ENDORSEMENTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2007 - WASHINGTON POST

District 39

Democratic incumbant Vivian E. Watts is an especially valuable House member whose political and legislative savvy have boosted Northern Virginia's quest for equitable state funding for schools, transportation, mental health and Medicaid services.

NOVEMBER 5, 2005 - WASHINGTON POST

District 39

Voters in this district are fortunate to be represented by Vivian E. Watts (D), whose intelligence, hard work, and political and legislative savvy have earned the respect of lawmakers from both parties. Her opponent, Michael J. Meunier (R), chief executive of an information and technology consulting firm, is no match.

NOVEMBER 2, 2005 - SPRINGFIELD CONNECTION

Watts in the 39th

Del. Vivian Watts (D), 65, who served in the House of Delegates in the 1980s and currently since 1996, is the former executive director of Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates and a former Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. Her intelligence, experience and dedication to community make her an important choice to return to Richmond.

OCTOBER 28, 2005 - SPRINGFIELD CONNECTION

Watts in the 39th

We have to agree with Vivian Watts that she still has a tremendous amount to offer and she is still needed in the House of Delegates. Her experience and perspective are badly needed in a legislative body where institutional knowledge is in short supply.

While Watts recognizes that overall in Northern Virginia, transportation is the top issue, in her district, the rising influence of gangs is of primary concern.

“As a member of the Criminal Laws Subcommittee, we’ve passed the toughest anti-gang laws in the nation,” Watts says. “But we need additional local, state and federal law enforcement personnel — as well as local health and housing inspectors — and we need them working cooperatively to penetrate into gangs and convict those who drive the violence.”

The demographics of her Annandale/Springfield district mean Watts has to be prepared to grapple with quality of life issues beyond traffic, including multiple families living in single-family homes, blighted properties and neighborhood parking issues. She has been effective in building bridges for solutions with local officials as well.

It’s too bad that Watts has been drawn into some hand-to-hand combat by some of the less-than-optimal tactics of her energetic and well-funded opponent, Michael Meunier (R).

Meunier could have much to offer in future political activism. “When I grew up [in Egypt], I didn’t have a voice in anything,” said Meunier, who didn’t have electricity until he was 10 years old. “I appreciate democracy more than most people do.”

NEWS ARTICLES

OCTOBER 13, 2005 - FAIRFAX CONNECTION

Hoping to Return

Vivian Watts is defending her seat as delegate for Virginia's 39th District.

By Amber Healy

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Del. Vivian Watts (D-39) never intended to run for public office. Now, at the end of her 10th year in the House of Delegates, she is running for re-election, for the chance to continue serving her community.

"I always participated in the community, from being an educator to being a member of the PTA and School Board, but I never thought I'd run for office," Watts said. "I'm a numbers person at heart, so I was always interested in spending and taxes and the budget."

Watts was first approached to run as a "sacrificial lamb" candidate in a Board of Supervisors race and fared "well enough" that she couldn't "blend back into the woodwork" at the committee meetings she had regularly attended for years.

"I believed I could be a spokesman for Northern Virginia issues because of my background," said Watts, referring to her involvement with the Salvation Army, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce as its transportation chair and her position as co-chair of the countywide School Bond Referendum committee.

Watts was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1982, serving until 1985, when she was appointed Virginia's Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Public Safety. She is the only person to have headed both positions simultaneously, from 1986-90. She was re-elected to the House of Delegates in 1996.

As a current delegate, Watts said she has a "better idea" of how to face "unintended consequences" of legislation because of the "breadth of issues and context" in which she's worked for almost a decade.

"I understand the concerns of both sides of an issue and I know the restraints and concerns of each, so I am better able to anticipate many disputes ahead of time when writing legislation," she said. That experience can help modify the language of a bill to avoid conflict or can expedite the process of finding common ground to get legislation passed that works best for both sides of a topic, she said.

"The two months the House of Delegates meets is extremely intense and we cover so many subject areas," Watts said. "I enjoy the challenge of shaping legislation. I like having a district where I can really get around and have contact with what's going on."

The two main issues in Watt's campaign are, not surprisingly, education and transportation, she said.

"I'd like to continue the kind of management soundness we've had in the past four years," she said. "We've been doing a lot of hard work to get the budget balanced but we need to continue with tough management. Virginia's conservatism has been fiscal conservatism. It bothers me to see the attention shifting to the days of promises that don't lead to balanced budgets."

Money allocated for specific uses in the budget need to be used for those purposes, whether it's education, transportation or otherwise, Watts said.

"We have a major, major transportation crisis in Northern Virginia and it will take serious work to get the House of Delegates to make serious changes, not just put band-aids on the problem," she said.

With education, Watts wants to continue to work to change the funding formula for Northern Virginia's schools. "In the last session, I was able to make a small change that brought $14 million directly to Fairfax County schools by having the money based on the student population, not the wealth of the area," she said.

Watts has been in favor of looking into any and all plans and alternatives to decrease the traffic problems in Northern Virginia.

Additionally, Watts said she will support legislation to provide a "homestead exemption" to residents, mostly senior citizens, who live in a home they own, which could translate into a 20 percent reduction in their property tax bill in order to allow more residents to stay in their homes.

AS THE PRESENCE of gangs and gang activity has grown in the region, Watts said she has helped to draft the toughest anti-gang legislation in the country. "We need to focus more on cooperation among the federal, state and local government and law enforcement for that legislation to be effective," she said.

The heart of Watt's campaign has been walking door-to-door to talk with residents of her district, allowing her to have a dialogue with the people she represents.

"I get a lot of good information from meeting with the people who live here," Watts said. "It's very helpful in how I approach the issues and the cases I can make for pieces of legislation because I have heard it directly and personally from people in my region."

Each time Watts has run for re-election, she has faced opposition. "I enjoy having a forum where people can hear both sides of the race," Watts said. "Unfortunately, in this area, that doesn't happen often. It's like shadow boxing. You're rarely with your opponents, so you don't know what context they're speaking in regarding your stand on the issues."

Both of her opponents, Independent Green candidate Richard Herron and Republican Michael Meunier, have said they respect Watts for her service to the community.

"I met Vivian a few years ago," said Herron. "I know I probably won't get elected, so she's an all right person to vote for."

Meunier, on the other hand, feels residents of the 39th district need a change.

"I applaud Mrs. Watts' record for serving Virginia for so long, but she has not put forth any ideas in all her years that make her stand out from other legislators she works with," he said. "If I were her, I'd have some of the top ideas for increasing transit, not just raising the gas tax. This race is about the old versus the new. This is the new innovative ideas versus the same old politics that hasn't gotten us anywhere."

AS THE MANAGER of Watts' re-election campaign, Hope Winship believes Watts' experience and leadership skills prove to be valuable assets which help her while working on the campaign. "She has a great grasp of the knowledge she has from things she's done in the past that she applies to what's being done now," said Winship.

With Watts' campaign office located in her family's home, Winship said the campaign has a "family-type atmosphere" to it. "She is readily available to do whatever needs to be done and to answer whatever questions we have," said Winship. "We've had a tremendous response from the community, from people giving money to more grassroots things like putting up signs in front of their homes and volunteering to help out. People know she'll do a good job representing them and will work and fight hard for them."

For the past nine years, Deb Sherman has worked with Watts as her legislative aide in Richmond.

"Vivian is one of the most intelligent persons I've ever met," said Sherman. "I'm one of her constituents, and I know there's no one else in the Virginia legislature who will get to work on an issue and try to bring people in with other points of view like she does."

Sherman also knows firsthand Watt's "commitment" to building agreements between parties. "She doesn't give up. She works until she can bring people together. With her, it's not just slogans. She knows the hard work starts when you get elected," said Sherman.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 - FAIRFAX CONNECTION

Meet the Candidates

Springfield Civic Association hosts delegate, gubernatorial candidates at monthly meeting.

By Amber Healy

September 29, 2005

With taxes, transportation and traffic the hot topics of the evening, approximately 60 Springfield residents had the chance to listen to candidates running for the House of Delegates and representatives for the gubernatorial candidates at the Sept. 20 Springfield Civic Association meeting.

Del. Vivian Watts (D-39) took the opportunity to recount the successes of her years in office and plans for continued fiscal accountability.

"Not only has there been a budget surplus in Virginia, we have been named as one of the two best managed states. But now comes the real challenge," Watts said. If re-elected to the House of Delegates, she told residents she wants to focus on tax reform to increase the percentage of tax dollars that are returned to Northern Virginia and use extra money to stabilize tax increases and tackle transportation concerns.

"Starting two and a half years ago, money on the transit and construction budgets has been drained into the statewide maintenance projects," she said. If the state government were spending the same percentage of funding on transportation now as when she left her position as secretary of transportation in 1990, "we'd have $3.5 billion worth of improvements in place," said Watts. "That's the kind of stewardship this business of government should be held do."

Increasing the burden on homeowners with five consecutive years of double-digit assessment hikes makes it difficult for some residents to stay in their homes, a problem that may be eased with the adoption of a 20 percent easement in property taxes for people who live in homes they personally own, Watts suggested.

When asked which method she'd support to help fix Northern Virginia's transportation problems, she said, "all of the above. We're so far behind. [Installing] toll roads would be a short-term fix and short sighted. Over half the transportation budget goes to projects that are already built."

If the use of mass transit, such as Metro expansions, were to be implemented, "we need to make sure our trains have enough cars on them to carry more passengers," Watts said. "We need to make sure the capacity is there to handle those who want to use it."

Michael Meunier, the Republican candidate for the 39th District, advocated increasing the amount of funding coming into Fairfax County for education to 65 cents per dollar, up from the current 60 cents per dollar, in order to attract and retain better teachers.

"That would lead to an increase of $51 million for Fairfax County," he said. "Mrs. Watts says we need more money, but I think we need to find better ways to spend what we have."

On the topic of transportation, Meunier said the "money in the trust fund for transportation has been raided," with the funding being used for projects that do not help ease traffic constraints.

"Many of the bottlenecks are caused by accidents," he said. "I would support having an emergency team ready and situated near major roadways to clear accidents faster and prevent the backups," Meunier said.

WHEN ASKED if he'd support allowing hybrid car drivers to use HOV lanes, Meunier said he was "all for" using technology to decrease dependency on oil, " but we need to be fair on all parts. I haven't studied the issue but I don't see why you should have favor over someone else because of the car you drive."

Resident Charlie Butler asked Meunier how he would go about improving education in Fairfax County without raising taxes.

"Where I come from, teachers would get more pay for more training," said Meunier, an immigrant from Egypt. "Some countries are ahead of our students in teaching math and science. The world is learning from us and that's the problem. We need to learn how to use our technology better. Testing our students is good but I don't agree with how the SOLs are implemented," he said, referring to Virginia's Standards of Learning exams, given several times during the school year.

Representing Richard Herron, the Independent Green Party candidate for the 39th District, Gail Parker, herself a candidate for the same position in the 44th District, used the opportunity to promote the expansion of rail transportation as a solution to traffic problems.

"Seven miles of rail could be put in and ready to use in two years and cost $80 million," Parker said. "To install rail from Springfield to the northern part of Fort Belvoir is about five miles, so it would cost a little less. There are several ways it could be paid for, maybe out of the county's budget surplus."

Using money allocated for transit improvements to repair or build new roads won't solve any problems, she said. "We don't need more roads. We need rail."

ON BEHALF of Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for governor, Fairfax County School Board member Brad Center (Lee) told the residents "if it weren't for the Warner-Kaine administration, Fairfax County would be in worse shape than it is. Seventy-five percent of the school budget is paid for by personal property taxes, and the more we get from the state the less we have to pay locally. The Kaine administration would work hard to get us fiscally solvent," Center said.

On the subject of transportation, Center said Kaine "wants local control over transportation. The [Republican Jerry] Kilgore campaign said they want to put I-66 through Arlington, but I'm sure the people who live there want nothing to do with that. It doesn't make sense," he said.

The Kaine administration would continue to work for federal waivers from the No Child Left Behind legislation. This would allow for certain subgroups within schools to be addressed independently of the entire school, resulting in more accurate test results overall, Center said.

No representative for Kilgore, the Republican candidate for governor, attended the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of Independent gubernatorial candidate Russ Potts, Carey Campbell, the state chairman of the Independent Green Party of Virginia, outlined the party's primary goals as "more candidates, less apathy; more transportation, less traffic and having a government that's fiscally conservative and socially responsible."

"We are calling for light rail around the Beltway and high-speed trains for longer distances, which would provide more relief with a $237 billion transportation budget," he said.

When asked what rail would look like alongside or on the Beltway, Campbell said that it would follow the current roadway and would help communities like Annandale by promoting walkable communities and local businesses which could establish locations at station sites.

One audience member asked: "if it's such a great idea, why don't we have it yet?"

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 - SPRINGFIELD TIMES

Choice of words heats up 39th race

By Jason Jacks

09/28/2005

One candidate in the race for the 39th House of Delegates seat is accusing the other of playing the “anti-immigrant card,” after a mailer with the words “one of our own” was sent out by the incumbent to thousands of potential voters.

The flier in question shows Del. Vivian Watts (D)—along with three inset photos—standing outside with her arms crossed in front of a group of trees. The lower third of the flier has Watts' name and the words “Delegate, community leader and one of our own.”

“These are racist remarks they are trying to implant in voters heads,” Republican challenger Michael Meunier, born and raised in Egypt, said of the last four words on the flier.

In a strongly worded statement, Meunier explained: “The thinly-veiled message of this piece asserts that because I am not as 'white' as she is, I should not be allowed to serve in office.”

He continued: “The implication is that because I wasn't as fortunate as Mrs. Watts to be born here, there is something wrong with me.”

The 37-year-old Meunier, the owner of an information technology consulting firm who likes to ride a scooter while campaigning door to door, explained he felt the flier was also trying to portray him as an outsider. He said he has been in the district since he arrived in the country 15 years ago “with $50 in my pocket and not knowing a word of English.”

Watts, the 65-year-old delegate for the 39th—which encompasses parts of Annandale, north Springfield and central Springfield—since 1996, said she is dumbfounded by Meunier's accusation and said she has even used the same tag line on fliers in the past without such a reaction.

She says the phrase is just a way to denote her long ties to the community.

“All politics are local,” she said. “It is just a good description of the last 40 years ... and of all of the work that I have done.”

She would not venture a guess as to why her opponent considers the wording on the flier as being racist.

“I really don't know,” she said.

Tawny Hammond, president of the Springfield Civic Association, which is based in the 39th District, denounced Meunier's charge that the flier had a racial connotation. “I don't know of anyone in our community that thinks that. I find it shocking ... I think it's just politics getting a little nasty,” she said.

Meunier, who denied his reaction to the flier is a ploy to gain attention during a campaign season, is calling for a retraction of the flier and an apology from Watts—and not just to him.

ENDORSEMENT STATEMENT

SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

American Coptic Assembly and American Coptic Union
Statement For Supporting  Fairfax VA. House of Delegates
Vivian E. Watts

American Coptic National Assembly, an organization based in Virginia representing Coptic Christians of Egypt in the USA, has issued a statement supporting Vivian Watts in the next election for Fairfax House of Delegates. The statement encourage all Coptic Community in Fairfax to vote for her.

Mrs. Watts has a very clean history and impressive political career in helping her community. In addition, she is a strong supporter for Human and Civil Rights for the Coptic Christians as a peace loving people.

President Morris Sadek of American Coptic National Assembly, and Rafique Iscandar, President of American Coptic Union, are calling their fellow Coptic Egyptian Community in Fairfax to vote for Vivian Watts in the next election. Mrs. Watts promise to continue help and support all Fairfax residents including Coptic Egyptian regardless of their race, color and religion and work hard for every body in the community.

Mr. Morris Sadek Esq. offers his help upon the request of Mrs. Watts during her campaign. and said " Mrs. Watts is well educated and spent most her life long helping Americans, and her country" therefore, we will help her as we could and all Egyptian community should help her as well.

PRESS RELEASES

SEPTEMBER 26, 2005

Vivian E. Watts
Member, 39th District
House of Delegates

Contacts:

Delegate Vivian Watts (703) 978-2989
Delegate Brian Moran, House Democratic Caucus Chair (703) 370-4154
Senator Richard Saslaw, Senate Minority Leader (703) 941-1371

Republican Candidate’s Disregard for the Law

Information regarding Michael Meunier, Republican candidate for the 39th House District appears to show a pattern of disregard for the law. “Legal integrity is a serious concern. The following compilation is being released at this time so that Mr. Meunier has ample time before the election to clarify the public record and/or correct his actions,” said Delegate Vivian Watts.

Attachments to this press release provide documentation for the following (please contact the campaign if you would like to see the attachments):

1. Mr. Meunier has not provided required information on 104 out of 158 large donors to his campaign.

Most of the un-identified large donors are from out-of-state; 14 made donations of $1,000 or more. Virginia law requires that the donor’s employer, the nature of the employer’s business, and the location of the business be identified. As noted by the State Board of Elections, “Virginia Campaign Finance laws are designed for full disclosure. There are not limits on contributions, but it is expected that information...be fully disclosed.” ... “Should you fail to properly amend these reports your candidate may not be permitted to take office.”

2. Mr. Meunier falsely represented his principal residence under oath in obtaining loans.

On August 5, 2004, he declared first that his Annandale townhouse was his principal residence and then – just two months later – on October 15, 2004, he declared that a house he owned in College Park, Maryland (8417 48th Avenue) was his principal residence. Typically, the interest rate on owner-occupied property is lower than on rental property. Mr. Meunier knew both statements could not be true and he stood to benefit from his mis-representation. These are two elements of fraud. (Note: Mr. Meunier always has declared a second College Park property as rental property; therefore, he knew the distinction.)

3. Mr. Meunier received Maryland tax benefits as a result of false statements made “under penalties of perjury.”

In addition to false statements to the finance companies, Mr. Meunier signed a separate declaration that College Park was his principal residence, which entitled him to Maryland tax benefits. Not only was this declaration made “under penalties of perjury,” Mr. Meunier signed another statement that he understood it was a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment to fail to truthfully answer in order to avoid paying County Transfer and State Recordation taxes. Indeed, because he stated his College Park house was his principal residence, Mr. Meunier did not pay the transfer and recordation taxes and he received a $373.10 homestead tax credit on September 12, 2005 as a Maryland resident. In direct contradiction to the statements Mr. Meunier made on October 15, 2004 “under penalties of perjury,” six months later in his Financial Disclosure Statement as a Candidate for Virginia House (April 14, 2005) he stated under oath that 8417 48th Ave was a rental property.

4. Mr. Meunier’s right to vote in Virginia and to be on the ballot could be challenged.

Mr. Meunier registered to vote in Virginia in 1995. He bought the Casimir St townhouse in Annandale in 1996 and transferred his registration to that precinct in 2000. This would indicate that he is eligible to be on the ballot and that, in declaring that his principal residence was in College Park, Mr. Meunier simply lied under oath, repeatedly. However, since his last official action of public record was to declare that his principal residency was in Maryland; he received tax benefits as late as September 12, 2005 given to Maryland residents; and, as of this date, Maryland records continue to identify the property as his principal residence, Mr. Meunier’s Virginia residency could be challenged. On the other hand, if he informs Maryland officials that Prince George’s County is not his principal residence, he could face criminal charges.

5. Concerns exist regarding Mr. Meunier’s compliance with charitable giving laws.

Mr. Meunier is the Executive Director of the “Center for Freedom in the Middle East.” Its website says that donations are tax deductible; however, the IRS does not include any organization so-named in its list of tax-deductible charities. In addition, Mr. Morris Sadek, President of American Coptic Assembly, has expressed concerns regarding the use of funds raised by Mr. Meunier.

# # # # # #

SEPTEMBER 27, 2005

Vivian E. Watts
Member, 39 th District
House of Delegates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Vivian Watts on the Unfortunate Statement Released by Her Opponent

“The use of the phrase ‘one of our own’ on the front of my brochure is absolutely consistent with similar phrases that have been used in my material over the years to accentuate my involvement in the community. In the very beginning, my first re-election brochure in 1982 used “Our delegate, Vivian Watts..A delegate we know .. A delegate we’re proud of.” In the last election the featured phrase was “...deep roots in our community.”

“The reason for this consistent theme is that it is the most accurate description of my life and contributions. For almost 20 years, before I ever ran for office, I was active in the community: from bake sales to assuring Metro would serve Fairfax.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 - RELEASED FROM MEUNIER CAMPAIGN

Meunier Demands Apology for Watts' 'Racist' Mailing

Contact: Mike Spellings of Friends of Michael Meunier, 703-930-0120

ANNANDALE, Va., Sept. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Michael Meunier, candidate for the House of Delegates from the 39th legislative District, today demanded a retraction and an apology from his opponent, Vivian Watts, for sending out a mailer with "clear racist" overtones.

"Mrs. Watts may deny it, but referring to herself as 'One of our own' is a clear slam against me and every immigrant in Northern Virginia," Meunier said. "She is clearly trying to play the race card and the anti-immigrant card. She ought to be ashamed."

The mailer, which was sent to thousands of Northern Virginia residents, features the words "One of our own" on the front cover and contains pictures inside demonstrating her native-born American roots.

"The thinly-veiled message of this piece asserts that because I am not as 'white' as she is, I should not be allowed to serve in office. The implication is that because I wasn't as fortunate as Mrs. Watts to be born here, there is something wrong with me," said Meunier. "That's an insult to the millions of immigrants who have helped make America the greatest place to live on this planet."

"Playing on the prejudices of voters is reprehensible," said Meunier. "I want people to vote for me because of my positions on the issues, what I believe and my commitment to improve Northern Virginia. That's the American way."

"A white candidate who used a slogan like this against an African-American would be pilloried by the press and all fair- minded Americans," said Meunier. "I think it will be a real test to see what reaction Mrs. Watts receives for using such a slogan against an Egyptian-American."

Michael Meunier is the Republican nominee for the 39th House of Delegates District. Born in Egypt, he legally immigrated to the US, worked his way through Northern Virginia Community College and Virginia Tech, and now lives in Annandale, Virginia.

Meunier is the CEO of an IT consulting firm. Prior to founding his own business, Meunier worked for Price Waterhouse and Deloitte and Touche Consulting Group.

In 2003 Meunier founded the Center for Freedom in the Middle East to serve as a home for a coalition of advocacy groups, individuals and scholars from the Middle East striving to promote and uphold the pillars of Judeo-Christian values in that region.

http://www.usnewswire.com/