Candidates seeking election to three vacancies on Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors presented their views on a number of topics of local interest. Each candidate was asked to provide a short statement containing any combination of biographic, qualification, and policy position information and a photo. These appear below listed alphabetically by name.

The candidates spoke at the September 14, 2011 meeting of the Senior Statesmen of Virginia. The meeting was held at the Charlottesville Senior Center. Following the presentation, questions were taken from the audience. The program was moderated by SSV Secretary Bill Davis.

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Kenneth C. (Ken) Boyd – Rivanna District – Republican For over 30 years Ken Boyd has been a part of our community. Ken and his wife Brenda raised 4 children (Casey, Patrick, Kelley and Cory) who all attended Albemarle public schools. It was Ken’s longtime commitment to the Albemarle school system that led him to chair his children’s PTOs and then on to winning a seat on the School Board. From coaching youth sports to his current service on the Computers4Kids’ board, Supervisor Boyd has always tried to make a positive difference in preparing our children for the future.

Since being elected to the Board of Supervisors, Ken’s focus has remained on improving the quality of life in Albemarle County for all. By working to bring the new Martha Jefferson Hospital to the county and helping to secure quality jobs at the DIA and NGIC, Ken has labored to keep our local economy strong. His leadership in shaping the Board of Supervisor master plan, limiting growth to 5% of the county’s landmass, has allowed roughly 80% of the county to remain forested. His transportation solutions like the Meadowcreek Parkway and now the 29 bypass will help ease congestion and better serve local residents and businesses for decades to come.

Christopher J. Dumler – Scottsville District – Democrat Christopher Dumler is an attorney and UVA Law graduate with his own practice who lives and works in Scottsville. In addition to his private law practice, Christopher also serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps. He has been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve on the Board of Directors and as chairman of the Finance Committee of the Region Ten Community Services Board, and he is also a member of the Albemarle Natural Heritage Committee, a stakeholder in the Biscuit Run State Park master planning process. He also serves the community as a volunteer firefighter, a member of the Scottsville Government Services Committee, and a member of the Scottsville Chamber of Commerce. Christopher is running to ensure that Albemarle and the Scottsville District have an accountable, collaborative, responsive government that focuses on issues that actually matter to the residents of the district: economic development and job creation for citizens; smart investments in our schools to ensure our children receive a world-class education that will keep us competitive in the global market; and smart growth and development to preserve our agricultural heritage, environmental treasures and the pristine beauty of Albemarle County.

Ann Mallek – Whitehall District – Democrat I am descended from a 13th c Irish lady pirate, the granddaughter of a Rachel Carson environmentalist, and daughter of a veterinarian. I wear many hats which use different skills and interests. Farmer, biologist by training, teacher — all provide me with experience to support my major goals as supervisor — representation and collaboration.

I am proud to be a citizen activist, with sole allegiance to residents and to our county. I stand up for open, accessible processes and transparent decision making, as I believe these are essential to build and maintain the public’s confidence in local government.

There are many critical issues facing our district and our county right now-economic development and employment, success in our schools, transportation priorities and the Western Bypass, zoning concerns, air and water quality, water capacity planning, and the county use of tax funds, to name a few. I actively listen to citizens, bring varied opinions together, and represent the majority of the citizens in our district. Please share your views with me by calling or e- mailing. Invite me to speak with your neighborhood or homeowners association, or community group.

Cynthia Neff – Rivanna District – Democrat It seems I have spent my whole life preparing for this role on the BOS. I was a small business owner then transitioned to one of the most successful companies in the world. At IBM I learned what it took to be a leader, to make tough decisions and to make thoughtful analyses. I learned to balance the needs of customers, the marketplace, employees, and the bottom line. I worked my way up from account specialist to the executive ranks where I was accountable for running a global operation.

I plan to live the rest of my life here in Albemarle County. I want to help our community not only survive, but thrive. Someone needs to stand up for the residents of the Rivanna District and Albemarle County, listen to them, engage them and work with them to build a sustainable, integrated community for everyone.

We are at a defining moment in the history of our community. Strong leadership is required that proactively listens to all parties, understands there are no simple solutions nor room for rigid ideology, plays well with others and gets the job done. I can do that job well. I ask for your support, help and your vote.

James C. Norwood – Scottsville District – Republican

• B.A. Economics University of New England… presently a Trustee
• Independent business owner in Albemarle county for 12 years
• Private business owner 25 years of 45 year career
• Married to Joan for 43 yrs , five children, seven grandchildren
• Past President of Charlottesville American Heart Association
• Past President American Cancer Society, Charlottesville

Issues:

• FOR-Freedom, Liberty and Rights
• FOR-Common sense fiscal responsibility
• FOR-Extending CAT service where needed
• FOR-In classroom investment for education
• FOR-Safe rural roads
• FOR-Manage county revenue to avoid raising taxes
• FOR-Buy Local and expand present businesses from within to create jobs
• AGAINST-Partisan politics
• AGAINST-Internet sales for products available locally

Program Summary

Rivanna District incumbent Ken Boyd (R) said that after his extensive involvement in education (as the PTO president, founding member of the parent council, and school board member) he was elected to the board of supervisors eight years ago. He identifies the following as important issues: education; fiscal responsibility (people living on fixed incomes just can’t pay any more taxes now); good, high-paying career ladder jobs; and the environment. He is very proud that we have actually lessened the size of the growth area and added over 1,000 acres of park land.

Rivanna District challenger Cynthia Neff (D) left retirement to speak out for people who do not have a voice–persons with AIDS, abused children, the environment, and the working poor. Giving citizens the chance to be part of decisions and providing regular input is one of the main reasons she is running. Open, transparent government means giving citizens a voice before decisions are made. Economic vitality is critical, but it means more than just growth and development.

Scottsville District candidate Chris Dumler (D) sees potentially unchecked and unplanned for growth threatening to clog our transportation infrastructure and overcrowd our schools. He understands what works and doesn’t work in education (both parents are teachers), and the difficulties of opening a small business. We need a holistic, comprehensive vision of what our county will look like. We deserve a government that is collaborative and works with UVa, the city and the surrounding localities to solve regional issues.

Scottsville District candidate James Norwood (R) supports funding for education so we can promote highly qualified students to compete on a world-wide stage, but also to look after all children who need to be better prepared for life after school. He will lead the charge to expand our present businesses and generate jobs through those expansions to meet our revenue needs. He supports the 29 bypass and improvements to Rt 20 and Rt 53.

White Hall District incumbent Ann Malleck (D) is running for reelection unopposed. In the last election cycle in 2007 the county was growing and changing at a very fast pace, but now the economy is slowing and the need is to cut the budget. Albemarle also faces the State government’s desire to devolve its highway responsibilities to us. We need to stand shoulder-toshoulder with other counties to tell the General Assembly, “No!” To maintain thousands of miles of roads in Albemarle County would be a huge expense.

Ann Mallek, chairman of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, and Dave Norris, mayor of the City of Charlottesville spoke at the March 10, 2010 meeting of the Senior Statesmen of Virginia held at The Charlottesville Senior Center. Following brief opening remarks by the participants, questions were taken from the audience. The program was moderated by SSV board member Jim Perkins.

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Ann H. Mallek, was elected for her first term to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors beginning in 2008 representing the White Hall District. She was elected chairman earlier this year.

Ann grew up in Albemarle County and graduated from Albemarle High School. She received her B.A. in Zoology from Connecticut College. Since 1983 Ann and her husband, Leo, a general dentist with a practice in Earlysville, have managed the family farm in Earlysville where they raised their two daughters. The farm produces grass-fed beef and pesticide-free vegetables.

Ann is the educator and program coordinator for Central Virginia for the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

She is a member of the following boards, commissions and committees: the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission; Albemarle County Fire Rescue Advisory Board; Piedmont Workforce Network Council; Acquisition of Conservation Easements; and the Building Committee.

Ann is a member of the League of Women Voters; Albemarle County Farm Bureau; Charlottesville-Albemarle Chamber of Commerce; Piedmont Environmental Council; Southern Environmental Law Center; Rivanna Conservation Society; Ivy Creek Foundation; and the League of Conservation Voters.

Ann cites her experience on County boards focused on zoning, transportation, development, and conservation, and describes herself as a strong protector of the environment and rural spaces, and of growth areas that are developed only after rational, long-term planning and proper funding of necessary public services.

Dave Norris was first elected to the Charlottesville City Council in 2006 and was elected mayor in 2008. He is the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge and previously was the executive director of PACEM. Other positions include the associate director of Madison House, interim director of PHAR (the Public Housing Association of Residents), founding director of the Connecting People to Jobs Initiative (a joint venture between PHAR and Piedmont Virginia Community College), and coordinator of the Virginia Economic Development Corporation’s Micro Loan Program for low-income, minority and female entrepreneurs.

Dave has served on a number of boards and commissions including the Charlottesville Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Monticello Area Community Action Agency, PHAR Advisory Board, Piedmont Housing Alliance, Westhaven Nursing Clinic Coalition, Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless, and the Jefferson Area Board of Aging 2020 Community Plan for Aging.

Dave graduated from high school in Stuttgart, Germany, and received a B.A. in Politics & History from Curry College in Milton, MA, and an M.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary. He recently bought an old house in Belmont and is happy to call Belmont home. He has two children, Eli and Chloe.

Dave is a graduate of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Charlottesville program and a graduate of the Quality Community Council’s Explorations in Excellence leadership development program. He was named one of the Distinguished Dozen by the Daily Progress and was honored as Virginia Citizen of the Year by the Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors for his work with PACEM.

Program Summary

Ms. Mallek identified several areas of progress over the past several years including the inclusion of the entire county for 100 foot stream buffer; adoption of consistent driveway standards; improvements to erosion and resettlement regulations; master plans and their careful revision every five years; and a county budget process that helps supervisors understand the will of the people. An immediate challenge is the proposed state budget cuts of 8 percent in the Senate budget and 15 percent in the House (and up to 30 percent for the city).

Mr. Norris discussed the many constraints on relationships: Virginia is a Dillon Rule state which greatly restricts what a city can do. Virginia is also the only state with independent cities. This is a dysfunctional system and creates inefficiencies and antagonisms. He would prefer to do away with the system of independent cities and he strives to implement ways to share services with the county. Still, a lot has been accomplished and there has been good progress in the four primary issues he identified in his campaign: affordable housing; environmental sustainability; race and poverty; and youth opportunity and education.

Audience questions pertained to reversion to town status; revenue sharing and school funding formula; the impact of the university; solid waste; Rio Road and Meadowcreek Parkway; annexation; the need for mutual city-county transportation planning; city-county support for the YMCA; why it takes so long to make decisions (e.g., water supply system); and the rebranding of the Charlottesville Transit System.