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There are many significant issues facing the next Board, some of which will have greater urgency, and my focus is on the ones the Board will face right away.
Resolving the outstanding issue of Greenway oversight and tolls, including distance-based toll rates.
The integration of Metro into Loudoun's transportation and housing network and economy and accelerating the completion of needed road improvements and connections, to include Greenway alternatives. This is a near and long-term challenge.
Beginning to implement the new Comprehensive Plan and incorporating a more robust approach to addressing Loudoun's housing and related employment issues.
The greatest strength is the students, we have great community and great children and young adults. Our greatest challenge is creating and maintaining balance of the education and development needs of each of the students.
I believe investing in the future starts with our children. I am a founding member of Loudoun
Youth, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to creating leadership opportunities for young people and
have served as its president and treasurer. We need to do more to ensure the safety of our
children, and it starts with our schools. That's why I will vote to put a full-time School
Resource Officer (SRO) in every Loudoun County public school - adding the 58 schools not presently covered - to deter opioid use, bullying, and school violence. I also want to expand the Loudoun Youth Initiative to help provide safe environments for children who may be at risk.
Eastern Loudoun is too congested, and it's not just a transportation problem. We need alternatives to
driving, so I will prioritize connecting existing communities by expanding our walking trails
and bike paths. I have spent four terms on the Loudoun Parks and Recreation Open Space Board building new bike paths and walking trails. I know exactly what needs to be done to accomplish these goals.
Loudoun County's ADU program has worked poorly and is of limited value since it only comes into play when there is a rezoning application. It was established 1993 in part to help teachers, firefighters and deputies be able to live in the county and in that respect has failed. More ADUs is not the answer though, but rather a commitment by the county to more diverse and attainable housing - not necessarily subsidized or as a condition of rezoning. This includes effective expansion of suburban/urban environments and housing types around new Metro stations and a long-term vision of redeveloping older communities in the east.
The new HUD and VHDA contributions seem to be helping with affordable rental housing, but this may be temporary. As Supervisor, I would put a high priority on completing a strategic plan - as appears to be currently proposed -- to assess our ADU and related programs with the development community, realtors and chamber of commerce as full partners in the discussion, and a provide a specific action plan. Without direct involvement of the people who understand the market constraints, needs, and opportunities, and the employers who are based here, the County will be unlikely to make gains in attainable, diverse housing that benefits the community as a whole.
I believe we need to be competitive in over-all compensation with other school systems in our area.
Investing in the future of our students as a Supervisor means maintaining a healthy relationship with the school system, county government, and the community-at-large. I would hold monthly meetings (or more, if necessary) with my school board counterpart to stay current with events and the community. I believe these meetings and contacts fosters dialog and understanding.
I have also been heavily involved with youth-oriented organizations such as Scouting BSA, Loudoun Youth Inc., Loudoun Soccer, etc. Over the years, I have worked collaboratively with the schools for these organizations and I will continue maintaining a healthy relationship with LCPS, as Supervisor and in leadership for the other community groups where I'm involved.
I am a longstanding supporter of a new Potomac River crossing in Loudoun County east of Route 15. The impediment continues to be the lack of political will in Maryland combined with the lack of an unambiguous federal/state plan for the location, timing, and funding. In the past, this has been a lightning rod issue for Loudoun's elected officials who have often given tepid support to the bridge crossing. I will push to make it the next strategic priority for the Loudoun Board, of similar consequence to bringing Metro to Loudoun, and will seek cooperation from federal/state representatives and the Governor to initiate a renewed commitment to negotiations with Maryland.
From I-66 to the Dulles Toll Road and the Greenway, tolls are steadily increasing and making it more and more costly for Loudoun commuters to get to work every day.
I'll fight for lower tolls and distance-pricing, so more drivers can use the Greenway at a lower
cost. I'll fight for faster construction of alternatives to the Greenway and Route 50, and I'll make
sure that Metro's arrival doesn't create gridlock around the Broadlands and Sterling stations.
My priorities are three. Transportation. Loudoun needs to play the central role in keeping Greenway Tolls down, not allow the General Assembly to decide this, and we need distance-priced tolls, so commuters only pay for the miles they drive. We also need to finish building Greenway alternatives and better prepare for the arrival of Metro and its integration with our bus system. Schools and Public Safety. Loudoun is the safest jurisdiction in the metro area, but we must do more for our schools, where bullying, discipline and mental health issues pose serious risks. The next Board should not only fund our academic requirements and ensure that our teachers are fairly paid, but also funding to put a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) in every school. Parks, Fields and Trails. I have spent 20 years leading county efforts to build, expand and maintain our parks, athletic fields, bike paths and walking trials. We can do even more to connect our communities.
Serving on the Board of Supervisors is an extraordinary honor and opportunity to advance the interests of everyone in Loudoun County, and to do so with passion, integrity, fiscal responsibility, and a clear appreciation that the public interest is what matters, not partisan politics. I’m ready to devote myself to this service and be accountable to the citizens of Broad Run and Loudoun County.
This election comes down to leadership experience and demonstrated results, both of which offer a sharp contrast with my opponent. I have over 20 years of leadership in local government and community-based organizations, including fiscal, management and policy experience, as well as serving on the board of Loudoun Water and, previously, on the Board of Supervisors. My efforts have yielded tangible results, including the Loudoun Youth Initiative, building more than 178 fields throughout the county, and expanding county parks and walking trails. My opponent has not a single such accomplishment. Even with her service as a teacher, the Loudoun Education Association – which represents teachers – has recommended my candidacy, not hers. Also, my reputation in the community is as a consensus-builder. I know how to bring people together for a common objective and to do so in a non-partisan way. That’s exactly how I will serve on the Board.
My singular long-term focus as Supervisor will be in two areas: To develop a strategy for the expansion and sustainability of more broadly attainable housing for those who want to live in Loudoun County. Today’s modest ADU program serves only a sliver of the need and is coupled with new housing that is affordable mostly to only those with the highest incomes. A healthy community is one where people of all backgrounds and incomes can fully participate, not one that excludes them. It’s time to start doing something about it, and I have made specific recommendations. To do more for our youth through programs in our schools and the community that foster a positive self-image, meaningful extracurricular activities and better mental health. This is a major concern nationwide and Loudoun is no exception. I will support a long-term commitment to these efforts as a high priority of local government working in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors.
1. How do you plan to address Loudoun’s housing affordability crisis?
When elected I will promote and lead collaborative initiatives among government, the building industry, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to increase the availability of affordable housing. This includes working diligently with applicants and county staff on re-zonings that maximize ADU’s and workforce housing. In addition, I will pursue more opportunities to utilize the Housing Trust Fund (HUD and VHDA).
2. Currently, roughly half of Loudoun County’s Capital Investment Plan is dedicated to transportation improvements. Do you support this level of priority for transportation investment? Please explain why, or why not.
I support keeping a high priority on transportation spending. When elected I will work to lower the percentage that comes from local tax dollars and diversify our revenue sources.
3. Should Loudoun continue to encourage the future growth of our data center industry or do you feel certain restrictions are necessary?
Loudoun’s data center business sector is highly successful and makes a substantial contribution to our tax base and community welfare. It is one of Loudoun’s most notable economic assets and should be fully supported by the BOS.
By their nature, data centers need to be clustered. Proximity is a key to performance, and the BOS ought to support this sector as it grows and evolves in current and new industrial and business areas. There are legitimate issues of aesthetics and location and these should always be considerations too.
4. On June 20th the Board of Supervisors adopted the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. What are your thoughts on the adopted plan and how will you seek to improve upon it?
Overall this was a failed process that took too long and lacked the necessary direction from the BOS from the outset. As a result, notwithstanding the best intentions of a wide variety of stakeholders, what was approved was a modest change to what is already in place -- in a sense, “do as little as possible in an election year” to a plan that had not been comprehensively updated in 18 years. We missed the opportunity to properly plan for our future economic development and housing needs and not just worry about the next election.
I attended five of the input sessions and did not see a good cross section of business representation. Small businesses were left out and we need ought to take steps to rectify this. Implementation by the next BOS will be crucial, and when elected I will seek input from small and large business owners to be sure county government takes their needs into account and has an action plan, especially in the area of workforce housing and training.
5. How will you seek to address the scarcity of available Class A office space in Loudoun County?
Getting financing for Class A Offices is challenging, especially for speculative construction. We have seen some of the large office parks built in the 80’s and 90’s in Fairfax County become vacant as the market has changed, and this should never happen in Loudoun if we’re well-prepared to adapt to current and future marked realities.
When elected I will immediately meet with the Department of Economic Development and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for encouraging mixed use development and target landing “Class A users” as part of the project. In 2012, the BOS put in place an incentive fund to attract and retain companies, and I will work to go beyond that fund to attract Class A office, potentially including we may fee and tax incentives.
6. Please tell us why you are the best candidate for this office?
I am the best candidate for the Broad Run District representative on the Board of Supervisors (BOS) thanks to my 20 years of local community leadership and accomplishments. I am a pioneering leader on behalf of Loudoun’s youth, sports, parks, trails and communities, and have served for many years on BOS-appointed boards and commissions, HOAs, and local, state and national non-profit boards, as well to complete an unexpired term on the BOS. My level of community contributions is well known, as is my hard work and willingness to make the tough decision, not just the popular ones.
Through my business, community and government experience I understand the importance of a strong local economy and low taxes, and that an effective economic development strategy must address transportation, education and housing. I will work to ensure the success integration of the new Metro stations into our local economy and transportation network, and on behalf of other transportation solutions too.
I am campaigning in support of positive change in Loudoun County, with a focus on bipartisan solutions to non-partisan challenges.
Source: BizVotes Candidates Questionnaire
Jim Bonfils Announces Run for Broad Run District Supervisor; Long time civic leader and former Board member to seek open seat Ashburn, VA - Jim Bonfils, a founding board member of Loudoun Youth, Inc., board member of Loudoun Water, and 30-year resident of Ashburn, today announced his candidacy for Broad Run District supervisor on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Bonfils was appointed to the seat in 2015 to complete the unexpired term of former supervisor Shawn Williams, then stepped down. He is the only Republican candidate in the race as current supervisor Ron Meyer is running for the State Senate. "Loudoun County is a great place to live, work and raise a family and I'm running for supervisor to make it even better," said Bonfils. "I believe in public service, and if elected I'll work with everyone regardless of political party to get results that improve our quality of life, just as I have for many years on behalf of our youth." Bonfils named improving Loudoun's transportation network, better housing options, safer schools, and more recreational opportunities as his top priorities. "I'll fight for lower tolls and distance-pricing so more eastern Loudoun drivers can use the Greenway without paying the full rate," Bonfils said. "I'll also work to accelerate east-west driving alternatives, including improvements to Shellhorn Road and Route 50, and to make sure Metro's arrival next year doesn't create gridlock around the Loudoun stations." "Eastern Loudoun is too congested, and it's not just a transportation problem," Bonfils said. "We're not doing enough to take cars off our roads and promote the idea of community. Most young families, teachers, and first responders cannot afford to live here. As a result, more and more are being driven out of the county with no choice but to commute to Loudoun every day for work. We need more attainable housing options for our growing workforce, and to make existing communities more connected by expanding our walking trails and bike paths." "Public safety is another top priority, and it starts with our schools," Bonfils said. "I support putting a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) in every Loudoun County public school - adding the 58 schools not presently covered - to deter opioid use, bullying and school violence. I also want to expand the Loudoun Youth Initiative to help provide safe environments for children who may be at risk." Bonfils has been a leader in promoting youth sports and recreation in Loudoun County. In addition to serving as treasurer of Loudoun Youth, Inc. and a founding board member since 2005, he chairs the Goose Creek (Loudoun) Boy Scout district, is a member and past chairman of the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Open Space Board, a past member of the Loudoun County Advisory Council on Youth, and a 20-year board member of the Loudoun Youth Soccer Association, where he also served as president, treasurer, referee and coach. Bonfils was appointed to the Loudoun Water board in 2016 and serves on its Audit and CIP committees. He has also chaired the Loudoun County Republican Committee since last year and will be resigning that position. Bonfils has held senior positions in IT sales for the past two decades, and currently serves as Director of Federal Accounts for Western Digital Technology. He has also been a sales executive for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, SanDisk Enterprise Solutions, Cisco and Radware, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton. Bonfils and his wife Terri are members of Saint Theresa's Catholic Church and have three daughters who live in the area. Carol Kost will serve as Treasurer of the Bonfils campaign. Kost, a founding board member and chairman emeritus of Loudoun Youth, Inc., also serves as chaplain of Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Source: http://www.jimbonfils.org/
