"The Republican Party is the party of reform. Without reform, there is no Republican Party."
SST EDITION: I'm posting this here, despite it being a local Fairfax race, for several reasons. The 2005 and 2006 elections proved without a shadow of a doubt that there is just not enough votes in the rest of the state to go Republicans way to offset heavy lopsided loses in Northern Virginia. I've heard both Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell talk about needing just ONE PERCENT more in Fairfax to win statewide. If we have the chairmanship, I'm pretty sure he's capable enough to remind suburban voters why they voted Republican in the 1990s.
That was the message tonight preached by Fairfax Chairman candidate Gary Baise. For 12 years, he reasoned, Fairfax County has been misgoverned and mislead by entrenched Democrat power. Flanked by impressive charts for all to read, Baise made the case for reform in Fairfax country. His focus will be on "dinner table issues," things that he knows through his work in Enviromental law. Baise concentrated his arguments (ever the lawyer) on Connolly and growth. Growth isn't the issue per say, its that Fairfax County has grown while our transportation infrastructure has not. Baise vowed to widen 66 inside the beltway and add a lane each way on Route 7, just like in Loudoun County. Then we wonder, WHY is growth in Fairfax out of control? Perhaps is the near $200,000 Chairman Connelly has graciously accepted from donors who directly do business with the Board. Hmmmm. Baise pointedly said that Gerry Connolly has created an appearance of a conflict of interests. I would have gone further. The DCPost reported that $300,000 of Connolly's $1 million warchest came from, wait for it . . . . developers! Baise continued with how mismanaged the county has been. We have a gigantic budget, but our priorities are wrong. It took a front-page Washington Post stroy about illegal aliens crowding into houses for Connolly to act, after 31/2 years of pandering and doing nothing. As Baise said, a strike force in an election year isn't good enough. Fairfax County, Baise pointed out, only has about 35 zoning officials, TWO LESS than twelve years ago. How much has Fairfax grown since then? Baise continued, talking about spending. He pointed out that rail operators, bus drivers, and train conductors in Faifax make alot of money. . . some nearing $100,000 a year. There's nothing wrong with these guys, but wouldn't that kind of money be better spent on, oh I don't know, teachers?! It was an impressive performance tonight.
Gary Baise struck an impressive pose tonight. He looked and sounded like a Chairman. He had facts and figures on the top of his head, he spoke strongly but calmly. He stated his message, attacked his opponent, yet but was a gentleman throughout. His legal background and work in both EPA and Department of Justice gives him an excellent pedigree. But none of this matters until Gary Baise can prove he can raise the kind of money to put this message out there and really challenge Connolly. Right now, Connolly starts with over $1 million, Baise has just $20,000 according to the Post. Connolly has the big money in Northern Virginia (obviously). So its an uphill battle. One thing Connolly has done right as Chairman is consolidate all the power that incumbancy gives you. So go to Baise's WEBSITE and see what you can do to help him out. He's gonna need it. But trust me, it'll be worth it.
Political Patronage/Corruption
We should all do our part in contributing to solutions to the transportation, energy, health care, and environmental challenges facing us. In that regard, I have bicycled over 250,000 miles, always obedient to the traffic laws and accommodating to motor vehicles. Such action, combined with voluntary safety measures undertaken to minimize injury, have resulted in only one injury.
While legally cycling along the right side of a highly visible section of Gallows Road, I was struck from behind by a passing SUV that fled the scene on impact. The motorist was persuaded by Good Samaritans to return 20 minutes later. At that time, he did not appear to be alert, allowing for reasonable suspicion of driving under the influence. Due to their close proximity, Rescue Squad #13 responded rapidly and strapped my head to a stretcher before the county police arrived. I was physically unable to speak and transported to Fairfax Hospital Emergency, leaving the officer and motorist at the scene alone.
In addition to not conducting a field sobriety test, the officer issued a report that contained serious flaws:
1. IT LISTED THE MOTORIST AS DRIVING 15MPH ON IMPACT - Patently false since I was cycling at 20mph. If he were indeed going that slow (less than half the posted 35mph limit) with a visibility of over a mile, the collision should not have occurred had the motorist been aware of his surroundings as required by statute.
2. THE MOTORIST WAS NOT CITED FOR A RIGHT-OF-WAY VIOLATION - It was a Saturday morning and the road was lightly traveled. A clear passing lane was provided and not used by the motorist. Additionally, given the width of the lane where the impact occurred, there was enough accommodation provided to safely pass without even changing lanes. I have a dented bicycle frame to prove how close the impact was to the curb.
3. THE REPORT LISTED THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AS THE SOLE POINT OF IMPACT - This discounts the fact that the mirror folded inward and the resulting change in gravitational forces pushed my head, shoulder, and elbow into the body of the vehicle. I have the scars, a broken helmet, and torn clothing to prove there was indeed a second point of impact, which without a doubt the motorist should have noticed given that I am 6'2" tall & 200lbs.
4. THE COLLISION WAS NOT CLASSIFIED AS A HIT-AND-RUN - The motorist did not stop and render aid at the time of the impact as required by law. The Good Samaritans (who left the scene on arrival of the Rescue Squad) accompanied the motorist since they were not trusting of his independent return to the scene.
5. THE OFFICER ACCEPTED THE MOTORIST'S STATEMENT AT FACE VALUE BUT WOULD NOT ACCEPT MY CONTRADICTORY STATEMENT AND EVIDENCE - Numerous efforts were made to contat the department in support of the above facts, but to no avail. A phone call from the officer was received at 6:30AM four days later identifying the motorist, but he evaded accepting my statement and evidence.
Based on the number of errors, there is reason to suspect a little more than casual misjudgement on the part of the officer. Appeals were made to Commander McGowan of the Mclean District Station, Chief Rohrer, the Fairfax Police Internal Affairs Bureau, the Office of the County Attorney, and County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly, all of which have oversight jurisdiction to conduct an investigation and correct the official record. TO THIS DAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE!!
Given this total lack of response, it is obvious that a concerted effort is underway by the upper levels of our elected county government to sweep this matter under the rug. There must be a reason - the motorist is the offspring of a 12-term U.S. Congressman representing West Virginia who serves in a ranking capacity on a committee that allocates funding to the county for major transportation projects. He also has a direct association with a ranking member on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. The possibility of political patronage exists, exchanging federal funding for the motorist's leniency. SUCH A PROPOSITION WAS PRESENTED TO CHAIRMAN CONNOLLY, WHO TO THIS DAY WILL NOT ISSUE A DENIAL!!
Subsequently, the motorist engaged in criminal activity including multiple DUI offenses, robbery, burglary, and fugitive charges. In addition, he was sentenced to federal imprisonment on a cocaine distribution conviction. Many of these crimes were committed in Fairfax County and perhaps they could have been prevented had such leniency not been granted. The people are not being well served by such a callous disregard for public safety.
Many people on the Fairfax County Police force work tirelessly, risking their lives to protect our freedoms. Let us work together to persuade our elected officials to investigate this matter. If they remain unaccountable, there is no doubt in my mind this will happen again, since they are always in need of federal money. Supporting documentation is available on request.
Cordially,
Daniel Kent Scutti
(703) 938-1127
dkscutti@yahoo.com
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