Meet The Candidate: Roland Taylor For Herndon Mayor

HERNDON, VA — In addition to voting for the president and vice president, U.S. senator and U.S. representative in the Nov. 3 general election, residents of the Town of Herndon will be choosing from among 10 candidates to fill vacant seats on the Town Council. They will also choose who will be the new mayor.

Roland Taylor, a 59-year-old federal program manager and retired police officer, is running against Vice Mayor Sheila A. Olem to succeed Mayor Lisa Merkel, who has chosen not to run for reelection.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in Herndon to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Candidate

Roland Taylor

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Town/City of Residence

Herndon

Office Sought

Mayor of the Town of Herndon

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

Wife, Kathy with four adult children and two grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, New Orleans, Louisiana

Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice Administration (3.7 GPA).

Dual specialization - Cyber Criminology.

Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Zeta Beta Loyola Chapter, Member

Pi Gamma Mu, National Honor Society for Social Sciences, Member.

Occupation

Program Manager - Federal contractor and a retired police officer

Campaign website

www.Taylor4Herndon.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current member of the Fairfax County Athletic Council.

Past President, Vice President, and Board Member of Hunter Creek’s Homes Association.

Past President Elect and Vice President of Herndon Optimist Club.

The single most pressing issue facing our town is the COVID economy impacts and this is what I intend to do about it.

Due to COVID-19 and its negative impacts to our economy, all levels of government will be required to make budget cuts as all the prior budget forecast were incorrect ($5.5M). We know after COVID-19, many business models will change. Office space may reduce, lowering commuters, and impact lunch traffic. These and others will reduce taxes paid and Town revenues.

The next two years will be difficult and requires someone with extensive government and business experience like Roland’s, to work with the community, businesses, and Town's Manager to lead Herndon to recovery. This requires selecting the best candidate for leadership, and not just voting down a party ticket.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Equal and equitable opportunities for all to succeed should be looked at in all areas of government and communities.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

Public safety is an important role, Herndon Police has a diverse department and our Police Chief DeBoard, was just elected as the first female president of the VACP.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

Herndon, is working with our small businesses and dining establishments to support outdoor seating, using public property. I strongly encourage others to wear mask.

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

The Town's Charter highlights the benefits of non-partisan local elections. With many of our citizens being Federal employees the Hatch Act limits their ability to participate in partisan elections as candidates. Until recently, our town elections were held separately in May with no parties listed by candidate names. This was changed to November by partisan Council members with no citizen referendum. This has allowed them to ride on the coattails of their political party in General Elections and be on their national and state ballot handouts and website.

My opponent is one of the architects and voted for this party influence to stay in office. Over her terms, she has taken thousands of dollars from her political party and others campaigns. Term limits should be at all levels of government.

Since 2016, the Town Council has been majority party controlled with limited transparency. It is not socially healthy at local level to allow any party to control all seats. We should focus on local issues of Herndon and work together as neighbors. I am a consensus building leader, that respects all citizen and will not silence voters by parties.

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

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 and senior population. My opponent supported and voted for this increase, with no pause or relief to businesses nor low income citizens, during COVID-19 and the devastating impacts to our food establishments and their workers.

My opponent is one of the architects and voted for this party influence to stay in office, by moving the Town elections to November then embracing and paying for political party support. Party caucusing in a non-partisan office should not be supported by any party, as it discriminates with $500.00 fees and only 400+ caucus voters selecting candidate for Mayor, then obligating them to a biased oath. That should be for the Herndon voters to choose who would be best to serve and not told by party ballots. The chilling affect will be no one will run in future and that may sadly be my opponent's plan. This is a local office and all should be welcomed to run regardless of party.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

As your Mayor, Roland Taylor will scrutinize all development proposals carefully to ensure developers are paying their fair share and the community is not negatively impacted. Herndon is the choice of so many new families that love our small town spirit and character, which is uniquely located within the metro area. Our amazing community recreational activities and outstanding schools attract families. Growth can be positive, if properly planned.

Roland is very concerned with the recent rezoning and higher density approvals that have been happening at an accelerated rate over the last few years in Herndon. There is no reason the town should follow the Fairfax County model of density ratios as the impacts are totally different. Most citizens Roland talks to, are correctly concerned about the traffic impacts to those areas and resulting dangers to pedestrians and cyclist. Additionally, rapid large population increases will over crowd the already stressed schools and parks.

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

Roland’s, twenty-year career as a public servant in local law enforcement, provides him 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, Roland gained experience living and working with diverse international populations, respecting all cultures and focusing on human rights and protecting endangered population groups.

Now as a federal government program manager, Roland has eighteen plus years of extensive experience with managing large budgets and personnel supporting federal government contracts both domestic and international. For over ten years he has been a certified project management professional and experienced in risk management.

Based on Roland’s law enforcement background and his Masters in Criminal Justice Administration, from Loyola University in New Orleans, he has served as both an Associate and Adjunct Professor of transnational and organized crime for two universities. Roland understands public safety.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

As Herndon begins our re-growth from the economic impacts of COVID, the Town budget will require realignment and all projects prioritized by importance. Roland Taylor, is an experience leader and has years of experience managing large federal contracts, budgets, and staff. Quality services can be maintained at lower cost with effective management. As your Mayor, Roland Taylor will provide his proven international effective leadership to Herndon for our recovery from the negative impacts of COVID-19 and back Herndon Strong!

Why should voters trust you?

Over Roland Taylor's entire adult career he worked in local law enforcement and supporting federal programs, many of which involved national security and required a national security clearance.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

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. The issue of affordable housing for low income and seniors, must include lowering our property taxes.

As Herndon begins our re-growth from the economic impacts of COVID, the Town budget will require realignment and all projects prioritized by importance. Roland Taylor, is an experience international program manager and has years of experience managing large federal contracts, budgets, and staff.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

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

As your Mayor Roland Taylor, will be focused daily working to lowering your taxes, utilities, and fees. Herndon needs a commonsense candidate, with no bias divisive partisan political agenda. Local level government works best without bias parties involved. Roland has no compromises from campaign contributions from developers, real estate companies, or political parties. No parties should put local Town elections on their ballots.

Roland Taylor and his wife, Kathy, have lived in Herndon with their four children for 16 years. Their youngest graduated from Herndon High in 2019, and now they are eager to take the next step in their service to their community. As your Mayor Roland Taylor, has the background and experience to lead Herndon in these difficult times and is asking for your support.

The next two years will be difficult and requires someone with extensive government and business experience like Roland’s, to work with the community, businesses, and Town's Manager to lead Herndon to recovery. This requires selecting the best candidate for leadership, and not just voting down a party ticket. Roland sincerely asks for your support and vote as the Town of Herndon’s next Mayor on November 3rd, 2020.