September 28 – October 4, 2017
FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE
FOU N D ED 1991 • VOL. XXVI I NO. 32
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All but one in a large gathering of three PTA and PTSA organizations of parents with children in the Falls Church School system voted in support of passing the $120 million bond referendum to build a new high school. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 8
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F.C Council Candidates Square Off In First Debate of Election Season
Multiple F.C. Civic Groups With Hands In Hosting Wednesday’s Event
Absentee voting for the Nov. 7, 2017 General Election started Friday, Sept. 22, that included the unveiling of new hack-proof “digital scanner” voting machines. SEE PAGE 4
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It has to be admitted that Donald Trump is doing exactly what he was elected to do. He was not elected to be a legislative president. He never showed any real interest in policy during the campaign. He was elected to be a cultural president. SEE PAGE 17
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The Charleston-based husband and wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst known as Shovels & Rope will be providing some melodic Americana when they visit Leesburg next month. SEE PAGE 25
AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S �irst debate of Falls Church City Council candidates, �ive of the six on the November ballot were present, including (left photo, left to right) Marybeth Connelly, Ross Litkenhous and Dan Maller and (right photo, left to right) David Snyder and Dan Sze. The moderator was Ken Feltman (left photo, standing at podium). (P�����: M��� D������) BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
What was billed as the first debate among candidates seeking election to the Falls Church City Council last night turned into more of a discussion of the $120 million high school bond referendum. Two of the incumbents on the Council seeking re-election
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
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Food & Dining.....23 Calendar .......26–27 Classified Ads .....28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........29 Critter Corner......30
all asked through the moderator, Ken Feltman. Only in the final moments was the audience invited to ask direct questions. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly led the charge explaining the ins and outs of what’s gone into the thinking for proposing the bond referendum, with support from incumbent David Snyder. The “no” vote was defended by
F.C’s Shields Offers Early Tax Rate Projection for Next FY BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
INDEX
went into details on the reasons on why they voted to have the referendum placed on the Nov. 7 ballot, and a third incumbent explained why he was only one of two “no” votes on that proposition taken in late July. About 40 people attended the debate held in the American Legion Hall on N. Oak St. Wednesday night. Questions were
It was earlier coming than usual this fall, but Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields told the F.C. City Council Monday night that, despite solid fourth quarter numbers for the City’s operations, a six cent real estate
tax rate increase will most likely be required to, assuming the $120 million school bond referendum passes in November, pay for the new construction of George Mason High, the Mary Riley Styles Public Library and a renovated City Hall. According to the number crunching of new F.C. Chief
Financial Officer Kiran Bawa, even with good numbers ending the fiscal year on June 30 and very tight budgeting going forward, the six-cent bite will be required, but will draw back to four cents after four years since the plan for the new high school would be to “front load” the borrowing. But this is almost six months
incumbent Dan Sze. Of the two “newcomers,” or non-incumbents, in the debate one has been on the Council before — Dan Maller, an attorney — and one is a fresh face, Ross Litkenhous, a young father of three who said he chose to run because of how big an impact living in the City has
Continued on Page 10 before this discussion gets serious for the next fiscal year’s budget, and Council members Phil Duncan and Dan Sze were among those who said that “there will be impassioned debate” on the Council over such matters as the City’s fund balance policy, for example, going forward. Still, given the recovery in fourth quarter revenue numbers reported last night, “We’re in good shape to take on major obligations,” Duncan said. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly cited the improving numbers for
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