After last week’s discussion of state races, let’s turn to the local races in Fairfax County. Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova is running for a full term as Chairman, following her special election in February 2009 to complete the term of Gerry Connolly, who won election to Congress. Chairman Bulova is known for her calm and balanced approach to nearly every issue, especially her guidance in the county’s annual budget process.

Ms. Bulova has broad experience as a 24-year member of the Board, where she represented Braddock District prior to becoming Chairman. Three candidates are running against her, but none comes close to under-standing the complex nature of Fairfax County. As her vice-chairman, I know she will continue to maintain Fairfax County as the best place to live, work, play, learn, worship, and retire, and she deserves to be re-elected.

Races for three At-Large School Board seats have generated a lot of interest, as only one at-large incumbent, Ilryong Moon, is running for re-election. Officially a non-partisan post, six of the seven at-large candidates are endorsed by political parties: Mr. Moon, Ryan McElveen, and Ted Velkoff are the Democratically-endorsed candidates. The Mason District School Board member, Sandy Evans, is running unopposed. Sandy is a great partner in ensuring that Mason District schools continue to receive needs-based funding where appropriate, and has helped spearhead the prompt completion of the new elementary school at the Lacey site in Annandale.

The Soil and Water Conservation Board is not well known; the all-volunteer board helps local property owners address storm water and drainage issues, and provides free advice about the best way to approach a problem. Mason District resident George Lamb, and Johna Good Gagnon both are incumbents who are good choices for the voters. Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh is running for re-election to his second term, and has no opposition. Sheriff Stan Barry, who has a strong record of managing successfully both the courthouse and the Adult Detention Center, is running for another term, facing Republican Mike Cooper. Also on the ballot, on page 3 with Sandy Evans and me, is a School Bond Referendum, which asks the voters to approve a $252 million bond to renovate schools, including Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Mason District. Please vote “yes” on school bonds.

For four terms, it has been my privilege and significant responsibility to represent Mason District on the Board of Supervisors. I have always tried to remain people focused, working to bring solutions and results to the challenges faced by Mason District constituents. Maintaining our outstanding schools, protecting environmental resources, supporting housing choices, moving forward on revitalization, building better pedestrian and bike access, encouraging the arts, and advocating for neighborhood needs are only a few of the issues on the Board’s radar screen. I hope you will agree with me that experience and leadership are important attributes that are needed in these challenging times, and vote to re-elect Penny Gross on November 8.

All Fairfax County polling places will be open on Election Day, November 8, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Some polling places have changed, so please take a moment to check the Voter Card recently sent to you to be sure you know where to vote.

Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be e-mailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov