Mike Smitka
Thursday
Moran, Warner, Webb: Introduce Emergency Legislation to Prevent Oil Drilling Off Virginia's Coast
Let's face it - the Obama Administration's decision to allow itself to be stampeded by the neo-cons into drilling for oil off the East Coast was one of the dumbest decisions in American history. Time for Congress to call a halt to any oil exploration anywhere off the U.S. East Coast.
Wednesday
Local Media Refuse to Provide Information About Green Party County Board and School Board Candidates
As usual, the Post, Sun Gazette and other local media aren't providing information about the Arlington Green Party's candidates. Arlington Green Party candidate for County Board is Kevin Chisholm. Arlington Green Party for School Board is Miriam Gennari.
County Board Approves Wakefield 'Recreation - Remediation' Complex
Hi Yupette,
The County Board approved the new Wakefield High School aka Recreation-Remediation Complex last evening. Every possible recreational distraction was included. Nothing whatever was said about education. This school already provides a terrible education - especially for minority students. All the County Board wanted to discuss last night was the "recreational opportunities" available in the new school building. What the hell is the matter with Arlington anyway?
Bethany
The County Board approved the new Wakefield High School aka Recreation-Remediation Complex last evening. Every possible recreational distraction was included. Nothing whatever was said about education. This school already provides a terrible education - especially for minority students. All the County Board wanted to discuss last night was the "recreational opportunities" available in the new school building. What the hell is the matter with Arlington anyway?
Bethany
Tuesday
Democrats Threaten Arlingtonians Who Sign Change of Government Petition
Hi Yupette,
Arlington Democrats, at the direction of the "Democratic" leadership are threatening Arlingtonians who sign the change of government' petition with various forms of reprisal, including having Democratic loyalist teachers reduce the grades of children whose parents sign.
There is also a smear campaign being coordinated by several Democrats who are retired and no longer live in Arlington.
Even the corrupt local media are becoming involved. Sun Gazette Editor Scott McCaffrey, who is Vice-Chairman of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, advised the Chamber to not support the change of government petition.
2100
Arlington Democrats, at the direction of the "Democratic" leadership are threatening Arlingtonians who sign the change of government' petition with various forms of reprisal, including having Democratic loyalist teachers reduce the grades of children whose parents sign.
There is also a smear campaign being coordinated by several Democrats who are retired and no longer live in Arlington.
Even the corrupt local media are becoming involved. Sun Gazette Editor Scott McCaffrey, who is Vice-Chairman of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, advised the Chamber to not support the change of government petition.
2100
Saturday
Arlington's FY 11 Budget - From Need to Greed
The Arlington County Board of Plutocrats outdid itself today, County Board's budget priorities focused on "wants not needs" yet again. New all-weather athletic fields constructed in every Arlington neighborhood will be the County Board's top budget priority during Fiscal Year 2011.
Friday
Zimmerman's Transportation Flunky Surveys Arlingtonians Regarding Transportation Wants
Hello Yupette,
Today I received a letter from Chris Zimmerman's transportation flunky, Dennis Leach, who is Director of Arlington's Division of Transportation, regarding my transportation wants.
First paragraphs of Mr. Leach's letter read as follows:
Dear ---,
Transportation plays an essential role in Arlington County and the County is committed to meeting residents' transportation needs. We believe it;'s important to offer a wide range of quality travel choices to make travel easier and less stressful. This will be increasingly important in the future, because our population and employment are projected to grow by approximately 25%, without much expansion of the road network.
Your household has been chosen to participate in the Household Travel Survey, which is a survey of daily travel, to be conducted with residents in the Shirlington area by NuStats, a national transportation research firm.
Fairgrrl 22206
Today I received a letter from Chris Zimmerman's transportation flunky, Dennis Leach, who is Director of Arlington's Division of Transportation, regarding my transportation wants.
First paragraphs of Mr. Leach's letter read as follows:
Dear ---,
Transportation plays an essential role in Arlington County and the County is committed to meeting residents' transportation needs. We believe it;'s important to offer a wide range of quality travel choices to make travel easier and less stressful. This will be increasingly important in the future, because our population and employment are projected to grow by approximately 25%, without much expansion of the road network.
Your household has been chosen to participate in the Household Travel Survey, which is a survey of daily travel, to be conducted with residents in the Shirlington area by NuStats, a national transportation research firm.
Fairgrrl 22206
Thursday
Happy Earth Day. Why Are We Celebrating?
Hey Yupette,
It's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Why are we celebrating? Any good reasons?
Mark - 22201
It's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Why are we celebrating? Any good reasons?
Mark - 22201
Wednesday
'Deal' May Be Imminent for I-395 HOT Lanes
Hello, Yupette,
According to the constituent newsletter I received today from Delegate David Englin the State of Virginia would be willing to drop plans for VDOT's Shirlington Rotary if the State moves forward with the HOT Lanes project. Delegate Englin's web site is www.davidenglin.org
Fairgrrl - 22206
According to the constituent newsletter I received today from Delegate David Englin the State of Virginia would be willing to drop plans for VDOT's Shirlington Rotary if the State moves forward with the HOT Lanes project. Delegate Englin's web site is www.davidenglin.org
Fairgrrl - 22206
Monday
Few From Minority Groups Boost Zimmerman
Hey Yupette,
I received an invitation from Zimmerman's re-election campaign. About 95% of Zimmerman's "Host Committee" are not from minority groups, i.e., they are white and of European descent. Zimmerman's campaign will hold a "Neighborhood Barbecue" at the Barcroft Community Center (in the heart of segregated Barcroft) on May 2nd.
Just to let you know where Zimmerman is coming from after 15 years on the County Board.
Pikester
I received an invitation from Zimmerman's re-election campaign. About 95% of Zimmerman's "Host Committee" are not from minority groups, i.e., they are white and of European descent. Zimmerman's campaign will hold a "Neighborhood Barbecue" at the Barcroft Community Center (in the heart of segregated Barcroft) on May 2nd.
Just to let you know where Zimmerman is coming from after 15 years on the County Board.
Pikester
Sunday
Green Activist Running for County Board
Hi Yupette,
Just heard that a Green Activist is running for County Board against Boss Zimmerman. His name is Kevin Chisholm and he formerly worked for the School System as an environmental consultant.
Cindy
Just heard that a Green Activist is running for County Board against Boss Zimmerman. His name is Kevin Chisholm and he formerly worked for the School System as an environmental consultant.
Cindy
Friday
Conspiracy Theory and Push Marketing
After the taxpayers took ownership in General Motors and Chrysler there have been a couple of interesting conspiracy theories take arise. The first was the assertion that the Democratic administration singled out Republican dealers for termination. I haven’t heard much about that one recently. It might have been because it was determined that the majority of auto dealers self identified as Republicans in the first place. The second was the assertion that the government had sat on information that Toyota had experienced a raft of sudden acceleration occurrences and had only brought it to light recently to give the domestic manufacturers, including the two owned by taxpayers, the opportunity to gain ground on the industry leader. Talk show host Michael Savage seems to be the only one talking about that these days.
Toyota hasn’t taken their problems lying down and has launched the most aggressive incentives in their history in an effort to stem their recent loss of market share and volume. Their sales results were up 41% from March 2009. Toyota’s incentives, valued by Edmunds.com, averaged $2,256 per vehicle. This represents a record high for Toyota.
In an effort to keep pace the other OEMs, including the Detroit 3, have also launched aggressive incentives of their own. These “push marketing” strategies include some dramatically sub vented leases which include residuals that most likely won’t “come true” at lease end. This practice allows an OEM to avoid a large up front rebate that immediately comes off the corporate books in its entirety, in exchange for a real number dictated by whatever the market dictates at lease termination down the road. While OEMs may set up some reserves in anticipation of future losses, it is quite likely the end result is that current quarterly results will look better than they should.
As GM is aiming for an Initial Public Offering this year to buy out the taxpayers, there may be some additional motivation to shape current quarterly results.
In the case of Ford, the UAW is selling a large block of Ford stock to fund it’s VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). Ford intends to sell additional stock this year to produce cash to reduce their debt load. This dilution of Ford stock could reduce it’s stock price, which is considered to be fully valued in the range of $12.00 to $13.00 per share. Showing healthy profits now, while gambling on a minimal loss down the road in an attempt to maintain the current stock price, might also be a part of Ford’s strategy. Ford is promoting extremely aggressive short term leases, in particular on select Lincoln models.
In the meantime, Chrysler is just trying to maintain whatever market share they can until they can bring new products to market.
The industry was up 24% over March 2009. Before the exultation begins, let’s recall how horrible March 2009 was. But the news from March 2010 was mostly favorable. But the bottom line is the results were largely incentive driven. Are we back to full bore “push marketing?” The upshot? Downward pressure on the value of late model pre-owned vehicles which impacts consumers who own them, rental car companies, and fleets. Brand image suffers. And it becomes increasingly likely that the projected residuals will fall short of projections.
“Push marketing” sells new vehicles, produces lots of tax revenue, and creates jobs. OEMs might add over time to their schedules, put on additional shifts, and/or call back laid off workers. If GM and Chrysler launch even more aggressive incentives it might spur the other OEMs, especially the ones who manufacture in the U.S., to follow suit. There might even be a reopening of shuttered assembly plants. The impact would ripple through the supplier base. States and municipalities would welcome the additional sales tax revenue. And the administration could show a decrease in that bothersome unemployment statistic in an election year. That's my conspiracy theory.
The D3 has shed enough cost through the Chapter 11 bankruptcies, and subsequent concessions to Ford, that they can actually make money at aggressive rates of incentives.
The long term incentive situation is further fueled by the fact that OEMs, in particular the ones partially owned by taxpayers, have made a major commitment to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. The near term CAFÉ requirements will mean aggressive incentives on those vehicles if consumers don’t buy them in large numbers in the face of steady fuel prices.
We have mostly been on the incentive drugs since Joe Garagiola hooked us in 1975. Given the fact that the government could, in theory, "encourage" GM and Chrysler to return to even more aggressive “push marketing,” what are the chances?
Or will the Toyota recall situation, which fueled the current round of aggressive incentives, die down and allow the industry to let normal demand dictate production and sales, protecting the value of consumer’s vehicles?
written by David Ruggles for Auto Finance News
Toyota hasn’t taken their problems lying down and has launched the most aggressive incentives in their history in an effort to stem their recent loss of market share and volume. Their sales results were up 41% from March 2009. Toyota’s incentives, valued by Edmunds.com, averaged $2,256 per vehicle. This represents a record high for Toyota.
In an effort to keep pace the other OEMs, including the Detroit 3, have also launched aggressive incentives of their own. These “push marketing” strategies include some dramatically sub vented leases which include residuals that most likely won’t “come true” at lease end. This practice allows an OEM to avoid a large up front rebate that immediately comes off the corporate books in its entirety, in exchange for a real number dictated by whatever the market dictates at lease termination down the road. While OEMs may set up some reserves in anticipation of future losses, it is quite likely the end result is that current quarterly results will look better than they should.
As GM is aiming for an Initial Public Offering this year to buy out the taxpayers, there may be some additional motivation to shape current quarterly results.
In the case of Ford, the UAW is selling a large block of Ford stock to fund it’s VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). Ford intends to sell additional stock this year to produce cash to reduce their debt load. This dilution of Ford stock could reduce it’s stock price, which is considered to be fully valued in the range of $12.00 to $13.00 per share. Showing healthy profits now, while gambling on a minimal loss down the road in an attempt to maintain the current stock price, might also be a part of Ford’s strategy. Ford is promoting extremely aggressive short term leases, in particular on select Lincoln models.
In the meantime, Chrysler is just trying to maintain whatever market share they can until they can bring new products to market.
The industry was up 24% over March 2009. Before the exultation begins, let’s recall how horrible March 2009 was. But the news from March 2010 was mostly favorable. But the bottom line is the results were largely incentive driven. Are we back to full bore “push marketing?” The upshot? Downward pressure on the value of late model pre-owned vehicles which impacts consumers who own them, rental car companies, and fleets. Brand image suffers. And it becomes increasingly likely that the projected residuals will fall short of projections.
“Push marketing” sells new vehicles, produces lots of tax revenue, and creates jobs. OEMs might add over time to their schedules, put on additional shifts, and/or call back laid off workers. If GM and Chrysler launch even more aggressive incentives it might spur the other OEMs, especially the ones who manufacture in the U.S., to follow suit. There might even be a reopening of shuttered assembly plants. The impact would ripple through the supplier base. States and municipalities would welcome the additional sales tax revenue. And the administration could show a decrease in that bothersome unemployment statistic in an election year. That's my conspiracy theory.
The D3 has shed enough cost through the Chapter 11 bankruptcies, and subsequent concessions to Ford, that they can actually make money at aggressive rates of incentives.
The long term incentive situation is further fueled by the fact that OEMs, in particular the ones partially owned by taxpayers, have made a major commitment to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. The near term CAFÉ requirements will mean aggressive incentives on those vehicles if consumers don’t buy them in large numbers in the face of steady fuel prices.
We have mostly been on the incentive drugs since Joe Garagiola hooked us in 1975. Given the fact that the government could, in theory, "encourage" GM and Chrysler to return to even more aggressive “push marketing,” what are the chances?
Or will the Toyota recall situation, which fueled the current round of aggressive incentives, die down and allow the industry to let normal demand dictate production and sales, protecting the value of consumer’s vehicles?
written by David Ruggles for Auto Finance News
Fed Investigation Reveals Energy Star Is a Charade
Hi Yupette,
Check out yesterday's NY Times - page B4. The Government Accountability Office and Energy Department IG investigated the Energy Star program (which is jointly managed by the Department of Eneergy and EPA) and found it's a big charade.
What is the "Green" movement? Corporate PR and corporate con artists?
Pikester
Check out yesterday's NY Times - page B4. The Government Accountability Office and Energy Department IG investigated the Energy Star program (which is jointly managed by the Department of Eneergy and EPA) and found it's a big charade.
What is the "Green" movement? Corporate PR and corporate con artists?
Pikester
Thursday
"Arlington Needs A Tea Party"
Hello Yupette,
Why can't the Tea Party start a chapter in Arlington? No one cares about Arlington's taxpayers. The Civic Federation's budget recommendations only endorsed the County's irrational and irresponsible spending priorities.
Ken - 22205
Why can't the Tea Party start a chapter in Arlington? No one cares about Arlington's taxpayers. The Civic Federation's budget recommendations only endorsed the County's irrational and irresponsible spending priorities.
Ken - 22205
Monday
"Arlington's Streets Are Unsafe for Bicycles"
Hi Yupette,
I own a mountain bike but I refuse to ride it anywhere but on a few bicycle trails and only then weekdays during the day. Weekends when the weather is nice the trails are crowded and there are too many bicyclists racing.
Arlington's streets are a dangerous disgrace. They are covered with potholes and broken pavement. The street bike lanes are covered with sand and trash.
Please don't ride your bicycle on Arlington's streets. They are too dangerous.
Kathy
I own a mountain bike but I refuse to ride it anywhere but on a few bicycle trails and only then weekdays during the day. Weekends when the weather is nice the trails are crowded and there are too many bicyclists racing.
Arlington's streets are a dangerous disgrace. They are covered with potholes and broken pavement. The street bike lanes are covered with sand and trash.
Please don't ride your bicycle on Arlington's streets. They are too dangerous.
Kathy
Saturday
County Board Threatens Media - "Don't Promote Other Candidates"
Hello Yupette,
Interesting development at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard. The County Board-controlled public information office is telling the local media to not promote non-Democratic candidates "or else."
"Or else" means the media may face several unappetizing consequences as the result of featuring Republicans and third party candidates, ranging from having to pay for press releases to competing newspapers beginning publication in Arlington.
2100
Interesting development at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard. The County Board-controlled public information office is telling the local media to not promote non-Democratic candidates "or else."
"Or else" means the media may face several unappetizing consequences as the result of featuring Republicans and third party candidates, ranging from having to pay for press releases to competing newspapers beginning publication in Arlington.
2100
Thursday
Arlington Could Lose Hundreds of Jobs from United - U.S. Airways Merger
Hi Yupette,
See the Wall Street Journal today? United and US Airways are in merger talks. U.S. Airways employs over 1400 people in Arlington. I seriously doubt that the combined company would choose to keep more employees than absolutely necessary in a high cost of living area like Arlington.
Ken
See the Wall Street Journal today? United and US Airways are in merger talks. U.S. Airways employs over 1400 people in Arlington. I seriously doubt that the combined company would choose to keep more employees than absolutely necessary in a high cost of living area like Arlington.
Ken
Wednesday
Post Survey: Satisfaction With Metro Drops Significantly
Although the Headline in Monday's Post read: "Metro still rates high despite low points" it's evident from data obtained from a Post poll of Metro riders and non-riders that satisfaction with Metro has dropped sharply over the past five years.
Post survey data indicate that Metro is an old, slow, crowded, obsolete system that increasingly doesn't take people where they want to go and is increasingly difficult for commuters to use.
Post survey data indicate that Metro is an old, slow, crowded, obsolete system that increasingly doesn't take people where they want to go and is increasingly difficult for commuters to use.
Monday
CivFed Republicans Vote to Sock Taxpayers with 6.3% Increase
Hey Yupette:
North Arlington Republicans on the Civic Federation's Revenue and Expenditures Committee voted to hit Arlington taxpayers with a 6.3% tax increase (County Manager recommended 6.7%) and a hefty increase in fees.
What a bunch of turkeys.
Check it out at:
www.civfed.org/budgFY11reptcomb.pdf
Fiscal responsibility? It's a bi-partisan joke.
Joan
North Arlington Republicans on the Civic Federation's Revenue and Expenditures Committee voted to hit Arlington taxpayers with a 6.3% tax increase (County Manager recommended 6.7%) and a hefty increase in fees.
What a bunch of turkeys.
Check it out at:
www.civfed.org/budgFY11reptcomb.pdf
Fiscal responsibility? It's a bi-partisan joke.
Joan
Sunday
Josh "Moran" Ruebner Resigns as AGP Facilitator
Hi Yupette,
Whatever chamber of commerce board member, realtor, and closet Republican Scott McCaffrey prints in the Sun Fisette (or its blog) the reason that Ruebner resigned from being the AGP's Facilitator was because the Greens were sick and tired of Ruebner's secret deal making with Democrats and Republicans and Ruebner's tolerance for the Republican takeover of the Arlington Green Party.
Green Guy
Whatever chamber of commerce board member, realtor, and closet Republican Scott McCaffrey prints in the Sun Fisette (or its blog) the reason that Ruebner resigned from being the AGP's Facilitator was because the Greens were sick and tired of Ruebner's secret deal making with Democrats and Republicans and Ruebner's tolerance for the Republican takeover of the Arlington Green Party.
Green Guy
Saturday
New County Manager was Savannah's "Mr. Gentrification"
Hi Yupette,
Arlington's new County Manager, Michael Brown, is a good ol UVA boy who massively gentrified Savannah while he was County Manager there. Check out Savannah's activist blogs.
Linda
Arlington's new County Manager, Michael Brown, is a good ol UVA boy who massively gentrified Savannah while he was County Manager there. Check out Savannah's activist blogs.
Linda
Thursday
Zimmerman, Metro Board Members, Caused Decline in Ridership
No Brainer, Yupette. Anyone who's concerned about the decline in Metro's ridership should check out what Metro Board member and Arlington County Board member Chris Zimmerman did to Metro ridership over the past 15 years. He approved the construction of tens of thousands of new parking spaces in new parking garages, most next to Metrorail stations. So who wants to take a bus to a dirty crowded train to work when you can drive your SUV to a nice new parking space under a new Smart Growth building, thanks to Guru of Gridlock Zimmerman?
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