John Vihstadt convincingly won tonight's CivFed debate against his more-of-the same Democratic opponent, Alan Howze, Independent Green Janet Murphy, and Independent Steve Holbrooke.
Vihstadt's specific agenda for reforming County Government (an end to extravagant legacy programs like the Pike Streetcar, funding an independent auditor at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, and seeking to ameliorate 'stovepiping' between the County Board and School Board) contrasted to Howze's 'we can do better, based upon my experience at IBM'.
Janet Murphy's and Stephen Holbrooke's debate performances were outside mainstream Arlington politics, but both left the audience (which packed Hazel Auditorium) with valuable suggestions. Holbrooke, a forensic accountant who is retired from the FBI, repeatedly stated that Arlington Government needs a top-to-bottom audit and drastic controls on spending for programs like affordable housing. Murphy, who was employed as a realtor for over a decade and currently works in Arlington's hospitality industry believes that alternatives. like traditional boardinghouses, are needed to augment current homeless prevention programs in Arlington.
It's obvious to me that John Vihstadt's experience in community service over the past three decades has more than enabled him to be an effective County Board member. He has my vote.
Joan, 22207
12 comments:
Alan came across as Mr. Four More Years of More of the Same.
Don't let $ara$ota $cott McCaffrey equivocating about who won the debate bother you. He has to support more-of-the-same to keep his position on the Chamber of Commerce's BOD.
Howze even had a senior moment. Sheesh.
Stop the neighborhood-by-neighborhood massive urbanization. Yes. Go John.
Yes. Let's reduce the number of 'stovepipes' in County Government and save the taxpayers some real money. John has my vote.
Alan Howze has been on the Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission for how long? But the tax-borrow-spend for County Board members' pet projects goes on, and on, and on.
Why isn't McCaffrey living with his fellow Arlington Chamber board members in McLean near the Sun Gazette's editorial offices? He would be much happier.
Appears there were at least 200 attendees in Hazel Auditorium. About 5 were African American, 1 or 2 Asian, and 1 or 2 Latino. About what you would see at the same event 40 years ago.
Thumbs Down to the Sun Gazette. This was an important debate and Hazel Auditorium was standing room only on a cold night. In past years the Sun Gazette gave feature coverage to CivFed debates, including assigning letter grades to candidates based on their performances. We deserved more from the local media than a few dismissive comments in an Editor's blog.
See any coverage of the debate by the ARLNow blog? I didn't
ArlNow blog is of, by, and for Urban Hipsters.
Clearly, Alan Howze won't take any position if elected to County Board without receiving approval from ACDC, the Chamber of Commerce, and Smart Growth America.
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