Meet The Candidate: Debbie Hiscott For Falls Church City Council

FALLS CHURCH, VA — In addition to voting for the president and vice president, U.S. senator and U.S. representative in the Nov. 3 general election, residents of the City of Falls Church will be choosing from three candidates to fill a vacant seat on City Council. The seat had been occupied by Council Member Dan Sze, who died in July.

As part of 2020 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 Debbie Hiscott, the executive director of the Falls Church Education Foundation who is running for City Council.

Local races (including city and towns councils, mayors and school board)

Candidate

Debbie Hiscott

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Town/City of Residence

Falls Church

Office Sought

Local races (including city and towns councils, mayors and school board)

If you are running for a local office, or in a district, region or ward, please specify. (District 1, Ward 3, etc.)

Falls Church City Council

Party Affiliation

Non-partisan race

Family

Stephen Hiscott - 51, Hannah Hiscott - 21, Claire Hiscott - 20, Maryn Hiscott - 17

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

UNC - Industrial Relations, Psychology, Economics; London School of Economics - semester on labor economics

Occupation

Executive Director of the Falls Church Education Foundation - 8 years

Campaign website

debbiehiscott.org

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

none

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

The pandemic recovery is the top priority for Falls Church City, from a health and economic perspective. If elected, I will continue to work with local businesses on providing flexibility to maximize their ability to create income; work with landlords on rent relief, and work with our Economic Development Authority on additional ideas for business. On a personal health front, I will continue to work with Fairfax Health authorities, the superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools, and city staff to protect the health of the employees while also focusing on opening/re-opening strategies.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I am in support of Black Lives Matter and support the right of individuals to protest. I see them as critical discussions that will move our country forward.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

I do not like the term "defund" as it paints of picture of absolutely no police and lawlessness. That said, I am strongly in favor of reviewing current policing practices and structures and in looking at the allocation of resources across mental health and social work professionals to handle calls that may be better served by those individuals rather than police.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

The federal response has not been strong enough in the pandemic, as evidenced by the infection rate and death toll when compared to other countries. I support limiting non-essential businesses, while working with them to creatively address providing services. I am in favor of a nationwide mask mandate. In my role as Falls Church City councilor, I would be responsible for enacting the advice of the Fairfax health authority, the FCCPS superintendent and school board as well as getting input from the local business community and city staff.

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

I have over 24 years of direct experience and proven community leadership in the City of Falls Church, corporate finance and business development background, extensive experience and strong skills with budgeting for corporations and non-profits, and have spent nearly a quarter of a century developing relationships across the leadership of Falls Church City as well as its citizens. My skill set includes working collaboratively with individuals and groups to affect change. I worked with a PAC that helped successfully pass the new high school bond referendum; I have decades of experience with leadership on environmental and equity topics within Falls Church City. I have practical and proven leadership and unparalleled experience within the City.

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

n/a

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am also concerned about environmental stewardship and equity. I have focused much of my work over the past 24 years on doing both. I've promoted and supported the new high school as a geothermal, net-zero, LEED Gold building. I've also worked creating hydroponic/aquaponic systems within our middle and high school. I've worked in my role at the Falls Church Education Foundation to promote a future sustainability academy, as so much of our planet's future depends on the education of the current school-aged generation. I have personally focused on having a healthy environment as well as can be evidenced by my home, with maximum pervious surfaces and minimal grass. As for equity, in my role at the FCEF, I have focused our mission on the equity of access. We have provided access to food, technology, housing, clothing, books and, during the pandemic, over $120,000 in emergency food funding. I've also served on a Cultural Heritage and Equity team for almost eight years, raised funding for LGBTQ presentations, special education and music therapy. Additionally, I believe that we need to focus on affordable housing to increase the diversity of the population and provide a better continuum of socio-economic diversity.

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

As the Executive Director of the Falls Church Education Foundation for the past eight years--for 95% of that time the only employee--I have worked with a volunteer board, the business community, individual donors, grant organizations, and city leadership to raise and award nearly $2M to support the local public school system. My ability to work with a full spectrum of interests and to deliver value to all constituencies proves my ability to work throughout the city to better Falls Church and support those in our community. Additionally, I have over two decades of volunteer work as a leader in the PTAs, on the coaching fields, and within the community as a supporter of varied organizations such as the Falls Church Homeless Shelter, Homestretch and the Tinner Hill Music Festival. Additionally, I have extensive background, not only in this non-profit organization, but also in small women owned businesses and in senior management in a Fortune 500 company focusing on business development and corporate finance.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I would consider it a success in this one year term to work through a FY2022 budget, to further the work on the development of the West Falls Church project, and to incorporate a lens of equity throughout the city boards, commissions, and city/school partnership.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters can trust me as most of my work for the past 24 years has been within the City of Falls Church, and many have been able to work with me and see results. If a voter has not interacted with me in a volunteer or professional role, I likely can point them to a mutual friend who would be able to share their trust in my ability to work with all kinds of people to get things done.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As a 24 year homeowner and tax payer in the City of Falls Church, and as a near-empty nester, I am concerned with holding the tax rate steady as possible, given the financial impact of the pandemic. I believe in the government funding strong public schools and city services, while it has also proven important to be fiscally conservative to ensure that we are prepared for the unexpected, such as the impact of Covid.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

There is not.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"We can do hard things." - Glennon Doyle. It is difficult to run for office, to open yourself up and be vulnerable in your own community in which you've lived, worked and raised your family over 24 years. It is difficult to talk about yourself when you are so used to speaking on behalf of others. It is challenging to work on complicated issues and keep everyone, your local businesses, your friends, the community happy. But we can do hard, and critically important, things.

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

I care about equity, including and beyond affordable housing, the environment, smart growth, small businesses, and strong schools and city services. I want to use my 24+ years of living, learning, listening, volunteering and working on behalf of the "Little City" to good use on our City Council. I believe my skills and experience are a combination that will add to the current city council and get the necessary work done for this one year term. Please vote Debbie Hiscott for Falls Church City Council!