Saturday, November 27, 2010

No More Arlington Winters for Me

Hello, Ms. Yupette,

I am 62 years old and retired a year ago. It was a big mistake for me to spend last January and February in Arlington. Now that Barbara "We're Working to Fix It" Donnellan is back as County Manager I am not going to spend January and February in Arlington and I am looking forward to an enjoyable mid-winter in a Florida rental apartment.

I am tired of a County that can't provide the basics, like effective snow removal, but can spend tens of millions on entertainment and recreation amenities.

I hope Arlington has a mild winter, but I won't be here to experience whatever weather this winter brings.

J.C.

Friday, November 26, 2010

County Board Heavily Promoting Bicycles, Ignoring Taxis and Shared-Vehicle Transportation Alternatives.

Hello Yupette,

Did you hear what the guy from the taxicab industry said at the last County Board Meeting? There is an abundance of taxicabs in Arlington County. So why isn't the County Board promoting taxicabs as a means of significantly mitigating traffic? Because the County Board wants everyone to ride bicycles. They spent another $421,000 on bicycle infrastructure around Army-Navy Drive at their last meeting. Same County Board that approved the construction of more than 30,000 new parking spaces in Arlington over the past decade. What is wrong with them? Why do I have to ride a bicycle in December when it's 45 degrees and raining?

L.K.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Fisette Ordered County Staff to Promote Artisphere's December 4th Gay-Lesbian 'Kiss and Hug'

Hello, Ms. Yupette,

I am employed at the Artisphere and I was under the impression that the Artisphere is for ALL Arlingtonians.

I was shocked when County Board Chairman, Jay Fisette, ordered us to promote AGLA's December 4th 'Kiss and Hug' Gala at the Artisphere. It appears that Mr. Fisette wants to make the Artisphere into a Gay-Lesbian nightclub.

That's not all. I was told the other day the the reason there's been no philanthropy to take the Artisphere private is because the County Board wants PRCR to continue to run the Artisphere indefinitely, so as to use Artisphere events to promote the County Board's pet interests.

How's about that for sleaziness?

Anon. Artisphere Employee

Monday, November 22, 2010

ASPAN Should Not Manage A New Homeless Treatment / Prevention Program

Hi Yupette,

Happy Thanksgiving. Another Thanksgiving where we overfeed the homeless only to ignore them the rest of the year.

I'm all for a new homeless treatment / prevention facility. I don't want ASPAN running it. Their name says it all. Arlington Street People's Assistance Network.

This keeping the homeless homeless has gone hand in hand with Yuppieism and Gentrification. It's completely irresponsible to spend tens of millions each year to keep people on the street, and build an ever-larger shelters and an ever-larger bureaucracy to manage "street people".

If the County Board of Recreation, Entertainment, and Gentrification ever decides to fund a new homeless treatment / prevention facility it should look for an organization that drastically reduces homelessness to run the program.

Kathy - 22204