Linda Q. Smyth* (D)

Office Sought: District Supervisor Providence
Age: 60
Residence: Fairfax.
Education: BA, history, Washington University; MA and PhD, history, University of Virginia.
Occupation: Providence District supervisor, Fairfax County.
Web site:http://www.lindasmyth.com
E-mail address: linda.smyth@gmail.com
Offices and positions held: Providence District Supervisor, 2004-present; past member, Fairfax County Planning Commission, Merrifield Suburban Center citizens task force and Thomas Jefferson High School curriculum committee; past president, Briarwood Citizens Association; past chairman, Vienna Metro Area Citizens Task Force and Providence District VolunteerFest Committee; past vice chairman, Providence District Area Plan Review Task Force.

Why should voters elect you?

"As citizen activist, planning commissioner and supervisor, I have experience and a record of working with residents to achieve community goals."

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

"Fairfax County faces many challenges, but none is more critical than how we plan for future growth. Our current planning effort for Tysons exemplifies the process and issues we must consider: 1. Engaging the public through diverse citizen groups and outreach to gather input. 2. Analyzing infrastructure needs to make provisions for transportation improvements (roads, transit, pedestrian/biking connections) and public facilities (schools, parks/recreation, libraries, public safety). 3. Providing a range of housing near jobs, retail and transit to reduce auto trips. 4. Protecting the environment through better ways to manage storm water, increase tree canopy and lower energy consumption."

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

Transportation must be addressed on many levels. We must partner with the state to build more road capacity, but we must also give our residents options to driving. These options should include public transit and pedestrian/biking facilities. We can also work with businesses to promote carpooling and teleworking. Finally, we need to integrate land use planning with transportation. This is the basic idea behind transit oriented development, where a mix of residential and commercial uses is located in Metro station areas to reduce auto trips.

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

decline to answer

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