Robin S. Gardner*
Office Sought: Falls Church City Council
Age: 44
Residence: Falls Church City.
Education: BA, politics, minor, economics, Ithaca College; MA, international affairs, The George Washington University.
Occupation: Mayor, City of Falls Church; strategic account manager, GTSI Corp.
Web site:http://www.votefallschurch.com
E-mail address: rgm101693@aol.com
Offices and positions held: Mayor, City of Falls Church, 2006-present; city council member, City of Falls Church, 2000-06;
member, Falls Church Housing Corporation, Falls Church Elementary PTA, Council of Governments, Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, American Council on Technology/Industry Advisory Council.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
Sustainability is the most urgent problem facing Falls Church. This problem is being addressed by encouraging creative development -- approving projects that are appropriate to our community's scale and that broaden our revenue base. The approach we are taking is keeping our school system well-funded and strong, and enabling us to avoid large tax increases that would price people out of their homes. Falls Church is a small community with big community needs such as an excellent road structure and open space. We must make sure we can pay for and deliver the services expected by our community.
Why should voters elect you?
As a leader in Falls Church, I have listened to my constituents and put into action the policies needed to sustain and improve our City.
What steps, if any, should your county take to mitigate the affects of a slowing economy?
We need to continue to seek balance and diversity in our tax base, and make thoughtful investments in core community assets such as our schools, parks, and water system.
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?
State and local governments need to work together to address transportation. The State cannot continually push the burden onto local government. Likewise, local government cannot commit to improved roadways through a dependency on State aid.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
