BurkeBurke BurkeBurke LibraryLibrary BookBook SaleSale aa SuccessSuccess PagePage 44 Book sale chairman Joy Whittington and Brian Engler of the Friends of the Burke Centre Library, which has 200 members. Classified, Page 21 Classified, ❖ Sports, Page 20 ❖ Entertainment, Page 19 InsideInside Shutdown: SeniorSenior LivingLiving Senior Living What Now? OCTOBER 2013 News, Page 6 Battleground Northern Virginia News, Page 3 Burke Photo by Steve Hibbard/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comOctober 3–9, 2013 Burke Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2013 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Photos by Photos Michael Lee Pope /The Connection Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe What role will the region Battleground Northern Virginia play in the election? By Michael Lee Pope The Connection to be losing this revenue,” said McAuliffe. “What it would mean to Sharon Bulova and or many years, Northern Virginia Fairfax County and the loss of teachers at a has been written off by both par- time we should be investing in our teach- ties as a Democratic stronghold — ers, investing in those STEM courses, sci- F by Photo a place where Republicans simply ence, technology, engineering and math,” try to cut their losses while they focus on said McAuliffe. “His plan literally would the rest of the commonwealth. But this elec- force us to lay off thousands of teachers.” tion cycle may be different. All three of the Mary Kimm gubernatorial candidates are from Fairfax THE TENSION within the region was evi- County. And recent statewide candidates dent in recent weeks as business leaders have not been able to win without picking across Northern Virginia began issuing their off selected jurisdictions in Northern Vir- /The Connection endorsements. The first was from the po- ginia. litical arm of the Northern Virginia Tech- “As you look at Northern Virginia that’s nology Council, which endorsed Cuccinelli further from Washington, you see a more last month. But that announcement was Republican area — Prince William, west- delayed after some internal dissension ern Fairfax, Fauquier,” said Stephen within the organization, which led to a se- Farnsworth, professor at University of Mary ries of accusations and counter-accusations. Washington. “That’s where the real action Supporters of both major party candidates for governor rally at the The drama surrounding the delay of the is in Northern Virginia politics.” entrance to the Capital One campus in McLean on Wednesday, Sept. 25, endorsement became a talking point for As Election Day draws closer and televi- just before Ken Cuccinelli (R) and Terry McAuliffe (D) participated in an Republicans eager to portray McAuliffe as sion becomes a virtual battlefield for atten- hour-long debate sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. a Washington insider. tion, a real battle is brewing on the ground “I am appalled that Terry McAuliffe and here in Northern Virginia. Candidates and a record-breaking 3.8 million votes. ence representing Fairfax County in the other prominent Democrats would threaten their advisors are looking at the path to vic- “For [Democrat Terry] McAuliffe, the goal General Assembly to his advantage. When to hold the legislative agenda of Northern tory back in 2009 for Republican Bob is to get as many voters out as possible,” the issue of the government shutdown was Virginia business leaders hostage to their McDonnell, who won Prince William said Skelley. “For Cuccinelli, the goal is to raised, Cuccinelli responded with a direct political agenda,” said Republican House of County, Fairfax County and Fauquier hold down the margins.” appeal to residents of the region who have Delegates Speaker Bill Howell in a written County. Although this race is likely to be According to Census data, Northern Vir- strong economic ties to the federal govern- statement. “That might work in Washing- closer than 2009, the importance of North- ginia expanded its population about 24 per- ment. ton, but it is unacceptable here in Virginia.” ern Virginia is looming larger than ever. cent in the last decade —ºgrowing from 2.6 “I’m a Northern Virginian. I’ve lived up Hours after Cuccinelli and McAuliffe de- “I don’t expect Ken Cuccinelli to actually million from 2.1 million. Northern Virginia here my whole life,” said Cuccinelli. “We’re bated each other at the Fairfax Chamber of win Fairfax County, which Bob McDonnell is the most populous region of the common- already seeing in the Virginia economy the Commerce’s forum, the organization issued actually managed to do in 2009,” said Geoff wealth and the Washington Metropolitian problems associated with the uncertainty its own endorsement for the Democrat. In Skelley, analyst with the University of Vir- Area. And the rate of growth here far out- of federal budgeting as it is, both in North- a statement explaining the endorsement, ginia Center for Politics. “Cuccinelli will do paces other urban areas in Virginia, includ- ern Virginia and in Southeastern Virginia the business group praised McAuliffe for very poorly in Reston or Annandale, so just ing Richmond and Hampton Roads. That in the Hampton Roads area.” opposing mandatory project labor agree- because he’s from Fairfax doesn’t mean he means rural and outlying areas are experi- Despite the fact that the debate took place ments and supporting Virginia’s has appeal throughout the county.” encing an erosion of influence, particularly in Tysons Corner, the McAuliffe did not longstanding right-to-work law. The cham- in western parts of the state and Southside. point out that he has lived in Fairfax County ber also mentioned his support for accept- ONE OF THE QUIRKS of Virginia poli- “The big problem for Republicans state- for more than 20 years. Instead, the Demo- ing federal funds for Medicaid expansion tics is that the gubernatorial elections fol- wide is how they do in the more rapidly crat attempted to portray himself as the best and his support of the transportation fund- low presidential elections, a phenomenon suburbanizing areas,” said Farnsworth. candidate for the interests of Northern Vir- ing package that passed the General Assem- that has frequently seen voters reject the “This is true in Northern Virginia and in the ginia voters. At one point, he pointed out bly earlier this year — both of which were party that won the White House the previ- Richmond area.” Fairfax Chamber of Commerce president opposed by the Republican candidate. ous year. But a look at the numbers tells a and CEO Jim Corcoran in the front row and “In terms of the priorities of the North- different story. Although 3.7 million voters DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL debate mentioned he agreed with the chamber’s ern Virginia business community,” said cast a ballot in 2008, fewer than 2 million last week, Republican Ken Cuccinelli was position on Medicaid expansion. Later in the Corcoran in a written statement, “Mr. votes participated the next year. That means trying to establish himself as the choice for debate, he argued that Cuccinelli’s tax pro- McAuliffe’s policy positions and proposals that election officials are expecting about Northern Virginia. He mentioned the region posal would hurt Northern Virginia. closely align with the Fairfax Chamber’s leg- half of last year’s turnout, which included five times, and he tried to use his experi- “What it would mean to Fairfax County islative agenda.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Burke Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2013 ❖ 3 News Photo by Steve Hibbard by Steve Photo /The Connection Book sale chairman Joy Whittington and Brian Engler of the Friends of the Burke Centre Library on Freds Oak Road. Burke Library Book Sale a Success atrons donated about 8,000 worth of books each.” She said the next sale books, including vintage books will be a Holiday Book Sale on Nov. 18-19, P and bestsellers, to the Burke featuring gift books for Christmas, Thanks- Centre Library’s book sale last giving and Kwanzaa. On the last day of the Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 25-58. sale, books are sold at the bargain price of “It’s been very successful,” said Joy $5 per bag. Whittington, book sale chairman, of the sale “They say people aren’t buying books which brought in more than 300 custom- anymore, but it’s not true,” said ers. “People came from as far away as North Whittington. “The Kindle has not replaced Carolina and Georgia and bought $500 having real books.” Medicare, Caregiving Seminars Fairfax County is offering Medicare 101—a LEGAL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS two-three hour program on Medicare basics. (WEBINAR) Find more information and register at Wednesday, Nov. 20—Noon to 1 p.m. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ Meet over your computer or telephone. vicap.htm or call the numbers below. CAREGIVING 101 MEDICARE 101 Monday, Nov. 18—7 to 8:30 p.m. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center Street, Thursday, Oct. 10—10 a.m.- noon Herndon Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Fairfax County is offering free Chronic Illness Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax 2709 Hunter Mill Road Management workshops. Topics include man- Oakton, 703-281-0538, TTY 711. aging pain and emotions, using medication ❖ Fairfax County’s free Family Caregiver properly, communicating with health care pro- Telephone Support Group meets by phone on viders, adopting exercise and nutrition goals Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7-8 p.m. Register and making informed medical decisions. Reg- beforehand at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/ ister and learn more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ olderadultservices/caregiver.htm. Call 703- dfs/olderadultservices/chronic-disease.htm or 324-5484, TTY 711. call 703-324-5489, TTY 711. ❖ Fairfax County is offering free Family Caregiver Seminars throughout October and November ❖ Wednesdays, Oct. 2-Nov. 6 at the following locations.