The City of Falls Church was held up as an example of the kind of “more authentic experience” of living that developers in Fairfax County should strive to emulate during a high-powered forum on prospects for the regional economy yesterday.

Falls Church represents “a little bit more of an authentic experience” said real estate developer Albert “Sonny” Small Jr. of Renaissance Centro amid an energetic four-way discussion on how to best develop in Fairfax County in order to attract a younger tech-savvy “Millennial” demographic sorely needed to fuel the area’s economy.

Read more

Originally posted in the Falls Church News Press by Nicholas F. Benton on September 3, 2015

You would be hard pressed to find anyone more enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of the City of Falls Church than her current mayor, David Tarter.

Even though he’s charted an independent course during his first four years on the Council, including the last two as mayor, he was unreserved in this enthusiasm for the Little City and its prospects in what has become a Falls Church tradition – the annual late summer “State of the City” interview with the mayor conducted by the Falls Church News-Press.

Read more

It has been my great honor and privilege to serve on the Falls Church City Council these past years. The City is a special place that my family and I are proud to call home.

During my time on Council and as Mayor, we have made significant progress throughout the City in areas such as economic development, schools, stormwater and other infra-structure, walkability, and parks. Despite our progress, much additional work remains to be done.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet you and discuss the issues that are important to you and to making our great City an even better place to live.

Originally published in the Falls Church News Press – August 27, 2014

While exploring opportunities for economic development, Falls Church Mayor David Tarter told the News-Press this week he believes the City is “up to the challenge” of promoting economic growth to meet an array of interrelated pressures, including the growing needs of its school system. “Ultimately, we can and must continue to support our schools,” he said.

Read more

Originally published in the Falls Church News Press by David Tarter on January 23, 2014

First of all, I would like to thank the citizens and City Council of Falls Church for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I am honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me. As Mayor, I am but one of seven members on the Council, nonetheless, I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts about the coming year.

We are emerging from tough economic times, and have many challenges before us.

These challenges include maintaining the excellence of our schools in an era of explosive enrollment growth, among the highest growth in the region. Years of austerity have led to pent-up demand for capital improvements for the schools, the library, City Hall and other facilities. We must find ways to satisfy this demand while continuing to provide high quality core services to our community.

Read more