By Brian Trompeter
Nineteen local elected officials will step down at year’s end and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 5 gave them a laudatory send-off.
The Board of Supervisors recognized:
–Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), first elected in 2007, who was lauded for his accomplishments regarding economic development, education, parks, infrastructure and public safety.
Foust’s sense of humor “lightens the load here for all of us,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (D), who also joined the board in 2008. Foust approaches his work with “passion, drive and a can-do attitude, not always dwelling on the challenges but trying to find a path forward to solve them,” he said.
Foust’s advocacy has brought improvements, including transportation upgrades, to the whole county, said Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill).
“You have an amazing BS meter,” he said. “You have the ability to call that out like no other public official I’ve ever seen.”
Foust, who grew up in Johnstown, Pa., and worked in steel mills there, found much success as an attorney, but never lost his working-class sensibility, said Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock).
Foust thanked his family, staff and constituents.
“It’s been a pleasure,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed this job so much.”
> Supervisor Penelope Gross (D-Mason), first elected in 1995, who received accolades for her leadership and accomplishments over seven terms.
“No one has made a bigger difference – region-wide and statewide – from this board than Supervisor Gross has,” McKay said, citing her efforts on the environment, military relationships and the arts.
“What I’ve loved most about Penny is her candor, her straightforwardness and tough love, at times, when it is needed,” he said.
Supervisor Patrick Herrity (R-Springfield) said he would miss the “vast institutional knowledge and perspective” and sense of fairness that Gross brought to bear.
“You are an institution builder,” Walkinshaw told Gross. “You’re somebody who believes in the importance and power of institutions.”
Listening to the pubic is crucial, Gross said.
“I’ve always told my constituents, the difference between being on the Hill and being a local elected official is, I can’t help you with your Social Security and I don’t declare war,” she said. “But if you’ve got a garbage problem, a streetlight out, a pothole – we can help you with the everyday aggravations of life.”
The board played video montages, produced by Channel 16, of the careers of Gross and Foust.
> Fairfax Clerk of the Circuit Court John Frey (R), who is stepping down after 32 years. Frey “established himself as the consummate professional” in a high-stress environment and led the court through multiple changes, the supervisors’ resolution said.
During Frey’s tenure, the court implemented first-in-the-nation online tools to allow the public to view land and court records and file marriage applications.
“His steady and dedicated leadership through the past three decades demonstrates that he is a true public servant,” McKay read.
Walkinshaw complimented Frey’s ethos toward the public.
“Every time I’ve seen you interact with an individual, you’ve done it with respect and consideration for them,” Walkinshaw said.
Frey, who will be moving to Texas to be closer to his grandchildren, said treating people equally has been one of his goals. He thanked his staff for making him look good.
“They want to go the extra mile,” he said. “They want to help people. They don’t want to be bureaucrats. They don’t want to just say no.”
> Del. Kenneth Plum (D-Reston), who first took office in 1978 and was the longest-serving House of Delegates member when he announced his retirement.
Plum was “known for his even keel and approachable demeanor while working with members of both parties to find common ground and move Virginia and Fairfax County forward,” the board’s resolution read.
McKay said Plum was not the loudest person in the room, but always the most effective, and was among the few legislators that county supervisors never had to worry about.
“Ken would just do the right thing,” McKay said. “He knew the right thing to do and he did it. He was well ahead of his time.”
Plum spent three decades as a Fairfax County Public Schools educator and that, combined with his legislative service, spoke to his character and tenacity to help others, Alcorn said.
“I’m proud of Virginia. We’re making progress,” Plum said. “It’s been a great run . . . I’ve been blessed being able to do the things I’ve been able to do.”
> Dels. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Springfield), Kathleen Murphy (D-McLean-Great Falls) and Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church) and state Sens. Janet Howell (D-Reston-Arlington), Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax-Falls Church), George Barker (D-Alexandria) and Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax-Vienna).
> School Board Chairman Elaine Tholen (Dranesville District), who “took a strategic approach to her work and fought hard against attempts to undermine Fairfax County’s ability to decide the direction of its public-education system,” the board’s resolution read.
> School Board members Laura Jane Cohen (Springfield District), Tamara Derenak Kaufax (Franconia District), Karen Keys-Gamarra (At-Large), Megan McLaughlin (Braddock District), Abrar Omeish (At-Large), Stella Pekarsky (Sully District) and Karen Corbett Sanders (Mount Vernon District).
During the last four years in particular, serving on the School Board has been the hardest elected office in the county, McKay said.
“The challenges that we faced during COVID, on top of challenges that confront our school system on a daily basis, could have been overwhelming at times,” he said. “We know that those who are standing before us were fighting for our kids’ lives and for the sanctity and the respect that our public-school system deserves.”
Tholen agreed the School Board’s latest term had been tough.
“We weathered it all and I’m proud of the work we have accomplished,” she said. “We’ve stood firm and we’re protecting and enhancing the lives of our most precious resource, our children.”
