Three extraordinary women, each who have served Falls Church for decades in vital roles, were honored this week in recognition of their departures from their current roles.
Falls Church’s Vice Mayor Debbie Shantz-Hiscott and veteran City Electoral Board chief Rene Andrews were feted at Monday’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council, and long-time Meridian High School music instructor and band leader Mary Jo West was recognized by the Falls Church School Board at its meeting this Tuesday.
All three women have contributed enormously to the Little City, Schantz-Hiscott was recognized for her years as head of the Falls Church Education Association prior to her election to the Council in a special election in 2020 and then to a full term in 2021. Andrews began serving on the electoral board in the early 1990s and has continued to the present, assuming its top leadership position as the Little City has consistently led the state in voter turnout percentages, and West has become a legend at the high school for the work she’s done with the instrumental music program there, achieving many regional awards and creating from among the students a bonafide jazz ensemble that roamed the entire community performing. She continues on with the Little City directing the all-volunteer Falls Church Orchestra. .
Monday night, the recognitions of Shantz-Hiscott and Andrews came in the context of the formal swearing in for new four year terms of the four members of the Council elected in November, including incumbents Marybeth Connelly, Laura Downs and David Snyder and newcomer Arthur Agin, who was the winning candidate among those who ran to fill the sea vacated by Shantz-Hiscott’s decision not to run again.
In hailing Schantz-Hiscott, Mayor Letty Hardi introduced a distribution of pink caps not only to her colleagues, but to the City staff present for the meeting and for anyone in the audience who wanted one.
Salutary remarks were delivered by all other members of the Council and former Vice Mayor and school board member, now head of the Citizens for a Better city Hal Lippman. He said of her, “I know the real deal when I see it, and I see it with her.”
Andrews, in gratitude for her recognition, said, “It is truly bittersweet to stand before you this evening. Serving election administration in this City has been the honor of a lifetime. Elections have been in my blood from Day One. I was born on an election day, but only after my parents had voted.”
She credited Edna Frady with convincing her to volunteer to work on the election of 1996 and later on the Falls Church Electoral Board in 2003 and credited Anne Murty of that board with being her mentor. “The best thing the three of us on the board did was to appoint our registrar David Bjerke who has been with us for 10 years and is one of my most trusted friends…I thank Dave, Stacey and now Rodrigo for running the office every day, making sure registration and election preparation activities are accomplished flawlessly, and for always being there when we need them,,,I leave with the deepest appreciation and gratitude.”,
Shantz-Hiscott, in her prepared remarks, said, “Almost thirty years ago, I moved to the City of Falls Church and began my community involvement as an appointee to the Women’s Commission alongside Jody Acosta. I’ve been serving this community in some form ever since, and it has truly been one of the great honors of my life.”
“I want to thank my parents, who modeled public service constantly and quietly. My mom was involved in every scout, music, academic, and athletic group supporting the public schools, and my dad served in the Navy and then for decades as a volunteer EMT, paramedic, ski patrol member, Red Cross instructor, and trail master. They did all of it behind the scenes, without fanfare. I hope I’ve made them proud—and that my own children will continue that legacy of volunteerism.
“Thank you to my husband, who made it possible for me to serve while balancing evening and weekend commitments. And to my three children: you are the reason this work matters. I hope our efforts to expand housing options and make our city inclusive, where all really means all, mean you will one day be able to return here, whether to an apartment, a townhouse, a condo, or an ADU. I hope you’ve seen how much community engagement can shape a place.
“To my friends: thank you for supporting me through campaigns, boards, commissions, PTA, boosters, the Education Foundation, and every volunteer, attendance and financial request I ever made. I know I can be intense about affordable housing, economic development, equity and inclusion, sidewalks, paving and the environment. I’ve asked a lot over the years—and you have always shown up. The silver lining of my retirement is that I won’t be asking you for anything… at least for a while.
“To our engaged community—you make this city special. Our turnout rates and civic participation are extraordinary, and I’ve loved hearing your hopes for what should change and what should remain the same.
“To our general government staff—you care deeply about this Little City and work incredibly hard to deliver essential services while pushing for innovation. You deserve recognition and our appreciation.
“To my Council colleagues, past and present—thank you. We bring different skills and experiences, but share a commitment to representing our entire community, expanding housing opportunities, supporting our schools, ensuring safety, and being fiscally responsible. I have complete confidence you will continue to do great things for Falls Church.
“When I moved here nearly 30 years ago—because I couldn’t afford North Arlington—I had no idea Falls Church would become such a vibrant, walkable, thriving place. The transformation from a handful of chain restaurants to the incredible variety of experiences we enjoy today has been truly remarkable and is a credit to all who have served and worked on behalf of the city. Thank you for the great privilege of serving you.”
