Arlington Treasurer's Data Indicate Arlington's Economy Is Vulnerable

Hi Yupette,

I was recently able to peruse data from Arlington Treasurer Frank O'Leary's office regarding restaurants that are in arrears in meal tax payments and it appears that 30 restaurants in Arlington are least $10,000 in arrears on any given day. Also, the Artisphere is going to be taxpayer-subsidized for many years, according to reports from the County Manager's Office. With the Neo-Cons cutting even essential federal spending what are the consequences of the County Board pursuing the total Yuppification of Arlington County via "development for the sake of development"? The County's economy looks awfully shaky.

Peter

Arlington School System's FY 12 Budget - Mediocre Education, Great Recreation

Hello Yupette,

Well the FY 12 Arlington School System budget is out. No surprises, more money for more mediocrity, except when it comes to sports. Trailer classrooms? What did you expect from 'Jocko' Murphy? That the school system would build enough classrooms to accommodate students from the County's 'development for the sake of development' agenda? So, looks like we're we're going to become just like wonderful Fairfax County, hundreds of dumpy trailer classrooms surrounded by wonderful state-of-the art athletic fields. Nice to see that Jocko is going to allow parents to rescue the planetarium. And I'm supposed to vote for Libby Garvey for state senate?

Lisa - 22206

Federal Employees May Spend 'Many Days' on Unpaid Furlough

Hello Ms. Yupette:

Thanks for this blog.

I'm very uneasy about the Arlington County Board spending so extravagantly on projects like the Columbia Pike streetcar, which I understand will cost $138 million for a dozen streetcars.

I work for a large federal non-defense, non-national security agency and the talk is of one or two unpaid furlough days for federal non-military, non national security employees during FY 2012. That would be 12 or 24 days that we would not be paid.

I cannot support anyone in local government who is spending so extravagantly as the Arlington County Board and Arlington School Board members. There is apparently no consideration for taxpayers, only spending charade after spending charade orchestrated by the County Board and School Board, whether the spending is for pet projects like streetcars or pet non-profits like Marymount University. This has been going on for two decades with no end in sight. We are governed by irrational and irresponsible people and it's bi-partisan, Republicans are rubber stamps for the County's extravagant spending. Who speaks for us? A few local activists who are fed up, as we are. The newspapers are shills for local government and promoters of the status quo.

Thanks again for your blog.

T.Y.

Zimmerman's Local Opinions Comments in Post Were Deceptive

Hello, Yupette,

I have to completely disagree with Chris Zimmerman's self-serving comments on the Post's Local Opinions page in yesterdays's Metro Section. Chris Zimmerman is largely responsible for the need for I-66 widening and HOT Lanes on I-95.

Same Chris Zimmerman who approved massive so-called "Smart Growth" redevelopment near I-66 and I-395. At least 30,000 new parking spaces have been constructed in Arlington since 2000, arterials are jammed and tens of thousands of workers have been gentrified out of Arlington since Chris Zimmerman was elected to the County Board. Now we are hearing the same self-serving rhetoric that we heard about WMATA - everyone except Chis Zimmerman was responsible for WMATA's problems. No way do I buy that.

Larry - 22201