It's the April issue of the Crier, the Old Town Civic Association newsletter, and if you browse down to page 4 you'll discover an analysis of the City of Alexandria budget from 1997 to 2008 conducted by one of the association's leaders, an economist by trade.
Some of the highlights:
1. "The City is in a significant wage trap caused by wages and compensation increasing in excess of the CPI for many years." A figure that was alluded to in the East End debate last week — which frankly whizzed over most people's heads — shows that although inflation in the Washington metropolitan area rose 37% from 1997 to 2008, MRA, COLA and merit raises for City staff combined to grow at a staggering 69% rate.
2. The fastest growing area of the budget since 2005 — which marked the arrival of new City Manager Jim Hartmann — is in the Housing Department, with the second highest growth in the Planning & Zoning Department.
3. Mega-development coupled with the expansion in real estate values and the consequent rise in property tax assessments collections in recent years have made it possible for the City to take in stride the rising costs of staff and ballooning expenditures, but this spending is now unsustainable given the recession.
Sounds like Council is on a treadmill that is moving faster and faster. Since our leaders can't seem to properly cut the budget, the only way out appears to be increasing taxes, which they did on Monday night. The average Alexandria homeowner's tax bill will rise $76. Already at least one Council member has warned that there could be a 10 cent hike in the residential property tax rate next year, bringing us over $1.00 per $100 assessed value.
On a related note, the Washington Post praised Sharon Bulova, a Democrat and the new chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, for recently brokering a balanced county budget deal that left most homeowners paying the same or less property tax than the previous year. And one of the means of doing so was not to continue expanding the county's affordable housing program. Fairfax leaders cut the program in half while maintaining the units the county already has. This was a brave action given the fact that affordable housing seems to be a Democratic pillar of faith.
What do YOU think about this?
59 comments:
I read that earlier and it made me sick to my stomach, especially since Arlington's residential tax rate is now below ours.
While I don't mind paying for municipal services such as police, fire, schools, trash, etc., the City's social services and other discretionary expenditures are beyond the pale. Poem in Your Pocket Day? Are they serious? An infant development specialist? Did we really have one on the City's payroll??? I can't believe our social services budget is so bloated, particularly since the City's per capita income is the 12the highest in the nation. We are obviously subsidizing the region's underclass and I'm sick of paying for it, particularly when we can't send our children to Alexandria's public schools because they are so rotten.
"Sounds like Council is on a treadmill that is moving faster and faster. Since our leaders can't seem to properly cut the budget, the only way out appears to be increasing taxes, which they did on Monday night. The average Alexandria homeowner's tax bill will rise $76. Already at least one Council member has warned that there could be a 10 cent hike in the residential property tax rate next year, bringing us over $1.00 per $100 assessed value."
What do I think about this? I think I'm in a state of shock at the hutzpah of our Council, and am reflecting on this "in your face, raise the taxes, we're not going to cut our budget significantly" attitude. I'll post back after I reflect a little and can use words which are blog appropriate.
Some of these numbers ARE HILARIOUS.
So we have spent 12% more per year in 4 years on "economic development" activities. And for that we have achieved what exactly?
And 15% more a year for P&Z and all we hear as a result is more whining from Councilmembers about lack of commercial and retail development?
And 33% more per year for a housing office, which has produced how many affordable housing units?
And there are actually apologists out there that can explain this away and still want to vote for more of this?
Please, some apologist, anywhere, explain what giving 15% more a year to P&Z has produced......
I chuckled at the GW debate watching Donley and Cefaratti exchange "blows." Cefaratti challenged the others to an Excel spreadsheet contest and Donley humorously conceded. The city's budget must be cut substantially and the fact that they ended by shaking hands left me optimistic. The accountant's spreadsheet is not yielding the resulted I expected. Does anyone know if the candidate signs that say teacher and police endorsed include salary issues?
There is an anomaly to consider in this article Growler.
"Spending out of the affordable
housing trust fund increased the most
followed by the debt service"
I believe the reason the trust fund spending shows the most growth from 2005-2008 is due to the use of the Trust fund as the source to loan ARHA money. Thus, the Housing office "spent" at an annualized rate of almost 33% more per year but in reality most of the spending percentage increase is explained by the large outlay to bailout ARHA.
"Thus, the Housing office "spent" at an annualized rate of almost 33% more per year but in reality most of the spending percentage increase is explained by the large outlay to bailout ARHA."
This is my big beef. I don't mind spending tax dollars, as long as there is some return on investment. The trolley - good idea. I've walked King St. daily for more than a decade and there has been a noticeable increase in tourists in the past year. I think this is, in part, due to the Trolley. Also due to the great hotels opening up here.
On the other hand, we continue to pump money into ARHA, with absolutely no indication that we are doing anything other than creating another generation of underclass. Seriously, let's help people who need it, but I have a moral objection to permanently subsidizing generations of people who can't support themselves. Since we spend huge tax dollars helping folks in the ARHA properties, isn't there any way to restrict them to city residents?
"I believe the reason the trust fund spending shows the most growth from 2005-2008 is due to the use of the Trust fund as the source to loan ARHA money."
What percentage went to RPJ?
"Already at least one Council member has warned that there could be a 10 cent hike in the residential property tax rate next year, bringing us over $1.00 per $100 assessed value."
Growler please id this councilmember, I think it takes some big ones to warn of a tax increase when you haven't been re-elected yet.
In case anyone is counting, another reason to plunk.
"Since we spend huge tax dollars helping folks in the ARHA properties, isn't there any way to restrict them to city residents?"
Heck, I'd settle for restricting them to legal immigrants.
You know one of the biggest ways PG gets screwed by the City? Our property assessments. We are adjacent to the biggest ARHA project in the City. Real estate agents say (off the record) that houses near the projects are less desirable. Yet when they come up with our assessments, they use property sales which took place two blocks from King Street, or on the other side of Washington. NOT FAIR. If you compare this years assessments with the for sale prices of properties in the SE quadrant, the sales prices are always significantly higher. Not so in our neighborhood. The sales prices are always equal to or lower than the assessments. So we pay more taxes than we should, plus we live with ARHA. ARRRGH!!!
"although inflation in the Washington metropolitan area rose 37% from 1997 to 2008, MRA, COLA and merit raises for City staff combined to grow at a staggering 69% rate."
Is Hartmann still the highest paid city manager in the region?
"The fastest growing area of the budget since 2005 — which marked the arrival of new City Manager Jim Hartmann — is in the Housing Department,"
Now we know why the composition of the Braddock Road Implementation Group is who it is.
Why would teachers and Police endorse a candidate that wasn't in favor of there salary issues? Studies show they are behind the bar compared to other jurisdictions.
They more than likley arent concered with any other City policies that dont affect them.
Having attended the city council forum at Lyles Crouch tonight, I find it interesting that much was said about the Quality of Life in Old Town (motor coach concerns), Quality of Life at Cameron Station (Virginia Paving), Quality of Life on the West end (BRAC issues)and of course Quality of Life at the Waterfront(heights & density), but nothing about Quality of Life in Parker-Gray even though the rapid transit issue was a topic. Hmmmm said I...
In addition to owning my personal residence in Parker Gray, I also own a rental property in Prince William County. Their board of supervisors took the bold move of limiting the increase in tax rate, despite desperately needing those tax dollars to make up for the loss of revenue from all of the empty houses and drastic reduction of assessments across the county. So I am going to be paying almost $100 less per month for taxes on that property. And this is from a county in a lot worse economic shape than Alexandria! Meanwhile, the taxes on my Alexandria place are going up by I believe $70/month. And I am also one of the folks living adjacent to an AHRA property.
"Meanwhile, the taxes on my Alexandria place are going up by I believe $70/month. And I am also one of the folks living adjacent to an AHRA property."
Wow, that's great, you can see on a daily basis how our Council spends your money to care for others.
I bet that you share your feelings with Council about things that you see, they are grateful for your eye-witness information!
"I think I'm in a state of shock at the hutzpah of our Council, and am reflecting on this "in your face, raise the taxes, we're not going to cut our budget significantly" attitude."
I feel your pain but voting for a Republican is still painful for me. The city's collective inability to tackle the social services budget amazes. The odor continues to waft. Now we hear another ARHA bailout is planned? Is the Bland project again in financial trouble? Couldn't happen to a nicer Melvin. Priest is not a saviour and ARHA will never have a top tier board. The pols will say anything to keep their hands in our pants.
"particularly when we can't send our children to Alexandria's public schools because they are so rotten."
How VERY true ... we pay inflated housing prices for the 'privilege' of living here (a cost that is not shared by ARHA residents, many of whom apparently come here from outside Alexandria) we pay higher taxes (at least partially due to ARHA residents e.g. extra police and maintenance crews) and then we pay again because we have to send our children to private schools to ensure they get a decent education (and of course we already pay more per student in public schools than most jurisdictions). When can we stop paying? Or do we have move to Arlington?
I am not a republican but I am beginning to believe that we have to cut off the tap that is funded by our ever increasing property taxes before something that makes sense is done.
"Why do you say that? I also remember another comment made earlier about Frank Fannon being close to Mr. Miller."
There seem to be a number of unsubstantiated claims about republicans and independents being in cahoots with unpopular people and institutions. It's one thing to post anonymously, it's another to post "facts" without supporting evidence. I begin to wonder about the source of most of these. However I still like the commenter who pointed out the fact that
"Rob Krupicka, Democrat: ... Top contributors included .... $250 from Euille and Associates"
as quoted from the gazette, infer what you will as to how closely Krupicka and Euille are aligned.
If you have facts or know something people, spit or at least spell, it out.
"The pols will say anything to keep their hands in our pants."
If hands in our pants means the cash pocket I get it. It's not easy for me to vote Republican either - Specter just changed parties - but locally I've concluded it may be the way to go. The social services budget is out of control and I fear Obama may be leading us down the same expensive path. Wanna bet Cefarrati is reading this blog? His signs popped up nearby and his spreadsheet challenge may be enough to get my vote.
"Wanna bet Cefarrati is reading this blog? His signs popped up nearby and his spreadsheet challenge may be enough to get my vote."
Cefarrati already has my vote, and Krupicka lost it with his "Human Filth. mis"quote", the fact he is taking money from Euille is just icing on the cake.
Enough lip service from our current council, I say bring on the Republicans and Independents, anything is better that what we have.
"Having attended the city council forum at Lyles Crouch tonight, I find it interesting that much was said about the Quality of Life in Old Town (motor coach concerns), Quality of Life at Cameron Station (Virginia Paving), Quality of Life on the West end (BRAC issues)and of course Quality of Life at the Waterfront(heights & density), but nothing about Quality of Life in Parker-Gray even though the rapid transit issue was a topic. Hmmmm said I..."
Thats because the major quality of life issue in Parker Gray (Housing Projects) is not perceived as a quality of life issue.
If they are giving the AEDP over 3.4 million dollars a year, where is it going? They cant even update their website and they just fired their staff.
"I can't believe our social services budget is so bloated, particularly since the City's per capita income is the 12the highest in the nation. We are obviously subsidizing the region's underclass and I'm sick of paying for it,"
I am glad you brought that up, as I was doing some research into how much the 11 higher jurisdictions on that list of per capita income pay as part of their social services budget. I know Rob Krupicka called it a "shame" at one of the recent debates that we dont spend more.
I too am tired of the bloat in social services, especially since it doesnt seem to have "man/woman on the street" type effects. People dont seem to be lifting themselves out of poverty, the same tired cast of characters can still be seen on Parker Gray streets up to the same tired antics, and yet there is constant cries for more.
Perhaps the problem isnt the budget but how its spent.
"What do I think about this? I think I'm in a state of shock at the hutzpah of our Council, and am reflecting on this "in your face, raise the taxes, we're not going to cut our budget significantly" attitude."
They didnt even consider removing the 1 penny tax for "affordable housing" despite the fact that their justification for the tax hike is the decline in housing values in our City.
But hey, like Kellom and Krupicka said, its just a cup of coffee a week.
"So we have spent 12% more per year in 4 years on "economic development" activities. And for that we have achieved what exactly? "
Visit the Braddock Road Metro station or the Van Dorn Metro Station or the half-empty PTO complex. Thats what you have achieved.
"Real estate agents say (off the record) that houses near the projects are less desirable. "
And you wonder why Delray and Cameron Station want nothing to do with ARHA? You moved near the projects, thats your fault.
"Now we hear another ARHA bailout is planned? Is the Bland project again in financial trouble?"
Where did you hear this? They need M
ORE money? Where is the apologist brigade on that one?
"we pay higher taxes (at least partially due to ARHA residents e.g. extra police and maintenance crews) "
I dont think its fair to say you pay higher taxes because of residents of housing projects.
It is far to express frustration that your tax dollars apparently dont do much to help PG in any way. Mostly they go to ensure police response times are quick and that social services are available.
Oh and that Councilman Gaines can buy us new cast iron trash cans.
But its the not the residents and the projects that are causing higher taxes. Its the collective mindset of our Council that we must always "help" or "fix" or "have a program".
What would help with the budget would be a clear explanation by the City as to where specifically within these buckets that this money is being spent and clear understandable measures on the results of that spending.
What are we getting as an outcome to all of the housing, economic development, social service, and spending areas?
Otherwise, what City leadership needs to realize is you get blog postings and innuendo and rumor like this, because its pretty easy to infer based on simple visual evidence the results of a lot of this spending.
"Changes that council made to the city manager’s proposal included adding $610,000 for social safety net programs, $600,000 for DASH bus replacement, $1.4 million for a capital improvement project at Polk Elementary School and $287,000 for economic development priorities. Council members also authorized an increase to the cigarette tax, raising it from 70 cents a pack to 80 cents a pack, which budget officials estimate will bring in an extra $400,000.
"We’ve got to steel ourselves for the rough waters ahead," said Councilman Ludwig Gaines. "I hope we have done enough to shore up the safety net.""
There in a nutshell is your problem.
287k for economic development "priorities". Your economic development results are a joke City Council. Get your heard out of your arse.
Shore up the safety net? We have the most generous safety net in all of Northern Virginia.
Hello faithful readers and voters. Yes, I'm reading these posts....and I have been since I entered this fray in January.
I finally got to meet the Growler herself last night at Lyles-Crouch and asked her about a comment someone had written about me recently (something to the effect of....'Cefaratti has some appeal, but I have to hold my nose'). I, of course, wanted to know if I should be buying more deodorant or mouthwash!!
No matter if you lean left, right, or stand firmly in the middle, your expression is important and will be heard by me. I appreciate the good, the bad, and apparently, also the smelly.
Yes, my signs are up in PG....thanks to my wonderful wife, Deb....and yes, I've been knocking on doors in PG.....I'm happy to report that most doors that have been opened upon my knocking, were receptive to my greeting. :)
Please e-mail me directly if you have any questions or comments. You can reach me at Phil@PhilforAlexandria.com.
"It is far to express frustration that your tax dollars apparently dont do much to help PG in any way. Mostly they go to ensure police response times are quick and that social services are available."
ohh good point because the police are regularly coming to pick up my next door neighbor for drunk in public. are you really so blind to the problems that concentrated public housing causes and the cost?
if you are take a look at the weekly crime report and see how much time our police spend in the projects.
and forget the fact the original poster was talking about the disgrace JH elementary school is.
"I dont think its fair to say you pay higher taxes because of residents of housing projects."
You are right we definitely pay lower taxes because of them. Why? I don't know, but why don't you and Mayor Euille give each other a big fat hug and figure that one out.
"And you wonder why Delray and Cameron Station want nothing to do with ARHA? You moved near the projects, thats your fault."
Look, I don't expect you to want ARHA near you. Nobody in her right mind would want that. All we ask is that you support us in our efforts to convince City Hall that ARHA is not working.
If you agree ARHA is bad (and therefore you don't want it near you), please please say so. All we usually hear from you Del Ray/Rosemont guys is how it's important to help the less fortunate, house the needy, blah, blah, blah. This just emboldens the politicans. Just some honesty, please.
Re: the Del Ray do gooders.
I don't want to bash the Del Ray do gooders. I'm a do gooder myself. However, can't we all please just admit that ARHA is not doing anyone any good? The projects are a mess, the surrounding real estate lags in development because of its proximity to the projects, and ARHA is not sustainable. Public policy shows us that concentrated brick and mortar public housing is not the answer. IT NEEDS TO GO.
We all want to make Alexandria better. But this is not the way. How about some support on this, Del Ray/Cameron Station/etc.?
Year after year after year after year. .. the story is the same: by yet another unimous vote City Council has raised our taxes once again. How much is enough?
The answer is simple: it is never enough.
The incumbants will continue to drain our hard earned money until they are either unseated or every last vestige of the middle class and small independent business are driven out of Alexandria.
Alexandrians should embrace President Obama’s position and vote for change!
"can't we all please just admit that ARHA is not doing anyone any good?"
Hear, hear. ARHA's projects are toxic for the people who are unfortunate enough to have to live in them, especially the children. They've created an efficient factory for turning innocent young people into thugs. It needs to stop.
'I don't think its fair to say you pay higher taxes because of residents of housing projects.
...
Its the collective mindset of our Council that we must always "help" or "fix" or "have a program".'
Someone was really able to type this and not tie their fingers in knots?
Why exactly do you think we have these housing projects, that resemble something out of the third world, if not because of the mindset of the council? And how do they not cost us money? And not just in the services they require, but also in lost real estate tax revenue from ARHA property and property in the immediate vicinity. Please explain how.
"I don't want to bash the Del Ray do gooders. I'm a do gooder myself. However, can't we all please just admit that ARHA is not doing anyone any good?"
None of these posts matter. In fact they make it worse. The more bad things you folks point out about public housing, the more people in Delray want nothing to do with it.
I live in Delray and if Euille or Krupicka tried to suggest moving Bland or Adkins over here, I think the DCA would revolt and there would be people marching up and down Mt. Vernon Ave.
I have heard the horror stories from neighbors, even had a friend who moved over from PG to Delray. Not a positive thing to say, which again, accomplishes nothing but convinces Delray residents to keep trouble on the east side of the tracks.
"support us in our efforts to convince City Hall that ARHA is not working. "
And what would happen if we support you?
Our City Council would just decide to move it somewhere else?
Where would that be?
Oh, over here. NO THANK YOU.
"Oh, over here. NO THANK YOU."
No one in their right mind wants brick and mortar public housing, period and certainly not anywhere in a 5 mile radius of where they live or in their school district (whichever is further). I don't want it, you don't want it, the people living there probably don't want it. That is why we have ... say it with me people ... Section 8 Housing Vouchers. Its called working with private industry and private industry aka capitalism usually works better than the government. Let's say it again Section 8 Housing Vouchers.
"I live in Delray and if Euille or Krupicka tried to suggest moving Bland or Adkins over here, I think the DCA would revolt and there would be people marching up and down Mt. Vernon Ave."
Or maybe if we were united, they'd do the right thing and move to sec. 8. Please help us. Please help the residents of ARHA. If you know it's bad, just say so. Don't pretend to support public housing if you don't think it's a good idea. It's not honest. It's not moral.
Let's say it again Section 8 Housing Vouchers.
I'm a PG resident who would like nothing better than to see ARHA residents removed from our area, but am realistic enough to know that giving them taxpayers' money to move into other neighborhoods just spreads the problem around. Section 8 horror stories are legion. Someone seriously suggested in this forum some months ago that ARHA residents could be housed in unsold condominiums. Wonderful: then our condos would be impossible to sell, and our daily lives would be ruined.
Here's an interesting post from the Arlandrian (i.e. a blog for the City's other dumping ground). As you can imagine - they don't love ARHA either...
Members of Lennox Place at Sunnyside and Hume Springs Citizens Associations met with Republican candidate for Alexandria City Council Frank Fannon last night. We met and discussed Arlandria community concerns for over an hour, ensuring he left aware of some of the key issues.
We began by discussing the Alexandria Aces, Alexandria's new collegiate summer league baseball team that plays in Four Mile Run Park (on the baseball diamond shown in our banner, actually). Mr. Fannon and Patrick Malone were both instrumental in bringing baseball to Alexandria.
We then got into the key topics:
Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) shortcomings. Residents listed a littany of complaints about ARHA and their horrid mismanagement of Glebe Park (dangerous mold problems (see on youtube), code violations, etc). Community members also discussed the problems with selection of ARHA property residents. Despite the long waiting list for affordable and low-income housing, disruptive individuals are often selected and allowed to negatively impact those trying to turn their lives around. Mr. Fannon acknowledged that he had heard complaints about ARHA wherever he went in Alexandria.
In order to improve the area drastically and soon, city council needs to remove hurdles for redevelopment of the Safeway/Datatel site. Additionally, to spur future improvements, the city needs to form additional CDDs on nearby property (specifically along W. Glebe Rd and on Mt. Vernon between W. Glebe and Commonwealth Ave). Mr. Fannon was somewhat skeptical of what could be done with the current economy, but residents brought it to his attention that other projects in the area are moving forward. The Safeway/Datatel site is not, largely due to the overly restrictive way that it was written. Mr. Fannon did point to the fact that he wants to clear the hurdles for businesses to establish in Alexandria. Alexandria can be a difficult place to establish a business due to strict regulations.
Other issues raised were support for local police and code enforcement efforts and reducing the ratio of below market-value to market-value housing in Arlandria. Residents pointed out that Alexandria has the highest ratio of below-market to market-rate housing in the city, yet the Safeway/Datatel site requires a 10% set-aside for affordable/low-income housing, which would further skew this figure.
I was sitting here catching up on the blog and I got a call. The guy on the other end was campaigning for a certain council member. I stopped him after he said he was a neighbor who was calling on behalf of XXX's campaign. I took the opportunity to express to him that as we were going to the polls we would defiantely be keeping in mind the performance of his candidate and how she didn't speak up when it came to ARHA and their issues. Surprisingly, he said "we've heard similar things from many constituants". Well, I guess we'll see if the "Plunk" is strong enough to toss these turkeys out and really send the message to 301 King! Let's go folks! We're on a roll!
"although inflation in the Washington metropolitan area rose 37% from 1997 to 2008, MRA, COLA and merit raises for City staff combined to grow at a staggering 69% rate."
"The fastest growing area of the budget since 2005 — which marked the arrival of new City Manager Jim Hartmann — is in the Housing Department,"
We've all heard the current city council members talk about the need for more affordable housing - in part, so that city staff can allegedly afford to live in the city. It got me wondering what exactly their salaries are. Here's an excerpt from some currently advertised positions. While I'm not disputing the need for affordable housing, I've got to question why council thinks a city employee making $70K/year merits housing assistance. Is this wise use of our tax dollars?
BUDGET/MANAGEMENT ANALYST I Full-Time $49,049.50 - $81,160.99 annually
DIRECTOR OF RECREATION, PARKS, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Full-Time $87,817.72 - $145,309.77 annually
EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II (CDL) Full-Time $30,524.08 - $50,507.43 annually
LABORER III (CDL)Full-Time $30,524.08 - $50,507.43 annually
POLICE OFFICER Full-Time $43,617.60 - $72,172.96 annually
TRANSIT SPECIALIST (Transportation Specialist/TDM Coordinator) Full-Time $42,373.97 - $70,115.14 annually
"If you know it's bad, just say so. Don't pretend to support public housing if you don't think it's a good idea. It's not honest. It's not moral."
Trust me, people in other parts of the City have said so. You have to figure out for yourself why your City Council doesnt listen.
"Mr. Fannon acknowledged that he had heard complaints about ARHA wherever he went in Alexandria."
See, "wherever he went". People on this blog think for some reason that people dont know what goes on at ARHA managed properties. Of course we do. And people do speak up. But its more in a way to say "dont you dare move that mess anywhere near me"
As a city employee who lives in alexandria, I can say that no one ever really gets hired for any of those positions previously listed, for more than $5,000 over the minimum regardless of past expirience.
If it wasn't for my wife being a lawyer we could never have afforded our row house here in Old Town.
Oh, and yes, we dislike Arha as well and will be voting (plunking) accordingly.
Found this in my inbox a few minutes ago, the daily email from the Dems, this one sent by Susan Kellom----text of the email----
Folks --
I am going to make this as short as I can so you can get to the part where you respond and offer your time and your treasure immediately.
1) We have the most capable and experienced team of City Council Candidates that we could possibly have. Mayor Bill Euille and Council Candidates Kerry Donley, Rob Krupicka, Tim Lovain, Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg and Justin Wilson have earned your support. They deserve all the help that you can give them this weekend.
2) Frank Fannon is a Republican who said at Wednesday's Candidates' Forum that he was not in favor of moving the City Council Election to November because he really didn't want all of those "transient" voters participating. I do not think I need to say more, but I will. I guess if your family hasn't been here for 124 years, you really should not be voting.
Most of your neighbors do not know that Frank Fannon is a Republican because he has never told them. And many of your neighbors do not realize that Alicia Hughes is a Republican -- but the Republicans will tell you that she is and she willingly accepts their endorsement. You need to tell your neighbors who the Republicans are -- and ask them to vote accordingly. Please do NOT let this "vote for only three candidates" strategy work. It is a cynical attempt to bring a marginal candidate onto City Council.
3) Don't forget to join us for the Mayor's Birthday Party and Pre-Election Rally on May 3, 2009 at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue from 2:00 to 4:00 PM -- You will inspired, you will be motivated and you will walk away committed to help all of our candidates. We don't know for sure how old Bill Euille is, but it is certainly worth celebrating!
---end of email-----
I can't tell you how satisfying it was to see some actual concern that we might break the ineffective monopoly this gang of cronies has on the city. I am proud to be a Democrat but have not been proud of our city leaders or party leaders for some time.
plunk away dear neighbors and pray that others around the city do as well!
Hypocrisy Alert: A few excerpts from some of the incumbents' websites to consider.
Del Pepper: "Protecting our residential neighborhoods from too much inappropriate or unwanted development has always been a high priority for me."
Hmmm, I'm finding that statement hard to reconcile with her vote in favor of both the Braddock Area Plan and the Bland redevelopment project, both of which endorse heights and density that is inappropriate for the residential scale of our neighborhood - just ask the folks over on Columbus.
From Rob Krupicka's blog: "Our power company doesn’t seem to notice that we’re in a recession. Somehow, while state and local governments and the residents of our state are cutting back on their budgets to make ends-meet, Dominion Power has decided that the worst recession in generations is a great time to raise rates by 6.9 percent. They call that a modest increase. ... When government budgets all declining, investments are falling off, people on fixed incomes are trying to make ends meet with reduced income and others are losing their jobs, I don’t think “modest” is the right word. And they are trying to green-wash these rate increases by saying they will help pay for a few, small green energy projects."
So if Krupicka thinks its wrong for Dominion to raise rates during a recession, is it not equally unjustifiable for city council to raise its tax rate on residents?
Paul Smedberg's response to the question do you support raising property tax rates: "In considering the proposed budget, I will look for ways to bring down the rate or to minimize any increase. I would not support a rate increase that would result in higher tax bills over last year."
I'm finding it hard to reconcile Smedberg's statement that he would not support a rate increase that would result in higher tax bills over last year with his vote last Monday. I don't know about the rest of you, but my real estate tax bill is going up alot more than $76!
"I finally got to meet the Growler herself last night at Lyles-Crouch and asked her about a comment someone had written about me recently (something to the effect of....'Cefaratti has some appeal, but I have to hold my nose'). I, of "course, wanted to know if I should be buying more deodorant or mouthwash!!"
Oops! I posted the comment and my sincere apologies. I would have to hold my nose only because for me the Republican brand at least nationally has limited appeal. The Republicans lost me when Sarah Palin was chosen as John McCain's running mate. However mine is only one person's opinion. Locally I agree that change is needed and your budget pitch has appeal.
"Hypocrisy Alert: A few excerpts from some of the incumbents' websites to consider."
Hi - one of the Columbus St folks here. Speaking of hypocrisy, we supported several council members because of their express support for dispersing public housing. They told us to our faces that concentrated public housing was bad public policy and change was needed in the form of dispersal.
Yet, council voted unanimously for the new Bland project, thus returning over 100 public housing units back to an area already concentrated with public housing. And, as another poster point out, the new projects will tower over my house.
Although a democrat, I'll be plunking.
And ps, Susan Kellom's email is really offensive. Why is Frank Fannon a "marginal candidate?" And what's up with this comment - "I guess if your family hasn't been here for 124 years, you really should not be voting."
"Why is Frank Fannon a "marginal candidate?"
Hardly a marginal candidate when you consider the sums of money he has raised. Of the ten is he not the top fundraiser?
"And ps, Susan Kellom's email is really offensive."
Yes - that it part of the strategy. The candidates take the "high road" and leave her to smear and attack the people who dare to challenge her empire. But, frankly, they need to disown kindergarten-ish remarks like hers.
Growler, what do you think about the proposal to give GW's ball fields to Del Ray and give GW the density planned for Del Ray's Landbay L?
I read your arguments on the need for fairness in density and read your earlier postings (2007) on wanting the GW ball fields built into condos, but does your feeling still run this way now that some from Del Ray are using that argument to take that green space and give Del Ray's proposed density to GW and Rosemont and arguably Parker-Gray?
We live in Rosemont, on Linden Street, which would get more traffic as well as a short walk to new retail shops, and aren't sure whether to cheer on redevelopment of the Braddock/Mount Vernon intersection area or give in to our skepticism about whether GW students and rec leagues could get any sports uses out of Landbay L (too narrow, too close to tracks, too far from GW), and our pity for the teachers who would be forced to lug their classroom materials from some removed parking lot to the school.
It initially seemed to us Parker Gray might be as sensitive to the Landbay L landswap (some are already calling it the LandGrab L) proposal as Rosemont, since Parker Gray appears under the proposal to have no access to Landbay L's / Del Ray's new green space and would likely get significantly increased traffic on Wythe, not to mention GW students' burdens of being hemmed in. However, having read your 2007 posts, we're curious what your read is.
What do you think?
"Hi - one of the Columbus St folks here. Speaking of hypocrisy, we supported several council members because of their express support for dispersing public housing."
Care to name them? I'm one of those undecided voters and would appreciate knowing who can't be trusted.
"Care to name them? I'm one of those undecided voters and would appreciate knowing who can't be trusted."
Gaines and Euille never responded, although he has expressed support for dispersal in person at civic association meetings. The rest of the members specifically expressed support for dispersal. But they all voted for Bland. While they may be in favor of dispersal, obviously not so much that they tried to take any serious action in dispersing more of the Bland units.
"Having attended the city council forum at Lyles Crouch tonight, I find it interesting that much was said about the Quality of Life in Old Town (motor coach concerns), Quality of Life at Cameron Station (Virginia Paving), Quality of Life on the West end (BRAC issues)and of course Quality of Life at the Waterfront(heights & density), but nothing about Quality of Life in Parker-Gray even though the rapid transit issue was a topic. Hmmmm said I..."
Did anyone catch Lovain's response to the question of under what circumstances should City Council grant SUPs for increased density? In his answer, he advocated transit oriented development as the best way to make sure new development does not affect our existing neighborhoods. He also said affordable housing was another reason for increased density.
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