I support 1641. We need to keep Pound Town.

I absolutely support HB1697 to allow non-registered voters to serve on city boards and commissions in the City of Falls Church. Anyone willing to take up the call to public service need not be turned away, particularly not the many military and foreign service families who are city residents but might not be registered to vote within the city.

Comments Document

City of Falls Church is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in all our policies and programs. This includes participation in the citizen boards and commissions. There are many citizens in the community who are affected by the decisions of the City’s advisory boards and commissions (i.e. transportation, environment, housing, human services, urban forestry and arts) and there is consensus among the community that those persons should be able to participate equally in the commission system. Due to our proximity to Washington DC federal government agencies, universities and international businesses many residents are state department employees and military personnel as well as targeted business employees and graduate students in the US on VISAs but do not change primary permanent residence to the City. Therefore, these residents do not have City of Falls Church voter qualifications but have invaluable knowledge and expertise to impart. The proposed language would remove “qualified voter of the city,” while retaining 18-years of age and residency within the city.