Transit a Tough Debate Topic

Editors’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on a candidates’ forum held Wednesday in Lake Ridge.

Today: House of Delegates candidates Del. Luke Torian (D, 52, Dumfries, Lake Ridge), Cleveland Anderson, Esteban Garces, and Stafford County Board Chairman Mark Dudenhefer. 

Tomorrow: Sen. Toddy Puller (D, 36 – Mount Vernon, Prince William, Stafford) and Jeff Frederick 

Lake Ridge, Va. — How to fix transportation was the contentious issue amongst some candidates vying for seats in Virginia’s House of Delegates.

Republican Stafford County Board Chairman Mark Dudenhefer and neighborhood organizer Esteban Garces, both of whom want to represent the 2nd House District in Stafford and Woodbridge, sparred on bringing Metro rail to Potomac Mills, and over the proposed High Occupancy Toll lanes project on Interstate 95.

“When I went on the Board of Supervisors, safe roads were mission in life. But you realize that you can’t do safe roads without doing all of the stuff out there, and we need to take advantage of every single opportunity when it comes to expanding [Virginia Railway Express], in-line bus routes in the [High Occupancy Vehicle lanes] if we can get them funded, we need to widen roads…,” said Dudenhefer.

Dudenhefer, as well as Cleveland Anderson also on stage running against Democratic incumbent Del. Luke Torian (D, 52 – Dumfries), told the crowd they don’t like the idea of coverting I-95’s HOV lanes to toll lanes, but insisted they are a done deal despite three public meetings coming later this month designed to inform the public about the project still under proposal.

Garces, who stuck to his talking points throughout the forum, repeatedly voiced his support to extend Metro to Woodbridge and denounced HOT lanes. He later told PotomacLocal.com increasing the state’s gas tax is one of the options on the table that could be explored as a means of paying for Metro, anticipated to cost $3 billion over 10 years.

“Many of us commute on 95, many of us commute on Route 1, many of us spend an hour a half in traffic and an hour and a half away from our families that we could spend with our families, and if we would extend the Blue line to Woodbridge we would create a job hub in Woodbridge,” said Garces.

Torian, commanding the stage with composure, took on his opponent over absentee voting. At issue is making it easier for military service members and those who will be out of their home districts at election time to have their vote counted.

“I think it’s an honor to go out the polls and vote. I think once we all change the rules to where we don’t have to do anything, that’s what we’ll do,” said Anderson.

“Casting votes via mail, I believe those in charge of the election process, this is something they may want to take a look at and consider,” said Torian.

Torian told the audience his experience leading his Dumfries church and his two years working the House of Delegates has given him leadership experience. Anderson touted his record as a community-oriented business owner who’s lived in Virginia all his life.

The Prince William Committee of 100 sponsored the candidates’ forum. Voters will go to the polls Nov. 8.