F.C. Memorial Day Special Section Inside see Page 11 May 27 – June 2, 2021
FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE
FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 15
T�� C��� �� F���� C�����’� I����������, L������ O���� N�������� �� R�����, S������ N. V�������
Late Entry to F.C. Council Race Solves Litkenhous Exit School Board Now Short One Candidate for this Fall BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
A looming conundrum ahead of the City Council’s fall election was averted Wednesday evening, when one prospective Falls Church School Board candidate decided to run for Council instead. Caroline S. Lian, the only one of the four hopefuls eyeing a school board seat who had the required 125 signatures to qualify, opted to enter this November’s City Council race over the school board’s. It sidestepped a problem the City had to address in the next two weeks before the June 8 filing deadline: there were currently fewer candidates than seats to fill on the Falls Church City Council. That stunning development came about earlier this week when first-term Council member Ross Litkenhous made the surprise announcement that he will not be seeking re-election to a second term. It left incumbent Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, veteran council member David Snyder and the winner of last fall’s special election to fill a vacant seat, Debbie Schantz-Hiscott, as the only citizens so far who’ve submitted
documents intending to run with the City’s Voter Registrar, David Bjerke. Lian’s late entry erases what would have been a harried final stretch to the qualification process. Previously, Litkenhous’ announcement came with precious little time for City leaders to scramble to find a qualified substitute. The requirements to qualify for the ballot, including 125 valid signatures of registered City of Falls Church voters filed with Bjerke’s office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, are not prohibitive, but would have proved arduous for anyone starting at this late date just because of the lack of time. An effort to find Litkenhous’ replacement was already underway ever since he made his announcement last weekend. Lian joining the race helped avoid some of the unconventional possibilities for determining the final council member. For instance, if no more candidates qualify for the ballot by June 8, the only recourse would have been a write-in campaign for the November election. In that case, a candidate with a mere handful of
Continued on Page 5
J��� L��� A���...
FALLS CHURCH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS held a vaccine clinic for students aged 12 – 18 in the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School gym last Friday. Over 500 students received their first dose — the first such event held by the Fairfax Health District in a school. (P����: C���� S��)
Statewide Of�ices Face Viable Primary Challengers BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
It is the year for the re-election of Falls Church’s representative to the Virginia House of Delegates, a role the young Del. Marcus Simon has filled with great distinction since taking the slot over from the late Del. Jim Scott in 2014. But this year, Simon’s power
in his district is strong to the point that, unlike the cases facing most of his Democratric colleagues in the region, he will not have a challenger in the upcoming June 8 Democratic primary, so competition for his 53rd District seat will simply not be on the ballot. Simon will have to wait until November, when he will be challenged by Republican Sarah White, chosen to be the GOP candi-
date at the GOP District convention in April. On the other hand, other Democratic state delegate incumbents are facing challenges, and some of them formidable, in the fast-approaching June 8 primary, and the incumbents are working hard to nail down key endorsements
Continued on Page 4
I����� T��� W��� L������� I�������� P�������� T������ F.C. K��� T������ P���
P���� P���: D���� T����
P���� P���: M������� S���
SEE STORY, PAGE 3
David Thong, a local musician, recalls playing a show this past winter when it was only 38 degrees outside, saying he was surprised just how many people came out in the cold to see live music. Now Covid-19 vaccinations increasing, he’s eager to see droves of fans return to shows after a long year. SEE PRESS PASS, PAGE 18
The February 2020 release of Michelle Swan’s newest album, “I Feel,” was naturally going to be followed by a promotional tour around the region, until the pandemic put that on hold. Now she’s making up for lost time, with her latest stop coming to Falls Church Distillers tonight.
The shared hope of teachers and parents alike is that their children retain what they’ve learned long enough for it to be useful. For the students at CommuniKids, a full language immersion preschool in Falls Church, neither group of adults need to be anxious about seeing results.
SEE PRESS PASS, PAGE 17
INDEX
Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment .............................7,8,13,14 Crime Report ...................................... 8 News & Notes................................... 10 Calendar ........................................... 16 Business News ................................. 19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22
