Hello, Yupette,
I grew up in Kentucky where state government has taken a regional approach to providing services and constructing public infrastructure. This saves Kentucky taxpayers billions each year. I am happy to see that Arlington County is going to a regional approach to homelessness treatment, starting with a regional homelessness crisis intervention center, located near Inova Fairfax Hospital.
But why stop there? Arlington's taxpayers could save a hundred million dollars a year (or more) if the County's fat-headed elected elected pols (Mr. Zimmeman foremost among them) and bloated bureaucracy stopped trying to cram everything into one tiny suburban county.
I live in Westover and I am for a total moratorium on any new urbanization, starting with East Falls Church. If Marymount and O'Connell want a lighted team sports center, build it out in Fairfax County where it won't bother anyone.
I find it mind-boggling that so many of the 'decision makers' who are trying to totally urbanize Arlington live in McLean in big McMansions where so much is off-limits to development and redevelopment of any kind. Arlington's Economic Development Office is even helping McLean investors tear down affordable single family homes and affordable market-rate apartments in Arlington.
This started years ago with a County Board that never met a County bureaucracy or a developer it didn't like. Now the bureaucrats and developers have taken over the County Board. When will it end? How many billions will be wasted before we elect County Board members who have fiscal responsibility and common sense?
Mark
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Kubicki Theater? County Board Set to Pass a Bloated Budget, Then Vote for Vanity Projects
Hi Ms. Yupette,
Your posting about 'Kubicki Theater' at last week's Civic Federation meeting was right-on. But I can go you one better - next Saturday's County Board meeting. County Board is going to pass a bloated budget, raise taxes, give itself a big raise, and then vote to fund its pet vanity projects, the $130 million Aquatics-Indoor Recreation Center, the $140 million Route 1 streetcar, fund non-profits to gentrify the middle class out of market-rate affordable rental apartments, fund the poverty pimps who keep the homeless homeless, approve Jay Fisette's energy task force fossil fuels forever charade, and so on. All on the consent agenda. No discussion wanted. Then the County Board moves on to the main event, redevelopment of East Falls Church. It's all on-line at arlingtonva.us
Cindy
Your posting about 'Kubicki Theater' at last week's Civic Federation meeting was right-on. But I can go you one better - next Saturday's County Board meeting. County Board is going to pass a bloated budget, raise taxes, give itself a big raise, and then vote to fund its pet vanity projects, the $130 million Aquatics-Indoor Recreation Center, the $140 million Route 1 streetcar, fund non-profits to gentrify the middle class out of market-rate affordable rental apartments, fund the poverty pimps who keep the homeless homeless, approve Jay Fisette's energy task force fossil fuels forever charade, and so on. All on the consent agenda. No discussion wanted. Then the County Board moves on to the main event, redevelopment of East Falls Church. It's all on-line at arlingtonva.us
Cindy
Friday, April 8, 2011
Holzheimer Admits Arlington Neighborhoods Nationally Marketed as 'Redevelopment Opportunities'
Hello Yupette,
I live in a townhouse near Shirlington Village off Walter Reed Drive. I attended yesterday's meeting at the Shirlington Library about the parking and traffic problems resulting from Shirlington being poorly planned (no affordable housing, massive parking, existing streets inadequate, etc.).
Doing the County's presentation was none other than Terry Holzheimer, Arlington's Director of Economic Development. Who is Terry Holzheimer? He was formerly Loudoun County's Economic Development Director. Like many who make important planning decisions that affect our quality of life Holzheimer lives in McLean.
When questioned by a meeting participant he admitted that Arlington Economic Development is engaged in a major national campaign to market Arlington's neighborhoods as "redevelopment opportunities".
A look at the PR produced by Holzheimer's Economic Development Office indicates that the staff is indeed engaged in a massive attempt to totally urbanize Arlington. Holzheimers's presentation was nothing more than warmed over smart growth drivel, and the basic message aimed at residents yesterday was don't worry, be happy.
Warning to Arlington residents - Your neighborhood is a potential gold mine for developers, as mine was and is. Arlington County Government is focused on totally urbanizing Arlington. Anyone who complains about the traffic, parking problems, noise, degradation in quality of life, etc., resulting from urbanization is a 'troublemaker'. And the out-of-state REITs and developers (like Federal Realty, which redeveloped Shirlington) are laughing all the way to the bank.
Kathy
I live in a townhouse near Shirlington Village off Walter Reed Drive. I attended yesterday's meeting at the Shirlington Library about the parking and traffic problems resulting from Shirlington being poorly planned (no affordable housing, massive parking, existing streets inadequate, etc.).
Doing the County's presentation was none other than Terry Holzheimer, Arlington's Director of Economic Development. Who is Terry Holzheimer? He was formerly Loudoun County's Economic Development Director. Like many who make important planning decisions that affect our quality of life Holzheimer lives in McLean.
When questioned by a meeting participant he admitted that Arlington Economic Development is engaged in a major national campaign to market Arlington's neighborhoods as "redevelopment opportunities".
A look at the PR produced by Holzheimer's Economic Development Office indicates that the staff is indeed engaged in a massive attempt to totally urbanize Arlington. Holzheimers's presentation was nothing more than warmed over smart growth drivel, and the basic message aimed at residents yesterday was don't worry, be happy.
Warning to Arlington residents - Your neighborhood is a potential gold mine for developers, as mine was and is. Arlington County Government is focused on totally urbanizing Arlington. Anyone who complains about the traffic, parking problems, noise, degradation in quality of life, etc., resulting from urbanization is a 'troublemaker'. And the out-of-state REITs and developers (like Federal Realty, which redeveloped Shirlington) are laughing all the way to the bank.
Kathy
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wayne Wows CivFed With Minor Changes to a Bloated and Out-of-Control County Government
Hey Yupette,
Wayne Kubicki was a big hit at the Arlington Civic Federation budget meeting last night. His Revenues and Expenditures Committee report called for creation of an Inspector General, and a cut in the tax rate. Trouble is, Wayne didn't begin to touch the $100 to $200 million of waste and mismanagement in the County's $1 billion FY 2012 budget.
The County Board depends on lots of paygo and bond funds to buy votes from special interests and pay for its own extravagant pet projects, so it's unlikely they would want an IG looking over Barbara Donnellan's shoulder.
Give Wayne a lot of credit for political savvy. What the CivFed's R & E Committee proposed would take nothing from anyone except the County Board. Unfortunately, Arlington County is a financial disaster waiting to happen. But as long as Democratic County Board candidates can count on receiving 60% of the vote, election after election, nothing will change.
KarenS
Wayne Kubicki was a big hit at the Arlington Civic Federation budget meeting last night. His Revenues and Expenditures Committee report called for creation of an Inspector General, and a cut in the tax rate. Trouble is, Wayne didn't begin to touch the $100 to $200 million of waste and mismanagement in the County's $1 billion FY 2012 budget.
The County Board depends on lots of paygo and bond funds to buy votes from special interests and pay for its own extravagant pet projects, so it's unlikely they would want an IG looking over Barbara Donnellan's shoulder.
Give Wayne a lot of credit for political savvy. What the CivFed's R & E Committee proposed would take nothing from anyone except the County Board. Unfortunately, Arlington County is a financial disaster waiting to happen. But as long as Democratic County Board candidates can count on receiving 60% of the vote, election after election, nothing will change.
KarenS
Monday, April 4, 2011
EFC Area Plan to Planning Commission on April 6th
Hello,
Please note that the adoption of the East Falls Church Area Plan, adoption of the East Falls Church General Land Use Plan Amendments, and adoption of the East Falls Church Master Transportation Plan will be heard by the Arlington Planning Commission at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 6th in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 3rd Floor.
Adoption of Form Based Code zoning amendments including those affecting the redevelopment of the Rosenthal auto dealership site (Columbia Pike at South Glebe Road) will be heard by the Planning Commission on Monday, April 4th at 7 PM, in the Arlington County Board Room.
To be able to speak about these agenda items at Planning Commission meetings you must sign up on-line at arlingtonva.us (Planning Commission) or by calling the Clerk of the Planning Commission at 228-3525 by 3 PM the date the Planning Commission meets.
Susan
Please note that the adoption of the East Falls Church Area Plan, adoption of the East Falls Church General Land Use Plan Amendments, and adoption of the East Falls Church Master Transportation Plan will be heard by the Arlington Planning Commission at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 6th in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 3rd Floor.
Adoption of Form Based Code zoning amendments including those affecting the redevelopment of the Rosenthal auto dealership site (Columbia Pike at South Glebe Road) will be heard by the Planning Commission on Monday, April 4th at 7 PM, in the Arlington County Board Room.
To be able to speak about these agenda items at Planning Commission meetings you must sign up on-line at arlingtonva.us (Planning Commission) or by calling the Clerk of the Planning Commission at 228-3525 by 3 PM the date the Planning Commission meets.
Susan
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Stop Single-Use Plastic Event Scheduled for April 3rd
Hey Yupette,
The Arlington Green Party, Arlingtonians for a Green Environment, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter of the Sierra Club are sponsoring a public panel discussion at Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, on Sunday April 3rd, 4-6 PM, on the topic of eliminating single use plastic bags and styrofoam containers from Arlington's retail stores and restaurants. The public is warmly invited to attend this panel discussion, which is free to all.
Beth
The Arlington Green Party, Arlingtonians for a Green Environment, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter of the Sierra Club are sponsoring a public panel discussion at Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, on Sunday April 3rd, 4-6 PM, on the topic of eliminating single use plastic bags and styrofoam containers from Arlington's retail stores and restaurants. The public is warmly invited to attend this panel discussion, which is free to all.
Beth
Friday, April 1, 2011
Federal Employees Facing 10 Days of Unpaid Furlough
Hello Ms. Yupette,
I heard from a friend who works as a legislative assistant for a Democratic senator that there is a tentative deal to avoid a shut-down of the federal government and that would mean federal employees having to take 10 days of unpaid furlough. I don't know what that would mean for Arlington's economy. Certainly the County should not be spending money foolishly. Thanks for your blog.
Pamela, Alcova Hts.
I heard from a friend who works as a legislative assistant for a Democratic senator that there is a tentative deal to avoid a shut-down of the federal government and that would mean federal employees having to take 10 days of unpaid furlough. I don't know what that would mean for Arlington's economy. Certainly the County should not be spending money foolishly. Thanks for your blog.
Pamela, Alcova Hts.
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