Richard F. Downer
Office Sought: Herndon Town Council
Age: 69
Residence: Fortnightly Square.
Education: BS, commerce, University of Virginia.
Occupation: Vice president, HRI Associates.
Web site:http://www.Downer4Council.com
E-mail address: Richard@Downer4Council.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Herndon Town Council, 1971-74, 1990-2000; former president, Rotary Club of Herndon, Herndon Historical Society, Greater Herndon Jaycees, Downtown Herndon Inc.; treasurer, Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, Herndon Downtown Alliance; member, Elden Street Players board of directors; founding member, Herndon Police Citizens Support Team.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
Responsibly adjusting our town budget for the coming fiscal year and maintaining our reserves (Rainy Day Fund) in anticipation of further revenue reductions for the next two to three budget years, while maintaining quality town services, is our biggest challenge. We should fully explore the use of bond financing for all capital projects to spread the cost out to future users, and look for opportunities to invest in our infrastructure as construction costs become more competitive due to the slowing economy. We did this when I was last on the council in the 1990s, with excellent results.
Why should voters elect you?
My previous 13 years on our Town Council and my 24 additional years in appointed town positions provide the experience needed at this time.
What steps, if any, should your county take to mitigate the affects of a slowing economy?
The Town of Herndon and Fairfax County should strive to achive and maintain the lowest tax rates possible, consistent with quality government services.
What is your position on illegal immigration and the affect it has had on your county?
We should limit our efforts to dealing with all illegal behavior in our community and demand that our Federal officials accept their legal responsibilty and enact comprehensive immigration reform, now!
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?
We need to increase our gasoline tax, a true user fee, state-wide to maintain all our highways and reinstate regional taxing authorities, enacting those taxes at the state level, if necessary to be constitutional.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
