Linda Q. Smyth is a former member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the Providence district, serving from 2003 until her retirement after the 2019 election in which she was succeeded by school board member Dalia Palchik.
Linda Smyth | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from the Providence district | |
| In office December 15, 2003 – January 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Gerry Connolly |
| Succeeded by | Dalia Palchik |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 25, 1949 Cape Girardeau, Missouri |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nigel S. Smyth |
| Children | Sefton K. Smyth |
| Residence | Lake Barcroft, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis University of Virginia |
| Website | lindasmyth |
Political Career and Community Involvement edit
Linda Smyth has been a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia since 1972.
In 1999, Providence District Supervisor Gerry Connolly appointed Smyth to the Fairfax County Planning Commission to replace attorney Carl A. S. Coan, Jr.[1]
When Connolly decided to run for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors following Katherine Hanley's decision to not seek a second term in 2003, Smyth decided to seek the Providence District seat he would be vacating.[2][3]
At the Democratic caucus held in May 2003, Smyth, backed by Connolly, defeated slow growth advocate Becky Cate, who was supported by former Board Chairman Audrey Moore, and Pat Morrison.[4]
She was elected to her first term as Supervisor for the Providence District in November 2003, defeating Republican James E. Hyland, and sworn in on December 15, 2003.[5][6]
Unhappiness with development projects in Smyth's Providence District, such as in Tysons Corner and the Merrifield-Dunn Loring neighborhood, as well as the development of the MetroWest planned community near the Vienna Metro station, led to community activist Charles W. Hall challenging Smyth in the 2007 Democratic primary.[7] Smyth defeated Hall in the June primary, and went on to run unopposed in the November 2007 election.[8]
Smyth was elected to her third four-year term in November 2011, defeating Republican Chris S. Grisafe.
Currently, Smyth chairs the Board of Supervisors' Technology Committee.
In addition, Smyth is the on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Counties and serves on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board and Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.[9][10][11][12]
References edit
- ^ "Fairfax County Planning Commission: Report of Activities 1995-2004" (PDF). Fairfax County government Web Site. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Rein, Lisa (19 March 2003). "Fairfax's Hanley Forgoes Reelection Bid". The Washington Post. ProQuest 409535086.
- ^ Rein, Lisa (17 May 2003). "Democrats Face Off In Fairfax; Three Candidates Vie To Replace Connolly". The Washington Post. ProQuest 409555893.
- ^ Laris, Michael (18 May 2003). "Planner Wins Race In Fairfax". The Washington Post. ProQuest 409506047.
- ^ "Connolly declares victory in Fairfax". The Washington Times. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Supervisor Linda Smyth's Biography". Fairfax County, Virginia Web Site. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Turque, Bill (7 June 2007). "Hall Says Smyth Doing Little To Control Growth in Fairfax". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Gardner, Amy (13 June 2007). "Moderates Defeated In Va. Primary; GOP Incumbents Lose Senate Seats". The Washington Post. ProQuest 410151868.
- ^ "Virginia Association of Counties Board of Directors". Virginia Association of Counties. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Transportation Planning Board - Member List". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee - Member List". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Commissioners Listed by Jurisdiction". Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Retrieved 20 September 2015.