Geary M. Higgins (R)

Office Sought: District Supervisor Catoctin
Age: 56
Residence: Waterford.
Education: BS, business administration, Clarion University.
Occupation: Vice president of labor relations, National Electrical Contractors Association.
Web site:http://www.higgins4catoctin.com
E-mail address: gearyhigg@aol.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Loudoun County School Board, 2000-03; past chairman, personnel services committee, past member, construction and finance, discipline, legislative policy committees, School Board; member and past vice president, Loudoun Museum board; member, Hamilton Baptist Church choir; past member, Leesburg Community Church administrative council, Loudoun Valley High School after-prom committee.

Why should voters elect you?

I have experience in government and a proven conservative record. I am a consensus builder, and I believe that people can disagree without being disagreeable.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

We must make transportation a priority and get Loudoun moving again. My opponent, along with at least seven of the nine current board members, either works at home or is retired and cannot appreciate the gridlock that the rest of us face each day. This is evidenced by the fact that there have been no significant road or safety improvements to the main commuting routes west of Leesburg since the Route 7 Bypass was finished in the early 1980s. Our existing commuting routes are hazardous and inadequate to meet the needs of our district.

What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?

We must get Richmond to recognize the problem and start spending transportation generated revenues on transportation and not general fund programs. I am not a fan of an unaccountable third party with taxing authority. We pretty much have that situation now with Richmond. If necessary, I would prefer local bonds for our urgent transportation needs. We need a more equitable approach to the composite index. Under the current formula, we are generating about 40% of the State’s revenue and only receiving something like 20 cents on the dollar back to Loudoun. If we generate 40%, then we should get at least that much in return. Not all traffic solutions require more asphalt. We can decrease the amount of traffic on our roads by completing the 1996 Telecommunications Plan, encouraging employers to offer flexible work schedules and telecommuting options and establishing bus routes in western Loudoun to the MARC trains.

Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?

not restrictive enough

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