April 15, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
STAFFORD REPUBLICAN SUPERVISORS HOLD FIRM ON SPENDING; VOTED NO TO THEIR OWN PAY RAISE

STAFFORD— With Stafford County administrative offices facing budget cuts and no pay raises for personnel, as well as budget shortfalls in Stafford schools, Republican Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer (Garrisonville) made a motion at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting to freeze any pay raise for Stafford County Supervisors. “At a time when we are asking staff to make sacrifices, we need to show solidarity. We did not run for office to make money.” His motion was seconded by Republican Supervisor Paul Milde (Aquia). If it had been approved, Supervisor Dudenhefer’s motion would have saved the county almost $77,000.

Independent Supervisor Joe Brito (Hartwood) immediately made a substitute motion that would have alternatively allowed the supervisors a pay raise, shaving off only a net total of $5,000. Brito complained that the supervisors were the lowest paid county employees.

Democrat Supervisor George Schwartz (Falmouth), Chairman of the Board, presided over a vote on the substitute motion and it passed with all Democrats and Independent Joe Brito voting in favor of a pay raise while all Republicans (Dudenhefer, Milde and Sterling), voted no to the substitute motion.

“Now is not the time to line our own pockets with a pay raise while we ask our staff and our Stafford residents to make do with less. This vote is extremely disappointing and certainly sends the wrong message to taxpayers,” stated Supervisor Dudenhefer.

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April 10, 2008
PRESS RELEASE

STAFFORD—Stafford Republicans celebrated an enormous victory for Stafford residents when the State Corporation Commission announced yesterday the burial of a power line that will run from Aquia Harbour through Mountainview Road.

It was a coordinated effort with the citizens group Towering Concerns and local elected Republicans, under the leadership of Speaker Bill Howell and Delegate Mark Cole, which ensured the burial of a new power line by Dominion power. Speaker Howell and Delegate Cole led the fight along with State Senator Richard Stuart, former Stafford Supervisor Bob Gibbons and Supervisors Mark Dudenhefer, Cord Sterling and Paul Milde.

Since Dominion’s announcement nearly two years ago that they would employ overhead cable connectors and unsightly steel towers, a grassroots effort pressured Dominion Power to bury the cable line. Citizens were concerned about health risks, property values and overall aesthetics of the towers and they took those concerns to their State leaders. With the pressure and leadership of Stafford Republicans, Dominion power will now bury those lines in a pilot project ok’d by the state agency.

Apr 17, 2008
Supervisors: Yes to own raises

Apr 17, 2008
GOP: Fun with math

Apr 13, 2008
Rookie state senator, or seasoned veteran?

Feb 6, 2008
Death Penalty Delay Defeated

Feb 2, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: For D's and R's, Virginia is likely to matter

Jan 31, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Freshman Sen. Stuart is doing a great job

Jan 29, 2008
Representative Rob Wittman on the Issues

Jan 24, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Supervisors dissolve roads panel: How Stafford supervisors voted

Jan 11, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Senate rookie begins session

Jan 11, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Thanks, Mr. Milde, for work on Crow's Nest

Jan 8, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Iraq is improving, Wittman reports

Jan 8, 2008
The Free Lance-Star: Cole outlook for '08 work in Richmond

Jan 3, 2008
The Free Lance Star: I appreciate Milde's leadership on saving Crow's Nest

Feb 29, 2008
LINCOLN-REAGAN DAY DINNER PHOTOS
 

This serves as a great example of how grassroots initiative and Republican leadership work together for the betterment of Stafford.

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October 10, 2007
Stafford Republicans Unite to Tackle Illegal Immigration
Local and State Officials Committed to Commonsense Proposals

STAFFORD– In a press conference today, Speaker of the House Bill Howell, Delegate Mark Cole, former Commonwealth’s Attorney and candidate for the 28th Senate District Richard Stuart, and Stafford Supervisor candidate Tom Coen discussed their experience with and initiatives to combat the growing problem of illegal immigration. The Stafford Republicans, representing all levels of state and local government, laid out their plan to address issues related to public safety, admission to public institutions of higher education, and the cost of government resources for taxpayers because of those illegally in this country were among the priorities.

Joining Howell, Cole, Stuart and Coen were: Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky; Clerk of Court Barbara Decatur; and Supervisors Paul Milde, Mark Dudenhefer; Candidate for Stafford Treasurer, Laura Rudy. Republican Sheriff Charlie Jett was unable to attend due to a conflicting conference in Virginia Beach. Republican candidate for Supervisor, Cord Sterling was unable to attend as he attended a Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting in Richmond. Sterling serves as the Fredericksburg regional representative to the board and is working to get additional transportation funding for our region.

“As highlighted by the 400th Anniversary commemoration at Jamestown, America is a nation of immigrants,” said Speaker Howell. “Our nation and this commonwealth have long been and must always remain a bright beacon of hope and opportunity, a shining place where we welcome new members of the American family. As the foundations of society are based on the rule of law, those who come here are expected to abide by those laws, including the rules that allow entrance to our country. Permitting illegal aliens to circumvent the rule of law not only undermines the integrity and well being of our society and stretches thin limited taxpayer resources at all levels of government, but is an injustice to those immigrants who followed the lawful path in coming to Virginia and the United States. Today, we have unveiled a package of common-sense proposals that deal with this challenge in a thoughtful, measured and responsible way.”

“As a Commonwealth’s Attorney I saw first hand the problem of catch-and-release of those here illegally and it is frustrating. Law-abiding taxpayers of this district have simply had enough,” said Stuart. “Until the federal government decides to take action, we must. As a State Senator, I will join with like-minded individuals to step up to the plate and build on the efforts of Republicans in the General Assembly over the last several years.”

Delegate Mark Cole said Virginia must do what it can to address the problem of illegal immigration. “If the federal government is not going to do its job to secure our borders and stem the tide of illegal immigration, I want to make Virginia an unattractive destination for illegal immigrants.”

Tom Coen expressed his support to give local authorities the additional tools they need to address the problem of illegal immigration. At the local level, Coen discussed the need to establish and enforce an ordinance to limit the number of unrelated individuals living in a single home (also known as stacking). “Not only does stacking cause a strain on our local neighborhoods and community, it also creates an unsafe environment for the inhabitants.” Coen said, “Enforcing an ordinance against stacking will make Stafford less attractive for illegal immigrants.” Coen also discussed his commitment to working with the results of the Stafford Task Force to find real and practical solutions to the problem of illegal immigration.

The package of legislative proposals outlined by the Republicans included:

Working with local Sheriffs, so that upon a lawful arrest for a crime, officials can confirm that person’s legal presence in the United States using the nationwide databases of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This change will streamline and strengthen statewide immigration enforcement.

Ensuring that at least one person on duty in every jail at all times has been certified under federal 287(g) authority (named for the section of federal law that allows more effective cooperation between federal immigration officials and state and local governments). This change means that, upon a positive identification of an illegal alien, there will be a person with federal authority readily available to detain and begin deportation proceedings, after that individual has served his or her sentence.

Creating a presumption of no bail for any person who has been charged with an offense punishable by jail or prison time and who has been determined (through ICE databases) to be illegally present in the United States. This change will help stop controversial “catch and release” activities, one of the primary ways illegal aliens currently pass through existing government systems unchecked.

Making a federal conviction for hiring illegal immigrants grounds for suspension of a business license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This change will serve as an effective deterrent to the unlawful hiring of illegal aliens.

Prohibiting illegal immigrants from attending Virginia public institutions of higher education unless they have a valid student visa. Recognizing that college entrance slots are fixed and limited, this change will preserve state benefits for in-state students and their families.

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