Occoquan candidate wants to preserve small town atomsphere

By Aileen Streng

Published: April 2, 2008

James Walbert feels that maintaining the small town atmosphere is important to the quality of life for Occoquan residents.

He wants to help preserve that atmosphere and is running for another term on the Occoquan Town Council.

“We have some things that we need to accomplish and we aren’t there yet,” said Walbert, 61.

Among them is providing more open space. The town had hoped to have access to the Fairfax County Water Authority property at the end of Mill Street this year and that would have provided residents with additional open space.

While the property will not be available for the town’s use for about another year, Walbert said he wants the town to continue working with the authority toward that goal.

Walbert said the current council has worked hard over the last couple of years managing its finances. “We must continue to develop fiscal resources to provide for capital improvements, including parks, recreational areas and parking facilities,” Walbert said.

Walbert also said he would like to see more events, such as concerts in the park, held in the evenings.

“I’d like to see more things to do in the evenings. It would be another reason for visitors to come to town and then we could encourage the businesses to stay open in the evenings,” Walbert said.

“We must create an environment in which businesses and residents can thrive,” he said.

Walbert has served three years on the Occoquan Town Council. He is a former member of the Occoquan Planning Commission.

“Occoquan is a small town and I think, as a small town you have the opportunity to develop a sense of community,” Walbert said. “I believe that being part of a community means participating in government.”

Walbert is among the six residents running for one of the five two-year-term seats on the Occoquan Town Council. The others candidates are: incumbents Ken Brunsvold and Barry G. Dean along with Denise M. Bush, Joao Paul “JP” Cunha and Lance R. Houghton.

There are 584 registered voters in Occoquan out of a population of about 800. Occoquan Town Council members are paid a stipend of $1 per month or $12 a year.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.