Mark L. Cole* (R)

Office Sought: Va. House of Delegates District 88
Age: 51
Residence: Wilburn Farms.
Education: BLS, computer science, Mary Washington College; BS, civil engineering technology, Western Kentucky University.
Occupation: Program manager/systems analyst, Northrop Grumman.
Web site:http://www.marklcole.com
E-mail address: delegate@marklcole.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Virginia House of Delegates, 2002-present; member, Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors, 2000-02; member, Colonial Baptist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gideons, Ruritans; past church trustee, Sunday school teacher; youth soccer coach.

Why should voters elect you?

I have the experience to make a difference for our area. I have gotten increases in transportation funding and pay raises for teachers and troopers.

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

Transportation is by far our biggest problem. It affects all areas of life and seriously impacts our quality of life. Rapid growth and development have simply overwhelmed our roads and transportation services. We have significantly increased transportation funding in recent years. Funding is only part of the problem; we need to streamline VDOT and our transportation processes to make them more responsive and efficient. We also need to reform land use and more closely link growth planning and transportation planning. Another problem that we must address is illegal immigration. We need to make Virginia an unattractive destination for illegal aliens.

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

Transportation must be addressed on several fronts. We need to continue to significantly increased transportation funding while streamlining VDOT and our transportation processes to make them more responsive and efficient. It simply takes far too long to complete transportation projects. Funds and resources must be targetted to projects that will have the biggest impact in relieving traffic congestion. Congestion relief should become VDOT’s top priority. If a road or transportation project is not going to relieve congestion, it should not be a priority. We must continue to reform land use and growth planning to reduce sprawl which a major cause of traffic congestion. Growth and transportation planning must be closely linked since growth has a significant impact on traffic. We also need to change the way road funds are distributed. The current formula does not dedicate enough resources to the areas where congestion is worst.

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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