Next on Zimmerman's Smart Growth Agenda - 'Complete Streets' in Your Residential Neighborhood

Hello Yupette,

Ever wonder what all the people in our quiet residential neighborhoods are supposed to do for open space and activity space once our neighborhoods are urbanized? Not to worry. Chris Zimmerman and his colleagues at Smart Growth America and their friends who control the REITS who are set to urbanize our neighborhoods have it all 'planned'. Our streets are going to be turned into open space, activity space, and recreation space. Don't expect REITs that are profiting enormously from dedicating a few hundred square feet of plaza space surrounded by retail and restaurants to pay for acres of open space. It's not going to happen. What to do? Task Arlington's bloated 'planning' staff (almost none live in Arlington) with converting residential streets in quiet neighborhoods into recreation space for New Urbanists who live in corridors like Columbia Pike, Lee Highway, Rosslyn-Crystal City, and Four Mile Run-Shirlington. Of course, Zimmy's own neighborhood is off-limits as are the neighborhoods of his good buds on the County Board, Jay Fisette and Walter Tejada. Stay tuned for 'Complete Streets' coming to your neighborhood soon.

Pike Rider

No Surprise - County Board Says NO to VOICE

Hey Yupette,

I had to laugh when the affordable housing advocates from the Great White North of Arlington, aka VOICE, went to the County Board with their 10,000 petition signatures asking for affordable housing to be constructed on public land in the County. Any so-called 'affordable' housing that's built in Arlington will be funded by the County Board in conjunction with its deals with pet REITs, pet developers, pet housing non-profits, pet consultants, and pet fellow Democrats. Aided and abetted by a bloated bureaucracy (there are more than 50 County employees engaged in public relations across County Government) and local media that are de facto chamber of commerce lobbyists

There is no way Chairman Walter, aka Nada, Tejada could say Yes to VOICE last Saturday. Every spare dollar of revenue will be committed to the County Board's pet vanity projects, whether lighted synthetic surface soccer fields, live theater in every neighborhood, Columbia Pike Streetcar and, oh yes, the Jay Fisette Aquatics Center.

I saw this before, when the County Board committed to building affordable housing in Potomac Yards. Never happened.

If VOICE wants to accomplish its goals its members should not waste any more time on the County Board or the bloated County bureaucracy or the news media. They should volunteer to help elect John Vihstadt to County Board.

Pike Rider

Fifteen Years of Wants-Not-Needs Government in Arlington - Enough

Hi Yupette,

Happy to see an independent is running against whichever Chris Zimmerman clone is selected by Arlington Democrats. After 15 years of wants-not-needs driving County Government, with Jay Fisette and Chris Zimmerman alternately in the driver's seat, it's time to reverse course and fund the basics first, not last.

Chris Zimmerman is getting the gold mine along with his corporate cronies who he'll be working with and for when he leaves the County Board. Jay Fisette already got the gold mine, through his domestic partner's management consulting firm whose clients include dozens of major corporations, many having appeared before the County Board seeking and receiving various gimmes over the years.

Only thing that would make me happier than seeing Chris Zimmerman leave the County Board would be Jay Fisette announce he's also retiring, to become a fund raiser for his pet non-profit arts organizations to take them off the taxpayer dole.

Thanks for your blog.

Joan, 22207

Democratic Smart Growth Facilitators Call on Police to 'Supervise' Citizens Association Election

Hey Yupette,

Having angered residents who live near the Fairlington Community Center with plans for a Sunday farmer's market, never mind the impact of traffic on the neighborhood, the Fairlington Citizens Association called on the Arlington Police Department to attend its annual election meeting to ensure the Democratic incumbents are re-elected. And the same Democratic 'facilitators' - with a few new faces - have been tapped by Chris Zimmerman to fast-track the approval of the massive Park Shirlington luxury apartment redevelopment adjacent to North Fairlington.

Same police who Zimmerman has lurking undercover in the back of the County Board meeting room and secretly recording what citizens are saying and doing inside and outside the County Board room during County Board meetings and other public meetings.

What else is new in Fairlington? Same old from the same Democratic facilitators who had the cops attend election meetings a decade ago, and threatened Fairlington residents with arrest for complaining about the Shirlington redevelopment giveaways, lack of affordable housing, increased traffic, massive parking, and so on. And they're again engaging in the usual Democratic Party rumor-mongering, slander, and so on against Fairlington residents who don't go along with the program.

Later,

Fairgrrl

Democrats to Select Zimmerman Clone for County Board

Hello Yupette,

I attended Wednesday's ACDC monthly meeting and heard Peter Fallon, Alan Howze, and Cord Thomas attempt to out-Zimmerman Chris Zimmerman. What a hoot. Aren't we giving enough corporate welfare to the REITs who are creating both a office space and housing bubble, and corporations that are bringing thousands of low-paid jobs to Arlington? Peter, Alan, and Cord never met a greedy corporate executive they didn't like.

Oh, speaking of C.Z., he's going to be spending more time in the County Board offices next year lobbying to inflict New Urbanism on our neighborhoods than he's spending this year as a County Board member.

But what can you expect from a political party that's been in power and controlled everything for more than 30 years?

fed up Dem

Park Shirlington Redevelopment - Huge Brick Warehouse Apartment Buildings Pre-Approved by County Board

Hey, Yupette,

Home Properties Incorporated (an Upstate New York Corporation that's been de-investing in Upstate NY for more than two decades) filed a preliminary site plan for Park-Shirlington redevelopment with Arlington County. The plans depict massive sprawl warehouse apartment buildings with many windows that supposedly conform to nearby Fairlington's architecture. No way does this site plan have anything whatsoever to do with Fairlingon's historic suburban planning.. Based upon what I could determine from the plans, this project will massively impact Fairlington in a massively negative way. Project was pre-approved by County Board Members Favola, Fisette, Hynes, Tejada and Zimmerman  during private meetings with Home Properties in early 2011. Did I mention that County "Planning" Staff is already trashing Fairlington residents who won't "go along with the program"?

FairGrrl - 22206

FY 2015 Financial Forecast and Budget Guidance: County Can't Afford Zimmerman's $treetcar

Hey Yupette,

Did you read Barbara Donnellan's FY 2015 FY 2015 Financial Forecast and Budget Guidance Report - Agenda Item 30 at tonight's County Board meeting? We can expect low to moderate growth in revenues between FY 2015 and FY 2020, with increasing costs for schools, for County Government, and for the County Board's pet projects - Artisphere, Aquatic Center, and Zimmerman Streetcar.  No mention of where the money would come for the $500 million Zimmerman Streetcar except from the Transportation Fund. Anyway, budget deficit is projected to be $7.7 million for FY 15, increasing substantially every year until at least FY 20. Check out the report at arlingtonva.us.

Ted - also from 2100

Zimmerman's Legacy to Arlington: Neighborhoods as Regional Party Zones

Hey Yupette,

Thanks for info about the Jumbotronzation of our neighborhoods. Know what's behind this? In the event you missed Saturday's County Board meeting, Chris Zimmerman wants his "Legacy" to Arlington to be the complete yupscale urbanization of Arlington's neighborhoods into regional party zones. Including the entire Pike corridor. That's why anything goes when comes to sector plans, general land use plan, zoning, and site plans. As Roving Ambassador for Smart Growth Zimmy isn't going to be around Arlington to suffer the consequences, nor will VIP County Staff who make the so-called "planning" decisions, don't live in the County, and are near retirement. Zimmy et. al. are seeing the County lose high-paying federal and federal contractor jobs and are desperate to keep the economic bubble growing. So their "planning" for the next 20 years involves bringing people with huge amounts of disposable income to live, play, and pay taxes of all kinds in Arlington County. Of course, as in all Ponzi schemes, that assumes there are an infinite number of people with large amounts of disposable income who want to live, play, and pay ever-increasing taxes in Arlington County.

Later,

2100

Zimmerman's Urban Village Jumbotronization Goes to Planning Commission, County Board

Hey, Yupette,

In the event you wondered what's next on Chris Zimmerman's urbanization agenda, it's putting a Jumbotron in your neighborhood. Yep, already went to the Planning Commission on Monday, going to the County Board next week on the consent agenda and in December for approval. The Jumbotrons would be huge, up to 750 square feet, that's 37 feet by 20 feet.

County Planning Staff ran the idea of Jumbotrons in neighborhoods like Shirlington Village past three Arlington residents and received a thumbs up from all three.

What was the Planning Commision to do? They serve at the pleasure of Chris Zimmerman.

Later, 2100

No More Arlington Mills - Vote Yes on the Housing Authority Referendum

Hello Yupette,

I live and work near Columbia Pike in a one-bedroom market rate apartment that is fast becoming unaffordable. I took a look at the so-called 'affordable' apartments at County-owned Arlington Mill.  You have to earn $30,000 annually to qualify to rent a 626 square foot apartment for $926...the least expensive apartment available and there are only a few of them at that rent, according to the leasing agent I spoke with. What kind of 'affordable housing' is that?

If that's the best Arlington Government can do on a site the taxpayers own (including taxpayers who don't earn a living wage and work in restrurants and retail up and down the Pike), it's time for a change. Consequently I'm voting Yes on the Housing Authority referendum. You should too.

P.S. As for the County Board, it's time for "Gentrification Jay" to retire. So I'm voting to retire him.

Thanks for your blog.

Pike Rider 22204

Gas Guzzlers Fuel Fisette's Expensive Pet Projects

Hey, Yupette,

Wonder where 'Gentrification Jay' aka 'Gourmet Jay' aka 'Giveaway Jay' Fisette gets the money to fund his pet sports, recreation, and green charade projects? No brainer. Just look at the new car and used car lots around Arlington. Full of expensive new and used vehicles. Like the Mercedes SUVs stored in the former Arlington Funeral Home parking lot. Sticker price averages $60,000. Sales tax is 6%, personal property tax is 5%. Do the math. Same Jay Fisette who votes to spend $3 million a year promoting a car free diet and will vote to approve between 4,000 and 5,000 new vehicle parking spaces in new parking garages this year. What will Jay do for an encore if he's re-elected? An aquatic center and live theater in every re-developed neighborhood? With 3,000 new parking spaces under the mixed use unaffordable housing, and commercial buildings that have a 40% vacancy rate? Nothing would surprise me, considering the extravagant manner Jay's spent tax dollars so far.

Joan 22207

Fisette's 'Vision' for Arlington - Neighborhoods Into Party Zones

Hi, Yupette,

Thanks for this blog.

I watched yesterday's County Board meeting. I live in 22202 and it was appalling to see how county government has allowed our historic residential neighborhoods to deteriorate. Just watch the NC plan presentation by the Arlington Ridge Civic Association.

It's obvious what Jay Fisette and the others on the County Board are up to - neighborhood by neighborhood redevelopment with the redeveloped neighborhoods becoming 'party zones' and every older neighhood allowed to deteriorate to the point where it becomes a "redevelopment opportunity" for the REITs who Jay Fisette and the others cater to.

Whatever anyone may say about Audrey Clement, it seems to me that she is concerned about the quality-of-life in residential neighborhoods like Arlington Ridge. I'm voting for her next month.

Mike - 22202

Bikeshare Safety, An Oxymoron?

Hey Yupette,

What is it with the people who rent Bikeshare bicycles? No helmets, dark clothing, reckless behavior.

Yesterday I was brushed off the sidewalk on Washington Boulevard by a Bikeshare renter who ran a traffic light and zoomed up on the sidewalk through a curb cut. Talking on a cell phone.

What ever happened to the County's bicycle safety program?

Harrison, 22201

Arlington's Wastewater Treatment Plant - Malfunction Junction

Hey Yupette,

Want to know the scariest place in Arlington? It's Arlington County's Wastewater Treatment Plant, on Four Mile Run. Anytime there's a major rainfall the alarms start going off non-stop and the alarms don't stop going off until it stops raining.

Apparently, $568 million isn't enough to ensure the plant can adequately treat a combined flow of wastewater and stormwater without humans constantly having to override automatic control systems, constantly repairing state-of-the-art wastewater pumps and other equipment, and preventing hazmat leaks from blowing the plant, the lovely Metrobus repair facility, and beautiful Arlington Ridge sky high.

As a member of my Kiwanis club, who's a fed up plant operator, stated to me: "There are about as many alarms going off in the plant's control center whenever there's a storm as on the bridge of the Enterprise when the Klingons get within a light year on Star Trek".

I live on Arlington Ridge and I would call the County Manager's office but the County Manager and County Board only listen to Vornado.Thanks for your blog.

John M.

Shirlington Oktoberfest - Out of Control

Hello Yupette,

I live in a condo about 1/4 mile from Shirlington.

The so-called 'Shirlington Oktoberfest' which is now officially the 'Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest' is way out of control. This event draws at least 10,000 people into what is supposed to be a planned 'smart growth' community and imposes massive traffic on a dozen residential neighborhoods within a mile radius.

I am also appalled by how many people who have parked in my neighborhood and consumed a lot of beer are walking to their vehicles and driving home.

Anyone know who's responsible for this mess?

Thanks,

Larry, 22206

Time for Austerity Spending by the County Board and School Board

Hi Yupette,

News today about the Federal Government shutdown is not good. And we're going to be stuck with the current Congress for another 16 months. Time is now for the County Board and School Board to implement their austerity spending plans (if such plans exist). The tax revenue streams derived from discretionary personal spending (sales tax, meals tax) that County Government uses to fund its extravagant vanity projects are rapidly drying up. Can tax revenue from other sources (home improvements, business expansion) be far behind?

Time for the County Board and School Board to immediately stop spending and borrowing to fund extravagant and unnecessary infrastructure - streetcars, lighted synthetic playing fields, million dollar bus shelters, elementary schools constructed with high school indoor athletic facilities, $350,000 painted fences and $450,000 brick walls pretending to be 'public art'.

Of course, Arlington being Neverland-on-the-Potomac and Arlington's First Yuppie being Gourmet Jay Fisette any sense of urgency regarding an impending fiscal crisis is drowned out by Arlington Government's theme song 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'.

Ted 22205

Wa$h Po$t Going Away Gift to Alexandria: Mega-Development of the Waterfront

Hey, Yupette,

News from Alexandria is that mega-infill is going ahead on the waterfront and the Washington Post Corporation announced it sold Robinson Terminal to JBG and EYA, to be developed into a waterfront hotel, luxury housing, and other yupscale residential and commercial. Alexandria's First Developer, Mayor Euille, was elated of course. Who cares if there's already a Tysons-on-the-Potomac at National Harbor? Not Bill Euille and his corporate cronies.

A big going away gift from the Washington Post Corporation, which will shortly change it's name to -- what? --- and  get out of the newspaper business. Post Corporation that funds its money-losing newspaper with profits from its Kaplan "fleece the sheeple" educational subsidiary, re-elects Don Graham's pet incumbents based on endorsements written by summer interns, and never saw an African American who wasn't in some way dysfunctional. Can Jeff Bezos do worse as the Post media owner? Stay tuned.

Alex
Alexandria

Clement Pushes Virginia Green Party to Endorse Libertarian Sarvis

Hello Yupette,

FYI, the Green Party of Virginia endorsed Robert Sarvis during a state-wide meeting in Newport News last Saturday. Co-Chair Audrey Clement pushed the Green Party to endorse Libertarian candidate Sarvis, although Sarvis did not seek the Green Party's endorsement. Clement (who is the Green Party's candidate for Arlington County Board of Supervisors) put the Sarvis endorsement on the meeting agenda at the commencement of the meeting without informing the Virginia Green Party membership. Recently the Green Party of Virginia reluctantly began endorsing a few Independents who sought the Party's endorsement.

Obviously, I and other Greens are having nothing to do with the Virginia Green Party as long as the current regime controls the Party.

Ryan

Arlington County Board Listens...But Only to Non-Residents

Hi Ms. Yupette:

Thanks for this blog. If you needed any proof that the County Board only listens to non-residents last Saturday's County Board meeting provided plenty. When the County Board wasn't deferring to non-resident county staff (starting with County Manager Barbara Donnellan) it was essentially rubber stamping whatever dumb growth 'planning' the out-of-state REITS concocted with their out-of-state law firms. Commentary by local media who, like the County Board, never met a neighborhood they didn't want in-filled.

Time to end the arrogance, starting with retiring Jay Fisette from the County Board in November. That would send a big signal to Barbara,Terry Holzheimer, Robert Brosnan, and Robert Duffy that their infill urbanization services are no longer needed. Maybe they could spend their retirements in-filling the parks in their own Fairfax County neighborhoods with lighted synthetic surface soccer fields.

Thumbs up to the residents of Arlington Ridge and Williamsburg for wanting to keep their residential neighborhoods residential.

Regards,

Terri

County Board's Long Range Agenda: Massive Urban In-Fill Countywide

Hey Yupette,

Seen the County Board's Consent and Regular Meeting agendas for the September 21st and 24th meetings? They're up on the arlingtonva.us site.

If you take a close look you'll notice that the meeting agenda reflects the County Board's long-term goal of in-fill urbanization across the County. To benefit developers, REITs and non-resident County bureaucrats who are the County's de facto primary decision makers.

What's worse, non-resident County employees who are responsible for economic development and planning are in-filling residential neighborhoods with multi-jurisdictional public infrastructure, paid for by County residents. How many non-residents do you think will drive to use the Longbridge recreation megaplex? Lots.

Speaking of driving, check out all the additional parking spaces that will be created in the mega-infill Pen Place corporate welfare package for Vornado. In a county where the Board of Supervisors spent $3 million promoting a car free diet last year while approving the construction of 3,000 new parking spaces via site plans.

Residents of Aurora Hills, Fairlington, and Williamsburg have the right to be outraged. Their neighborhoods are the latest 'redevelopment opportunities' offered to the REITS by a County Government that's completely corrupt.

Thanks for posting this blog.

Ken, 22207

Wakefield Students Grade Classrooms C-Minus, Activities A-Plus

Hi Yupette,

Just to let you know that my kids think the classrooms in the new Wakefield HS are dismal but give the activities an A+. School will be open to the public on September 22nd, so you can see for yourself.

Nice to see you in Fairlington last night. Wasn't Jim Moran a hoot? Yes, he should retire.

Karen J.

12,000 Illegal Home Searches in DC Metro Area Since 2001...

Hey Yupette,

So the New York Times and Washington Post are disclosing the extent NSA has been conducting electronic surveillance on Americans since 2001? But how about the people who don't own personal communications devices, aren't on the Internet, or are 'suspicious' in some way? Not to worry. National and local law enforcement have experts in lock-picking and conducting warrantless searches on the scene while 'suspicious persons' are away from home. To the tune of 12,000 warrantless searches since 9-11-2001. Oh, they've installed hard-to-detect bugging devices in the homes of people who are really suspicious. Don't want to have your home searched while your're at work? Don't do anything suspicious.

Regards,
Peter

Time is Right for Jim Moran to Announce He's Retiring

Hi, Yupette,

I also attended the Arlington Civic Federation candidates' forum on Tuesday.

I was impressed by the younger Democrats in the General Assembly, Patrick Hope, Rob Krupicka, and Alfonso Lopez. They have lots of energy and get good legislation passed in a House of Delegates that's overwhelmingly Republican.

Seems to me now's the appropriate time for Congressman Moran to announce he's retiring. He hasn't done much in Congress since the Tea Party took control of the House. Even without his problems with ethics and his famous temper he's been just hanging out in the House of Representatives for years.

Time to give the 8th District a Representative who can get legislation passed that's important to the District while keeping faith with his or her progressive values. Time's right for Jim Moran announce he's retiring, and for a multi-candidate primary next year to choose his successor.

22207

Civfed Forum: Clement the Only Serious County Board Candidate

Hey, Yupette,

I attended the CivFed's candidate forum last night and was not impressed by either Jay Fisette or write-in candidate Stephen Holbrook, who showed up dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and handed out copies of his platform, a poorly-written rambling statement against taxes, food stamps, homeless shelters, Medicaid, and so on.

Jay Fisette's presentation also consisted of rambling statements which were not true (fiscally conservative, fair and independent voice on the County Board) and statements promoting his personal beliefs and lifestyle.

(Since ethics in government was a topic of discussion among candidates last night, can Jay please provide a list of his domestic partner's consulting clients who regularly come before the County Board)?

Which leaves Audrey Clement, who presented a list of specific proposals for improving Arlington County Government and residents' quality of life, ranging from imposing fiscal constraints on runaway spending, to improving Arlington's public libraries, to installing solar on all the County's public buildings for electric power and providing hot water for building heating and various uses inside buildings.

No contest. Any fair and impartial observer would have scored Audrey Clement the clear winner over Jay Fisette.

It was disconcerting to observe that the number of persons who attended last night's forum who are not CivFed delegates exceeded the number of delegates.

Later,

K

Who is Jeffrey P. Bezos and What Does He Want from the Washington Post?

Hey Yupette,

It's only a matter of a few months before the Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos. So what's Jeff Bezos like? Short answer, he's an Ivy League Yupster who's looking for a big life change - from tech to politics. Plus, working conditions in Amazon warehouses are dismal and Amazon workers are inundating the media with complaints that Amazon is the 'WalMart of the Web'. Jeff and Amazon need the kind of PR right now that only the ownership of a major national newspaper can provide. Jeff's also impressed by the social position and political contacts Don Graham's accumulated over the past couple decades he's run the Post. Watch for Jeff to shelve his esoteric projects in order to spend his time mixing with the movers and shakers.

Later,

Renny (Amazon Management 2009-2011)

Who is Richard L Connor and What Does He Want from the Sun Gazette?

Hey Yupette,

Thanks for this blog and for giving us an alternative to the same-old same-old propaganda from 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.

I did a Web search on the name "Richard L. Connor", who apparently controls the Sun Gazette and other local newspapers formerly owned by American Community Newspapers.

First thing that popped up was this: "Maine Today Media accuses former CEO of stealing $500,000".

Oh, Rich Connor was also sued by Wilkes-Barre Publishing for $250,000 that he allegedly misappropriated while running the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader.

So what does Rich want from the Sun Gazette?

Isn't it enough that Northern Virginia's premier Nanny Newsie (sorry Patch editors) Scott McCaffrey is on the executive committee of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce? How far are the plutocrats going to take the local media anyway? I'm surprised the weeklies and their blogs aren't running full page infomercials from  REITs that are looking to totally urbanize inside-the-beltway. Stay tuned.

Carole, 22205

Enough Warfighting Car Tax Decals

Hey, Yupette,

Just received Frank O'Leary's latest warfighting car tax decal in the mail, for which I will pay $252 in car tax, plus $25 for the decal. Enough of this waste of tax dollars for one person's ego. I have also had it with the seemingly endless events having to do with 9-11-2001, pay-to-play and otherwise. So, I'm doing a cut-and-paste with Frank's decal this year. Here's a suggested graphic to replace the flag-wrapped U.S.S Arlington.

L.W., 22204

Pay-to-Play with Rob and Jay - August 17th

Hi Yupette,

Just a reminder that the next pay-to-play event for Arlington's movers and shakers will be Rob Rosen's and Jay Fisette's barbecue at their Ashton Heights estate on August 17th from 4-7.

If you missed the U.S.S. Arlington commissioning here's a great opportunity to meet the people who make things happen in Arlington.

Tickets are $100, to benefit the campaigns of LGBT-friendly candidates.

Ted, N. Irving Street

Police Expand Dragnet, Sweep Up Non-Residents While Homies Chill

Hey Ms. Yupette,

If you are a tourist or somebody from out of town and like to drive your SUV while texting this week is not a good time to visit Arlington. The policia are sweeping up tourists and non-residents who drive recklessly and act 'suspiciously'. Especially along Wilson Blvd. near the county border with Fairfax County.

Meanwhile the homies in the 'hoods are chillin'. So if you are out at night and drivin' around lookin' for a club or a end of summer party don't say we didn't tell you to drive with both hands on the wheel.

Later,

Raoul63

Crank Crewe Eludes Police Dragnet in Tejada's Neighborhood

Hey Yupette,

Another summer night, another armed robbery in County Board Chair J. Walter 'Nada' Tejada's Dominion Hills neighborhood.

Happened again last night. Gangstas eluded a dragnet by Arlington and Fairfax County Police using dogs and a helicopter.

Based on what neighborhood homies are saying and gang graffitti, the gangstas may belong to the 18th Street Gang, a large sophisticated street gang that started in LA and has spread across the United States over the past several years.

So be careful if you are out and about Dominion Hills after dark.

Later,

Geraldo99

Sister City Resident: Arlington County Government Deceitful Regarding BRT Flexibility and Capacity

Hello,

I am a resident of Aachen, Germany, which is a Sister City of Arlington Virginia. I am following the controversy regarding building a street car system in your County. The statements made by your county board members regarding the advantages of a streetcar system over articulated buses are deceitful, one reason that I and other Aachen citizens favor ending the Sister City agreement with Arlington.

On March 10, 2013 Aachen citizens decisively voted in a referendum to oppose a new tram (streetcar) system for Aachen which would have cost U.S. $320 million. I and others opposed the Aachen tram system for the same reasons that Arlington citizens oppose the streetcar system planned for the Columbia Pike, articulated buses (BRT) provide equivalent capacity and are much more flexible (please excuse the pun) for much less money.

Presently, two types of articulated buses are operating in Aachen, single articulated buses and double articulated buses. I am sending you a photo of one of the double articulated buses, a Van Hool AGG-300. There is also a YouTube video of an AGG-300 bus operating on Aachen's streets. The video can be found at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MMGtz3NH8U

It is unfortunate that your citizens are so poorly served by their elected leaders.

Regards,
Peter, Aachen Germany

Crank Crewes Elude Arlington Police

Hey Ms. Yupette,

You knew with all the interest in bicycles here in Arlington the bandits would start to get with the program. Well, just like New York and LA, the gangstas are using bicycles to facilitate various for-profit activities. Like the armed robbery in North Arlington last night. Like the speedy delivery of certain controlled substances to Arlington's Party Zones (you know where they are). Arlington Police are trying to figure out what's going on. They should visit New York where crank crewes have been ganging in the hoods for more than decade. Check out the homies riding dressed all in black at night. Bonus loot because you don't get pulled over for driving with a suspended license and expired registration.

Later,

DT213

Never Mind the $treetcar. Fix Arlington's Streetlights

Hi Yupette,

County Board is meeting tonight at 9:30 PM, corner of North Monroe Street and Wilson Boulevard to check out the operation of the County's new light emitting diode streetlights. How long has the County been fooling around with this technology? Light emitting diodes have been around for decades.

Meanwhile, taxpayers put up with thousands of poorly maintained mercury vapor and sodium vapor streetlights that are a big gift to Dominion, the older they get the less light they produce, the more power they consume.

Can we please have a modern street lighting system that doesn't put more light into trees and on buildings than it does on the street? How long is County Government going to play with LED streetlights before a street lighting system can be approved that's efficient and acceptable to residents? Stay tuned.

Meredith, 22205

'Pave the Bay' $ierra Club Endorses Fi$ette

Hey Yupette,

Bad enough that Jay Fi$ette just voted for a site plan that includes an energy pig building with 885 parking spaces in parking garages under the building. Now he's been endorsed by the 'Pave the Bay' $ierra Club. Those lovable environmentalists who are destroying Chesapeake Bay, McMansion by bayfront McMansion, Marina by bayfront Marina, while telling Arlingtonians (who live 70 miles from the Bay) that we can't spend enough on wastewater and stormwater treatment. Then there's the Columbia Pike $treetcar which would (like the rest of Arlington) be powered by electricity generated by nuclear and combustion, much of the combustion derived from burning 'mountaintop coal'. Face it, the $ierra Club and Fi$ette are nothing but wealthy Republicrat elitists who derive power from destroying the environment, while brainwashing the sheeple into believing otherwise.

Joan

Fisette's Vision for Arlington: Pyongyang on the Potomac

Hey Yupette,

I was wondering where I saw all the elements of Jay Fisette's "vision" for Arlington County.

Well, check out beautiful downtown Pyongyang, North Korea. A vision for Arlington that Jay Fisette, Chris Zimmerman, and the rest of the Regime have come to love. In the event you haven't been keeping up with what Kim Jong-un has been up to over the past couple of years that he's been the Supreme Leader of North Korea. he's setting the 21st Century standard for the People's Republic of Arlington to follow.

In addition to the ugly monolithic buildings, obsolete subway system, dilapitated streetcar system, and car-free diet, the Supreme Leader is imposing a Bike Pyongyang edict on the city's residents. Except for women, who are legally prohibited from riding bicycles. Is North Korea the model for "Smart Growth"? Sure looks that way to me.

Anyway, you can do a Web search and see for yourself what Jay has in store for us, once he's re-selected to serve on the Politburo.

Thanks for your blog.

Ted

Zimmerman Will Pay for Pike Streetcar with Regressive Taxes

Hello, Yupette,

Latest from Chris Zimmerman and the County Board Majority is the Pike streetcar proponents will pay for the streetcar system through regressive taxation, the commercial real estate tax surcharge (costs to commercial tenants will be passed on to consumers) and the new sales taxes recently approved by the General Assembly. First $12 million of sales tax revenue dedicated for Pike streetcar infrastructure costs is scheduled to be approved by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority on July 24th. The NVTA meeting will be held at the Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street, in the City of Fairfax. Meeting begins at 5:30 PM.

Given the level of mismanagement and outright fraud being committed by Arlington County Government related to transportation improvements on the Pike it's increasingly unlikely the Federal Transit Administration will agree to fund infrastructure related to the Pike streetcar.

See you in Fairfax on July 24th.

2100Ted

Fairlington Residents Put Tejada on Defensive in Advance of July 16th Pike Streetcar Vote

Hello,

County Board Chairman Walther Tejada attended the Fairlington civic association's meeting on July 10th in advance of the June 16th County Board meeting where the County Board will consider appropriations for Columbia Pike streetcar project management (consent agenda item 25). Mr. Tejada was accompanied by non-resident County Staff and a small contingent of 'facilitators' from the Arlington Democratic Party. The pro-transit choice group, Arlingtonians for Sensible Transit, also attended. The purpose of the meeting was to rebut the anti-streetcar presentation County Board member Libby Garvey made at the May civic association meeting.


 Fairlington residents repeatedly challenged Mr. Tejada and County transportation staff regarding the proposed streetcar system's cost and safety, and other aspects of Columbia Pike redevelopment, such as affordable housing, traffic, and population growth. Mr. Tejada blamed WMATA for the $1 million bus shelter fiasco at Walter Reed and Columbia Pike, and admitted that "we're always going to have cars" when asked why the County is spending millions to promote a "car free diet" while approving site plans for thousands of new parking spaces under new buildings. Pro-streetcar facilitators from ACDC blamed County Board member Libby Garvey for obstructing streetcar system construction.

Mr. Tejada stated that the County Board majority may not seek Federal funding for the Pike streetcar but may use dedicated real estate tax revenues and revenues from new state sales taxes instead.

The next County Board vote on the matter of Pike streetcar appropriations will occur at the recessed County Board meeting on July 16th, which will commence at 6:30 PM, in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Third Floor.

Cindy
Fairlington

(Photo - a recent collision between a streetcar and city bus in San Francisco that sent 15 people to hospitals)

Christmas in July - July 13th and 16th County Board Meetings

Hi Yupette,

Check out the agenda for the next County Board meeting, July 13th and 16th. It's Christmas in July. Every person, non-profit, and for-profit with his-her-it's hand out is going to get a taxpayer-funded handout. Meaning Zimmerman's $treetcar, Fi$ette's wealthy performing arts buds, Vornado, bikeshare, and even contractors who've gone over-budget on public infrastructure. C.B. Agenda is up on arlingtonva.us.

2100

Bike Arlington 2020 - Another Expensive Mess

Hey Yupette,

I just returned from once-beautiful Amsterdam, which has been overwhelmed by bicycles. The Dutch state and local governments have spent a fortune on encouraging everyone to ride bicycles and funding bicycle infrastructure (like bicycle parking garages). Consequently, Amsterdam and other Dutch cities are a mess, bicycles, bicycles, bicycles. Oh, Dutch bicyclists generally don't wear helmets and obeying traffic signs is pretty casual. Stay tuned for a big bicycle mess in Arlington by 2020.

Terri, 22204

Cost of Zimmerman's Pike Train Wreck Will Exceed $500 Million

Hi Yupette,

Don't know if you've been following the financial markets recently but, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and elsewhere, the days of easy money that states, cities, and counties can borrow to finance projects like Chris Zimmerman's Pike trolley folly and Jay Fisette's Aquasphere are at an end.

Interest rates are increasing and the bond markets are in steep decline. Bond prices have plunged precipitously in recent weeks sending interest rates soaring. In recent weeks there's been a flood of bond sales.

Hardest hit will be municipalities like Arlington, which are near their debt limits, in Arlington's case because of heavy borrowing for the County Board's and School Board's vanity projects, like Jay Fisette's Aquasphere and new high schools where bond money goes for extravagant sports, entertainment, and recreation facilities. Arlington will have no choice but to pay significantly more to borrow for future necessary public infrastructure, like water and sewer projects, and Chris Zimmerman's vanity Pike streetcar.

Jerry,  22207

Portland Bike Safety Video Stresses Even-Handed Enforcement

Hi Yupette,

Sorry to see the 'biketards' get away with so much bad behavior in Arlington. Here's the Portland Police Department's recent training video about streetcar-bicycle-motorist-pedestrian traffic ordinance enforcement. Hope it helps.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKmwKP5ZRtQ

Jerry,
Portland

Fisette's Biketard Allies Blame Pedestrians, Motorists, for Reckless and RWI Bicycle Accidents

Hey, Yupette,

You won't see this on AVN, AIM, or in the PR drivel handed to the local media by the County Manager's office and printed as "news", but at least a dozen traffic accidents and several  pedestrian injuries have already occurred this year, caused by Jay Fisette's biketard friends and allies while bicycling recklessly and/or RWI.

Jay has prevailed on the Arlington police to completely ignore any and all reckless bicycling. Arlington police are well-aware that as many as 10% of the people riding bicycles in the evening and on weekends may be riding under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and many have lost their driver's licenses as the result of DWI convictions.

Of course, if some biketard runs a stop sign at high speed and hits your motor vehicle, YOU are in big trouble with the police. That's the Arlington Way in the second decade of the 21st Century. Stay tuned for worse to come.

Ted  22204

Massive Investigation of Zimmerman's Pay-to-Play Smart Growth Cronies in Montreal Continues

Hi Yupette,

Latest from Montreal is that the massive pay-to-play investigation of the "Smart Growth" construction and development industry is leading to the actual and imminent arrests of hundreds of local officials in Montreal and its suburbs, including Chris Zimmerman's consulting clients and Smart Growth cronies.

Latest arrest is of the Acting Mayor of Montreal, Michael Applebaum, a Smart Growth real estate developer. It appears the corruption is so pervasive in the Greater Montreal Smart Growth real estate and development sectors that concerned citizens are asking the Province of Quebec to take over Montreal's city council.

Later,

Larry from Ontario

Fisette's 'Community Energy Plan' = More Pollution + More Energy Use / Waste

Hey Yupette,

Another County Board meeting. Another major charade approved by the County Board. Yesterday it was Gentrification J. Fisette's so-called 'Community Energy Plan'.

What a turkey. The County's energy use is skyrocketing. County keeps adding more parking for more vehicles. More workers drive in and out of Arlington because they can't afford to live here. More massive in-fill replacing small buildings that could have been upgraded to consume little energy if the County Board weren't allowing them to deteriorate so they could be replaced by massive in-fill. More 'energy efficient' McMansions replacing small homes. A so-called 'district energy plan' that's analogous to replacing diesel locomotives with steam locomotives on the Norfolk Southern. Approved by Washington Gas. Demand for more electricity will be supplied by massive new coal-fired power plants in southwest Virginia. Solar panels? What are they? Approval rubber stamped by the County Board's colleagues at the Arlington Democratic Committee who serve on the advisory commissions and/or serve as ACDC's de facto ward heelers.

Ted 22204

Zimmerman's Plan B for Ballston - More National Security and Homeland Security Contractors

Hi, Yupette,

Now that NSF is leaving run-down Ballston what's Zimmy's back up plan for filling the aging buildings with surtax-paying corporations? Zimmy and Arlington Economic Development have devised a scheme called the Ballston Innovation Initiative, or BI2, to fill vacant older buildings with national security and homeland security contractors (now the warfighting is winding down in the Middle East and national security and homeland security budgets are being cut). So, Zimmy's 'vision' for Ballston is 'to imagine a place where in a 5-block radius, 8000 of the world's leading scientists, educators, and innovators work alongside each other. This is Ballston. A place where the impossible National Security problems become products that revolutionize the way humanity lives'.

So, think of the Ballston Innovation Initiative as a National Security Artisphere, with all sorts of fun events planned over the next few months, like National Security Deal Day on June 12th where national security entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch businesses. On June 22nd, students from Virginia Tech and elsewhere will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes for helping solve intractable National Security and Homeland Security problems during the BI2 Tech Throwdown. More fun events will be scheduled over the Summer. What the heck, Economic Development has $10 million a year to spend and only Zimmy is telling them how to spend it.

Terri - 22201

NSF Employees - "Ballston is Run Down and Tacky"

Hey, Yupette,

Want to know a big reason NSF is moving to Alexandria? Ballston is looking run down and the funds needed for fixing up the crumbling streets, brick-paver sidewalks, improve street lighting, and improve landscaping are going to the Artisphere, Signature, bikeshare, and a dozen other of the County Board's pet vanity projects. The County is giving $1.5 million to the Ballston BID every year, which is largely spent on public relations, and another $8 million this year for structural improvements to the Ballston Mall parking garage, which the County owns, to benefit the Washington Capitals practice arena. So the area around NSF is looking increasingly run-down. Check it out yourself. Watch out for the potholes on Wilson Blvd and the crumbling brick-paver sidewalks all over Ballston.

Barbara,
22201

Streetcars vs. Everything - The Mayhem Continues

Hey, Yupette,

Just to let you know the latest from Portland, Oregon, Streetcar Capital of the USA. The Streetcar Mayhem continues, here's a photo.

Ted, Portland Oregon

Time for a Moratorium on Additional Performing Arts Spending

Hey Yupette,

I found a graphic of the Arlington performing arts community's plans for future financial planning and am providing it as a public service. Why is Arlington County giving those wealthy wealthy people who are on the Signature Theater's Board of Directors any money whatsoever? Jay Fisette's domestic partner is on the Signature's BOD so was the County Board voting to bail out the Signature a conflict of interest for Giveaway Jay?

Anyway. here's the graphic. We really really need some responsible adults to exert some fiscal oversight in Arlington. Thanks for your blog.

Mark
Cherrydale