Meet The Candidate: Signe Friedrichs For Herndon Town Council

HERNDON, 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 Town of Herndon will be choosing from among 10 candidates to fill vacant seats on the Town Council. They will also choose who will be the new mayor.

Signs Friedrichs is a 58-year-old nonprofit executive director. She is running for the Herndon Town Council.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in Herndon to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Candidate

Signe Friedrichs

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Town/City of Residence

Herndon

Office Sought

Herndon Town Council

Party Affiliation

This is a non partisan race

Family

Husband Paul

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

BA, Wellesley College; MA, University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Occupation

Nonprofit Executive Director

Campaign website

SigneforHerndon.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

3 3/4 year incumbent

The single most pressing issue facing our town is recovery from the COVID pandemic, and this is what I intend to do about it.

At this point, cut spending (already in progress), try not to cut staff because of the cascading social and economic implications for us and them, help business by suspending regulations that do not affect the safety of the Town in the short term. As a last resort, cutting staff and/or raising usage fees such as water or refuse removal.

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 support justice for Black lives. Of course Black lives matter. When African Americans are treated as disposable, something inhumane and terrible has overtaken our psyche. I am inspired by the concept of being anti racist. I will scrutinize every new policy to make sure there is no inadvertent inequity. I will also not throw away the work that has already taken place to ensure an equitable Herndon for all. I am proud of our current efforts to keep Herndon inclusive, to encourage diverse communities to participate in government, and to always work toward a more careful and humane local police system. We must also remain a cohesive town, peaceful and welcoming. No town is perfect, and we are all works in progress.

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

The cost of maintaining a police force is not small. Their job is sometimes truly terrible; they are shot at, have to clean up homicides and traffic accidents, intervene in domestic violence situations. Police answer to the public as does every other public servant. Herndon’s residents of every racial and ethnic background have consistently supported our police force. Our police will be at your door in 5 minutes to help. Do we want to lose that? I don’t think so. Do we want to have more understanding of how our police force works, and more input in what they are asked to do? That is a question for the citizens of the Town. Herndon does not need to solve national problems with its police force; it needs to make sure our police operate in our interests. The campaign to defund the police may have value elsewhere, but I do not believe it does here.

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?

I think people should impose the mask mandate on themselves. There should be no need for a national mandate. I am appalled that it has become a political football. Americans need to put their own safety, and that of others first. We have been given safety guidelines; we should use them.

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

I have several years of experience on the council, I am open minded, I ask questions. I haven’t been on the Council too long and thus become resistant to change, but I have enough experience and contacts to be helpful to newer members. I love new ideas and do not resist the Future. I love Herndon’s personality and historical feel.

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 was elected by folks who want the Downtown Redevelopment, and I have not lost my zeal for the project we are working on. I am also eager to reconsider how we do business, improving systems, regulations and services. I am especially eager to increase awareness and participation in Government in an inclusive way.

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

I have been doing it for over 3.5 years.

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

Herndon continues to maintain its historical feeling while allowing reasonable growth in the Metro redevelopment area. Citizens feel heard and participate in their Town government. Herndon welcomes all of its residents and does not pick winners and losers. Residents love hanging out in our downtown and elsewhere, attending our cultural events and feel welcome and proud to live here.

Why should voters trust you?

I am honest with the voters, I tell them what they need to know, and I reach out to them when I have questions about their experiences and opinions.

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

Because the Herndon tax structure sits atop the Fairfax County tax, I feel strongly that Herndon government must be extra careful about its expenditures and taxation. We need to maximize our relationship with the County to make sure we access all the funding that is available to us from that source. Maintaining a positive relationship with the County, already very strong, must become even stronger.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Most advice only resonates with me many years after it has been given. “Eat your Vegetables,” “Only floss the teeth you want to keep.” The best one I know of at my age is “Do your homework.”

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

I believe in any situation, trusting that you will be heard, and that the benefit of the doubt will be given to your thoughts, is the only way true progress is made. If you do not trust that your ideas will be considered respectfully, why would you expose your ideas to another person? In politics it is increasingly difficult to be frank, to all our detriment. I may not agree with you but I want to know what you think and why. I currently represent everyone who lives in Herndon. I need to know about their experiences so those can inform my decisions on their behalf.