Thursday, November 24, 2011

Euille, Wash Post Company, Chamber of Commerce, Local Media Push Alexandria Mega-Development

Hello, Yupette,

Latest news from Alexandria is the Mayor-Developer Bill Euille, the Washington Post Company, the local media (Alexandria Times, Gazette-Packet), and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce are pushing for massive redevelopment of Alexandria's waterfront over the increasingly vocal objections of the Citizens for An Alternative Alexandria (CAAW). Battle is between pro-megadevelopment corporations like the Post Company and citizens who are looking to keep Old Town Alexandria a liveable community (waterfront parks, museums, citizen access to the Po5omac River). The Post Company is pushing for megadevelopment to compensate for lagging revenue from its media operations. Local weekly newspapers, like the Times and Gazette-Packet, are recovering from years of depressed advertising revenues and concur with the Post. As usual, there is no philanthropy or any sense of noblesse oblige evidenced by any of the corporate waterfront property owners.

Alex.

Monday, November 21, 2011

House SuperCommittee Impasse Mandates A Fiscally Responsible Arlington County Board

Hello, Yupette,

Looks like the Repubs and Dems are at an impasse about Federal spending over the next five years. So, if GS salaries are going to be frozen and federal spending around the Beltway is going to be drastically cut, why are Arlington residents still supporting the profligate tax-and-spend agenda of Chris Zimmerman and the Arlington County Board? And, why support the welfare-for-the-wealthy Arlington County Republican agenda, which includes unlimited tax dollars for warfighting in third world ratholes?

Only County Board candidate who cares about us - residents, voters, and taxpayers - is Audrey Clement. That's why I'm voting for her again next year for County Board.

Joan - 22207

Developers to Dictate Crystal City Mega-Development

Hello Yupette,

Out-of-state developers (e.g., Vornado) and their out-of-state law firms (e.g., Venable) got together with non-resident County Staff (e.g., CPHD Director Robert Brosnan) to re-codify the Crystal City zoning ordinance amendments to provide for block-by-block redevelopment of Crystal City, rather than through a previously agreed upon phased development site plan. Maximum density will vary from block to block, with no maximum density established by the County Board. This Christmas gift for Vornado is going to the Planning Commission on November 28th and to the County Board on December 10th for rubber-stamp approval. Check out agenda Item 38 on the County Bord's November 19th agenda, including a video discussion via the County's Web site.

BTW, no one from Crystal City, Aurora Hills, or Arlington Ridge bothered to show up on Saturday when this item was discussed by the County Board.

2100