Bettina Lawton welcomes Catherine Read of Fairfax City to explain the issues and answer questions from the audience on Inside Scoop

Scott Silverthorn speaking about Catherine Read at an event celebrating Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday:

Original Article on the Fairfax City Patch By Whitney Rhodes on April 16, 2012

 

 

 A Note from Catherine:

“Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. We can’t sit on sidelines yelling at others bout what they should do. If we want change: get in the game.” – Mayor Cory BookerRead Campaign Button

Change is a constant. It’s not a matter of good or bad – change happens with or without us. I’m running for Fairfax City Council because I believe I can add value to the council in making good choices that will benefit the entire community.

I moved into the first dorms ever built on the George Mason University Campus in October of 1981. Since I had no car, I walked down University Drive once a week to deposit my work study check at the First Virginia Bank branch at the Safeway Plaza. I never left the area after I graduated from GMU in 1984 with a degree in Government & Politics. I got married, had three children and made my home here.

My children attended Fairfax City schools and all of them are graduates of Fairfax High School. We lived in Old Lee Hills for several years, in Fairchester Woods (the kids are still there) and my new husband and I are now residents of Providence Square.

As a small business owner based in Fairfax City, I’m committed to seeing the downtown turn into the thriving city center our merchants and business owners need in order to be successful. I want that success to extend to other parts of the city where businesses sometimes feel forgotten.

I want to support the Fairfax City School system in maintaining the high standards that make our city a desirable place for families to raise children. I value the strong cultural arts community here that is made up of so many city based arts groups. We are fortunate to have Historic Fairfax City, Inc. to preserve our city’s heritage. While there has always been a great emphasis placed on the low tax rate here in the City, people move here primarily for the quality of life that our six square miles provides them. That is certainly why I chose to make Fairfax City my home.

There will always be tough choices facing the City Council when deciding which competing priorities deserve the limited resources available. It is a daunting responsibility to make decisions that affect so many people and the future of an entire community. I don’t want to be just a spectator, I want to work on behalf of all who live here to keep our community at the top of the list for “best places to live” in America.

Endorsements

“I have known Catherine for several years as an advocate in our community, whether through her business or her non-profit work with “Our Daily Bread.” She has compassion and intelligence. She looks to find new solutions to old problems. I’m happy to endorse her for City Council.”
~Senator Chap Petersen

 

“I have had the opportunity to come to know Catherine Read both professionally and personally over many years. Catherine has worked for me and been a great leader and adviser to me in business and the issues that affect our everyday lives. Catherine is the very best we can hope for in someone who would serve Fairfax City Council. Catherine’s passion for integrity, justice, and the opportunity for public citizenship is unparalleled. Catherine sees the opportunity in the future. As a long time Fairfax resident, Catherine has dedicated herself professionally and personally to creating opportunity for, and improving the lives of, those around her. I have rarely seen anyone who is so passionately in tune with the issues of the nation, the state of Virginia, and concerns of the community of Fairfax than Catherine.
“Read, Think, Act” is more than a campaign philosophy, it is how Catherine lives. She studies issues, is a voracious reader, she is an enthusiastic and passionate voice for the issues that affect all of us, and I can guarantee that electing Catherine will elevate the passion for excellence in the City of Fairfax in a way that will have a very positive effect on the lives of every Fairfax City resident”
~David H. Stevens, CEO Mortgage Banker’s Association , Former President Long & Foster Companies, Former FHA Commissioner.

 

To my Fairfax City Friends:  Get to know Catherine Read–she’s the real deal.  Honest, Focused, Smart, and ready to serve MY city.  Please vote for her for City Council. ~Brian C. Drummond, Partner at Whitestone, Brent, Young & Merril, P.C.