RED COUNTY
You have addressed an array of issues in your capacity as Prince William County's (PWC) Chairman At-Large ranging from illegal immigration to parking at mass transit sites. Of all the issues you've engaged in, the most controversial topic has been that of enforcing the laws vis-a-vis illegal immigration and its impact on the local community. As a result of your leadership you have been demonized, called a racist, and been subjected to innumerable attacks; yet, you've stood fast on your principles when many in similar positions would have caved-in to the pressure. Given all you've endured & looking back, would you do things any differently? What advise would you give to other city and county leaders across the country confronting illegal immigration and the resultant pressures on city and county infrastructures and society?  

CHAIRMAN STEWART
First, regarding the Rule of Law Resolution crafted to address the adverse effects of the presence of large numbers of illegal aliens in our jurisdiction:  Looking back would I have done things differently?  

Well, sure.  We now have the benefit of hindsight.  Remember, Prince William County has been the national trailblazer on this issue.  Through the process of finding the points of balance on this important policy topic, it is inevitable that there will be some trial and error moments.  Trailblazers usually discover they could have found a less difficult way.  Localities that follow our lead will have an easier go of it than we did.  But, having said that, where we have ended up is exactly where we wanted to be.  

We have a fair but firm policy in place that is sending a clear message that if you are arrested, your legal presence status will be verified, and if you are in the country illegally, once you have completed the judicial process, rather than being released back into the community, you will be deported.  Period.  The results of that policy have made the County a much better place to live:

● an astonishing 19.30 % drop in the rate of crime against persons (For a large county like Prince William, with 400,000 residents, that is a massive drop in the rate);

● a 62% drop in housing overcrowding complaints;

● anecdotal evidence of shorter lines at hospital emergency rooms and fewer non-paying self-pay patients; and

● a decrease by over 600 students in the limited-English speaking student population in our schools.

What advice would I give other localities on this issue?  First and foremost, I would say that localities do have the ability to deal with this issue in a fair and effective manner.  Those who say it's a federal problem and there is nothing that states or localities can do are simply wrong.  We have proved that here in Prince William County.  By working with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Service, through the 287(g) program, localities can get the job done.  I would encourage localities to do the hard work to take back their communities, especially from the activities of criminal gangs like MS13, which are populated mostly by illegal aliens, by attacking the problem head on.  

RED COUNTY
Have federal authorities been supportive of PWC's initiatives regarding you law enforcement efforts regarding illegal immigrants?

CHAIRMAN STEWART
Federal law enforcement authorities have been very helpful and supportive of our efforts.  Federal and local enforcement personnel had a little bit of a learning curve to climb in actually implementing the 287(g) program last year, but it wasn't onerous and it is working well.  Federal elected officials, especially Congress, on the other hand, have done nothing meaningful to help address the problem of illegal aliens in the country.  This is the fact on the ground that forced our hand to deal with it ourselves.  

RED COUNTY
The illegal immigration issue aside, what do you consider as Prince William County's Chairman to be your top 3 priorities?

CHAIRMAN STEWART
The number one priority right now, aside from standing firm on the Rule of Law Resolution, is to bring balance back to our county budget.  For decades Prince William County has allowed, even encouraged, out of control residential development without adequate public facilities or infrastructure.  Even worse, we have not done what we have needed to do to bring commercial development to the County on pace with residential growth.  Non-residential development should account for between 25 - 30% of the county's revenues.  Right now it only accounts for about 14%, and it has been heading in the wrong direction for years.  We need to reverse that trend by encouraging commercial growth in a business friendly environment, while at the same time tampering down residential growth and making sure that what residential growth is approved pays its own way rather than being subsidized by taxpayers.  

The second priority is to continue to address transportation needs in the county.  Prince William County had done more than just about any other locality in the state to try to deal with our transportation needs rather than just waiting for the state to fix the problems.  We have made very significant progress in this area but there is still a lot more to do.

My third priority is to get county government spending under better control.  Last year, my first budget year as Chairman, we accomplished what I have been told is unprecedented in the county.  We actually passed a budget that expanded the police force, expanded spending for schools including healthy pay raises for teachers, and met all our other spending priorities while actually reducing citizens' tax bills.  That's not a reduction in the cosmetic tax rate, which some politicians use to divert attention from the fact that actual dollar amounts in the tax bills are increasing.  We actually cut tax bills in real dollar amounts.  That was quite an accomplishment.  I was not happy with the way the budget unfolded this year.  We can do a much better job of putting a reign on spending and I expect during the next budget cycle that will be our main focus.

RED COUNTY
What is next after your term as PWC's Chairman At-Large?

CHAIRMAN STEWART
My current term as Chairman runs through 2010.  It's really too early to make any firm plans but there are many options.  I could run for another term as County Chair.  Last year I took a look at running for Lieutenant Governor, though I was committed to supporting Gov. Bolling if he decided to seek re-election, which he did.  That remains an option for the future.  I think Virginia is a wonderful commonwealth and I am confident that when the time comes, I will have much to bring to the table, much to offer our citizens in terms of experience, energy, and new ideas for our future.   I am very optimistic about the future of Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I want to help make that future the best it can be for us, our children, and for generations yet to come.