| Cathy
Hudgins: A Voice for Seniors |
By Bill Wohlfeld
Observer Staff Writer |
| There's a saying in politics that it isn't what you know
that's important but who you know. |
| This is especially true the closer you get to the grass
roots where our county legislators make decisions on taxes,
housing transportation, and the many other issues that affect
seniors' lifestyles and the quality of their lives. |
| Our long-time Reston resident and newest county supervisor,
Cathy Hudgins, has walked the walk and talked the talk. |
| The first thing you notice about Hudgins is her down-to-earth
hometown friendliness. This comes naturally, having been born
and raised in Pine Bluff, a small town in Arkansas. |
| Today Cathy, as she prefers to be called, can be seen standing
in line buying groceries at Giant or enjoying Reston's Festival
at Lake Anne. She was one of eight children and her mother
is still spry at 94. |
| But don't let appearances fool you into assuming that Hudgins
is a softie in the rough and tumble of Fairfax County politics.
Her background reveals a step-by-step progression in positions
of responsibility and service to the community. |
| After a stint as a junior high math teacher in Washington,
D.C., Hudgins moved here in 1969 to work with the late Sid
Berman, another Reston pioneer and truly a Renaissance man,
who headed the Northern Virginia Services Board. |
| She went on to get her master's degree in public administration
from George Mason University and became chief aide to Fairfax
Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine Hanley, where she
specialized in social services, housing, child care and senior
citizens. |
| The rest is history. In November 1999, she won a hard-fought
campaign against incumbent Bob Dix and became Hunter Mills
District Supervisor. |
| Having been promoted from being a behind-the-scenes advisor,
Hudgins has assumed her new position as a policymaker with
goals and the know-how to get things done. |
| Recognizing that senior citizens are the fastest growing
segment of the population, she stresses that, "While
the county government is doing a good job, it's essential
to consider the many diverse needs of the older population,
many of whom are retired and live on a fixed income."
|
| As a result, "affordable housing is often beyond their
means because developers cater to upper-income levels,"
she said. Referring to her mother still living in Pine Bluff,
Hudgins places a high priority on "the need to provide
better transportation and social and leisure opportunities
to help the elderly retain their mobility and independence." |
| "These problems can best be overcome through a partnership
of county, state and federal agencies working with non-profit
organizations," she said. For example, she cites Section
8 housing providing subsidized housing for low-income persons
as a successful joint venture of government and non-government
groups. |
| Hudgins is particularly concerned that too frequently, seniors
are unaware of the services available to them through the
county or other agencies. |
| "Better communication is needed between providers and
clients," she said. Hudgins urges seniors having a problem
or needing assistance to contact her or the Fairfax Area Agency
on Aging (AAA), the county's lead agency for administering
senior-oriented programs such as Meals on Wheels, Guardianship,
and Volunteer Home Services for Seniors. |
| AAA also provides a free referral service and will send
you a seven-page directory loaded with names and phone numbers
of public and private sources that can help with a wide range
of problems. The folks at AAA can be reached at 703-324-5411
(TTY 703-449-1186). |
| The Hunter Mill District includes Reston, Vienna, Fox Mills,
and McNair Farms spread out over 33.9 miles. With a population
of more that 150,000, there's a rich variety of ethnic backgrounds,
languages and lifestyles. |
| To keep everyone informed, Hudgins mails out a semi-annual
newsletter, has a Web site and a monthly television show.
She also holds a monthly open house, alternating between her
offices in Reston and Vienna, where anyone needing assistance
or wishing to share opinions on issues is welcome. No appointment
is needed but call 703-478-0283 for details. |
| Hudgins' personal credo for public service is "Prevent
crises, don't just intervene." She's a savvy politico
who's been there, done that, ensuring that seniors have a
proactive, knowledgeable advocate on the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors. |
| Æ Last month's Senior Focus reported that some state colleges
and universities were denying senior citizens education benefits
by failing to comply with Virginia's Senior Citizens Higher
Education of 974, as amended. |
| As a follow up, The Observer sent letters to this area's
state legislators requesting them to eliminate these adverse
practices and notify us of actions taken. We have since been
informed by Senator Janet Howell and Delegates Dick Black
and Vincent Callahan Jr. that they have initiated an investigation
and will take appropriate legislative action. The Observer
will continue to keep readers informed. |
| Fixing will take time, but if you have a "yearnin'
for some learnin'" don't hesitate to sign up for a class
or two at a state-supported college or university of your
choice. Be sure to tell them you're a senior. |
| Fairfax residents 60 years or older are eligible for a 50
percent discount or waiver of fees in Community Education
classes (703-227-2350) and also Community and Recreation Classes
(703-222-4664). |
| Many of these classes are fun and practical, too. Let's
put to rest the myth that "you can't teach old dogs new
tricks!" |
