Proposed Streetcar Systems in Charlotte, Milwaukee, St. Louis - All About Development

Hey Yupette,

If you look at what's occurring elsewhere in the U.S.A., in cities like Charlotte, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, you will see that the streetcar / trolley systems proposed for those urban areas have nothing to do with transportation and everything to do with redevelopment and gentrification, aka money. Like Arlington, the elected officials and 'community leaders' of these cities are committed to spending huge amounts on streetcar / trolley systems that will actually make traffic worse and impose significant social costs on the population from streetcar-related injuries, in-fill redevelopment, and gentrification / lack of affordable housing. As we've seen in Arlington, the only sure things any urban area can expect from mixed use redevelopment are budget deficits and tax increases every year. Thanks for your blog.

Pike Rider, 22204

Time for Arlington County Employee VIP Decision Makers to Live in Arlington County

Hello,

In response to several requests, A,Y. recently researched Arlington's VIP County employees to determine how many actually live in Arlington. The answer - very few. By VIP we mean the County Manager, her deputies, assistants, and department heads with key decision-making authority over plans, projects, and agendas that determine our quality of life. Among the comments posted to this blog are several that stated: "Arlington County is run by non-residents, for non-residents".

It's completely unacceptable to us to have non-residents who live in semi-rural outer suburbs to cram as much density as possible into our tiny county to benefit REITs and developers who live in similar protected enclaves - sometimes in the same enclave. In the event you are unfamiliar with what a semi-rural outer suburb looks like, we enclose a photo of Clifton, Virginia, home of Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan.

Apparently it's too much to ask the County Board to require its VIP employees (many with household incomes above $300,000) to find an upscale home in Arlington and be liable to the same consequences for the decisions they inflict on Arlington residents and taxpayers.

Cindy

Arlington Republicans and Democrats Agree: 'Never Mind the FY14 Budget, Party's Over Here at the U.S.S. Arlington'

Hey Yupette,

Want to know why both the Dems and Repubs told the County Board to "raise our taxes, please" at Saturday's County Board meeting? Because the FY14 Budget and taxes aren't a priority this year. What IS the #1 Priority of the VIPs from both parties? The massive Pay-to-Play Extravaganza set for the U.S.S. Arlington's commissioning ceremony the week before the ceremony, on April 6th.

Just check out the Dems and Repubs at a recent pre-commissioning dress rehearsal at arlingtonva.tv/uss-arlington-sponsors-reception/ (or just search "USS Arlington Sponsor's Reception: Arlington TV).

Obviously, all the pre-commissioning dress rehearsals are costing Arlington taxpayers a fortune, but what can we do when ALL the County's VIPs want to throw galas and parties and hook up with companies and organizations that will "pay to play"?

Joan 22207
 

Arlington FY14 Budget a 'Don't Worry Be Happy' Disaster

Hey Yupette,

Arlington County Manager presented the FY14 Budget to the County Board yesterday. Basically ignored any effects of federal cutbacks and Arlington's budget cuts due to real estate tax shortfalls will largely come from essential services, with a 3.9% increase in taxes and fees for homeowners. No word on the schools budget yet and how much the school system will need. The County Board goes on pretending it's 2003 and that the Feds are going to keep printing money to fight wars in the Third World, when the reverse is happening. Only County Board Member who recognized that the County is going to get fiscally and economically slammed by federal employee furloughs and loss of contractor employment was Mary Hynes.

No significant cutbacks to the County Board's pet projects, streetcars, sports, entertainment, recreation. Oh, the Artisphere's budget is being cut 50% so the performing arts groups who use the Artisphere are going to have to finally resort to philanthropy.

This is what we get for electing and re-electing people, like Jay Fisette, with a "party's over here" mindset who live in a bubble.

Thanks for your blog.

Tom, 22205

U.S.S. Arlington Commissioning - Major League Pay-to-Play Opportunity

Hey Yupette,

Hey, ReitsDudes, want to go from being a Player to being a Big Dog in the Realm of Development and Re-Development in Arlington County? Be prepared to cough up big bucks supporting the U.S.S. Arlington Commissioning scheduled for April 6th in Norfolk. All of Arlington's Major League Movers and Shakers will be there, so if you want your future site plan to receive consideration from the County Board you should be in Norfolk the weekend of April 6th, moving and shakin' too.

2100-too

Overhead Wires to Supply Streetcar Power Would Cause Serious Problems on the Pike

Hi Yupette,

Thanks for providing information about the problems with streetcars. One hazard that needs to be mentioned are the overhead wires that would provide power to the streetcars on the Pike. In fact, the overhead wires are subject to damage from several sources, high winds, ice, and being struck by vehicles. In high wind and ice conditions power could be disrupted for days. When vehicles hit and bring down overhead power lines street-level vehicles and pedestrians are liable to be struck by live wires. Even a slightly damaged overhead streetcar power line would cause a system disruption for hours. Why would anyone contemplate installing such an antiquated transit system in the 21st Century?

Peter 22204

County Board to Meet With Arlington Civic Federation, Tuesday, February 5th

Hey Yupette,

Thanks for your blog. If you didn't already hear, the Arlington County Board will meet the Arlington County Civic Federation on Tuesday, February 5th, at the Hazel Conference Center, Virginia Hospital Center, at 7:30 PM. Only CivFed delegates get to ask questions of the County Board. So civic associations that are concerned about anything pertaining to their neighborhoods should be sure to have questions ready.

Joan 22207