For Democrats: Fisette

Endorsement by Arlington Sun Gazette
Thursday, July 19, 2001

County Board Chairman Jay Fisette is going to win a landslide victory in the July 24 Democratic caucus, to be held at Washington-Lee High School. That much is assured.

The question is: Is Fisette worthy of the crown? The short answer is, yes he is.

During his four years on the board, Fisette has shown himself to be a thoughtful, moderate, good-spirited public servant. We may quibble with him on some issues - and we do - but on balance he has served this community in an exemplary way.

During his first six months as chairman, Fisette has won the grudging respect of even some long-time board critics. Meetings are kept on track (a rarity in recent County Board history) and Fisette maintains a tone of civility and respect even for those who disagree with the actions being taken. That too is a rarity from a Democrat-controlled County Board that often has exhibited arrogance.

Fisette's lone opponent in the July 24 caucus is Jim Hurysz, a Fairlington resident and an increasingly vocal critic of virtually the entire county establishment, from elected officials to the media.

Hurysz, who also challenged County Board member Barbara Favola last year, has over time raised some important issues that are being ignored by the established leaders. But he has done so in such a shrill, uncompromising and humorless way that his arguments are written off without a second glance.

That's too bad, because the community needs these issues to be raised. Hurysz, however, is not the best spokesman to take up the fight.

We'll see if Republicans are able to field a credible candidate, or any candidate at all, to take on Fisette in November. It would be a losing cause, but that doesn't mean Fisette should be running unopposed. He should be forced to defend his record, even if we think that record is generally a solid one.

Jay Fisette deserves the support of county Democrats next week, and - barring something truly unforeseen occurring in the next three months - will be our pick for another term on the County Board.