——– Original Message ——–
Subject:     Re: Your Candidacy & Positions on Balanced Growth
Date:     Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:26:39 -0500
From:     Eric Young <eyoung1112@gmail.com>
To:     Ralph & Kathy Stephenson <stephenrk1@verizon.net>

Ralph/Kathy,

Following the Balanced Growth principles you have outlined on your website is the way that we are going to get our county headed in the right direction.  I’m not a statesman and definitely not quick with words, so you’re not going to get a lot of fluff or anecdotes about the way it was as I grew up in PWC from me.  I am a strong supporter of the trifecta of balanced growth principles.  [Eric noted in a followup e-mail that the “trifecta” to which he is referring is “the three bullet points on your (PWCBG) under the ‘Why Balanced Growth is Important’ page.”  See Why balanced growth is important .]  I did appreciate you saying that it is important to have proper transportation infrastructure in place as needed and not years after.  I believe in a “growth pays for growth” model.  This means, however, that our long term planning needs to be much more comprehensive.  Additionally,  because our economics and demographics are in constant flux, I will push for a more frequent discussion on proffer requirements to ensure the investments made to our community more adequate.  The biggest stakeholder in land development is always the developer.  That’s as it should be because they’re taking the biggest financial risk.  But I’d like to see that balance tip a bit more toward our community to alleviate the impact that development has on the people.

With regard to where I have been…well I’ve been busy providing for my family and serving my community in the positions in which I have been asked to serve.  Currently, that post is as the Vice Chairman of the Prince William County Service Authority.  Those two things eat up the majority of my time.  The rest of my time is spent with my family and church activity.  Those were my priorities as of most recently.  You are very familiar with the principles of balance :)…my balance of priorities just didn’t include a more outward demonstration of my interest in public service. So I can understand how this would seem to the public with regard to my views on land use.  The time has come, though,  to step up and restore faith back to in our local elected officials.  This is something we have lost and its something the people want back.  Hence my pledge to never accept developer money.  Although, tremendous people whom I respect and like, I don’t believe either of the other two candidates for this office have the necessary will to simply stick to doing what is right for the people.

Eric

On Nov 1, 2014 11:59 AM, “Stephenson, Ralph & Kathy” <stephenrk1@verizon.net> wrote:

Hi, Eric. We understand you’ve very recently officially declared as the Democratic candidate to replace Wally Covington as Brentsville District Supervisor on the PW Board of County Supervisors.

As we’re sure you’ve noticed, at Prince Williams Citizens for Balanced Growth (PWCBG), we like to post on our website local candidates’ positions on balanced growth.  We’ve already invited both Scott Jacobs and Jeanine Lawson to respond, posted their responses, and will post your response as well.

Please advise whether you support the balanced growth principles espoused by Prince William Citizens for Balanced Growth (PWCBG) at the following weblink:Why balanced growth is important   Please note which balanced growth principles you don’t support, if any, and why not.

Your late entry into the race, and very recent opposition to Stone Haven, developer money corrupting the political process, and residential development that overcrowds our roads and schools is welcome. Nevertheless, we’ve never seen you speak at the BOCS or Planning Commission meetings, or in any other public venue until your recent media interviews, or seen you in any way fight for any of these views previously. As one of our local political allies said to us: Why doesn’t Eric ever publicly speak out and fight for what he now says he believes in? “He doesn’t speak out and work against Birkwood, against Stone Haven, against Pioneer Assemblage, but he expects people to believe he is against them? Actions speak louder than words.” Your response to this widespread perception would be appreciated as well.

Ralph & Kathy Stephenson, PWCBG