Commentary: Let’s Be Fair about Route 1
As we’re about to see the Route 1 widening project get underway, it’s worth a review of what brought the need to widen the road in the first place. Contrary to what some of us are given to understand, Fort Belvoir’s growth under the Base Realignment and Closure did not bring about the need to widen Route 1. It did, however, play a critical role in getting the project funded.
Column: Making the Grade
At a time when quality reviews and accountability measures result in more activities being given a letter grade, it is appropriate that legislative sessions receive the same treatment. At the risk of seeming to cop-out, I give the session an "I" for incomplete because we have not yet completed the basic requirement of passing a biennium budget in the even-numbered years. We are back in Richmond in special session now to meet that requirement. Taking the budget out of the equation, I would give the session a "B"—a higher grade than I would have given sessions in recent years. Some important work got done. Growing out of the recent tragedy of Senator Deed’s family and with lingering memories of Virginia Tech, mental health laws were strengthened. Legislation extends the time a person can be held involuntarily under a temporary detention order from 48 to 72 hours. The state will maintain a "real time" online registry of available psychiatric beds in public and private hospitals. Emergency custody orders will be extended from six to 12 hours with the state assuming responsibility to find a bed for a patient after eight hours. A four-year study will be undertaken to determine what other reforms are needed.
Letter: Incorrect Assertion
In a letter ["A Manufactured Crisis," Connection, March 12, 2014] Jack Kenny states that the ObamaCare Medical Devices tax applies to fishing poles and tires, and that "the Department of Health and Human Services has asked retailers to not show the tax on your sales receipt."
Letter: Concerned About Cell Tower
Many families with children at Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES), and with homes near the school, are concerned about a proposed 120-foot cell tower very near the school. Great Falls and Vienna residents' children attend CRES.
Letter: A Reasonable Decision on Oakcrest School
Your article on the recent SEA approval for Oakcrest School ["Supervisors Clear the Way for Oakcrest School Relocation," Connection, March 5-11, 2014] regrettably repeats disinformation from Steve Hull and the Hunter Mill Defense League (HMDL). Contrary to their claim, I did not "agree" to the conditions imposed by the Board of Supervisors in their original approval. Supporting Oakcrest’s right to build on their own property was certainly not tantamount to agreeing to any conditions that might be imposed on someone else’s property. I was not a party to the negotiations resulting in the final conditions, dated the day of the hearing, nor were they even made available to me until a week after the approval.
Column: Is Severance The Main Suspect?
Ruthanne Lodato, 34 days, unsolved. Ronald Kirby, 147 days, unsolved. Nancy Dunning, 3,757 days, unsolved. Alexandria Police Tip Line: 703-746-4444. The best news source and report in the Alexandria murder cases apparently come from West Virginia. Investigators locally may have hit a stone wall, again, in the Ruthanne Lodato murder. They've been stymied for some time now in the November shooting death of Ronald Kirby and the Dec. 5 2003 killing of Nancy Dunning. No facts seem to be forthcoming.
Letter to the Editor: Frustrating Focus
To the Editor: I read with interest the recent commentary submitted by Del. Scott Surovell in the March 13-19 edition of the Mount Vernon Gazette. I was enlightened, frustrated and saddened by the 20 point commentary written by Delegate Surovell. While many of the 20 items Mr. Surovell discussed were noteworthy and reflected sound logic and value to Virginia citizens, several of the 20 items saddened and frustrated me. In item 9 Mr. Surovell complained about not being successful in removing the Virginia ban on same sex marriage. In short why is our legislative time and money being wasted on such an issue? Gay marriage is offensive and in no way can legislative time and effort and resources be justified in dealing with nothing more than politically correct activity to please a few when so many other pressing issues face our state and our country.
Letter to the Editor: Stop Higher Taxes Now
To the Editor: Speak up now or face higher Fairfax County real estate taxes. After April 29, it will be too late because the Board of Supervisors is making final decisions on the FY 2015 budget that includes property tax rate.By now you should have received the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) tax assessment notices for 2014. They show that assessments have increased over last year for most homeowners. According to county information, County-wide assessment values for 2014 have increased 6.54 percent and a typical household will see their real estate taxes increase by $331.67 over last year. Of course some will pay more because their tax assessment increased more than for the average household and if the current tax rate of $1.085 per $100 of assessed value is not reduced.
Letter to the Editor: Bone-Rattling Potholes
To the Editor: I live in the Del Ray-Rosemont area and each day when I drive to work I am reminded of a serious shortcoming of my local government: the local roads. Driving around the city is literally a bone-rattling experience due to the poor condition of the roads. Weather-created potholes aside, the streets are in horrific shape. I can’t imagine the amount of damage being done to cars as they navigate the bumpy and distressed streets. Where are my tax dollars going? They are certainly not going to road maintenance.
Letter to the Editor: Negative Impacts
To the Editor: Re: “Green Energy or Closed Landfill,” March 13. I wish EnviroSolutions’ plans for the Lorton landfill meant Green Energy for Fairfax County. Unfortunately and disappointingly, after vigorous research and investigation, the Mt. Vernon Council has learned that their proposal largely means increased methane pollution for our air, negative impacts on recycling construction and demolition debris (CDD), the likely killing of eagles, and the greening of ESI’s wallets
Letter: GFCA Appeals for Greater Citizens Involvement
In recent weeks several letters have raised questions about the construction of the Walker Road "Diet Plan," which is reshaping the road between Great Falls’ two shopping areas.
Editorial: Income Gap Alive and Well
Statistics make life in the area sound idyllic, but many families are left out in the land of plenty.
Northern Virginia is a place of wonder and plenty. So says the New York Times this past week in, "Income Gap Meet the Longevity Gap," (March 15, 2014).
Commentary: Will Supervisors Honor Compact with the Community?
Former publisher of the Chronicle Newspapers A move by EnviroSolutions in South County, including Lorton and parts of Fairfax Station and Springfield, to extend the life of its construction debris landfill by 22 years and dramatically increase the facility’s size has led to a growing controversy. The core issue is whether residents can trust the Board of Supervisors to honor and enforce the terms of a past agreement that was made between a corporation, the local community, and the Board of Supervisors.
Letter to the Editor: Historical Society’s Role in Arlington
I wish to commend “Arlington Connection” for the excellent article by Steve Hibbard (“Exploring Arlington History,” March 12-18) about efforts to capture and relate the history of Arlington County. The attention to the Arlington Historical Society (AHS), as well as the Center for Local History (CLH) at Central Library, the Black Heritage Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and the County Office of Historical Preservation will benefit all Arlingtonians by letting them know what is going on and where to find out more about programs. It is worth mentioning that the Arlington Heritage Center, originally intended as a “one-stop” introduction for visitors to Arlington, could become a reality if space were to be found in the planned County building that will be part of redeveloped Courthouse Square.
Letter to the Editor: ‘The Eminent Domain Council’
To the Editor: On Saturday I attended the public hearing on approving the Special Use Permits (SUPs) of two used car dealers whose businesses are located on the 1300 block of King Street. The city in all its wisdom has decided that these two used car lots are non-conforming uses for King Street. They did however give them until October to find alternate spaces elsewhere in the city. This is easier said than done as finding affordable alternative and accessible sites elsewhere is almost impossible.