<sh>Life Sentence for Hanssen
<bt>Former FBI agent and Vienna resident Robert Hanssen was sentenced to life in prison last Friday, without parole. The sentence, read by U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton, was punishment for spying that authorities say lasted over two decades. Hanssen was found responsible for the deaths of multiple spies working for the United States in Russia.
<sh>Budget Hearing Upcoming
<bt>At 8 p.m. next Monday, May 20, the Vienna Town Council will hear comments from Vienna residents for their proposed FY 2002-2003 budget. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, 127 Center Street.
Copies of the proposed budget are available for review at Town Hall and Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Avenue. A budget summary is available at the town hall, and the entire document may be purchased.
The budget, as revised, reduces the town's tax rate to 28.5 cents. This is a one-and-a-half cent cut of the current 30-cent rate. The council's revisions reflect an additional half-cent cut over the town manager's proposed budget, which suggested a one-cent cut. To free up revenue for the extra half-cent cut, the Town Council eliminated a requested special pickups division, a requested police cruiser and other items. The special pickups division would create three new employee positions, at a cost of $106,734.
If the council deems it necessary, a final budget work session to discuss comments from the public hearing will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. Adoption of the budget is scheduled for the June 3 council meeting.
<sh>Suspect Sought in Tysons Area Robbery
<bt>Fairfax County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred in the 8800 block of Ashgrove House Lane in the Tysons Corner area at about 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday. As a 25-year old woman was walking to her condominium, a man turned around and walked toward her. He grabbed her purse from her shoulder and ran to a car that was parked in front of 1571 Leeds Castle Road. The woman was not injured.
The suspect vehicle was described as a sporty, dark-colored, late-model Toyota Camry with Maryland license plates. The suspect was described as white with a dark complexion, in his 20s, standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing 190 pounds with short, straight, black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a white tee shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to call police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Vienna Community Band Concerts
<bt>The Vienna Community Band, a non-profit volunteer organization, will be performing in two upcoming concerts. On Saturday, May 25 the band will perform a 6 p.m. concert during the annual Viva Vienna Festival. The outdoor concert will take place at the historic Freeman House, located at Church and Mill Streets N.W. The program will consist of well-known marches and overtures. Admission and parking are free.
On Monday, May 27, the band will hold a Memorial Day Concert, 10:30 a.m. at Flint Hill Memorial Cemetery, 10025 Courthouse Road, Oakton. The concert is in conjunction with the Memorial Day Ceremony conducted by the American Legion Post 180. For more information on either concert, call Stan Ellis at 703-476-1127.