- Opening Statement – under 300 words
(All opening statements will appear in print in the October edition of The Fairfax Independent)
I’m running for City Council because the character and quality of life in the City of Fairfax matter to me. Our shared future belongs to the people who live here now and those who are to come.
For that reason, our city is best served by thoughtful, inclusive debate on how we can address the needs of residents and businesses now and into the future. We need to return to more collaborative governance and commit to transparent decision-making.
I want to hear all voices and different points of view – homeowners, renters, neighborhoods, businesses, old, young, new to the city, long-timers – and not just the voices of a select few – and I am ready to do the hard work of building consensus on council and in the community at large to deliver practical, fiscally responsible solutions that keep our city beautiful, livable, and safe for all of us.
I will bring a business perspective to governance, as well as that of a resident and taxpayer. Fairfax City once enjoyed a healthy revenue ratio of 60% business and 40% residential taxes and fees. Today it is reversed: Residents provide 65% and businesses provide 35% of the city’s revenue.
I believe we can grow our economy and address residential housing needs while preserving our natural resources and the unique character and quality of life that makes Fairfax City home.
Fairfax works best when we work together. Our city belongs to all of us, and the best decisions come from listening to one another, respecting different points of view, and finding common ground. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to City Hall.
I’m excited about what we can accomplish when we focus on what unites us—and I’m asking for your vote on Nov. 3 to help make that vision a reality.
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?
One of the biggest challenges facing Fairfax City is managing population and economic growth while preserving the natural resources, neighborhood character, and quality of life that make our community special. As a small, 6.4-square-mile, largely built-out independent city, we have limited land and must be thoughtful about how and where we accommodate change.
I believe growth should be deliberate, community-informed, and appropriately scaled—not pursued simply for the sake of growth. We need to consider not only what can be built, but whether new development fits our neighborhoods and whether our infrastructure, roads, schools, public safety, city services, and finances can support it.
I will encourage public discussion about the pace, scale, and cumulative impact of growth by holding town halls and neighborhood meetings where residents, businesses, and Council members can openly discuss how much and how quickly our city should grow. These conversations should happen before major decisions are made, not after plans are already in place. We should also carefully consider the effects of development on traffic, infrastructure, city services, the environment, and the property taxes, business taxes, and fees that support city government.
With respect to data centers, I would not approve a data center application.
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.
I would delay all landscaping projects until a rigorous process to evaluate them is established, including contracting with native plant experts to assess the project’s feasibility. An example of a poorly planned and executed project is the recent City Hall landscaping project for which the shade, sun, water, soil condition, and space requirements of the various plant species were not adequately addressed. As a result, plants are now languishing and, in some cases, dying. In addition, a path was constructed to a door that is permanently closed.
For any major development project, I advocate making its fiscal impact transparent. Residents should be able to see: How much revenue will this generate? What additional services and infrastructure will it require? What is the expected net fiscal impact? Connecting land-usedecisions more directly to the budget would lead to better decision-making.
With respect to the sales tax, I consider sales taxes to be regressive. I prefer that we explore other ways of funding schools and transportation projects before considering increases in real estate and sales taxes.
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?
Raising taxes should not be the City’s first answer to every budget challenge. Residents are already facing higher housing, insurance, utility, and food costs, while rising assessments can increase tax bills even without a rate increase. At the same time, maintaining strong schools, public safety, roads, parks, and other services costs money.
My approach is to:
Grow the tax base by increasing economic activity before raising residential and sales tax burdens. Encourage commercial, retail, office, hotel, restaurant, and mixed-use redevelopment that generates new revenue without increasing equivalent service costs.
Improve spending efficiency by ensuring we get maximum value from every existing dollar. Examine shared services, technology, procurement, staffing, duplication, and processes that can be streamlined without reducing core services.
Prioritize core services. Public safety, schools, infrastructure, basic services, and maintaining existing facilities should come before new programs or amenities. Capital projects should be evaluated based on their full lifecycle and operating costs, not just the initial construction price.
Protect residents from becoming the default revenue source. Be cautious about repeated real estate tax increases; assessment growth should not automatically mean higher spending. Distinguish clearly between growth in the tax base, inflationary increases in service costs, and actual tax-rate increases.
5. Regional Cooperation & Development (under 200 words)
Projects in neighboring jurisdictions can significantly impact the City (e.g., the AT&T redevelopment). How would you collaborate with regional partners to manage these impacts, and how would you resolve situations where the City’s interests differ from theirs? In addition, please add your thoughts about FCPS and City partnership review.
Projects in neighboring jurisdictions can affect Fairfax City’s traffic, schools, infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhood character. The AT&T redevelopment shows why the City must engage early and proactively.
I would work closely with Fairfax County, FCPS, VDOT, WMATA, and other regional partners to share information, evaluate impacts, and protect the City’s interests. When priorities conflict, I would use facts and analysis—respectfully but firmly—to seek changes or mitigation that safeguard residents and services.
I also support a transparent review of the City’s partnership with FCPS, including funding, facilities, maintenance, capital needs, and opportunities for closer coordination. Responsibilities should be clear, taxpayer dollars used effectively, and the partnership focused on excellent schools.
Regional cooperation is essential, but Fairfax City must retain an independent and effective voice.
6. Major Projects & Infrastructure (under 200 words)
The City is making significant investments in infrastructure and facilities, including the Willard-Sherwood Health & Community Center. What criteria should City Council use to determine which major projects receive funding when resources are limited?
Council should fund major projects based on demonstrated need, public benefit, affordability, and long-term value—not simply because they are already planned.
I would evaluate:
Need: Does it address a critical health, safety, infrastructure, or community need?
Benefit: How many residents will benefit, and how much will it improve quality of life?
Affordability: Can the City fund it without weakening essential services or unduly
burdening taxpayers?
Total cost: What are the risk- and inflation-adjusted construction, operating,
maintenance, and replacement costs?
Alternatives: Have lower-cost options been fully considered?
Coordination: Can it be combined with other projects or avoid duplication?
Strategic value: Does it advance City priorities and make effective use of existing
facilities and infrastructure?
Timing: Should it proceed now, or would phasing or delay provide greater value?
Council should regularly reassess ongoing projects as costs, benefits, and circumstances change. Responsible stewardship means investing in lasting value—and modifying, delaying, or rejecting projects that no longer make sense.
7. Virginia Constitutional Amendments (under 200 words)
The November 3 ballot will include three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution concerning reproductive freedom, marriage rights, and voting rights after felony incarceration. Do you support or oppose these amendments, and why? As a Fairfax City Council member, how would your views on these constitutional questions influence the way you lead and represent residents who may strongly disagree with you?
I support all three proposed constitutional amendments. The reproductive freedom amendment protects the ability of individuals and families to make personal health-care decisions in consultation with their doctors. The marriage amendment ensures that two consenting adults can marry and that lawful marriages are treated equally under Virginia law. The voting-rights amendment restores voting rights automatically when a person convicted of a felony is released from incarceration, rather than making restoration dependent on an individual application or executive action.
These are statewide constitutional questions, not matters within the authority of Fairfax City Council. However, as a Council member, I would approach these issues as I do local government: listen first, respect differing views, and treat every resident fairly and with dignity.
I do not expect residents to agree with me on every issue. My responsibility is to represent the entire community, including those who strongly disagree with my views. I welcome respectful disagreement, seek to understand different perspectives, and make City decisions based on the needs and interests of Fairfax residents—not political agendas or whether someone agrees with me.
8. Civility & Governance (under 200 words)
City Council decisions can generate strong disagreements among residents and elected officials. What specific steps will you take to maintain a civil, respectful, and productive Council—even when you strongly disagree with another Council member?
I would make civility, respect, and collaboration the Council’s standard—especially in disagreement.
I would listen first, focus on issues rather than individuals, seek to understand different perspectives, and ground discussion in facts, evidence, and Fairfax City’s best interests.
I would:
Disagree respectfully, without personal attacks or questioning motives.
Ensure every Council member has an opportunity to be heard.
Seek common ground and practical areas for cooperation.
Keep disagreements professional and constructive in meetings and public
communications.
Respect Council decisions after a vote while explaining my position and continuing to
advocate for residents.
Consensus is not always possible, and healthy disagreement strengthens good government. Council members should model the conduct we expect from our community. My goal is to build trust, focus on results, and ensure disagreements improve—not undermine—our ability to serve Fairfax City residents.
9. Accountability & Ethics (under 200 words)
How can Fairfax City residents, rather than any political party or special interest group, hold you accountable, and what will you do to ensure transparency in your decisions and follow-through on your commitments?
I believe Council members and all other elected officials should be accountable first and foremost to the residents they serve – not political parties or special interest groups.
Transparency and accountability will guide how I serve:
Listen and stay accessible: Hold regular town halls and neighborhood meetings, answer
residents’ questions, and create meaningful opportunities for input.
Explain my decisions: Clearly share the facts, options, costs, and reasoning behind
important votes—even when they are difficult or unpopular.
Honor my commitments: Track my promises, report progress regularly, and be candid
when changing circumstances require a new course.
Make information accessible: Support timely, easy-to-find information on Council
agendas, projects, budgets, and decisions so residents can understand issues before
votes are taken.
Welcome accountability: Invite residents to question my decisions and hold me
responsible for my words and actions.
My pledge to Fairfax City residents is simple: I will listen first, communicate openly, explain my decisions, and follow through—so you always know where I stand, why I acted, and whether I kept my word.
10. What do you love about the City and your final thoughts? (under 200 words)
I love Fairfax City. It’s the kind of place where neighbors know each other, local businesses remember your name, and someone is always ready to offer directions around Main Street – even if their shortcut somehow takes longer.
Our city has something special. Its character and the quality of life we enjoy didn’t happen by accident – they’re the result of neighbors who care, people who pitch in, and a community that believes we’re stronger together. I want to help preserve that spirit while preparing thoughtfully for the future.
I believe in practical, common-sense leadership focused on what matters most to residents and businesses. Concerns I heard two years ago remain: Economic growth, the cost of living, population density, traffic, environmental stewardship, safety, and homelessness.
We are at a crossroads.
We can manage growth thoughtfully, protecting our neighborhoods while building a strong, sustainable future—or continue approving development that strains infrastructure, services, and schools, increases pressure on taxpayers, and changes our community’s character.
Good governance starts with listening. I will hear from homeowners and renters, longtime residents and newcomers, families, seniors, students, and business owners. Every voice matters. Good decisions begin with listening, and lasting solutions come from finding common ground.
