2022 Candidate Profile: Signe Friedrichs Runs For Herndon Town Council

HERNDON, VA — Signe Friedrichs has been a member of the Herndon Town Council since 2017 and is pursuing a new term on the council in the Nov. 8 general election.

Friedrichs is running against fellow incumbents Cesar del Aguila, Naila Alam, and Pradip Dhakal, as well as challengers Clark A. Hedrick, Keven J. LeBlanc, Stevan M. Porter, Donielle M. Scherff, and Roland B. Taylor for the six seats on the Herndon Town Council.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the Herndon Town Council race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Signe Friedrichs

Campaign Website

SigneForHerndon

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

Husband Paul. Retired submarine officer.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

Not anymore!

Education

B.A. Wellesley College; M.A University of Connecticut.

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Nonprofit and membership organizations (on hiatus), 2010-2017.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Member of Herndon Town Council (2017-present)

Why are you seeking elective office?

I care deeply about Herndon and its residents. I want to help us be even better than we are. I have served Herndon for over ten years in various capacities, and I wish to continue.

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

The most pressing issue facing Herndon is always more than one issue! We have the issues that beset most of the country, including inflation, costs of building materials, problems hiring staff, rampant speeding, reckless driving and rise in crime. At the same time, many challenges are specifically Herndon-centric, such as our aging infrastructure, unexpected cessation of contiguous sidewalks and problems with communicating with our constituents. I can't fix any national problems, but I am working with Herndon's staff to improve matters on the local level with increased speed signage, paying police overtime for enforcement of reckless driving and speeding, and thinking outside of the box in terms of hiring--we are looking at not quite so many "career civil servants," who are in high demand and low supply right now, but looking for staff who can grow into their positions. Local issues are being addressed through providing support to staff as they fulfill Council's vision. Many of the committees and conferences (such as the Virginia Municipal League) I attend put me in touch with other municipalities' staff and Councils, affording me the opportunity to bring new ideas back to Herndon.

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

I have more continuous experience in the job over the last few terms than anyone except the Mayor, which gives me the ability to draw on recent previous experiences for solutions. At the same time, I keep an open mind so we can all profit from the newer members of Council and their thoughts on how things can be done. I consistently respond to citizen concerns, not just during election time but all year round, because from the beginning I have felt that communication between Council and residents is the way to solve problems. I missed only one council meeting this term, despite the deaths of out of state friends and family, and the catastrophic accidents my mother experienced. I was elected to serve Herndon, and I take that very seriously.

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

I am not a challenger and I look forward to working with whoever is elected.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have become more and more concerned about whether our infrastructure will support future climatic conditions, and I will work with the other members of Council to make sure that staff shares its focus with future challenges as well as current problems.

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

I have been doing this job for almost six years. I volunteer extensively with organizations devoted to solving food insecurity in Herndon, the arts, literacy efforts, environmental efforts and respectful, caring communication between populations. I participate in, and now will present at professional conferences. I serve on statewide and local commissions dedicated to Economic Development and Transportation Planning. I studied for and received a certificate from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University during the pandemic, allowing me to respond positively to constituents and colleagues.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do it now, don't wait.

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

I care. One of my least favorite phrases in the world is: I couldn't care less.

Related:

• Incorrect Precinct Information Sent To Herndon, Vienna, Clifton Voters
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Roland B. Taylor Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Clark Hedrick Runs For Herndon Town Council
• Herndon 2022 General Election: Guide To Candidates, How To Vote
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Naila Alam Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Donielle M. Scherff For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Stevan M. Porter Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Pradip Dhakal For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Cesar del Aguila Runs For Herndon Town Council
• General Election 2022: Key Dates To Know In Herndon