Hildie A. Carney

Candidate for City Council

Age: 72

Residence: Country Club Hills.

Education: None given.

Occupation: Consultant.

Elected offices/civic activities: Former president, Historic Fairfax City Inc.; member, Country Club Hills Civic Association; member, City of Fairfax Blenheim task force; former president, Commission for Women; former member, City of Fairfax human services board; former member, Downtown Fairfax Coalition board; former member, City of Fairfax InterService Club council; former member, Fairfax County Commission on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation; member, Fairfax Ferns Garden Club.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "The escalating value of our homes in the past two years has led to a substantial increase in our property taxes. To those of us who plan to stay in our larger homes, it poses a challenge for the pocketbook. Young parents, senior citizens and others struggle with the higher costs. I think our most urgent issue is to keep our taxes — not just our tax rate — as low as possible while maintaining our exceptional city services, small-town amenities and unique historical legacy."

Why should voters elect you? "I have played a leadership role on several important issues facing the City of Fairfax and was successful in accomplishing solutions."

Web site: None given.

E-mail address: CarneyCares@aol.com