Zimmerman's 'Priorities' for 2011 - Massive Megalomaniacal Spending

Hello, Yupette,

Anyone listen closely to Chris Zimmerman's list of "priorities" he stated he wants to accomplish over the next 12 months during his County Board speech today? The f-ing guy is a megalomaniac. He wants to spend approximately $2 billion during the next year, largely on his vanity projects like the stupid trolleys for the Pike and Crystal City. Also, every other vanity project he and the other County Board members and County Staff and the Special Interests can dream up. Where's he going to get the money? From Jim Moran, who will be sitting on a back bench and told to shut the f-- up by the Tea Partiers whenever he gets up to ask for more earmarks for this wealthy congressional district? I don't think so!

Jeff

Too Many Important Decisions Are Made by Non-Residents

Hello Yupette,

Thanks for this blog.

I live near Crystal City. As the result of our treatment by Arlington County during Crystal City "re-development" I would like to bring up an issue that deeply concerns me and others in my community - the extent to which people who don't live in Arlington make important planning and other decisions.

I was surprised to learn that County Manager, and long-time County employee, Barbara Donnellan, does not live in Arlington. Perhaps 80% of the people who make important planning, transportation, housing, education, public safety, recreation, and other decisions don't live here, pay taxes here, vote here (some get to send their kids to Arlington schools illegally but that's another topic).

Do you realize that when many important decisions are made by the County Board the only people doing the talking at County Board meetings who are Arlington residents are the five County Board members?

Regarding Crystal City, when this item came to the County Board the beneficiaries of the County Board's decisions were: an out-of-state REIT, its out-of-state law firm, and the county staff who don't live in Arlington, whose jobs depend on putting together these kinds of "deals". Oh, by the way, I understand the County Attorney who signs off on these deals is not an Arlington resident, nor is the County Board clerk who arranges all the meetings between the developers and County Board.

What are Arlington residents anyway? A bunch of fools who pay so others can play, and get rich at our expense.

Cathy

Alexandria Residents Demand an End to "Development for the Sake of Development"

Hi Yupette,

Have you seen what's occurring in Alexandria? Residents who are fed up with "development for the sake of development" are attending Alexandria City Council meetings and demanding and end to "overarching urbanization".

Alexandria residents are particularly upset with BRAC construction at Mark Center, which VDOT has characterized as "not viable" from a traffic perspective. They are also demanding neighborhood control over projects that affect adjacent neighborhoods.

Time for a change in Arlington County also, before we are overwhelmed by the County Board's urbanization schemes.

Ted 22206

Favola Set to 'Shirlington' EFC to Benefit Her Employer - Marymount

Hello Ms. Yupette,

I moved from a condominium near Shirlington to the Williamsburg - EFC neighborhood several years ago to escape the traffic from the Shirlington re-development and so my kids would have a back yard and so we would live on a quiet street.

What is happening now regarding the Bishop O'Connell athletic field conversion is the same thing that happened when Shirlington was redeveloped. A committee was formed to supposedly represent everyone's interests. The majority of the committee is composed of a Walsh-Colucci lawyer, parks and recreation employees who don't live in Arlington, and people connected with Bishop O'Connell. Also, it appears that several persons who supposedly represent the interests of EFC and Williamsburg will 'rubber stamp' anything the Walsh-Colucci lawyer puts in front of them.

Worse by far is, as 'County Staff' tells me, Barbara Favola has been working on imposing this on us from her offices at Marymount and at the County Board. Reportedly she is paid $100,000 a year to be Marymount's chief lobbyist.

Another 'Shirlingon' is in the works. Thought you'd like to know.

Robert

Minority Employees 'Drafted' By O'Leary Campaign

Hello Yupete,

I am an African-American who works in the financial services area of Arlington County Government. Please be aware that minority group members who are County employees are being pressured to endorse and work for County Treasurer O'Leary's campaign. This is in addition to the dozen or so employees in the Treasurer's Office who are primarily focused on local politics. I was looking forward to Mr. O'Leary retiring. Whatever he says about minority groups he's just another part of the same-old same-old regime.

Anon. at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

EFC Planning Meeting Again Postponed

Hi Yupette,

The East Falls Church planning meeting (specifically the Planning Commission's Long Range Planning Committee meeting) scheduled for January 4th has been re-scheduled for January 18th between 7 and 10 PM at 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Meeting Room C and D.

Reason for the postponement: "Staff is continuing to make revisions to the East Falls Church Area Plan". Wonder how many of the planning staff live in Arlington?

Beth 22205

Arlington Yupette's Best and Worst of 2010

Based on your many postings to the A.Y. Blog, here are your picks for best and worst in Arlington, and around the region, in 2010:

Worst County Board Member - Chris Zimmerman. He's a total mess and everything he touches turns into an expensive mess.

Runner Up - Jay Fisette. Jay never misses an opportunity to waste scarce dollars on more of his favorite entertainment and recreation projects.

Best County Board Member - Mary Hynes. Keeping your mouth shut and going along with the program has its rewards.

Worst Local Journalism - The Washington Post, for finally coming out and stating what the Post has always been for - resegregation through gentrification - during the Fenty-Gray campaign.

Runner Up - Scott "Conflict of Interest" McCaffrey, Editor of the Arlington Sun Gazette, for never missing an opportunity to boost his fellow Chamber of Commerce Board Members and Realtors.

Best Local Journalism - Tie - Fairfax Times and Alexandria Times - for at least trying to be unbiased.

Worst Legislator - Senator Jim Webb. Why does he still call himself a Democrat?

Worst State Senator - Senator Mary Margaret Whipple. Given her tenure she should have produced much more for Arlington County.

Worst Delegate - Tie - David Englin, Adam Ebbin and Bob Brink. Hey guys you're supposed to serve everyone's interests, not the interests of the special interests.

Best Legislator - Patrick Hope, who is at least dimly aware that he was elected to serve the interests of all his constituents.

Worst Candidate for Public Office- Tie - Chris Zimmerman and Sally Board, who ran on platforms of more-of-the-same failures.

Best Candidate for Public office - Miriam Gennari - for daring to state in a County governed by "community leaders" who worship the status quo and mediocrity: "We can do better for our kids".

Worst County Board Enabler - Mike "Nardozimmy" Nardolilli for selling out his East Falls Church community to Chris Zimmerman's megalomaniac redevelopment schemes.

Best Community Activist - Jim Hurysz - for trying to preserve something resembling a quality of life in Arlington for everyone over the next several decades.

Best Community Organization - Worst Community Organization - No award. They are all seen at budget hearings but not heard from otherwise, except when throwing galas and supporting more of the same.

Worst Community Leader - Arlington Civic Federation President Mike Kerley, for hosting meeting after meeting of "all talk - no action" during 2010.

Best Community Leader - Maureen Ross, President of the Cherrydale Civic Association for telling the County Board to stop delaying long-overdue infrastructure improvements in Cherrydale.