Langley’s ‘Night To Remember’

More at www.ConnectionNewspapers.comThe County LinePrimary Tough Choice for DemsStrong candidateslead to indecision?By Julia OíDonoghueThe Connectionith the Democratic gubernatorial primary less than twoweeks away, Scott Surovellstill had not made up hismind about his vote.Surovell, a Mount Vernon resident, is nota typical voter. He is the chair of the FairfaxCounty Democratic Committee, one of thelargest local Democratic organizations inthe commonwealth. Surovell is paying veryclose attention to the race and the threecandidates — state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D25), former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe and former Del.Brian Moran (D-46).“These candidates are pretty similar onpolicy. There are subtle differences but theyare all strong candidates. I think the question a lot of people are trying to answer iswhich candidate would be the best to goup against Bob McDonnell,” he said. “I amactually undecided. I have really been struggling with this myself.”Many other likely voters are having atough time choosing a candidate in Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary June 9.“It was a tough decision. We are have embarrassment of riches this time around andit was a tough choice to make,” said GregZimmerman, a Democratic activist fromArlington County, who would not revealwho he was supporting publicly.“I think, for Democrats, I think this primary is really difficult,” said LorettaNawakowski, the Democratic Party’s captainfor the Greenspring voting precinct, whichtraditionally has the highest election turnout of any precinct in Virginia. Though theresidents are known for being politicallyactive, attendance at a candidates’ forumMay 14 on the Greenspring campus wasparticularly high, about 250 people.Volunteers who have knocking on thedoors of reliable Democratic households inNorthern Virginia have also found a lot ofuncommitted voters.“I am going door to door and a lot ofpeople are undecided,” said Steve Baker, anArlington resident who supports McAuliffe.Voters may be having a tough time choosing a candidate because the three men inthe race are similar in many respects.Deeds, a native Virginian who lives inBath County where he grew up, likes to tellthe story of his mother only giving him afew 20 bills in his pocket when he wentoff to college.McAuliffe, a McLean resident, started adriveway paving business at 14 years oldin upstate New York so that he could payfor school.Moran, a former state delegate for theCity of Alexandria and Fairfax County, recalls when he father was laid off and hisemployer towed away the company car theyWCREIGH DEEDSTERRY MCAULIFFEBRIAN MORANAge: 51Residence: Bath County,Va.Hometown/Grew UpIn: Bath County, Va.Family: Wife Pam andfour childrenEducation: ConcordCollege (bachelorís degreeñ 1980), Wake ForestUniversity (law degree ñ1984)Community Work/Relevant Experience:former Bath Countyprosecutor; House of Delegates member (19922001), state Senator (2001 ñ present)Web site: http://www.deedsforvirginia.comAge: 52Residence: McLean, Va.Hometown/Grew UpIn: Syracuse, NYFamily: Wife Dorothy andfive childrenEducation: CatholicUniversity of America(bachelorís degree -1979);Georgetown University(law degree ñ 1984)Community Work/Relevant Experience:Democratic NationalCommittee chairman(2001-2005); confidant of U.S. President BillClinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton;national finance director of President JimmyCarterís 1988 re-election campaignWeb site: http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/Age: 50Residence: City ofAlexandriaHometown/Grew UpIn: Natick, Mass.Family: wife Karyn andtwo childrenEducation: University ofMassachusetts, Amherst(bachelorís degree ),Catholic University ofAmerica (law degree)Community Work/Relevant Experience:former Arlington Countyprosecutor, House of Delegates member (19962008), House of Delegates Democratic caucuschair (2001-2008)Web site: www.brianmoran.com/used as a family station wagon.they can never afford to pay back.All three candidates promise to make VirMcAuliffe has also been critical ofginia the epicenter of green technology and Virginia’s largest utility company, Dominjobs. McAuliffe talks of turning chicken ion Power, for not being open to renewablewaste into fuel. Deeds wants to build an energy and energy efficiency proposals.algae-to-fuel plant in Hampton Roads. “There should be no more rate increases unMoran calls for wind farms off the coast of til they agree to move on wind and solarVirginia Beach.power,” said McAuliffe, who is not acceptNorthern Virginia, they all expect, would ing donations from Dominion or thebe a hub of green job research and take part company’s political action committee.in developing things like the smart electriDominion Power has been the largestcal grid and clean coal technology. “I think business interest or individual contributorwe can build on the technology companies to Virginia’s statewide political campaignsthat we already have here,” said Moran.over the last 13 years. Since 1996, the utilMoran, in particular, appears to be trying ity company has donated 5.2 million toto set himself apart by running to the left political candidates, 2.45 million to Demoof his primary opponents on social and en- crats and 2.65 million to Republicans. Bothvironmental issues.Moran, who has accepted 46,800, andIf elected governor, Moran promises to Deeds who has accepted 57,200, from Doseek repeal theminion since 1996,2006 Marshallsaid McAuliffe’sNewman amendpledge to turn downment, which de— Scott Surovell, chair, Dominion money isfines marriage asFairfax County Democratic Committee hollow because thebetween a manMcAuliffe campaignand woman andheld a fundraiser atbans marriage-like contracts for same sex the home of Thomas Capps, Dominion’s recouples. “We should not be placing discrimi- tired president.natory language in the Virginia constituWhen there is consensus on an issue, suchtion,” said Moran at the Greenspring forum. as the need for quick job creation, the canAs a state senator, Deeds voted in favor didates have different approaches.of the same-sex marriage amendment inDeeds, who represents the Charlottesville2006. McAuliffe said he does not support area, wants to use Virginia’s well-regardedgay marriage but is fully supportive of civil higher education system to spur growth andunions. But he has said multiple times that new employment.the campaign should focus on other issues.McAuliffe would have a hands-on ap“If we don’t fix the economy, we are go- proach to attracting business to Virginia. Asing to go backwards on several fronts folks,” governor, he intends to be thesaid McAuliffe at an Annandale debate.commonwealth’s number one salespersonMoran has spoken out against drilling for and business recruiter.oil or natural gas off the coast of Virginia“You all know I am good at getting moneyand opposes the construction a new coal out of people,” said McAuliffe at a meetingpower plant in Surry County between Rich- with the Northern Virginia Technologymond and Hampton Roads.Council. The candidate, who once wrestledOn the issue of offshore drilling, McAuliffe an alligator for a campaign donation, revobacks limited exploration for natural gas but lutionized political fundraising for the nanot for oil. Deeds said he would support tional Democratic Party.some exploration for oil and natural gas.Moran, who runs his own small law ofMcAuliffe says if elected governor, he fice, said he intends to shore up thewould work to push all payday lenders, economy by supporting and promotingwhich provide small, short-term loans at a small businesses.very high interest rate, out of Virginia.“I have created a business in Virginia, aCritics of payday lenders said many small business,” said Moran.people become trapped in a unending cycleIf elected, Moran’s first action as goverof debt through these types of loans, which nor would be to convene a bipartisan sum-4 Great Falls Connection June 3-9, 2009“I am actually undecided.”mit of business community members andgovernment leaders to brainstorm about thebest ways to address the current economicsituation in Virginia. The summit would notjust address job creation but also housingneeds and other problems that havecropped up in the down economy.“We need a governor who puts the peoplefirst,” said Moran at the Greenspring forum.Deeds and Moran have similar professional backgrounds. Both worked as localprosecutors and are currently lawyers atsmall law firms. They are also both formermembers of the House of Delegates. In2001, Moran replaced Deeds as the Houseof Delegates Democratic caucus chair whenDeeds won his election to the state senate.A fixture of political talk shows, McAuliffeis one of the most recognizable DemocraticParty figures on the national stage, eventhough he has never held elected office.McAuliffe is trying to reshape his publicpersona into that of a Mark Warner-likebusinessman, who does Democratic Partyactivism on the side. He has rescued both afailing bank and Florida home buildingcompany during his career. Through theseand a few other business ventures,McAuliffe said he has created several thousand new jobs.Deeds and Moran tout their legislativeexperience in Richmond as an asset.Deeds said he was able to get legislationpassed as member of the minority and themajority party in the House of Delegatesand Senate.“I am going in knowing that system likethe back of my hand,” said Deeds.While McAuliffe talks about needing towin more Democratic seats in the House ofDelegates, Moran points out that he hasactually done that as head of the House ofDelegates Democratic caucus.“I helped build the House Democratic caucus from 33 members to 45 members,” saidMoran.McAuliffe, who has lived in McLean foralmost 20 years, does not seemed phasedby his lack of experience at the Virginiastatehouse. The Washington insider is running as a Richmond outsider.“If you are happy with Richmond, I amnot your guy,” said McAuliffe.See www.ConnectionNewspapers.com formore.www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Western ElectricNewsSearch ContinuesFor Area Big TreesJune 7, 20096:008:00 p.m.VillageCentreConcerton thegreensHikers visit Virginia’s tallest tree.obert Vickers, FairfaxCounty’s Tree Commissioner, led a hikealong the PotomacRiver on Sunday, May 31. The hikewas conducted so that Vickerscould locate several big trees onthe Virginia State list.Jo Fleming, a participant in thehike, described trees as objectsthat “may not have human life butare connected to human lifethrough the memories people associate with particular trees andthe role they play in human existence.”Vickers led the hikers to abitternut hickory that is the tallest in the state. “It is assumed tobe around 250-years old andstands at 120 feet tall,” saidVickers.An American sycamore was alsoa part of the hike, being one of thetop 10 largest in the state of Virginia. “American sycamores are thelargest trees east of the Mississippiand are beautiful when observedduring the wintertime,” Vickerssaid. “Their white bark stands outfrom the other trees around it.”Considering the height of suchmassive trees, Vickers explainedhow trees are measured. “Thereare three things that are measuredin order to distinguish a tree’sheight: 1) the circumference ininches, 2) the height in feet, and3) the crown, which is the spreadof foliage,” he said. “It is definitelySponsored by: Math Club of Great Falls & True VenturesSpecial Tanks for The Software Center - McLean, VAROwned & Operated by the sameperson for 45 years!Same location for 40 years!Wall-to-Wall CarpetPhiladelphiaCarpets All Nylon 10 yr. Soil & Stain Warranty 10 yr. Texturegard Warranty 12’ & 15’ WidthSale Impatiens .97 Singles or 4 Packs REG. 1.8960-75% OFFALL POTTERY3 Cubic ft. ShreddedHardwood Mulch 2.99 Washington’s LargestSelectionBulk Mulch REG. 29.99 19.99 cu. yd.Encore Azaleas 12.9925% OFFHOSTA 20% OFF All 2008 Nursery StockHERBS Over 100 VarietiesRobert Vickers explainshow to measure a tree.a two-person job.”Vickers said that he enjoys hiking wooded areas in attempts tofind big trees. “I may designate atree as the wrong kind at first, butI sure am good at spotting the bigtrees,” he joked. Vickers also ledhikers to the third largest hackberry and fifth largest scarlet oakin the state.“This part of the state has suchunusually large trees because it isundeveloped,” said Mike Clagett,a participating hiker. “So much ofthis land cannot be built on because it is a wetland.”Photos by Caroline Adams/The Connection— Caroline AdamsJackson &Perkins Roses35% OFFPERENNIALS Over 1000 VarietiesPA. Wall Stone SaleGROUND COVER SALEFREE ESTIMATESHARDSCAPE/LANDSCAPE25% OFF Cactus, Bonsai, OrchidsOpen 9-7 7 Days9023 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA703-573-50252 miles west of I-495 onRt. 50 (Vienna Metro)CravensNursery.comBetter ChoiceGood ChoiceInstalled Installed28. Sq. Yd.99 OR333.33.99Sq. Yd. Sq. Ft.OR783.Sq. Ft.Take up & Haul Away, a Little ExtraLaminate FlooringShaw10 Colors 20 Year Residential Wear,Stain & Fade Warranty 5 Year CommercialWarranty2.79 Starting atSq. Ft.Material onlyHardwood FlooringShaw21/4” wide by 3/4” thickGrade A20 yr. wear warranty5.99 InstalledSq. Ft.Wall-to- Wall Carpet CleaningOriental & Antique Rugs20% Off Cleaning Reweaving Redyeing Cleaning & Hand Washed Odor Removal Restoration & Refringing Rug Appraisal Cleaning Plant on PremisesFree Pick up & Delivery for Rolled & Ready Rugs681 Spring Street,Old Town HerndonHours: Mon Tues Fri: 9-6 Wed: 9-5 Thurs: 9-7 Sat: eVanetStre.StLocust St.enEldROBERTSVanEldenSt.JimmysBurenOld TownHallFireStationayrkwSu PanseRo t Had ills703-471-7120Our Employees areCertified InstallersThis tree is the tallest bitternut hickory in rpets.comGreat Falls Connection June 3-9, 2009 5

2009TaxEnergy upCredit 00to 1,5Photo by Aaron Stern/The ConnectionNewsExterior HomeOffering energy-efficient products & services Windows & Doors Siding & Roofing Exterior House Trim Painting HandymanCall for a professionalconsultation.Let us assist with your financing options.703-444-3127www.rendonremodeling.comLamont Payne, a member of Fairfax County Fire andRescue’s Swift Water Rescue team, pilots his boatupriver towards Great Falls.‘Good FortuneHas Run Out’From Page 3THAT EXERCISE is a commonpractice for members of the Fairfaxand Montgomery County Fire andRescue Swift Water Rescue Teams.The team member holding thehula hoop is tested for controlskills that translate to holding aninjured person immobile during arescue, said Smith, while the boatdriver’s skills are tested by keeping the boat still in the middle ofchurning water surrounded byboulders.“Now you see why I ride withhim,” Smith said of Payne.Smith and Payne were amongdozens of local rescue authoritiesand personnel that took part in ademonstration of swift water rescue capabilities just below GreatFalls to tout the dangers of thePotomac River as summer nears.The annual event has become aspring ritual for officials of the sixgovernmental agencies that oversee the 14-mile stretch of thePotomac River from Great Falls tothe Key Bridge, but two recentdrownings and a slew of swiftwater rescues this spring have increased the urgency of educatingthe public about the dangers of theriver. After five people accidentallydrowned in the river in 2004 acooperative initiative between theNational Park Service, the UnitedStates Park Police, Montgomeryand Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departments, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police HarborPatrol, and District of ColumbiaFire & E.M.S. Squads resulted inzero drownings from 2005through 2008.“Our good fortune has run out,”said Bob Zoldos, Fairfax CountyFire and Rescue’s Technical RescueOperations Team Chief.THE DAY was sunny, but thebeautiful weather and the calmsurface of the Potomac River be6 Great Falls Connection June 3-9, 2009lied the water’s danger, said KevinBrandt, superintendent of the C&OCanal National Historical Park.Massive currents called hydraulicswork beneath the river’s surfaceand can suck swimmers downward. Those hydraulics, cold andswift water, and the rocks belowthe surface form a potentially fatal combination, Brandt said. JimSeavey, chief of the Cabin JohnPark Volunteer Fire Departmentlater recounted a 14-year-old whowent swimming in the seeminglycalm water at the Old Angler’s putin 15 years ago. He was suckedunder and his body founddownriver several days later, buttwo rescue divers were sent in tosearch for his body at the OldAngler’s put-in and nearlydrowned themselves. After thatincident Montgomery Countychanged their regulations tolargely restrict rescue divers frommoving water, Seavey said.“It proves how treacherous thisriver is,” said Seavey.As Brandt spoke on Thursdaymorning a group of kayakerssuited up and pushed off towardsGreat Falls. Kayaking is permittedabove and below the falls, thoughkayakers who wish to shoot fallsmust speak with State of Marylandofficials and sign a release form,according to Montgomery CountyFire and Rescue officials. Swimming in the Potomac River Gorge— also referred to as the MatherGorge — is forbidden, and as several boats hauled various mediarepresentatives in their boats towards the falls Thursday morningseveral teenagers loitered at theedge of 20-foot tall cliffs along theMaryland side of the river. Cliffjumping off the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s Billy GoatTrail is common for local highschool students, said Payne, whileat least half of the swift water rescue rescues that are performed areactually for injured hikers alongboth sides of the river.www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsContributedThe private garden at Domaine St. Charles in Great Fallswill be open to the public for one day only on June 6through The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program.Gardens Welcome VisitorsSeveral private gardens in GreatFalls, McLean area open to publicon Saturday, June 6.he gardens of two members of the Great FallsGarden Club will be opento the public on Saturday, June 6,10 a.m.-4 p.m. as part of The Garden Conservancy’s 2009 Open Days.The home of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Cobb is located at 820Crooked Crow Lane. A deer fence,allowing them to cultivate sun,shade, wetland, vegetable andTwww.ConnectionNewspapers.comperennial gardens encloses sevenof their 14-plus acres. The property includes several ponds, anoctagon lily pond that echoes theoctagon-shaped gazebo; a fishpond; and a stream that runsthrough woodland and openmeadow, as well as a two-storyglass conservatory. The Cobbs doall the maintenance on this natuSee Gardens, Page 9Great Falls Connection June 3-9, 2009 7

OpinionVote June 9, Much at StakeAll polling places open, On the BallotSTATEWIDEall registeredvoters eligible.very polling place in Northern Virginia will be open on June 9 for aDemocratic primary, with two statewide races and several importantcontested primaries locally.Much is at stake for Democrats in choosinga candidate for Governor.The contentious, high volume campaign between the three candidates, Terry R. McAuliffeof McLean, Brian Moran of Alexandria andCreighDeedsofwill be settledEditorials Charlottesvilleby voter turnout on June 9.Primaries like this in Virginiaoften garner embarrassingly low turnout givenhow much it matters.The winner will seek to extend the leadership of Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D),the current and past governors, facing BobMcDonnell (R) in the general election in November.Virginia desperately needs strong leadershipat the top for the sake of the economy, transportation, healthcare, education, public safetyand the needy.The governor of Virginia is limited to a singlefour-year term.See www.connectionnewspapers.com formore coverage of the race.EDemocratic primary, Governor, choose one: Terry R. McAuliffe, McLean, http://www.terrymcauliffe.com Brian J. Moran, Alexandria, http://www.brianmoran.com R. Creigh Deeds, Charlottesville, http://www.deedsforvirginia.comDemocratic primary, Lieutenant Governor,choose one: Jody M. Wagner, Virginia Beach, http://www.jodyforva.com A. Michael Signer, Arlington, http://www.mikesigner.com Jon I. Bowerbank, Withdrawn 5/18VIENNADemocratic primary, House of Delegates,35th district, choose one: Roy J. Baldwin, http://www.roybaldwin.com John F. Carroll, http://www.carroll2009.com Mark L. Keam, http://www.markkeam.com Esam S. Omeish, http://www.omeishfordelegate.comAlso on the ballot are Democratic primaryraces for Lieutenant Governor, House of Delegates in Vienna, District 35; Arlington, District 47; and Falls Church, District 38.Because voters do not register by party inVirginia, all registered voters are eligible tovote in the June 9 primary races.For information on where to vote and more,see www.sbe.virginia.gov.Father’s Day Photoswww.ConnectionNewspapers.comNewspaper ofGreat Fallsgrand children.Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, and onceagain the Connection will publish a gallery ofFather’s Day photos.Send in photos as soon as possible, including names of everyone in the picture, the datethe picture was taken, the ages of the childrenand sentence or two about what is happeningand where the photograph was taken. Be sureto include your town name and neighborhood.We prefer digital photos, but we also acceptprints. We will do our best to return hard copies of photos that include a self-addressedstamped envelope for that purpose, but pleasedo not send us any photos that cannot be replaced.Send photos to McLean Connection, Father’sDay Photo Gallery, 1606 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Or e-mail them togreatfalls@connectionnewspapers.comWe’re MovingThe Connection, including our entire groupof 17 weekly newspapers, is moving its headquarters this week from Tysons Corner, a location we have enjoyed for well over a decade,to Alexandria.Our new address is Connection Newspapers,1606 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Ourphone numbers will remain the same, with ourcentral number 703-821-5050.Every year at this time, the Connection putsout the call for photographs of fathers and theirchildren, grandfathers and their children and— Mary ndidates for GFCA president reflect on year behind, year ahead.By Ralph Aptonhe Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) overallprimary objective, 50years ago, today and in the futureis to preserve our historic, lowdensity, semi-rural character andto protect our environment. Underretiring President Jim Luce, GFCAcompleted a successful year promoting community and citizen interests via non-partisan politicaladvocacy and through more than12 committees, sub-committeesand task forces. The following is asummary that highlights the keyaccomplishments and issues:1. Transportation. (a) Trafficlights on Georgetown Pike at RiverBend and Seneca roads will be installed during late 2009; (b)Safety improvements on WalkerTRoad and Seneca Road were justcompleted, additional ones areunder study; (c) 500,000 isfunded and Virginia Departmentof Transportation engineers are atwork improving Walker RoadGeorgetown Pike intersection turnlanes; (d) Georgetown Pike traffic calming in the 25 MPH GreatFalls 1-mile village center is beingenforced; (e) “Save The Pike” petition to continue GeorgetownPike as Virginia’s first scenic byway rather than VDOT’s plan fora commuter road was signed byover 2,000 citizens; (f) Under review are one-lane bridge improvements, crosswalks at the libraryand Georgetown Pike and atSafeway and Walker Road plussafer entry to The Grange.Unresolved are increasedGeorgetown Pike traffic issues dueto VDOT 10-year delays in finishing Route 7 six-lane constructionbetween Great Falls and DullesSee Hightlights, Page 158 Great Falls Connection June 3-9, 2009A Momentof ChoiceBy Kathleen Murphyt is quite uncommon for GFCAmembers to have a choice forpresident. It is usual and customary for the GFCA NominatingCommittee to pick the entire slate,and for the membership to affirmthe choices made by the nominating committee at the election inJune.This year is different. This yearI was nominated from the floor tobe president and I accepted thatnomination. This year, the members of GFCA have a choice forpresident.In my opinion, the membershipof GFCA needs a choice. We havebecome overly dependent on thestatus quo. Only relatives andfriends of members who are running for the board show up to vote.I1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314NEWS DEPARTMENT:To discuss ideas and concerns,Call: 703-917-6451Fax: .comKemal KurspahicEditor 703-917-6428kemal@connectionnewspapers.comMike DiCiccoCommunity comJulia O’DonoghueEducation & s.comKen MooreCourts & mRich SandersSports Editor 703-917-6439richsand8@aol.comADVERTISING:To place an advertisement, call the addepartment between 9 a.m. and5 p.m., Monday - Friday.Display adsClassified adsEmployment ads703-821-505

Langley’s ‘Night To Remember’ News, Page 3 Langley High School celebrated prom on Saturday, May 30 at the Hyatt in Reston. Here, a group of prom goers gather for a pre-prom party at the Romano family home in Great Falls before joining the ‘Dancing In the Moonlight’ party. Passion