Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Zimmerman, County Board Privatizing Public Meetings and Events

Hello, Yupette,

Have you noticed what Chris Zimmerman and the County Board are doing to public meetings and public access to information? They're privatizing everything. It will cost you $35 to attend the CPRO Pike luncheon to hear Zimmerman talk about Pike planning. The Pike "planning" charades at the end of this month are run by CPRO. It will cost another $50 to hear Zimmerman talk to the Chamber of Commerce about business opportunities. The working session on June 9th between the County Manager and County Board regarding Pike planning will not hear comments from the public. Important items are being placed on the County Board meeting consent agenda (there is only one item on the regular hearing agenda at the June 11th County Board meeting). This is going way beyond telling minorities that they are not welcome to attend Pike planning meetings, Civic Federation meetings, etc. It's become difficult or impossible for voters, taxpayers, and residents to know what's occurring in County Government, except via the County's PR organization and from press releases from the County's PR organization appearing in the local media.

Ron - Barcroft

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

CPRO has become extremely hostile towards anyone who questions Pike decision-making.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have any idea what is occurring during their trips to the Sister Cities?

Anonymous said...

Notice Pike Wire and ArlNow blogs want to cover entertainment and non-controversial news?

2100 said...

About 80% of the time County Board members spend in their offices at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. has nothing to do with governing Arlington County.

Anonymous said...

Yes, look at how they put everything on the consent agenda, then if a citizen pulls an agenda item county staff gets to engage in a discussion about how and why county staff made the decisions the county board is rubber-stamping.

fed up Dem said...

Thank you for an excellent blog, and to the concerned citizens who post here.

Anonymous said...

The Civic Federation is becoming nothing but a senior citizens club, with a few younger senior wannabees.

Anonymous said...

Citizen Involvement? You mean the hand-picked groups that pre-approve everything the County Board rubber stamps?

Anonymous said...

Want to know how bad the Civic Federation is? They invited the Arlington Police Department to tonight's CivFed meeting so do a presentation. Other presentation is about affordable housing. So, you guessed it, minority groups were told they are not welcome to attend and the police will be present.

Anonymous said...

While you're at the Chamber ask Zimmy where the tax revenue from the Crystal City BID will be spent.

Anonymous said...

I can see Audrey Clement on the County Board: "Ms. Donnellan, I want to know EXACTLY where the County Board has been squandering the money that should be used for essential services, like street paving".

Anonymous said...

Look what's happening to Vince Gray for not embracing the Post's 'resegregation through gentrification' agenda.

margaret said...

The County Board's consent agenda is outrageous.

Anonymous said...

Heard about last night's Civic Federation annual election? Non of the seniors wanted to run for Secretary so they are going to try to find someone who is not a delegate.

Anonymous said...

Post's executives set the 'standard' for 'journalism' inside the Beltway, which is increasingly racist and elitist.

P said...

This yuppification has been going on for three decades and when change occurs it will be sudden and massive. U.S. economy is a disaster waiting to happen.

Anonymous said...

Reason for the tear downs / McMansions and mixed-use infill is they need to put real estate on the assessment rolls to fund their pet infrastructure projects with tax revenue and borrowing.

Anonymous said...

Pike redevelopment has become a feeding frenzy for developers, REITs, county staff, consultants, none of whom live in Arlington.

Anonymous said...

County Government's development and redevelopment frenzy is a Ponzi scheme whereby they leverage increasing tax revenue from development and redevelopment to borrow for vanity projects and special interest programs.

W.L. said...

Washington Post has numerous conflicts of interest involving its reporting and corporate activities in education, telecommunications, and real estate.

Anonymous said...

If you want to know what Zimmerman is saying you either have to attend the events where he speaks or file a FOIA request with the County Manager's office. Meanwhile AVN produces the usual drivel.

2100 said...

Charade Pike planning work session between County Board and County Manager will be this afternoon at 4 PM at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

Anonymous said...

Yes, they are into total urbanization of Arlington to fund their pet programs, projects, and people, never mind the consequences.

Anonymous said...

Um, its pretty common to have policymakers speak at private events - and to charge for the cost of the food.

Jeff said...

Duh, when was the last public meeting about Pike planning? Not a facilitated charade, luncheon, working session with the county manager, etc.?

The entire f-ing county is run like Egypt under Mubarak.

Anonymous said...

Jeff, the meeting this afternoon will be about how the out-of-state REITS can coordinate the total gentrification of the Pike with out-of-state planners and County Staff who don't live in the County.