About Me
I’m Christina van Maanen. I’m a mom who loves Lilburn and wants to preserve its character and quality of life. I have more questions than answers, so I’m ready to ask, listen, and represent you!
I was born and raised in the South and am a proud graduate of Clemson University. After college, I spent four years working aboard cruise ships in various roles, including Assistant Cruise Director and Human Resources Manager. During this time, I traveled the world, experiencing diverse cultures and perspectives, and met my husband, Arnout, who is from the Netherlands. We lived in Europe for several years before moving back to the U.S. These experiences helped shape my understanding of what makes a vibrant, thriving community.
In 2015, we settled in Lilburn with our two boys, drawn here by the small-town feel, great schools, and strong sense of community. I believe in the importance of volunteering and community involvement, and I have served on the board of my neighborhood’s swim and tennis club, helped create a neighborhood watch, and most recently helped run a neighborhood summer swim team. My family and I love Lilburn!
I’m running for Lilburn City Council to provide the perspective of a mom and citizen who wants the best for current and future generations, and I would love your vote!
Why I’m Running for City Council
Lilburn is my home. Over the last several years, Lilburn City Council’s repeated approval for higher-density developments has overwhelmed our infrastructure, and if left unchecked, will threaten our quality of life and the small-town character of Lilburn. After attending many public meetings and talking with other concerned citizens, I decided to run for City Council.
While this issue spurred me to action, it’s not my only focus. I want to improve communication between city government and residents and listen to citizen feedback. The decisions we make today will impact the future of our city, and I want to bring a fresh perspective to City Council and help shape the future of Lilburn.
Priorities
Listen to citizens & increase engagement
City government exists to serve Lilburn residents. I will push for user-friendly ways to gather input from residents — for example, host coffee with Council members, city leaders, and interested residents and use the input from residents. I’m a big believer in volunteering, so I’ll also look for more ways to involve citizens in city activities, such as programs similar to the City of Suwanee and Gwinnett County’s Volunteer Programs.
Communicate openly & transparently
Continually improving communication with residents will help build trust and should be a priority. City business should be conducted in a spirit of genuine transparency.
Manage new development more thoughtfully
Growth and development are part of a thriving community but must be thoughtfully managed to weigh the impact on infrastructure (traffic and schools) and quality of life (green space and trees). I will push to reevaluate and update ordinances and building codes for future developments. We must balance growth and housing needs with preserving the character and livability of Lilburn.
Protect our tree canopy & green space
Our trees and green space are important to Lilburn’s small-town feel. I’ll advocate for larger green buffers between roads and new developments where possible.
Lay groundwork for a more pedestrian & bike friendly future
Yes, we need our cars, but investing in infrastructure that encourages walking and biking safely — especially between neighborhoods, parks, Old Town, and schools — contributes to a more active and connected community. I will push for walk/bike-ability to be considered in new projects where appropriate and feasible. I’ll also advocate to expand and enhance the parks and trails we all love.
Address street takeovers, loud mufflers & aggressive driving
Many citizens are concerned about these issues and their impact on public safety and quality of life. I will support Lilburn Police and engage the community on ways to address these concerns.
Connect with Christina
Interested in connecting with Christina? Would you like a yard sign? Interested in donating? Helping with the campaign? Hosting an event? Let Christina know!
