Hynes, Tejada Sworn In for New County Board Terms

Columns

by ARLnow.com — December 14, 2011 at 10:55 am 2,433 14 Comments

In an announcement that surprised no one — given the predictable rhythm of such decisions — newly reelected Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes has been named the future County Board chairman for 2012.

Hynes and Board member Walter Tejada were sworn in for new four-year terms yesterday, after both winning reelection in November. The swearing-in ceremony was held in between County Board sessions last night.

Hynes will outline her priorities as chairman for 2012 at the Board’s annual organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 2. Hynes has served as a County Board member since 2008. She was previously an Arlington School Board member from 1995 to 2006.

Separately, Barbara Favola took what may be her last vote as a County Board member last night. Favola, who was elected to the Virginia Senate in November, submitted her resignation — effective Dec. 31 — last Thursday. The resignation will allow election officials to choose a firm date for the special election that will be held to find Favola’s replacement.

The special election date is expected to be revealed by the end of the week, according to Arlington County Registrar Linda Lindberg.

E

Any new businesses/stores opening up in Arlington? Crickets for local politics….
veeta

I sure wish Barbara Favola would come pick up the damn sign she put it my yard without asking. No response when I emailed the campaign office. Maybe I should put it in her yard?
- South Arlington
  
  I’m still waiting for the Caren Merrick sign to get removed from the exit off 50 West onto Washington Blvd towards the Pentagon. I wish the County would enforce the sign statutes for all offenders and issue out the penalties allowed by the law.
  - Thes
    
    VDOT road. Arlington County may not have jurisdiction to do anything. VDOT does not allow such signs on its property at any time, and the sign should have been removed by VDOT immediately.
    - FrenchyB
      
      Since VDOT only mows the grass about once a year, they should get around to removing it by June or so.
South Awwwlington

25 Million for homeless shelter. TWENTY-FIVE MILLION. They have lost their minds. Unless that building is on top of King Solomon’s Mine, why in the world would they threaten Eminent Domain…and is the usage in this case legal?
bemused bystander

As explained at last night’s meeting, the building is being acquired for several reasons, of which the proposed year-round shelter is just one. The others include needing office space into which to move some county workers as they begin to implement the long-stalled government center redevelopment plan. You may or may not approve of that, but it’s another justification for this purchase.
- South Awwwlington
  
  Yes, we both know that but the press and all others will continue to bill the item as 25M Homeless Shelter. The lack of control on the PR and very short notice the residents in this neighborhood faced is the same inconsiderate short notice residents in the Arlington Mill neighborhood had when the property TBK as The Residences at Arlington Mill were converted from mixed market-rate to 100% affordable housing.
  
  For a county like Arlington to boast of the “Arlington Way” and the openness of the process, the moves of the County Staff and the votes of the County Board surely do not follow the “Arlington Way.” Instead, they only prove just what a sham it really is.
  - You know
    
    Actually, there were more voices/signatures for the purchase ie year round shelter than against it (one condo association). Just because “your” way didn’t win, doesn’t mean the Arlington Way was not enforced.
    - South Awwwlington
      
      Well you know, You Know, I don’t have a dog in this fight. I just wonder how you would feel if it were next door to your property.
      - You know
        
        Actually, it is my neighborhood. I feel safer knowing that these men and women have a place to go at night vs. wandering around. Plus I’ve volunteered with A-SPAN and know they will be helping the homeless find permanent solutions.
    - South Awwwlington
      
      The point of my post was regarding the very short window and time frame County staff give residents to read about and mobilize when a zoning change or other controversial topic is brought up.
      
      Perhaps they should locate such a facility in the neighborhood of Yorktown or other well heeled areas. The support seems to flow from these folks SO LONG AS IT”S NOT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
      
      It is what it is, so long as you can sleep at night.
    - Burger
      
      And how many of those voices/signatures would be living right next to an all year homeless shelter? Given that the voices of people living on the street where a speed bump might go in are given more weight than those not on the street. Shouldn’t one condo’s voice have more weight than others.
- Burger
  
  Isn’t there going to be a large coming open occupancy in Crystal City with the inevitable move to the Mark Center and the also drop in government contractors as the US Fed. Government cuts off spending. So, why the need to build a new building?

Subscribe to our mailing list