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Candidates Debate Last Night -- Opinions?

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by chris, Oct 15, 2003.

  1. chris

    chris New Member

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    First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU to Cliff for setting up the Candidates Debate last night. It was a learning experience and actually changed my plans on how I would vote in one of the races. Cliff, though I have not agreed with some of your perspectives, I do value your dedication to the Broadlands. I know that the forum was not easy to set up. My hat is off to you, sir.

    I am interested in what others thought about the candidates. Please, I am only interested in civil comments. To be fair, I will also give this disclaimer: I am a lifelong social liberal (but I am becoming more fiscally conservative as I get older). That said, my main thoughts are:

    1. I was happy to hear that all the at-large supervisor candidates (Republican, Independent/Conservative, and Democrat) staunchly opposed HCA. What was really surprising is that the candidates mentioned that the residents in South Dulles actually wanted a hospital. The incumbent and the Democratic candidate were also slow growth supporters.

    2. Mr. John Murphy, who is a Broadlands resident, is the Dulles district supervisor Democratic candidate. He stated that he is in favor of HCA and the location of the hospital right in the Broadlands. As a lifelong liberal, it pains me to vote against a Democrat, but I will have to this time. (That is a first for me.) Mr. Steve Snow, the Dulles district supervisor Republican, seemed to be acceptable, but there seems to be quite a bit of vitriol between him and the incumbent candidate. I did not like seeing that put on display.

    3. The three sheriff candidates all seemed very competent, experienced, and sincere. I am sure that we would do OK with any of them.

    I would definitely be interested in what others have to say. Again, I am only interested in civil comments.
     
  2. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Chris-
    Thanks for the compliment. My only disappointment was that more residents weren't there.
    A few corrections-
    The incumbent Independent/Conservative Chairman candidate, Scott York, supports the hospital application. He clarified this when asked directly from a member of the audience.
    There is no incumbent candidate for Dulles District Supervisor. Both Steve Snow and John Murphy are competing for the seat being vacated by Drew Hiatt.
    Cliff
     
  3. joy

    joy New Member

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    I was sorry I didn't get to make it last night. My 3-year-old had an accident at daycare that day and I needed to be with her (she's fine now, less one tooth). Anyway, I'm interested as to other play-by-play stuff if someone wants to provide it. Like what vitriol was there? And any other opinions on issues they expressed, especially ones that might not be readily available in the press.

    Thanks.

    --Joy
     
  4. chris

    chris New Member

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    Cliff: There were more folks at the Broadlands session than were at a similar debate in South Riding. So, I think that it was successful.

    Also, I truthfully do not recall Mr. York stating that he supported the HCA hospital *in* the Broadlands. I recall that he said that he supports another hospital in Loudoun, but not HCA's COPN. Did he say that after the session to an audience member privately?

    Sorry about my inaccurate statement about the Dulles District Supervisor. I confused Mr. York, the at-large supervisor candidate/incumbent, and Mr. Snow. Joy, I think that the vitriol was between Mr. York and Mr. Gordon, the Republican candidate. I went through old articles in Leesburg Today and saw that there is a lot of bad blood there, so I can see why they got into some mud slinging.
     
  5. SK8R

    SK8R On the Clover Meadow

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    Scott York is FOR the hospital, foshizzle! I am not voting for him.
    I did not go to the meeting last night. I have done my research.
    I am voting straight Republican.
     
  6. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Chris-
    After Scott started answering my question about the hospital proposal, he was trying to make the point that regardless of whether you think the Broadlands site is not as preferable to some as a site farther south, the county should not let that determine whether to approve this application. At that point, an audience member shouted out "Just tell us whether you support it or not". Scott responded that yes, he supports it.
     
  7. chris

    chris New Member

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    I interpreted his response to mean that he supports another hospital for Loudoun, not necessarily right in the middle of the Broadlands.

    Regardless, I was very glad to see that the majority of the county's elected officials OPPOSE the HCA's application. I think that the Republicans are likely to win in this election (even I am voting for Snow!), and the Republican candidates for the at-large seat and the district seat are against the hospital in Broadlands. So, we should be in good hands when it comes to having solid opposition to HCA at the county level, just as is the case at the state level.
     
  8. doberman

    doberman New Member

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    I also thank Cliff for arranging this, but was also disappointed at the turnout.

    Regarding the Dulles rep., I liked much that Snow had to say, but I got the impression that he would be a fierce advocate for South Riding, and much less so for us. I like the fact that Murphy is local to Broadlands and likely to understand and fight for our interests.

    I went to the event hoping to find a candidate I liked for the at large supervisor, but didn't like any of the 3. Gordon's philosophies match most closely with mine, but I was very turned off by the fact that he spent the vast majority of his time bashing York instead of offering constructive ideas.

    What's up with the sheriff race? It sure seems like there are problems with the current one to make so many competitors show up, but what have been the problems?
     
  9. Donna

    Donna New Member

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    I attended the meeting and was a little shocked by the low turnout. I think if people in Broadlands want to maintain the standard of living we currently have more community involvement needs to be given by the members here. With that said: as for Sherrif I agree I think they all came across qualified and able to preform the duties of that position. I personally do not feel that our current sheriff (Simpson) has done anything that warrents his not being reelected. I feel he has and is making great strides for loudoun and believe he will continue to do so. As for Dulles Suprv: I agree with one of the previous posts I have never voted straight down party lines and will always look to vote for the individual not the party affiliation he/she holds. I think Snow or Van Hyke are getting my vote. I thought they came across knowledgable and will have the time and concern to shake things up so that it wont be status quo. As for chairman York certainly is not getting my vote, I am against him not only for supporting HCA, but other things,etc that he has said or done during his past term. We need a breath of fresh air at the BOS and with york that isnt going to happen. Just my 2 cents worth.
     
  10. Stephanie

    Stephanie New Member

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    Just another reason to support the GOP! At least the true Republicans in this county, are UNITED in their opposition to building a hospital in the middle of a family-focused, residential community.
     
  11. Dutchml

    Dutchml Member

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    Sorry for the post-election editorial: Boy, this election really shows that every vote counts and as reported in the Loudoun Times today, if you didn't vote, don't complain about the next 4 years. I hope the new board will take a more business-friendly attitude to attract and retain businesses and shift the tax burden back off homeowners. I hope the days of Eastern Loudoun density packing in exchange for no-growth in western Loudoun and actually using our tax money to pay these billionaires not to develop their property are over. I am not for unbridled growth, but I am concerned about unbridled government waste, unbridled tax increases and senseless zoning and building restricitons that are choking the vitality of Loudoun. Witness the delay getting Clyde's approved because someone on the board wanted wood instead of stone on the front.....The agenda wasn't architecture, it was NO GROWTH, PERIOD. I am concerned about how in the world my children are going to afford to live in this county when they grow up given the excess demand for and the shortage of supply (because of downzoning) of housing. Thanks to eastern Loudoun citizens for showing up at the polls...I think we have more reason and good sense than the people who somehow got elected 4 years ago.

    P.S. I really debated about whether or not to submit this rant because I hate politics, but I needed to get this off my chest. ;)
     
  12. killer_bee

    killer_bee New Member

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    I am glad that you posted it! However, get ready to be attacked for expressing solid family values and taking a pro-business stance!

    In my opinion, this election was GREAT news for the Broadlands because

    (1) Candidates like Steve Snow and Scott York who went on record as opposing the ho$pital WON! Now, let's keep them accountable!

    (2) The ultra-liberal, anti-family Patty Morissey went down in flames!

    (3) John Murphy lost BIG time. Having him lose while he supported the hospital just made my day!!! Now, we don't need a poll about the ho$pital here in the Broadlands. The election results told us what voters in the Broadlands thought about the ho$pital!



    killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia
     
  13. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Killer Bee-
    Gee, hate to disappoint you, but Scott York has been a strong supporter of the hospital from the beginning. He's stated it on numerous occasions, and I have had many personal conversations with him about it.

    I find it interesting that you think the election was solely about this hospital. I think things like taxes, roads, spending and growth may have been on a few people's minds! I supported candidates that opposed the hospital, but I think these other issues are a bit more important.
     
  14. killer_bee

    killer_bee New Member

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    VACLIFF: I think that you misundertand Scott York's views. I spoke with staff at his campaign, and they made it clear that he SUPPORTS another hospital in Loudoun (even if it is an HCA ho$pital, yuck). However, he does not specifically support HCA's plan to build the monstrosity in the Broadlands.

    Also, you state that you find it interesting that I think the election was solely about this ho$pital. There were other considerations for me, but the ho$pital was the BIGGEST issue affecting the Broadlands. Fortunately, HCA can't win a single ruling to save it life. Hehe!

    killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia
     
  15. GCyr

    GCyr New Member

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    killer_bee,

    Why do you think the proposed hospital is a "montrosity" when the "by-right" amount of office space that can be built in the same area is greater than the proposed hospital -- over 1M sq.ft of office building space versus about 850K sq.ft of hospital/medical buildings? Also, with the hospital, the County (with HOA input) has some control/say into the hospital footprint and landscaping. With an office park, there is next to no County (or HOA) input because it is a zoned, "by-right" development. That is, the office park developer could clear the entire area of all trees and plant a couple shrubs and we would have to live with the results. Is this what the community wants instead of a hospital?

    I asked a general question a couple months ago that remains unanswered. It wasn't directed at you, killer_bee, but as a general question (but still not answered). If the proposed hospital won't benefit our community (as many anti-hospital people have stated, but I don't agree with), how will our community benefit from an office park?



     
  16. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Killer Bee-
    There is no misunderstanding on my part. As I said, I have had personal conversations with him abou this, and he will support it. I agree with you in that, in a perfect world, Scott would prefer the hospital be built in another location. But given that this is the best site available that HCA has chosen, he will support it.
    He also supports the services the hospital will provide and does not consider it a "monstrosity". Those are your words, not his.

    Regarding the process; they may be down, but not for the count. The fact that they bought the property indicates they are in this for the long haul.
    Cliff
     
  17. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Killer Bee-
    HCA's pockets are very deep. I doubt they will go away until the last possible avenue is closed to them.

    Eastern Loudoun, as a mostly middle to upper middle class area, will ALWAYS attract those who wish to make money, from large corporations to small family owned operations.
     
  18. chris

    chris New Member

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    T8erman: I will be oh so happy when HCA dertermine that "the last possible avenue is closed to them." From the response in this forum, from the regional authorities, from our elected county officials, and from our state officials, there is NO SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT WHATSOEVER for this un-wanted hospital...especially when there is a perfectly good hospital just moments away.
     
  19. killer_bee

    killer_bee New Member

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    Here, here! You said it, brother! The only people who would support this wretched abomination of a ho$pital are HCA shareholders!

    killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia
     
  20. killer_bee

    killer_bee New Member

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    GCYR: How's this? A nice church would be a fine addition in the place of the wretched HCA ho$pital.

    killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia
     

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