Vega pushes anti-sanctuary city policies, commercial development

Yesli Vega is former Prince William County Sheriff’s Deputy, and a police officer.

She now wants the job of Coles District Supervisor on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. It’s a seat being vacated by Martin Nohe, who is running for Board Chairman At-large.

The political newcomer faces another political fresh face, Patrick Sowers, in “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4.

The winner will become the Republican nominee for the seat, and go on to run in the General Election on Nov. 5.

Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary

Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General Election 

Name: Yesli Vega

Party: Republican

Town: Prince William County

Running for: Coles District Supervisor, Prince William Board of County Supervisors

Website: yestoyesli.com

Work: Homemaker

Education: I graduated from Annandale High School. While being stationed overseas (South Korea) I obtained a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from American Military University.

Community Involvement: I have dedicated my life to public service. I recall that at a very early age, I had the desire to serve. I began working in the children’s ministry at church, later dove into missions. All those experiences taught me many valuable lessons. I knew I could do more to serve my community and be a difference maker.

I graduated from police academy in 2011 and was sworn as a police officer. While working for Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, I was a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation: Badges for Baseball program. The program helps to build character and teach critical life lessons to at-risk young people living in America’s most distressed communities. Community is where my heart is fully invested.

Questions and answers

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

Vega: When I announced my campaign, the three main areas I wanted to address were property and business taxes, public safety, and a more responsible approach to development. And overwhelmingly that is what voters of the Coles District have shared with me are their top areas of concern as well.

They don’t want to pay the highest real estate tax rate of any county in Northern Virginia; they’re fearful that if the wrong people are elected this November that Prince William will be turned into a sanctuary county; and they’re tired of the board approving one new massive housing development after another that clogs up our roads and overcrowds our schools.

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

Vega: Lower Property Taxes – eliminate wasteful spending and diversify our tax base through business-friendly policies (gradually phasing out the BPOL Tax and streamlining the permit process) that will alleviate the tax burden we place on our property owners.

Sanctuary Policies – I will work arm in arm with my former boss, Sheriff Glen Hill, and my fellow Supervisors to ensure dangerous sanctuary policies are never adopted in Prince William County. It’s a reckless idea and would make both our native born and immigrant communities alike, less safe.

Development – I will prioritize commercial development and jobs over voting for massive new housing projects that have proven to increase our traffic and have strained our infrastructure and public safety services. I will also fight to preserve and protect the Rural Crescent.

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

Vega: I am a servant. The citizens and taxpayers of Prince William County and the Coles District are my prospective bosses. My job is to listen to them and their needs and act accordingly. The position also means being entrusted to be a good steward of their hard earned tax dollars. That’s an enormous responsibility and one that should never be taken lightly. 

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Vega: 1.)Public Safety: As a former police officer and Prince William County Sheriff’s Deputy I plan on using my background to be an advocate for our first responders (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMT’s) and to make sure we keep our county safe to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy in the county.

2.) Small Business Owner: We know the hoops and burdens that the government places on our small businesses and job creators. I will work to alleviate those burdens so we can bring good paying jobs to Prince William County.

3.) Military Spouse: Prince William County has one of the largest veteran populations in the whole country. As a military spouse while my husband was in the Army I know the needs of these families and their transient lifestyle. This can be especially hard when raising small children. I’ll use my firsthand experience in this area to better serve those who have served us.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?

Vega: I do. I won’t name names, but there are some members of the board that like to brag that they can do whatever they want to in non-election years because “nobody is paying attention to them.” Not only is this shameful, but it’s also wrong. In my conversations with the citizens of the Coles District, they know what’s going on.

They know their real estate tax rate is the highest of any county in the region. They know that some of our Supervisors have put the needs and desires of a handful of developers over their own.

One of the ways I want to improve transparency between our elected officials and the citizenry is to bring them more into the decision making process. To collaborate with and listen more to our citizens so we can come up with the best solutions and hear about how our decisions are impacting their everyday lives.

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

Vega: No one is perfect! I’ve made mistakes in my life, but nothing that I’m embarrassed about. As a rookie officer, I learned quickly that it’s best to listen and not be so quick to judge.

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

Vega: I have a heart to serve. As a police officer and county sheriff’s deputy, I willingly put my life on the line to serve and protect the citizens of this county. I hope they’ll entrust me to continue that service.

I also try to hold myself to a high degree of integrity and they can be assured that my vote will never be for sale no matter how much special interests may try to influence me or the amount of political pressure I face.

My first priority will always be to the citizens of the Coles District and I will have no conflicts of interest when it comes to voting on matters of importance to Prince William County families.