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