Townsend A. Van Fleet

Candidate for City Council

Age: 71

Residence: Old Town.

Education: BS, civil engineering, U.S. Military Academy at West Point; MS, public administration, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; studied international diplomacy, U.S. Army War College.

Occupation: Retired colonel, U.S. Army; president, Van Fleet Associates Inc.

Elected offices/civic activities: Past board member, Tobacco Quay Homeowners Association; co-chairman, Alexandria Red Cross fund drive 2004; board member, Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations and Alexandria Waterfront Alliance.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "The most defining issue in this campaign is the reduction of property taxes. We need to reduce Alexandria's outrageous, out-of-control spending, which in turn will lower our property taxes. Spending needs to be capped at no more than 3 percent. We must conduct a thorough independent performance audit of the schools, operating budget and the capital improvements programs. This will result in monetary savings that can be used to ease the tax burden on our citizens. All of this will allow our middle-class and fixed-income citizens to continue to live in Alexandria."

Why should voters elect you? "My goals are: lower property taxes, better traffic management, decrease violent crime, more sensible development, less pollution, increased workforce housing and more effective education."

Web site: www.vanfleet2006.org

E-mail address: vmgthehill@aol.com