To the Editor:
On May 13, 2015, the press reported that “Corazon Foley announced her bid for Springfield Supervisor” and that I am running as an Independent with no fundraising. Since this would mean that my candidacy would probably not succeed since the incumbent has already raised funds over $340,000 to ensure his victory in 2015, many have asked me why I would even consider running. My answer: This is the only way that we could mobilize voter support to redress the unfairness toward Springfield District senior taxpayers and their families. Other districts have 17 permanent senior centers while Springfield District, none! My goal in this campaign is to improve the quality of life for all Springfield residents, including senior taxpayers and families.
On Nov, 13, 2014, the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center Without Walls (BWSSCWoW) that I initiated in 2007 and for which I serve as Founding Chairman met with the incumbent Supervisor to request his leadership in obtaining a permanent facility for health programs for seniors. In particular, we asked for the addition of a fitness room to the Pohick Regional Library slated to be renovated in September 2015. We believe that this solution would implement a recommendation of the Fairfax County 50+ plan: "It also encourages seeking creative recreation solutions, allowing new facility types (i.e., adult fitness stations) to be explored and provided."
The incumbent said good words like “expanding use of existing facilities makes all the sense in the world to me.” However, our numerous requests for follow-up meetings have been ignored. I have become convinced that election debates would provide the public hearing on the solutions that BWSSCWoW have provided to redress the inequitable situation of Springfield senior taxpayers and families. I have pledged that, if elected, I will slash the half-a-million dollars annual administrative budget for the Springfield Supervisor so that the savings could pay for the Pohick senior fitness station. This pledge underscores my position as a fiscal conservative who believes in social justice.
And that is why this grandmother -- who has been retired since 2007 after 30 years of public service with the U.S. State Department and the Intelligence Community -- has decided to run for Springfield Supervisor. I should add that I appreciate the public service of the incumbent but it is clear that we have a policy difference that should be included in the election debates -- in the interest of improving the quality of life of Springfield District residents, including senior taxpayers and their families. More information is available in Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Foley4SpringfieldSeniorCenter.
Corazon Sandoval Foley
Burke