We are headed into yard sign season. There are fewer than 100 days until the November 2 election.
I’m one of the six candidates running for a seat on the Falls Church City Council, and I’m asking for your volunteer, financial, and electoral support in the next 3 months in order to serve a third term on the Council. As a community, we’ve made so much progress in the past 8 years, and it has been my honor to represent you as a member of the City Council. I’m fully committed to continuing to work to represent the people who live, work, and go to school in The Little City.
Running for re-election provides the opportunity to reflect on challenges and accomplishments during my previous and current terms on the Council. I’m proud to be part of so many milestone events in the City’s history. These successes are even more satisfying because they are the result of collegiality and teamwork with my fellow elected leaders, City & school staff, and so many dedicated volunteers. We don’t always agree, but we always have the well-being of the City at heart, and it shows.
We are in the midst of the biggest building project in the City’s history, which has taken the collective will and energy of the whole community. Our new high school is open and the commercial and residential development next door is in the works. The same day as my first election in 2013, citizens approved a referendum to sell the water system and acquire the land for this project. In the 2017 election you elected me again, and also approved the referendum to build the new high school. For this election, there is no referendum - and we should not forget how far we have come as a community.
That’s just one piece of the City’s ambitious building program in the past 8 years. We renovated City Hall. The anticipated Mary Riley Styles Library will open this month. We are enjoying new and renovated parks, more sidewalks, and better bike lanes. Our schools are all renovated and updated.
We weathered the depths of a pandemic, and are doing our best to keep Covid-19 at bay. I am committed to supporting small businesses and residents in need because of the pandemic. And I am committed to keeping out community safe.
This year, we managed to reduce the tax rate to $1.32, which is the first tax rate deduction in decades. I am committed to growing commercial revenues in order to keep that tax rate as low as possible, while delivering the services that our community expects.
We’ve worked regionally with our neighbors and internally with non-profit groups to make the City a stronger, more welcoming place. I am committed to increasing affordable living options so that people who work here can also afford to live here. I am committed to equity for all in order to ensure that those who have traditionally received less are included in all aspects of the City’s growth and progress.
To run an effective campaign I need to raise $10,000, and I would appreciate any financial support that you can provide to make that happen. This is the hardest part of governing - asking you for financial support to continue this work.
You can donate electronically on the Donations page of the website.
I also ask for your volunteer support. Do you want a yard sign? Would you like to host a gathering in for your neighbors? Do you want to help with passing out literature at community events? Any time you can give will be greatly appreciated. You can offer your help on the volunteer page.
If you have questions about my campaign, please feel free to contact me at mbforcitycouncil@gmail.com.
Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.
Marybeth