Make Fairfax Accessible, Safe, Sustainable For All Residents: Bonane
FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax City voters will not only be casting ballots for their representatives in Washington, D.C. in the Nov. 5 general election, they will also be voting for candidates running for mayor, city council and the school board.
The following remarks were made by Fairfax City Council candidate Amini Elizabeth Bonane, during the Sept. 25 candidate meet-and-greet at the Sherwood Center.
Instead of expressing her love of the city and listing her professional qualifications, Bonane shared a personal story of loss that she said inspires her to do anything she can to make Fairfax City accessible, safe, and sustainable for all its residents.
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Amini Elizabeth Bonane
“Many of you know me as a fun-loving, lighthearted positive person, which is true, who doesn’t take life too seriously, also true. But the reason I stand before you today running for council is a heavy and serious one .
“On Aug. 23 2016, I was sitting in my office at George Mason University when I got the worst phone call of my life. My fun-loving queer best friend since childhood had been found dead in the woods nearby.
“I was in total shock and remain in denial to this day. We had just celebrated our 21st birthdays. We had done our yearly tradition of walking over to Fairfax High School to see the fireworks. We had made plans to try the bacon flavored everything special at the Denny’s on Fairfax Boulevard.
Faisal would still be alive today if he had access to the resources readily available now in the city. Knowledge saves lives. My lifetime commitment to service has been to democratize access to these resources to the people who need it the most.
“As an advocate, I put people in touch with organizations who can help their specific needs. As an organizer, I’ve drafted policies that provide protections. As a public servant, I practice heart-centered leadership to embody the values of transparency, honesty, and accountability.
“I volunteer my time leading the homelessness task force to create a safety net for the most vulnerable – (women, children, and the elderly.)
“I volunteer my time as an ambassador for the chamber to create a reliable community for business owners.
“I volunteer my time at historic fairfax & city events because a wise man once said If you don’t know your history, you can’t know your future.
“The future of Fairfax is in your hands.
“I have a deep rooted love, pride, and gratitude to be from here. We need more leaders on the dias who have lived experience. We need leaders who listen to understand not just to respond. The precious gift of life, as we know it, is on the ballot this November. So, instead of being distracted by our differences, let’s work together to make Fairfax accessible, safe, and sustainable.
“Thank you.”
Patch is publishing a new story each day featuring remarks made by one of the candidates who spoke at the Sept. 25 meet and greet at the Sherwood Community Center, which was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area and Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.
So far, Patch has published remarks made by both candidates running for mayor, Catherine Read and Susan Hartley Kuiler, as well as two of the 11 candidates in the city council race, Stacy A. Hall, Kate Doyle Feingold and Rachel McQuillen.
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Early voting began at the Fairfax City Hall polls on Friday, Sept. 20 and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 2. Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be two Saturdays (Oct. 29 and Nov. 2) when voters can cast in-person ballots.
Patch has gathered all the information Fairfax City voters need to know about the Nov. 5 election in one place.
Additional information about the Nov. 5 general election can be found online at League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area. The league co-sponsored the Sept. 25 candidate forum with the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.
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