2022 Candidate Profile: Jeff Greenfield Runs For Fairfax City Council

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Jeff Greenfield first served on the Fairfax City Council from 1994 to 2018. He's decided to run again for the council in the Nov. 8 general election.

Greenfield is running against incumbents Jon R. Stehle Jr., D.T. "Tom" Ross, Joseph D. Harmon, and So. P. Lim, as well as fellow challengers Anahita N. "Ana" Renner, Kate Doyle Feingold, Craig S. Salewski, and Billy M. Bates for one of the six seats on the council.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the city council race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Jeff Greenfield

Campaign Website

jeffgreenfield.org

Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

My wife Lisa and daughter Alexandra

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Education

Certificate in Executive Leadership, Brookings Institute • Masters in Public Administration, George Mason University • Bachelor in Political Science, George Mason University • Graduate of Fairfax High School

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Co-owner, Greenfield Enterprises, LLC and CBA Consultants

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Chairman, City of Fairfax Labor Day Car Show 2015 – Present • City Council 1994–2018 • Council of Governments Human Service and Public Safety Committee 1996–2018 • Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 2006–2018 • President, Windy Hill Owners Association 1999–2009 Clubs and Affiliations • Member, George Mason University Alumni Association • Member, National Eagle Scout Association • Past President and former member, Fairfax Jaycees

Why are you seeking elective office?

Experience matters. As a life-long City resident with demonstrated leadership on the Council, I will provide the necessary proven governance to make the tough decisions to keep our City moving forward. The next Council must strike a balance – providing top notch services while maintaining fiscal discipline and a reasonable tax rate. Fiscal management, economic development, education, and transportation will require continued focus over the next few years. I will work with staff and the Council to provide accountability, fiscal responsibility, and dependable leadership.

The single most pressing issue facing the City of Fairfax is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There isn’t just one single issue facing the City. Inflation and the impacts of COVID on our business community is something impacting every resident regardless of socio-economic status. We spend more in the grocery store, at the gas pump, and our 401k’s have suffered huge losses. The City Council can help by watching the bottom line, focusing on needs versus nice-to-haves.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I can hit the ground running, making a difference after taking office. I’ve been a leader in our community for over 30 years whether it is managing the City budget through downturns in the local economy or leading efforts to address child hunger in the City. I’ve worked with the Council, our residents, and business community to get results.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Community. Small town. Know your neighbors.

These are the things that make the City of Fairfax unique, especially in Northern Virginia. We know each other (usually very well), and we value a sense of place. Many of us have lived in the City for decades, while some have just recently moved here. However, everyone who calls the City home knows that there is something special about Fairfax. Our City’s strength is rooted in neighborhoods, and I will continue to find ways to make them a focus for our City’s policies while also looking to bring smart, economic development projects to the City.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Fiscal Management - The Council will grapple with tough budgets! It will take experience and discipline to adopt budgets over the next few years to maintain the lowest tax rate consistent with sustaining our outstanding services.

Economic Development - We must continue to focus on a vibrant economic development program to continue providing outstanding services. Our strong economy permits us to have low tax rates. Continued redevelopment of the Fairfax Boulevard (Route 50) corridor will place the City in a strong position to continue providing those services and to be able to compete in the region.

Quality Education - We must continue to work with our School Board to provide the necessary funding and keep our four schools in outstanding condition. It is time, again, to look at renovating our elementary schools to ensure our facilities are ready to provide our students with meaningful and cutting-edge learning experiences. Equally important – we need to look at all school facilities, creating sustainability options to bring us into the future.

Transportation - Dedicated regional transportation funding now available to the City will enable us to focus on projects and initiatives that will help manage traffic in our community and support our outstanding CUE bus service.

Growth - The City will continue to see redevelopment, but we have to be smart about what we want. I favor smart growth with the appropriate size and scale that meets the needs of the City and our residents. We must work with property owners to renovate and occupy vacant retail spaces throughout our community

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My reasons for running today are the same as they were in 1994: my love for the City, my desire to help people, and my belief in giving back to my community. I have a record of demonstrated, effective, leadership while previously serving on the Council for 24 years. I have worked to maintain and improve the quality-of-life residents have come to enjoy. I respectfully ask you to continue to place your trust in me and vote for me for your City Council by voting before, through early or absentee ballot, or on November 8.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You won’t please everyone, no matter how hard you try.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’ve been a leader in our community for over 30 years. From preserving historic Blenheim to expanding ballfields, creating the first park with ADA play equipment, creating the City’s first community gardens, expanding walking/biking trails, and successfully bringing new businesses to the City of Fairfax, I have the proven track record we need on the next City Council.

Related:

• 2022 Candidate Profile: So P. Lim Running For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Joseph Harmon Running For Fairfax City Council
• Fairfax City Residents Meet One-On-One With Mayor, Council Candidates
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Jon R. Stehle Jr. For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Ana Renner Running For Fairfax City Council
• Fairfax City Residents Meet One-On-One With Mayor, Council Candidates
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Billy M. Bates Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Craig Salewski Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Tom Ross Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Kate Doyle Feingold For Fairfax City Council