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October 15, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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Kibitzer's CornerJ.G. Azarcon, Esq.
I have lived in Northern Virginia since 1979. Over the years when Filipinos gather, there is always talk of why we are this way, or why we are that we, or why we are not like other peoples of the world and what can we do to be more than what we are now. The talk invariably points to political involvement.
With less than a month to go before the local elections in Virginia, Filipino-Americans who believe that political empowerment brings about incalculable benefits to our community must now put their money where their mouth is.
Our very own Vellie Sandalo Dietrich-Hall is running for Supervisor of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor in one of the richest counties in the United States with a budget that is bigger than some nations of the world. She is close to the homestretch of a hectic campaign that brought her knocking on doors in thousands of homes in Mason District.


Vellies quest for political office is our struggle too. We have been good followers for too long. We support and elect people who make decisions that affect our lives. We might as well have a louder say in governing.
Although she is a first-time candidate, she has made waves in her campaign. She is the only local candidate that merited coverage on the front page of the Washington Post. Even local network TV stations covered her community emersion to highlight the safety issue in their neighborhoods. She garnered the endorsements of Sen. John Warner, Cong. Tom Davis, Cong. Frank Wolf, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell and other GOP elected officials. She has even benefitted from the advice of Democrats who were former candidates or elected officials.
Based on her door knocking encounters, the voters in Mason District are concerned about illegal boarding houses, day laborers congregating in large numbers on business premises, property taxes, crime, transportation and uncontrolled development. Politics being local as one prominent politician has said, Vellie has been able to cut across party lines by talking about the issues that directly impact the lives of the citizens.
She has some creative ideas for some controversial issues. While she favors strict enforcement of zoning regulations, she also would like the government to be proactive in taking preventive measures by disseminating information to all citizens about the limits on the number of occupants in dwelling units. Some violations may have been just sheer ignorance of the law. With respect to the problem raised by business owners and citizens that people congregating in large numbers impede free access to business premises, Vellie would like to bring together faithbased groups, community leaders and business establishments who depend on day laborers to come up with a solution, a site where people looking for work and job recruiters can meet at no expense to the government.
Her campaign has gone a long way. It is in a full throttle, thanks to a core of dedicated albeit unpaid volunteers. Her husband serves as the campaign manager. Then there is the husband and wife team of Dr. Rene Alvir and Inday Alvir. Rene is enjoying his retirement serving as Vellies door-knocking escort and also dabbles as a yard sign planter. His wife, Inday is the campaign office commander. A retiree from the World Bank, Alma Conty is the data base specialist. Maurese Owens, a long-time community volunteer serves as the event scheduler. Husband and wife Ray and Harriet Gingrich, also retirees are in charge of the finances and reporting requirements. Serbian Shu Bartholomew, a radio host, helps in messaging. Becky Pagsibigan, the community choreographer is the parade coordinator. And theres Monica, a realtor who hails from South America, bubbling with energy as she shadows Vellie in her campaign sorties.
On October 27, Saturday morning, Vellies contingent will join the Annandale parade along Columbia Pike. This is the time for Filipino-Americans to come out and join the march to our political empowerment. Our time has come in Northern Virginia. It is within our grasp. Dont let it slip away. Lets walk with Vellie to victory.

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