Fed Up Citizens to County Board: Scrap the Pike Trolley and Artisphere - Pave Arlington's Crumbling Streets Instead !

Hello, Yupette,

I am totally disgusted with Zimmerman and his Groupies who put their own wants, special interests, and corporate cronies first on their priority list.

I own a bicycle and bicycle to work at least once a week.

People, our streets and roads are crumbling. They're a hazard to bicyclists and pedestrians and will soon be a hazard to motorists.

Where are our tax dollars going? Not on basic infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Our taxes are being spent on sports, recreation, and entertainment projects promoted by Zimmerman, Fisette, Tejada, and Hynes. Latest from Fisette is another live theater to compete with the Artisphere. Latest from Tejada is a regulation indoor soccer field to be constructed at Long Bridge Park. And, according to County Transportation Staff, the projected cost of Zimmerman's Pike trolley has reached $300 million.

These four turkeys are going to meet tomorrow with their so-called County Manager (who told them when they hired her that she would never move to Arlington, no matter how much they paid her) to approve their '2012 Management and Planning Work Plan'. A plan for more trolleys, soccer fields, swimming pools, and live theater. Maybe 'Libby' will join them. After all, she went right along with Zimmy's plans for the Wakefield Recreation, Entertainment, Sports, and Remediation Center.

Karen S. 22206

VDOT Presented 3 Major Options for I-66 to Transportation Commission

Hello Yupette,

On January 26th VDOT presented three major 'preliminary mobility options' for I-66 to to Arlington Transportation Commission. They are:

A. HOV Restrictions

I-66 lanes in both directions are designated Bus/HOV during peak periods. No new lanes added. In the peak direction, all lanes are Bus/HOV3+ only during peak periods (no change from CLRP). In the reverse peak direction, all lanes are Bus/HOV 2+ only during peak periods. In off-peak periods all lanes are open to all traffic.

B. I-66 Bus/HOV/HOT Lane System

Converts I-66 into an electronically tolled Bus/HOV/high occupancy toll (HOT) roadway.

Testing two options: (1) no new lanes (2) one new lane in each direction. Single occupancy vehicle (SOV) and HOV 2 vehicles tolled. Bus/HOV 3+ vehicles - no tolls. Tolls applies to all lanes in both directions, 24/7.

C. I-66 Capacity Enhancement

Two options that add a lane in both directions:

Option 1:

Peak hours, peak direction - New & Existing lanes Bus/HOV 3+
Peak hours, reverse peak direction - New lane Bus/HOV2+; Existing lanes general purpose.

Option 2:
Peak hours, peak direction - New & Existing lanes Bus/HOV 3+
Peak hours, reverse peak direction - New & Existing lanes general purpose

No restrictions in the off-peak period in both options.


[I-66 Arterials]
E. Arterial Capacity Enhancement

Enhance U.S. 50

Apply access management principles

Implement bus-only lane in each direction and improve bus service in the corridor (e.g., Priority Bus with 10-minute headway)

Bus lane may be introduced by utilizing the shoulders on U.S. 50.

Although coded as Priority Bus, this option will also reveal if demand warrants a higher-capacity mode such as light rail.


These are the major options, see VDOT's Web site for the other mobility options.

Thanks for your blog.

2100

Kelly, Arlington Republicans Moving to the Right

Hello Yupette,

More than 4,300 Arlington voters (and it appears that many who voted are Independents) turned out on a miserable day to participate in the Democratic Caucus.

But what about the Arlington Republican Party and it's candidate for County Board, Mark Kelly?

Mark is no longer employed by the Heritage Foundation. He now works on the Hill as Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Tim Huelskamp. Congressman Huelskamp is a Tea Party Republican who is way to the right of the Republican leadership in the House. He represents the 1st Congressional District of Kansas.

So what kind of legislation is Congressman Huelskamp sponsoring? An amendment to the 2012 Defense Department Appropriations Act that would prohibit Navy Chaplains from performing same-sex marriages. A bill that would prohibit the NRLB from certifying labor elections. An omnibus agricultural bill that would remove most EPA restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, pesticides, and particulates.

Oh, although Congressman Huelskamp doesn't want any restrictions on gun ownership, he hasn't sponsored a bill defunding ATF - yet.

So that's who Mark Kelly works for now. Thanks for your blog.

Bethany

Bondi Lists D.C. 'Nonprofit Roundtable' As Only Economic Interest

Hello Yupette,

A perusal of Melissa Bondi's 2012 Statement of Economic Interests, filed with the Clerk of the Arlington County Board on December 13, 2011, shows that Bondi listed the Nonprofit Rountable of Greater Washington, where her position is Project Coordinator, as her only economic interest.

She responded to 'personal interest' questions as follows:

A. My personal interests are:

1. Residence, address, or if no address, location: 2624 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington VA 22201

2. Other real estate, address, or, if no address, location: N/A

3. Name or principal business activity of each business in which stock, bond, or equity interests is held: N/A

Thanks for your blog.

anon.

No Endorsement for Democratic Caucus Candidates

Hello,

Arlington Yupette will not endorse a candidate for the Democratic Caucus scheduled for today and Saturday.

After attending three candidates debates and watching the AIM-Patch televised debate we have concluded that the Democratic candidates for County Board aren't part of the solution, they're part of the problem.

We ask that Melissa Bondi's possible violations of Virginia's election laws be investigated by the State Board of Elections. If she is to remain appointed to Arlington's advisory commissions and committees we ask that she make a full disclosure of her finances, residencies, and voting status - in Arlington and elsewhere.

We cannot endorse Libby Garvey, Peter Fallon, or Melissa Bondi. They have served on boards, commissions, and committees for over a decade. They don't take responsibility for the problems they helped create.

Kim Klingler and Terron Sims have also served on several major advisory commissions and committees. But this service hasn't translated into significant improvements in the overall quality of life for Arlingtonians, nor in significant improvements in fiscal accountability and public safety.

For these reasons we will not endorse a Democratic candidate for County Board in this week's Democratic Caucus.

A.Y.

Mark Kelly Will Be Lone Republican Running in March 27th Special Election

Hello Yupette,

News from the Arlington County Republican Committee is that Mark Kelly was the lone Republican candidate to file for County Board as of noon today. So it's likely the Republicans will cancel their caucus and Mark will be their candidate for County Board.

It's been expected that the Republicans would field a candidate this year and Mark would be that candidate. Thanks for your blog.

Jennifer

Bondi Hit With Big IRS Tax Lien

Hi Yupette,

I was researching some land records in Paulie Ferguson's office last week when an acquaintance who works for Paulie asked me if I was aware that Zimmy's heir-apparent - Melissa Bondi - was hit with a huge lien against her home ($19,252.23 to be exact) by the IRS last March 29th.

Very interesting. Didn't Paulie Ferguson endorse Melissa, along with Zimmy and Walter Tejada? What's THIS all about? Sheesh.

Ken

DOD Reductions Mandate An End To Extravagant County Board Spending

Hi Yupette,

The Defense Department is facing significant reductions in its budgets over the next decade, totaling $487 billion. The Army alone will be cut by 14%.

Time for a moratorium on any new spending by the County Board for new vanity projects - Pike trolley, purchase and renovation of a $25 million office building, spending $100-$200 million more on Long Bridge Park, continuing to operate the Artisphere, and so on.

Added to the DOD budget cuts are a freeze in pay for civilian federal workers and anemic creation of good paying non-federal jobs.

Only County Board candidate who I see as being responsive and responsible regarding the new economic reality is Audrey Clement. That's why I'm voting for her in March.

Linda - 22207

Odor of Burning Jet Fuel 'Overpowering' at Long Bridge Park

Hello, Yupette,

I visited Long Bridge Park on Christmas day and the odor of burning jet fuel (kerosene) was overpowering. Not hard to determine where the kerosene odor was coming from - Reagan Airport. After 15 minutes I felt sick and left the park.

Returned to Long Bridge Park today. Same overpowering odor of burning kerosene. Does the County expect kids to play soccer in that environment?

As for the park itself, appears the County spent most of the $35 million Long Bridge Park has so far cost building mountains of of dirt upon which to construct 3 soccer fields, an overlook, and a parking lot.

Terri, 22201