As the deadline for filing looms, the field of formally-announced candidates continued to swell this week with the news that P. David Tarter of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority and City resident Paul F. Handly officially throwing their hats in the ring.
As the deadline for filing looms, the field of formally-announced candidates continued to swell this week with the news that P. David Tarter of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority and City resident Paul F. Handly officially throwing their hats in the ring.
The deadline for filing is Tuesday. In addition to already-identified candidates, the News-Press has received reports that at least two more citizens have been circulating petitions and a third is still considering it. Only 125 valid signatures are required to file for candidacy in the May 1 municipal election.
While the field of candidates seeking election to the three open seats on the Council could go as high as seven or eight, the same is not true for candidates for the School Board.
In that election, four seats need to be filled: the routine three plus one to fill the unexpired term of former board chair Patrick Riccards, who had to resign to accept an employment offer in Connecticut. It may turn out that only the minimum number of candidates will be on the ballot for those four slots, according the News-Press sources.
Incumbent Mayor Nader Baroukh and Council member Lawrence Webb have announced their re-election bids, with Baroukh also announcing his application has been certified by the Registrar of Voters.
Phil Duncan, a community activist and son-in-law of former Falls Church Mayor Carol DeLong, and Planning Commissioner John Lawrence are now joined by Tarter and Handly as non-incumbents in the race.
Incumbent Council member and former mayor Robin Gardner will not be seeking a fourth term. She was first elected in 2000 and served as mayor from 2006-2010 (mayors being elected by Council colleagues).
In a related development this week, the Virginia legislature easily passed charter changes for the City, including the one that will shift Falls Church municipal elections from May to November beginning in 2013. Falls Church citizens voted over two-to-one to make that change in a referendum last November.
In his campaign announcement received by the News-Press Tuesday, Tarter said he will emphasize “economic development and strong, sustainable schools.”
Tarter is the current chair of Falls Church’s Economic Development Authority, a body on which Duncan also sits.
He stated that Falls Church “is at a critical juncture,” adding, “Now more than ever, Falls Church must focus its energies on the economic redevelopment of its commercial corridors. I strongly believe that this is the way to continue providing excellent schools and needed community services without burdening our residents with unduly high taxes.”
A Northern Virginia native, Tarter attended the University of Virginia where he got both his Bachlor’s and law degree. He has practiced law for 20 years, all in Northern Virginia. He has been on Falls Church’s EDA for four years, and prior to that had a stint as the City’s interim city attorney. He lives in Falls Church on Little Falls Street with his wife, Karen Schools, a clinic aide at Mt. Daniel School, and their three children.
“I’ve dedicated my legal career to facilitating ‘smart growth’ in Northern Virginia,” he said. “I know how to manage the complexities of transforming under-performing commercial districts into community assets.”
Handly submitted petitions to the Voter Registrar yesterday, the News-Press has learned, but has not provided any biographical information or campaign statements to the News-Press as of press time.
Duncan announced this week he’d filed his Statement of Economic Interest with City Registrar David Bjerke, the final piece of paper needed to be an official candidate.
He reported that more than 40 people attended his first campaign open house, hosted by citizen Szusie Larcamp. He noted he’s established a website, Twitter and Facebook accounts to keep the public informed about his campaign, and is operating his campaign out of 1069 W. Broad, Suite 776.
