Voter’s Guide for Saturday’s McLean Election

MCLEAN, VA -McLean residents vote Saturday  for McLean’s only elected board. We will elect more than half the  members of the 11-member McLean Community Center board.

Why we care: This board controls $17 million,  much of it our  property tax dollars. Board members are now trying to decide whether to spend our money to build a gymnasium near the Spring Hill Recreation Center  on Lewinsville Road, or a new community center in downtown McLean that could spur that long-delayed redevelopment. The McLean Community Center owns the Teen Center located in the Old Firehouse. They want to demolish the Teen Center and replace it with a community building that could include meeting rooms and a black box theater, a simple unadorned performance space that can host a variety of events. What would happen to the Teen Center is unclear.

Here are frequently asked questions about the election and the list of candidates.

When and where do I vote? Saturday at McLean Day, from 10:30 am. to 5 pm.  in Lewinsville Park. As soon as you walk in you’ll see big signs about the election. There will be nice folks from the League of Women Voters to help you.

Who is eligible to vote? All McLean residents — renters and homeowners. Democrats and Republicans.  If you live generally between the Arlington county Line and Spring Hill Road, the Potomac River and Route 7, you are probably eligible to vote. Only about 400 people voted last year.

Who is running? See candidates below.  Four adult positions and two youth positions are open.  Please note that Sylvia Buckland withdrew as a candidate.

Why is my ballot different from my husband’s? Risa Sanders, the MCC board member in charge of the election, aka Election Czar, said: Every ballot will contain all of the names of all of the candidates. However, the names on the adult ballots will be placed on the ballot in a rotating order forwards, and backwards, in an effort to insure that all candidates have an opportunity to be placed near the top of the ballot. Research has indicated that placement can have an effect on the number of votes received. We wanted to be as fair as possible to everyone. That is also why you will notice that the candidate names on the poster and advertising are not alphabetical.  I actually drew names out of an envelope to create a random order for the poster.

Who counts the votes? At 5 pm. the ballot boxes will be taken to the McLean Community Center for counting by the League of Women Voters with members of the election committee (who are MCC board members) as witnesses. The committee hopes to post the results by 7 pm., but it depends on the turnout. The results will be posted on or near the front doors of the community center and candidates will be called, Sanders said.

Last word from Sanders: “Sometimes people ask about party affiliation and I want to remind voters this is a totally non-partisan election. Members of the Governing Board will also be in the tent most of the day, so I also hope residents will stop by and chat. Let us know what you like and what else you would enjoy.

“We have a wonderful slate of candidates and that I appreciate and respect their willingness to give their considerable time and energy to the community in this way. The MCC is the jewel of McLean, and I hope residents will take a moment to stop by the entrance (this is where the voting tent is) and talk to the candidates.”

The candidates are:

Thomas M. Culligan, Jr.

Thomas M. Culligan, Jr. Having previously served on the McLean Community Center Governing Board from 2000-2001 as the Langley High School representative, I keenly understand the important role the Center plays in our community. Last year, I returned to McLean and currently serve as a policy aide to Rep. Frank Wolf, who represents McLean in the U.S. Congress. As a Board member, I would work to bring new ideas, energy and accountability to the Center. I also would like to see the Center play a more active role outside of its building and have a more visible and regular presence in downtown McLean.

Kevin Dent

*Kevin Dent: I am currently a member of the Governing Board of MCC, having been elected in May 2007. Last year, I served as vice chairman of the Board and chairmen of the Finance Committee and the Capital Facilities Committee of the Board. I have spearheaded efforts to reduce the tax rate paid by the McLean community in support of MCC; in the last three years, we have reduced the tax rate by almost 15 percent. Further, I have been active in exploring the possibility of expanding MCC’s presence in downtown McLean as part of the proposed redevelopment of downtown McLean.

*Incumbent

Jay Howell

Jay Howell: I am delighted to be a candidate for a seat on the McLean Community Center Governing Board. My wife, Betsy, and I have been McLean residents since 1985. I am self-employed in government relations consulting. I am interested in serving on MCC’s Board to maintain and improve the many activities, events and programs that MCC offers. MCC is the heart of our community, and as the downtown McLean revitalization effort gets underway, we must plan for how MCC will be part of the new downtown McLean. I also see a role for MCC in improving opportunities for McLean youth sports.

Craig Richardson

Craig E. Richardson: My wife and I moved to McLean in 1998. We have two boys and are delighted to be raising them in McLean. I currently serve as commissioner of the McLean Mustangs youth football club and am on the Board of Directors of McLean & Great Falls Celebrate Virginia. I also was president of St. John Academy’s PTO, where both sons attend, and I remain on the Board. I am committed to ensuring that McLean Community Center’s quality programs are offered efficiently and at reasonable costs. I am dedicated to reducing the tax burdens and holding the line on any increases.

Robin Walker

Robin Walker: It is with great interest that I submit my application to serve as a member of the Board of  Directors of the McLean Community Center (MCC). As long-standing residents of McLean, my family and I have enjoyed many of the programs provided by MCC. I have a long history of serving as a volunteer in McLean in a variety of activities including both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and am a volunteer for the visual arts in many different community schools. My goal is to preserve and support MCC’s programming and its ability to serve the interests of all residents.

Stan Zuckerman

Stanley A. Zuckerman: I have been a newspaperman for The Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer during the civil rights years, a reporter for The Milwaukee Journal covering labor unions, chief of staff to the governor of Wisconsin, for 30 years a foreign service officer and, after retiring from the foreign service, founder and chairman of Lives and Legacies Films that has produced three prime time documentaries for PBS. I have lived in McLean since my return from Brazil in 1989, and am impressed by the range of activities offered by the McLean Community Center. I hope to be able to contribute to its continued success.

The student candidates are:

Craig McKenzie

Craig McKenzie, McLean High School area. As an honors student in the ninth grade, I wish to represent McLean High School  students during Community Center board meetings to improve our community. I have gained insight by volunteering with the Old Firehouse Teen Center after school and with the Special Events and Youth departments on weekends.  My volunteering history includes events such as McLean Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Storybook Festival. I will continue to work with staff to improve programs and boost attendance. I received the H. Gordon Randall Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2008 and the DAR Award in 2009 for my services.

Sun Park

Sun Park, Langley High School area. I am a highly involved sophomore at Langley High School. I am the communications liaison in Model UN, play the tenor saxophone in the Wind Symphony and am in Student Government. The main purpose of this Center is to provide opportunities for students, like myself, to learn. I am running because I want to maintain and develop the tradition of excellence. I would be a great facilitator of student opinions, and I have creative ideas on how to improve the Center with more communication. Additionally, I have the perseverance and work ethic to make the upcoming year a success.

For more information on the MCC Governing Board Election, call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 711, or visit http://www.mcleancenter.org.