<b>Board Walks Columbia Heights</b>
Sometimes, Arlington residents have to come to the County Board to speak their minds. But sometimes, the board comes to them.
Despite the unseasonably warm weather on Saturday, the Board's walking town meeting drew a large turnout of residents in the Columbia Heights West area.
"I thought it went very well, said Linda LeDuc, the President of the Columbia Heights West Civic Association. "I was very pleased with the turnout of residents and the county staff."
Residents discussed issues ranging from affordable housing and commercial vehicle regulations to parking and litter problems. School Board member Mary Hynes was on hand and talked about what role schools are playing in educating students on civic responsibility.
Jay Fisette, a County Board member, offered the most direct solution of the day. Neighborhood residents pointed out litter on the street in front of a local house and asked about county plans for better trash disposal.’
As others discussed the issue, Fisette simply stopped to clean up the mess himself. Residents ultimately stopped him, though, insisting that the owners of the house must take personal responsibility if the neighborhood is going to improve.
LeDuc says the civic association expects a mid-month report from the county addressing the concerns raised at the meeting.
<b>Civic Group
Supports Bonds</b>
On Oct. 1, the Arlington Civic Federation voted on which coming ballot issues to endorse. Federation members showed broad support for all bonds on the Nov. 5 ballot. They also voted to endorse the transportation sales tax by a much slimmer margin.
Out of 99 ballots cast, only 53 supported the regional transportation sales tax, which would impose a half-cent tax on all purchases in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.
In contrast, more than 80 percent of federation members voted to support the county’s $12.3 million water and sewer bond, the $79 million school bond and a $900 million state bond to support Virginia universities.
There was support overall for the $119 million bond to fund Virginia state parks, with 74 members voting in favor, 24 opposed to the bond. Similarly, there was mixed support county’s $67.4 million community projects bond, which would fund neighborhood conservation, traffic calming and sidewalks projects. Federation members voted 68-31 in favor of the bond.
The Civic Federation does not have any legislative authority, but is made up of representatives from the county’s local and neighborhood civic associations.
<b>Arlington Columbus Day Schedule</b>
County government offices, clinics, courts, and several libraries will be closed this Monday, Oct. 14, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Regular schedules will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
*Garbage Collection: Trash and recycling usually collected Monday will be picked up as usual. Garbage must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. to ensure pickup. Requests for special curbside pickups must be made by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, by calling 703-228-6570.
*Recreation Centers: Nine county rec centers will be open on Columbus Day. Thomas Jefferson, 6:25 a.m.-9:50 p.m.; Barcroft Sport and Fitness Center, 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Langston Center, 3-6 p.m.; Madison Center, 3-9:30 p.m.; Lubber Run, 2:30-10 p.m.; Arlington Mill, 2:30-6 p.m.; Gunston, 2:30-6 p.m.; Drew, 3-10 p.m.; Walter Reed, 4-9 p.m.
*County Courts will be closed.
*Access Channel 31: regular program schedules.
*Parking Meters: Meters are free on Monday, as on all federal holidays, but all other parking regulations will be in effect.
*Public Libraries: Only two libraries will open on Monday: the Central Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and the Columbia Pike Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
*Public swimming pools next to Arlington’s high schools will maintain normal schedules.