J.C. "Chap" Petersen (D)

Office Sought: Va. Senate District 34
Age: 40
Residence: Fairfax City.
Education: BA, Williams College; JD, University of Virginia.
Occupation: Lawyer, Surovell, Markle, Isaacs & Levy PLC.
Web site:http://www.fairfaxsenator.com
E-mail address: chap@fairfaxsenator.com
Offices and positions held: Member, House of Delegates, 2002-06; member, Fairfax City Council,1998-2002; board member, Virginia Economic Bridge and Good News Jail & Prison Ministry (Fairfax County); member, Truro Church, Virginia State Bar, Fairfax County Bar Association and Northern Virginia "Old Boys" Rugby Football Club.

Elected offices/civic activities:

Member, House of Delegates, 2002-06; member, Fairfax City Council,1998-2002; board member, Virginia Economic Bridge and Good News Jail & Prison Ministry (Fairfax County); member, Truro Church, Virginia State Bar, Fairfax County Bar Association and Northern Virginia "Old Boys" Rugby Football Club.

Why should voters elect you?

"I am a hard worker, careful listener and fierce advocate. I have knocked on over 45,000 doors in my career."

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

"The failure of the Richmond Republican leadership to seriously address our traffic woes is the most urgent problem we face. The 2007 transportation bill, which raises seven new taxes in Northern Virginia, is the wrong answer. We don't need 'Fairfax only' taxes for transportation. Nor will we solve our problems with '$1,000 speeding tickets.' We need a statewide transportation solution which raises revenue from all users of our road network and does not discriminate against Fairfax. We need new leadership in the General Assembly to make that happen."

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

There needs to be an integrated vision in Virginia which matches traffic mitigation with energy conservation and land use. I have drafted a platform on these issues which is "Virginia 2.0" and can be viewed on my website at www.fairfaxsenator.com. In a nutshell, I'd like to see us expand our transit network in a more creative way. That means looking at lower-cost options like "Bus Rapid Transit" even as we extend traditional METRO service. Secondly, we need to expand incentives for "ride-sharing" and telecommuting which takes vehicles off the road. Third, creative tax policies like "split-rate" taxation can focus growth and limit sprawl by encouraging mixed-use communities with pedestrian traffic. Finally, any plans for transportation and development should protect trees and open space as much as possible. This is necessary to reduce our carboon footprint, as well as preserve quality of life.

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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