Jim G. Burton* (I)

Office Sought: District Supervisor Blue Ridge
Age: 72
Residence: Aldie.
Education: BS, U.S. Air Force Academy; MBA, Auburn; completed course work MSME, Auburn; three professional military schools.
Occupation: Member, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors; retired Air Force colonel.
Web site:http://www.jimburton.org
E-mail address: aldiemanor@aol.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, 1996-present; past president and secretary, Aldie Ruritan; former board of directors, Goose Creek Association; co-founder, Tax Action 91; former board of directors, Loudoun Citizens HealthWatch; former chairman, building committee, St. George's United Methodist Church; Little League and Babe Ruth baseball coach; Pop Warner football coach.

Why should voters elect you?

My record reflects my commitment to preserving the rural character of western Loudoun and dealing with Loudoun's problems with an honest, objective and pragmatic approach.

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

Dealing with the financial, social and cultural consequences of out-of-control residential growth is a challenge. Of particular concern are rising taxes and traffic congestion. Holding the tax burden to a reasonable level while building the necessary schools and providing the necessary services under these circumstances are extremely difficult. The problems we are encountering selecting sites in local communities for future schools are extremely difficult, yet the schools must be built to accommodate the children, both those currently here and those who will be here in the future, all because of the furious pace of residential growth in recent years.

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

I would have preferred that the General Assembly face its responsibilities and fund all of the roads in the Commonwealth, as they should have done, not just last year, but for many years in the past. That not having been done, however, Loudoun, as well as other counties, are left holding the bag for road construction and improvements. Because of the large number of schools and other infrastructure projects we need to fund to keep up with our burgeoning population, we have no debt capacity available to significantly fund transportation projects with local taxes. This leaves us relying on what little the state can give us. Unfortunately, developer proposed “solutions” always include a “catch” – additional development that will only make the problem worse. We must do whatever we can to slow down the pace of residential development until we have a chance to catch up in providing new infrastructure.

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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