Wayne Wows CivFed With Minor Changes to a Bloated and Out-of-Control County Government

Hey Yupette,

Wayne Kubicki was a big hit at the Arlington Civic Federation budget meeting last night. His Revenues and Expenditures Committee report called for creation of an Inspector General, and a cut in the tax rate. Trouble is, Wayne didn't begin to touch the $100 to $200 million of waste and mismanagement in the County's $1 billion FY 2012 budget.

The County Board depends on lots of paygo and bond funds to buy votes from special interests and pay for its own extravagant pet projects, so it's unlikely they would want an IG looking over Barbara Donnellan's shoulder.

Give Wayne a lot of credit for political savvy. What the CivFed's R & E Committee proposed would take nothing from anyone except the County Board. Unfortunately, Arlington County is a financial disaster waiting to happen. But as long as Democratic County Board candidates can count on receiving 60% of the vote, election after election, nothing will change.

KarenS

EFC Area Plan to Planning Commission on April 6th

Hello,

Please note that the adoption of the East Falls Church Area Plan, adoption of the East Falls Church General Land Use Plan Amendments, and adoption of the East Falls Church Master Transportation Plan will be heard by the Arlington Planning Commission at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 6th in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 3rd Floor.

Adoption of Form Based Code zoning amendments including those affecting the redevelopment of the Rosenthal auto dealership site (Columbia Pike at South Glebe Road) will be heard by the Planning Commission on Monday, April 4th at 7 PM, in the Arlington County Board Room.

To be able to speak about these agenda items at Planning Commission meetings you must sign up on-line at arlingtonva.us (Planning Commission) or by calling the Clerk of the Planning Commission at 228-3525 by 3 PM the date the Planning Commission meets.

Susan

Stop Single-Use Plastic Event Scheduled for April 3rd

Hey Yupette,

The Arlington Green Party, Arlingtonians for a Green Environment, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter of the Sierra Club are sponsoring a public panel discussion at Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, on Sunday April 3rd, 4-6 PM, on the topic of eliminating single use plastic bags and styrofoam containers from Arlington's retail stores and restaurants. The public is warmly invited to attend this panel discussion, which is free to all.

Beth

Federal Employees Facing 10 Days of Unpaid Furlough

Hello Ms. Yupette,

I heard from a friend who works as a legislative assistant for a Democratic senator that there is a tentative deal to avoid a shut-down of the federal government and that would mean federal employees having to take 10 days of unpaid furlough. I don't know what that would mean for Arlington's economy. Certainly the County should not be spending money foolishly. Thanks for your blog.

Pamela, Alcova Hts.

CPRO 'Bent out Of Shape' About Pike Redevelopment Critics

Hi Yupette,

FYI, CPRO (Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization) is getting all bent out of shape about anyone who opposes the massive redevelopment of the Pike, via the form-based code or otherwise. To the point that CPRO will smear anyone who questions the quality-of-life impacts of form based redevelopment on South Arlington.

Please be aware there will be a meeting at the Shirlington Library om April 7th to discuss the parking and traffic mess arising from Shirlington redevelopment. We don't need any more traffic from thousands of new parking spaces in South Arlington.

Thanks for your blog, and keep wearing that Trader Joes bag!.

S. Walter Reed Resident