Politics & Government

Babur Lateef Says Lack of Infrastructure is No. 1 Concern

Babur Lateef, a Democrat, is in a three-way race to become county chairman against incumbent Corey Stewart and independent John Gray.

Editor's Note: This Q&A has been re-featured for readers as the election is Nov. 8.

Candidate provided profile:

Dr. Babur Lateef, born and raised in Youngstown, OH, is an eye surgeon in Woodbridge, VA. A lifelong Democrat, Dr. Lateef learned from his father, a professor of forensic science at Youngstown State University, the importance of public service. “I saw my father teach forensic science students, many of whom after graduation went to work for local, state and federal agencies. I believe that every person needs to be committed to giving back to their community, in their own way” Lateef said. “With the challenges Prince William County faces, our need for new, good paying jobs, a sustainable transportation solution and
world-class schools, I know that the best way I can give back is to run for Chairman."

After finishing Medical School Dr. Lateef moved to Woodbridge to raise his family and start his own practice. Now recognized as one of the top ophthalmologists in the DC metro region Dr. Lateef serves over 15,000 patients. As a small business owner Dr. Lateef knows that Prince William County needs new investments to thrive. Dr. Lateef’s new vision for Prince William County includes a long term proposal to bring Metro to the county and to invest in a bus rapid transit program.

Dr. Lateef lives with his wife, Dr. Tara Lateef, and their four children in the Coles District. Dr. Tarannum Lateef is a pediatric neurologist and an advocate for children with special needs. As a father of four, Dr. Lateef sees the challenges our schools face every day. “We have great teachers in Prince William County and we cannot afford to lose them to other areas; but no teacher can give a student the attention they need with over-crowded classrooms.” Dr. Lateef’s vision for schools includes working with state and federal agencies to get our fair share of tax dollars and put it to use in our classrooms.

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Babur Lateef's Official Campaign Website

Question 1: What is your No. 1 issue/problem/concern in Prince William County and how will you address this if you are elected?  

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The number one issue facing Prince William County is the lack of a sustainable traffic infrastructure. The number one issue that County residents talk about is the need to extend Metro to Prince William County and create a bus-rapid transit system. Two-thirds of our County residents leave the area every day to commute to work. We need to bring good quality high paying jobs to Prince William. Job creation will ease the burden on our transportation infrastructure and will increase the value of our homes and improve the quality of our schools and a sustainable transportatin infrastructure will encourage businesses to locate in our community.

Question 2: What are your feelings about the BPOL tax?

I am opposed to the BPOL tax. The BPOL tax was originally instituted to fund the war of 1812 and is antiquated and no longer needed. One of our neighboring localities has recently decided to eliminate the BPOL tax and I favor doing the same in Prince William County. Without reforming our business tax system and business climate new businesses will choose to operate in neighboring jurisdictions. 

As a small business owner I know that the BPOL tax and other business taxes, such as the machine and tools tax are hurtful to job creation. The majority of job creation in our country comes from existing small businesses. As Chairman I will do everything I can to create a more favorable environment for our small businesses and our workers. 

We will be able to replace the lost revenue from the BPOL tax by creating a more favorable and predictable business climate in Prince William County.

Question 3: Do you support the HOT lanes? What other transportation fixes do you support?

I am opposed to HOT lanes.  HOT lanes will not fix our transportation challenges and will amount to a tax on our commute to work. I have been married to my wife for 10 years and she is one of the two-thirds of county residents who leave the county everyday to go to work; too much of our 10 years together she has had to spend sitting in traffic, instead of with our family. Her commute would not be eased by a tax imposed by the HOT lane plans. 

To fix our transportation challenges we need to invest in extending Metro and creating a bus rapid transit system. There is no solution to our transportation challenges that involves taxing our commutes; we need to get cars off the roads and create mass transit solutions.  

Question 4: PWC Real Estate taxes increases this past year and the economy looks to be in another downward spiral. What have you identified as wasteful  spending that you plan to cut if elected? If you don't think there is any wasteful spending, then what cuts will you be trying to make this coming budget season?

I do not believe that we should slash $566,000 in funding for social services while spending county funds on maintaining golf courses and operating a 24 hour gym exclusively for county employees.  Prince William County needs to invest in our priorities – our roads, our schools and our economy. We need to invest in funding a sustainable transportation infrastructure instead of repaving roads that are not in disrepair as election year favors. Additionally, as the 9th wealthiest county in the Country it is shameful that we closed a shelter for flood victims while funding renovations for our County’s baseball stadium. We need to reexamine our budget to ensure that our priorities have full funding.

Question 5: What plans do you have to help create better paying jobs in Prince William County?

We need to create better jobs in Prince William by improving the business atmosphere in three ways. First we need to improve our schools. Businesses are looking to relocate and expand in areas that have high quality schools, higher-education and vocational training opportunities. I believe that we must do more to attract and retain the best teachers in Prince William County. Second, we need to improve our transportation infrastructure by creating an intra-county bus rapid transit system and extending metro to eastern Prince William County so that new employees can move around our county and get to work. Lastly we need to create a stable and predictive environment in our county government so business leaders can know the area they plan to invest in. By improving our schools, fixing our transportation challenges and creating a better government environment we will be able to move our economy forward and create good paying jobs in Prince William County.


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