By Gordon Daisley (October 3, 2001)

On Tuesday, October 2^nd, 200 Mason students from grades 10 – 12 filled the auditorium to see the candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates square off in a heated debate. Incumbent Delegate James Scott (Dem.) and his district opponent, former Falls Church mayor David Snyder (Rep.), were given the chance to present their platforms and argue over key issues of the November 6 election. 

The debate was run by government teachers Mr. Peloquin and Mr. Pikrallidas, who organized the event. Each candidate had 5 minutes to speak, followed by a question from the opponent. The assembly concluded with questions from the audience and final remarks. 

The debate was a huge success in terms of getting Civics students acquainted with the local government, and letting the prospective voters know the issues at stake in the coming election. 

Mr. Snyder was first to speak at the assembly. Most of his platform was based around the idea that the current "Virginia Government is corrupt and overwhelmingly flawed," in that Northern Virginia is shortchanged when tax dollars are divvied up. Currently, said Snyder, there are a number of problems in education, transportation and public safety that could all be solved if Northern Virginia received back 50 cents for every tax dollar it paid (as compared to 25 cents). This key reform would enable tax dollars to be utilized for hiring more teachers (reducing class size), increasing pay for teachers and public safety officials, and developing new roads or other methods of transportation to reduce the traffic congestion that plagues the area. 

In Delegate Scott’s rebuttal, he attributed the lack of funds in the area to the rural interests of the republicans, who currently control the legislature. He, too, is interested in education, transportation, but was not as concerned with changing these systems via tax reform. 

The debate was an opportunity for students to understand and get involved in their local government. Both candidates encouraged kids to work in campaigns, ask questions, and most importantly, vote. Mr. Pikrallidas summarized the purpose of the debate as "twofold. First, it was to alert students and members of the community to the candidates and issues involved, but even more importantly, to allow the 10^th grade to see and participate in the process. It was successful in both regards."