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GreatGreat FallsFalls U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10), right, and her Democratic challenger, LuAnn Bennett (D), faced off on Thursday, Oct. 6. The debate, hosted by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, focused mainly on business and economic issues. Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, ❖ The Trump Entertainment, Page 12 ❖ Question? Asked and Opinion, Page 6 Answered News, Page 3 Global Change Maker HomeLifeStyleHomeHomeLifeStyleLifeStyle News, Page 11 Page 9 Great Falls Studios Art Tour, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 14-16 Calendar, Page 13 Photos by Victoria Ross/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comOctober 12-18, 2016 onlineGreat at Falls www.connectionnewspapers.com Connection ❖ October 12-18, 2016 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ October 12-18, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] The Trump Question? Asked and Answered Comstock and Bennett trade jabs during first debate in heated race for 10th Congressional seat. By Victoria Ross The Connection t the first of two 10th Congres- sional District debates last Thurs- Aday, Democratic challenger LuAnn Bennett was not shy about hanging the Trump albatross around the neck of freshman Republican Congress- woman Barbara Comstock. “Barbara Comstock stands for Donald Trump,” Bennett said in her opening state- ment. “Trump’s extreme agenda would cripple our economy, jeopardize our secu- rity, punish women for making their own health care decisions and, worst of all, the Trump agenda deeply divides our country.” Comstock never mentioned Trump’s name during the hour-long debate, continuing her efforts throughout the campaign to avoid Photos by Victoria Ross/The Connection any firm statements about the controver- U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10) addresses media U.S. House of Representatives 10th District candidate sial GOP nominee. She is seeking re-elec- and supporters after the first debate between LuAnn Bennett (D) speaks to reporters after the first tion in a seat which has long been in Re- Comstock and Democratic challenger, LuAnn Bennett. debate between Bennett and U.S. Rep. Barbara publican hands, but in a district won by The debate was hosted by the Loudoun County Cham- Comstock, the Republican incumbent. The debate was Barack Obama in each of the last two presi- ber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct.6. hosted by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce dential elections. on Thursday, Oct. 6. As of Thursday morning’s debate, Donald Trump and I would never vote for Comstock had neither endorsed Trump nor Hillary Clinton.” lenges and complexities of building a suc- As the only Republican in Northern publicly repudiated him, saying only that Comstock apologized for being “late” with cessful small business. She spoke about Virginia’s congressional delegation, the Republican nominee would have to her statement, noting that she was attend- moving to Great Falls with her husband and Comstock said she was the only person in “earn” her vote. ing her son’s rehearsal dinner when the lat- starting a small real estate business 35 years the race “that will actually be in the major- “She’s dancing on the head of a pin,” est Trump story broke. ago, then running that company as a single ity, and will serve as a chairman” of a con- Bennett said immediately following Neither candidate could have predicted mother after her first husband died of leu- gressional subcommittee. Thursday’s debate. the latest (and ongoing) drama surround- kemia in 1994. Bennett shot back that “She’s part of a ing Donald Trump during their first 10th of work and children. majority that can’t pass a budget.” LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER, Congressional Debate, hosted by the “I want to take my experience as a small While Bennett repeatedly tried to yoke Comstock’s equivocation came to an end, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. business owner and get Congress working Comstock to Trump and his controversial after a 2005 tape surfaced in which Trump The debate focused mainly on business and again and help build an economy that works statements and policies, Comstock took aim is heard making lewd comments, in explicit economic issues. for everyone,” she said. “Barbara Comstock at Bennett’s top-of-the-ticket nominee, say- language, bragging about his unwanted The candidates took questions on every- went to Congress and fit right in with a ing Bennett supported “the trillion dollar advances on other women. “When you’re a thing from clean energy and immigration dysfunctional and obstructionist govern- tax plan that Hillary Clinton would put for- star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” reform to the federal minimum wage and ment.” ward” a plan that will “kill the small busi- Trump said on the tape obtained by The union regulations. During an exchange about how to im- nesses.” Washington Post. Her voice raspy from back-to-back cam- prove Metro’s safety and service, Bennett Bennett was the first of the candidates to paign events, Comstock appeared self-as- attacked Comstock’s record, sharply criti- AFTER THE DEBATE, Comstock told re- respond, stating “Trump’s actions are vile sured and comfortable speaking in front of cizing the incumbent for voting against Gov. porters that she thought Bennett’s attempts and disgusting.” She again tied Comstock the pro-business crowd of about 200 people. Bob McDonnell’s landmark transportation to tie her to Trump were “sad.” to the GOP presidential nominee, saying “You know me,” Comstock said to the audi- bill while Comstock was in the Virginia “It’s sad she is focusing on this…I am fo- (Comstock) “has stayed silent through ence, who loudly applauded the incumbent House of Delegates. The bill included mil- cusing on being the best Congresswoman Trump’s insulting of immigrant families, several times during the one-hour debate. lions in funding for the Metro’s Silver Line for this district.” military families and women.” “You know I will fight for you,” Comstock extension to Loudoun County. Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, That silence did not last long. Comstock said. Comstock shot back: “I am the only one which stretches from the wealthy McLean issued a statement late Friday night, con- Despite some loud jeers and laughter from on the stage working closely with Metro suburbs to the exurbs of Winchester, is demning Trump’s remarks, announcing that the audience during Bennett’s comments on to restore safety.” She defended the work thought to “lean slightly” Republican. she would not vote for Trump, and calling the Affordable Health Care Act, the politi- of the GOP-controlled House of Represen- The second and final faceoff between the for Trump to step aside as her party’s nomi- cal newcomer remained composed and con- tatives; she said she was successful pro- two candidates will take place on Wednes- nee. fident throughout the debate. tecting Northern Virginia’s interests with day, Oct. 19 in Tysons at the Northern Vir- “This is disgusting, vile and disqualifying,” the House leadership, and had persuaded ginia Chamber of Commerce offices. The Comstock said in the statement. “In light of BENNETT OFTEN SPOKE directly to the Republicans to restore $75 million in Chamber says that debate “will cover sev- these comments, Donald Trump should step audience, reminding the crowd of business funding that had been cut from the eral issues at the intersection of federal aside….I cannot in good conscience vote for leaders that she, too, understood the chal- Metrorail system. policy and business.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ October 12-18, 2016 ❖ 3 Week in Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular in Great Falls The Halloween Spooktacular will be held at Great Falls Village Green and Great Falls Center on Monday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m., with Pet Parade at 4 p.m. (all dogs must vacate the green by 4:50 p.m.) The Spooktacular was launched more than 25 years ago to provide younger children (12 and under) with a central, convenient place in Great Falls to have fun trick or treating. ❖ Boy Scout Troop 55 will create some spooky fun for everyone in the Haunted House; ❖ The Langley Marching Band joins us in the Wells Fargo parking lot; ❖ Linda Waitkus of Great Dogs of Great Falls is leading the Pet Parade starting at the Gazebo; ❖ Look out for the Great Falls Volunteer Firefighters in the Safeway parking lot. 4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ October 12-18, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Collecting ‘Bikes for the World’ On October 1, more than 20 Boy Scouts, adult leaders, and family members from Great Falls’ Troop 55, chartered by St. Francis Episco- pal Church, worked with non-profit organization “Bikes for The World” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect and prepare 51 used bicycles for Central America. The bikes will be shipped to Panama to make quality used bicycles and parts affordable and available to lower income people and select institutions, to enhance their lives and liveli- hoods through better transport, and to generate skilled employ- ment in bicycle repair and mainte- nance overseas. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ October 12-18, 2016 ❖ 5 Opinion Great Falls www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vote No on Ballot Question One An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum Commentary Published by State Delegate (D-36) tions are treated, and I believe these differ- Local Media Connection LLC ences contribute to the widening gap in the 1606 King Street ince 1947 the Code of Virginia has work,” its effect on work- labor force in pay and benefits. Alexandria, Virginia 22314 provided that any agreement or ers is anything but a Amendments to the Virginia Constitution are combination between an employer right.