Testimonials from the 2001 Campaign

Elaine Furlow, Arlington School Board Vice Chair

"Jay understands that strong schools build strong communities, and knows that ensuring excellent schools takes financial and personal support from the County Board. I appreciate Jay's leadership as we work together on this goal."

Martha Duggan, Schools and Community Activist

Having served with Jay on a number of boards and worked with him on a number of initiatives, I know that Jay's leadership is grounded in the strongest of commitments to continual improvement of Arlington as a health community. His breadth of experience with the issues that Arlingtonians care about and his dedication to pragmatic and sensible solutions make him an ideal member of the County Board.

Mary Hynes, School Board Chair

"Jay has shown a commitment to maintaining excellence in our public schools. He understands that our youth represent our future."

Mary Margaret Whipple, VA State Senator

"Jay has been steady, strong and reassuring during the events of recent weeks. His leadership in the effort to re-open Reagan National Airport has further raised Jay's stature within the region."

Beth Arthur, Sheriff

"Public safety is my job. Jay understands the importance of crime prevention and strong law enforcement. He is the best choice for Arlington."

John McCracken, Community Activist

"Jay is an excellent County Board member and Chairman. I strongly advocate his re-election as he is of outstandingly fine character and integrity, and I respect his advocacy of strong, active community institutions."

Chris Zimmerman, Vice Chair, Arlington County Board

"As Chairman of the Metropolitan Development Policy Committee of the Washington Council of Governments, Jay has emerged as a leader in the region on smart growth issues."

State Delegate Bob Brink

"Jay's commitment, energy, and understanding of Arlington's concerns make him an invaluable ally in advancing our community's interests in Richmond. I've enjoyed working with him over the past four years, and look forward to serving Arlington with him in the future."

Charles Monroe, County Board member

"Jay's year as Chairman has evidenced his strong leadership skills. I respect his values, judgement, and knowledge of the broad range of issues that confront our community. I look forward to continuing our work together."

Al Eisenberg, former County Board member

"I have known Jay a long time. I served with him and I value his contributions to the County. He is thoughtful in his approach to issues, cares deeply about making the right decision, and is unafraid to stand up for issues of conscience and principle."

Ellen Bozman, former County Board member

"I enjoy working with Jay. He is a thoughtful person who considers questions from all sides. In addition, he is an articulate spokesperson for Arlington in the metropolitan region."

Larry Pelkey, Advocate for Persons with Disabilities

In Jay Fisette we have a person with the courage and intelligence to ask probing questions, listen with patience and act as he believes, with sincere concern for the issues of ALL Arlingtonians.

Gerri Whiting, Commissioner of the Revenue

Jay is a patient and understanding listener of all citizens. He is a natural mediator who offers good sound resolutions. I am proud to have him as a good friend and peer.

Richard Trodden, Commonwealth Attorney

Jay is a leader who is truly concerned about public safety. He is aware of the important relationship between healthy communities and safe streets. More importantly, Jay cares about Justice and knows that it is the true foundation of citizen security.

Judy Connally, former VA General Assembly delegate

As an advocate for high quality human services, especially for those with disabilities, I appreciate greatly Jay's compassion and concern for Arlingtonians who need help. Also, I admire him for his intelligence - always asking appropriate but hard questions and scrutinizing all county programs carefully and fairly.

Dan Steen, Deputy Chair, Arlington Democratic Committee

Jay Fisette is a skilled bridge builder and community leader who has put his abilities to work as a County Board leader who gets results. He is involved in many of the pressing issues faced by Arlingtonians, from the seemingly mundane, such as stopping the illegal towing of autos, to the visionary, like more effectively utilizing technology to serve and communicate with our residents in a busy urban environment. He works hard, listens, and achieves community consensus and action. I am delighted that Jay is willing to again serve our County and I strongly endorse his re-election.

Darnell R. Carpenter, President, John M. Langston Citizens Assoc.

Jay is a committed and thoughtful policymaker with progressive ideas that make him well suited for the challenges facing this community in the new millennium. I am proud to be not only a political ally but a friend. Jays ability to listen objectively and respond in a well balanced manner demonstrates his ability to get to the bottom of many issues. The Arlington community can not ask for a better prepared candidate to move us progressively through the next four years.

Charlene Bickford, former Arlington Democratic Committee Chair

Jay Fisette is a good listener, an innovative leader, and very accessible. He works to ensure top quality services to all Arlingtonians.

Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Jay is one of my favorite people in the region to work with. He asks the exact right questions, does his homework, and looks at all points of view. He is very knowledgeable, refreshingly open-minded and disarmingly candid.

Talmadge T. Williams, Ph.D.

I am proud to say that Jay is a friend of mine. He understands the education dilemma and has a concern for minority academic achievement. His promotion of technology is on target to help close the great digital divide. I support the re-election of Jay Fisette to the Arlington County Board.

Tony Taylor, Community/Schools Activist

Jay has a superb grasp of the many diverse interests and perspectives in our community and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in tirelessly striving to achieve a balance that meets the varied needs of all our citizens.

Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Jay Fisette is not only a strong community booster, he is a regional leader as well. His work at COG has moved forward the region's transportation and planning agendas. His voice has become indispensable as we try to meet the challenges we face throughout the region. Arllington has a strong and compelling voice in Jay Fisette.

James Fisher, Community Activist

Jay Fisette has been the kind of county board member who lives up to his promises to listen to community concerns and weigh issues carefully. Every time I have approached him with a concern, he has been among the most informed board members and among the most energetic to fully understand an issue I have raised. He is the kind of public servant I am proud to have in office, and someone who has served Arlington County well. He has earned re-election many times over.

Randy Swart

Jay Fisette has demonstrated to my complete satisfaction that he has all the attributes of a great County Board member and a real community leader.

Barbara Favola, County Board member

Jay is a thoughtful and balanced policymaker. Having worked closely with him for over three years, it is clear that he has a deep set of core values-- including a respect for peoples' differences, an empathy for those less fortunate, and a commitment to fairness in his decion-making. I am proud to call him my colleague.

Frank O'Leary, Treasurer of Arlington County

I'm for Jay and the Arlington Way! Jay Fisette is a sound investment for Arlington.

Paul Ferguson, Arlington County Board member

Jay's even tempered style serves him well with both his colleagues on the Board and with the citizens he represents. On issues of special importance to me, Jay has been an ally, showing a strong committment to the environment, the protection of our parks and open space, and our green buildings initiative.

Jim Schuyler

Jay Fisette is the ideal public servant--he is committed, thoughtful, inclusive, compassionate, intelligent, personable, articulate, and, above all, cares passionately about the community that we love and the values that we share. He makes me feel proud to live in Arlington and to have the opportunity to work and vote to re-elect him.

Titles shown with individual names are for identification purposes only .