Andrea Bailey runs for BOCS seat, draws attention to mental health services

Andrea Bailey, a local small business owner, is running for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for the Potomac District. She brings more than 17 years of community involvement and a strong focus on mental health services.

Name: Andrea Bailey

Party: Democrat

Town: Dumfries

Running for: Prince William County Board of Supervisors — Potomac District

Website: voteandreabailey.com, Twitter, Facebook

Work: Small Business Owner, Affairs Remembered LLC

Education: Bachelor of Science in Media Studies from Webster University Masters of Science in Human Resource Management and Development from National-Louis University

Community Involvement: Andrea Bailey has been involved in the community for more than 17 years and has gained extensive experience serving the citizens of the Commonwealth as a member of the Governor’s transition team (2018), and a member of the Virginia Board of Psychology.

Bailey has worked to protect Prince William County’s environment as a member of the Wetlands Commission and by registering more than 10,000 voters as a member of the League of Conservation Voters.

She serves the community as a board member of the non-partisan Committee of 100, the Prince William County Boys and Girls Club, and Project Mend-A-House. She is also a recipient of the professional Leaders Award from Dale City Christian Church.

Questions and Answers

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

Bailey: Transportation, Economic Development, and Mental Health

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

Bailey: Transportation – I will collaborate with our State representatives, Fairfax County, and other stakeholders to extend metro rail services to Prince William County.

Economic Development – I will collaborate with the County Board of Supervisors and the Chamber of Commerce to focus on job training programs in Prince William County to ensure initiatives align. We must work with local community colleges to create programs that will produce the skills needed to satisfy the workforce demands of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. I will lobby for providing start-up incentives to aspiring small business owners such as providing business owners counseling, and access to small business grants and other financial resources.

Mental Health – We must continue to sufficiently fund programs for our neighbors who are suffering from or are at risk of developmental delays, learning disabilities, substance abuse, and mental illness. Ensuring adequate special education teachers and school counselors are hired is critical to addressing this subject with our children. As our population grows, our need for mental health treatment facilities, homeless shelters, elder and childcare facilities, and family service centers must also grow at an equal rate.

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

Bailey: Beyond the technical responsibilities of development and approval of annual budgets, legislative activities, and managing the development of land use, the foremost responsibility of the Office of County Supervisor is to represent all people of the county; to hear and work tirelessly to address their needs and improve their quality of life. The office is also responsible for being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and to always operate with the utmost integrity, transparency, and professionalism.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Bailey: The experience I gained at Fortune 100 companies not only sharpened my business acumen, but also provided critical insights that have defined my vision for transportation initiatives to address regional congestion. As a small business owner I understand the challenges that small business owners face. My experience working with a lot of nonprofits showed me the importance of bringing awareness and attention to current community issues by engaging in non-partisan dialogue with elected officials.

As the primary caregiver for my mother, I am keenly aware of the demands of providing a safe, healthy and productive environment for aging seniors. My diverse background of experiences has taught me how to think strategically, and work with people of all backgrounds and views to find common purpose where we can work to improve our community together.

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

Bailey: Participation in the political process is a personal choice. Given the multiple mediums of communications like television, internet, and social media, access is plentiful. I’m available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For those who prefer public engagements, I issue press releases to educate and inform the public of issues that impact our community, and hold town halls for community input on concerns facing the county.

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

Bailey: I’ve never made a public facing mistake. I’ve always strived to avoid mistakes of judgment, ethics, and morality. When I make mistakes, I’ve always used them as an opportunity to learn from them, and never repeat them.

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

Bailey: I am a community leader and I’ve been working to advance this community for the last 17 years. From my work on the Virginia Commonwealth Board of Psychology, to my work at Project Mend a House, or my committed involvement in my church, I have been leading and working at all levels of our community.

I’m asking the people to vote for me because my wealth of experience leading at all levels, and because of my many existing relationships with State and Local Officials, and community leaders that will help us address the challenges of transportation, economic development, and mental health that our country faces.