Joseph J. Warren (R)
Office Sought: County Board
Age: 66
Residence: Columbia Forest, Arlington.
Education: MA, economics, University of Pittsburgh.
Occupation: Retired federal employee, U.S. Government Accountability Office; former teacher, Cleveland Heights school system.
Web site:http://www.joewarren.org
E-mail address: joe@joewarren.org
Offices and positions held: Member, Columbia Forest Civic Association; member Arlington County Transit Advisory Committee; volunteer, Wakefield High School, implemented the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program; volunteer, Northern Virginia Section for Special Olympics.
Why should voters elect you?
"I will seek to keep in check the irresponsible growth that is plaguing our neighborhoods and clogging our transit."
What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
"County spending is out of hand. My first priority would be to institute a top-to-bottom budget review. Real spending increases per year over the past six years have been over 7 percent per year. But the very favorable circumstances are changing residential real estate values are very likely to fall. I expect revenue growth to be in the 3-4 percent range over the next several years. My second priority is to deal now with future health-care costs of retired county and school employees. The budget should include annual installments for future costs."
What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?
I am a transportation economist and for the past three years I have been a member of Arlingtonâs transit Advisory committee. Part of the cause of Virginia's transit problems is the completely unrestrictive growth allowed and encouraged by the Arlington County Board and its investment in wasteful projects. The Columbia Pike trolley and Master Transportation Plan projects the county is planning could cost several hundred million dollars. No costs are cited in the Plan for major street reconstruction and numerous bicycle projects. Additional revenue sources from recent state legislation will cover only part of the costs. Without costs, priorities canât be objectively determined--leading to arguments within the community about who gets the projects.
Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?
not restrictive enough
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
