Democratic Party Leader In Fairfax Takes Sides In Democratic Primary Contest

By: Lee Diamond
Published On: 6/4/2007 1:13:03 AM

Mr. George Burke, Chair
11th Congressional District Democratic Committee

Dear George,

I hope all the Democrats receiving this message are as concerned as I am about how business is done in Fairfax County.  A lot of people would not know this, but there is a Democratic primary on June 12 to decide who is going to represent Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the next four years.  It is my understanding that in addition to being the elected chair of the 11th District Democratic Committee, you play a highly prominent role in FCDC.  For a leading party official to actively promote one candidate in a Democratic Primary is highly objectionable.  I assume you did not break any "rules," but that is not the point.  You are not doing your job as a leader.
Your actions here seem consistent with the inside game played too often in Fairfax County government and in FCDC.  I will continue working for real Democrats who represent real people who live in real neighborhoods.  I know that those people want honest government as much as I do.

Just for the record and unrelated to the candidate I support or the particular campaign, I have attacked incumbents on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors because they have not been faithful to the people they were elected to serve.  The least you could do is not play an inside game and allow us to have our contest.

The fact of the matter is that if the candidate I support ends up playing a role in winning us (the public) a public hearing about the tunnel v. the above ground option for Metro through Tysons and we eventually do get a tunnel (the only sensible option), it will because we overcame your way and Connolly's way of doing business.

Sincerely,

Lee Diamond
Falls Church, VA

DEMOCRATIC SUPERVISOR SMYTH GARNERS BROAD BASE OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR JUNE 12 PRIMARY

As we move into the final week before the June 12 Democratic Primary for Fairfax County Supervisor in Providence District, I wanted to re-cap an impressive list of endorsements for incumbent Democratic Supervisor Linda Smyth that shows the broad base of support and satisfaction with her work on behalf of county citizens.

Supervisor Smyth's endorsements come from key Fairfax community leaders and elected officials, respected environmental groups, businesses small and large, and first responders and law enforcement personnel who support her stewardship of our resources, her leadership in Providence District and on the Board of Supervisors, and her record of achievement.

Among those endorsing incumbent Democratic Providence Supervisor Linda Smyth are:

  * Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics, IAFF Local 2068
  * Fairfax League of Conservation Voters
  * Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff's Coalition, IUPA Local 5016
  * Sierra Club, Virginia Chapter
  * Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
  * Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerry Connolly 
* Delegate Jim Scott
  * Senator Janet Howell 
* Delegate Steve Shannon
  * Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw 
* Senator Mary Margaret Whipple 
* Delegate David Bulova
  * Delegate Bob Hull 
* School Board Members At-Large IIryong Moon
  * School Board Members At-Large Janet Oleszek
  * Providence District School Board Member Phil Niedzielski-Eichner

These parties and others are supporting Linda Smyth as the Democratic incumbent supervisor in the June 12th Democratic Primary in Providence District.  Copies of their statements and press releases are available.

George Burke , Chair

11th Congressional District Democratic Committee

georgeburke@cox.net

Falls Church , VA

AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR BY SMYTH FOR SUPERVISOR


Comments



Message To George Burke (Lee Diamond - 6/4/2007 1:15:22 AM)
I sent the message to George Burke and cc'd a bunch of Democrats in my address book.  I removed Mr. Burke's phone numbers from the bottom of his letter.


The Connolly machine at work (BettyLou - 6/4/2007 12:09:36 PM)
I spoke with only one of these endorsers. He said he didn't want to endorse Smyth, but "you wouldn't believe the pressure Connolly put on me".

That's why it's called a machine. It is very much disconnected from "real people who live in real neighborhoods" as you say, Lee.



Endorsers of Smyth (HerbE - 6/5/2007 11:25:22 AM)
It sounds like a spineless group of Democrats we have "working" for us, Betty Lou. When was "NO" banned from the political language of elected Fairfax Democrats. I'm sure these public officials will just say no to community groups when we asked them to help us preserve our neighborhoods from the Condo Connolly-Smyth bulldozers. Rack up another "Yes" to the Connolly-Smyth duo, "NO" to communities.

We need to elect people who will represent their citizenry. WE need to be the ones to just say "NO" to Connolly-Smyth. Let's start with voting Smyth out of office and Charlie Hall in next Tuesday.