News & Views

How Easy is it to Cast Your Absentee Ballot?

If you still have your absentee ballot and still want your vote to count, please visit 601 Caroline Street. Drop your completed ballot

The Venn Diagram Deliciously Demonstrated

A real life (and chocolatey) way of talking about the interrelated issues in the City - and how using this model can help make good decisions and make progress with strong far-reaching impacts

Jon Gerlach’s Responses to the Rappahannock Climate Mobilization Candidate Questions

Rappahannock Climate Mobilization, a local section of The Climate Mobilization. created two sets of thought-provoking questions for response from all the candidates for Fredericksburg City offices.

Local Election Update from Fredericksburg Voter Registrar

The Fredericksburg Voter Registrar has announced that in-person voting on May 19th will take place at only ONE LOCATION – Dorothy Hart Community Center (408 Canal Street)

Important Voting Update for the Fredericksburg May 5th Local Election

Yesterday, the Virginia General Assembly did NOT pass Governor Northam’s proposal to move May local elections to November. What does that mean?

Fredericksburg Community Resources - #FXBGStrong

First, I am so proud of how our community is coming together in these extraordinary times. It truly is inspiring! We are providing a single page to collect the details about the many resources put into place (or ramped up) to provide support for the people of Fredericksburg and the businesses of Fredericksburg.

Earth Day Lessons

Fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970, we had our first “Earth Day”. A celebration was planned for Saturday, April 18, at Old Mill Park. Sadly, it was cancelled, along with many other wonderful events, due to the COVID-19 crisis.

We Just Don't Know...

We just don’t know. We do not know for sure when the Fredericksburg City elections will be held. Might be November 3rd. Might be May 5th. The General Assembly will decide by April 22nd

Important Election Announcement from Jon Gerlach

The most certain thing I can say about the local elections is that they are in a state of flux. Our campaign will support the final decision on the Election Date because the health and safety of Virginia voters is of great importance.

City of Fredericksburg: Vote By Mail - Instructions

All registered voters in Fredericksburg should vote by mail. Today is the BEST day to request your ballot

Vital Signs

Yard signs are a vital part of campaigns – and one of the few things we are still able to do!

Front Porch Chat - April 1

Campaign Thoughts – What Now?

In-person events and door-knocking are the backbone of any campaign, but especially in Fredericksburg. We realized a couple weeks ago that we were going to have to adjust our approach because of COVID-19 concerns. The pivot point in my campaign came on Friday, March 13th (I’m not superstitious, but wow!), the day after our Governor announced a state of emergency in Virginia.

Census 2020 – Why The Count Matters

The Census affects Fredericksburg in ways you might not immediately recognize. It affects nearly every aspect of our lives. Federal, State and local governments, scientists, businesses, and nonprofit organizations all rely on Census data in their decision-making.

The Remarkable Resilience and Responsiveness of our Community

It’s hard to wrap our heads around the changes we’ve seen in just a week.

Our Campaign's Response to COVID-19

If you know me or have heard me speak, you know that I see the potential for Fredericksburg to be an even more dynamic, welcoming, and diverse community in which to live, visit, work, learn, and play. I’ve been saying for months that to strengthen and ensure Fredericksburg’s future, we need to start now. I have spoken frequently about the need for 21st Century Solutions for the issues our City is facing. The COVID-19 situation is an immediate threat to the public’s health, safety and welfare that we must take seriously, without delay.

"It’s All Happening at the Zoo..."

I do believe it. I do believe it’s true.

For Our Spanish Speaking Neighbors

Nos complace ofrecer una versión traducida de nuestro sitio web para nuestros vecinos hispanohablantes.

ALICE in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is well known for its many charms: history, quaint neighborhoods, parks, shopping, dining, recreation, entertainment. The people here are nice too: visitors are often struck by how welcoming and diverse our community is.

Am I running as a Democrat or Republican?

“There is no Democrat or Republican way to pick up the garbage” – Fiorello LaGuardia, Former Mayor of New York City,

On The Porch

In this month's edition of Front Porch Fredericksburg, Jon writes one of the features going deeper into who he is and why he's running for office.

Wastewater Treatment Update

Upgrading our regional Wastewater Treatment system is front and center right now. Fredericksburg City Staff have been working with Spotsylvania County officials to solve this shared issue, using a collaborative approach. The price tag will be significant, but State funds are available to help. The upgrade is necessary in order to handle future population growth while protecting the health of the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay.

State Legislative Update 2/15/2020

On Thursday February 11th, I attended “Crossover Day” at the General Assembly in Richmond – the day that the Senate and House exchange with each other the bills passed by the respective chambers. The bills “cross over” from one side of the General Assembly to the other.

Schools + City = a Better Community

A new culture of cooperation between the School Board and City Council is finally here and the result is that the City is now addressing issues of K-12 school capacity, teacher pay/retention, and workforce development cooperatively with the City Schools.

The Stormwater Crisis

Since May of last year, I’ve been working with residents of Braehead Woods and City officials to find ways to address severe stormwater issues there. I’ve met many times with residents, walked the entire drainage path through the neighborhood several times, after periods of rain and during dry periods, and met with City officials to discuss the problem and ways to solve it.

School Capacity Forums

This week, I attended two public forums about school capacity issues in Fredericksburg. These forums were hosted jointly by the City and Fredericksburg City Schools. Both events were well attended, which is very encouraging.

Environmental Roundtable

On Sunday (February 2), our campaign hosted the first in a series of roundtables: the Environmental Roundtable.

School Capacity Forums

January 27th & 29th are two Public Forums asking for public input on the school capacity problem. A short presentation and a public survey will be part of each forum.

Jon Gerlach Announces Run for City Council At-Large Seat

Original Publication Date: November 21, 2019--Jonathan (“Jon”) Gerlach, a local attorney and retired archaeologist, announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on Fredericksburg’s City Council, speaking to a group of over a hundred people at a gathering Thursday evening at Tapa Rio on Sophia Street.