Hello, Yupette,
I am a resident of the Barcroft Apartments, and for years I've been trying to become a part of the so-called "Arlington Way." But I only earn $32,000 a year. And Chis Zimmerman's "Community Leaders" won't let me on any committee, commission, anything related to the Pike.
Recently I've been threatened with arrest if I continue speaking out against the total gentrification of the Pike that Mr. Zimmerman proposes. I am not a Latino or Latina. They have been repeatedly threatened anyone who speaks out about the "Zimmerfication" of the Pike with being arrested for speaking out against the blatant discrimination by Mr. Zimmerman's North Arlington Democratic Party "facilitators" that he's appointed to committee after committee to gentrify the Middle Class out of South Arlington.
Any suggestions as to how I deal with these repeated threats of arrest by Zimmerman's ward heelers?
J,M., Barcroft Apts.
Monday
Sunday
40 Years of Watching Oil Prices Impact the Auto Industry
When the price of oil rises SUDDENLY, usually caused by some world event, there is a rush to produce and sell at the higher world market price. This mitigates the shortage in a short period of time and invariable produces a glut. As the price rises, greed drives some members of OPEC to sell over their agreed upon allotment creating a "black market" supply. Sometimes Saudi Arabia tries to counter this by cutting back on it's on production, despite the higher world price. Other oil producers rush available supplies to market. In the U. S. oil patch, dormant wells are revived as the higher price makes it practical to borrow money to repair and update pumping and storage equipment. Small producers in the oil patch generally fix up their equipment when the price goes up and run the equipment until it fails or needs a general overhaul. If the market price is still high, they go ahead and spend the money to make repairs. If not, they shut down the well and wait for the next price spike. The bankers they do business with understand this cycle.
Tankers and storage facilities are topped off and tankers will end up anchored offshore waiting to off load. When the price falls, it takes a while to move the high priced oil through the system, resulting in prices at the pump that stay high seemingly longer than they should. Oil companies who were sitting on low priced inventory suddenly have that inventory revalued at the new higher price, resulting an really high short term profits and a grassroots backlash at oil companies in general.
In the meantime, one can watch the stock price of tanker companies like Frontline Tankers. As the market senses a boost in oil production sparked by higher market prices, their stock moves up in anticipation of higher traffic.
Even in periods of low oil prices, producers try to produce higher volumes as they attempt to make up for the low market price with volume, which tends to further keep the world market price down over time.
The residual value predictors are again proven "wrong," although their numbers are usually pretty good except during these "artificially" triggered market price spikes. Dealers experience extreme value drops on held pre-owned inventory that is not deemed fuel efficient by the current market. This makes them extremely wary of trading for more of the same at any price as auction prices no longer provide any useful information of true value. Often, a dealer will take a "heavy" to the auction sale and it won't even draw a bid. The term "toxic asset" applies here. If the dealer practices "mark to market" accounting, he/she will write down "heavy" inventory immediately, causing a huge loss and drawing the extreme scrutiny of the dealership's lenders and investors. If "mark to market" is NOT followed, inventories are drastically over stated. The entire new and pre-owned auto market is disrupted as consumers look to trade off their heavies and move to something more fuel efficient. This despite the fact this cycle has repeated itself at least a dozen times over the last 40 years.
Trading "heavies" during a time of high fuel prices can be a punishing experience for the consumer, as their trade in has been devalued by market forces and the fuel efficient vehicle they want to buy carries a premium. Historically, consumers become dissatisfied with their new fuel efficient ride about the time fuel prices drop again. Many of these consumers will go back out into the marketplace to trade their new fuel efficient vehicle in on another "heavy." Again, market forces have driven down the value on their trade and placed a premium on what they want to buy. The consumer becomes frustrated and blames their plight on the dealer.
As we move into a new era of vehicles where fuel efficiency can be achieved in ever larger vehicles, it is not clear if the historic formula will continue to replay itself in exactly the same way.
For example, the Hyundai Sonata achieves 34 highway/28 city MPG in basic 4 cylinder form. A tiny MINI Cooper only achieves 37/29 MPG.
In my own view, everything is relative. The person trading a Tahoe on a Malibu will still be dissatisfied even though the Malibu offers tremendous size and comfort while still getting excellent fuel economy. But a Malibu isn't a Tahoe. It won't tow and it won't go off road. And it won't carry 7 passengers. So my money is on the cycle to continue along historical lines.
In the 1980's Lee Iaccoca proposed a 25 cent fuel tax. Conservative car guy Bob Lutz continues to call for a European style fuel tax. Recently, New York Times columnist Tom Friedman called for an increase in fuel tax of 5 cents per month for 20 months, making the case that the buying power of the current fuel tax has been halved by inflation since the last increase in 1993. He proposes to pay down the national debt with the money. I presume he thinks that is a better way to go than instituting some new tax brackets at the top of the income scale. Or perhaps he proposes to do both. Even people like Alan Mullaly and Bill Ford have expressed the desire for a fuel tax, instituted in such a way as to provide some market predictability. On the QT, most auto execs AND politicians will whisper the same thinking, although they are reluctant to come out with it publicly.
No doubt the country's politics will prevent us from getting a pure solution. The system in use in Europe and Japan works way to well for us to adopt it. It seems evident that the Middle East will continue to be impacted by events such as are happening in Egypt and Libya. It is reasonable to expect that the dissatisfaction of the masses will drive change in many more oil producing countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. I suspect the world price of oil to remain volatile for years to come with shortages caused by political events followed by gluts caused by backlash over production. There will be a great profit opportunity for those who can predict these cycles while auto manufacturers and dealers will suffer from the whip saw effect.
A little perspective follows:
38 -- That's the number of miles per gallon (US gallons) that the average passenger car in the UK is getting according to the British Department of Transport.
22.4 -- That's how many miles per gallon (US gallons) the average passenger vehicle in the United States is getting according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
9200 -- How many miles the average UK driver travels in a year.
13000 -- Number of miles driven each year by the average US driver, 40% more than in the UK.
"To put those numbers in some context, the average US driver will use 580 gallons of fuel each year, compared to 242 in the UK, 139 percent more. Even allowing for fuel that’s less than half the price ($3.88 per gallon vs. $8.52 per gallon, currently), US drivers are still poorer to the tune of nearly $200 a year."
Source: Ars Technica
Saturday
Arlington Treasurer's Data Indicate Arlington's Economy Is Vulnerable
Hi Yupette,
I was recently able to peruse data from Arlington Treasurer Frank O'Leary's office regarding restaurants that are in arrears in meal tax payments and it appears that 30 restaurants in Arlington are least $10,000 in arrears on any given day. Also, the Artisphere is going to be taxpayer-subsidized for many years, according to reports from the County Manager's Office. With the Neo-Cons cutting even essential federal spending what are the consequences of the County Board pursuing the total Yuppification of Arlington County via "development for the sake of development"? The County's economy looks awfully shaky.
Peter
I was recently able to peruse data from Arlington Treasurer Frank O'Leary's office regarding restaurants that are in arrears in meal tax payments and it appears that 30 restaurants in Arlington are least $10,000 in arrears on any given day. Also, the Artisphere is going to be taxpayer-subsidized for many years, according to reports from the County Manager's Office. With the Neo-Cons cutting even essential federal spending what are the consequences of the County Board pursuing the total Yuppification of Arlington County via "development for the sake of development"? The County's economy looks awfully shaky.
Peter
Friday
Arlington School System's FY 12 Budget - Mediocre Education, Great Recreation
Hello Yupette,
Well the FY 12 Arlington School System budget is out. No surprises, more money for more mediocrity, except when it comes to sports. Trailer classrooms? What did you expect from 'Jocko' Murphy? That the school system would build enough classrooms to accommodate students from the County's 'development for the sake of development' agenda? So, looks like we're we're going to become just like wonderful Fairfax County, hundreds of dumpy trailer classrooms surrounded by wonderful state-of-the art athletic fields. Nice to see that Jocko is going to allow parents to rescue the planetarium. And I'm supposed to vote for Libby Garvey for state senate?
Lisa - 22206
Well the FY 12 Arlington School System budget is out. No surprises, more money for more mediocrity, except when it comes to sports. Trailer classrooms? What did you expect from 'Jocko' Murphy? That the school system would build enough classrooms to accommodate students from the County's 'development for the sake of development' agenda? So, looks like we're we're going to become just like wonderful Fairfax County, hundreds of dumpy trailer classrooms surrounded by wonderful state-of-the art athletic fields. Nice to see that Jocko is going to allow parents to rescue the planetarium. And I'm supposed to vote for Libby Garvey for state senate?
Lisa - 22206
Wednesday
Federal Employees May Spend 'Many Days' on Unpaid Furlough
Hello Ms. Yupette:
Thanks for this blog.
I'm very uneasy about the Arlington County Board spending so extravagantly on projects like the Columbia Pike streetcar, which I understand will cost $138 million for a dozen streetcars.
I work for a large federal non-defense, non-national security agency and the talk is of one or two unpaid furlough days for federal non-military, non national security employees during FY 2012. That would be 12 or 24 days that we would not be paid.
I cannot support anyone in local government who is spending so extravagantly as the Arlington County Board and Arlington School Board members. There is apparently no consideration for taxpayers, only spending charade after spending charade orchestrated by the County Board and School Board, whether the spending is for pet projects like streetcars or pet non-profits like Marymount University. This has been going on for two decades with no end in sight. We are governed by irrational and irresponsible people and it's bi-partisan, Republicans are rubber stamps for the County's extravagant spending. Who speaks for us? A few local activists who are fed up, as we are. The newspapers are shills for local government and promoters of the status quo.
Thanks again for your blog.
T.Y.
Thanks for this blog.
I'm very uneasy about the Arlington County Board spending so extravagantly on projects like the Columbia Pike streetcar, which I understand will cost $138 million for a dozen streetcars.
I work for a large federal non-defense, non-national security agency and the talk is of one or two unpaid furlough days for federal non-military, non national security employees during FY 2012. That would be 12 or 24 days that we would not be paid.
I cannot support anyone in local government who is spending so extravagantly as the Arlington County Board and Arlington School Board members. There is apparently no consideration for taxpayers, only spending charade after spending charade orchestrated by the County Board and School Board, whether the spending is for pet projects like streetcars or pet non-profits like Marymount University. This has been going on for two decades with no end in sight. We are governed by irrational and irresponsible people and it's bi-partisan, Republicans are rubber stamps for the County's extravagant spending. Who speaks for us? A few local activists who are fed up, as we are. The newspapers are shills for local government and promoters of the status quo.
Thanks again for your blog.
T.Y.
Monday
Zimmerman's Local Opinions Comments in Post Were Deceptive
Hello, Yupette,
I have to completely disagree with Chris Zimmerman's self-serving comments on the Post's Local Opinions page in yesterdays's Metro Section. Chris Zimmerman is largely responsible for the need for I-66 widening and HOT Lanes on I-95.
Same Chris Zimmerman who approved massive so-called "Smart Growth" redevelopment near I-66 and I-395. At least 30,000 new parking spaces have been constructed in Arlington since 2000, arterials are jammed and tens of thousands of workers have been gentrified out of Arlington since Chris Zimmerman was elected to the County Board. Now we are hearing the same self-serving rhetoric that we heard about WMATA - everyone except Chis Zimmerman was responsible for WMATA's problems. No way do I buy that.
Larry - 22201
I have to completely disagree with Chris Zimmerman's self-serving comments on the Post's Local Opinions page in yesterdays's Metro Section. Chris Zimmerman is largely responsible for the need for I-66 widening and HOT Lanes on I-95.
Same Chris Zimmerman who approved massive so-called "Smart Growth" redevelopment near I-66 and I-395. At least 30,000 new parking spaces have been constructed in Arlington since 2000, arterials are jammed and tens of thousands of workers have been gentrified out of Arlington since Chris Zimmerman was elected to the County Board. Now we are hearing the same self-serving rhetoric that we heard about WMATA - everyone except Chis Zimmerman was responsible for WMATA's problems. No way do I buy that.
Larry - 22201
Saturday
O'Leary's Vehicle Tax Decal Program Will Cost Taxpayers Over $1 Million
Hello, Yupette,
Thank you for hosting this blog. Do you want to know how much County Treasurer Frank O'Leary's vehicle decal program will cost Arlington's taxpayers this year? At least $1 million. Most of which will be paid in staff salaries to maintain and promote this program. The rest for printing, mailing, and tracking the vehicle decals. Also, the school system is getting more involved in a contest to choose the most attractive decal. This has become another vanity program that gets more absurd every year. Fairfax County ended its vehicle decal program several years ago and transferred the staff who were messing with decals to personal property tax enforcement. Two hundred fifty years ago Americans were outraged by the Stamp Act imposed by the British. O'Leary's vehicle tax decal is nothing more than a tax stamp. Time to end O'Leary's idiotic program before it becomes a yearly festival costing Arlington taxpayers who knows how many millions.
Ted - 22202
Thank you for hosting this blog. Do you want to know how much County Treasurer Frank O'Leary's vehicle decal program will cost Arlington's taxpayers this year? At least $1 million. Most of which will be paid in staff salaries to maintain and promote this program. The rest for printing, mailing, and tracking the vehicle decals. Also, the school system is getting more involved in a contest to choose the most attractive decal. This has become another vanity program that gets more absurd every year. Fairfax County ended its vehicle decal program several years ago and transferred the staff who were messing with decals to personal property tax enforcement. Two hundred fifty years ago Americans were outraged by the Stamp Act imposed by the British. O'Leary's vehicle tax decal is nothing more than a tax stamp. Time to end O'Leary's idiotic program before it becomes a yearly festival costing Arlington taxpayers who knows how many millions.
Ted - 22202
Friday
Howard Manor Residents: "Mr. Zimmerman, We Are the Classmates of the County Board's Children"
Dear County Board Chairman Zimmerman:
I am a resident of Howard Manor Apartments. I am in my mid-20s. I and most of the residents who live at Howard Manor Apartments are starting our professional careers. Mine is in education. Yes, I earn $49,000 per year. But I also have to pay back $5,000 per year in student loans. Howard Manor is a great place to live. As we related to you at Tuesday's County Board Meeting, we are a highly diverse rental community.
You and Ms. Hynes and Ms. Favola have children who are about our age. I am sure that if your children were in a situation similar to ours in another jurisdiction you would be very unhappy that your children were "gentrified out" of market-rate affordable housing by an out-of-state developer with assistance from that jurisdiction's government.
Mr. Zimmerman, you and the Arlington County Board owe Howard Manor residents a big apology for the way we have been treated. Most of us are young Democrats and have, until now, supported the Arlington Democratic Party's and County Board's objectives like Smart Growth and Transit-Oriented Development. But, after reading the postings on Arlington Yupette and other local blogs, it appears that all you and the rest of County Government care about is making affordable market rate rental communities like ours "redevelopment opportunities" for out-of-state developers. Unless and until you and the County Board begin to follow the diversity agenda you set for others we cannot continue to support you or the Arlington Democratic Party.
Howard Manor Resident
I am a resident of Howard Manor Apartments. I am in my mid-20s. I and most of the residents who live at Howard Manor Apartments are starting our professional careers. Mine is in education. Yes, I earn $49,000 per year. But I also have to pay back $5,000 per year in student loans. Howard Manor is a great place to live. As we related to you at Tuesday's County Board Meeting, we are a highly diverse rental community.
You and Ms. Hynes and Ms. Favola have children who are about our age. I am sure that if your children were in a situation similar to ours in another jurisdiction you would be very unhappy that your children were "gentrified out" of market-rate affordable housing by an out-of-state developer with assistance from that jurisdiction's government.
Mr. Zimmerman, you and the Arlington County Board owe Howard Manor residents a big apology for the way we have been treated. Most of us are young Democrats and have, until now, supported the Arlington Democratic Party's and County Board's objectives like Smart Growth and Transit-Oriented Development. But, after reading the postings on Arlington Yupette and other local blogs, it appears that all you and the rest of County Government care about is making affordable market rate rental communities like ours "redevelopment opportunities" for out-of-state developers. Unless and until you and the County Board begin to follow the diversity agenda you set for others we cannot continue to support you or the Arlington Democratic Party.
Howard Manor Resident
Thursday
Zimmerman Sneaks Targeted Tax Break Via County Board Closed Session
Hello, Yupette,
In the event you missed Chris Zimmerman's latest stunt, he had the County Board consider, and pass, a piece of legislation during closed session on Tuesday that would allow federal non-military employees serving in Afghanistan (and only federal non-military employees serving in Afghanistan) to delay paying their local taxes for 90 days. It was news to County Treasurer Frank O'Leary, who attended Tuesday's County Board meeting to promote his 2011 Vehicle Tax Decal program. Last time the County Board pulled a similar stunt was 15 years ago. So, you can expect anything from the REITsFuhrer of Redevelopment, aka WMATA's Master of Metrorail Disaster, aka Arlington's Guru of Gridlock, from now on.
Dennis - 22205
In the event you missed Chris Zimmerman's latest stunt, he had the County Board consider, and pass, a piece of legislation during closed session on Tuesday that would allow federal non-military employees serving in Afghanistan (and only federal non-military employees serving in Afghanistan) to delay paying their local taxes for 90 days. It was news to County Treasurer Frank O'Leary, who attended Tuesday's County Board meeting to promote his 2011 Vehicle Tax Decal program. Last time the County Board pulled a similar stunt was 15 years ago. So, you can expect anything from the REITsFuhrer of Redevelopment, aka WMATA's Master of Metrorail Disaster, aka Arlington's Guru of Gridlock, from now on.
Dennis - 22205
Wednesday
Fairfax County Residents Set Arlington's Budget Priorities
Hello Yupette,
If you wondered who wrote Arlington FY 2012 Budget and who set Arlington's tax rate for FY 2012 you should be aware that the Budget was written by Counbty Manager Barbara Donnelan, who lives in Clifton, and the tax rate was set by the County Board based on advice from Bill Bozman, representing the Alliance for Housing Solutions, who lives in Bailey's Crossroads.
Very few important decisions that affect Arlington County residents' lives are made by Arlington County residents. The County Board usually ratifies advice and recommendations made by County Staff, Consultants, Non Government Organization Executives, Developers, REIT Executives, and others who are not Arlington residents.
Terri, Recently Retired from County Gov't
If you wondered who wrote Arlington FY 2012 Budget and who set Arlington's tax rate for FY 2012 you should be aware that the Budget was written by Counbty Manager Barbara Donnelan, who lives in Clifton, and the tax rate was set by the County Board based on advice from Bill Bozman, representing the Alliance for Housing Solutions, who lives in Bailey's Crossroads.
Very few important decisions that affect Arlington County residents' lives are made by Arlington County residents. The County Board usually ratifies advice and recommendations made by County Staff, Consultants, Non Government Organization Executives, Developers, REIT Executives, and others who are not Arlington residents.
Terri, Recently Retired from County Gov't
Tuesday
County Board, Staff, Developer Spent Months Working on Howard Manor Charade
Hi Yupette,
Despite what you may have seen and heard from the County Board tonight, the Howard Manor Apartments gentrification charade was in the works for months. The tenants are victims of another of Zimmerman's pet developers, this one specializes in making lots of money from kicking out tenants from older apartment buildings and receiving huge subsidies for making the renovated buildings "affordable". The tenants only found out about the plans last night. The charade was so transparent that a couple County Board members were actually laughing. Not funny to the tenants, some of whom have have been living at Howard Manor Apartments for more than a decade.
This is a preview of what Zimmerman has in store for the entire Columbia Pike corridor - older rental apartments are not homes for middle-class Arlingtonians, but "redevelopment opportunities" for out-of-state developers.
2100
Despite what you may have seen and heard from the County Board tonight, the Howard Manor Apartments gentrification charade was in the works for months. The tenants are victims of another of Zimmerman's pet developers, this one specializes in making lots of money from kicking out tenants from older apartment buildings and receiving huge subsidies for making the renovated buildings "affordable". The tenants only found out about the plans last night. The charade was so transparent that a couple County Board members were actually laughing. Not funny to the tenants, some of whom have have been living at Howard Manor Apartments for more than a decade.
This is a preview of what Zimmerman has in store for the entire Columbia Pike corridor - older rental apartments are not homes for middle-class Arlingtonians, but "redevelopment opportunities" for out-of-state developers.
2100
Sunday
Zimmerman, County Board Republicans FastTracking Massive Anti-Democrat Rt 29 Gentrification
Hi Yupette,
Thanks for your blog, and for supporting working class Arlington Democrats who the Republican County Board is trying to gentrify out of Arlington. Latest attempt will be the Howard Manor Apartments on Lee Highway, which Mr. Zimmerman and the County Board want to totally gentrify. Agenda item 11 on the February 15th County Board agenda. They want to drive out working class Democrats and replace workforce housing with a Yuppublican hedo enclave. Zimmerman, Tejada, Hynes, Favola, and Fisette want to raise rents 30%, kick out hard-working Latino and Latina families, and actually put present Howard Manor tenants into homeless shelters. Traffic in the redeveloped Howard Manor would be "controlled" by telling residents to ride bicycles, take Metrobuses and ART buses to work - even if they don't live on bus transit routes - and try to find parking spaces on the street. How "Smart" is that?
Please attend the February 15th County Board meeting and stop the County Republican Board from removing more Arlington Democrats from affordable housing.
Mark - N. Harrison St.
Thanks for your blog, and for supporting working class Arlington Democrats who the Republican County Board is trying to gentrify out of Arlington. Latest attempt will be the Howard Manor Apartments on Lee Highway, which Mr. Zimmerman and the County Board want to totally gentrify. Agenda item 11 on the February 15th County Board agenda. They want to drive out working class Democrats and replace workforce housing with a Yuppublican hedo enclave. Zimmerman, Tejada, Hynes, Favola, and Fisette want to raise rents 30%, kick out hard-working Latino and Latina families, and actually put present Howard Manor tenants into homeless shelters. Traffic in the redeveloped Howard Manor would be "controlled" by telling residents to ride bicycles, take Metrobuses and ART buses to work - even if they don't live on bus transit routes - and try to find parking spaces on the street. How "Smart" is that?
Please attend the February 15th County Board meeting and stop the County Republican Board from removing more Arlington Democrats from affordable housing.
Mark - N. Harrison St.
Saturday
County Board Members Lobby for Big Salary Increases
Hey, Yupette,
Majority of the County Board is lobbying for a big salary increase, $25,000. Majority of the County Board (not the same Board members) is also Yupscale and they doen't need anymore income.
Linda 22201
Majority of the County Board is lobbying for a big salary increase, $25,000. Majority of the County Board (not the same Board members) is also Yupscale and they doen't need anymore income.
Linda 22201
Arlington Mill 'Affordable' Housing - Resegregation Through Gentrification
Hello Yupette,
Anyone who doesn't believe that Chris Zimmerman's agenda for the Pike isn't to drive out all the minorities and middle class non-minorities should visit the County's Web site and see the extravagant plans for the so-called 'affordable' housing to be constructed on the County-owned Arlington Mill site. No wonder you will have to earn $50,000 or so to be 'qualified' to become a tenant. Just right for a recent college grad who's working for a non-profit. Plenty of parking for a pre-owwned or Mom's hand-me-down BMW - zooom. And if one of your Yuptard buds has a problem with controlled substances, there's going to be a recovery center on-site. Mr. Zimmerman thought of everything. Yupeee.
Tiffany
Anyone who doesn't believe that Chris Zimmerman's agenda for the Pike isn't to drive out all the minorities and middle class non-minorities should visit the County's Web site and see the extravagant plans for the so-called 'affordable' housing to be constructed on the County-owned Arlington Mill site. No wonder you will have to earn $50,000 or so to be 'qualified' to become a tenant. Just right for a recent college grad who's working for a non-profit. Plenty of parking for a pre-owwned or Mom's hand-me-down BMW - zooom. And if one of your Yuptard buds has a problem with controlled substances, there's going to be a recovery center on-site. Mr. Zimmerman thought of everything. Yupeee.
Tiffany
Friday
County Board Set to Hit Businesses Hard With FY 2012 Taxes and Fees
Hello Yupette,
A majority of County Board members decided to spare residential property owners another big tax increase on top of assessment increases. However the County Board (including 'business-friendly' Chairman Zimmerman) has decided to hit businesses with big tax increases based on a commercial property assessment increase of over 12%. You can check it out on the County's Web site arlingtonva.us, agenda items 29 A through K on Saturday's agenda (Item 29 will be heard by the County Board on Tuesday, February 15th).
2100
A majority of County Board members decided to spare residential property owners another big tax increase on top of assessment increases. However the County Board (including 'business-friendly' Chairman Zimmerman) has decided to hit businesses with big tax increases based on a commercial property assessment increase of over 12%. You can check it out on the County's Web site arlingtonva.us, agenda items 29 A through K on Saturday's agenda (Item 29 will be heard by the County Board on Tuesday, February 15th).
2100
Wednesday
Residents Slam 'Planners' Over EFC Redevelopment
Hello, Yupette,
In a sometimes contentious meeting held on Wednesday evening East Falls Church area residents expressed their dismay regarding County Government's mega-development plans for the area around the East Falls Church Metro Station.
Responding to 'don't worry, be happy' entreaties by Arlington Planning Division Director Robert Brosnan and Transportation Director Dennis Leach, residents expressed their unhappiness, skepticism, and anger over the scope of the EFC mega-development and and their fears that East Falls Church will become 'another Shirlington".
EFC area residents were especially unhappy about building height and density, traffic volumes on Washington Boulevard, Lee Highway, and I-66; and the capacity of Metrorail to absorb over 100,000 additional commuters at rush hours.
Under harsh questioning by Arlington Green Party activists, Mr. Leach admitted that, despite the Transportation Division's optimistic projections, vehicular traffic has significantly increased on Arlington's major arterials. He could not counter the Green Party's assertions that the Orange Line is already running at capacity and the 2-track Orange-Blue Line (narrowed to one track under the Potomac River) will be overwhelmed by inbound and outbound rush hour commuters.
Westover
In a sometimes contentious meeting held on Wednesday evening East Falls Church area residents expressed their dismay regarding County Government's mega-development plans for the area around the East Falls Church Metro Station.
Responding to 'don't worry, be happy' entreaties by Arlington Planning Division Director Robert Brosnan and Transportation Director Dennis Leach, residents expressed their unhappiness, skepticism, and anger over the scope of the EFC mega-development and and their fears that East Falls Church will become 'another Shirlington".
EFC area residents were especially unhappy about building height and density, traffic volumes on Washington Boulevard, Lee Highway, and I-66; and the capacity of Metrorail to absorb over 100,000 additional commuters at rush hours.
Under harsh questioning by Arlington Green Party activists, Mr. Leach admitted that, despite the Transportation Division's optimistic projections, vehicular traffic has significantly increased on Arlington's major arterials. He could not counter the Green Party's assertions that the Orange Line is already running at capacity and the 2-track Orange-Blue Line (narrowed to one track under the Potomac River) will be overwhelmed by inbound and outbound rush hour commuters.
Westover
Tuesday
Mr. Zimmerman, East Falls Church is a Residential Neighborhood, Not a 'Redevelopment Opportunity'
Mr. Zimmerman:
We were disheartened to hear your comments at last Tuesday's Civic Federation meeting regarding the economic and population growth of Arlington County. Our neighborhoods in state highway corridors are not 'redevelopment opportunities' for out-of-state developers recruited by county staff who don't live in Arlington and facilitated by 'community leaders' recruited by you. Although HOT Lanes and BRAC development should be a lesson and a warning you refuse to answer critical questions regarding future school overcrowding, overcrowding of Metrorail by future Silver Line commuters, overcrowded parks and playgrounds, and a significant increase in traffic caused by increased parking and increased density.
Many of us moved to single family homes in East Falls Church, Westover, and Williamsburg because we wanted to escape your 'vision' for Arlington County: a County totally urbanized and totally redeveloped into luxury housing with a few 'affordable' apartments. The latest manifestation of your 'vision' is your proposed redevelopment of the entire Columbia Pike corridor to demolish rental housing and replace rental units with luxury in-fill condominiums.
We do not need or want another Shirlington Village at the EFC Metro station. Shirlington Village and the surrounding area is becoming a traffic nightmare, thanks to the County Board creating massive commercial and residential infill, a huge number of parking spaces, almost no affordable housing, and a workforce that typically drives 20-50 miles to work.
If you cannot serve the interests of the citizens who elected you we ask you to retire from the County Board and move on. The interests of residents who live in the area around the EFC Metro Station are not served by 'smart growth' redevelopment along the lines of Shirlington.
East Falls Church Homeowner
We were disheartened to hear your comments at last Tuesday's Civic Federation meeting regarding the economic and population growth of Arlington County. Our neighborhoods in state highway corridors are not 'redevelopment opportunities' for out-of-state developers recruited by county staff who don't live in Arlington and facilitated by 'community leaders' recruited by you. Although HOT Lanes and BRAC development should be a lesson and a warning you refuse to answer critical questions regarding future school overcrowding, overcrowding of Metrorail by future Silver Line commuters, overcrowded parks and playgrounds, and a significant increase in traffic caused by increased parking and increased density.
Many of us moved to single family homes in East Falls Church, Westover, and Williamsburg because we wanted to escape your 'vision' for Arlington County: a County totally urbanized and totally redeveloped into luxury housing with a few 'affordable' apartments. The latest manifestation of your 'vision' is your proposed redevelopment of the entire Columbia Pike corridor to demolish rental housing and replace rental units with luxury in-fill condominiums.
We do not need or want another Shirlington Village at the EFC Metro station. Shirlington Village and the surrounding area is becoming a traffic nightmare, thanks to the County Board creating massive commercial and residential infill, a huge number of parking spaces, almost no affordable housing, and a workforce that typically drives 20-50 miles to work.
If you cannot serve the interests of the citizens who elected you we ask you to retire from the County Board and move on. The interests of residents who live in the area around the EFC Metro Station are not served by 'smart growth' redevelopment along the lines of Shirlington.
East Falls Church Homeowner
Monday
No More EFC 'Planning' Until Basics Are Addressed
Hello, Yupette,
I share Anne's concerns about East Falls Church 'planning'. I was very disheartened to hear about Chris Zimmerman's statements at last week's Civic Federation meeting. There is no concern by Mr. Zimmerman, or anyone else on the County Board, about overcrowded schools, overcrowded parks, massive congestion at the EFC Metro station, and major traffic problems arising from megadevelopment of EFC. And they want to turn our parks and playgrounds into another team sports complex. Now we are hearing that Mr. Zimmerman will bring one of Congressman Moran's out-of-state developer friends and a big-time Democratic campaign contributor in to coordinate all the development on both sides of the Arlington-Falls Church border. However, there is a big local developer that pays taxes in Falls Church located down the street from the EFC Metro station. And the local newspapers, the News-Press and the Sun Gazette, are endorsing this.
The so-called Planning Commission is a group of hand-picked pro-development facilitators who will rubber stamp anything Mr. Zimmerman puts in front of them no matter what the consequences for communities like ours.
It's time we said 'enough' to Mr. Zimmerman, whose 'vision' for Arlington is nothing short of the total urbanization of Arlington with tax revenues arising from that to be used to pay for $500 million of the County Board's pet vanity projects.
Kim, East Falls Church
I share Anne's concerns about East Falls Church 'planning'. I was very disheartened to hear about Chris Zimmerman's statements at last week's Civic Federation meeting. There is no concern by Mr. Zimmerman, or anyone else on the County Board, about overcrowded schools, overcrowded parks, massive congestion at the EFC Metro station, and major traffic problems arising from megadevelopment of EFC. And they want to turn our parks and playgrounds into another team sports complex. Now we are hearing that Mr. Zimmerman will bring one of Congressman Moran's out-of-state developer friends and a big-time Democratic campaign contributor in to coordinate all the development on both sides of the Arlington-Falls Church border. However, there is a big local developer that pays taxes in Falls Church located down the street from the EFC Metro station. And the local newspapers, the News-Press and the Sun Gazette, are endorsing this.
The so-called Planning Commission is a group of hand-picked pro-development facilitators who will rubber stamp anything Mr. Zimmerman puts in front of them no matter what the consequences for communities like ours.
It's time we said 'enough' to Mr. Zimmerman, whose 'vision' for Arlington is nothing short of the total urbanization of Arlington with tax revenues arising from that to be used to pay for $500 million of the County Board's pet vanity projects.
Kim, East Falls Church
Saturday
County Board Prevailed Over VDOT's HOT Lanes - What About East Falls Church?
Hi Yupette.
Our family moved from an apartment in South Arlington to a single-family home in East Falls Church fifteen years ago. My family needed more room. So we purchased a single-family home on a medium size lot in East Falls Church and we've made modest improvements. We live on a quiet street. We have two children and lead a comfortable, but not extravagant, lifestyle.
I completely oppose the "Shirlingtonization" of East Falls Church. I am also appalled by the hypocrisy that Chris Zimmerman and the County Board have exhibited regarding EFC re-development. They spent over $1.5 million suing VDOT to protect Shirlington, Fairlington, Claremont, etc. from HOT Lanes. And they are going to spend tens of millions more protecting South Arlington from BRAC traffic.
How about East Falls Church? How have we become a "re-development opportunity" for Chris Zimmerman, the County Board, the REITs and the developers? Zimmerman stated at the last County Board Meeting that the EFC community contacted Zimmerman about redevelopment. Not true. Zimmerman contacted his pet Democrats in EFC and had them make an issue about the "deteriorated" state of Lee Highway at the Arlington-Falls Church border. Before Zimmerman got going on his latest arterial mega-development crusade County Government could care less about East Falls Church.
How about VDOT, the EFC Metro Station, and the 100,000 and more commuters who will descend on the EFC Metro Station morning and evening rush hours? Chris Zimmerman doesn't want to talk about that. Who sued VDOT over I-66 widening? Not Arlington County, it was the Green Party. I guess when East Falls Church is on the point of becoming a total G-D mess, thanks to Chris Zimmerman's "Planning Commission" there will be an "emergency task force" to deal with Chris "Guru of Gridlock" Zimmerman's traffic fiasco.
The so-called "Planning Commission" will hold a meeting on February 8th at the Navy League Building on Wilson Boulevard to rubber stamp "REIT Fuhrer" Zimmerman's mega development plans for EFC. The next EFC "Community Meeting" will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church on February 9th. The next County Board Meeting will be on February 12th.
It's time for us to take the control and direction of our lives away from slimey politricksters like Chris Zimmerman who are only looking for more mega-deals to fund their pet vanity mega-projects while we suffer the consequences.
Anne - East Falls Church
Our family moved from an apartment in South Arlington to a single-family home in East Falls Church fifteen years ago. My family needed more room. So we purchased a single-family home on a medium size lot in East Falls Church and we've made modest improvements. We live on a quiet street. We have two children and lead a comfortable, but not extravagant, lifestyle.
I completely oppose the "Shirlingtonization" of East Falls Church. I am also appalled by the hypocrisy that Chris Zimmerman and the County Board have exhibited regarding EFC re-development. They spent over $1.5 million suing VDOT to protect Shirlington, Fairlington, Claremont, etc. from HOT Lanes. And they are going to spend tens of millions more protecting South Arlington from BRAC traffic.
How about East Falls Church? How have we become a "re-development opportunity" for Chris Zimmerman, the County Board, the REITs and the developers? Zimmerman stated at the last County Board Meeting that the EFC community contacted Zimmerman about redevelopment. Not true. Zimmerman contacted his pet Democrats in EFC and had them make an issue about the "deteriorated" state of Lee Highway at the Arlington-Falls Church border. Before Zimmerman got going on his latest arterial mega-development crusade County Government could care less about East Falls Church.
How about VDOT, the EFC Metro Station, and the 100,000 and more commuters who will descend on the EFC Metro Station morning and evening rush hours? Chris Zimmerman doesn't want to talk about that. Who sued VDOT over I-66 widening? Not Arlington County, it was the Green Party. I guess when East Falls Church is on the point of becoming a total G-D mess, thanks to Chris Zimmerman's "Planning Commission" there will be an "emergency task force" to deal with Chris "Guru of Gridlock" Zimmerman's traffic fiasco.
The so-called "Planning Commission" will hold a meeting on February 8th at the Navy League Building on Wilson Boulevard to rubber stamp "REIT Fuhrer" Zimmerman's mega development plans for EFC. The next EFC "Community Meeting" will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church on February 9th. The next County Board Meeting will be on February 12th.
It's time for us to take the control and direction of our lives away from slimey politricksters like Chris Zimmerman who are only looking for more mega-deals to fund their pet vanity mega-projects while we suffer the consequences.
Anne - East Falls Church
Thursday
Williamsburg Middle School Principal Forced Out for Opposing Murphy-Garvey-Raphael Recreation-Socialization-Remediation Agenda
Hello Ms. Yupette,
Why was Kathy Francis forced out as Principal of Williamsburg Middle School? Because her focus was on EDUCATION, not on Patrick Murphy's, Libby Garvey's, and Abby Raphael's Anti-Education 'Recreation-Socialization-Remediation' agenda.
This happened before in Arlington - at Abingdon Elementary School in the late 90's. The then-Principal almost destroyed the school by attempting to make Abingdon School a "Party Zone". With the concurrence of Libby Garvey and Mary Hynes. Only after Abingdon School descended into chaos was the Principal replaced. By none other than Meg Tuccillo. It took YEARS for Abingdon School to recover. Concomitantly, Libby Garvey and Mary Hynes fought SOLs.
Now we have a Schools Superintendent who has a Ph.D. in Recreation. This (Arlington Yupette) blog warned everyone what was coming - the New Wakefield High School was designed as a recreation-remediation complex with classrooms.
Libby Garvey, Mary Hynes, and Abby Raphael are unfit to hold public office. Patrick Murphy is fit to be athletics director of a midwestern university.
Thank you Kathy Francis, for always putting EDUCATION FIRST.
Barbara - Heatherlea 1995-1999, Williamsburg 1999-2011
Why was Kathy Francis forced out as Principal of Williamsburg Middle School? Because her focus was on EDUCATION, not on Patrick Murphy's, Libby Garvey's, and Abby Raphael's Anti-Education 'Recreation-Socialization-Remediation' agenda.
This happened before in Arlington - at Abingdon Elementary School in the late 90's. The then-Principal almost destroyed the school by attempting to make Abingdon School a "Party Zone". With the concurrence of Libby Garvey and Mary Hynes. Only after Abingdon School descended into chaos was the Principal replaced. By none other than Meg Tuccillo. It took YEARS for Abingdon School to recover. Concomitantly, Libby Garvey and Mary Hynes fought SOLs.
Now we have a Schools Superintendent who has a Ph.D. in Recreation. This (Arlington Yupette) blog warned everyone what was coming - the New Wakefield High School was designed as a recreation-remediation complex with classrooms.
Libby Garvey, Mary Hynes, and Abby Raphael are unfit to hold public office. Patrick Murphy is fit to be athletics director of a midwestern university.
Thank you Kathy Francis, for always putting EDUCATION FIRST.
Barbara - Heatherlea 1995-1999, Williamsburg 1999-2011
Wednesday
Alex. City Council Member Answers Questions About BRAC Traffic, I-395 HOT Lanes
Hello, Yupette.
County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman refused to answer questions about Mark Center BRAC traffic and I-395 HOT Lanes when asked at the January 22nd County Board Meeting.
So I asked Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka, and here's what he said:
"Regarding HOT Lanes, I wrote the city policy opposing them. it was passed at my request by the Transportation Commission and the Council. We are closely monitoring settlement discussions over Arlington's lawsuit in order to make sure Alexandria residents are represented in any final agreements. The Mayor has had conversations with VDOT over this and will continue to the city's point person. I have put a lot of effort into and expressed my concerns about hot lanes many times> I will continue to. If there is something specific you'd like to discuss, please let me know.
Regarding BRAC, while it isn't in the location I wanted, we are making progress designing and implementing new traffic systems. We have a robust plan developed with citizen input to guide how BRAC manages its employee traffic and mass transit efforts. A series of immediate transportation fixes have been identified and are being worked on. Some require new funding which we are pursuing. The City of Alexandria has negotiated with the Army to provide and pay for new bus service that will serve BRAC employees as well as any other resident that wishes to ride the buses. And I'm co-chairing a study group looking at additional mass transit system improvements for the Beauregard and Van Dorn areas.
I'm happy to talk further. Just let me know the best way to get in touch with you.
Best Regards,
Rob Krupicka
Kristine - Fairlington
County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman refused to answer questions about Mark Center BRAC traffic and I-395 HOT Lanes when asked at the January 22nd County Board Meeting.
So I asked Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka, and here's what he said:
"Regarding HOT Lanes, I wrote the city policy opposing them. it was passed at my request by the Transportation Commission and the Council. We are closely monitoring settlement discussions over Arlington's lawsuit in order to make sure Alexandria residents are represented in any final agreements. The Mayor has had conversations with VDOT over this and will continue to the city's point person. I have put a lot of effort into and expressed my concerns about hot lanes many times> I will continue to. If there is something specific you'd like to discuss, please let me know.
Regarding BRAC, while it isn't in the location I wanted, we are making progress designing and implementing new traffic systems. We have a robust plan developed with citizen input to guide how BRAC manages its employee traffic and mass transit efforts. A series of immediate transportation fixes have been identified and are being worked on. Some require new funding which we are pursuing. The City of Alexandria has negotiated with the Army to provide and pay for new bus service that will serve BRAC employees as well as any other resident that wishes to ride the buses. And I'm co-chairing a study group looking at additional mass transit system improvements for the Beauregard and Van Dorn areas.
I'm happy to talk further. Just let me know the best way to get in touch with you.
Best Regards,
Rob Krupicka
Kristine - Fairlington
Tuesday
Civ Fed / County Board Meetup - County Board Will Fast Track Pet Projects
Hi Yupette,
I attended tonight's County Board - Civic Federation joint meeting tonight. No surprises. The County Board will fast-track its pet projects - Pike and Crystal City trolleys, Longbridge Park Aquatic Center, and recreation and entertainment priorities. Funding for the luxuries will be obtained by cutting the basics and raising taxes and fees.
It was interesting to hear Jay Fisette state that taxpayers could save a lot of money if the County and Dominion Resources accelerated the replacement of old energy-inefficient streetlights. But that's something that Dominion is not about to let happen.
Zimmerman became animated about how many benefits his Pike trolley will bring to the local economy. He isn't worried about the cost, estimated to be between $140 and $200 million. He could care less about current residents being displaced by gentrification.
Delegate
I attended tonight's County Board - Civic Federation joint meeting tonight. No surprises. The County Board will fast-track its pet projects - Pike and Crystal City trolleys, Longbridge Park Aquatic Center, and recreation and entertainment priorities. Funding for the luxuries will be obtained by cutting the basics and raising taxes and fees.
It was interesting to hear Jay Fisette state that taxpayers could save a lot of money if the County and Dominion Resources accelerated the replacement of old energy-inefficient streetlights. But that's something that Dominion is not about to let happen.
Zimmerman became animated about how many benefits his Pike trolley will bring to the local economy. He isn't worried about the cost, estimated to be between $140 and $200 million. He could care less about current residents being displaced by gentrification.
Delegate
"County Staff" Support I-395 HOT Lanes, I-66 Widening
Hello, Yupette,
With so many County Staff who live outside Arlington County it's interesting to hear what their take on I-395 HOT Lanes and I-66 widening is. They want both. Or that's what they say around the water coolers at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.
Also interesting to see who is playing hardball in the General Assembly with the County Board over I-395 HOT Lanes - Delegate Tim Hugo, who represents the 40th District and lives in Clifton. Who else lives in Clifton and makes the commute to Arlington via I-66 or I-395 every weekday? None other than Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan. And a laundry list of other department heads. Could some (of several hundred) County Staff who live in the Clifton area be complaining to Delegate Hugo about their terrible commute to work via I-66 and I-395? Too bad investigative journalism is dead, or we'd know who from County Staff has been lobbying Delegate Hugo.
2100
With so many County Staff who live outside Arlington County it's interesting to hear what their take on I-395 HOT Lanes and I-66 widening is. They want both. Or that's what they say around the water coolers at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.
Also interesting to see who is playing hardball in the General Assembly with the County Board over I-395 HOT Lanes - Delegate Tim Hugo, who represents the 40th District and lives in Clifton. Who else lives in Clifton and makes the commute to Arlington via I-66 or I-395 every weekday? None other than Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan. And a laundry list of other department heads. Could some (of several hundred) County Staff who live in the Clifton area be complaining to Delegate Hugo about their terrible commute to work via I-66 and I-395? Too bad investigative journalism is dead, or we'd know who from County Staff has been lobbying Delegate Hugo.
2100
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