While we came up 44 votes short (with each candidate winning 1300+ votes), I am proud of the race we ran and the support we earned. Thanks to all who helped make it happen.
I wish the new School Board success as they advocate for our children in the City.
-Jim
The City of Fairfax will post the election results as they come in on the City’s web page: www.fairfaxva.gov.
There will be a link on the homepage, but it doesn’t go live until it has data to report.
In a small city like ours, final results will probably be known by 9:00 PM at the latest.
Thank you for your support.
-Jim
Election Day is tomorrow, May 4, 2010.
Polls are open 6 AM to 7 PM.
All regular Polling Locations will be open.(http://www.fairfaxva.gov/Registrar/PollingLocations.asp)
Results will be available on-line at the City’s web page. Or you can join us at Old City Hall when the polls close to hear the results live.
Thank you for your interest and support.
-Jim
With the Kentucky Derby in mind, I can safely say we have rounded the final turn and are in the homestretch.
In the past week I have attended Meet & Greets hosted by my friends in across the City and reached out to everyone interested in our race. My particular thanks to retiring School Board Member Julie Knight for hosting one during this final week and for her support. I appreciate her service and her presence on the Board will be missed.
The elecion is on Tuesday – May 4 – and the polls are open from 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM. All six City polling locations are open.
If you can’t make it Tuesday, you can vote ABSENTEE-IN-PERSON today until 5:00 PM or tomorrow – Saturday, May 1 – 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM in the Registrar’s Office. The office is located in the Sisson House on the grounds of City Hall.
On Tuesday, I will be at the polls all day getting out my message to those voters who I haven’t yet met. Then I will join the City’s tradition when all candidates join together at Old City Hall to hear the results. This is open to the public, and most of the campaigns have contributed towards some light refreshments, so please join us once the polls have closed.
Thank you all for your interest and your support.
-Jim
I’ve knocked on thousands of doors these past few months, and met hundreds of City residents. It’s amazing to see the diversity of communities and opinions in our small city – and I enjoy hearing from all sides. There are clearly a few questions that pop up most often:
1 – Q: What does the School Board do? A: It oversees our contracts with the County to run and manage our schools; it oversees major capital improvements; and it directs some limited additional resources to our schools. The City School Board does not hire school staff and teachers, it does notset or modify curriculum, it does not determine budget priorities in our schools. Its only way to impact on these issues is through relationships with the County and any discussions on our contractual obligations. (See the link on the relationship for more details). This is one area where people understand what I bring to the table – a background in overseeing contracts (including during my time in the Office of Management at the U.S. Dept. of Education) and years of working with and establishing partnerships with County officials.
2 – I don’t have kids in the schools, why should I care? A: Parents with kids in the schools clearly have a vested interest in their quality. But all taxpayers and homeowners have a stake as well. When our schools are well maintained and desirable places for people to send their kids, our home values increase. We also want to make sure we get good value for the funds we send to the County to run our schools – and don’t want to see the funds wasted.
3 – Q: Why are you running? Is this a paid, full-time job? A: I’m running for three simple reasons: Shauna, Sierra and Elana. I want to make sure my kids continue to get a good education in our schools. Stacie and I chose this neighborhood for its schools and community – and we are dedicated to keeping them strong. I’m also running because, in these tough budget years, I want to make sure that our money is being well spent and that the County doesn’t make budget decisions to fix its own problems without an awareness of how those decisions will impact the City. And, no, this is not a paid, full-time job. It’s a part-time, volunteer position. I will serve in the evenings and at school events, but will not benefit from it financially. If there are any per diem or related reimbursements, I plan to donate them to our PTA’s.
I hear much more on the trail – on a wide range of issues. Have a question for me? Drop me an email or ask when I knock on your door.
-Jim
