Hello Yupette,
I attended the AGENA (Arlington General Employees Association) debate this afternoon between Audy Clement and Libby Garvey (Mark Kelly did not attend).
Libby stressed her management of Arlington's school system. Audrey Clement stressed the need for fiscal responsibility in County Government. Both disagreed with County Manager Barbara Donnellan's handling of the dispute between the County and AGENA over defined benefit vs. defined contribution retirement plans.
One part of the debate that was very interesting occurred when Audrey asked why Tuckahoe parents were left out of the loop regarding new classroom construction. Libby responded by disparaging Tuckahoe parents who did not agree with the capacity planning 'decision makers'.
One of Libby's Fairlington neighbors attended the debate and repeatedly asked Libby when the ambitious plans for Abingdon School (which does not have capacity problems) were going to be revealed to the Fairlington community and when she would appear at a Fairlington Citizens Accociation meeting to discuss plans for Abingdon School with her neighbors. Libby would not only not commit to discuss Abingdon School planning with her neighbors, she stated she already met privately with several members of the Abingdon School PTA.
So, folks, here's the deal...whatever deal is worked out among Democratic Machine insiders about school capacity is gonna be a done deal before parents learn about it.
BTW, Audrey won the debate. I gave her and A and Libby a B-minus.
2100