Allen B. Dobey

Candidate for City Council

Age: 60

Residence: Old Lee Hills.

Education: BA, geology, College of William and Mary; BS, computer science, Texas A&M University; MS, geology, University of Idaho.

Occupation: Geology teacher, George Mason University.

Elected offices/civic activities: Former vice chairman, City of Fairfax Electoral Board, 1997-2000; member, American Legion, Old Lee Hills Civic Association, Military Officers Association of America, Knights of Columbus and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "Fairfax City is blessed with a character unusual to a close suburb of Washington. The city boasts a small-town environment, low population density, lots of trees and parks with natural streams. The city's zoning laws were written to protect the city's character. However, the city routinely alters them to increase residential density in parcels acquired by developers. Developers profit, but the rest of us are stuck with traffic congestion, shortage of classroom space, loss of trees and environmental degradation. To protect the city's character, developers need to obey the same laws the rest of us obey."

Why should voters elect you? "Fiscal responsibility. Rising home assessments and liberal spending have burdened us with hefty tax increases. Taxing and spending need to be controlled."

Web site: None given.

E-mail address: adobey@earthlink.net