Arlington County Doesn't Deserve a AAA Bond Rating

Hello, Yupette,

I've looked at recent bond referenda and the ways the County is spending money from all sources. Whatever excuses the County Board makes for including street repaving, parks maintenance, and other operational expenses in bond referenda the reality is they've made so many promises to so many groups for expensive infrastructure that they can't avoid putting stuff like synthetic playing field replacement into future bond referenda. Arlington County does not deserve a AAA bond rating. It deserves a AA bond rating.

Dennis

Fisette, County Board, Zoned on Zoloft?

Hey Yupette,

Thanks for this blog.

I also believe that Chairman Jay Fisette and the Arlington County Board are Zoned on Zoloft. It would explain Fisette's spaciness and the County Board's being oblivious to anything that doesn't interest them.

Mike - Westover

O'Leary's Tax Decal Competition Sends a Terrible Message To Children

Hello, Yupette,

I recently moved to Arlington County from Fairfax County, where there is no window decal to show you paid the 'car tax' on the vehicle. I am astounded that my child is being encouraged to participate in a vehicle decal design competition. This vehicle decal program wastes at least $250,000, generates tons of waste paper and plastic unnecessarily, wastes vehicle owners' time and energy, and encourages our children to participate in the design of next year's decal. Mr. O'Leary's program sends a terrible message to school children that all this waste is OK. Is there any way for me to opt out of this program?

Amy

County Board / Fisette Use Citizens, Advisory Groups, Civic Associations, Like Allergy Sufferers Use Facial Tissue

Hello Ms. Yupette,

I volunteered for one of the County Board's / Jay Fisette's citizen advisory groups. Bad move on my part. It's obvious that Jay and the County Board use Arlington's citizens, advisory groups, and civic associations the way allergy sufferers use facial tissue. Either the agenda is rigged to produce the results Gentrification Jay, aka Gourmet Jay, aka Giveaway Jay and the County Board desire. Or, the selection of citizens who serve reflects Jay's and the County Board's priorities. Or both. A Lose-Lose for Arlington citizens and taxpayers. Next year, another advisory group or committee composed of more gullible citizens. How did I come to my senses? Someone who was used and abused by Jay Fisette and the County Board ten years ago told me what I'd gotten into. Please, Please, don't let yourselves be lured into being shills for Jay Fisette and the County Board's self-serving agenda.

J.P.

Fairlington Citizens Tell CivFed - Fairlington Citizens Assoc. Doesn't Represent Us

Dear Arlington Yupette,

I and others in our group, Better Fairlington, e-mailed the Civic Federation yesterday. We don't want the Fairlington Citizens Association, Inc. representing us, nor do we want the Fairlington-Shirlingtion NCC representative (appointed by the FCA) representing us.

There is entirely too much micro-managing of our lives by this organization. This organization also engages in other inappropriate activities in and around Fairlington - the FCA's ongoing feud with Shirlington restaurant owners being the most embarrassing.

Almost all of us are college graduates and our lives are already governed by County ordinances and condominium regulations. We don't need or want another organization that claims it knows what's best for us making us follow its often-irrational agenda.

Best regards,

Susan

betterfairlington@yahoo.com

Reasonable Bribes 'A Big Reason' for Trader Joes Locating in Arlington

Hello, Ms. Yupette,

I spoke with a super-friendly Trader Joes employee about TJ opening a new store in Clarendon. He told me that the amount of bribes TJ would have to pay to open a new store in DC was "impossible" and the amount of bribes TJ had to pay to Arlington's elected and unelected officials was "quite reasonable, less than a half million." He was also surprised that Arlington agreed to so little on-site parking, given that 25 - 35 TJ employees will be working in the store and only a few will be able to afford to live within Metro corridors. So I guess a half million dollars still goes a long way in Arlington.

Janet - 22201

County Board Reportedly Helping Fairlington Civic Association Extort Shirlington Restaurant Owners

Hello, Yupette,

Did you know what all the fuss was about today and last Saturday at the County Board Meeting concerning awnings, music, and seating at Shirlington Village restaurants? Well, it's like this. For years the Fairlington Citizens Association Incorporated (the civic association in Fairlington) has been trying to extort Shirlington restaurants into placing expensive full-page ads in the FCA's monthly newsletter. And the restaurant owners have repeatedly said - no way. So about 5 years ago the FCA's leadership hit upon the bright idea of making constant complaints against the restaurant owners for noise, seating, and other petty violations until the restaurant owners capitulated. Latest twist involves Chris Zimmerman ratcheting up the pressure on the restaurant owners in return for the FCA's support and contributions to Boss Zimmerman's recent campaign. Of course Fairlington is a half-mile from Shirlington See how rotten these local pols and their ward heelers can be?

Susan