The "decent weather" was given credit by Mayor M. Jane Seeman for the large turn-outs for Town Green concerts. "We’ve had outstanding performances, and with little oppressive heat and humidity, more people are willing to come out for the outdoor concerts." The Navy Commodores concert, Seeman noted, was packed.

There are several newsworthy events and issues coming up for the fall, that the mayor stresses.

"The Sept. 11 ceremony, a day of remembrance, is a significant public event," said the mayor. "The Town cooperates with the American Legion by printing the programs and providing the sound system, but it’s really the American Legion’s event."



HELD ON THE LAWN behind Freeman House, the beginning of the Sept. 11 ceremony is marked with the ringing of bells at Vienna Presbyterian Church at the appropriate time. The Vienna Band, the Vienna Chorale, and a speaker honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks of 2001.

"We don’t have the money in the Town budget now to start on the main enhancements on Maple Avenue, but Rep. Tom Davis got money for us to do utility work there." The improvements are administered through VDOT.

"In September, the Town will be making a decision on our water," said the mayor. "We’re discussing our options with both the county and the City of Falls Church.

"We have quite a few non-Town water customers. If we were not providing water to them, the county would have to lay its own pipes."

"On Sept. 22, we will hold a public hearing on sidewalks. We want to hear from our citizens on their sidewalk needs. The first criteria is safety, especially safe walks to school."

Seeman recently talked with the state Del. Steve Shannon (D-35) about Vienna’s legislative priorities. "We need to get our priorities out to the state quickly," said the mayor.

Cedar Park Shopping Center and the Vienna Park Apartments continue to be looked at closely by the mayor and the Vienna Police Department.

"The police have a good relationship with the apartment management and the residents there. The chief has made several attempts to meet with the shopping center’s new management, but so far, nobody from the shopping center has come forth."

The only time someone can be arrested for loitering is when the person is blocking a sidewalk, Seeman said. The shopping center is private property, and the police have to have the cooperation of the shopping center’s owners.

"Our police are over there making arrests," said the mayor. "People know the police are there. Store owners, residents, contact the police when there are problems. Many of these incidents are domestic disputes.

"Bill Murray [Vienna Police Public Information Officer] is doing a good job putting the whole crime report out there for the public to see. It’s online and distributed to newspapers.

"The Police Department is at full-staff. Thank God they’re catching these people, the law-breakers."



THE FIRST Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce [VTRCC]/Town of Vienna Oktoberfest is planned for Oct. 4, noon-6p.m. Spreading itself between Maple Avenue and Church Street, along the Mill Street corridor, the festival features a beer garden, two stages, food vendors, children’s activities, and a marketplace.

For more information: visit http://www.viennava.gov/Town_Departments/police_vpd_highlights.htm; http://www.viennava.gov/