To Chairman York: Loudoun Needs Leadership

Dear Chairman York:

For three terms, you have been elected to lead Loudoun County as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. When a previous Board stripped you of your authority, a bipartisan coalition of Loudoun legislators acted to reconfirm it with a new law. You are the face of our County, and have direct responsibility for addressing the many serious issues that Loudoun faces.

I am writing you this letter asking you to take that mandate seriously and demonstrate real leadership.

I am asking you to show leadership by no longer tolerating the active participation of the President of a Hate Group on the Board of Supervisors. Strip Eugene Delgaudio of any powers or roles that are discretionary, including his positions on any Board subcommittees.

I am asking you to show leadership by recusing yourself from voting on any issue that has a direct financial benefit to any of your campaign donors, and insisting that all your fellow Supervisors do the same.

I am asking you to show leadership by not passing the buck or dodging the issue of transportation funding. You claim to support roads, Metro and buses, while refusing to lead the County in figuring out how to pay for these badly needed improvements.

I am asking you to show leadership by being truly pro-business, not just pro-growth. Being pro-business is understanding the importance of funding schools, infrastructure, and transportation, as necessary prerequisites for attracting and retaining good businesses. Being pro-business is understanding that tolerating leaders and policies that discriminate against certain people sends a message that not everyone is welcome in Loudoun, including many employers.

I am asking you to show leadership by ensuring that the people who work for Loudoun County can afford to live in Loudoun County. Public employees are the core infrastructure of Loudoun’s quality of life, and deserve to be compensated justly.

I am asking you to show leadership by explaining how a County that could not sustain funding and resources for Drug Court, a program proven to be effective in reducing recurring crimes, has funding and resources to arrest and prosecute good samaritans cleaning up public rights of way.

I am asking you to show leadership by going to Richmond, flanked by every fellow Republican elected official in the County, and demanding Gov. McDonnell be held accountable for stealing the Redskins with state-provided financial incentives, even as Loudoun has to fight tooth and nail for our share of state funding for our schools.

I am asking you, Chairman York, to be Chairman.

Sincerely,

Evan Macbeth
Chair, Loudoun County Democratic Committee