Fairfax City AMA - Ask Me Anything Session with the Mayor of Fairfax City – Catherine Read

Event Overview

Date: Monday, September 22, 2025

Location: High Side (4009 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA)

Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• 6:00 – 7:00 PM: Community Mingle (An informal opportunity to chat with Mayor Read. This hour is also a perfect time for families to bring younger kids to meet the Mayor and ask informal questions.)

• 7:00 – 9:00 PM: AMA Session

• 9:00 – 10:00 PM: Post-AMA Mingle & Networking

Foods: High Side provides complimentary hors d’oeuvres (first come, first served).

Drink: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Format of the AMA

1. Moderated Session: Questions will be pre-submitted and grouped into 4 key topics.

2. Pre-Submitted Questions: Submit your questions via Google Form. If your question is selected, you will be notified and must attend in person to ask your question directly to the Mayor. If you are a no-show, your slot will be released for a walk-in question.

3. Walk-In Questions: One walk-in question will be accepted for each topic. If a pre-selected question is forfeited due to no-show, an additional walk-in will be allowed.

4. Follow-Ups: Each topic will allow one follow-up question for clarification if time remains.

5. Time per Answer: The Mayor will have 4-5 minutes to respond to each question.

Ground Rules

1. Respectful Questions Only: No personal attacks, slurs, or disruptive behavior. Questions should be asked in good faith.

2. Stay on Topic: All questions should relate to Fairfax City issues and community life.

3. One Question at a Time: To ensure fairness, only one question per person per turn.

4. Moderator Discretion: Questions may be consolidated, rephrased, or skipped if repetitive or inappropriate.

5. Civility Rule: Encouragement and applause are welcome. Heckling, shouting down, or interruptions will not be allowed.

6. High SIde reserves the right to remove any participant who refuses to follow the rules or disrupts the event.

Topics of Discussion

The AMA session will cover four key areas of interest to Fairfax City residents:

1. Infrastructure & Development (roads, public spaces, housing, zoning, city growth)

2. Public Safety & Community Services (police, fire, emergency prep, health, senior/youth services)

3. Economic Growth & Education (small businesses, tourism, GMU partnerships, schools)

4. Culture, Arts & Community Life (festivals, parks, arts programs, quality of life)

AMA Session Agenda Flow

AMA Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Mingle before & after)

7:00 – 7:05 PM | Welcome & Introduction (5 min)

• Moderator welcome & ground rules

• Brief remarks by Mayor

7:05 – 7:35 PM | Topic 1 – Infrastructure & Development (30 min)

• 3 pre-selected questions (~up to 5 min each)

• 1 walk-in question (~up to 5 min)

• Follow-up only if time remains

7:35 – 8:05 PM | Topic 2 – Public Safety & Community Services (30 min)

• 3 pre-selected (~up to 5 min each)

• 1 walk-in (~up to 5 min)

• Follow-up only if time remains

8:05 – 8:35 PM | Topic 3 – Economic Growth & Education (30 min)

• 3 pre-selected (~up to 5 min each)

• 1 walk-in (~up to 5 min)

• Follow-up only if time remains

8:35 – 9:00 PM | Topic 4 – Culture, Arts & Community Life (25 min)

• 3 pre-selected (~up to 5 min each)

• 1 walk-in (~up to 5 min)

9:00 PM | Closing & Wrap-Up (5 min)

• Moderator thanks participants

• Mayor’s closing thoughts

• Reminders about post-session mingle and follow-up process