Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Chairman Zimmerman to 'Listen' to Arlington Business on March 31st

Hey Yupette,

So County Board Chairman Zimmerman is going to 'listen' to Arlington businesspersons tomorrow at the Clarendon Ballroom, between 7 and 10 PM.?

So, here are a few questions I'd like to ask the Reitsfuhrer:

Why did you increase the residential real estate tax rate this year? Wasn't that to fund a $5.7 million County Board 'slush fund' to buy votes from special interest groups?

Why will we have to pay $139 million to build a streetcar system for Columbia Pike that will put no more than 14 streetcars on the Pike?

Why do funds continue to be stripped from the Rosslyn BID to fund the Artisphere, and when will that end?

Why does the County Board allow the County Treasurer to build a wasteful, extravagant, and unnecessary vehicle decal program?

Why do you allow the Commissioner of the Revenue to set up a tax collection bureaucracy that competes with the State of Virginia's?

Speaking of bureaucracies. why do so many departments in Arlington's bureaucracy consist of managers and employees seeking to 'make work' to justify their continued employment?

Ted, 22205

21 comments:

Jeff said...

Simple answer: "Because I'm the Reistsfuhrer, that's why."

KarenS said...

Because that's the Arlington Way, that's why.

Anonymous said...

Zimmerman will listen to Arlington business like a fox listens to chickens.

Larry, Retail Manager said...

"Mr. Zimmerman, how do you expect your Pike streetcar system to cost only $138 million when the Cherrydale fire station has so far cost $17.5 million with no end in sight to additional expenses?"

22201 said...

Mr. Zimmerman, what will business owners within the Ballston BID receive for the additional taxes we pay?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Zimmerman, why do we have to pay for your, Mr. Fisette's and Ms. Favola's pet projects and gifts to pet charities and special interests?

Owner said...

Why the Clarendon Ballroom, and who is paying for it?

T.Y. said...

Mr. Zimmerman, how many more TIFs will you create to fund infrastructure improvements for out-of-state REITs from general revenue?

Business Owner said...

My small IT hardware installation business has received nothing in the way of assistance from Arlington County except demands for taxes and more information from the Commissioner of the Revenue and County Treasurer. They sure know where we are located when it comes to paying taxes to fund their pet projects.

Retail Boutique Owner said...

Zimmerman spends 99% of his time in the County Board Offices meeting with REITS, Developers, County Staff who want to drive out small business and replace us with national franchises, and with his pet Non-Profits. ZERO time on issues that concern small businesses owned and operated by Arlingtonians.

This 'listening session' is just another in a series of charade meetings.

Darryl said...

Small business in Arlington? Not only Zimmerman but the Chamber of Commerce wants anyone who owns a small business out, whether it's a stationery store, 4-unit market rate apartment building, PC repair business, anything.

They positively DESPISE minority-owned small business. We get in the way of the REITs, developers, and national chains Zimmerman brings in to 'facilitate' re-segregation.

Anonymous said...

Another charade meeting 'facilitated' by County Staff.

Anonymous said...

All Zimmerman wants to do is put the equivalent of a Trader Joes on every redeveloped block of Arlington County. This is another total charade meeting. Small businesses are nothing but a nuisance? Don't believe it, check out who's who at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Jorge said...

How about Nada Tejada? Deputy Reitsfuhrer for Sports, Recreation, and Sister Cities Travel. Nada por nosotros, todo por los ricos.

Westover said...

This is the worst. When Economic Development Staff aren't facilitating the local sheeple they're on the phone with the Reits and national franchises (think Trader Joes, Cheesecake Factory, Crate and Barrel) 'cause Zimmy needs lots of real estate tax, meals tax, and sales tax revenue to pay for his pet projects.

Anonymous said...

Yes, tonight's charade is another make work PR event for a bloated County Staff.

Anonymous said...

I am so tired of these politricksters. I will vote for Snoopy the Dog and Garfield the Cat before I'll vote for Hynes and Tejada.

Pete said...

I left after 15 minutes. Another County Board 'facilitation' meeting.

Anonymous said...

I have to believe Zimmerman is doing this stuff as a PR campaign (paid for by taxpayers) preparing for a future run for a higher elective office.

Anonymous said...

Did you see McCaffrey's blog comments today about teh Artisphere being on "life support"?

Anonymous said...

Meeting was PR for Chris Zimmerman.