by Hal Lippman
(Ed. Note – Hal Lippman, former vice mayor of Falls Church, is president of the Citizens for a Better City, Falls Church’s longest-standing non-partisan civic activist organization. The following is a report authored by him at the organization’s recent annual meeting).
At its Annual Meeting on January 23, 2026 at the home of Gabi and John Sandoz, the Citizens for a Better City celebrated its accomplishments during the past year – its 66th of existence and ongoing involvement in Falls Church – and elected its Executive Committee and officers for new two-year terms. The Executive committee officers are Hal Lippman (President), Gabi Sandoz (Treasurer), Sally Ekfelt (Corresponding Secretary), and Phil Duncan (Administrative Secretary) and at-large members Jody Acosta, Nancy Brandon, Tom Clinton, Paul Handly, Lindy Hockenberry, Julie Krachman, Brian O’Connor, and Josh Singer. During the meeting a Hail and Farewell honored those present who were recently elected/re-elected – Art Agin, Marybeth Connelly, Dave Snyder, Mary Kate Hughes, Anne Sherwood – and outgoing Vice-Mayor, Debbie Hiscott (with presentation of the CBC ALL STAR Award).
Opening the meeting, President Hal Lippman reported that 2025 became a banner year from the get-go with the unveiling of our new logo designed by City resident, Leesa Margarella. After that, we did what we’ve always done: raised awareness about, provided information on, and promoted citizen engagement in local government and important issues facing our community; and, as is the case every two years, became immersed in our local School Board and City Council elections.
Regarding the latter, in May we had a highly successful “How to Become a Candidate” panel discussion with a mix of former candidates and key City officials. Among the attendees were three eventual candidates in the November election; all of whom said the event was very helpful and, later on, two were ultimately elected. Next, in September, we held a well-attended candidate “Meet and Greet” at Falls Church Arts at which 10 of the 11 CC and SB candidates were able to mix and mingle informally with voters, media representatives, and others.
In October, we held our uniquely moderated Candidate Forum panel discussions in collaboration with the PTAs and Falls Church Forward. Unlike other such local campaign events, ours emphasized a format that promotes cross-discussion between and among the candidates, resulting in lively and informative exchanges regarding key issues and challenges facing our Little City. CBC takes pride in noting it was the only organization that held a public forum for the SB candidates and the discussion that took place there was everything one could hope from such an event – being topical, informative, respectful, and even poignant (as when a candidate seeking reelection spontaneously mentioned having lost friends over her positions and votes during her first term).
In addition to these campaign-focused events, we reintroduced our landmark Campaign Integrity Pledge, the purpose of which is to ensure that Falls Church City elections remain local, accessible, affordable, and are conducted with civility. It is worth reminding that what prompted the Pledge in the first place was the unprecedented sums of money (over $57,000) contributed in 2021 to two SB candidates (one received $33,600, the other $23,800) by outside organizations and individuals with no direct connection to or involvement in our City. These two contributions amounted to more than 80 percent of the total raised by all the other SB candidates in that election (the next closest candidate raised $5,000).
Based on what we can glean from the data reported by the candidates who ran in 2025, here are some initial findings:
10 of the 11 candidates in the just completed election cycle signed the Pledge and when combined with the 2023 election signings (7 of 7) brings the total since the Pledge was developed to 17 out of 18 (nearly 95%);
The Pledge is working pursuant to its intent to discourage contributions from outside sources, as reflected in all 2025 candidates’ campaign filings (with the exception of the lone candidate that declined to sign it);
Running for office still appears to be affordable, although campaign costs have increased notably (seemingly attributable, among other variables, because for the first time there are more people living in apartments and condos than detached single family homes in the City) and self-funding of all or a significant part of campaigns is more common than in past elections.
Average campaign contributions 2019 – 2025 fluctuated based on the number of candidates running for available spots and the intensity of the election, but overall did not increase markedly – for the SB from $9,455 in 2019 (four running for three) to $10,651 in 2025 (five running for four) and for the CC from $7,785 in 2019 (four running for three) to $9,211 in 2025 (six running for four);
More candidates, 7 out of 11 (four SB, three CC), raised in excess of $9,000 than ever before; in the 2024 special election both candidates did so, while in 2023 it was one, in 2021 four, in 2019 two.
Following the discussion of the Pledge, the presentation turned to our accomplishments in raising awareness and providing information about city government and important local issues. We continued to regularly pass along information to our membership and City-related distribution lists about weekly blogs, monthly newsletters, and announcements of City and other civic organizations’ ongoing functions and special events. We also regularly submitted articles, press releases, and letters to the editor that were published in the Falls Church News Press, Falls Church Independent, Arlington Now, and elsewhere.
Next, the President’s report turned to CBC’s landmark Youth Representatives Program, which since 2014 has provided City high school students with a unique opportunity to learn about local government and civic engagement first-hand; practice and grow their leadership skills; and contribute to the work of City and other community organizations. With the addition of the 2025-2026 Youth Representative class, more than 300 Meridian High School students have served with dozens of local entities and organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Environmental Sustainability Council; Economic Development Authority; Housing Commission; Chamber of Commerce, Human Services Advisory Council, and Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Social Justice Committee.
Wrapping up this part of the agenda, for the very first time at an Annual Meeting a Youth Representative appeared in person. This was Meridian High School Junior, Ela Rees, who wowed everyone present with her talk about what she’s learned and felt about her experience with the Falls Church Education Foundation, along with a special project she and her fellow Youth Rep, Landon Manwaring, put together to inform more of their fellow MHS students about FCEF. In her presentation Ela was a shining example of the YRP and CBC’s hope that she and her YRP contemporaries will be inspired by their experience to a lifetime of service and leadership in whatever they may do and wherever they may live.
Concluding his report, the President mentioned that in 2026 CBC intends to build on its experience with the Candidate Integrity Pledge to look for ways for it to be updated and/or improved. In addition, CBC will focus intently on the long-lived and pressing issues we, and other “venerable” organizations, have been experiencing for years with declining membership and numbers of volunteers. With so many community leaders at the Annual Meeting, it was worth reminding that there may be a tipping point looming where CBC finds itself unable to continue and their help is needed through their continued membership and mentioning us to their friends, neighbors, and anyone who cares about our local government, public schools, and community in general.
