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.
Attendees represented a diverse cross-section of city residents: Small business owners, representatives from the local branch of the NAACP, members of the city's Architectural Review Board (ARB), Fossil Free Fredericksburg, the development community, neighborhood associations, the arts community, Rappahannock River enthusiasts, and others who are deeply involved in bettering our City.
“One thing we all have in common is a love for Fredericksburg and a strong desire to see our community succeed -- and thrive -- well into the future. The challenges the city faces are complex and interrelated. They require thoughtful, integrated 21st Century solutions. I intend to bring robust community engagement, transparent decision making, and strong leadership to my role on City Council. I want to ensure that Fredericksburg reaches its goals and furthers our whole-community potential as we enter a new era of a changing economy, rapid growth, and environmental challenges,” says Mr. Gerlach.
Mr. Gerlach promises to focus on four broad areas, with a backdrop of transparency and fiscal responsibility:
Beth Black, the co-owner of Foode and Mercantile states, “There are a lot of reasons why I like and support Jon - I believe he's an excellent attorney and a brilliant advocate for the underserved. After many conversations with Jon, I'm aware of how passionate he is about protecting the environment, how committed he is to maintaining the character of downtown - and how forward-thinking he is regarding economic growth.”
For several years, Mr. Gerlach has devoted considerable time to roles on city boards, committees and commissions. In addition, Mr. Gerlach is actively involved with local, regional and national organizations that work toward community betterment. These include (but are not limited to):
Mr. Gerlach has been a Fredericksburg resident since 2008 and has a law practice in the City. He earned a master’s degree in Anthropology from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of Richmond.
