Andrea Bailey is running to be the next Potomac District representative on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
She supports the passage of the proposed combined $396 million in park and road bonds.
- There is a background on the bonds and projects at the bottom of this post.
The bonds will “revitalize our parks, and reduce the time people spend commuting,” said Bailey.
But the process of how the projects were selected, by the Board of County Supervisors in an up or down vote in June, following a public hearing at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, “was not fair, or transparent,” added Bailey.
A project axed from the list of projects to be funded by the $355 million road bond — an $70 million extension of Van Buren Road from Route 234 near Dumfries to Cardinal Drive near Dale City.
“I would add the Van Buren Rd extension project into the Bond,” said Bailey.
Bailey and her opponent, Republican Douglass Taggart said it was a mistake to cut the project.
- Residents who live in Four Seasons, a gated community next to the proposed path of the extended road, opposed it.
- Sitting Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, whose not running for reelection, supported the measure, but it was voted down.
Bailey adds she would borrow all of the $396 million, if elected and authorized to do so by voters, for the projects.
- Officials say the total $355 million road bond funds if approved, would not have to be borrowed.
- A portion of the money could be borrowed and then used to apply for state and federal matching grant funds.
- For the park bond, however, there are few if any matching funds for those types of projects, so the entire $41 million would most likely be borrowed to fund those projects.
Background on the bonds: Voters in Prince William County will see two bond referenda questions on the Nov. 5 ballot.
- One will ask voters for permission for the Board of County Supervisors to borrow up to $355 million to fund new five transportation projects, including improving Route 28.
- A second will ask voters for permission to borrow up to $41 million for parks and recreation improvements, to include funding new trails and turf fields.
