Programs and articles on key issues
Get informed about local civic issues here! Ideas for future programs? Contact us at: lwvfallschurchva [at] gmail.com
Recorded Programs
Five Year Outlook (2023): Planning and Transportation
Slide Deck: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0ABm196Ha-NukUk9PVA
Candidate Forum: City Council November 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-FVVuJtQ20
Transitional Zoning Q&A
Presentation by Falls Church City Planning Director Paul Stoddard and audience Q&A about proposal to change zoning requirements for Transitional Zones in FCC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQkXBNwGfTo
Candidate Forum: 8th District, House of Representatives
Hear from all three candidates for House of Representatives in the 8th District at our forum, held October 13, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWbOnjQrvu0
Five Year Outlook (2022): Planning and Transportation
Paul Stoddard, Planning Director for Falls Church City, presents on current and future building and transportation projects in the City.
Environment for Everyone: An Earth Day Update
Kate Walker, Environmental Coordinator for Falls Church City, and Tim Stevens, Planning Commission, update us on Falls Church City's environmental initiatives.
Budget 101 with Cindy Mester, Deputy City Manager
Ms. Mester gives an excellent overview of the Falls Church City Budget Process, presented on March 3, 2022. For more information, see the informational materials:
1) Presentation
2) Glossary of Terms
3) Snapshot of Capital Improvement Projects, January 2022
4) Workplan Initiatives
5) Fiscal Policies
All five documents available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1ZIr2fQhMQTbyRtbgCfCWuA9qYhTpNI7k
Conversation with Delegate Marcus Simon, December 12, 2021
Conversation with Councilmember Letty Hardi, November 7, 2021
School Board Candidate Forum, October 7, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgXSsN0AE2Y&t=6s
City Council Forum, September 30, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxQwNjGuNU
Update on Virginia Redistricting Commission
September 23, 2021
Affordable Housing in Falls Church: Problems & Prospects, Forum III
Recorded July 25, 2021
Affordable Housing in Falls Church: Problems & Prospects, Forum II
Recorded April 25, 2021
League 101
Recorded April 11, 2020
Immigration Updates from Tahirih Justice Center and CASA
Recorded March 20, 2021
Affordable Housing in Falls Church: Problems & Prospects, Forum I
Recorded February 28, 2021
Conversation with Councilmember Letty Hardi
Recorded September 13, 2020
Conversation with Delegate Marcus Simon
Recorded August 23, 2020
How to Improve Your Online Social Activism - Presentation by Sidney Hong
Recorded August 4, 2020
What Will Voting Look Like in November? Presentations by Renee Andrews and David Bjerke
Recorded July 26, 2020
Articles
Vote Yes on the Redistricting Constitutional Amendment, Guest Commentary in the Falls Church News Press by Allison Brown & Wendy Frieman (10/12/20)
https://fcnp.com/2020/10/12/point-counterpoint-vote-to-redistrict-in-vir...
Making Your Plan to Vote, Guest Commentary in the Falls Church News Press by Allison Brown & Wendy Frieman (9/28/20)
https://fcnp.com/2020/09/28/guest-commentary-7-things-to-consider-while-...
"Redistricting Lets Citizens 'Into Room Where It Happened'" Guest Commentary in the Falls Church News-Press by Sara Fitzgerald (7/23/2020)
https://fcnp.com/2020/07/27/redistricting-lets-citizens-into-room-where-it-happens/
The LWV's 100th Birthday - Guest Commentary in the Falls Church News-Press by Johannah Barry (2/14/2019)
On Feb. 17, the League of Women Voters of Falls Church will be commemorating the National League of Women Voter’s 99th birthday. We invite all members of the Falls Church community to join us in a lively celebration of this important anniversary, remembering above all the power of engagement and the basic and sacred right to vote. The core values of the League, education and engagement, are increasingly important in our contentious political world.
Voters want information on candidate positions, local referenda, and broader issues of national and international importance and look to the League as the reliable source for balanced, credible material on which to base their decisions at the ballot box. At the same time, the League is an activist, grassroots organization that believes citizens should play a critical role in advocacy and engagement. Is it possible to advocate a position while maintaining an apolitical stance? The League has almost 100 years of experience at creating and maintaining this very important balance and values its role as honest broker.
The League’s presence in Falls Church began on May 1, 1951, and since that time, members have been extraordinarily active in a range of issues surrounding the City and its residents. A League bulletin published in June 1951 proudly reported, “Since the April meeting, the League has sent out a candidates’ questionnaire, run a candidates’ meeting, held a Finance Drive, published a pamphlet on the Bond issues, attended the State Convention, sent a representative to the Citizen’ Advisory Committee on the Budget and put out numerous types of publicity.” Later that year, the League sponsored a four-session workshop on the School Budget.
“We bring local elections and community and national issues to the public arena.” **Read more of Johannah's commentary here.
Redistricting - Guest Commentary in the Falls Church News-Press by Amy Hjerstedt (12/6/2018)
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church is hosting a community forum and training Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the City of Falls Church Community Center in the Art Room. With assistance from OneVirginia2021, there is a lot of new information to share with regard to redistricting in Virginia. This event is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about what gerrymandering is, why now is the time to advocate to lawmakers about voting for a state constitutional amendment that provides for an independent redistricting commission, and what actions community members can do before the 2019 General Assembly begins its next session.
Now is a critical time in Virginia’s future for fair districts and representation. The 2020 Census officially starts in just over twelve months. As directed by the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, every 10 years the people in our communities across the country are counted so that we know how to distribute resources and representation. The Virginia state constitution gives the authority to redistrict our state and congressional district maps to the General Assembly after data is reported from the Census Bureau. **Read more of Amy's commentary here.
"Your Help Is Needed Now for Redistricting Reform" LWV of Falls Church Newsletter article by Sara Fitzgerald (11/12/2018)
Recorded Forums to Watch
School Board Candidate Forum, 10/7/21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgXSsN0AE2Y&t=6s
City Council Candidate Forum, 9/30/21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxQwNjGuNU
City Council Candidate Forum, 9/23/20
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=324888702125073&ref=watch_permalink
Democratic Candidate Forums: Senate District 35 and Arlington/Falls Church Commonwealth Attorney, 4/7/2019
Education Forum, 11/2/2018
Watch the Sunday, December 2nd Falls Church Public Schools, City of Falls Church government, and League of Women Voters of Falls Church School Safety and Security.