Edythe Frankel Kelleher*
Office Sought: Vienna Town Council
Age: 52
Residence: Southeast Vienna.
Education: MBA, George Washington University; BA, Johns Hopkins University.
Occupation: Council member, Town of Vienna, parent, volunteer; past, staff, Board of Supervisors; Property Manager, L&N.
Web site:http://EdytheKelleher.org
E-mail address: ekelleher@viennava.gov
Offices and positions held: Member, Vienna Town Council, 2002-present;
president, Madison HS PTSA; founder, Friends of the Vienna Town Green; vice chair, Virginia Municipal League Finance Committee; member, Vienna Lions, Amer Legion Ladies Aux, Vienna-Tysons Cham; Halloween parade committee; Vienna Volunteer Fire Dept Capital campaign; past president, Vienna ES PTA; past president, South Vienna Assoc.; past chair, Hunter Mill Land Use Committee.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
Short term, Vienna's challenge is to maintain services residents expect while not increasing the load on taxpayers, who are also facing increasing costs of living. Long term, it is to maintain our vitality and community values in the midst of tremendous growth just beyond the Town limits. We will need to address additional traffic calming measures and extra demands on Town facilities from nearby residents. We should continue to cooperate with Fairfax County and groups such as Vienna Youth, Inc. and Friends of the Vienna Town Green, to stretch our resources.
Why should voters elect you?
I endeavor to be thoughtful and responsive to citizen concerns. My previous experience is beneficial. As a parent, I am committed to keeping Vienna family-friendly.
What steps, if any, should your county take to mitigate the affects of a slowing economy?
The Town needs to make wise spending choices, ensuring that taxpayers get the most value for their dollars. Services valued by residents should be continued, and any new programs should be carefully scrutinized.
In March, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the transportation package passed by lawmakers last year unconstitutional, endangering major projects across the region. What steps, if any, should the county, region and state take to address funding issues for transportation projects?
I will continue to press Town citizens’ concerns to the state legislature. As a major economic engine of the state, it is imperative that Northern Virginia receives its fair share of transportation spending.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
