E.B. "Ed" Hillegass
Office Sought: Falls Church City Council
Age: 52
Residence: Falls Church City.
Education: AS, general studies, Tidewater Community College; coursework in IT, marketing, George Mason University.
Occupation: Administrative services, U.S. Postal Service.
Web site:http://friendsofedhillegass.com
E-mail address: edhillegass@hotmail.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Sons of the American Revolution; U.S. Marine Corps League; Knights of Columbus Edward D. White Council 2473; former chairman, security, St. James School Bazaar; coach, AAU baseball; Arlington Babe Ruth baseball; Arlington girls softball.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
How to maintain the quality of our burgeoning school system and the foundation of property values in our city. During the city's conversion to high-density development such as condos and/or apartments, the models have not accurately projected student enrollment. So the newly elected council will need to get its fiscal house in order, which would keep our school system strong and stabilize our property values. Would anyone in Falls Church City like to presume that our home values would not drop by 20 percent if the quality of our schools is not maintained?
Why should voters elect you?
I will make the hard decisions necessary to deliver on the promise of maintaining a strong school system without the budgetary sleight of hand.
What steps, if any, should your county take to mitigate the affects of a slowing economy?
The city budget must come down and now is the time for belt tightening. Duplicated services in city hall and the school district must be combined for efficiency sake. We must reduce commercial tax rates.
In March, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the transportation package passed by lawmakers last year unconstitutional, endangering major projects across the region. What steps, if any, should the county, region and state take to address funding issues for transportation projects?
The region's General Assembly members must work to solve this issue. The Supreme Court decision and a failed Constitutional amendment to raise funds for transportation projects places any real solution squarely on the state.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
