School System, County Insiders Tolerate 'Hundreds' of Non-Resident Students Attending Arlington Schools

Hey, Yupette,

So a few Civic Federation Delegates are finally concerned about the 500+ students who aren't legally Arlington residents attending Arlington schools? About time. Another scheme that's been allowed to continue far too long, at a cost to taxpayers of $18,400 per student per year.

Since when is it OK for parents who move out of the County to keep their kids in Arlington's schools until they graduate? Since Libby Garvey, Mary Hynes, and other Machine Democrats were first elected to the School Board, 15 years ago. Lately it's gotten worse. Nice that a few people are finally complaining. Only reason that's happening is because of school overcrowding.

Who to blame? The insiders who control Arlington County and have given the schools an extra $5 million to $10 million a year to perpetuate this 'gimme' to their friends, including County employees, who move out of the County.

I agree that BOTH the school system and county government badly need an Inspector General. And I am NOT going to vote for any incumbent for any elected office.

Jeff, 22205

Enough CivFed R-and-E Charades - Time for a Tax Cut !

Hello Yupette,

Arlington Civic Federation is meeting tonight and its Revenues and Expenditures Committee will most likely go through the same charade budget 'analysis' as last year - recommending the County Manager's FY 13 budget with a 1/2 cent tax increase.

Well, enough of these charades. I want an across-the-board tax cut this year. If the Pike trolley is scrapped the commercial real estate tax surcharge can be cut in half. If the County Board implements Audrey Clement's fiscally responsible management agenda homeowners can get a 2 cent tax cut this year instead of a 2 1/2 cent tax increase.

As for the Arlington County Taxpayer's Association (ACTA) and its president, Tim Wise, he should be calling for Mary Hynes to retire rather than praising her for finally revealing that she and the County Board have been on a tax-and-spend binge ever since she was first elected. By the way, where was Tim when the outrageous designer fence for the wastewater treatment plant came before the County Board?

Enough is enough. I'm not supporting anyone running for any political office who goes along with any tax increase for FY 13.

Peter - 22203

County Board Reacts to Special Election - Expedites Street Paving

Hi, Yupette,

The County Manager has ordered expedited street repaving in response to Tuesday's special election results and especially to Audrey Clement making street repaving a major campaign issue. A paving crew was out yesterday repaving the badly broken and potholed stretch of Washington Boulevard just west of Wilson Boulevard.

The only thing entrenched Democrats react to is the possibility that a non-Democrat will be elected to the County Board. Thanks to Audrey Clement for pushing the County Board into expediting street repavement.

2100

Garvey Has No Problem With County Board-School Board Extravagant Spending

Hi Yupette,

I attended the County Board - School Board budget work session tonight at the School Board. Libby Garvey went along with County Government's extravagant spending agenda. It was as though she was appointed to the County Board on Tuesday by Zimmerman.

The most shocking discussion occurred when the County Board and School Board gloated over a new baseball field to be constructed at W-L High School for at least $1 million. This will not be a synthetic field and much time was spent discussing the difficulty of starting a Bermuda grass playing field. Nothing at all said about when real classrooms would replace trailer classrooms at W-L.

That's what we deserve for allowing one-party government to control Arlington for the past 32 years.

K.L.

'Fiscal Responsibility' Wins 9-Month Term On County Board

Congratulations to Fiscal Responsibility, which won a 9-month term on the Arlington County Board today, narrowly edging Lexus Liberal Libby Garvey.

Fiscal Responsibility will enjoy a short tenure on the County Board, until an expected heavily-Democratic vote for Obama-Kaine-Moran in the November elections.

After January 2013, promises made behind-closed-doors to parents and special interests by Libby Garvey during the closing weeks of the March 27th County Board special election will end Fiscal Responsibility's term on the County Board. Libby will support the Pike streetcar and the current County Board's other pet projects and special interests. The cost of Libby's promises made to PTA insiders for elementary sports-recreation-community-education centers alone amounts to more than $300 million.

Libby will defeat Fiscal Responsibility on the County Board in January 2013 by trading hundreds of millions in tax revenue for parent and special interest votes Libby received in the March and November elections.

Thanks to Fiscal Responsibility for running for County Board in today's Special Election.

Linda, 22207

Arlington Would Lose AAA Bond Rating With Garvey on Board, Quality of Life With Kelly on Board

Hello,

Have you seen the commercial real estate news? Area economy is slowing because of federal government cutbacks, higher energy costs, freeze in federal workforce's salaries. In-fill redevelopment is being put on hold, for example Akridge's plans to redevelop 500 N. Washington Street in Falls Church.

Libby Garvey's made so many promises to parents for new schools, together with her tacit endorsement of the County Board's pet vanity projects, that Arlington would surely lose its AAA bond rating if she were elected.

Mark Kelly is fiscally conservative all right, except when it comes to his friends the developers, who he would encourage to totally urbanize Arlington with a huge helping of taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Electing Kelly or Garvey to the County Board would be a lose-lose for Arlington residents. Each is committed to their respective ideology - Lexus Liberalism and Tea Party Conservatism.

In candidate debate after candidate debate Audrey Clement proved herself to be the candidate who would serve the best interests of Arlington residents, not the unrestrained social welfare and corporate welfare interests.

We urge Arlington voters to elect Audrey Clement tomorrow. You can vote at your usual polling place from 6 AM to 7 PM.

Cindy and Susan

Voice-Action Meeting - Audrey Clement is the Only County Board Candidate Truly Committed to Affordable Housing

Hello, Yupette:

I am an Episcopalian and am committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ as related in the New Testament.

I attended the Voice Action affordable housing meeting at St. Mary's Church today.

Audrey Clement was the only County Board candidate that did not talk about her faith and herself, but talked what she and the Arlington Green Party have done and are trying to do for the homeless and to build and renovate truly affordable housing in Arlington.

So, I'm voting for Audrey on Tuesday. You should too.

God Bless,

Janet