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The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University is presenting “Governing in the 21st Century: Are Local Governments in Sync with Their Constituents?,” a candid conversation between two longtime regional leaders from neighboring jurisdictions as they prepare to leave office.
Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey and the City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson will share the stage at Van Metre Hall Auditorium at Mason Square in Arlington on Wednesday, October 9, at 7 p.m., to discuss the state of local government in Northern Virginia. The event is cosponsored by Advance Arlington, Agenda Alexandria, and George Mason’s Office of Community and Local Government Relations.
The event, which begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., is open to the public but reservations are required.
The conversation will be moderated by Alexandria Agenda cochair Michael Pope, a reporter for Virginia Public Radio, with an overview delivered by Schar School professor Alan Abramson, director of the Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise.
Topics to be discussed include:
- What is the status of the “Alexandria Way” and “Arlington Way” and constituent input?
- How has local government changed in the last several decades?
- What lessons have been learned on economic development and affordable housing controversies?
- Is there civility in public engagement in our polarized times?
- How is technology being used to engage the public?
- Does one-party control of a local government hamper compromise?