As a candidate for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I found the commentary Bob Chase, president of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, wrote on June 24 astute and revealing.

Chase’s analysis of rail to Dulles funding, outlined in his letter, “Rail cost issue extends beyond airport,” shows Chairwoman Sharon Bulova (D) has failed to deliver on this important regional issue.

Chase exposes the cost for Fairfax County has increased more than 150 percent from $402.5 million to $1.007 billion.

The 150 percent increase equals $604.5 million and excludes the $3.5125 billion cost burden unfairly dumped on Dulles Toll Road users while the airport access road remains free.

Meanwhile, state and federal support for the project has shrunk by a combined total of $700 million from the 2004 Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project Final Environmental Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation.

Does that sound like effective advocacy to you? No. Bulova clearly has failed to advocate for the best interests of Fairfax County and our people.

In his commentary, Chase called on politicians to create a more equitable, broadly based funding strategy.

I already committed to broadening the tax base for the rail to Dulles project in this publication on April 22.

Bulova, a 24-year incumbent, has no excuse for providing poor leadership. If I am elected chairman, rather than raising taxes or slashing services -- as my opponents propose -- I will execute strategies showing innovative leadership.

In advocating for our community, I have identified where to acquire the needed resources to address our local priorities. Speaking with Democratic and Republican members of our General Assembly delegation throughout Fairfax County, I am building a consensus for our best interests. As a team we will fight for fair treatment of Fairfax County taxpayers, residents and students.

The taxpayers of Fairfax County subsidize other taxpayers at an annual cost of more than $501 million annually to meet a state mandate for basic education. This amount represents more than 24 percent of our revenues generated through real estate taxes. My opponents remain silent.

We will achieve fair treatment for Fairfax County. We will address our local priorities of transportation, education, public safety and tax relief.

My government plan increases the county’s revenues by $193 million annually while lowering real estate taxes to 93 cents per $100 of assessed value.

As a candidate, I own responsibility and embrace accountability. My focus remains working with people from across political and ideological lines to create effective, sustainable solutions for the challenges confronting our community.

Federal and state officeholders will need to hustle if they want to show relevance and keep up with the legacy our community will build.

Fairfax County is one large community with diverse regions and neighborhoods. In fact, we are so large Fairfax County voters elect 22.5 percent of Virginia state senators and 17 percent of our state delegates.

However, my opponents have not been able to leverage our strength effectively. They campaign with a vision of dividing rather than uniting our community. Working together, we will execute a better vision for our future.

I expect voters will make me accountable for effective leadership in four years. As chairman, I will work to unite our political team in federal, state and local elected office so together we can achieve important milestones for our community.

Will Radle is a candidate for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.