

Citizens for a Better City
Falls Church, VA
Citizens for a Better City (CBC) was founded in 1959 in order to establish a first-class school system in our newly independent City and to identify quality candidates for City Council and School Board and help them seek election.
Today we are no longer in the campaign business, choosing instead to focus on community issues, supporting quality schools & city services and maintaining our independence as the Little City.
News Release: June 20, 2023 Citizens for a Better City Announces Candidate Integrity Pledge Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Citizens for a Better City (CBC) has been a consistent force in promoting responsible local government, outstanding public schools, and citizen involvement. Critically important to these basic principles have been regular elections for the City Council and School Board that have been accessible to all citizens, affordable, and local in character. In recent years, however, as national special interests have made incursions into local politics around the country – and, for the first time in Falls Church in the 2021 election cycle – it has become clear that our City’s elections are not immune to such influences. Alarmed by this situation – and to assure the ongoing opportunity for citizens of all economic circumstances to seek City-wide offices and maintain the spirit of locally controlled good government – CBC has developed a Candidate Integrity Pledge, which all City Council and School Board candidates will be asked to sign. The Pledge is comprised of two commitments: a Candidate Civility section stating that the signatory will campaign with the interests of all Falls Church citizens uppermost in mind and treat other candidates with respect; and, a Campaign Funding portion that asks candidates to support their campaigns only with contributions from individuals and interests within our borders (excepting close family and longtime friends). The full text of the Pledge, along with a summary of frequently asked questions, are available in the Document Center of this website . The Pledge has been reviewed and is supported by a number of local civic organizations, including: The League of Women Voters, Falls Church Forward, Falls Church Democratic Committee, and Bike Falls Church. As of this date, all four candidates for the City Council – Letty Hardi (incumbent), Tim Stevens, Justine Underhill, and Erin Flynn – and School Board incumbent, Jerrod Anderson, have said they support and will sign the Pledge; other current City Council (Debbie Hiscott and Caroline Lian) and School Board members (Laura Downs and Tate Gould) have also expressed their support. (A full list of supporting organizations and individuals can also be found on the CBC website). Now that the deadline for candidates to file for the 2023 School Board and City Council has passed, we will be asking the declared candidates to formally sign the Pledge. Acknowledging this landmark event, CBC President, Hal Lippman, noted: “We are proud that throughout our City’s history, campaigns have been conducted by-and-large in accordance with the highest standards, earning the respect and admiration of its neighbors. We sincerely hope this Candidate Integrity Pledge will help keep this stellar reputation intact.” Download and Read the Candidate Integrity Pledge Download and Read the Integrity Pledge FAQ List of 2023 Integrity Pledge Supporters
CBC Honors Debbie Hiscott with a 2023 Shout Out Award

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to our Little City, having just recently reached the ten-year milestone serving as the Executive Director of the Falls Church Education Foundation. During this time, she has overseen the development and implementation of innovative programs that have greatly benefitted Falls Church City Public Schools students, teachers, and staff and the community at large. Examples of her remarkable achievements abound, but two stand out: the Super Grants Program, which has funded hundreds of teacher training, professional development, and innovative classroom activities; and, the Family Assistance Fund which, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised more than $200,00 to support hundreds of students and families in need.
CBC Youth Reps
Our Youth Reps program matches the City's high school students with a City Board or Commission which they are interested in serving on. Click here to link to the CBC Youth Representatives Initiative.
CBC Meetings
CBC holds monthly meetings of the Ex Comm. ALL members are welcome to attend! Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of every month.