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Great Falls, Virginia · Community Advocacy

Your Voice for a Stronger, Better Great Falls

Citizens for Great Falls is a nonpartisan, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the character, natural beauty, and quality of life in our community.

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1
Year
Celebrating Our
First Anniversary
One year of advocacy,
community, and civic action
100%
Volunteer driven
22066
Proudly rooted in Great Falls

Happy First Anniversary, Citizens for Great Falls!

One year ago, a group of passionate neighbors came together with a shared vision — to make Great Falls an even better place to live. Thank you for your support, your voices, and your commitment to our community.

Our mission: To advocate for responsible land use, environmental stewardship, and transparent local governance — keeping Great Falls the exceptional community it is for generations to come.

What we do
Our Focus Areas

We engage on the issues that matter most to Great Falls residents.

Environmental Protection

Safeguarding the Potomac River corridor, green spaces, and natural resources that define our community.

Land Use & Planning

Monitoring development proposals and advocating for responsible zoning that reflects community values.

Civic Advocacy

Engaging county officials, attending public meetings, and amplifying resident voices on local decisions.

Transportation & Safety

Working toward safer roads, pedestrian paths, and thoughtful traffic solutions for our rural character.

Education & Schools

Supporting excellence in local education and keeping schools at the heart of the community.

Community Events

Bringing neighbors together through forums, cleanups, and events that strengthen local bonds.

News / Articles

CITIZENS FOR GREAT FALLS APPLAUDS GOVERNOR SPANBERGER'S VETO OF CASINO LEGISLATION —

Peter Falcone | Published on 4/16/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2026

CITIZENS FOR GREAT FALLS APPLAUDS GOVERNOR SPANBERGER'S VETO OF CASINO LEGISLATION — BUT WARNS THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER

CFGF Celebrates Victory as Citizens' Voices Prevail Over Big Money Interests

GREAT FALLS, VA — Citizens for Great Falls today congratulated its members, allied organizations, and the thousands of Fairfax County citizens whose emails, letters, and calls to the Governor's office helped deliver a decisive victory for local communities. Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation that would have required the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to call a referendum vote on a casino in Tysons Corner, regardless of the Board's explicit opposition.

"This is a victory for every Fairfax County resident who refused to be steamrolled by well-financed special interests," said Jennifer Falcone, Secretary of Citizens For Great Falls. "When citizens organize, show up, and make their voices heard, democracy works. That is exactly what happened here."

Citizens for Great Falls praised the thousands of concerned Fairfax residents who flooded the Governor's office and their legislators with emails and letters demanding that local communities — not Richmond lobbyists — have the final say over what gets built in their neighborhoods. Their sustained and passionate engagement throughout this legislative session made an unmistakable difference.

In explaining her decision, Governor Spanberger noted that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors had explicitly opposed the legislation and that an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax County voted against it. The Governor further affirmed that local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every other locality in the Commonwealth that now operates a casino.

Citizens for Great Falls also expressed gratitude to the members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors who stood firm in the face of enormous pressure from the gambling industry and its allies, and to the legislators from Northern Virginia who refused to deliver their constituents' communities to casino developers.

However, Citizens for Great Falls issued a clear warning: the battle has been won, but the war is far from over.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who championed the casino legislation for two consecutive sessions, has already indicated that he plans to bring the matter back in the 2027 General Assembly session. True to form, Surovell vowed after the veto, "I will not stop… We will be back."


"Senator Surovell's determination to pursue a casino over the clear and repeated objections of Fairfax County residents is deeply concerning," said Falcone. "The money behind this effort is substantial, the lobbying is relentless, and the developer backing this proposal has made enormous political investments to see it through. We are calling on every resident who cares about the future of this county to stay engaged, stay organized, and be fully prepared to relaunch our efforts the moment another version of this bill is introduced. We stopped them once, and we will stop them again."

Citizens for Great Falls pledged to continue monitoring developments in Richmond, educating the public, and holding elected officials accountable well in advance of the 2027 legislative session. Residents who wish to stay informed and involved are encouraged to contact Citizensforgreatfalls@gmail.com for updates.

About Citizens for Great Falls Citizens for Great Falls is a civic organization dedicated to preserving the character, quality of life, and community values of Great Falls, Virginia, and its environs to ensure that the voices of Fairfax County residents are heard and respected in the halls of government.

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