Fraley Announces Bid for Roberts Seat

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

James City County Planning Commission Chairman Jack Fraley announced his bid Tuesday for the Republican nomination for the Roberts District Board of Supervisors’ seat in this year’s election.

“As a Planning Commissioner, I have demonstrated the ability to work across a wide range of ideologies and personalities to serve the best interests of the citizens of James City County,” Fraley said. “Whether the concern was protecting property rights, preserving the environment, or advancing a consistent policy of land use predictability, I always worked to ensure that our county retained its unique character and natural beauty.”

Fraley was planning commission chairman for three years. While serving on the Planning Commission, he also served on the Board of Zoning Appeals from 1995 through 2010, and five of those years he served as BZA chairman. He was Steering Committee Chairman for the county’s 2009 Comprehensive Plan and serves on the James River Commerce Park Design Review Board.

Fraley will follow his party’s mantra to keep taxes as low as possible: “To ensure the vitality of our economy and improve the affordability of our community, I will consistently oppose efforts to raise fees and taxes on our citizens and businesses.” Residents wanted the stormwater fee eliminated, Fraley said, and Republicans managed to do so once they had a Board majority after the 2007 elections. The recent stormwater bond referendum that failed was “a backdoor attempt” to bring back the fee, according to Fraley.

“Voters have made their views on the issue of the Rain Tax [stormwater fee] very clear twice now,” Fraley said. “They shouldn’t have to make their opposition to this tax clear a third time. As Supervisor, I will not be second-guessing their judgment.”

Fraley’s platform also includes supporting the business community. “The livability and affordability of James City County will depend on our ability to encourage our existing businesses to grow and thrive, while attracting new businesses to strengthen our tax base,” he said. “I will put my experience and expertise in business growth and development to work on the Board.

“I am excited about the opportunity to continue my service to the people of Roberts District in this new capacity. I look forward to taking my message of low taxes, slow growth, and an even better James City County to the citizens I hope to represent,” Fraley said.

Fraley plans to leave the planning commission at the end of his term this year regardless of the outcome of the election. He will ask fellow commissioners at Wednesday's meeting if they are comfortable with him continuing as chairman, he said.