Once Again, F.C. Votes for Quality Schools; Beyer & Acosta Win Big

AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER voting precinct, Rep. Jim Moran and Hon. Don Beyer, running to fill the seat being vacated by Morans retirement chat with Nikki Henderson, a local civil rights activist, (Photo: News-Press)

It was yet another landslide vote in the City of Falls Church to authorize school construction bonds this week. In this Tuesdays election the vote in favor of a $15.4 million bond issue for the expansion and improvement of the Mt. Daniel Elementary School was by more than a whopping 2-to-1 margin.

It proved that once again, education is a top priority of not only the schools and students, but of voting citizens in the City, even when the economy is flagging.

In the other big news, acting City treasurer Jody Acosta won more than two-thirds of the vote to gain election to fill the unexpired term of treasurer Cathy Kaye, who resigned for health reasons earlier this year.

In June 1991, citizens in Falls Church approved the issuance of a $12.3 million bond to renovate George Mason High School, and when the margin was 62 percent to 38 percent, a banner headline in the then-new News-Press declared, Landslide!

But that margin was nothing compared to the 77 percent yes votes on a $25 million bond referendum for the construction of the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in November 2003.

This weeks margin split the difference between the other two at 68 percent yes, and it came as a mild surprise to many in the City whove been hearing a lot of noisy grumblings from certain quarters in the community.

F.C. School Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones told the News-Pressshe is delighted for the children, the staff and the community for the vote. This project is greatly needed, and weve planned for a long time. Still there were many questions as the voting approached.

Now the real work begins, she added. Weve already reached out to Grunley, our selected construction firm and will be meeting with them next week. We will be working to cement plans for packing up classrooms this summer and fine-tuning design choices so that construction can begin in the fall.

JODY ACOSTA (CENTER) CELEBRATES her victory in F.C.s treasurers race with F.C. councilmembers Marybeth Connelly and Phil Duncan at Clare & Dons Tuesday night. (Photo: News-Press)

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Once Again, F.C. Votes for Quality Schools; Beyer & Acosta Win Big