Prior to my retirement, I was Staff Director of a major subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, and my immediate boss was Congressman Jon Porter, who represented: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. And Jon used to tell me, "Ron, I never go into those places because I figured out a long time ago how they pay for them." And, of course he was saying casinos are NOT money losers for the house. Every time lawmakers seem to want new laws that govern behavior they send us deeper into the swamp of moral rot and decay, not to mention teaching our children to use drugs and engage in promiscuous behavior, all of which are destructive to our neighborhoods, cities, states, and most important, our Nation. Encouraging "striking it rich" and "I'll beat the odds" activity causes individuals and families to sacrifice limited incomes on the pipe dream that they will be "more lucky, next time." Do NOT impose this new scourge on us--NO CASINO in Fairfax County. Ron Martinson 703 354-3997

Prior to my retirement, I was Staff Director of a major subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, and my immediate boss was Congressman Jon Porter, who represented: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. And Jon used to tell me, "Ron, I never go into those places because I figured out a long time ago how they pay for them." And, of course he was saying casinos are NOT money losers for the house. Every time lawmakers seem to want new laws that govern behavior they send us deeper into the swamp of moral rot and decay, not to mention teaching our children to use drugs and engage in promiscuous behavior, all of which are destructive to our neighborhoods, cities, states, and most important, our Nation. Encouraging "striking it rich" and "I'll beat the odds" activity causes individuals and families to sacrifice limited incomes on the pipe dream that they will be "more lucky, next time." Do NOT impose this new scourge on us--NO CASINO in Fairfax County. Ron Martinson 703 354-3997

Prior to my retirement, I was Staff Director of a major subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, and my immediate boss was Congressman Jon Porter, who represented: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. And Jon used to tell me, "Ron, I never go into those places because I figured out a long time ago how they pay for them." And, of course he was saying casinos are NOT money losers for the house. Every time lawmakers seem to want new laws that govern behavior they send us deeper into the swamp of moral rot and decay, not to mention teaching our children to use drugs and engage in promiscuous behavior, all of which are destructive to our neighborhoods, cities, states, and most important, our Nation. Encouraging "striking it rich" and "I'll beat the odds" activity causes individuals and families to sacrifice limited incomes on the pipe dream that they will be "more lucky, next time." Do NOT impose this new scourge on us--NO CASINO in Fairfax County. Ron Martinson 703 354-3997

On behalf of the Virginia Airport Operators Council (VAOC) that proudly represents the 66 public-use airports in Virginia, I am writing to express our support for HB1706. This bill seeks to amend the “buyer beware” disclosure to advise new homebuyers to exercise due diligence regarding a property’s proximity to an airport and aircraft flight operations. It further authorizes the Department of Aviation to publish on a website noise zone maps provided by Virginia’s airports or localities. Real estate disclosures are one of the aviation industry’s recommended best practices because they promote compatible land and inform citizens about airport noise and aircraft flight paths. We believe that it is in a community’s best interest to be transparent with their constituents about the proximity of their home to an airport and aircraft flight paths so they can make an informed buying decision. In turn, this practice also protects the airport – a critical transportation and economic hub for a community - from land uses that may be incompatible with airport operations. For these reasons, the VAOC supports HB1706 and encourages its favorable passage.