Commentary

Virginia transportation officials recently started putting mileage and times on road signs hanging atop interstates, giving those in vehicles an idea how long trips will take given existing traffic conditions.

When the General Assembly convenes next month, it likely will have to decide whether to allow home-schooled students to participate in high school athletic events at public schools.

There are a few groups of people it is probably wise never to tick off: Reporters, executive assistants and bond-rating agencies all spring to mind. And, of course, medical professionals set to perform colonoscopies.

I want to express my appreciation to the community of Vienna for the memorial to honor our soldiers and veterans who have served in our military. 

The political lull between Election Day and the convening in early January of the General Assembly gives elected officials in local government across the Old Dominion the opportunity to bleat and carp about all the mean things the state government does to them.

Depending on how you look at it, Fairfax County residents either missed an opportunity or dodged a bullet in their selection of School Board members Nov. 8.

Against a backdrop of conservative Republicans controlling both the Governor’s Mansion and the House of Delegates, maintaining Democratic control of the state Senate is absolutely essential for the future well-being of the commonwealth. 

I have noticed over the years that the most effective board members understand the workings of the school board and how things get done, can work collaboratively with other school board members and school staff, have a measured approach to rule making and continually consult with their own community. 

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is proposing to take highway robbery to a new level, and they don’t need a mask and or a gun. Instead, they have our supposed representation, the Board of Supervisors, encouraging them.

Janie Strauss should be re-elected to the School Board for a number of reasons, but the most important, in my opinion, is that she cares for all students and doesn’t see them through a “political lens.”  

With all the important issues that Northern Virginians are worried about – local transportation, less-than-ideal public schools, run-away federal debt and spending – it’s unfortunate, and even a bit odd, that a local state Senate candidate’s sexual orientation would emerge as an issue in the campaign, yet that is exactly what has happened in the race to represent the 32nd District.  

Mark Angolia [“Region’s One-Lane Bridges Threaten Safety,” Letters Sept. 22] is right. One-lane bridges not only waste time, but also gas, at a time when the cost of gas is high.

For me, the values learned from my grandfather serve as the guiding light. My grandfather would not judge candidates for office by their party affiliation or their religious persuasion. Instead, their character and as to what they could do for the community mattered more.

There is a lot of misinformation being spread regarding who was responsible for getting synthetic turf for the Herndon High School stadium and practice fields. 

The redevelopment of Tysons Corner and the construction of Metro’s Silver Line mean the next few years are going to bring a lot of changes for our community. The transportation and land-use choices being made now will determine our quality of life for years into the future. 

We are writing on behalf of the many FCPS educators listed below who support Janie Strauss for the Dranesville School Board position.  

This letter is an endorsement of Jane Strauss for Dranesville School Board.

Two years ago, in endorsing incumbent Democrat Margaret “Margi” Vanderhye over Republican challenger Barbara Comstock in the 34th District House of Delegates race, we noted that each candidate brought substantial experience and strong positions to the table. 

Our predisposition as election time approaches each year is to start with the theory that endorsements are, first and foremost, incumbents’ to lose. Challengers must clear a high hurdle in proving they would do a more effective job.

Republican Patrick Forrest appears to be centering his uphill campaign to unseat state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) by playing off a theme Fairfax Republicans have been pushing of late: Demanding something be done about what they claim will be fatally high costs to access the Dulles Toll Road in coming years.

I was disappointed to read the Sept. 8 editorial [“Spare Us Talking Points”], threatening candidates who claim that they will be able to bring more tax revenue back to Northern Virginia.  

Many thanks to the people of Great Falls, who reminded me again that Great Falls is a special community.