Tysons Makeover Shapes Tenor of Race

Preserving Town's Character Is a Concern

Just as plans to redevelop Tysons Corner have cast a shadow over Vienna, so too do they color this year's race for Town Council.

Each candidate in the election Tuesday says he or she is among the best equipped to face what they all agree is the greatest challenge facing the town: the evolution of Tysons, which is just northeast of Vienna, into the bustling urban center that Fairfax County officials have envisioned.

Last fall, the county Board of Supervisors voted to transform Tysons from a car-oriented destination into a city-like community where people can live, work, dine and shop. But as the plans move forward, officials must be vigilant to preserve the town's quieter suburban atmosphere.

So say the five candidates who are competing for three at-large seats on the nonpartisan six-member council, including incumbents George E. Lovelace and Dan M. Dellinger. Maud F. Robinson, who has served on the council for nine years, decided not to seek reelection.

Also running are planning commission Chairwoman Laurie A. DiRocco, volunteer fire department President Howard J. Springsteen and Marriott executive Mike J. Gadell.

Lovelace, 72, served for two decades on the Town Council and two years in the Virginia House of Delegates and has held other leadership positions. Because of his experience, he said, he can be a powerful and knowledgeable advocate for Vienna as the county embarks on a redevelopment plan that will significantly affect the town.

"I think the biggest impact will be traffic," he said. "I think it's going to be overwhelming, which means we are going to have to initiate some action to take some of that pressure off of our community," such as enhanced bus service.

Dellinger, 59, is completing his first full two-year term after being appointed to the council three years ago. If reelected, he said, he will call on his experience as a senior project manager for a construction company to help the county weather difficult economic times and to keep Vienna a pleasant place to live.

"I grew up in Vienna," he said. "I've seen Vienna grow, and I've seen the council members that are my predecessors and what it takes to get the job done. I think I can continue on in that same vein."

Gadell, 47, said that he was an avid volunteer at his church and with Habitat for Humanity and other groups before deciding to take his service to the next level by running for local office. He said he wants to protect Vienna from urban-style development while keeping it business-friendly.

Another priority, he said, would be "to make sure in this economic climate that the funding for those programs that support safety in and around our community are maintained [because] the safety of our children and our senior citizens is paramount."

DiRocco, 42, echoed other candidates in describing infrastructure upkeep as another major challenge for the town. She said she supports creating more parking along Maple Avenue and Church Street and wants to a write a "blueprint" to guide the renovation of deteriorating buildings.

"It gives us a little control over how Maple Avenue grows and makes us think about how we want it to develop," she said.

Springsteen, 53, also said he wants to maintain Vienna's character and upgrade aging sewer and water systems, drawing on his experience as president of the town's volunteer fire department. In that role, he said, he helped forge partnerships among the town, Fairfax County and the state to attract $3.6 million to rebuild the fire station.

He said he would be a good choice for the council because "you need someone who's committed to Vienna and has . . . a good sense of the direction Vienna is, and should, be going."