2010-2019 - The End of Yuppieism?

Will the next decade see an end to Yuppieism? Your thoughts.

DC Region's Future Transportation System : TBARTA.COM

Hi Yupette,

Arlington's future transportation system cannot be based upon Arlington's obsolete subway, light rail, and SOV-based surface transportation planning. To see what a state-of-the-art regional transportation system looks like, visit the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Aurhority's Web site at TBARTA.com

Mary D. aka Snow Bird Mary

Major Snowstorm Proves - Time for Major Traffic Mitigation

If nothing else, this weekend's major snow storm proves that it's time for major traffic mitigation in Northern Virginia. Your thoughts? A.Y.

County Staff Forced to Spend Hours Rehearsing Before County Board Meetings

Hi Yupette,

Did you know that county staff has to rehearse our testimony before county board meetings? This sometimes takes all day the day before the meeting. Huge waste of time, but we are forced to do it.

Anon.

County Board Charade Continues on December 15th

Having accepted a ransom check for $10,000 from Gulf Branch Nature Center supporters so Gulf Branch Nature Center can remain open, the County Board is planning to approve spending $23.7 million to construct Long Branch Park, $460,000 for public art for Long Branch Park, and up to $13 million to construct a new Cherrydale Fire Station.

Arlington Greens to Rally on December 12th for the Homeless and Jobs

The Arlington Green Party will rally for homeless services and jobs creation before the December 12th County Board meeting outside the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Third Floor, at 8:30 AM. The Arlington Green Party is seeking a year-around homeless shelter for single adults and a public jobs program that provides living wage jobs for the homeless and unemployed.

Will Arlington be Gridlocked by SOVs? How Soon?

Where are the transportation alternatives for Arlington County over the next decade except more single-occupant vehicles and an expansion of the status quo transit system to include slow light rail and a few more ART Bus routes?

Guest Blogger: Sale of Virginia's ABC Stores is a Bad Idea

Hello, Yupette. I and many other Virginians oppose the Republicans' proposed sale of Virginia's ABC stores, which sell hard liquor. How fiscally responsible is Governor-Elect McDonnell? Not very. These stores generate considerable annual revenue for education, which would have to be obtained from other sources if the stores were sold.

County Budget Charade Season Starts December 8th

Arlington County Government will host the first budget charade of the FY 2011 Budget season at Washington-Lee High School on December 8th at 7 PM in the school cafeteria. The public will be allowed to ask questions. County Government will make a presentation to the Arlington Civic Federation at the CivFed's month;y meeting on December 1st at 7:30 PM. Only CivFed delegates will be allowed to ask questions. According to the latest press release from Arlington's PR office the FY11 budget deficit is expected to be $100 million.

Time for Arlington to Accelerate Replacement of Street Lights

While other cities around the USA are using federal stimulus funds to replace thousands of inefficient, energy-wasting incandescent street lights with energy-efficient sodium and LED street lighting, Arlington County Government is resisting citizen suggestions that the County do the same. Moreover, "community leaders" who the County Board appoints to various advisory groups, are engaging in a smear campaign against any "green" activist who calls for the County to embark on major renewable and energy efficiency programs.

A.Y. Thanks Arlington County's Trades Employees

Like other Arlingtonians, Yupette has encountered Arlington's trades employees performing their physically difficult, dirty, and often-dangerous jobs. How many times have we seen employees of Arlington's Water, Sewer, and Streets Bureau repairing water mains in the winter, covered with mud? So, thank you to Arlington's trades employees for their dedication and hard work.

County Board's 2010 Lay-Off Plan - Essential Employees Go First

According to County Staff who are preparing lay-off contingency plans for a large budget shortfall in Arlington County next year, employees who provide essential services would be the first target for lay-offs and early retirements, while County employees who are engaged in furthering the County Board's pet projects and special interests will have ample job security over the next several years.

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Sets Agenda for County Board

Recent reports about the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors meetings clearly indicate the the Arlington Chamber sets the agenda for the County Board. Therefore, Arlingtonians can expect I-66 to be widened and HOT lanes to be constructed on I-395. The Arlington Chamber's Board of Directors is unrepresentative of the racial, ethic, and economic diversity of Arlington County.

Alexandria DOT Hosting King Street - Route 7 Planning Charade on November 18th

On November 18th, the Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services will hold a public planning charade at Minnie Howard School, to discuss the Alexandria DOT's plans to dump massive BRAC traffic from Mark Center onto Walter Reed Drive and King Street / Route 7.

Minnie Howard School is located at 3801 West Braddock Road in Alexandria.

The planning charade will commence at 6 PM and end at 8 PM.

Arlington County has already given the green light for DOD to destroy several Arlington neighborhoods (including Claremont and Fairlington) with BRAC traffic from Mark Center, thanks to pressure from Congressman Jim Moran.

Deal In the works to build HOT lanes on I-395?

According to several sources among Arlington County staff, the County Board is working on a deal to drop its lawsuit against the HOT lanes consortium in return for a few minor concessions.

L. said...

"I think what we all should be thinking about is the disaster Arlington County will be in ten years if we keep going on in the same way."

Civic Federation Riled About New County Parking Plan

At it's November 10th meeting the Arlington Civic Federation urged the County Board to delay implementing the County's complex and confusing Parking and Curb Space Management Plan. Many in the Civic Federation are afraid that single family neighborhoods will be adversely impacted by the County's creation of new parking spaces concomitant with new residential and office building site plans.

Does the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Control Arlington?

Several Arlington residents asked A.Y. to start this thread. Your opinion, please.

Guest Thread: How Many Non-Resident Children Illegally Attend Arlington Schools?

Hi Yupette,

My kids attend Arlington schools and we live in the Westover community. Is there any good estimate of how many non-resident children attend Arlington schools illegally? That is both parents live outside Arlington.

Thanks in advance for the thread.

Kathy

Yuppiecrat + Yupublican = Yupublicrat

Hi Yupette,

I worked the polls yesterday. What Yupette blogs about one party government in Arlington is true. Based on the behavior of the people from the two major parties that were interacting with voters I would say we definitely have one-party government in Arlington - the Yupublicratic Party. Anyone have a different perspective?

Joan

Hynes Confirms $90-$100 Million Budget Shortfall Next Year, States Things Will Get Worse in 2011

In an election-eve statement to several Arlington County civic associations, Arlington County Board Member Mary Hynes confirmed that Arlington County will likely experience a $90 million to $100 million budget shortfall in 2010 and that Arlington's economy will be even worse in 2011. She also stated that Arlington County would close the budget gap of $90 to $100 million "through some combination of tax and fee increases and cuts in services." The County's current budget is about $1 billion.

McDonnell's Virginia Would Be Like Jeb Bush's Florida

Hi Yupette -

Want to see what Bob McDonnell's Virginia would be like? You only have to ask anyone who suffered from 8 years of "King Jeb" Bush's rule over Florida. How about a thread?

Don

Fisette's "Green" Buildings Are Big Energy Wasters

Hi Yupette,

I was able to track the County Board's approval process for so-called "green" buildings. In fact, Jay Fisette and the County Board allow developers to amass enough "green" credits that have nothing to do with energy efficiency via the LEED scoring system to "certify" energy in-efficient buildings (some of which are energy pigs) as "green". This has been going on for years. Jay Fisette is as green as one of the piles of coal at the Mirant (pronounced Moran) generating station, just across Four Mile Run, after a snow storm.

Joan

Arlington County Board - At Large Representation, or Legislative Districts?

Here's the thread. Yea or Nay? A.Y.

Fisette Denies He Accepted Contributions from PACs and Business Interests

Hi Yupette,

I was appalled to hear Jay Fisette claim during yesterday's yesterday's Westover debate that he hasn't accepted campaign contributions from PACs and business interests. In fact, Jay accepted $2,000 from the Virginia Realtor's PAC and almost $22,000 from various business interests, many that have appeared before the County Board.

Westover

Reeder: I'll Work For Fiscal Responsibility on County Board

In a statement released today County Board candidate John Reeder stated he is "very concerned" about extravagant spending by the County Board and "deeply concerned" about the extravagant Gala the County threw for the Newseum Cultural Center just before the County Manager's Office disclosed that the County would suffer a $80 million to $100 million budget shortfall next year. Mr. Reeder opposes the County Board's extravagant and unnecessary "vanity projects" like the Columbia Pike trolley and will work to make County Government "fiscally responsible" when he's on the County Board.

New Details Emerge About Sun Gazette Parent Company's Bankruptcy

According to the Web site netdockets.com, the Sun Gazette's parent company, American Community Newspapers, LLC and ACN LLC's secured creditors repeatedly attempted over the course of three months to use a Federal bankruptcy court to prevent ACN's unsecured creditors, mostly small businesses, from being paid for their goods and services. American Community Newspapers LLC was sold to it's secured creditors on June 29th. The secured creditors consist of a consortium of 9 financial institutions with General Electric Credit as lead bank. The Federal bankruptcy judge ultimately determined on October 7th to dismiss ACN LLC from bankruptcy since ACN's secured creditors had already acquired an $80 million company free of liens and encumbrances and depriving small business tradespeople of income would be unfair.

Arlington County Board-Chamber of Commerce Opposes Renewable Energy

Arlington County actually LOST commercial renewable solar energy over the past four years. The demonstration solar farm at the Pentagon power plant has been dismantled. Why do Jay Fisette and the County Board go along with the anti-environment, anti-renewable energy Chamber of Commerce and rely on "green gimmicks" and charades like bicycle racks in the basements of 400-vehicle parking garages to make buildings "energy efficient"?

Extravagant County Board Spending to Cause an $80-$100 Million Budget Shortfall Next Year

According to the Arlington County Board's own Web site, the County Board is facing a $80 million to $100 million budget deficit next year, largely as the result of the County Board's extravagant spending on pet "vanity projects" and give-aways to pet special interests. A $100 million budget shortfall would translate into a 10% residential real estate tax increase next year.

Residents Express Concerns About Mega-Development at October 24th County Board Meeting

Residents from several Arlington communities across Arlington County attended Saturday's County Board meeting to express their concerns about the accelerating pace of mega-development in Arlington County during the Public Comment period. The response of both the County Board and mainstream media was more indifference to citizens' concerns about traffic, air quality, and quality-of-life deterioration.

Arlington's High School Drop Out Rate "Appalling"

Despite the Arlington County School System spending over $500 million dollars this fiscal year to educate 20,000 children only 68.9% of Latino students finish high school in 4 years versus 96.4% of white students. Wakefield High School is such a mess that Arlington Democrats brought President Obama to Wakefield telling students to stay in school. What should Arlington be doing to solve its drop-out problem?

Arlington Competing for Another Expensive and Meaningless Award

According to press releases from Arlington County's PR Team, Arlington is competing in an expensive contest to win a prestigious award sponsored by the Intelligent Community Forum, a non-profit whose officers are also involved in expensive broadband consulting ventures with the same municipalities that compete for the award. According to County Staff, competing for the Intelligent Communities Award has so far cost Arlington taxpayers at least $100,000. Contestants that have "won" the award in the USA are typically economically depressed urban areas whose elected officials are desperate for economic development.

2009 Endorsements

For Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General:

Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, Steve Shannon

For Arlington County Board:

John Reeder

For School Board:

James Lander

For Virginia House of Delegates:

David Englin, Josh Ruebner, Robert Brink, Adam Ebbin

2009-2010 Influenza Season May Be Very Serious

Based on recent reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the 2009-2010 Influenza season may be serious, at least comparable to the 2007-2008 Flu season.

For information about what you can do if you or persons close to you have influenza symptoms, visit: www.cdc.gov/FLU/takingcare.htm

Virginia to Offer $119 Million in Federal Stimulus Funds to Make Virginia's Schools More Energy Efficient

According to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on October 14th the State of Virginia will offer $119 million in Federal Stimulus Funds to Virginia's schools to make school buildings more energy-efficient. Schools will compete for the stimulus funds. Applications are available from the State Board of Education and the deadline for applications is November 11th.

Unsecured Creditors Prevail Over Sun Gazette Parent's New Owners

On October 7th, Federal Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey concurred with American Community Newspapers LLC's unsecured creditors and dismissed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings. American Community Newspapers LLC is the parent company of the Sun Gazette newspapers, including the Arlington Sun Gazette. American Community Newspapers LLC was purchased by General Electric Capital Credit in June. The decision leaves General Electric Capital Credit and other secured creditors obligated to pay ACN's unsecured creditors certain pre-bankruptcy debts incurred by ACN LLC and ACN Inc.

Arlington Purchasing Amateur Radio Equipment for "Arlington" Radio Club

Despite spending extravagantly for a new Emergency Communications Center and new interoperable emergency communications equipment, Arlington County is spending up to $100,000 to purchase amateur radio equipment to benefit the Arlington Radio Public Service Club, a non-profit amateur radio club that is causing consternation in the amateur radio community for using amateur radio for non-amateur purposes. Amateur radio equipment has been installed in all Arlington fire-EMS stations and a large amount of amateur radio equipment is on-order. Arlingtonians who are active in amateur radio are incensed that the membership of the ARPSC do not live in Arlington and spend much of their non-emergency time on the amateur airwaves criticizing the "socialists who control Arlington,"

Arlington Taxpayers Funded Gala At New Cultural Center

Arlington taxpayers funded a huge Gala for the performing arts on October 10th to celebrate Arlington County's acquisition of the Newseum for a Cultural Center. The event took place four days after County Board Chair Barbara Favola announced Arlington taxpayers would likely see a major real estate tax increase next year. Information about the event can be found at arlingtonarts.org.

Big Residential Tax Increase "Almost Certain" Next Year

According to several get-along go-along Arlington "Republicrats" a 5% to 10% residential real estate tax increase is "almost certain" next year.

Bob McDonnell Doesn't Oppose Birth Control...As Long As You're Married

According to his campaign literature Bob McDonnell doesn't oppose birth control, for married couples.

How Efficient is the Arlington County Treasurer's Office?

Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary claims his office is a paragon of efficiency. But did you ever receive a bill for your vehicle personal property tax this year?

County Board to Approve Parking for 2,000 More Vehicles in 2009?

The County Board approved the construction of more than 4,000 new parking spaces in Arlington last year. So far this year the County Board approved the construction of more than 1,200 new parking spaces, most near Metrorail. Several major projects will come before the County Board late this year, including another hotel near Courthouse and the expansion of American Service Center. County Planning Staff expects the County Board to approve the construction of at least 2,000 new parking spaces this year, most near Metrorail.

Big Real Estate Tax Increase Next Year?

Yupette, take a look at the consent agenda items for the September 26th County Board meeting. Looks to me like the County Board will increase spending while increasing real estate taxes by 5 percent or 6 percent. Dennis

Alexandria - Green Schools, Arlington - Green Talk

Check out this link to the Alexandria Public School System's press release about the Green School Laboratory under construction at the Minnie Howard campus of TC Williams High School 1/4 mile from Arlington.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/green/mhs.php

County Board to Convene Special Meetings, September 28th and 29th

September 28th - 7 PM
County Board Special Meeting for the Purpose of Seeking Input from the Public on the Desired Qualities for the New County Manager

Washington-Lee HS, Cafeteria-Multipurpose Room, 1301 N. Stafford Street
No Action or Other Business is Planned. The Public is Welcome and Encouraged to Attend


September 29th - 10 AM
County Board Special Meeting for a Briefing by the County Manager Regarding Economic and Budget Data

County Office Building, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 302 Room 306A
No Action or Other Business is Planned. The Public is Welcome to Attend.

Arlington County Facing $60 Million Deficit Next Fiscal Year

Meanwhile, the lovely real estate investment trusts that the lovely County Board granted hundreds of millions in "bonus density" for energy-inefficient, unaffordable, and ugly commercial buildings are flocking to have their buildings re-assessed like ducks on the Potomac at low tide.

GE Spent $750,000 on Sun Gazette Parent Bankruptcy

According to motions filed with the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wilmington, General Electric Capital Corporation, the owner of the Sun Gazette's parent corporation American Community Newspapers LLC, spent more than $750,000 in legal and consulting fees taking American Community Newspapers into bankruptcy and converting ACN LLC into a media mergers and acquisition subsidiary.

Greens Plan Lawsuit to Prevent I-66 Widening

According to informal discussions with the Arlington Green Party, several Arlington Green Party members will file a lawsuit within the next week to prevent the widening of I-66 inside Arlington County.

Planning Costs for Westover and Shirlington Libraries Exceeded Construction Costs

According to an employee in the Arlington County Manager's Office planning costs exceeded the brick-and-mortar construction costs of both the Shirlington and Westover branch libraries. Arlington voters approved an $8 million bond referendum in 1998 to construct new libraries in Westover and Shirlington. The Shirlington branch library was completed in 2006, after being delayed for several years by the Signature Theater, which shares the same building. The new Westover branch library is scheduled to open on October 31st, 11 years after voters approved its construction.

Time for Jim Moran to Retire

Guest post from Cindi, in Westover:

"It's time for Congressman Jim Moran to announce he's retiring. He's been in Congress for 19 years. He's going nowhere. The Democratic leadership will never appoint him to a major leadership position. His legislation is going nowhere, and hasn't gone anywhere for years in a Democratic Congress. He's under investigation with his good bud, John Murtha, for favors to military contractors in return for campaign cash. All Jim Moran's done for the past decade is talk...and more talk. Time for a Progressive to repreeent us in Congress what can and will get things done? I hope so."

Republicratic Leadership Furious at Anti-HOT Lanes "Obstructionists"

Leaders of both the Republican (Bob McDonnell) and Democratic (Tim Kaine) Parties are furious at Arlington and Alexandria anti-Hot Lanes "obstructionists". Both political parties were recipients of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the corporations that signed contracts to build and operate HOT Lanes on I-495, I-95 and I-395. Moreover, for almost 8 years Republicratic leaders have been promising outer-suburb constituencies that more lanes would be added to I-66 and I-95.

Millions Wasted on "Neighborhood Traffic Calming" in Arlington?

According to a recent review by DES, millions of dollars of physical barrier traffic calming (e.g., speed tables) was installed on Arlington streets without first evaluating neighborhood traffic control (speed limit and stop) signs.

President to Deliver 'Stay in School' Speech at Obsolete and Deteriorating Arlington High School

On September 8th President Obama will make an important "stay in school" speech at Arlington's shabby and deteriorating Wakefield High School.

Political Charade Continues at the September 1st Civic Federation Meeting

Arlington's political bi-partisan charade will continue at the Civic Federation's September 1st meeting, aka Candidate's Night.

Kaine, VDOT, Arlington VIPs Attempting to Save HOT Lanes Deal

On September 9th VDOT Director Pierce Homer and local elected officials, including Guru of Gridlock Chris Zimmerman, will discuss HOT Lanes at the Arlington Committee of 100 meeting at Marymount University, a private college located about 8 miles from I-395. The Arlington Committee of 100 is a group of about 300 "community leaders". No public meetings with VDOT VIPs and other state officials are currently scheduled. Governor Kaine has reportedly instructed VDOT, Zimmerman, and others to take whatever steps are necessary to save the HOT Lanes deal.

Anti-Child Pro Lifers Target National Health Insurance

Based upon what's transpired at over a hundred national health care forums hosted by Members of Congress, it appears that Pro-Life anti-abortion activists are the prime force targeting single-payer national health insurance and the primary group responsible for disrupting congressional meetings. Of the 47 million Americans who aren't covered by health insurance, about 8.7 million are children.

Guest Thread - Support Our Troops? How Much Longer?

I am tired of "supporting our troops" in one prolonged Third World conflict after another for the past 50 years. Our nation has plenty of money for wars but nothing for infrastructure, health care, or much of anything else, in a nation with a population of 310 million, which, BTW, has increased by 65 million over the past 20 years.

Paul in Arlington

Debtors, Creditors, Sun-Gazette's Parent Company Face Off in Federal Bankruptcy Court on August 21st

According to motions filed with the Federal District Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington Delaware, the SG's parent company, American Community Newspapers LLC (Debtors) will argue for a conversion from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7. The Official Committee of American Community Newspapers et.al. Unsecured Creditors will argue a motion for the dismissal of the Debtor's Chapter 11 cases. Two large secured creditors, General Electric Credit and Bank of Montreal, and American Community Newspapers LLC, will all argue against dismissing Debtors' Chapter 11 cases. The amount American Community newspapers owed its secured creditors was approximately $111 million.

Arlington County Sues to Stop HOT Lanes Construction

Arlington County filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Washington on August 19th to stop HOT Lanes from being constructed on I-395 / I-95. The County alleges that the Federal Highway Administration exempted the HOT lanes project from normal environmental review concerning air quality.

A Bad Choice: Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General

Is there ANYTHING positive about electing Cooch to be the next Attorney General, except for members of the NRA and Operation Rescue?

County Treasurer's Staff Scamming Seniors to Pre-Pay Taxes So County Will End Fiscal Year 2009 in the Black?

According to several angry senior citizens, Arlington County Treasurer's staff has been telephoning Arlington senior citizens and scamming them into paying their taxes long before the due date. According to several insiders at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., the County is having a "serious problem" ending the 2009 fiscal year in the black.

40 Years After Woodstock: NeoCon America

Anyone seen a peace symbol, a hippie, a peace rally lately?

Arlington, Alexandria May Sue Feds Over HOT Lanes

According to a lengthy report in the Alexandria Gazette Packet, Arlington County leaders are "finalizing preparations for a lawsuit against against the Federal Highway Administration" over HOT Lanes and "could pull the trigger on the suit as early as this week." The City of Alexandria is considering joining Arlington.

Where's the Solar In Arlington County?

Driven past the Pentagon heating plant just off I-395 lately? Appears the solar panel array has been removed. So where's the solar in Arlington (apart from a few small panels to light signs)?

Want to see a large solar panel array that will heat a lot of hot water for a school? (BTW, schools use a lot of hot water). Check out Minnie Howard School in Alexandria, 1/2 mile from Paulie Ferguson's, Libby Garvey's and Scottie McCaffrey's Fairlington homes.

Kaine, VDOT, Arlington, Alexandria Pushing 395 HOT Lanes

The Kaine Administration and VDOT are seeking to overcome the seemingly intractable resistance of neighborhood residents in neighborhoods that adjoin I-395. Elected officials in both Alexandria and Arlington have privately indicated to the Kaine Administration that they have no serious issues with HOT Lanes on 395. Elected officials in Arlington and Alexandria are working with "community leaders" to persuade residents to accept inadequate noise mitigation. In return the "community leaders" have been promised they will be appointed and reappointed to various state and local advisory bodies.

Ron Carlee's Departure - Mutual Disenchantment

"County Staffer" reports that Ron Carlee and the County Board became "mutually disenchanted" because Ron was unwilling to say "How High?" when the County Board said "Jump".

Sun Gazette's Parent Company Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

According to Debtor's motions delivered to the United States Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington Delaware on July 23rd, American Community Newspapers LLC, the successor to American Community Newspapers Inc., is seeking liquidation of assets and winding down of operations, and is seeking the Court's permission to convert from Chapter 11 (reorganization) to Chapter 7 (liquidation). American Community Newspapers LLC is the parent company of the Sun Gazette Newspapers in Virginia.

August 3rd is State Telework Day in Virginia

Virginia State Government has designated August 3, 2009 as State Telework Day. Virginia residents are encouraged to telecommute to work from home or a remote location. For more information, contact teleworkexchange.com/teleworkday

Jay Fisette Aquatic Center - Same Cultural Center Script, Different Cast?

According to "County Staff" the Jay Fisette Aquatic Center to be built at the new Longbridge Park is being fast-tracked for a bond referendum in 2011 with the same welfare-for-the-wealthy approval process as just occurred for the Jay Fisette Rosslyn Cultural Center.

False and Malicious 'Suspicious Person' Complaints are Common in Arlington

What police departments and members of minority groups both know and what the media doesn't want to talk about is false and malicious "suspicious person" complaints directed at members of minority groups and other "undesirable" persons are common in communities across America. Arlington County is no exception.

Bob McDonnell - Bush III

Has it been 6 months since George Bush left office? Would Governor Bob McDonnell be like George? Or Jeb? Or both?

Jay Fisette - Arlington's Mr. Conflict of Interest?

A.Y. has received several e-mails about Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette and his alleged conflicts of interest. So here's the opportunity for those interested in better government to post their thoughts.

What Happened to Philanthropy?

Need a cultural center for your theater group? An EMS vehicle for your neighborhood fire station? The address to visit is 2100 Clarendon Blvd. What happened to philanthropy in Arlington?

Chris Zimmerman: Reckless and Incompetent

In response to several requests. A.Y.

Arlington Development and Redevelopment - Major Ponzi Scheme?

Yupette, isn't it obvious? They are taking from maintaining and renovating old public infrastructure to build new public infrastructure that is expensive to maintain. How long can that continue?

Urban Village Idiocy 5 Good Government 0

Despite the best efforts of Arlington's responsible adult population the Arlington County Board approved its welfare-for-the-wealthy Cultural Center give-away on July 14th.

Cultural Center's Wealthy Elites Will Require Major Taxpayer Subsidies

According to the County Staff Report and consultant Webb Management's report attached to the Cultural Center agenda (item #52 on the County Board's agenda for July 14th) Arlington taxpayers will directly pay from $3.1 million to $4.7 million between FY2010 and FY2014 to subsidize the Cultural Center. Webb Management's report indicates that the Cultural Center may not be able to raise more than $300,000 per year through fund raising. The Board of Advisors (primary decision makers) for the Cultural Center will consist of representatives from wealthy corporations, and wealthy individuals.

Cultural Center Give-Away to County Board July 14th

The Rosslyn Cultural Center give-away will be on the Arlington County Board's agenda at the July 14th meeting. An updated staff report will be available on the County's Web site by July 7th. The County Board's previous discussion and vote occurred at the June 13th County Board meeting. The agenda item / staff report for the Cultural Center giveaway is #52 and will be addressed after 6:30 PM. Check it out online at arlingtonva.us

Farrah Fawcett 1947 - 2009

In response to your many requests to post condolences in memory of an American Actress who defined the pre-Yuppie Era.

Shared-Street Light Rail Too Dangerous for the Pike

So Mr. Zimmerman's served on the Metro Board for years and neither he nor anyone else on the Metro Board ever raised the issue of Metrorail cars telescoping as the result of a crash? Earth to Zimmy, if you want to see some more fatalities and serious injuries, put motor vehicles and streetcars on the Pike together.

Zimmerman's Wacky Trolley Folly Before Full Metro Board on June 25th

"Heads up, Yupette, Guru-of-Gridlock Zimmerman's wacky Pike Trolley is going to the full WMATA Board of Directors for preliminary approval on June 25th." - Larry

June 16th Recessed County Board Meeting On-Line

"Yupette, the recessed June 16th County Board meeting is back on-line. They are a machine and hostile to criticism, so I am not surprised at anything that happens in the County anymore." Don

Zimmerman Blocks Access to June 16th County Board Meeting Video

Stung by the criticisms of two long-time Arlington activists regarding Arlington's takeover of Fall Church's massively money-losing George Bus System, Arlington County Board member Chris Zimmerman blocked citizen access to the on-line video of the entire 6-hour recessed County Board meeting on June 16th.

County Board Hosts 'Sit Down' with Moran. They Decide to Go Forward with More Wasteful Tansportation Spending.

On June 15th, the Arlington County Board hosted a 'sit down' with Congressman Jim Moran. Check it out on the County Board's Web site. Result - we can expect more inefficient and expensive transportation 'solutions', from both Moran and the County Board, across the Eighth Congressional District, especially in Arlington.

County Board to Vote $10 Million for Cultural Center on June 13th. $$ignature Theater to Host Campaign Gala for Fi$$ette on June 15th

Check out the agenda for the June 13th County Board meeting at arlingtonva.us. Jay Fi$$ette'$ orchestrated County Board vote for the welfare-for-the-wealthy Cultural Center on June 13th will be followed by a $$ignature Theater campaign kick-off gala for Jay Fi$$ette on June 15h at the $$ignature.

"Community Leaders" Attend Another Black Tie Gala While CivFed Fumes About Street Paving

Check out the June issue of the Arlington Civic Federation's monthly newsletter at civFed.org. Nice to see that some organization is (finally) concerned about Arlington's deteriorating infrastructure.

Arlington County Spends Extravagantly on County Personnel

Several A.Y. visitors asked how much Arlington County spends on personnel. You can obtain information from the County's Budget Web site at:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ManagementAndFinance/budget/page68453.aspx

These data reflect the County Manager's proposed funding for various departments, funds, and other activities. The County Board's final funding is slightly higher.

A.Y. notes the following, check it out yourself --

County Board Office

Number of Full Time Equivalent Employees - 7.75
Personnel Costs - $978,504
$$$ per Employee - $126,258

County Manager - Main Office

Number of Full Time Equivalent Employees - 12.0
Personnel Costs - $1,747,091
$$$ per Employee - $145,591

County Attorney's Office

Number of Full Time Equivalent Employees - 14.0
Personnel Costs - $2,099,813
$$$ per Employee - $149,987

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Number of Full Time Equivalent Employees - 3.0
Personnel Coats - $508,909
$$$ per Employee - $169,636

Arlington's Performing Arts Snobs - Welfare for the Wealthy Elitism at Its Worst

Think the Washington Shakespeare Company and Classika-Synetic Theater need $10 million from Arlington County for a new home in the Newseum Cultural Center? Think the Signature Theater needs an annual stipend from Arlington taxpayers? Check out who's on their boards of directors.

http://www.classika.org/classika3.html

http://www.washingtonshakespeare.org/board.html

http://www.sig-online.org/bod.htm

http://www.sig-online.org/2009gala.htm

http://www.rosslynva.org/who-we-are/rosslyn-bid/officers-and-board

http://www.rosslynva.org/who-we-are/rosslyn-renaissance/officers-and-board

Newseum Cultural Center Charade - Who Cares About Taxpayers?

The two major players in the Newseum Cultural Center charade, The Classika Theater and Washington Shakespeare Company, EACH have an extremely wealthy and influential major league K. Street tax lawyer on their board of directors. Who is representing Arlington's taxpayers?

County Board Spends Extravagantly on Self-Serving PR

The Arlington County Manager's Office alone employs 15 people who write and broadcast PR for County Board members and the Board's pet people, pet organizations and pet programs. Cost to Arlington taxpayers? At least $1.3 million.

Arlington County 2009 Budget Charade Continues - March 24-26

Tune in to arlingtonva.us to see the County Board's 2009 Budget Charade live. Starts at 7 PM. NEW THIS YEAR...the County Board Politricksters will close a popular nature center and branch libraries to help fund the County Board's pet projects. Just like the big city machine pols.

County Board Set to Pass Pike Trolley Folly Funding

Arlington County Emperor of Transportation Chris Zimmerman is bringing his Columbia Pike trolley folly before the County Board for preliminary design funding at the March 14th County Board meeting. Agenda Item 27. This is your your opportunity to speak out against Guru of Gridlock Zimmerman's irrational use of scarce transportation dollars to install an inefficient and expensive light rail system on an existing right-of-way that is unsuitable for light rail.

Arlington County Board is "Environmentally Challenged"

From the Washington Post on February 25th:

Grants Available for Solar and Wind Power

The D.C. government announced yesterday that residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations and private schools can apply for grants of as much as $33,000 to install equipment for making energy from the sun or the wind.

The program will provide as much as $2 million citywide, drawn from taxes on the use of electricity and gas. It will be parceled out based on the capacity of the renewable-energy system installed: an installation of solar panels large enough to produce 3,000 watts would qualify for $9,000 in assistance, at $3 per watt. Systems that can produce 3,000 to 10,000 watts will qualify for $2 in assistance per watt, and those that produce 10,000 to 17,000 watts will qualify for $1 per watt.

The program applies only to those installing solar-or wind-powered systems. In the future, the D.C. Department of Environment said, it will offer grants for geothermal systems, those burning biomass and those relying on recovered methane.

For more information, and to download application materials, go to greenenergy.dc.gov.

Next Arlington County Board Budget / Planning Charade Occurs on February 21st

Check out the agenda for Saturday's County Board meeting at arlingtonva.us. The County Board will not take up Newseum Cultural Center funding, that's already been pre-approved and it's why citizens are being socked with hefty real estate and fee increases ( Agenda Item 22), to pay for the Rosslyn Billionaires' Culture Club. While you're at it, check out Item 23, a Christmas in February give-away to another wealthy out-of-state developer who will build another huge yupscale energy-inefficient mixed-use redevelopment in Pentagon City with affordable housing to be constructed 60 miles away.

Obama's Environmental Message: Pave Paradise

What is President Obama's environmental message? There isn't any. He visited spoke to laid-off RV industry workers. He spoke to laid-off construction equipment industry workers. The message was: Let's get back to paving paradise.

VDOT HOT Lanes Facilitation Charade aka Public Hearing - February 11th

VDOT will conduct a HOT Lanes Facilitation Charade, aka Public Meeting, on Wednesday, February 11th at 7:30 PM at Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Road in Alexandria (Minnie Howard School is behind Bradlee Shopping Plaza and across Braddock Road from Episcopal High School). Snow date is February 18th.

Virginia's local and state elected and appointed officials have already signed on to this disaster, which will bring between 50,000 and 100,000 more vehicles into Arlington every day and which will also urbanize the remaining rural counties between Fredericksburg and Richmond. Virginia's pols were paid over $170,000 in campaign contributions to approve HOT lanes.

HOT Lanes in Delaware - Environmental Devastation in Action

Guest thread by Lewes Grrl who lives in Arlington and grew up in Lewes, Delaware, where her parents still live.

VIP Helicopter Flights Continue Under Obama Over Residental Neighborhoods

A.Y.'s friends in the 22206 postal code are discouraged about the increase in helicopter flights over residential neighborhoods since January 20th. What's your opinion?

HOT Lanes Charade - Bad for Transportation, Bad for the Environment, Bad for Virginia's Taxpayers?

HOT Lanes are a hot topic in Northern Virginia. Here's an opportunity for you to weigh in.

Obama's Environmental Agenda: Environment Friendly, or Bubba Friendly?

How Pro-Environment do you think President Obama's Environmental Agenda will be?

Alexandria Neighborhoods Divulge City's 'Planning' Charade Formula

Alexandria neighborhoods are increasingly angry about Alexandria City Council's Planning Charades vis a vis redevelopment. What is City Council's 'formula' for imposing it's will on neighborhoods? Here it is (looks suspiciously like what's occuring in Arlington during Pike redevelopment):

First, hire a consultant to do the private stakeholder interviews. By not discussing these issues in public the City is given inside knowledge of where each player stands and can develop a strategy to divide and conquer.

Second, in lieu of widespread neighborhood participation, have the Mayor and Council appoint an advisory group heavily stacked with those who are known to sympathize with the City's already predetermined outcome. To further protect the City's interests, strip the Advisory Group of any ability to deliberate or vote among themselves on the issues.

Next, run bogus community meetings dominated by expensive out of town 'experts,. Their role is to create the agenda, shape the discussions and cut off dissent or meaningful dialogue that does not trend toward what the City wants.

Next, issue draft reports composed by the consultants and for an extra twist inform the community about the draft over a holiday weekend.

Lastly, hold a 'final' community meeting while important redevelopment decisions are still being discussed by City Staff.

(Let's not forget another important Charade component: threaten activists who question the Planning Charade with arrest - A.Y.)