Great Falls Citizens Association
See www.gfca.org
“Since 1968, the Great Falls Citizens Association has worked on behalf of the citizens of Great Falls to protect, defend and improve the quality of life in our community.”
Candidate’s Debate
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, 6:30-9 p.m.
Great Falls Grange
9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
The Great Falls Citizens Association will host a debate for candidates running for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Virginia Senate and House.
Election Day is Nov. 3, with early voting beginning Sept. 18.
Dranesville Supervisor: John Foust (D) incumbent vs. Jennifer Chronis (R)
Chairman Board of Supervisors: Sharon Bulova (D) incumbent vs. Arthur Purves (R)
According to the GFCA, “potential issues for county races include: funding for Grange community center improvements; additional Grange staff to support youth and senior programs; possible bus service from Great Falls to Metro stops at Reston and/or Tysons Corner; citizen petitions concerning rezoning, density, road usage, water run-off protection and other issues for proposed subdivisions (including Brooks Farm, one bordering the Grange that some want the county to purchase and convert into a park, a drive-thru at the busy Georgetown Pike-Walker Road intersection, and a new commercial entry onto Seneca Road near Georgetown Pike).”
VA Senate 31st: Barbara Favola (D) incumbent vs. George Forakis (R)
VA House 34th: Kathleen Murphy (D) incumbent vs. Craig Parisot (R)
According to the GFCA, “Potential issues for state races include: assuring that new sales or state gasoline taxes for needed infrastructure repairs, if any, are spent locally; possible new protective legislation for groundwater wells and non-sewer septic systems; possible changed prison terms for nonviolent criminals; and possible legislation to increase state jobs and business opportunities.”
Great Falls residents wishing to submit questions for consideration by the GFCA Debate Committee may send them to ralph.apton@gfca.org before Sept. 21.
Debate II: School Board Candidates and More
Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Great Falls Grange
9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
The Great Falls Citizens Association will host a debate for candidates running for election to the FCPS School Board and various county positions.
Election Day is Nov. 3, with early voting beginning Sept. 18. Great Falls residents wishing to submit questions for consideration by the GFCA Debate Committee for this second debate may send them to ralph.apton@gfca.org before Oct. 14.
School Board Dranesville Member: Janie Strauss (incumbent), Peter Kurzenhauser
At-large School Board candidates: (vote for three) Bob Copeland, Omar Fateh, Jeanette Hough, Manar Jean-Jacques, Peter Marchetti, Ryan McElveen (incumbent), Ilryong Moon (incumbent), Burnette Scarboro, Ted Velkoff (incumbent).
County clerk candidates: Bettina Lawton (D), John Frey (R)(incumbent), Marisa Wissar (I).
County Commonwealth Attorney candidate: Raymond Morrogh (D) (incumbent), unopposed.
County Sheriff candidates: Stacey Kincaid (D) (incumbent), Bryan Wolfe (R).
At-large County Soil & Water board candidates: (vote for three) Scott Cameron, George Lamb IV, Jerry Peters, Stephen Pushor.
Great Falls residents wishing to submit questions for consideration by the GFCA Debate Committee may send them to ralph.apton@gfca.org before Oct. 14.
CORRECTION: Last week’s edition of the Connection listed the wrong date in October for this debate.
Dark Skies Program
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Great Falls Library
9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
Speakers will discuss Great Falls’ policy to keep skies as dark as possible to view the stars.
Bob Parks, Smart Outdoor Lighting Alliance, will discuss shortcomings in the current Fairfax County lighting ordinance and new lighting technology.
Tammy Schwab, Fairfax County Park Authority, will demonstrate how light pollution affects observation of stars and planets.
Charles Olin, founder of the Great Falls-based Analemma Society, which raises awareness and understanding of science through astronomy for children and adults. The Observatory Park facility at the Turner Farm is being expanded to increase science education programs to students and the public.