Meet The Candidate: Steve Potter For Vienna Town Council

VIENNA, VA — On May 4, Town of Vienna voters will head to the community center to vote in the Town Council election. Three seats are up for grabs, and four candidates are running. In-person early voting is already underway through April 29, and voters may submit applications for a mail ballot by April 23.

As part of its coverage of the May 4 Town of Vienna election, Patch has asked each of the candidates to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Candidate: Steve Potter

Age (As of May 4 election): Vietnam era veteran

Town of residence: Vienna

Office sought: Second term for Vienna Town Council

Party affiliation: Per the Town of Vienna’s Charter, Town elections are non-partisan and candidates cannot run under a party affiliation.

Family: Married; 4 children; 5 grandchildren

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree, major in English, minor in History and Government, University of Maine, Orono

Occupation: Retired senior-level business executive with 35+ years’ experience

Campaign website: PotterForVienna.org

Why are you seeking re-election for Town Council?

I am running again because the town of Vienna is in the midst of numerous projects that I've been a part of and would like to see through to completion. I believe that continuity, knowledge, and experience are going to be more important in this election than in previous elections because of the magnitude of the initiatives involved and the long-term effects they will have on our community.

What do you believe is the Town's role to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Town has multiple roles at multiple levels, and I am proud of our performance at every level. To-date I have advocated: trimming our budget to ensure the Town remains fiscally strong without derailing essential services or necessary infrastructure repairs; expanding outdoor operations for restaurants to allow more seating; approved relief funds to assist our businesses and citizens; assisting businesses in applying for existing grants and available resources to help them survive the pandemic; and developing an economic development strategy that will help position our Town well post-Covid.

What is the single most pressing issue facing the Town aside from the pandemic?

It is essential that we actively plan for Vienna's success post-recovery. We have several projects
underway that fall under that single issue: reorganization and update of our zoning ordinances; the multimodal transportation study; library expansion to create additional parking opportunities; a Comprehensive Plan update; and implementation of an economic development strategy that benefits our current businesses and encourages business growth. Many of these initiatives are in progress and I want to see them through to fruition in my next term on Council.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the Town of Vienna?

The Town of Vienna has an outstanding reputation for being fiscally responsible. We have maintained a AAA bond rating for 11 straight years as well as received numerous awards for excellence.

As a Town in Virginia, Vienna is mandated to have a balanced budget. Unlike the Federal government, we cannot spend money we do not have.

In response to Covid-related decreases in meals tax and Parks and Recreation programs, the original FY20-21 budget was cut by more than 9%. It is important to note that the FY21-22 budget is 1% below the FY20-21 budget. To me, this reflects the seriousness that has been, and is being, taken to ensure the prudent use of taxpayers’ dollars.

A good example of prudent planning and spending involves our aging water and sewer infrastructure. The Town is following a water and sewer rate plan developed in 2018 to ensure that annual budgets include sufficient funding to perform necessary maintenance costs to keep the infrastructure up and running.

What are your views on development along the Maple Avenue corridor?

The major contributing factor to my election to Town Council in 2019 was my passion to ensure that development along Maple Avenue promoted Vienna’s small-town character and did not compromise the character of abutting residential neighborhoods. I ran on a platform to repeal the MAC and sent it back to the drawing board, and that was accomplished in less than six months of taking office.

Future development along Maple Avenue should be attractive, modest in scope and density, and include walkable sidewalks and adequate green space for public safety and enjoyment.

How would you describe the Town of Vienna police department’s relationship with the community? Are there changes you would like to make?

The Town of Vienna Police Department is committed to a policy of “community policing.” This is a process in which officers interact with residents, shopkeepers, and visitors on a regular basis to merge with the community.

In addition, the VPD offers a variety of programs and programs (several of which are on hold now due to Covid-related precautions). These include Eye-to-Eye Pedestrian and Bike Safety; Cop & Kids Fun Run; Santa’s Ride for Children, Child Safety Seat Inspections; and Personal Safety for Women.

I whole-heartedly support all these community-centric programs, and I believe the majority of our citizens do as well. In the last National Citizen Survey, 97% of the Vienna residents who responded expressed confidence in the safety of the community and 90% rated the services provided the VPD as excellent or good.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The importance of a collaborative spirit. Per Virginia Code, a Town Council is the legislative and policy- making body in municipal government. Council members do not have formal or legal powers as individuals, but only as members of the Council as a whole.

An effective Council is not about personal agendas or creating discord and divisiveness. It is about
working together in an environment where individual uniqueness and collective effort are valued,
discussion and listening are respectful, and where the goal is to reach decisions that are for the best long-term community good.

Our current Councilmembers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and points of view. There is healthy discussion and, although we do not always agree, we have found non-divisive ways to work together and move forward in a constructive manner for the betterment of our community.

How can residents contact you with their concerns and views, and how will you keep residents updated about your work?

My campaign updates and views can be found at PotterforVienna.org and on Facebook at
@potterforvienna. Current Council member activity can be found on the Town website via the
“Engagement Central” tab and then to “Agendas, Meetings, and Videos.” I can also always be reached at Steve.Potter@viennava.gov.

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