Hello,
We would have endorsed Delegate Bob Brink for re-election, had the 48th District included only North Arlington and McLean. We would have also endorsed Delegate Brink had his Independent Green opponent, Janet Murphy, based her campaign solely on the Independent Green mantra "more trains, less traffic".
However, the 48th District now covers a huge swath of Arlington, and as a country club Democrat Bob Brink does not represent the views of many of his new constituents.
To her credit, Janet Murphy did not base her campaign solely on trains, but also on issues that concern progressive Arlingtonians in the 48th District, like vastly more renewable energy and imposing a renewable portfolio standard on Dominion. She's also concerned about issues like human needs and human rights.
Kathy Gillette-Mallard is a nice Neo-Con from McLean. But her conservative views are out of touch with at least 75% of 48th District voters.
We are disappointed that none of the candidates running in the 48th has yet proposed strategies to deal with infrastructure needs resulting from Virginia's population growth.
Susan and Cindy
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Favola vs. Merrick - No Endorsement
Hello,
We attended several candidate debates, and we were not impressed by most of the candidates. We were especially unimpressed by candidates for Virginia State Senate Barbara Favola and Caren Merrick.
It's become obvious that the election for State Senate will the prelude to a culture war in the next session of the General Assembly, with guns and abortion becoming the main battlegrounds.
So we were disappointed that neither Barbara Favola nor Caren Merrick has yet uttered the words "family planning" during a debate.
We also heard no reasonable discussion about firearms. Yes, there are too many firearms inside the Beltway, where the police arrive in minutes after a 911 call. And yes, there is a lot of hunting, fishing, and sport shooting done outside the Beltway. There was no mention of the biggest danger Northern Virginia residents face - injuries from traffic accidents.
And neither candidate has a comprehensive plan for dealing with Virginia's population growth, typically 90,000 - 100,000 more people each year (Virginia's population grew by 927,000 between 2000 and 2010).
So, AY makes no endorsement for Senator for Virginia's 31st District.
Cindy and Susan
We attended several candidate debates, and we were not impressed by most of the candidates. We were especially unimpressed by candidates for Virginia State Senate Barbara Favola and Caren Merrick.
It's become obvious that the election for State Senate will the prelude to a culture war in the next session of the General Assembly, with guns and abortion becoming the main battlegrounds.
So we were disappointed that neither Barbara Favola nor Caren Merrick has yet uttered the words "family planning" during a debate.
We also heard no reasonable discussion about firearms. Yes, there are too many firearms inside the Beltway, where the police arrive in minutes after a 911 call. And yes, there is a lot of hunting, fishing, and sport shooting done outside the Beltway. There was no mention of the biggest danger Northern Virginia residents face - injuries from traffic accidents.
And neither candidate has a comprehensive plan for dealing with Virginia's population growth, typically 90,000 - 100,000 more people each year (Virginia's population grew by 927,000 between 2000 and 2010).
So, AY makes no endorsement for Senator for Virginia's 31st District.
Cindy and Susan
Saturday, October 22, 2011
South Arlington Residents Furious About County Board's Boeing Deal
Hello Yupette,
Like many South Arlington residents who live in the I-395 corridor I was furious that the County Board approved the Boeing site plan over the unanimous opposition of the Planning Commission and Transportation Commission. This office complex will put more than 3,000 more vehicles on 395 and the Parkway every weekday, most single-occupant. The County Board will also spent another $50 million for an aquatic center and $65 million for a massive multi-purpose recreation center designed to serve Boeing's employees. According to the County Staff I've spoken to, the County Board could care less about Arlington residents and taxpayers, but is looking for more mega-deals to totally urbanize Arlington County.
Arlington residents should also be aware that the County Board is in secret negotiations with WalMart for a mixed-use redevelopment of the industrial site north of Shirlington Village, which would generate at least 5,000 vehicle trips per day, most on I-395.
Finally, the County Board is also in secret negotiations with several real estate investment trusts to tear down the 10 floor buildings that have been abandoned by the federal government and contractors because of BRAC 133 and wants to replace them with 20-30 floor mixed use office buildings. Maybe 600 parking spaces under every building.
I don't know about you, but I've had enough. I'm voting for fiscal and environmental sanity on November 8th. I'm voting for Audrey Clement and ONLY Audrey Clement for County Board.
anon. S 35th St.
Like many South Arlington residents who live in the I-395 corridor I was furious that the County Board approved the Boeing site plan over the unanimous opposition of the Planning Commission and Transportation Commission. This office complex will put more than 3,000 more vehicles on 395 and the Parkway every weekday, most single-occupant. The County Board will also spent another $50 million for an aquatic center and $65 million for a massive multi-purpose recreation center designed to serve Boeing's employees. According to the County Staff I've spoken to, the County Board could care less about Arlington residents and taxpayers, but is looking for more mega-deals to totally urbanize Arlington County.
Arlington residents should also be aware that the County Board is in secret negotiations with WalMart for a mixed-use redevelopment of the industrial site north of Shirlington Village, which would generate at least 5,000 vehicle trips per day, most on I-395.
Finally, the County Board is also in secret negotiations with several real estate investment trusts to tear down the 10 floor buildings that have been abandoned by the federal government and contractors because of BRAC 133 and wants to replace them with 20-30 floor mixed use office buildings. Maybe 600 parking spaces under every building.
I don't know about you, but I've had enough. I'm voting for fiscal and environmental sanity on November 8th. I'm voting for Audrey Clement and ONLY Audrey Clement for County Board.
anon. S 35th St.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Cherrydale Debate - Hynes Evasive About Libraries, Firefighters, Traffic Ordinance Enforcement
Hello, Yupette,
Another candidates' debate, more evasions by Mary Hynes about basic needs. Walter Tejada did not appear. As at previous debates, Ms. Hynes was asked about full funding for Arlington's public library system and restoration of hours and librarians. Same Mary Hynes who voted at Tuesday night's County Board meeting to spend $425,000 for one piece of public art for Penrose Square (check out agenda item 28). Same Mary Hynes who also voted on Tuesday for a major "Christmas on October" gift to the Boeing Corporation (check out agenda item 43). She again gave evasive answers about full library funding. Audrey Clement: 'Libraries are an essential public service, fund the libraries".
Mary's platitiudes, promises, lack of commitment to basic needs, and failure to remedy the problems she and the County Board created are causing serious concerns in neighborhoods like Cherrydale. Unlike Audrey Clement, she would not commit to immediate enforcement of neighborhood traffic ordinances (as the debates ended a resident of the assisted living facility near the fire station was hit by a vehicle while crossing Lee Highway in a motorized wheelchair). She became enraged when asked by the President of the Cherrydale Civic Association whether the County would allow two members of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department to bunk with the paid firefighters in Fire Station 3, responding that it was an unfair question and she would have to 'check out the site plan' first. Audrey Clement's response to the same question: "No problem".
It's obvious that Mary Hynes is extremely comfortable making major commitments to out-of-state developers but refuses to make even minor commitments to improve the quality of life for Arlington residents, taxpayers, and voters. So I'm voting for Audrey Clement.
In a related debate, Caren Merrick became fed up with County Board member, and Cherrydale infrastructure procrastinator, Barbara Favola's repeated playing of the abortion and firearms cards and told it like it is about Barbara - a politician who wants to be elected to wage a jihad against the Republicans in Richmond. Oh, in case you're interested, neither Merrick nor Favola mentioned the phrase 'family planning'.
Thanks for your blog.
Jill
Another candidates' debate, more evasions by Mary Hynes about basic needs. Walter Tejada did not appear. As at previous debates, Ms. Hynes was asked about full funding for Arlington's public library system and restoration of hours and librarians. Same Mary Hynes who voted at Tuesday night's County Board meeting to spend $425,000 for one piece of public art for Penrose Square (check out agenda item 28). Same Mary Hynes who also voted on Tuesday for a major "Christmas on October" gift to the Boeing Corporation (check out agenda item 43). She again gave evasive answers about full library funding. Audrey Clement: 'Libraries are an essential public service, fund the libraries".
Mary's platitiudes, promises, lack of commitment to basic needs, and failure to remedy the problems she and the County Board created are causing serious concerns in neighborhoods like Cherrydale. Unlike Audrey Clement, she would not commit to immediate enforcement of neighborhood traffic ordinances (as the debates ended a resident of the assisted living facility near the fire station was hit by a vehicle while crossing Lee Highway in a motorized wheelchair). She became enraged when asked by the President of the Cherrydale Civic Association whether the County would allow two members of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department to bunk with the paid firefighters in Fire Station 3, responding that it was an unfair question and she would have to 'check out the site plan' first. Audrey Clement's response to the same question: "No problem".
It's obvious that Mary Hynes is extremely comfortable making major commitments to out-of-state developers but refuses to make even minor commitments to improve the quality of life for Arlington residents, taxpayers, and voters. So I'm voting for Audrey Clement.
In a related debate, Caren Merrick became fed up with County Board member, and Cherrydale infrastructure procrastinator, Barbara Favola's repeated playing of the abortion and firearms cards and told it like it is about Barbara - a politician who wants to be elected to wage a jihad against the Republicans in Richmond. Oh, in case you're interested, neither Merrick nor Favola mentioned the phrase 'family planning'.
Thanks for your blog.
Jill
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Clement Repeatedly Warned Hynes About Dangerous Overcrowding in Metro Stations
Hello, Yupette,
I live in Lyon Park and commute to work via Metro. Also use Metro to get downtown on weekends. Again this past weekend the Metro Center station was dangerously overcrowded. County Board candidate Audrey Clement has repeatedly warned WMATA Board member and County Board member Mary Hynes about dangerous Metro station overcrowding, especially when there is an emergency situation. Most recently at the Lyon Park candidates' forum last week.
No doubt about it, Metro station overcrowding is a disaster waiting to happen. When Audrey Clement raises this issue with Mary Hynes during candidates' debates all we hear from Ms. Hynes are platitudes.
Why this insane spending of $200 million for an unnecessary Pike trolley when Arlington's Metro stations need emergency stairs and exits right now?
Linda, Lyon Park
I live in Lyon Park and commute to work via Metro. Also use Metro to get downtown on weekends. Again this past weekend the Metro Center station was dangerously overcrowded. County Board candidate Audrey Clement has repeatedly warned WMATA Board member and County Board member Mary Hynes about dangerous Metro station overcrowding, especially when there is an emergency situation. Most recently at the Lyon Park candidates' forum last week.
No doubt about it, Metro station overcrowding is a disaster waiting to happen. When Audrey Clement raises this issue with Mary Hynes during candidates' debates all we hear from Ms. Hynes are platitudes.
Why this insane spending of $200 million for an unnecessary Pike trolley when Arlington's Metro stations need emergency stairs and exits right now?
Linda, Lyon Park
Friday, October 14, 2011
Sun Gazette Editor Scott McCaffrey is Completely in the Pockets of Developers.
Hello Yupette,
I had to laugh out loud when I read that Scott McCaffrey's chief reason for not endorsing Audrey Clement for County Board is because she believes 'developers are the power behind the scene in Arlington governance'.
Scott McCaffrey is a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee, and, when not writing features and editorials in favor of mega-development in Arlington, serves as Vice-Chair of the Chamber's Economic Development and Government Affairs Division, where he facilitates mega-development in Arlington.
Scott McCaffrey is the second-worst local newspaper editor to be endorsing anyone for anything. The worst is Yellow Dog Democrat and Falls Church News-Press Editor Nick Benton.
Donna
I had to laugh out loud when I read that Scott McCaffrey's chief reason for not endorsing Audrey Clement for County Board is because she believes 'developers are the power behind the scene in Arlington governance'.
Scott McCaffrey is a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee, and, when not writing features and editorials in favor of mega-development in Arlington, serves as Vice-Chair of the Chamber's Economic Development and Government Affairs Division, where he facilitates mega-development in Arlington.
Scott McCaffrey is the second-worst local newspaper editor to be endorsing anyone for anything. The worst is Yellow Dog Democrat and Falls Church News-Press Editor Nick Benton.
Donna
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Clement Wins Lyon Park, Aurora Highlands Candidate Debates
Hello Yupette,
We attended the Aurora Highlands and Lyon Park candidate debates last night. Audrey Clement won both, hands down
All Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes did was support the status quo, and respond to resident concerns about mega-development with platitudes, excuses, and vague promises to 'see if we can do something'. It became obvious that, as Dr. Clement asserted, the County Board IS in the pockets of developers. Hynes and Tejada also supported more of the same 'planning' in Crystal City, Rosslyn, East Falls Church, and elsewhere that's predicted to cause significant quality-of-life problems in nearby residential neighborhoods. Hynes and Tejada also brushed aside residents' concerns about their exclusion from the planning process.
When asked about cutting wasteful programs, neither Walter nor Mary could think of one program to cut out of a $1 billion budget, while Audrey Clement recommended cutting the proposed $100 - $120 million Longbridge aquatic center / sports-recreation complex. As with the bar and nightclub mess in her own Clarendon neighborhood, Hynes admitted the County Board's share-the-road program is so dangerous its 'frightening', and 'needs to be looked at'. Audrey Clement responded that she doesn't own a motor vehicle and it's too dangerous to ride her bicycle in the evening commuting home from work. Dr. Clement followed up with a promise to work for a comprehensive transportation system before vehicular traffic reaches crisis levels.
Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes didn't adequately address the concerns of Aurora Highlands and Lyon Park residents, let alone propose solutions to problems created while they've served on the County Board.
It was obvious by evening's end that Audrey Clement is by far the best candidate for County Board.
Cindy and Susan
We attended the Aurora Highlands and Lyon Park candidate debates last night. Audrey Clement won both, hands down
All Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes did was support the status quo, and respond to resident concerns about mega-development with platitudes, excuses, and vague promises to 'see if we can do something'. It became obvious that, as Dr. Clement asserted, the County Board IS in the pockets of developers. Hynes and Tejada also supported more of the same 'planning' in Crystal City, Rosslyn, East Falls Church, and elsewhere that's predicted to cause significant quality-of-life problems in nearby residential neighborhoods. Hynes and Tejada also brushed aside residents' concerns about their exclusion from the planning process.
When asked about cutting wasteful programs, neither Walter nor Mary could think of one program to cut out of a $1 billion budget, while Audrey Clement recommended cutting the proposed $100 - $120 million Longbridge aquatic center / sports-recreation complex. As with the bar and nightclub mess in her own Clarendon neighborhood, Hynes admitted the County Board's share-the-road program is so dangerous its 'frightening', and 'needs to be looked at'. Audrey Clement responded that she doesn't own a motor vehicle and it's too dangerous to ride her bicycle in the evening commuting home from work. Dr. Clement followed up with a promise to work for a comprehensive transportation system before vehicular traffic reaches crisis levels.
Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes didn't adequately address the concerns of Aurora Highlands and Lyon Park residents, let alone propose solutions to problems created while they've served on the County Board.
It was obvious by evening's end that Audrey Clement is by far the best candidate for County Board.
Cindy and Susan
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