- Opening Statement – under 300 words
(All opening statements will appear in print in the October edition of The Fairfax Independent)
I did not run for City Council to simply go along with every proposal placed in front of us. I ran to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and make decisions based on what I believe is best for the people who call Fairfax City home.
As a resident, mother, small-business owner, former School Board member, and now Council member, I see our city from many perspectives. I understand that Fairfax must evolve, but I also believe progress should be measured by more than how much we build or spend.
My approach is practical: protect taxpayers, support excellent schools and public safety, strengthen our local businesses, invest responsibly in infrastructure, and pursue redevelopment that adds lasting value without sacrificing the character and quality of life that make people choose Fairfax.
I am not afraid to vote no when the numbers, impacts, or community benefit do not make sense. I am equally willing to say yes to investments that move Fairfax forward.
I am seeking reelection because there is more work to do, and Fairfax deserves an independent voice willing to listen, dig into the details, and put our city first.
2. Development & Quality of Life (under 200 words)
The City is experiencing redevelopment in areas such as Northfax, Kamp Washington, Old Town, and along the Route 50 corridor. What level and type of development do you believe the City can realistically accommodate without negatively affecting residents’ quality of life? In addition, if an existing unresolved development was sold to a data center developer, would you approve this application?
I support redevelopment that makes Fairfax stronger, not simply denser. As a 6.3-square-mile city, we have to be thoughtful about how much growth we can realistically absorb and consider the cumulative impact of multiple projects, not evaluate each one in isolation.
I support projects that strengthen our commercial tax base, bring businesses and amenities residents want, expand appropriate housing choices, improve walkability, and create vibrant places while respecting surrounding neighborhoods. Our Small Area Plans are valuable guides, but every proposal still needs to make sense for its location and demonstrate that the benefits justify the impacts on traffic, infrastructure, schools, public safety, the environment, and taxpayers.
I would not support converting one of these sites to a data center. Our City has limited commercial land, and I believe there are better long-term uses for it. I also have significant concerns about data centers’ enormous energy demands, necessary grid and utility infrastructure, environmental impacts, and questions that remain as this industry rapidly expands across Virginia.
Growth is inevitable. Our responsibility is to make sure it is thoughtful, sustainable, and ultimately makes Fairfax City a better place to live.
3. Budget & Priorities (under 200 words)
The City has limited resources and cannot fund every worthwhile project. What is one program, project, or spending priority you would be willing to delay, reduce, or reject——and why? In addition, please add your thoughts about the general retail sales tax not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for eligible capital projects involving the construction or renovation of schools, public transportation purposes, or both that will appear on the November 3 ballot.
When money is tight, we have to make choices. I believe we should take care of what we already have before spending money on new projects that are not urgent. I would be willing to delay some new amenities or lower-priority projects so we can first fund our schools, public safety, roads, basic services, and repairs to City buildings and facilities.
That does not mean those projects are not good ideas. It simply means we cannot do everything at once. Families have to make these choices with their own budgets, and the City should too. I support letting voters decide on the proposed sales tax for school and public transportation projects. Our schools have major repair and renovation needs. If approved, this tax could provide another way to pay for
those needs instead of relying so heavily on property taxes.
If voters approve the 1% sales tax, I believe every dollar should be clearly tracked and used only for the purposes voters approved.
4. Taxes & City Spending (under 200 words)
Fairfax City has a relatively high level of services for a small municipality, but residents are also facing rising costs. How would you balance maintaining the services residents expect with keeping property taxes and other local costs affordable?
Fairfax offers a high level of service, and that is one of the reasons people choose to live here. But we also have to remember who is paying the bill.
I look at the City budget much like families look at their own. We have things we need, things we want, and sometimes good ideas that simply have to wait.
My record reflects that. I voted against raising the meals tax from 4% to 4.5%. I voted against advertising a higher possible property tax rate than the City Manager recommended. I also supported an outside review of City operations to look for savings and ways we can work better.
At the same time, I have supported strong schools, public safety, our City workforce, infrastructure, parks, and the services residents use every day.
We also need to grow our business tax base so homeowners are not asked to carry more of the burden.
I will continue asking the same questions I ask now: Do we need it? Can we afford it? Is there a better way? And does it provide real value to the people paying for it?
