Sept. 23 – 29, 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. 32
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F.C. City Council Returns In Person
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Equity review of all boards tops agenda BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Last year’s bold move by the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church to eliminate fines for overdue materials is the biggest step cited so far in the City of Falls Church’s comprehensive “Equity Review” that was engaged by the City Council at its work session last Monday. The meeting was notable for being the first in-person gathering of the City Council at City Hall since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. In person meetings of the Council and other key City bodies will proceed henceforth, with attendees required to wear masks and sit six feet apart for the time being. Monday’s review was the first comprehensive look by the Council at what it had requested from all City boards and commissions this last March. Then, a memo was sent out to all City boards and commission members asking to “bring to life”
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ELISE NEIL BENGTSON (right) , the new executive director of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, is taking over for Sally Cole (left).They are shown here with Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields at the Chamber luncheon (P����� �� ������� S�����)
F.C. Chamber of Commerce Welcomes A New Director
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Members of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce got their first opportunity to meet the organization’s first new executive director in 17 years this week.
With the conclusion at the end of this month of Sally Cole’s 17 years as the head of the Chamber, Cole’s replacement Elise Neil Bengtson has already been on the job for a week. The Tuesday luncheon of the Chamber outdoors at the
Dominion Wine and Beer restaurant marked her first appearance at a general Chamber event. She was present there with Sally Cole who formally introduced her to the gathering of three dozen Chamber faithful between courses being served of the meal, inter-
mittent rainfall (no worries, the area was well covered by canvas tent material), short greetings by F.C. Mayor David Tarter and Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, the introduction of Chamber sponsors
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The City of Falls Church has faced a shortage of affordable housing as the city has grown. The League of Women Voters and Citizens For a Better City have recently held three forums in an attempt to change that and work to create more affordable housing in the area.
After a short season in the spring, the Meridian High School football team is back on the field with fans filling the stands. The Mustangs have a team of 32 players who are excited to be back on the field and preparing to take on their district rival, Brentsville, on Friday.
SEE STORY, PAGE 9
SEE STORY, PAGE 18
INDEX
Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes..........................8,10,11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar .....................................16,17 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22 Business News ................................. 23