I attended the Four Mile Run Planning Charette (pronounced 'Charade') on December 21st. Surprise. Surprise. Four Mile Run Valley will become a team sports and performing arts district, with a new team sports field house no less.
The result of more than a year of patronage promises made by County Board members (e.g., Libby Garvey) in return for special interest votes.
Little concern expressed about the loss of small businesses along FMRV and tax revenue produced by the small businesses. This was a done-deal before Dover-Kohl was invited to facilitate the charade. Which has cost taxpayers at least $500,000 (so far) for staff time and Dover-Kohl's services.
BTW, if you want to know how County Government actually operates a good place to visit is Peter Rousselot's weekly column on the ArlNow blog.
Kathy, 22206
Update - Peter Rousselot's weekly column for December 22nd can be found at:
https://www.arlnow.com/2016/12/22/peters-take-toward-a-new-model-of-arlington-civic-engagement/
19 comments:
Only way they can get elected and re-elected is through massive patronage for their corporate, non-profit, and political cronies.
Only things worthwhile on ArlNow are Peter Rousselot's and Mark Kelly's weekly columns.
Between County Staff and Dover-Kohl the so-called 'planning' for FMRV has to have cost at least $500,000 so far.
Everybody - Read Peter Rousselot's ArlNow column this week. Arlington Way is a HUGE charade and so were the FMRV "planning" meetings.
Next charade meeting is January 3rd.
What's the difference between a one-party regime that's embraced capitalism like China and a one-party regime that's embraced capitalism like Arlington? None that I can determine.
I read Peter's ArlNow column - Can you spell a-p-p-a-l-l-i-n-g ?
Why hasn't Jane Rudolph been fired? Are they afraid she would start to squawk about the corruption that's endemic in County Government?
Arlington County Auditor should look at how extravagantly Parks and Rec spends money on no-bid projects.
It all goes back to the County Board and massive patronage to special interests (including the local media). That's the only reason they stay in power.
Agree. County Staff do what they are told by the County Manager. County Staff has to facilitate 'done deals' that no one but County Staff, County Manager, and County Board know anything about.
Who on the County Board made the deal with the neighborhood residents who wanted the park repurposed into a playground?
Patronage? If Jay Fisette runs for re-election stay tuned for massive election year patronage to the performing arts, bicyclists, dog owners groups, Smart Growth developers, LGBT groups.
These planning events are even bigger charades now that Bryna "Goebbels" Helfer is the County's Reit Minister of Propaganda. Much more effort is being directed at deceiving residents about their ideas being important when in fact their ideas are irrelevant.
You forgot about Jay Fisette wanting to build an indoor swimming facility in every mix-use redeveloped neighborhood along with a dog park, bicycle shop, and live theater.
Yes, Bryna Helfer is much worse than Diana Sun. She completely complements the other con artists on County Staff. Neighborhood residents are nuisances who ask too many questions. So hold charade meetings where working groups are packed with team sports and performing arts boosters who've made redevelopment deals with the County Board. Have Smart Growth Boosters like Dover-Kohl facilitate the meetings. No matter what the neighborhood wants what they will get is a pre-determined done-deal. What a huge waste of time and money.
Charades? First County Board meeting of 2017 will be held at Jay Fisette's home on New Year's Day.
They are all Urban Village idiots who are committed to packing as many people, vehicles, and activities into as little space as possible.
Where are the estimates of the maintenance and replacement costs for the new Parks and Rec infrastructure and what performing arts subsidies will cost taxpayers?
January 3rd FMRV meeting is cancelled. Next FMRV meeting will be held on January 18th.
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