Editorial: F.C.’s Wealth Set Against Obligations

Should the City of Falls Church be proud or ashamed that it has been named this week as the wealthiest jurisdiction in the commonwealth? That is to say, the adults among its 15,000 or so souls have collectively the highest wealth values.

Some argue that being “rich” like this is not a good thing. That argument would hold if the Little City’s people achieved their wealth through ill gotten gains, or even primarily through inheritances. While we cannot rule out that some of this may be involved, so it is with any community one might survey. No, the citizens of Falls Church have proven themselves worthy of their financial status through their own creative and diligent work, and that includes managing their lives with the inclusion of obligations to their children and the elderly alike.

One could say that net worth ought to be measured against the efforts at equity and social compassion, and that is valid. In the case of citizens of Falls Church, their record on this balance is quite laudable. It is at least in terms of the efforts of those it elects to lead the city government. On the City Council, there is a constant concern expressed for equity and compassion, and efforts continue among them for more affordable housing, and now, the biggest challenge being the relation between that and zoning alterations that will enable not only affordable but “missing middle” housing to advance in a meaningful way as well.

It is our bet that the City will embrace progressive housing policies quicker than some of its closest neighbors, even though overall dealing with this issue is recognized as one of the most important challenges we face as a nation. The astonishing homeless situation in this nation now is a terrible blight even as some have sought to get away from it by fleeing to suburbs such as Falls Church. But this problem is not going away. In fact, the burden will be felt more and more acutely as the climate crisis forces people to migrate to find more livable situations, on top of what wars and other natural disasters cause.

Can Falls Church address these issues in the context of its collective wealth? We trust we can and will. The City Council is pressing ahead with new affordable and “missing middle” housing initiatives, and in so doing, we believe, setting a moral example to the wider region, even as there will be push-back and resistance from those resistant to change, as we’ve seen already in neighboring Arlington.

But for our community, we feel there is a sharp commitment to fairness and equality of opportunity that won’t hold for everyone but for a broad consensus sufficient to carry the day. Being relatively well-to-do is not a sin if with it comes a sense of responsibility not to hide from our wider social challenges, but to step up to them in ways that set examples for others.

Recent News

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On Key

Stories that may interest you

Senator Saddam Salim Richmond Report

U.S. Strikes in Iran: the Urgent Need for Congressional Oversight On June 21st, President Trump abruptly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities with American bombers. The next day, he abruptly announced a

Beyer Floor Remarks Opposing H.R. 1

July 3, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) this morning delivered the following remarks on H.R. 1, aka the One Big Ugly Bill Act, during debate on the measure: “From

A Penny for Your Thoughts 7-3-2025

Growing up in post-World War II America presented few options for young women past high school. College graduates could aspire to be elementary school teachers or nurses but, once married,

Support Local News!

For Information on Advertising:

Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!