2022 Candidate Profile: Roland B. Taylor Runs For Herndon Town Council

HERNDON, VA — Roland B. Taylor is the Town of Herndon's representative to the Fairfax County Athletic Council.

Taylor also is running against incumbents Naila Alam, Cesar del Aguila, Signe Friedrichs, and Pradip Dhakal, as well as fellow challengers Keven J. LeBlanc, Stevan M. Porter, Clark Hedrick, and Donielle M. Scherff for the six seats on the Herndon Town Council.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the Herndon Town Council race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Roland B. Taylor

Campaign Website

Taylor4Herndon.com

Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

Wife Kathy, four adult children, and three grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

Daughter is an elementary music teacher in a Virginia County.

Education

Master’s of Science in Cyber Criminology from Loyola University New Orleans, Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society for Social Sciences

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Federal Government Program Management, with over twenty years of experience. Retired law enforcement professional, twenty years of experience.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently appointed to Fairfax County Athletic Council, representative for the Town of Herndon

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have always believed in service to the community. Several issues and changes in direction from the Town of Herndon Council, are having negative impacts on families. The Council has become political platform driven and less on what the families that chose Herndon want or need. These changes in policies and ordinances are having negative impacts on our local schools and overcrowding street parking.

The single most pressing issue facing the Town of Herndon is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Herndon is one of the highest taxed Towns in Virginia. Our services fees and rates have been raised and large bonds secured. This Council voted themselves a pay increase of 275%.I will request a vote to repeal the raise and work for a fixed budget. We have to look at all options to reduce cost, just as families are with the high cost of inflation.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Herndon has begun its re-growth from the economic impacts of COVID and now hit with current inflation. The Town budget will require realignment and all projects prioritized by importance. Quality services can be maintained at lower cost with effective management. As a Council member, I will provide my proven effective leadership for our recovery.

The discussion of affordable housing and rent for low income and seniors, must include lowering our property taxes. Herndon is one of the highest taxed Towns in Virginia. Our services fees and rates have been raised and large bonds secured. The most harmful tax voted for was an increase to the Town’s Meals Tax. This Meals Tax hurts our local businesses and is a regressive tax on the lower income population. This tax should have been paused to help our local restaurants with their recovery and save jobs during the pandemic to help our local businesses.

Herndon Town Council voted huge pay raise for their office in the new 2023 budget.

• Councilmember pay increased from $4,000 to $15,000 = 275% INCREASE
• Mayor’s pay increased from $6,000 to $16,000 = 166% INCREASE

I will vote to repeal this gross increase which insulted our hardworking families struggling with inflation.

For the 2023 budget (and almost every yearly budget), the Town Council also increased water and sewer rates:

• $6.28 to $7.16 per 1,000 gallons for sewer 11.7% INCREASE
• $3.21 to $3.31 per 1,000 gallons for water
• Additionally increased fees for the Herndon Centennial Golf Course and Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

The current Council votes to spend every dollar the tax rate will bring and raise fees in all areas. Who are they representing by raising their salaries 275%?

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current Council’s low-income housing and high-density initiatives have contributed to continued decline in Herndon area elementary schools test scores, which are currently below County and State averages (HES reading scores are at only 54% proficiency, source US News). Families of all backgrounds move away from poor preforming schools.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a member of the Herndon Town Council, I will provide leadership and common-sense solutions. This campaign comes down to the basic issue of the quality of life of citizens versus population growth for more tax revenue.

Over two thousand more residential units have been approved, with more pending. This high density is resulting in more street parking and traffic congestion.

Downtown development has extensive cost overruns and delays. Taxpayers (state and local) are covering major infrastructure cost and developer was given extended tax breaks.

The Council continues to raise fees and budgets that cost families more in tax dollars annually. These higher taxes impact homeowners and renters more with the current high inflation.

2023 Budget INCREASES: The real estate tax remains unchanged at $0.265 per $100 of assessed value, BUT property owners will see hikes in tax bills in the next fiscal year due to increases in real estate values.

Voters must decide why they selected to live in Herndon and if that quality of lifestyle and small-town charm will continue with a higher density rezoning model the current Town Council are supporting.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My career as a public servant in local law enforcement, provides extensive experience working with citizens and government leaders. As a United Nation’s senior rule of law leader and while supporting US Department of State in international locations, I gained experience living and working with diverse international populations, respecting all cultures, and focusing on human rights and protecting endangered population groups.

Based on my background and education master’s degree in cyber criminology from Loyola University in New Orleans, I have served as both an Associate and Adjunct Professor of transnational and organized crime. As a federal government program manager, I have extensive experience with managing large budgets and personnel.

Currently serving second term as a member of the Fairfax County Athletic Council, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, School Board and county agencies on matters relating to sports in Fairfax County. Additionally, serve as Chairman of Scouting in Northwest Fairfax County. Past President Elect and Vice President of Herndon Optimist Club, former Field Hockey and Youth Baseball Coach

The best advice ever shared with me was:

From my religion, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “All things . . . that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them.” (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)

From reading “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,” by Maya Angelou, inspired me to grow in all areas of my life.

My family always stressed, doing your best, help others, working hard, keep your word, and keep going no matter what.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As both a parent and grandparent, I wish to give back and offers my service to the Herndon community as a Council member. I sincerely ask for your support and vote as a Town of Herndon’s Council member on or before November 8th, 2022.

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• 2022 Candidate Profile: Donielle M. Scherff For Herndon Town Council
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• 2022 Candidate Profile: Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. For Herndon Town Council
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