Friday, April 1, 2011

Federal Employees Facing 10 Days of Unpaid Furlough

Hello Ms. Yupette,

I heard from a friend who works as a legislative assistant for a Democratic senator that there is a tentative deal to avoid a shut-down of the federal government and that would mean federal employees having to take 10 days of unpaid furlough. I don't know what that would mean for Arlington's economy. Certainly the County should not be spending money foolishly. Thanks for your blog.

Pamela, Alcova Hts.

CPRO 'Bent out Of Shape' About Pike Redevelopment Critics

Hi Yupette,

FYI, CPRO (Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization) is getting all bent out of shape about anyone who opposes the massive redevelopment of the Pike, via the form-based code or otherwise. To the point that CPRO will smear anyone who questions the quality-of-life impacts of form based redevelopment on South Arlington.

Please be aware there will be a meeting at the Shirlington Library om April 7th to discuss the parking and traffic mess arising from Shirlington redevelopment. We don't need any more traffic from thousands of new parking spaces in South Arlington.

Thanks for your blog, and keep wearing that Trader Joes bag!.

S. Walter Reed Resident

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Chairman Zimmerman to 'Listen' to Arlington Business on March 31st

Hey Yupette,

So County Board Chairman Zimmerman is going to 'listen' to Arlington businesspersons tomorrow at the Clarendon Ballroom, between 7 and 10 PM.?

So, here are a few questions I'd like to ask the Reitsfuhrer:

Why did you increase the residential real estate tax rate this year? Wasn't that to fund a $5.7 million County Board 'slush fund' to buy votes from special interest groups?

Why will we have to pay $139 million to build a streetcar system for Columbia Pike that will put no more than 14 streetcars on the Pike?

Why do funds continue to be stripped from the Rosslyn BID to fund the Artisphere, and when will that end?

Why does the County Board allow the County Treasurer to build a wasteful, extravagant, and unnecessary vehicle decal program?

Why do you allow the Commissioner of the Revenue to set up a tax collection bureaucracy that competes with the State of Virginia's?

Speaking of bureaucracies. why do so many departments in Arlington's bureaucracy consist of managers and employees seeking to 'make work' to justify their continued employment?

Ted, 22205

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Two Site Plans = 1092 Residential and Retail Parking Spaces

Hello Ms. Yupette:

The Site Plan Review Committee (composed of County Board-selected 'Community Leaders' who will rubber-stamp anything Boss Zimmerman puts in front of them) approved two site plans last evening. One, Virginia Square Towers, will contain 631 residential and retail parking spaces. The other, the Rosenthal Auto Dealership site, will contain 461 residential and retail parking spaces. Total parking spaces from these two site plans is 1092.

I live off South Walter Reed Drive. We are already seeing a big influx of traffic from Shirlington redevelopment. We will soon experience a lot more traffic once the BRAC 133 complex is opened to employee on-site parking, within 6 months.

Who is looking out for us here? Certainly not the County Board and the people the County Board hires and appoints.

Cindy, Fairlington