December 31, 2015
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are enjoying the holidays with family and friends. 2015 was an especially productive year, in no small part due to the outstanding leadership of Board Chair Mary Hynes. Below are some highlights from December. More to come as we embark on 2016!
PROGRESSIVE VALUES IN ACTION
Arlington Leads in LGBT Equality: The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights group, recently released their report card of 408 US localities – assessing them in achieving inclusivity. Arlington received 87 out of 100 in the Municipal Equality Index(MEI) – all we could possibly earn without changes from the State. The Republican legislature is all that holds us back!
Church Partners to Create Affordable Housing: What a success! The congregation of Arlington Presbyterian Church, after much discussion, chose to sell its site at a $2M discount to create 173 units of affordable housing to persons with low and moderate incomes. The project advances the adopted goals of both our Affordable Housing Master Plan and the Columbia Pike Plan. These deals are very complicated and take years of work. The County is providing $18M in loans that help to leverage state and federal funds.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
New County Board Auditor Appointed: As a former auditor with the Government Accountability Office, I supported our recent hire of an auditor to conduct performance and operational reviews of County programs. The auditor will report directly to the County Board and will complement the ongoing audit function within the Department of Management and Finance. Her work will be guided by a 7-member Audit Committee that includes 2 County Board members (including me), 2 staff, and 3 citizens. This effort builds on the previous work of the Committee on Program Performance that I created in 2005. If done well, independent auditors can find efficiency and promote good, transparent government while not being used for political purposes. That is my goal here in Arlington!
PLANNING OUR FUTURE
Fire Station #8 Task Force: We appointed the Task Force members, and former School Board member Noah Simon as the Chair, to advise us on a future location for the fire station currently located at Lee Highway/N. Culpepper Street. For more information visit replacement Fire Station 8.
Virginia’s I-66 Project: My op-ed in support of the Governor’s plan for I-66 Inside the Beltway was printed in the Washington Post. The project was unanimously supported by the VA Commonwealth Transportation Board. Several legislators have submitted bills that will be heard in the upcoming session to undermine elements of the Governor’s plan. Stay tuned.
Virginia’s Proposal to Extend I-395 Express Lanes: The Governor informed us that he plans to study the extension of the I-395 Express Lanes north through Arlington to the DC line. He proposes to conduct an environmental assessment and a multi-modal study (similar to the one done for I-66), dedicate some toll revenue to fund transit, and NOT expand the exit at Shirlington – which are stark differences from the initial proposal that led to Arlington’s opposition years ago. Construction is projected to begin in 2017.
In our response, the County Board said that a “mutually beneficial outcome is possible” yet identified six areas of concern, including the need to enhance transit capacity and to stay within the existing right-of-way. We have asked our citizen Transportation Commission to assist in assessing the project and engaging the community.
COUNTY BOARD HAPPENINGS
Katie and Christian are Sworn-In: It’s official. Karen Darner was the MC as both Katie Cristol and Christian Dorsey were sworn in during a lovely ceremony in a packed County Board Room. Both were eloquent and gracious in their remarks.
Goodbye to Mary and Walter: The County hosted a Farewell Reception for Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada at the Salsa Room. Over 350 people attended to express their appreciation to my departing colleagues. As I have said, both had a genuine love of Arlington and deep progressive passions. Neither was motivated by politics, but by a desire to build community and help others. I respect them both and wish them well in all their future endeavors. Arlington is a better place because of their service.
News Bulletin: Bob and I will be hosting the annual Arlington Democrats New Year’s Day reception, from 1-3pm, so please stop by if you are nearby.
As always, I welcome your suggestions or questions. Thanks for all you do to keep Arlington strong, and Happy New Year!
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