Tolls Must Have Limits
The notion that the user of a public service should be the one to pay for it makes sense in theory. But when the service is a roadway and the payments are tolls, the system can feel a bit unfair and clearly needs limits. It made sense when I voted to approve an authority in the early 1980s to build a toll road in the Dulles Corridor to provide traffic congestion relief for western Fairfax County and to open the area for economic development. Using the toll method of financing meant that we got the road and expanded it decades before it would have been considered through the usual methods of road financing. It even made some sense that toll collections be used as a percentage of financing for the extension of Metrorail in the corridor, since the mass transit system would help relieve future traffic congestion on the Toll Road. But there has to be limits on the use of tolls, and clearly the level of tolls proposed for the Dulles Toll Road is too high.
Tornado-Like Storm Strikes Lake Anne Area
It felt like déjà vu on South Shore Drive near Lake Anne in Reston. A powerful wind and rain storm hit the area around 3:30 Saturday afternoon. The majority of the storm damage was concentrated, almost in a straight line, from North Shore Drive near Fairway Apartments to Weihle Avenue.
Emergency Fair at Inova Alexandria Hospital
Second Annual Emergency Management and Safety Fair was held Aug. 25 in the Howard Street parking lot at the Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Plane Pull on Sept. 22 to Benefit Special Olympics
Superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor regularly come together to fight crime. Although humans don’t naturally possess super powers, you would be amazed at what a group of individuals can do when they put their minds—and muscles—together to accomplish a goal.
Week in Herndon
The MOMS Club of Herndon is recycling gently used items instead of throwing them away. Join the MOMS Club of Herndon on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at their monthly meeting at Trinity Presbyterian Church, located at 651 Dranesville Rd, Herndon. The Club offers support for local stay-at-home mothers through weekly events.
Paula Swift, 76, Dies
A common belief is that Congressional wives do little but stand around looking on devotedly as their husbands give speeches. With few exceptions that is untrue. It was particularly not the case for Paula Swift, wife of eight-term Representative Al Swift (D-Wash.). She died suddenly of a heart attack on Labor Day.
Lee Takes Over at Quarterback for Churchill Football Team
Bulldogs improve to 2-0 with victory against Whitman.
The Churchill football team improved to 2-0 with a 33-9 victory against Whitman on Sept. 7.
Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Calendar, Sept. 27-
Send announcements to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
New Ramp Opens at Tysons
A new ramp and flyover bridge connecting the eastbound Dulles Airport Access Highway to I-495 opened to traffic on Saturday, Sept. 8. The ramp provides a direct connection to the northbound and southbound Capital Beltway (I-495), improving safety and convenience for traffic near the interchange.
Letter: ‘Deliberate Falsehoods’ - II
Ms. Vanderhye never addresses my argument, that when government forces employers to violate their consciences by subsidizing contraception and abortion, religious freedom is trampled. Though she claims my letter is "replete with inaccuracies," she addresses only one alleged "falsehood" and leaves the rest to our imaginations. Ms. Vanderhye attacks as false the statement that research suggests that contraception and abortion may increase a woman's chance of cancer and heart disease. Actually the statement is true, Ms. Vanderhye's vitriolic tirade notwithstanding
Week in Vienna
At the Sept. 10 Town Council meeting, Council approved a water service agreement with Fairfax County Water Authority to ultimately deliver up to 2.9 million gallons per day at a rate of $1.98 per 1,000 gallons of consumption effective Oct. 1, 2012.
A Miracle at Antioch Christian Church
Last week the Antioch Christian church on Beulah Road in Vienna experienced sadness and a miracle all at the same time: while Pastor Randy Beeman was in his office, he experienced a giant earth-shaking moment. He assumed it was another earthquake in our area or a possible crash on Beulah Road. As he looked out his window he saw one of the youth of the church, Alex Morabito, running in the yard and the pastor thought that she might have been involved in a car accident or had witnessed one.
Vienna/McLean/Great Falls Bulletin, Sept. 13-19
Whether you're looking for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, trying to improve your public speaking skills or looking to seek support or new friends, look at the Bulletin Board for help.
Trio of Challengers on the Ballot to Challenge Moran This November
Republican, Independent Green and independent offer a variety of options for voters.
A trio of challengers will oppose longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) this November, although the Northern Virginia district is solidly blue and not considered competitive.
Bellini Salon & MedEsthetics Hosts ‘Princess Day’
Mrs. Virginia and Mrs. District of Columbia join Bellini Salon & MedEsthetics in support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their Princess Day event on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help MADD raise money in support of their cause.
‘Home Energy Makeover Contest’ for Area Residents
The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is sponsoring a Home Energy Makeover Contest in Northern Virginia in order to promote awareness of energy efficiency in the Northern Virginia area.
Letter: Energy Efficiency: It’s in our Homes and Wallet
The word sustainability scares some people, but energy efficiency just makes common sense and is one of the ways that sustainability becomes tangible for people. As we encounter rising energy costs in every aspect of our lives, it just makes sense to make our homes and the systems that run them cheaper and more environmentally responsible. We spend much of our time at home with family and friends, and homes have a huge impact on energy consumption and the health of the planet. The good news is that you can take charge and make a big difference. The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) in Charlottesville, Va. has helped many families in Central Virginia and Northern Virginia.
Letter: Vienna Youth, Inc. Thanks Area Businesses
I want to extend my thanks to all the area businesses and citizens who contributed to and cooperated with VYI in what was Vienna Youth’s 42nd annual Booster Day. Thanks to your generosity, patience and tolerance, we were able to raise nearly $50,000.