Clement Vows to Reform County Board Consent Agenda

Hey, Yupette,

I attended the Columbia Pike County Board candidates' forum at Walter Reed Community Center on Wednesday.

There is a huge difference between Independents Audrey Clement and Mike McMenamin and Democrats Christian Dorsey and Katie Cristol. Cristol and Dorsey appear completely unconcerned about fiscal responsibility and are primarily concerned about massively growing an already densely-populated County.

When asked about reforming the County Board's Consent Agenda to prevent extravagances like the $350,000 spent to decorate a fence at the wastewater treatment plant and $522,000 (including $108,000 design costs) for a tot lot in a neighborhood park from appearing on the consent agenda, Audrey Clement responded that she would work with the County's new independent internal auditor to prevent such abuses from occurring, and as a County Board member would otherwise pull wasteful and extravagant spending items from the Consent Agenda for full discussion by the County Board.

The other Independent candidate for County Board, Mike McMenamin, echoed Audrey's concerns about wasteful, extravagant, and unnecessary spending being approved by the County Board without any discussion.

Ted - 22204

Surprise - Artisphere to Become a Daycare Center

Hey, Yupette,

I attended the last Planning Commission meeting where Bluemont residents were infuriated about the lack of transparency by County Government concerning a redevelopment on Glebe Road. County Board candidate Audrey Clement attended the meeting and spoke forcefully for much greater transparency by the County Board.

Well, how about this for an encore? The Artisphere is going to be a daycare center. Yes, unannounced by anyone in County Government and the media and placed on the Consent Agenda for Saturday's County Board meeting (Item 2). You can go to arlingtonva.us and read for yourself.

According to the Staff Report the property at 1401 Wilson Blvd is going to be redeveloped and the Rosslyn Children's Center will move to the Artisphere at 1101 Wilson Blvd. The County will also lease a small space it owns for a child's play area.

What is it about the local media (e.g., Sun Gazette) ignoring important local news while deluging us with all sorts of trivia?

Thanks for your blog.

Mark, 22201