Democrats Play Race Card Against Streetcar Alternatives

Hi Yupette,

I was shocked to see and hear Arlington Democrats play the race card against state-of-the-art cost-effective bus alternatives to the Pike streetcar Arlington and Fairfax County Democrats have been lobbying for the past 6 years.

The County Board not only cast thinly-veiled racial and ethnic slurs against the present ridership of Columbia Pike buses at it's July 24th meeting, when it voted for streetcars on the Pike, but the Democratic Machine is looking for a means of creating a racially segregated transit system on the Pike - old buses on the Pike for minority group members and new streetcars for upscale whites using exclusionary tactics like pre-payment with a major credit card required to board a Pike streetcar, and gentrification of all minorities out of the Pike corridor.

You can see the racist and elitist Democratic thinking about Pike transit summed up in the racist and elitist Falls Church News-Press  last week (no news or news photos about ethnic or minority group members appear at all in any given week). Just check out the  "Our Man in Arlington" column, written by one of ACDC's Senior Ward Heelers.

Not only will the Pike be resegregated through gentrification but Pike streetcars are going to essentially be "Whites Only".

Pike Rider
Barcroft Apts.

Fairfax Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda - Skepticism About Streetcar, Significant Differences Compared to the Arlington County Board

Hi Yupette,

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors did not rubber stamp the Pike - Skyline streetcar on July 31st. Supervisors Frey and Herrity (Republicans) questioned the benefits versus the cost (about $50 million) of the Skyline portion of the Pike streetcar system and voted against the streetcar.

I  perused the entire agenda for the July 31st meeting. There are significant differences in the way the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors governs compared to the Arlington County Board. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is much more people-oriented and much more likely to join with state and federal agencies and other jurisdictions in joint programs that benefit residents. For example, unlike Arlington, you do not have to be a VIP Smart Growth Facilitator to be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for achievements that benefit Fairfax County and its residents. It was interesting to see that Fairfax County increases fines for speeding through designated residential neighborhoods as part of neighborhood traffic calming. Fairfax County joins in compacts and working relationships with outside agencies and organizations that benefit Fairfax County residents. But you can see for yourself if you go to fairfaxcounty.gov.

Thanks for your blog. Here's a photo of a double deck bus I would like to see on the Pike.

Mark
22204