F.C. Schools Seek to Appoint New Board Member
The Falls Church City School Board has announced this week its intention to appoint a member of the Falls Church community to finish the unexpired term of member Phil Reitinger who will be stepping down as of January 15.
It was announced that interested community members should send a cover letter detailing relevant experience and a resume to School Board Clerk Marty Gadell at gadellm@fccps.org no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 13.
Applicants are invited to attend the Tuesday, Jan. 17 School Board meeting and make an optional three-minute public comment on what they can contribute to the board. That meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the FCCPS’ Central Office.
The Board will make a final decision on the appointment of the new member by February 1, and the new board member will be expected to be sworn in and attend the Feb. 14 School Board meeting.
The term of the newly appointed member will run from February 14 to December 31, 2023, and the position will be subject to a general election for a full four year term this November.
F.C. City Council to Tour Renovated Library Monday
Prior to its first meeting of the New Year this Monday, Jan. 9, the F.C. City Council will be given a tour of the newly renovated and expanded Mary Riley Styles Public Library. The tour will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the Council’s first business meeting of the year will follow at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
NVTA Elects Palchik Chair, F.C.’s Snyder to Key Slot
Members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTA) is slated to swear in new leadership for 2023, including the first Latina Chair Dalia Palchik, representing the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, at their monthly meeting this Thursday.
Outgoing Chair Canek Aguirre will swear in the following officers for the 2023 term: Chair: Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Fairfax County, Vice Chair: Board Member Matt de Ferranti, Arlington County, Secretary-Treasurer: Council Member David Snyder, City of Falls Church.
In addition, the Commission will renew the appointment of Supervisor Matt Letourneau, Loudoun County, to the Metro Board of Directors for a four-year term, and appoint Council Member Sarah Bagley, City of Alexandria, as Chair of the NVTC Program Advisory Committee.
NVTC’s will hold it’s annual public meeting as part of the January meeting. Interested parties are asked to review NVTC’s Work Plan, which serves as a guiding document for NVTC staff to support the mission of the Commission.
Va. Sen. Warner Tabbed Key Lawmaker by Bloomberg
Bloomberg Media has identified 10 lawmakers based on their legislative track records, stature in their political parties and areas of expertise as well as their ability to get things done. Some are veterans and others are rising stars. Half of them are Republican, and half Democrats — reflecting the current split in Congress. Among the elite group named is Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner.
According to the Bloomberg announcement, least one is an emerging presidential contender. Another is rehabilitating her reputation after a fumble that sidelined her hopes for a top House post. Many are fierce fundraisers who handily won reelection. And one survived a runoff that ultimately handed a decisive defeat to former President Donald Trump.
Beyer: All GOP Speaker Contenders Dodged Subpoenas
U.S. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., issued the following response to the disarray in the GOP’s search for a House Speaker this week:
“The top vote getters among Republicans for Speaker of the House are Kevin McCarthy, Andy Biggs, and Jim Jordan. Republicans are in disarray, but they all agree on wanting a leader who dodged a congressional subpoena to conceal evidence about January 6th from the American people.”
CASA Leaders Decry Title 42 Ruling
Leaders of immigration advocacy champion CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) issued a statement this week decrying a recent order by the U.S. Supreme Court to extend the Trump era Title 42 program. Title 42 allows immigration officials to turn migrants away at the border without the opportunity to seek asylum. The policy was instituted at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when officials said limiting entry to the country was in the interest of public health.
“The Supreme Court’s move to prevent the Biden administration from ending Title 42 further endangers the lives of thousands of migrants fleeing violence and political repression,” CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres said. “It is stunning to see the court try to stop the current administration from ending a policy that was instituted via executive power during Trump’s term. We at CASA denounce the political intrigue that prompted these Republican-led states to bring forth a suit to keep this measure in place and continue to demand dignity and respect for those seeking a better future for their families in the U.S.”
