The Civic Voice
Newsletter of the Arlington County Civic Federation
December, 2000 - Volume 85, No. 4
Arlington School Board Members to Visit
December General Meeting
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 5th
Arlington Hospital, Hazel Auditorium
1701 N. George Mason Drive
Our December general meeting will be a mix of new and old. Before the
meeting starts, we're going to try out a "Citizen's Forum" (new -- more on
that later). After the meeting convenes, we will have our customary
December visit from the School Board (old). Finally, we'll consider a
resolution on the issue of a County "Snow Removal" ordinance (mix of both).
The agenda looks like this:
~~ December Meeting Program ~~
Federation to Consider Snow Removal Resolution
At press time for this edition of "The Civic Voice," the case for a snow
removal ordinance was evolving fairly rapidly. As reported in the local
media � the County is considering options for the removal of snow from
County property, businesses and on the sidewalks adjoining private
residences. Despite rumors to the contrary, there is no ordinance that
requires residents to clear sidewalks, nor is there a requirement for
businesses to clear their public areas. This issue came to a head over the
past year as the Schools and County Staff considered how to make "Safe
Routes to School" passable after a snowfall. Options under consideration
include a number of solutions that range from the County hauling away the
snow in critical areas (actually hauling it away at potentially high cost),
to using citizen volunteers to clear the walks. The solutions under
consideration also include a snow removal ordinance. We expect to see a
draft resolution presented by the Transportation Committee.
"Citizen's Forum" Tryout Begins at Next Meeting
At our November meeting, it was announced that to we would tryout an open
forum for citizens during the half-hour before we convene our next meeting.
That means that from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., we will open the floor to any
Arlingtonian (delegate or not) who would like to ask a question, voice a
concern or express a point of view. The rules will be simple � First, it
will be organized on a first-to-show (sign up sheet) first-to-speak basis.
Second, we will limit speakers to 3 minutes of microphone time (one turn per
session). Third � the Civic Federation President will preside and answer
questions if they are posed. Fourth, there are no topic restrictions � we
just ask that folks stay "civil." Finally, we plan to video tape the
speakers and will endeavor to get air-time on Channel 33 for the session.
Rules for the School Board Visit
1. Although the Public is invited, only Federation delegates and alternates
may ask questions. Questions from delegates and alternates will be
entertained through a random drawing system. Members will have the
opportunity to register for the drawing by noting their name and the civic
organization they represent on a name card. Registration will be conducted
in the Hospital Conference Center lobby between 6:45 p.m. and up to 10
minutes after the School Board program has begun. The name card is to be
placed in the box located at the registration desk. Delegates and
alternates whose names are drawn at random by the moderator will speak via a
walk-around microphone (handled by the ACCF VP) when recognized to pose
their question. The subject of questions are not required to be submitted in
advance.
2. Questions must be concise, no more than thirty seconds in length, and
not statements of position. Argumentative, multi-part, and follow-up
questions will not be permitted. In the interest of allowing as many
persons as possible to ask questions, each delegate or alternate will be
allowed to pose only one question. If their name is subsequently drawn it
will be disqualified unless all who have registered have already asked a
question.
Membership Survives Marathon Legislation Session in November and Sets
Legislative Priorities!
While it was a long and occasionally a bit heated, a large number of
delegates stoically remained "on-task" until nearly midnight on November
14th and managed to get the annual legislation package passed. As a new
feature this year, the Federation's delegates were polled to list their "top
five" legislative priorities, which VP Dan Krasnegor and Secretary Tim Wise
quickly tallied and reported (no long recounts here!). The final package,
as passed is available for viewing on our web site and the "Top Five"
legislative priorities are listed below:
Federation's Legislative Top Five
1. Opposed to any expansion of I-66 without local consensus on regional
planning transportation planning (the top vote-getter of the evening)
2. Opposed to any legislation allowing local income taxes
3. Supported strict/mandatory background checks on gun sales at gun shows
4. Protested expansion of flights into and out of Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport
5. Supported repeal of Virginia sodomy laws.
Important Meetings!!!
-
Parks � Our Parks Committee will meet with County Parks Commission
Chairman, Toby Smith. He will present the Commission's goals for park
maintenance at the Federation's Park and Recreation Committee's meeting on
Thursday, December 7, at 8 pm, at Jay Wind's house, 611 South Ivy Street.
-
Finance � The new Finance Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. on December 6th
at Jim Pebley's home at 4851 Sixteenth Street North (one block east of the
Hospital). This new committee will first take on the issue of whether to
proceed with charitable not-for-profit status for the Federation and must
quickly deal with the budget deficit for the Federation. Any members of
Federation organizations who have experience in fund raising are critically
needed to participate.
-
Public Services � The first meeting of this important committee will
tentatively take place on December 10th (Sunday afternoon) at a place to be
determined. The Federation still has no delegate to chair this committee
that covers such vital services as police, fire, emergency medical, and
public works. Contact Jim Pebley if you can help with this committee.
Notes From Your ACCF President...
-- First, I have to say that my hat's off to everyone who stayed through to
the end of the last meeting. I know that it was a tough session and the
problems with that meeting did not go unheeded. I will be asking that the
Legislation Committee completely review the selection process that
determines which legacy items stay in the package and find a different way
to vote the main package. More to come on that issue. . .
-- Last � As we approach the holiday season, we wish you a joyful season,
celebrating our good fortune to live in Arlington. Drive carefully because
we have great things to do in 2001!
See you on December 5th!
Jim Pebley
ACCF Officers
President Jim Pebley 703-525-0766 jim+
Vice President Dan Krasnegor 703-534-4024 dan+
Treasurer Frances Finta 703-528-2882 (no email)
Secretary Tim Wise 703-243-8345 tim+
Executive Committee
Chairman - Patrick Smaldore 703-528-3935 - patrick+
Member - Robert Atkins 703-527-8859 - (voice or fax) - (no email)
Member - Darnell Carpenter 703-243-5188 - darnell+
Member - Mileva Hartman 703-841-9287 - mileva+
Member - Dan Krasnegor 703-534-4024 - dan+
Member - Susan Quinn 703-931-1755 - susan+
Committee Chairs
Newsletter Editorial Committee
+
News email: - civicvoice Fax: 703-486-0576 +
Web: - www.civfed.org (.com works too)
Recipients of this newsletter are encouraged to forward to all and any
interested parties
Copies of the Newsletter are available for Download from the Civic
Federation website. (This page!)
If you have comments or complaints, please contact the editor, Jim Pebley
This page was last revised on: December 28, 2003.
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Arlington County Civic Federation
