Candidate Profile Erin Flynn Runs For Falls Church City Council

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Erin Flynn, an attorney for the federal government, is running for Falls Church City Council in the general election.

There are three City Council seats up for grabs in 2023. Flynn is one of four candidates along with incumbent Vice Mayor Letty Hardi, Tim Stevens and Justine Underhill. Mayor David Tarter and Councilmember Phil Duncan are not running for re-election.

City of Falls Church voters will have three City Council seats on the ballot as well as three Falls Church School Board seats, Virginia Senate 37th District, Virginia House 13th District, Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney and Arlington County Clerk of Court.

Early voting for the general election begins Friday, Sept. 22. More information on how to vote is available from the City of Falls Church Voter Registration and Office of Elections.

Patch asked candidates for Falls Church City Council to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Flynn's responses:

Name

Erin Flynn

Office Sought

City Council Member, City of Falls Church

Campaign Website

www.FlynnforFallsChurch.com

Age (as of Nov. 7 election)

43

Education

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School; B.A., Yale University

Occupation

Lawyer; I'm an appellate attorney and supervisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.

Family

I live in Falls Church with my husband Charlie Lord, who grew up here and graduated from City schools, and our school-aged son. After living in Washington, D.C., for many years and visiting Falls Church frequently to see Charlie's parents, we moved here to raise our son closer to family and call Falls Church home.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, I've worked in government on civil rights issues since graduating from law school fifteen years ago; Charlie also has spent his legal career in government, having first worked as a public defender, then at the Department of Labor on mine safety and whistleblower protections, and now as a federal prosecutor who specializes in environmental crimes.

Previous public office positions or appointments

n/a

Why are you seeking this office?

Residents value Falls Church for its community-mindedness, strong schools, local businesses, small-town feel, and walkable, tree-lined streets. As the City grows, I want to make sure that it responds to community concerns, makes decisions and sets policies that enjoy strong community support, and builds on our shared values to find consensus and move forward together.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

I would bring fifteen years of government experience focused on States and localities, and over seven years of managerial experience, to the City Council. In my job, I'm regularly called upon to work on complex issues and reconcile competing concerns to develop positions that enjoy broad support. I will engage the public, early and often, to benefit from a cross-section of views and secure the best possible results for our community, local businesses, and schools.

As to ongoing development, we need to gauge the effects of our growth on the City's infrastructure, services, and schools, use the full extent of the Council approval process to ensure appropriately scaled development that delivers the benefits it promises, and be proactive about retaining the tree canopy and green space (including downtown), dealing with cut-through traffic on local streets, and promoting pedestrian and cyclist safety.

What do you see as the top issues facing (your city), and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

(1) the reliable delivery of City services, including by making sure we have the workforce and infrastructure to meet basic needs -- As we grow, we must ensure the City can support that growth while maintaining reasonable tax rates, whether related to street paving, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, traffic signals and traffic enforcement, increased stormwater management and sewer shed capacity, adequate staffing in local government and schools, and public safety and emergency preparedness, among other things.

(2) appropriately scaled development that protects the pedestrian experience and accounts for increased traffic on local streets -- I believe in using the full extent of the Council approval process to secure development that is compatible with its surroundings, helps respond to our most pressing needs, deals proactively with foreseeable spillover effects on local streets and neighborhoods, and holds developers accountable to deliver successful projects.

(3) preserving the tree canopy and green space, improving stormwater management, and implementing sound environmental policy -- Residents value our tree canopy and recognize its importance to reducing air and ground temperature, managing stormwater, combating pollution, supporting wildlife, counteracting urban heat islands, and improving community health. The City can implement tree-canopy requirements in its commercial and business districts, as it's done for residential districts, and seek more trees and green space, in addition to energy efficient and sustainable buildings, in Council-approved projects. I also support action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in our Government Operations Energy Action Plan and soon-to-be-approved Community Energy Action Plan.

(4) maintaining affordable housing -- In the next several years, the City stands to lose over a hundred affordable dwelling units at Pearson Square and The Fields, when affordable units either sunset or low-income housing tax credits expire. The City should explore strategies to avoid displacing residents and losing important socioeconomic diversity despite other affordable housing efforts and recent mixed-use development.

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

Whatever the job--whether after college at The Legal Aid Society of NYC or in my legal career at DOJ--I've quickly assumed increased responsibility and become a go-to person for trusted counsel, advice, and judgment. I approach issues with sensitivity and care, solicit input and seek relevant information, and think about the broader implications of individual decisions. I'm approachable, generous with my thoughts and time, and work well with others. And I'm used to juggling multiple tasks and seamlessly working across different subject matter areas.

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

I have a proven track record of public service and would bring my legal training, analytical skills, and ability to work with others to Council. I'm confident I can make immediate contributions, foster constructive dialogue on difficult issues, and help ensure the City's long-term success as a first-rate place to live, work, and do business. I care about people, their well-being, and a sense of community. You'll see this reflected in my comments and decisions.