Prefer to read her remarks? Keep reading for the full transcript.

Thank you all for coming. This includes those who are here virtually, I think I have some family watching me from various places, including my grandchildren Hi Jeremiah, Mikaela, Owen and Megan! And maybe my mother in Madison Wisconsin: Hi Mom!

Isn’t technology wonderful? We are so lucky to live in a time where technology can help us not only work faster and better, but also bring us closer.

And you only need to read the front page of the paper any day of the week to see how lucky we are to live in a democracy that works well – we have an election and a simple swearing in ceremony and leadership continues. Of course, those of us who live in Arlington County are very fortunate indeed.

I feel very blessed to be able to continue to serve as an elected official for this community.

As you know, I come to this new position after 15 years on the School Board. It has been a true honor, privilege and real pleasure to serve on the School Board. Some of our staff and my school board colleagues are here and I assure everyone that our school system is in very good hands with my board colleagues, our superintendent and his wonderful staff.

I want to express my gratitude and deep respect for them and for all our teachers, principals, support staff, and administrators who serve our children each and every school day, always committed to doing whatever it takes to help our students learn, and often performing small miracles that improve the lives of our children and their families.

I look forward to now joining Mary, Chris, Jay and Walter in serving the County in new ways. I look forward to working with our outstanding County Manager, Barbara Donnellan. And with her committed and talented staff and the employees of Arlington County. I know these are the people who do the work needed to make Arlington one of the best places in the world to live.

As this is a bit of a “getting to know you” opportunity, I’d like to share with you a few words that always guide me in my public service. First is the mission statement of Marriott Corporation: “We are committed to being the best lodging and food service company in the world, by treating employees in ways that create extraordinary customer service and shareholder value.”

Obviously, our schools and our County are not Marriott Corporation, BUT, I love the simplicity of this message: it clearly says its all about the people who do the work. Our employees are where the rubber hits the road. If you have quality employees and you, as a Board member, treat them well: with good policies, clear direction and strong support, they will in turn render extraordinary service to the people we serve: the residents of Arlington County.

The other phrase I like is quite short: “don’t let good be the enemy of great” which is another way of saying, “don’t rest on your laurels.” In many ways I see our excellent and well deserved reputation for being one of the best places to live as the biggest challenge we face. We’re really good in Arlington, and we love to be forward looking, which is great, but…..it can be all to easy to forget that no matter how good we are we need to constantly examine what we do and how we do it, to make sure our core responsibilities are being met and we are serving our citizens as they want to be served.

Another good phrase is: “brevity is the soul of wit” So, we’ll keep this short. I’m leaping right in tomorrow with my first County Board meeting. As many of you know, it will be with our School Board. It’s a meeting that has been on my calendar for some time, I just haven’t been sure on which side of the table I would be sitting.

I believe Hope Halleck and Jessica Gilmore have put together some light refreshments: thank you Hope and Jessica. I hope you will all stay a bit and visit. Thank you again for coming.

I’d like to thank the voters of Arlington. It’s been an honor and privilege to serve you on the School Board, and I look forward to serving you on the County Board as well. I am ready to get to work for the residents of Arlington County as a County Board member, and I very much look forward to working with my new County Board colleagues and with the talented and dedicated Arlington County Government staff.

Arlington Democratic Chair Mike Lieberman also issued the following statement:

I want to be among the first to congratulate Libby Garvey on her election to the County Board. Libby represents the best of Arlington. Through her work on the School Board, she has helped bring to Arlington the great schools, welcoming and diverse spirit, and progressive values that make our community so special. We could not be prouder for her to now bring her talents and to the County Board.

Anyone who has worked campaigns knows that electoral victories do not happen by accident. I could not be more thankful for the hard work of the Arlington Democrats, who turned out in force for Libby by knocking on countless doors, standing at the polls in the cold, and making more than 20,000 phone calls to remind voters to come to the polls. Tonight’s victory is not only a victory for Libby but a victory for all Arlingtonians, especially those who worked so hard to reaffirm our Democratic values.

Go Libby!

Find out where you vote:
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationPollingPlaces.aspx

Need a ride? Email Arlington Dems at info@arlingtondemocrats.org, or call 703-528-8588.

This election is important not only for the future of Arlington County but also for this years November elections. We Democrats have lost 2 of the last 4 special elections. We can’t afford to lose tomorrow! We have to keep forward momentum going if we are to keep Virginia blue in November when Governor Tim Kaine and President Barack Obama are on the ballot. With your help I know we’ll come out on top and I’m excited to see all of my Democratic friends at the polls!

This is a pivotal time in Arlington. We are a vibrant, energetic community – without a doubt, Arlington is a great place to live and do business. But the years ahead present very real challenges and opportunities for our community as well as some very significant decision points for our community’s leaders.

The candidate who wins the March 27 special election will play a crucial role serving on the Board when Arlington faces critical decisions about how we manage change and opportunity in a time of limited resources. Our County Board must be clear about Arlington’s priorities and stay grounded in the fact that it serves you — the Arlington citizen. Our County Board’s priorities must be reflective of our community’s priorities.

When I came to the School Board in 1997, our capital program was a mess. Now, we have renovated and rebuilt almost every one of our schools, largely on time and on budget. The Washington Post’s Challenge Index ranks our 4 high schools in the top 1% nationally. People like Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and companies like Boeing move to Arlington, in part, for our excellent schools.

This is not a race for School Board, but the traits and characteristics of a successful Board member on an effective, responsive County Board are the same. They are:

• Establishing, and sticking to, clear goals and priorities that reflect what citizens have made clear are the most important needs of our community;
• Being transparent, monitoring progress, and reporting back to the taxpayers, even when the reports aren’t so good; and
• Being a team player who remains an independent thinker, one who speaks up, and one who questions and proposes alternatives.

For 15 years, you have seen me maintain that necessary balance. Independent, original thinking coupled with my years of service and experience is exactly the combination our community needs in our next County Board member.

I promise to continue to work for you just as I always have. And, as someone who has devoted her life to public service, first in the Peace Corps, and for 15 years on the School Board, you can be sure I am a progressive who has stood, and will continue to stand, up for our core civic responsibilities: public safety, education, transportation, physical infrastructure, affordable housing, and concern for the most vulnerable. Whether born in Arlington or a transplant from elsewhere, we Democrats share something important: a sense of community and a commitment to making Arlington a place where the system works for everyone. As we grow and change, we must keep that sense of community and shared values. That is why I’m running for County Board. If you have not already voted, please do so on Tuesday and please bring friends and neighbors with you to the polls.

Thanks, and onward to victory tomorrow!

Libby

Arlington, VA – The Farm Team and Women’s Campaign Fund endorse Libby Garvey in the March 27 special election for the County Board seat being vacated as a result of Barbara Favola’s election to the Virginia Senate.

The Garvey campaign announced the support today of two significant women’s groups: The Farm Team, which is a Virginia state-wide group, and The Women’s Campaign Fund (WCF), which supports women candidates nation-wide.

The Farm Team said in their statement that “We are confident that Garvey has the experience, knowledge and skill to serve Arlington County effectively on the Board.” Read the Farm Team’s endorsement here: http://www.farmteam.org/2012/03/20/libby-garvey-for-arlington-county-board/

WCF issued the following statement with their endorsement:

“As longstanding supporters of hers, WCF is proud to endorse Libby Garvey in her race for Arlington County Board,” said Siobhan Bennett, President/CEO of the Women’s Campaign Fund. “WCF is committed to building the pipeline of strong women leaders who support reproductive health choices and options for all, and we believe voices like Libby’s are what’s missing from government today.” Read WCF’s endorsement here: http://www.wcfonline.org/pages/candidates/2011-2012-candidates/libby-garvey.html

Garvey, currently in her 16th year on the School Board and running for the Arlington seat vacated by Barbara Favola said “I am delighted to have the support of both of these outstanding organizations who do so much to support women in the political arena.”

• Make Phone Calls – Every weeknight at ACDC Headquarters volunteers like you are calling voters to get out the word. Come by any time between 5:30 – 9:00pm to make calls.
• Canvass – Volunteers will be out knocking on voters doors both weekends. Canvasses will form up at ACDC Headquarters on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00am.
• Donate – Libby still needs your help. Donate to her campaign to help spread the word and get out the vote.
• Check the Events Calendar – There’s lots of other opportunities to help, too. Check out the ACDC Events Calendar for more ways that you can help.

Thanks for all you do! We’ll see you out there. Onward to victory on March 27th!

at The Monroe
3625 10th Street North
Arlington, VA 22201

Tuesday, March 13th 12:00-1:30 PM

Co-Host-$1,000
Sponsor-$500
Supporter-$250

One block from Virginia Square Metro
Public parking available on 10th between Nelson and Quincy

Please RSVP to info@libbygarvey.com

With that in mind I’m please to invite you to our Unity Kickoff Event with Congressman Jim Moran. I’m honored to have the support of Congressman Moran, my fellow candidates, and my colleagues on both the County and School Boards, among others. The event will be held at the home of Mary Hynes on February 17th, from 6-8pm. Details follow.

I hope you can come!

Libby

Congressman Jim moran
invites you to a Unity Kickoff Event in support of
County Board Candidate
Libby Garveyat the home of
Honorable Mary Hynes
Friday, February 17th 6:00-8:00 PM
1503 North Highland Street
Arlington, VA 22201

Host Committee:
Melissa Bondi • Peter Fallon • Kim Klingler • Terron Sims
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple
Hon. Jay Fisette • Hon. Walter Tejada • Hon. Chris Zimmerman
Hon. Abby Raphael • Hon. Sally Baird • Hon. James Lander
Hon. Emma Violand-Sanchez • Hon. Paul Ferguson
Hon. Theo Stamos • Hon. Beth Arthur • Hon. Ingrid Morroy
Hon. Frank O’Leary • Bob Platt • Rob Abbot

For details, or to rsvp, contact info@libbygarvey.com.

In-person voting at the county government building will be available weekdays until March 23rd from 8am – 5pm and on two Saturdays, March 3rd and 24th, from 8:30am – 5pm.

Those who wish to vote absentee by mail must apply for an absentee ballot by Tuesday, March 20th, and ballots must be received by 7pm on March 27th to be counted.

For more info on how to vote absentee and who is eligible, visit the Arlington County Voter Registration site here: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationAbsenteeVoting.aspx.