Matt Kelley is one of two candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot running for the Ward Three seat on the Fredericksburg City Council.
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Matt Kelley’s top priority is managing sustainable growth that is compatible with Fredericksburg’s unique small town historic character, which can be enjoyed by all who live and work there.
“What is required is action, not more words,” he said. “When it comes to protecting the city’s unique character there are specific actions recommended in our Comprehensive Plan, Preservation Plan, Regional Affordability Action Plan, etc. which were adopted after extensive community engagement. Yet those recommendations have not been implemented in some cases because they do not align with the current council’s thinking.”
Kelley is running in the Nov. 4 general election for the Ward Three seat on the Fredericksburg City Council. He faces opponent Susanna R Finn. Early voting begins on Friday, Sept 19.
As part of its coverage of the 2025 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in the Fredericksburg City Council race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they’re the best person to fill the job for which they’re running. The following are Kelley’s responses.
Name
Matt Kelley
Position Sought
City Council, Ward #3
Age
67
Family – Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.
Wife Cindie, retired school teacher. Daughter Tara, lab manager, Son Brion, US Army. Son Joshua Public Relations. Six grandchildren–Zuri, Emmanuel, Tullia, Julianna, Kendal, and Sean.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you’re a candidate in.
No
Education
BA in Hsitory, Mary Washington College
Occupation
Multi-line insurance adjuster (41) years, retired
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office
City Council, Ward #3-2002-2010. City Council, At-Large 2012-2023
Why are you seeking elective office?
I am running to ensure that as Fredericksburg continues to grow that it is compatible
with the city’s unique and historic character. As this region continues to grow that
character becomes more valuable bringing visitors and business wishing to escape the
intensive development around going on around the city. Unfortunately, the City Council
seems intent on replicating that model- increasing density, allowing out-of-scale growth
to create an urban hub leaving residents facing congestion and covering the costs for
needed infrastructure to support it. And as they are moving in this direction resident
concerns, and questions are ignored or belittled.
The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend
to do about it.
As noted above, managing sustainable growth that is compatible with Fredericksburg’s
unique small town historic character which can be enjoyed by ALL who live and work
here.
What is required is action, not more words. When it comes to protecting the city’s
unique character there are specific actions recommended in our Comprehensive Plan,
Preservation Plan, Regional Affordability Action Plan, etc. which were adopted after
extensive community engagement. Yet those recommendations have not been
implemented in some cases because they do not align with the current council’s
thinking.
To answer the question of what I intend to do is to implement the actions this community
endorsed.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking
this post?
From a governance perspective I have been engaged much longer in this community
and in dealing with the issues it faces. I also see the importance of engaging the
community, not putting my views first. From the vision perspective, I believe the city’s
quality of life is tied to its unique character and not trying to recreate the development
that now stretches from Maine to Florida.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed
the community?
When my opponent was appointed by the City Council the city was dealing with the data
centers. Instead of insisting on a robust community outreach effort to answer questions
and address community concerns she joined her fellow council members in fast-tracking
the approval process.
And now, as a second data center project has come forward, she continues to stonewall
her constituents. She has not provided any details on her thinking on the project and is
now allowing a process that will ensure that a final vote on the project will not be taken
until after the November election.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
City Council should be transparent and actively engage residents on the issues.
Instead, they have ridiculed those who don’t agree with them, failed to provide
information when requested, and have not addressed residents’ concerns and
questions. A classic example of this is the council’s handling of the Mary’s Landing
project and data centers.
Fredericksburg needs “balance.” Residents are rightly concerned that this current
7-0 Council and their candidate successors are going to change the city by allowing
high density development throughout the city which ignore the zoning in their
neighborhoods, as happened with the ‘Mary’s Landing’ project and Data Centers.
Residents moved here to get away from the Northern VA density. We need to focus on
maintaining the city’s unique character, ensuring that future development is compatible
with it.
Affordability is an issue that needs to be addressed. Building more is not helping
the situation but rather making it worse. We need to maintain our diverse housing stock
and adopt proven solutions to deal with affordability as outlined in the Regional
Workforce Housing Action Plan. We do need to look at this issue regionally.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle
this job?
Some would be my involvement in negotiations and passage of the river easement to
protect the Rappahannock River. Chairing the committee that drafted the region’s first
Housing Affordability Action Plan helping to secure $5 million in housing funding.
Involved in setting up the city’s first Homeless shelter. Chaired committee that drafted
the city’s Historic Preservation Plan and Archaeology Ordinance. Working on and
securing a multi-use stadium bringing the Fred Nats to the city. Successfully advocated
for and secured a timetable for additional VRE commuter trains as part of the state
transit initiative. Involved in planning and construction of the downtown parking garage
and hotel, two schools, and the police and bus station.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
To accomplish anything, you need to have ALL parties at the table at the beginning of any discussion on an issue. In this way you learn of perspectives you may not have considered. You can take advantage of expertise you do not have. And through the process of answering questions and addressing concerns you build consensus and the best possible solutions come forward. This has been the guiding principle in my service to Fredericksburg.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have raised a family in the city, been a renter, a homeowner, lived for a time paycheck
to pay check, and now living on a fixed income. I’ve coached Parks and Rec sports, served on Civic Association Boards and other civic organizations. I have been involved in working on city issues in different capacities since graduating from May Washington College. These experiences allow me to look at issues from different perspectives, how to bring resources to the table to get results, and ensure that I represent the interests of ALL the residents of the city.
Also See …
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Jesse Dominguez Running For Fredericksburg City Council: Questionnaire