County Staff Forced to Spend Hours Rehearsing Before County Board Meetings

Hi Yupette,

Did you know that county staff has to rehearse our testimony before county board meetings? This sometimes takes all day the day before the meeting. Huge waste of time, but we are forced to do it.

Anon.

County Board Charade Continues on December 15th

Having accepted a ransom check for $10,000 from Gulf Branch Nature Center supporters so Gulf Branch Nature Center can remain open, the County Board is planning to approve spending $23.7 million to construct Long Branch Park, $460,000 for public art for Long Branch Park, and up to $13 million to construct a new Cherrydale Fire Station.

Arlington Greens to Rally on December 12th for the Homeless and Jobs

The Arlington Green Party will rally for homeless services and jobs creation before the December 12th County Board meeting outside the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Third Floor, at 8:30 AM. The Arlington Green Party is seeking a year-around homeless shelter for single adults and a public jobs program that provides living wage jobs for the homeless and unemployed.

Will Arlington be Gridlocked by SOVs? How Soon?

Where are the transportation alternatives for Arlington County over the next decade except more single-occupant vehicles and an expansion of the status quo transit system to include slow light rail and a few more ART Bus routes?

Guest Blogger: Sale of Virginia's ABC Stores is a Bad Idea

Hello, Yupette. I and many other Virginians oppose the Republicans' proposed sale of Virginia's ABC stores, which sell hard liquor. How fiscally responsible is Governor-Elect McDonnell? Not very. These stores generate considerable annual revenue for education, which would have to be obtained from other sources if the stores were sold.

County Budget Charade Season Starts December 8th

Arlington County Government will host the first budget charade of the FY 2011 Budget season at Washington-Lee High School on December 8th at 7 PM in the school cafeteria. The public will be allowed to ask questions. County Government will make a presentation to the Arlington Civic Federation at the CivFed's month;y meeting on December 1st at 7:30 PM. Only CivFed delegates will be allowed to ask questions. According to the latest press release from Arlington's PR office the FY11 budget deficit is expected to be $100 million.

Time for Arlington to Accelerate Replacement of Street Lights

While other cities around the USA are using federal stimulus funds to replace thousands of inefficient, energy-wasting incandescent street lights with energy-efficient sodium and LED street lighting, Arlington County Government is resisting citizen suggestions that the County do the same. Moreover, "community leaders" who the County Board appoints to various advisory groups, are engaging in a smear campaign against any "green" activist who calls for the County to embark on major renewable and energy efficiency programs.