly more than two-thirds of high school students graduate. It all starts with early education during the critical phase of socialization and intellectual development. I support pre-K education as a great investment. We must have adults' and students' lives focus on education. Education is the great way for anyone in the United States to succeed on equal footing. We must help our youth succeed.

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