Meet The Candidate: Stuart Whitaker For Falls Church City Council

FALLS CHURCH, VA — In addition to voting for statewide office in Virginia, along with candidates for House of Delegates, residents of the City of Falls Church will be voting for candidates to fill seats on the city council and school board.

As part of 2021 election coverage, Patch has asked each of the candidates in Falls Church to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

This questionnaire was completed by Stuart M. Whitaker, a transportation and climate change expert who is running for the Falls Church City Council.

In-person early voting began at Falls Church City Hall at 300 Park Avenue on Sept. 17. In-person voting will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also vote in person on two Saturdays: Oct. 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Nov. 2, election day, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn more about Whitaker and why he is running for a seat on the Falls Church City Council in 2021:

Candidate:

Stuart M. Whitaker

Age (as of Election Day)

68

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

City Council

Family

Daughter Sarah Lucas, married with two daughters, teaches math. Son William works for a building supply company.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Sarah teaches public school.

Education

MBA in finance and international business; AB in politics, economics, rhetoric, and law, both from University of Chicago

Occupation

Small business owner

Campaign website

StuartMWhitaker.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

While I was privileged to grow up in the middle class, my father was a social worker running children’s homes so I was exposed to and aware from an early age of people who were less privileged than I. I’ve worked in blue collar jobs and I’ve worked in white collar jobs. I am a financial economist by training and have worked in the private sector in the us and internationally.

In 2008 the industry I was working in, yellow pages and directory assistance, imploded for three reasons. First was the great recession. Second and third were the introduction of the iPhone and the development of Google. After listening to Al Gore and the IPCC I decided to focus my efforts on climate in general and on transportation in particular.

I have worked with a number of organizations such as the Sierra Club, participated in numerous civic meetings, met with numerous elected officials, and published editorials in the Washington Post.

One of the things that economics teaches is that there is a scarcity of resources — we can’t have it all. We can however often achieve reasonable goals if we focus on them

I believe we need to devote greater efforts to climate change and social justice.

Regarding climate change, Falls Church City, like many other areas throughout the world, has failed to achieve its own greenhouse gas emissions targets. There are also other social justice targets that we have missed. The Falls Church Affordable Living Policy has been described as being “significantly off track.” Our transportation infrastructure is de facto segregated. While the City is the least racially diverse community in the region, 81 percent of Metrobus riders are minorities and 46 percent are lower income.

I am running for the City Council to help focus on climate and social justice matters.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

This election is about more than just the local City Council — it is about the region. Climate change and social justice are the two most pressing issues. I intend to work to increase efforts to address both these issues.

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

I believe we need to have a greater emphasis on climate and social justice issues.

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

We have not met our self-developed targets for emission reductions and for equal opportunities.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think local officials have done well. I support expansion of outdoor dining.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

While this is an election for the Falls Church City Council, I think it is important to keep in mind that City Council members have an important voice on regional organizations that have a great impact on residents of the City and the wider region.

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

One of my most satisfying accomplishments was working domestically and internationally with regulators and industry competitors to develop better consumer services.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Change is the only constant. -Heraclitus

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

America's founding fathers worked to design a system that would maintain balance. We must all strive to preserve balance in both politics and in the marketplace.

RELATED: VA Election 2021: Early Voting Set To Begin In Falls Church