In a recent episode of the "Connect with County Leaders" podcast, host Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill spoke with Braddock District Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw to discuss his priorities for the district and county.
First elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2019, and beginning his second term in 2024, Walkinshaw acknowledged the challenges posed by the pandemic during his early days in office.
“I had two months of kind of normalcy before COVID,” Walkinshaw said. “But what I’m most proud of is the way our board and our county managed through that crisis. I don't think there's any better place in the country to have gone through it with the resources that we have, with the incredible public servants that we have, with our public safety agencies, with our Health Department and throughout the county government."
Despite the pandemic's disruptions, Walkinshaw highlighted progress made on key priorities for the Braddock District, which includes areas of Burke, Springfield, Annandale and Fairfax. Among the priorities were securing funding for the renovation of the Audrey Moore Recreation Center and the Braddock Road Improvement Project to enhance accessibility and mobility.
Walkinshaw also emphasized the unique character of the Braddock District, describing it as the "heart and soul of Fairfax County" due to its engaged and tight-knit communities.
ONE FAIRFAX
Looking ahead, he discussed his roles as chair of the board's Legislative and Environmental committees, highlighting the importance of collaborating with the state and regional partners on issues like solar energy projects, clean air and water and emergency preparedness.
He also highlighted the county's commitment to the One Fairfax policy, which aims to promote equity and inclusivity in all decision-making processes.
"I always share with people the experience I had relatively early on the board of meeting with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and looking at some proposed changes to our bus routes," Walkinshaw said. "A layer to that, every time we look at those decisions, is how will changes impact low-income communities, communities of color, immigrant communities. And I think that shows the power of the broader One Fairfax policy. It's a tool we can apply to every policy and decision that we make."
IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Walkinshaw emphasized the board's focus on maintaining the county's status as the safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States, crediting strong community-police partnerships and innovative approaches to community policing.
A lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, Walkinshaw recognizes county residents have a strong sense of community pride and attachment to local traditions. He aims to honor that by being present at neighborhood events and maintaining an open dialogue with constituents.
"For me, I see it as my responsibility to be on the ground in my district," Walkinshaw explained. "If two people are gathered and they want me to be there, sometimes even if they don't, I want to be there because I want to understand how people are feeling, what their cares and concerns are so I can figure out a way to address them."
CONNECT WITH THE COUNTY LEADERS PODCAST
The “Connect with County Leaders” podcast is a monthly opportunity to meet and connect with Fairfax County leaders, to learn about the latest county news and information, and to hear more on specific programs and services in Fairfax County.
Listen to or watch past episodes of “Connect with County Leaders” on SoundCloud, on YouTube, and on Channel 16’s podcast on demand page. For other Fairfax County podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts, and for additional audio content, tune in to Fairfax County Government Radio at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/radio.
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