Qarni: I will fight attacks on public schools, reform toxic testing culture

Potomac Local sent a candidate survey to Atif M. Qarni. He’s running to represent the 29th District in the Virginia Senate, a seat currently held by the retiring Chuck Colgan. 

Qarni faces Jeremy McPike and Micheal Futrell  in a June 9, 2015 Primary Election. The winner of the Primary Election will go on to face Republican Harry “Hal” Parrish II in the November General Election on Nov. 3, 2015.  

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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?

Qarni: Education – We need to refocus on public education. As a teacher, I can see the impact cuts of $1,000 per student have had over the last six years. We need to reinvest in a public education system that provides a first-class education for all, not a select few.

Transportation – We pay more into transportation funds than we get back, and that means Prince William County and Manassas are being left behind. We need investments in transportation infrastructure so that people spend more time at home with their kids, and less time battling traffic.

Jobs – With so many people leaving the district to work, we need to attract businesses to invest in the 29th. Our economy shouldn’t be dependent on businesses inside the beltway. 

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Qarni: I will fight attacks on public schools, and reform our toxic testing culture. Right now, there are members of the General Assembly that are pushing school vouchers over public education. I would push for funding that would lower class sizes and increase resources for students. In addition, I would advocate for a reformed SOL system that would encourage an updated curriculum and lower the emphasis on a single test.

In terms of transportation, I would fight for appropriations that would increase funds for mass traansit. Right now, Northern Virginia is putting in more money than it gets back, and we need to fight for the money we deserve. VRE needs to be more reliable, our roads need increased capacity, and we need to work on lowering commute times for workers.

Our small business community is the backbone of our economy. I would fight to make it easier for small businesses to thrive in Prince William. I believe that starts with arming our citizens with the best education possible, which will make them more competitive in a modern economy. Employers will know that students in Prince William are the best prepared to help their businesses grow. 

PL: From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Qarni: First and foremost, the State Senator should be an honorable public servant to advocate for the people of their district in Richmond. In addition, a State Senator should be a role model for all citizens. A State Senator needs to represent the best interests of their constituents, and battle political pressure to act in the best interest of the people who elected them. 

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Qarni: I have an extensive service background. I spent eight years in the Marines, and have been a public school teacher in the district for six years. In addition, I’m a member of Governor McAuliffe’s Small Business Commission. I know the issues, I live and work in the district and know the concerns of people in both the western and eastern ends of the district, and I know how to fight for the things I believe in. 

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

Qarni: I do not. I don’t believe that we have worked hard enough to engage citizens. As State Senator, I would hold local town hall meetings regularly across the district to ensure that citizens know about what is going on in Richmond, and I would always make sure citizens have the most up to date contact information for my office in Richmond and the district.

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

Qarni: Not in my public life, but as all people, I have made decisions that didn’t work out the way I would have liked. I have worked very hard to make the most of every learning opportunity I have been given, and every mistake I have made has been followed by a renewed commitment to being honest and trustworthy in the eyes of those who depend on me.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Qarni: I have always had strong sense of justice and fair play. I believe our commonwealth is doing injustice to our working class families and our children by not providing the taxpayers their fair share of what they deserve for our schools and infrastructure.

People should vote for me because I know what it takes to stand up for others and be effective. When I was 10 years old, my family moved to the U.S. I was the oldest of three brothers. My grandmother told me two things before we moved the U.S.– she asked me to work hard in school and she asked me to look after my younger brothers. I have worked every day to keep the promise I made to her.

When I joined the Marines, the principle of looking out for others became so much more important. Marines have to trust each other and have each other’s back in combat. Before I was deployed to Iraq in 2003, I was put in charge as a platoon sergeant. I was responsible for making sure my platoon of 70 plus Marines was taken care of. I stood up for them when, either within the unit or outside in the civilian world, my Marines were facing hurdles.

After leaving the Marines after eight years of honorable service, I went into teaching. I teach in a school where many kids come from a similar background as mine. When my parents moved to the U.S., my father delivered pizzas and my mother worked at Carvel Ice cream store. Back in Pakistan, my dad was a banker and my mother was a schoolteacher and journalist. But their degrees were not recognized in the United States, so they both worked minimum wage jobs to put food on the table. I started to work at the age of 14 at Pizza Bolis. Because of a sound public education and the opportunities our country gave us, I was able to be successful and be in a position to run for office.

I see many of my students and neighbors in the same situation I was. It is heartbreaking to see that our commonwealth has failed to provide proper health coverage and decent wages to our citizens. I am willing to stand for what is right as a State Senator, just as I have done all my life. I am running for my two sons, my students and my neighbors.

We need a person who understands all of the people in the district, not another empty suit or government bureaucrat making out-of-touch decisions. We need someone who is part of the community.