2022 Candidate Profile: Joseph Harmon Running For Fairfax City Council

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City Councilmember Joseph Harmon is running to retain his seat on the Fairfax City Council in the Nov. 8 general election.

Harmon is running against fellow incumbents Jon R. Stehle Jr., D.T. "Tom" Ross, and So. P. Lim, as well as challengers Anahita N. "Ana" Renner, Billy Bates, Kate Doyle Feingold, Craig S. Salewski, and Jeffrey C. Greenfield for one of the six seats on the council.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the city council race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Joseph Harmon

Campaign Website

josephharmon.com

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

Father of three adult children: Erin (U.S. Air Force); Shannon (Graduate, University of Mary Washington); and Nathan (U.S. Marine Corps)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

MBA, Averett University

Occupation, please include years of experience.

Small Business Owner and IT Project Manager, 30 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Fairfax City Council

Why are you seeking elective office?

I would be honored to continue serving the citizens of Fairfax City. We still have work to be done regarding our land use Small Area Plans. I was a member of the Planning Commission when our current Comprehensive Plan was written, so I am well-versed in the land use planning process. I would like to continue to serve the city regarding maintaining a balance between slow growth and our existing neighborhoods.

The single most pressing issue facing the City of Fairfax is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Pressing Issue: Maintaining our neighborly small-town charm.

I intend to continue address the balance between slow growth and our neighborhoods. We must remain commercially competitive with the surrounding area, and at the same time retain the character of what makes Fairfax City unique. We are first and foremost a community of neighborhoods, so we need to maintain that sense of place while looking into the future.

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

I have a unique perspective on balance between competing visions of Fairfax City. I was not born and raised here, but have chosen to be here and raise my children here. Fairfax City is the best small-town in America. I take a common sense approach to land use issues and consider all sides of an issue before making a balanced decision.

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

I have served the citizens of Fairfax City through boards, commissions and currently on city council since 2001. I understand the history of Fairfax City and have a balanced vision on what the city needs to maintain going into the future.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Your calendar reflects your priorities.

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

Life is short and full of obligations, so do what you want to do as much as possible. Serving another term on Fairfax City Council is something I want to do and I would be honored to serve another term.

Related:

• 2022 Candidate Profile: So P. Lim Running For Fairfax City Council
• Fairfax City Residents Meet One-On-One With Mayor, Council Candidates
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Jon R. Stehle Jr. For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Ana Renner Running For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Jeff Greenfield Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Billy M. Bates Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Craig Salewski Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Tom Ross Runs For Fairfax City Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Kate Doyle Feingold For Fairfax City Council