Ronis Cites Experience in Bid for Supervisor

As the current Planning Commissioner for Loudoun’s Potomac District, Valdis Ronis is well versed on the growth management issues in the county. During a recent interview, Ronis said he believes that, with his career experience in architecture and community planning, he can help Ashburn overcome its growing pains if he’s elected supervisor for the newly created Ashburn District.

Ronis said he has spent much of his campaign knocking on doors, meeting his neighbors, and asking them what issues are most important to them as he seeks the Democratic nomination in the race. Many Ashburn residents are concerned about school overcrowding and boundary shifts, he said.

“People don’t disagree that we need a new high school; they just disagree as to where it should go,” Ronis said, adding that Ashburn must plan well before building a school. “Tuscarora High School just opened and will already be at capacity within two to three years.”

In particular, the controversy over the has many residents fired up. Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors recently entered into a contract to buy land at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne for the school, a move that has divided Lansdowne residents. Ronis declined to take a stance on that issue.

“I’m not going to take a position on HS-8 right now because I’m a sitting planning commissioner,” he said. “I don’t want to jeopardize my voice on this issue.”

Many local Republicans are pledging to lower the tax rate if elected. Ronis said that he would like to see a lower tax rate, but only if the county can afford it.

“I’m a property owner in Loudoun County. I have a selfish desire to keep taxes low,” said Ronis. “But there are services we all need and would like to have, and taxes pay for those services. In the short term, unless and until the economy improves, we’re going to have to make tough decisions about what we need, want, and can afford. We may have to postpone the things we want.”

Ronis, however, doesn’t see the tax rate as the central issue for Ashburn.

“I don’t think taxes are the problem,” he said. “We have allowed too much residential development to occur too quickly. We need to balance that with more commercial development.”

Ronis also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, promising to help promote environment-friendly building in the region. As a father of four, he said he understands the need to conserve resources for the future generations.

Although Ronis’ 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son are too young to vote, his older children and wife have pledged support to Ronis' campaign with more than their votes. In particular, Ronis’ oldest daughter serves as field director for her dad’s campaign, and his wife is his campaign manager.

While Ronis, a first-generation Latvian-American, said that he is really enjoying his first foray into campaigning for elected office, but doesn’t think of himself as a politician.

“I’m not comfortable with the title of politician,” said Ronis, adding that party politics often lead candidates to cross lines they otherwise would not. “I’m not enjoying the political behavior that I’m observing.”

Still, Ronis said he’s glad he threw his hat in the ring and has high hopes for success in November. A seat on the board could even open early if Broad Run Supervisor Lori Waters (R), who is not running for reelection, steps down before the end of her term. Democrats now control the board. Ronis dismissed the idea of winning such an appointment or of the vacancy even occurring.

“If I were asked to serve, I’d be very flattered,” said Ronis, uncertain whether such a temporary appointment to the board would help or hurt his chances in November. District lines will change before the next board takes office.

 “It would give me a forum to discuss issues,” he said. “But there might be some people who would hold the appointment against me.”