I know the decision to cancel the George Snyder Trail project has stirred strong feelings, and I want to share why I voted as I did. My decision was guided by a careful review of the project’s full history, extensive public outreach, and consideration of long-term impacts. Throughout the process, concerns from residents, particularly those living closest to the site, remained unresolved. Public feedback was overwhelmingly opposed to the project. In addition, I considered practical issues such as future maintenance costs, potential strain on existing infrastructure, stormwater runoff and related expenses, and environmental impacts. As a councilmember, my responsibility is to protect our shared resources and ensure that city projects reflect both the needs of residents and the sustainability of our community. Canceling a project is never easy, but thoughtful governance sometimes requires pausing, reassessing, and choosing a more responsible path forward.
My perspective is shaped by years of service in Fairfax City, including my time on the PTA and the School Board. Those experiences have taught me that how we lead matters as much as what we do. Our children, neighbors, and fellow residents are watching how we handle disagreement, how we speak about others, and whether we choose respect, fairness, and collaboration over hostility. We often say we want leaders who can work across differences and bring diverse perspectives together to find the best solutions. One of the clearest ways to understand a candidate’s values is by observing how they treat others, especially those with whom they disagree.
I am deeply grateful to the residents who have shared their voices and taken the time to engage in this process. Every voice matters in shaping our city, and I will continue to listen carefully and reflect community priorities in every decision. Moments like this can be used to push division or advance negative narratives, but leadership rooted in collaboration and unity strengthens our city, while fear, anger, and partisanship weaken it. Maybe it is the mom in me, but I truly believe how we show up matters. Let us model the community we hope our children will one day lead.
My door remains open for respectful conversation, and my focus continues to be on listening, collaborating, and serving Fairfax City with care, integrity, and thoughtfulness.
