Keeping the Tysons Tunnel on His Agenda

Gary H. Baise, the Republican candidate for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors who lost last month to incumbent Gerald E. Connolly (D), is still talking about the Tysons tunnel. But now he's talking as a lawyer, not a politician.

Baise represents TysonsTunnel.org in the suit filed last week against the Federal Transit Administration seeking a renewed look at the proposal to extend Metrorail from Falls Church to Dulles International Airport. Plans call for an elevated track through Tysons Corner, but TysonsTunnel.org claims that officials have not sufficiently considered the tunnel option.

Asked if he was doing the work pro bono, Baise said, "Oh no." But it's not clear how quickly he will be paid, or by whom. Scott Monett, who heads TysonsTunnel.org, said last week that the organization's primary benefactor, WestGroup, stopped providing financial support and that he is trying to raise money to pay for the suit.

-- Amy Gardner

For Herrity, a Familiar Face

Supervisor-elect Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield), who will assume the seat held by retiring Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell, has hired David Foreman to be his chief of staff. Foreman, currently field director for Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Fairfax), and Herrity attended West Springfield High School together.

But the connections don't end there. Foreman's dad was chief of staff for Herrity's dad, the late John F. "Jack" Herrity, a former County Board chairman. And Foreman's wife works for Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully), who is likely to be a friendly face on the board for fellow Republican Herrity.

Foreman did not return a phone call for comment, but others close to Davis said Foreman's impending departure is not a signal that Davis has decided against seeking reelection. Herrity said his old high school friend helped him with the campaign all year.

-- Amy Gardner