Three new Falls Church council members took office Saturday in an inauguration that marks a major shuffling of the city’s leadership.
On the same day, a new mayor and vice mayor were instated, both of them existing council members elected to the new posts by their colleagues. Newly-minted mayor Robin S. Gardner shares no relation with her predecessor, Daniel E. Gardner, who had led the small Virginia city since 2000.
A 41-year-old Apogen Technologies executive, Robin Gardner said she plans to focus on economic development, schools, and improving communication between the city council and staff. She envisions moving the long-awaited “City Center” project that would redevelop Falls Church’s downtown area forward.
“I think we’ve reached the tipping point that something’s going to happen [on the project],” she said. “I’d like to see it happen sometime in the next two years.”
Gardner, a mother of two, was first elected to the city council in May2000.
Harold Lippman, Daniel K. Maller and Daniel X. Sze were sworn in as the council’s newest members. The three, who ran unopposed, were elected May 2 along with city council veteran David F. Snyder. The seven-member council is elected at-large for four-year terms.
M.R. Lindy Hockenberry, who taught at George Mason Middle School for 31 years, was elected as vice mayor. She and Gardner will serve in the leadership roles through June 2008.
