Discussion on How City Can Increase Diversity Among City Representation Wednesday

Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne says it is time that the City diversifies the races, backgrounds, physical abilities and sexual orientations of those serving on its committees and commissions - so, this week, he is doing something about it.

This Wednesday, Silverthorne invites all to a special meeting on how to encourage more residents of varying races and ethnic backgrounds to serve on boards and commissions. 


The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway.

The mayor has invited J. Walter Tejada, chair of the Arlington County Board, to speak on how Arlington has successfully encouraged diversity in the past.

"Our diversity population is growing, and I feel it's important that we engage everybody in the community - because this is all of our community - and encourage everyone to be a part," Silverthorne told Patch. "I think it can help make the city a stronger, better place overall."

Silverthorne said, currently, 95 percent of elected officials and residents who serve on City committees and comissions are white - yet, roughly 40 percent of the city's residents are non-white.

"We have a big delta there," he said. 

"It's one of my biggest goals as mayor - to get everybody involved. Because, it's everybody's community, and I want everyone to have a say in it."

"You can't miss out on 40 percent of the population," he added.

Silverthorne said Tejada will speak for about 30 minutes, and then a question-and-answer and comment session with attendees will take place for about 60 minutes.

TELL US - Do you think encouraging diversity among elected officials and City committees and commissions is important? How do you think the City should go about it? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

FOLLOW FAIRFAX CITY PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!