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“HONORING SUPERVISOR JANET CLARKE ON HER SERVICE TO LOUDOUN COUNTY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E110 on Feb. 3, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING SUPERVISOR JANET CLARKE ON HER SERVICE TO LOUDOUN COUNTY
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HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Janet Clarke on her retirement from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and I want to take this opportunity to thank Supervisor Clarke for her extraordinary service to the people of western Loudoun County, as Blue Ridge District Supervisor. My congressional district includes all of Loudoun County, and it has been a privilege to have worked with an elected official of such high caliber and commitment.
The Blue Ridge district is situated east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in some of the most scenic countryside imaginable. Encompassing 45% of the area of the county, the Blue Ridge District includes the beautiful, historic towns of Purcellville, where Janet earlier served on the Town Council, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro, Aldie, St. Louis, Bluemont, Arcola, Brambleton, Upperville and Philomont.
From the moment she was sworn in to office, Janet Clarke began taking action to preserve and protect the special history and rural character of western Loudoun County, by finding ways to strengthen its economic viability and the quality of life of its people.
Supervisor Clarke was a strong ally of the Rural Economic Development Council, an important advisory board of Loudoun County government that promotes the sustainable growth and vitality of Loudoun County's agricultural, horticultural, equine and other rural industries. And to bolster the effectiveness of the commission, she successfully advocated for the hiring of another staff member, dedicated to supporting the commission's work.
Another aspect of maintaining the rural character of the region is the ongoing challenge of maintaining roughly 280 miles of rural roads. After organizing meetings with their western Loudoun constituents, Supervisor Clarke and her colleague, Supervisor Geary Higgins from the neighboring Catoctin District, with the legislative help of State Delegate Randy Minchew, worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation to initiate a repair and restoration project on gravel roads, prioritizing 11 roads that were in most need of repair.
To protect and enhance the quality of life of her constituents, Supervisor Clarke took on another vexing problem. Many of the people she represented could not obtain adequate connectivity to the Internet. Collaborating with those who had an interest in improving the situation, she and Supervisor Higgins held a Broadband Summit at Woodgrove High School, that included a panel discussion consisting of members of the Loudoun County Communications Commission, Loudoun County Public Schools and other county experts and various improvements are taking place. While the broadband problem has not been fully solved, Supervisor Clarke and Supervisor Higgins are to be commended for initiating the Let's Stand for Broadband! movement, that is gradually resulting in better educational opportunities for students, expanding economic opportunities for businesses and providing greater public safety for western Loudoun residents.
Shortly after taking office, Supervisor Clarke immersed herself in another complex problem affecting the quality of life of her constituents. Although Lyme Disease is generally underreported, in 2011 alone, 261 cases of the disease from Loudoun County were reported to the Virginia Department of Health. Realizing that Loudoun County was at the epicenter of this epidemic, and after months of gathering information and speaking with Lyme experts and citizens, then Vice Chairman Clarke, along with her colleagues Supervisors Higgins and Ken Reid, put forth a Resolution and Proclamation Recognizing 2012 as Lyme Disease Awareness Year, as well as a 10-Point Action Plan to Mitigate Lyme Disease in Loudoun County. One of the action plan items was the creation of the Loudoun Lyme Disease Commission which is made up of citizens and health care professionals with a strong interest in Lyme Disease prevention and education. The commission has been instrumental in implementing other provisions of the 10-point plan, including the development of educational materials for schools, information for the county website, and the launching of Lyme Education Forums throughout the county.
In August, 2013, the initiative of Supervisor Clarke and her two colleagues, entitled ``Loudoun Targets Lyme,'' was recognized by the Virginia Association of Counties as a model government program in the area of Health and Human Services.
Janet Clarke was also a great champion of capital improvements for the people of her magisterial district. Her efforts included advancing the construction project for Loudoun Valley High School into the budget and onto the ballot for approval. She also secured funding to assist the town of Purcellville with improvements to Fireman's Field and to design the Purcellville to Franklin Park trail. Supervisor Clarke's efforts also led to the construction of the second entrance and exit to Woodgrove High School, the sidewalks in Middleburg and Purcellville, the Hillsboro water improvement project, the Upper Loudoun Youth Football League facility, and lighted fields at Franklin Park.
Supervisor Clarke's desire to protect and enhance the quality of life of the people she represented included standing with Delegate Randy Minchew and the Green Mill Preserve residents in stopping the expansion of the gas compression station and tirelessly working to ground the Red Hill water tower. These types of controversies often pitted one group of constituents against another, but Supervisor Clarke did not hesitate to take a stand and advocate for what she believed was in the best interests of her constituents.
At Thanksgiving in 2011, shortly after being elected to the office of County Supervisor, Janet Clarke wrote a message to her Blue Ridge District constituents promising three things: First, that she would work hard to preserve their community's culture and heritage; second, that she would represent their diverse interests and needs with an open door policy; and third, that because our ``children are watching,'' she would attempt to do her work ``in a respectful manner that they can be proud of and learn from.'' Mr. Speaker, in my view, Janet Clarke managed to fulfill these promises with grace, courage and compassion and our children and grandchildren will be the ultimate beneficiaries.
After having given so much of herself to protect and preserve the quality of life of others, it is understandable that Janet Clarke has decided to focus on her own quality of life, by spending more time with family, church and her own health and well-being, not to mention the job that helps provide financial sustenance for her and her family. Whatever she does in the next chapter of her life, whether it is in the area of education, mental health or some other societal need, I know that Janet Clarke will approach it with total commitment and effort and will continue to leave a lasting positive influence on the lives she will touch.
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