Politics

Community Services Budget Under Scrutiny

$8 Million budget hole threatens programs, public review underway.

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides social services to thousands of the county’s most vulnerable residents and has come under fire for an $8 million budget shortfall, was given a temporary reprieve by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Arlington County to Create New Group Homes in Wake of Federal Settlement

Local jurisdictions scrambling to adjust to closing of training centers.

Ever since a federal judge issued a ruling earlier this year to close Virginia’s training centers, members of the Arlington Community Services Board have been struggling to figure out what’s next. Right now, there are more questions than answers. And time is running out.

Registrar Expects Six Times as Many Voters in Primary Compared to Caucus

Traditional firehouse caucus had 2,000 voters; citywide primary could draw as many as 12,000.

Alexandria Registrar Tom Parkins is forecasting a 12 percent to 15 percent turnout for the June 12 Democratic primary, which would mean about 9,600 to 12,000 voters are expected to show up at the city's precincts on Election Day.

Trailer Placement Irks Residents

Lack of communication cited.

Members of the Jamestown Elementary community voiced their concerns at a School Board meeting May 25 about the installation of trailer classrooms in a field in front of the school.

Virginia Supreme Court Sends Wales Alley Case Back to Alexandria

Key issue still unresolved: Does city have authority to deprive use of alley to Boat Club?

The Virginia Supreme Court has overturned a decision from the Alexandria Circuit Court about the use of a public alley in Old Town, but the case is not over ye

Alexandria to Exceed Debt Limits

Officials say city is in no danger of losing credit rating.

Alexandria is on the verge of exceeding its own debt limit, and the city’s budget-advisory committee is warning that any additional borrowing could jeopardize the city’s credit rating.

Changes Coming to Penn-Daw

ow that comprehensive plan has been amended, development application is imminent.

Now that the county’s comprehensive plan has been changed to allow for higher density at the Penn-Daw Shopping Plaza, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay says he expects Combined Properties to file an application for redevelopment any day.

A Street Runs Through It

Effort to reduce stormwater runoff moves to the median.

Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff. From the road, it may look like a few rocks and plants in the median. But county officials say the bioretention system is a “green streets” project aimed at absorbing and retaining pollutants rather than sending them into to Chesapeake Bay.

On the Campaign Trail

The Beauregard small-area plan is shaping up to be one of the hottest election issues in this campaign cycles.

Council Notebook

The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals is facing a legal challenge to its recent decision on the waterfront, and city officials are denying them an opportunity to have legal counsel.

Forum Focuses On Technology

Connolly holds forum on federal government and technology.

Senior representatives of national and local technology companies, including Google and Microsoft, and the new Chief Information Officer of the United States, participated in a congressional forum held by Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings at the Fairfax Government Center earlier this month.

Candidates for Mayor Clash Over Environmental Impact of Watetrfront Plan

Report on health of Potomac River highlights differences between candidates.

A river runs through the candidate for mayor.

Governor Signs Voter ID Bills

McDonnell directs state to send every voter a new voter card before Election Day.

Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) signed watered-down versions of Virginia’s Republican-backed voter identification bills on Friday, adding the Commonwealth to the growing list of states adopting stricter voting standards.

Arlington Launches New Pilot to Clean Stormwater Runoff in Medians

Patrick Henry Drive is the first project; many will follow in coming months.

Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff.

City Attorney Says Board of Zoning Appeals Does Not Need Legal Representation

Rare lawsuit pits city officials against their own board.

What happens to members of city boards and commissions who get sued by the city government? It’s an awkward question, one that Alexandria now faces in the Alexandria Circuit Court.

The Connection