Mark D. Sickles* (D)

Office Sought: Va. House of Delegates District 43
Age: 52
Residence: Kingstowne.
Education: BS, forestry management, Clemson U.; BS, industrial management, technology and science policy, Georgia Tech.
Occupation: Corporate and government relations, Weeks Marine.
Web site:http://www.marksickles.com
E-mail address: sickles2007@marksickles.com
Offices and positions held: Member, House of Delegates, 2004-present.; member, Safe Youth Coalition; trustee, Fairfax County Public Library Board, 1993-2004; board member, United Community Ministries, 1995-2001; board member, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 2003; member, citizens bond committees, 1998, 2002.

Why should voters elect you?

"I want to continue making a positive contribution for Virginia by listening to all and by lending significant experience in both government and business."

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

"The most urgent problem remains existing traffic congestion in light of the pending job growth in and around Fort Belvoir. If the new regional funding authorities work as intended, we will have the resources to start making long-awaited improvements. More remains to be done. Second, the Virginia Tech tragedy has lifted mental health to the forefront: Everything from the legal commitment process to the budget will be affected by upcoming proposals. Third, access to higher education and the quality of the Virginia system must remain a top priority through a difficult budget year."

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

If the 2007 transportation package withstands legal challenge, it will provide the basis for funding many high priority construction projects in two busy regions of the Commonwealth. The statewide portion of the bill, however, is wholly inadequate and needs to be revisited, especially the “civil remedial fee” provision. At the State level, we unfortunately will continue to borrow from “dedicated” construction funds to pay for maintenance if nothing further is done. Using General Fund revenues for transportation is not a viable funding source in light of our mental health and higher education needs. Specifically, we need to invest in VRE rail infrastructure and use METRO to its full system capacity (8 car trains). Public transit into Ft. Belvoir will be a very high priority. Upgrading Telegraph Road, especially from Hayfield to the South Kings Highway split, tops the list of improvements that must be undertaken as soon as possible.

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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